Fascinating Letter from Joseph Smith

I was following how many were not responding to this particular blog and determined that it was lacking a title that grabbed your attention. Of all the blogs I have posted, this is the most important. I have been fascinated by this letter written by Joseph Smith to Mr. Seaton. In my opinion, it rises to the top with a few other letters that should be read by all members of the Church. It ties together many scriptures and provides a point of reference for many other events of the LAST DAYS. It is a must-read and one would do well to study it at length.

Mr. Editor:--Sir, Considering the liberal principles upon which your interesting and valuable paper is published, myself being a subscriber, and feeling a deep interest in the cause of Zion, and in the happiness of my brethren of mankind, I cheerfully take up my pen to contribute my mite at this very interesting and important period.”

For some length of time I have been carefully reviewing the state of things, as it now appears, throughout our Christian land; and have looked at it with feelings of the most painful anxiety. While upon one hand I behold the manifest withdrawal of God's Holy Spirit, and the veil of stupidity which seems to be drawn over the hearts of the people; upon the other hand, I behold the judgments of God that have swept, and are still sweeping, hundreds and thousands of our race (and I fear unprepared) down to the shades of death. With this solemn and alarming fact before me, I am led to exclaim, "O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night."

I think that it is high time for a Christian world to awake out of sleep, and cry mightily to that God, day and night, whose anger we have justly incurred. Are not these things a sufficient stimulant to arouse the faculties and call forth the energies of every man, woman or child that possesses feelings of sympathy for their fellows, or that is in any degree endeared to the budding cause of our glorious Lord? I leave an intelligent community to answer this important question, with a confession, that this is what has caused me to overlook my own inability, and expose my weakness to a learned world, but, trusting in that God who has said that these things are hid from the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes, I step forth into the field to tell you what the Lord is doing, and what you must do, to enjoy the smiles of your Savior in these last days.

The time has at last arrived when the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has set His hand again the second time to recover the remnants of his people, which have been left from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea, and with them to bring in the fullness of the Gentiles, and establish that covenant with them, which was promised when their sins should be taken away. See Isaiah xi, Romans xi: 25, 26 and 27, and also Jeremiah xxxi: 31, 32 and 33. This covenant has never been established with the house of Israel, nor with the house of Judah, for it requires two parties to make a covenant, and those two parties must be agreed, or no covenant can be made.

Christ, in the days of His flesh, proposed to make a covenant with them, but they rejected Him and His proposals, and in consequence thereof, they were broken off, and no covenant was made with them at that time. But their unbelief has not rendered the promise of God of none effect; no, for there was another day limited in David, which was the day of His power; and then His people, Israel, should be a willing people;--and He would write His law in their hearts, and print it in their thoughts; their sins and their iniquities He would remember no more.

Thus after this chosen family had rejected Christ and His proposals, the heralds of salvation said to them, "Lo, we turn unto the Gentiles;" and the Gentiles received the covenant, and were grafted in from whence the chosen family were broken off: but the Gentiles have not continued in the goodness of God, but have departed from the faith that was once delivered to the Saints, and have broken the covenant in which their fathers were established (See Isaiah xxiv: 5); and have become high-minded, and have not feared; therefore, but few of them will be gathered with the chosen family. Have not the pride, high-mindedness, and unbelief of the Gentiles, provoked the Holy One of Israel to withdraw His Holy Spirit from them, and send forth His judgments to scourge them for their wickedness? This is certainly the case.

Christ said to His disciples (Mark xvi; 17 and 18), that these signs should follow them that believe;--"In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover;" and also, in connection with this, read 1st Corinthians, 12th chapter. By the foregoing testimonies we may look at the Christian world and see the apostasy there has been from the apostolic platform, and who can look at this and not exclaim in the language of Isaiah, "The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant?"

