"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)
God called Israel to be The House through which he would disseminate his light and truth to the world. This endowment of light and truth contained the knowledge revealed by God to Adam and his posterity. The scriptures we have inherited are records transmitted through this covenant house (Israel). The idea of a covenant house includes a covenant people, a covenant land, and a covenant culture. But, Israel was not the first covenant people. In truth, they were a covenant house or culture that was formed out of the heirs of prior covenant houses or civilizations that had passed away. From Adam to Seth, and from Seth down to Enoch, and from Enoch to Noah, and from Noah to Abraham, and from Abraham to the House of Israel, God has made covenant with many houses through which light and truth has been transmitted in varying degrees until we reach modern day. Part of that endowment is the science given to Adam by God that was designed to lift all mankind and the earth itself into a closer relationship with himself. For the purpose of this chapter, we will refer to this knowledge as The Science of the Fathers.
The wisdom of The Fathers is not the property of any religious system or belief. While religions may contain certain performances and ordinances that were developed to communicate certain principles of this ancient science, the Science of the Fathers transcends them all. In doing so, the Science of the Fathers was given to understand the nature and purpose of mortality, the higher worlds, and God. It is the science of creation, eternal progression, and the cycles of eternity. The purpose of this Science was not to create a cult or a corporation, but to connect heaven and earth in such a manner to transform the heart of man and the world upon which he lives. Where some religions often teach a person an outside in approach by engaging a person in religious performances and ordinances, the Science of the Fathers is a science of transformation from the inside out.
Almost every religion claims a connection to a "prophet". The idea of a prophet is usually connected to a man who had a spiritual revelation and then disseminated his knowledge among the people. In other words the idea of a prophet became connected with a man to whom God reveals himself who would then communicate his experience and knowledge to those who would listen to him. The concept of "prophet" (navi in Hebrew) in the mind of an ancient Israelite is not a person, but a condition of consciousness and connection to God that exists within all mankind. Over time the terms became intermingled as a true prophet was one who had an elevated state of consciousness and connection with God. This was the deeper teaching behind the the statement of Moses:
" And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.
And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.
And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.
And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" (Numbers 11:25-29)
Those whose consciousness had truly ascended beyond the bounds of this world and had experienced the true God were then called to be teachers, but not teachers of dependency upon man. They were called to transmit the light and truth whereby all men and women could reach the state of "prophet" and know (i.e. experience) God.
The cults and religions of today are more like copyrighted software like Windows or Google. You must use their license and operating system to "know" or experience God. The Science of the Fathers is more like open source software whereby any person can know God. The degree of this experience being limited only by the individual's desire and practice.
The scriptures passed down by the House of Israel are the stories and teachings written in plain story form but designed to conceal the great truths of this science through symbol, metaphor, and number to those who seek to learn this great science for themselves. These men who reached the state of "prophet" record in true Israelite fashion the process they went through in step by step fashion so that those who read their records could attain the same. The connection with God being based on their own internal desire, intentions, and applications and not the leadership of a cult or business.
THE BOOK OF MORMON AND THE SCIENCE OF THE FATHERS
The Book of Mormon together with the Bible contains this science as preserved and presented by the prophets Lehi, Nephi, and their descendants. as well as many great gifts meant for God's people in preparation for meeting his Son. We read about the "plain and precious things" being taken from the scriptures, but what exactly are the "plain and precious things" and why are they important?
In reading the Book of Mormon the Prophet Nephi relates the following:
“Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God. And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.
(1 Nephi 13:28-29)
In examining the concept of "plain and precious things" from a Israelite Mindset, we discover that there is more to the phrase than meets the eye.
Plain = {Nakoakh} = Straight, Uprightness
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. (Psalms 8:8-9)
The word "plain" comes from the Hebrew word Nakoakh which means straight or uprightness. In its mechanical sense the concept of straight refers to the surface of the land or path which one walks. So while it can be used in phrases attempting to convey that something is straightforward or self evident its deeper meaning refers to a path which one walks.
Understanding that the concept of plain can refer to a path that is "straight" helps us to understand that the scriptures contain a pathway and that there were those who altered, changed, or obstructed that pathway by removing great truths. Altering or removing stones from this path, causes people to stumble by placing or creating stumbling blocks along the path that should be straight and level. In the mind of an Israelite a stumbling block is anything which causes you to leave the observance or correct understanding of God's commandments. One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is to remove stumbling blocks and to make the path level again. This is why Nephi later states:
And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks. (1 Nephi 14:1)
In taking away our stumbling blocks we are led to the proper understanding and observance of God's commandments. In doing so we are able to walk a path of betrothal with God's Son and arrive at a state of oneness with God.
