Graven Images

2004-7-26 04:15:00

Sterling writes:
In our discussion about the use of symbols to evoke spiritual phenomenon, good or ill, one of the ten commandments comes to mind. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images..."

JJ, perhaps you can address this apparent contradiction.


JJ:
I see no contradiction as we did not work with any graven images. We used wands, but keep in mind that both Moses and Aaron used rods. A rod certainly was not considered a graven image in the days of Moses, even though they probably had engravings on them.

Here's the scripture: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them... Exodus20:4-5

The key scripture here is "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them."

The Ancient Israelites had many engraved images, especially in the temple such as lions, bulls etc.. Moses himself even lifted up an engraved image of a serpent in the wilderness that caused those who looked thereon to live.

If we were to be completely literal with this we wouldn't even have photographs or even coins.

The principle involved is does not negate art or engraving, but to substitute an outward image for the God within.

As I have written before, to have an outward image (whether it be a man or an engraved stone) that replaces God in the consciousness we then have the mark of the beast.

A symbol is a means of communicating, for even the words we speak are symbols. Such words either spoken or given in symbols can create many beneficial effects, even miracles if followed by the power of thought and faith.

Some early statues and paintings of Christ have him with a scepter or wand in his hand and indicate that he used it for healing. Mormon scriptures prophesy of a mighty and strong one with a "scepter of power in his hand."

Legends tell us that Moses had a rod that amplified his natural energy.

One of the purposes of rods or wands is to charge them with energy so a person can join with it and immediately move his consciousness back into its spiritual center.

This was one of the purposes of the garment introduced by Joseph Smith as well as the meditation robes in the east. They should be worn when a person comes out of the noisy world and should have the effect of quickly raising the seekers vibration so he enters the spiritual state. Mormons who wear their garment all the time do not understand its purpose. This answers the question of why Joseph did not have his garment on when he was killed - he also did not wear it on many other occasions for he understood its purpose.

Your theory is crazy, but it's not crazy enough to be true. Niels Bohr (1885 - 1962), to a young physicist