The plain fact is this, the power of God begins to fall upon the nations, and the light of the latter-day glory begins to break forth through the dark atmosphere of sectarian wickedness, and their iniquity rolls up into view, and the nations of the Gentiles are like the waves of the sea, casting up mire and dirt, or all in commotion, and they are hastily preparing to act the part allotted them, when the Lord rebukes the nations, when He shall rule them with a rod of iron, and break them in pieces like a potter's vessel. The Lord declared to His servants, some eighteen months since, that He was then withdrawing His Spirit from the earth and we can see that such is the fact for not only the churches are dwindling away, but there are no conversions, or but very few; and this is not all, the governments of the earth are thrown into confusion and division; and Destruction, to the eye of the spiritual beholder, seems to be written by the finger of an invisible hand, in large capitals, upon almost every thing we behold.

And now what remains to be done, under circumstances like these? I will proceed to tell you what the Lord requires of all people, high and low, rich and poor, male and female ministers and people, professors of religion and non-professors, in order that they may enjoy the Holy Spirit of God to a fullness and escape the judgments of God, which are almost ready to burst upon the nations of the earth. Repent of all your sins, and be baptized in water for the remission of them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and receive the ordinance of the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power, that ye may receive the Holy Spirit of God; and this is according to the Holy Scriptures, and the Book of Mormon; and the only way that man can enter into the celestial kingdom.

These are the requirements of the new covenant, or first principles of the Gospel of Christ; then "Add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience: and to patience godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity for love; for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful, in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The Book of Mormon is a record of the forefathers of our western tribes of Indians; having been found through the ministration of an holy angel, and translated into our own language by the gift and power of God, after having been hid up in the earth for the last fourteen hundred years, containing the word of God which was delivered unto them. By it we learn that our western tribes of Indians are descendants from that Joseph which was sold into Egypt, and that the land of America is a promised land unto them, and unto it all the tribes of Israel will come with as many of the Gentiles as shall comply with the requisitions of the new covenant. But the tribe of Judah will return to old Jerusalem. The city of Zion spoken of by David, in the one hundred and second Psalm, will be built upon the land of America, "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads" (Isaiah xxxv: 10); and then they will be delivered from the overflowing scourge that shall pass through the land. But Judah shall obtain deliverance at Jerusalem. See Joel ii:32; Isaiah xxvi: 20 and 21; Jeremiah xxxi: 12, Psalm 1:5; Ezekiel xxxiv: 11, 12 and 13. These are testimonies that the Good Shepherd will put forth His own sheep, and lead them out from all nations where they have been scattered in a cloudy and dark day, to Zion and to Jerusalem, besides many more testimonies which might be brought.

And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land, to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country. The people of the Lord, those who have complied with the requirements of the new covenant, have already commenced gathering together to Zion, which is in the state of Missouri, therefore I declare unto you the warning which the Lord has commanded to declare unto this generation, remembering that the eyes of my Maker are upon me and that to him I am accountable for every word I say wishing nothing worse to my fellow men than their eternal salvation; therefore, "Fear God, and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come." Repent ye, repent ye, and embrace the everlasting covenant, and flee to Zion, before the overflowing scourge overtake you, for there are those now living upon the earth whose eyes shall not be closed in death until they see all these things, which I have spoken, fulfilled. Remember these things; call upon the Lord while He is near, and seek Him while He may be found, is the exhortation of your unworthy servant. [Signed] JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.

Perfect Paradox - Title Page

—ATONEMENT—

THE PERFECT PARADOX

and

Becoming Children of God

___________________

KEVIN L. PACKARD

________________________

© 2013 Kevin L. Packard

Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered (2 Nephi 2:6-7).

In his book, Atonement—The Perfect Paradox, Kevin L. Packard contemplates divine law and takes a literal approach to ascertain the law and the ends of the law to which Lehi refers in these verses. Using the scriptures, the words of the prophets, and illustrations, Brother Packard explains how Christ answered the ends of the law. Moreover, he provides a simplified look at the ends of the atonement and how the ends of the atonement were likewise answered when Christ answered the ends of the law. In so doing, he describes divine qualities that resulted from answering the ends of the atonement.