Precious= {Migdanah} = Choice or Excellent Thing
When we think of the word "Precious" it draws to mind things of choice or excellent things of great worth. But in the mind of an Israelite this concept draws upon much deeper understanding. To understand the concept of precious it helps to draw upon Nephi's source material, The Torah.
The word "precious" comes from the Hebrew word Migdanah meaning Choice or Excellent thing. In context of the Torah we find this word first used in regard to the betrothal of Rebekah. The first place in the Torah where we find the use of the word "Precious" refers to the scene where Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, was sent to find a bride for his birthright son. As the story relates he went to the well and came upon Rebekah who used her vessel to bestow water of life upon Abraham's servant. Seeing that this was the bride God had designed to bring to Abraham's Chosen Son, Eliezer presented betrothal gifts to Rebekah's family. These betrothal gifts given by the Servant of Abraham are designed to purchase the bride and to adorn her with gifts to prepare her for her betrothal to the son or bridegroom, among other things.
Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken. And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. (Genesis 24:51-53)
In Hebraic context the "Precious Things" are equated with the betrothal gifts given to the Bride for her purchase, adornment, and preparation in getting ready to meet her Groom- Abraham's Only Begotten or Birthright Son.
The message of the Book of Mormon contains contains and endowment of this Science of the Fathers that is designed to bring us into his presence. When the records and the people of the House of Israel (i.e. The Bible and the Book of Mormon) run together we have a complete road map to the plain (level or straight) path we are to walk as well as the precious things of adornment that we as a bride must adorn ourselves with to make ourselves ready for the Bridegroom.
THE PURPOSE OF MAN- A KEY PRINCIPLE IN THE SCIENCE OF THE FATHERS
One of the first principles preserved by the Book of Mormon in regard to The Science Revealed to the Fathers is the essential principle of the purpose of man. The Prophet Lehi relates to his son, "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy (simchah)." (2 Nephi 2: 25). Many readers of the Book of Mormon read over this statement never understanding the true Israelite meaning behind this statement. To understand the meaning of this statement is to understand the purpose of the Science God revealed to Adam and what the science is designed to create.
In the mind of an Israelite joy is connected with the presence of God (YHVH). As the Psalmist records, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)
In other words Joy is the presence of God. To be in the presence of God one must be "ONE" with God or in a state of oneness with YHVH. This is what is meant by the expression of "Be ye therefor Holy" or "Be ye therefore perfect"- Holy (Kadosh) or perfect being a state of wholeness which man cannot experience without being in a state of oneness with God.
If we were to restate this principle being communicated by the Prophet Lehi in our modern language it could read:
"Adam fell so that men might exist-the purpose of man and his existence is to be in a condition of Oneness with God."
This essential and foundation principle of the Science of the Fathers (even Adam) is the purpose for God revealing and transmitting this Science. We are to experience oneness with God. As both a creature of mortality and the spiritual, man exists as the connecting link between Heaven and Earth. The connection of these two dimensions or spheres is the purpose of this science with Mankind being the principle instrument through which this can be accomplished. MAN EXISTS TO BE ONE WITH GOD.
THE BOOK OF MORMON- THE CONNECTION WITH THE SEASONS OF JOY
The Prophetic significance of the Book of Mormon in connection with the Science of the Fathers cannot be overlooked. On September 22nd 1827 (The Feast of Trumpets) the heavens were parted and a trumpet was sounded in fulfillment of this Appointed Time for All Israel throughout their Generations. And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book to be revealed. (D&C 128:20)
The Feast of Trumpets commenced a Season of Joy (simchah) and was to be an ordinance through all generations as explained in Numbers 10:
"But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.
And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
Also in the day of your joy (simchah), and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God." (Numbers 10: 7-10)
I find it interesting that a Book that teaches that the purpose of the existence of Man is to be One with God (i.e. joy) is brought forth out of the ground as a record commencing a Season of Joy (A Season of being in Oneness with God) containing the roadmap (plain) and gifts of God (precious truths) from the Fathers designed to bring us back into a condition of Oneness with God. Really makes you think!
(to be continued).
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