Drawing from the prophet Joseph Smith’s declaration that Christ “descended in suffering below that which man can suffer . . . and was exposed to more powerful contradictions that any man can be,” Brother Packard notes how mercy is ignited in the contradictions suffered by our Lord. He provides insight into the alliance between justice and mercy and how these godly attributes demonstrate themselves in essentially identical ways to bring to pass our salvation. He discusses the effects of the fall and personal sin and probes whether we can answer the ends of the law for ourselves and, if not, explains how we can gain access to the Lord’s answers to the ends of the law through faith in Christ and choosing to emulate Him. By comparing and contrasting justification and sanctification, he explains how these doctrines apply in our journey to becoming the seed of Christ.

“One of the most profound experiences we can have in mortality is that of being born again,” writes Brother Packard. “Our spiritual journey does not end with baptism, confirmation, and being given the gift of the Holy Ghost”, he continues. "Rather, these things are but the beginning—the gateway whereby one departs the world and enters upon a path that, if followed to its end, will lead to life everlasting.” And analogous to our mortal birth, Brother Packard reminds us “that our rebirth begins with a sacred relationship between a Husband and His bride in which the product of their union is the power of an endless life.”

In applying the Lord’s atonement, Brother Packard teaches that becoming a son or daughter of God’s family and, thus, an heir of eternal life, is a demonstrative and cooperative development with specific requirements and ordinances established by the Lord. Scripture study, prayer, and worship, he writes, are fundamental to this journey. When faced with the decisions of choosing between good and evil, Brother Packard suggests that the question that should cross our minds isn’t, “What would Jesus have me do?” Rather, he recommends that we should know the Savior’s life well enough to ask, “What did Jesus do,” and then emulate Him. We must know the Lord through scripture study and personal prayer. Most importantly, He is known by revelation and through an emulation of His attributes. Therein will be discovered the essence of worship, and the true meaning of knowing God and Jesus Christ.

The Worm that Never Dies

Having previously written about the worm that dies, I thought should say a little regarding the one that never does. However, reading my blog entitled "I am a Worm" prior to reading this one is important to understand what the worm is, why the worm dies, and what results when it does.

The Joseph Smith Translation of Mark 9 details a conversation between Christ and his apostle John. Therein is the Lord's first reference made to the worm that dieth not:

And if thine eye which seeth for thee, him that is appointed to watch over thee to show thee light, become a transgressor and offend thee, pluck him out.

It is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God, with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

For it is better that thyself should be saved, than to be cast into hell with thy brother, where their worm dieth not, and where the fire is not quenched. (JST Mark 9:45-48).

As noted in my previous blog regarding this concept, the female crimson worm gives birth but once in her life-cycle . . . at the cost of her life. Hence, the worm that dies has posterity; she brings forth children. But what comes of the tola'ath, or worm, that never dies? She never brings forth children. Thereafter, she is a generation whose name is cut off out of the land of the living (see Jeremiah 11:19) that she may be forgotten and never again declared among all that are living (see Isaiah 53:8). Like all maggot larva, she spends the rest of her eternal existence feeding her voracious appetite; persistently consuming and destroying all the living in her path.

Clearly, the worm that never dies is a shadow of those who apostatize from the true and living church after they have received their inheritance by consecration. Hence, their names are not enrolled with the people of God, neither is their genealogy kept, or had where it may be found on any of the records or history of the church, "neither the names of the fathers, nor the names of the children [will be] written in the book of the law of God" (D&C 85:3-5). As spoken by the prophet, Malachi, they are left with "neither root nor branch" (Malachi 4:1).

Addressing those for whom the new heavens and earth is to be made and whose seed and name shall remain, Isaiah declared that "they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me; for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh" (see Isaiah 66:22-24). In this verse, Isaiah added several elements, which few understand, to the foregoing penalty of barrenness. First, the fire spoken of, that is never quenched, is wickedness. "Wickedness burns as a fire", wrote Isaiah (see Isaiah 9:18-19). When judgment day for most will have come and gone and they will have been washed clean of their sins through faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, "there [will be] found among those who are to remain until that great and last day, even the end, who shall remain filthy still" (see D&C 88:102, compare D&C 88:35). These "filthy still" reserved unto the fire "cannot be redeemed according to God's justice" for they shall be as though "there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death" (see Alma 11:41). And, because they shall have been resurrected, "they cannot die, seeing there [shall be] no more corruption" (Alma 12:18). And because they will not be willing to enjoy that which they might have received," they "shall return again to their own place to enjoy that which they will be willing to receive" (D&C 88:32).

Second, Isaiah's reference to the carcasses of those so cursed points back to the oath of the Abrahamic covenant wherein Abraham divided the designated sacrifices . . . the heifer (peace offering), the ram (burnt offering), and the she-goat (sin and trespass offering) . . . through the midst (see Genesis 15:9-10). And when the fowls came down upon those carcasses, the following verse notes that Abram drove them away (Genesis 15:11). At some future date, I will offer significant detail regarding the Oath of the Abrahamic Covenant and all of the symbolism involved in this rather obscure chapter of Genesis 15. For the time, however, it is sufficient for me to mention that one of the penalties for breaking the oath is that "the Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. And thy carcass shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away" (Deuteronomy 28:25-26; compare Jeremiah 34:17-20).

 

The fowls of the air and beasts of the earth are scriptural symbols of the Gentile nations. Gentiles were also called strangers, unclean, common, Egypt, a bruised reed, serpents, and "that which is forbidden" (see Ezekiel 23:42, Matthew 27:27, Acts 10:9-16, 28, 45, Acts 11:1, 4-10, 18, Jeremiah 46:1-2, 2 Kings 18:21, and Abraham 1:22-23). Partaking of those things which they seek (see Matthew 6:24-31, 32) is partaking of "forbidden fruit." During the greater part of the 6,000-year history of this world, they have been a sword in the hand of the Lord raised against His people to reprove, scatter, humble, and punish them. If the Lord's chosen race were, thereafter, to be slain by this common enemy, Jeremiah prophesied that "they shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcasses shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth" (see Jeremiah 16:4; compare Jeremiah 25:33 and Psalms 83:9-10). Such bespeaks of an inglorious resurrection.

The penalty imposed on all who break the covenant of the Holy Priesthood is that they 1) shall receive an inglorious resurrection, 2) shall have no posterity, and 3) they shall not be cleansed of their wickedness worlds without end! This, the scripture declares, "is their torment!!!" (see D&C 76:44). Who, but God, could imagine a more awful farewell.

Perfect Paradox - Prologue

Initially, I had thought to title this publication Atonement—The Ultimate Contradiction. Others suggested that such may, at first glimpse, cast a negative shadow on the Lord and His work. Certainly, that would be the last thing I would set out to do. Accordingly, in wisdom, the name was changed to reflect words more in keeping with His attribute—perfection. However, for many reasons, I suggest that Christ’s life and atonement are the ultimate contradiction—all others pale in comparison. Concerning this point, Joseph Smith (1891) taught that the Lord “descended in suffering below that which man can suffer . . . and was exposed to more powerful contradictions than any man can be” (p. 54; compare Hebrews 12:3). Even with great effort, a complete list of the contradictions that Jesus endured cannot be supplied. The following inventory suggests only a few:

• The House of Israel gathered against the God of Israel (see 1 Nephi 11:35);
• They sat in counsel (see Matthew 27:1) against the Wonderful Counselor[1] (see Isaiah 9:6);
• He came unto His own and His own received Him not (see 3 Nephi 9:16);
• The god of this world (see 2 Corinthians 4:4) despised the God of this world (see 1 Nephi11:27);
• The Judge of the world (see John 5:22) was judged of the world (see 1 Nephi 11:32);
• He who committed no transgression was numbered with the transgressors (see Isaiah 53:12);
• He who did no sin (see Hebrews 4:15) was punished for the sins of the world (see 2 Nephi 9:21);
• The Innocent (see Matthew 27:4) was condemned by the guilty;
• The High Priest (see Hebrews 4:14) was accused by the chief priests (see Matthew 27:12);
• The Faithful Witness (see Revelation 1:5) was condemned by false witnesses;
• He who came to fulfill the law (see 3 Nephi 15:8) was condemned without law (see Mark 14:43-46; compare John 18:12 – John 19:18);
• He who purchased His people with priceless blood (see Acts 20:28) was sold for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15) and disowned by His people (see Mosiah 15:5);
• Barabbas, meaning “son of the father” (see Matthew 27:16-20), was pardoned so that the Son of the Father (see Mosiah 15:2) could be condemned;
• The Living God (see 1 Thessalonians 1:9) was cut off out of the land of the living (see Isaiah 53:8);
• Life was taken from the Prince of Life (see Acts 3:15);
• The cruelest of violence was committed against Him who did no violence (see Isaiah 53:9);
• The Good Shepherd (see John 10:2) was taken as a lamb to the slaughter (see Isaiah53:7);
• He in whom was no deceit (see Isaiah 53:9) was accused by false witnesses (see Matthew26:60);
• The Word of God (see John 1:1) spoke not a word (see Matthew 27:12);
• The Living Waters (see Revelation 21:6) thirsted (see John 19:28);
• The Righteous (see Moses 7:47) made His grave with the wicked (see Isaiah 53:9);
• The King of Glory (see Psalms 24:7) was stripped of His raiment (see Matthew 27:28);
• The Lord of Hosts (see 2 Nephi 8:15) was led captive by the hosts of men (see Mark 14:46);
• Peace was taken from the Prince of Peace (see Isaiah 9:6);
• The Tree of Life (see 1 Nephi 11:21-23) gave His life on a tree (see Acts 5:30);
• The Perfect, Just God received no justice; and
• The Merciful God received no mercy (see Alma 42:15).

 Such terrible contradictions! Such awful distortions! Such ironies!

Robert Millet (2003) has written: “Some things are perhaps only fully understood in paradox” (p. 122). I suppose that such is the case with the atonement of Jesus Christ. Strangely enough, it is the contradictions suffered by Christ that bring sense to our Father’s plan. And, because Christ endured such contradictions, His gifts and graces are often demonstrated in paradoxical ways to bless us. Again, I list only a few of the parodies assembled from the scriptures:

• Christ was born of a virgin (see 1 Nephi 11:20);
• Because He died, we will live again (2 Nephi 2:8);
• Because He suffered injustice, mercy can be extended to us (Alma 34:15-16);
• Through His stripes, the stripes of many are healed (see Isaiah 53:5);
• By His blood, our garments are made white (see 1 Nephi 12:11);
• Though our sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow (see Isaiah 1:18);
• He became subject unto man in the flesh, that all men might become subject unto Him (see 2 Nephi 9:5);
• He took on the image of man (see Mosiah 7:27) so that man might take on the image of Him (see Alma 5:14);
• He was lifted up by men (see 1 Nephi 11:33) so that men can be lifted up by Him (see 3 Nephi 27:14);
• As He was judged, lifted up, and rejected by wicked men (see 1 Nephi 11:32-33), so shall wicked men be lifted up, judged, and rejected by Him (see 1 Nephi 15:36);
• He who died with a broken heart (see Psalms 69:20) binds up the broken-hearted (see Isaiah 61:1; compare D&C 138:42);
• He who was taken from prison (see Isaiah 53:8) declared liberty to the captives (see D&C 138:42);
• He who was bound (see John 18:24) opened the prison to them that were bound (D&C 138:42; compare Isaiah 61:1);
• The bitter fruit of the tree of life (see 2 Nephi 2:15) is turned sweet by the Tree of Life (see 1 Nephi 8:10-11);
• He who was oppressed and afflicted (see Isaiah 53:7) succors the oppressed and afflicted (see Alma 7:11-12);
• The Man of Sorrows (see Isaiah 53:3) removes our sorrows (see Revelation 21:4);
• He who was sold for 30 pieces of silver (see Matthew 26:15) extends infinite riches to all (see D&C 84:35-38);
• The King of Heaven (see JST Genesis 14:36) delivers us from hell (see 2 Nephi 9:10; compare 2 Nephi 33:6);
• He that descended below all things (see D&C 88:6) arises with healing in His wings (see 2 Nephi 25:13) and shall exalt us on high (see D&C 121:8);
• He who was perceived to have no seed (see Isaiah 53:8; compare Acts 8:33) has an innumerable posterity (see D&C 138:12; compare Mosiah 15:10); and
• He who was anchored to a tree becomes the Anchor of our Soul (see Hebrews 6:19).

Such parodies make His atonement a strange, yet uniquely wonderful, act. Thus, His defense of those who believe on His name is no less strange, and uniquely wonderful. By virtue of the blood which He spilt, Christ pleads, in His own name, before the Father for those who believe in His name (see D&C 38:4) and it is for His sake that we are forgiven (see Ephesians 4:32). It is because of this Son that God is merciful and it is because of this Son that God’s judgments are turned away (see Alma 33:11, 13). To the prophet Joseph, the Lord declared:

Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—

Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life (D&C 45:3-5).

The beauty of God’s plan is that the gross injustice suffered by the Holy One ignites mercy. This gross injustice is also the horror of the plan—the blood of God was shed! And because of the ultimate injustice accepted by the Just God, justice everlastingly proclaims: “Remember the sufferings of Him who did no sin and have mercy on those that believe on His name!” Because of Christ’s sufferings, the penitent is justly extended mercy—within the irreconcilable, the penitent discovers reconciliation!

Whether in life’s battlefield or standing before the throne of Grace, Christ is, and forever will be, our “ever sure defense” (Roberts, 1985, p. 78).

WORKS CITED

Millet, R. L. (2003). After All We Can Do . . . Grace Works. Salt Lake City, UT, United States: Deseret Book Company.

Roberts, D. C. (1985). God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand. Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Smith, J. (1891). The Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City: George Q. Cannon & Sons, Co., Printers and Publishers. 

FOOTNOTES

[1] I concur with the authors of Understanding Isaiah (Parry, Parry, & Peterson, 1998) wherein they assert that “Wonderful” and “Counselor” written as separate titles of Christ in Isaiah 9:6 should be joined as one title—“Wonderful Counselor” (p. 92). See Holland (1997, p. 80) wherein Elder Holland likewise unites the two titles into one expression.

I am a Worm

This entry addresses a topic that is covered at length on the WEB by our friends of other denominations. However, from my own studies, I believe that something is missing . . . the Mormon view. Amid the Messianic verses contained in Psalms 22, David touched upon a rather vague concept. Concerning Christ, he wrote: "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people" (Psalms 22:6). Although Joseph Smith revised this passage but slightly, his changes are sufficient to warrant noting. "But I, a worm, am loved of no man", Joseph wrote, a reproach of men, and despised of the people" (JST Psalms 22:6). If any part of what David wrote in this verse seems awkward, it is his reference to the Lord as a worm. Off hand, one might even consider such reference to be outright disrespectful. But when properly understood, one will admire the deep meaning that David brought to bare by using this obscure symbol . . . a worm.

The word "worm" shows up in scriptures (LDS version of Standard Works) a total of 17 times and "worms" a total of 10. Due to the fact that Nephi included in the Book of Mormon many chapters written by Isaiah, three of the occurrences of the word are duplicates. Hence, the word, in its singular or plural, is used only 24 times. Notwithstanding its infrequent use, the word, whether singular or plural, has four distinct meanings. The first is derived from the Hebrew word rim-maw', meaning a maggot or worm. It is used only 4 times in the scriptures. In context, it is used by Moses to describe the worms which bred in manna that was left till morning (see Exodus 16:20, 24). This word has several interesting primitive roots, raw-mam' and room, both of which have complementary meaning, including "to rise, exalt, get oneself up, lift up self, and to be high, haughty, lofty, promoted, or proud."

The second meaning is derived from the Hebrew sawce, meaning a moth. In context, it is used only once in the scriptures. Isaiah wrote: "For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation" (Isaiah 51:8). The third meaning of the word is derived from the Hebrew zaw-khal' meaning "to crawl, to fear, be afraid, serpent, or worm." In context, this meaning take on greater significance in relation to other concepts contained in the scriptures. Several verses showing this relationship are found in Micah:

The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf. 

They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of thee" (Micah 7:16-17).

And in Deuteronomy, Moses likewise wrote:

They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. (Deuteronomy 32:24).

Although more time could, and should, be spent on this particular meaning and context of the word, I will move on in the interest of staying focused.

The fourth, and final, meaning of the word "worm" is derived from the Hebrew to-law' or TOLA’ATH. It is most often used in connection with the Hebrew word shaw-nee', a word of uncertain derivation meaning crimson, or scarlet. When used together, tola`ath  shaw-nee' is frequently translated as "scarlet" and, less frequently, it is translated as "worm." When translated as scarlet, it generally has reference to the particular dye used to color the covering of the tent of the tabernacle (see Exodus 26:14). When translated as worm, it has specific reference to the female worm 'coccus Illicis', also called the crimson or scarlet worm, from which this dye of antiquity was produced. This relationship between the scarlet worm and the scarlet-colored covering of the tent of the tabernacle is going to prove important. But first . . . some details about the scarlet worm.

The Mediterranean scarlet worm is a common grub that feeds upon the Holm oak, an evergreen. The male, which is smaller than the female, passes through a complete metamorphosis and develops wings. The female is wingless and adheres to the oak by its long, sucking beak, through which it extracts the sap on which it lives.

The female produces offspring but once in her life-cycle because of the manner in which she brings forth her young. As described in his publication entitled Biblical Basis for Modern Science, author Henry Morris wrote: 

When the female of the scarlet worm species was ready to give birth to her young, she would attach her body to the trunk of a tree [usually the Holm oak], fixing herself so firmly and permanently that she would never leave again. The eggs deposited beneath her body were thus protected until the larvae were hatched and able to enter their own life cycle. As the mother died, the crimson fluid stained her body and the surrounding wood. From the dead bodies of such female scarlet worms, the commercial scarlet dyes of antiquity were extracted. (Henry Morris, Baker Book House, 1985, p. 73). 

 Afterwards associating this birthing process to the verse wherein Christ declares that he is a worm, the foregoing author afterwards noted: 

What a picture this gives of Christ, dying on the tree, shedding his precious blood that he might 'bring many sons unto glory' (Hbr 2:10)! He died for us, that we might live through him! Psa 22:6 describes such a worm and gives us this picture of Christ. (cf. Isa 1:18)" (Henry Morris, Baker Book House, 1985, p. 73). 

The associating of the scarlet worm giving birth to its posterity with Christ giving birth on the cross is made by many, including a very devote protestant friend. Using a woman in travail as a type of Christ giving birth to eternal sons and daughters, Isaiah foretold the sorrow and joy of Gethsemane: "Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed" (Isaiah 53:10). Notwithstanding the sorrow a woman in travail feels "because her hour is come, as soon as she is delivered of the child," John wrote, "she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world" (John 16:21). Isaiah's confirming witness of the joy the Lord would feel as He made His soul an offering whereby He brought forth a seed expresses precisely what the apostle John likewise expressed: "He shall see of the travail of his soul (i.e., his posterity), and shall be satisfied" (Isaiah 53:11).

Although my friend of other denomination has made the important doctrinal association between nature's worm and our Savior's redeeming sacrifice, the connection that he missed is the fact that this worm, in bringing forth her young, produces a dye that was used anciently to color the covering of the tent of the tabernacle. To understand this connection and its significance, some preliminary comments regarding the tent of the tabernacle of the congregation are needed.

Everything regarding the tabernacle of the congregation has incredibly deep meaning. Understanding the colors, composition, dimensions, duties and ordinances of the tabernacle has beautiful relevance, even today. The tabernacle was 100 by 50 cubits. Within the tabernacle was a tent that was 10 by 30 cubits. It was given its obvious name, "the tent of the tabernacle." This tent represented the temple proper, the only covered part within the tabernacle. As shown here, the tent of the tabernacle was divided into two compartments by a veil (Exodus 26:33). The two rooms created by this division were called the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The dimensions of each room was 10 by 20 cubits and 10 by 10 cubits, respectively (see LDS Bible Dictionary, Tabernacle).

Entrance into these rooms was prohibited to all except those possessing the title of High Priest. Within these rooms, the most sacred rites of temple worship were performed. The Holy Place contained spoons, forks, jugs, and jars (see Exodus 37:16) and all of the utensils used by the High Priests to "eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them" (Exodus 29:33). Within the Holy Place were also situated the seven-branched Menorah, the table upon which twelve loaves of showbread were placed (see Exodus 26:35), and the altar of incense where Aaron, the High Priest, offered prayer morning and night in connection with his duties of caring for the Menorah (see Exodus 30:7-8). In the Most Holy Place, one item, upon which the mercy seat was placed, was centered . . . the ark containing the covenants of God to his covenant people (see Exodus 26:33-34). This room was entered into by the High Priest through the veil but one day every year . . . on the Day of Atonement. I will reserve detailing the rituals of that day to another time. They are, however, clearly outlined in Leviticus 16.

The colors of the tent were blue, purple, and scarlet and of fine-twined linen (Exodus 26:1, 31, 36). And, although divided by a veil, both the Holy and Most Holy places were covered "of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers’ skins" (Exodus 26:14). In this verse, and throughout the Old Testament, badgers' skins is likely a mistranslation that should have been rendered dolphin skins, thereby giving the covering above a heavenly hue. It is significant that the scarlet-colored covering of the tent is made of rams' skins, the Proxy which God promised He would provide for a burnt, or whole, offering (see Genesis 22:8, 13).

Inasmuch as the tent of the tabernacle's covering was scarlet and that the Hebrew for both the scarlet color and the scarlet worm is TOLA’ATH, it is unmistakable that the covering of the tent of the tabernacle was to be the incarnation of the scarlet worm, Jesus Christ, who fixed himself "firmly and permanently" to a tree that His seed might be covered. It is a most compelling fact that the Hebrew for atonement, Kaphar, means "to cover, cover over with pitch, to be covered, and to cover over." No better symbol of Christ is provided in scripture depicting those who are "His seed." Beneath the scarlet-colored covering of the tent of the tabernacle of God is His seed! Christ is the tabernacle of God and those who stand in His Holy Place (see JS-Matthew 1:2, 12) are covered by Him.

Today, as seen in these pictures, the Terrestrial Room of every temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Holy Place and the Celestial Room is the Most Holy Place. These temples and the ancient tabernacle are built after the same architectural blue-print--the TRUE PATTERN shown to Moses in the Mount (see Hebrews 8:5; compare Exodus 25:40), even the LORD, JESUS CHRIST, our SAVIOR and REDEEMER, our LAW and our LIGHT, our only one TRUTH and our only sure WAY!

Abinadi, a prophet who lived in America, asked an important question of his jailors immediately prior to his martyrdom in approximately 148 B.C. Isaiah penned the very question hundreds of years earlier prior to his martyrdom. Concerning Christ and this whole matter of begetting a posterity, both asked the question, "Who shall declare his generation" (see Isaiah 53:8, compare Mosiah 15:10)? Shortly after the death of any man, the memory of him is lost to all except his children, grandchildren, and so forth. Today, I speak fondly of my grandfathers and great grandfathers and continue to declare their generation . . . that they were good men worthy of emulation. Hence, in the question posed by the ancient prophets in America and Jerusalem, the idea of posterity is implied. In response to the question, I quote at length the words of Abinadi: 

And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed?

Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God.

For these are they whose sins he has borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed?

Yea, and are not the prophets, every one that has opened his mouth to prophesy, that has not fallen into transgression, I mean all the holy prophets ever since the world began? I say unto you that they are his seed.

And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth! (Mosiah 15:10-14).

To become the seed of Christ requires that 1) one obtain the Spirit of Prophecy (see D&C 76:50, 73), or the Testimony of Jesus (see Revelation 19:10) . . . the sure witness that the words of the prophets concerning Christ are true (see Alma 5:47); and 2) that he/she hearkens to their words with a firm faith in the Lord and His plan of redemption. One must leave the world and spiritually enter the Lord's terrestrial presence, partake of His gospel and goodness, and come under His protective covering. Such individuals are born again, having clean hands and a pure heart through faith on His name who did bear them. Of this, I testify, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.