Saturday, March 29, 2014

Ammon (Christ) Cutting off the Arms of Wicked Men

Ammon (Christ) Cutting off the Arms of Wicked Men
By Jeffrey A. Bushman     March 2014

My seminary students asked one day if people in the Book of Mormon were also similitudes of Christ and I said God is the same, so the answer should be yes.  We decided as a class to see if Ammon, one of the 4 sons of Mosiah would work as a similitude.  He did!

I will include chapter and verse for you, and tell what event is happening.  If you would like to see what you can see before looking at my ideas, stop after reading the event and before my ideas are given in red type and see what you can come up with yourself.  You need to remember my ideas are not the one and only true one, there can be many similitudes given and if you see Christ in them I can’t see how you can be wrong.

Mosiah 29:1-9
V1-2   Ammon goes to his father King Mosiah and asks to go down to the Lamanites and preach the gospel to help them become righteous.  Ammon is the son of a king as Christ is the son of the Eternal King.  Also Christ wanted to go down among a group of unbelievers (world) and try to bring them back to God.
V3, 5   They wanted salvation preached to everyone so that the Lamanites would not suffer endless torment.  They did plead with the father many days that they might go up to preach.  He and his  brothers had great love for all mankind, like Christ’s love for the world, also as Christ pleads our case before the Father (mediator), he pleaded to go help them repent.
V7  Ammon will be delivered out of the hands of the Lamanities.  Christ could not be killed and could deliver himself out of any situation.  He had to give up his life himself.
Ammon given eternal life.  Jesus is the way the truth and the life.
Many of the Lamanites would believe on his words.  Many believed on Christ’s word to eternal life.

Alma 17
V 2-6  These I will just list and you should be able to see how they are the same for both Ammon and Christ.
a.     Waxed strong in their knowledge of the truth 
b.    Men of sound understanding 
c.     Searched the scriptures diligently to know the word of God. 
d.    Gave themselves to much fasting and prayer 
e.     Had spirit of prophecy and the spirit of revelation. 
f.      When they taught they taught with power and authority from God. 
g.     Taught 14 years among the Lamanites.  14 is a number than means Messianic 
h.    Many brought to the knowledge of the truth. 
i.      They had many afflictions and did suffer much, both in body and in mind,….also much labor in the spirit.  
j.      Leave their father. 
k.    Give up the kingdom to go among the people.
V8  Ammon departed into the wilderness with their numbers which they had selected to go help preach.  Jesus comes into the world with those (Apostles & Leaders) who were to help preach the word unto the people.
V9-10  He describes many other similarities that you can see if you look.  I didn’t want to make this too long.  Look for more in the verses I leave out, for practice!
V11  They were to be patient in long-suffering and afflictions that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.   Christ is the example of good and was an instrument in the salvation of many souls through the atonement.
V18  Ammon being chief among them, or rather he administered to them and he blessed them and they separated to their different areas.  Christ is chief among all and he blesses all those who may be separated from others and go out to serve the Lord.
V20  Ammon entered to land of Ishmael where he was taken and bound and taken before the King.  When Christ began His ministry he was rejected (bound) and many would not listen to Him.  He was also taken bound to the Leaders prior to his death and burial.
V22-23  Brought before King Lamoni who asked if he would like to live among them.  He said yea I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.  Christ desire to dwell for a period of time and stayed until the day he died.
V24-25  Lamoni was pleased and asked him to take one of his daughters to wife.  Christ could have lived in royal comfort during his mortal ministry and had all things done for him, but instead he (Ammon) said I will be thy servant.  Christ came as a ministering servant.  Ammon was set among the flocks of the king with the other servants.  Christ came to serve and minister, he was put over the flocks because he is the good shepherd.  The other servants also minister to the flock but will hearken to Christ.  Like servants in the church.
V26  After 3 days, Ammon with the other servants take the flock to drink of the waters of Sebus.  3 means Godhead or comes from God and Jesus as the good shepherd help take the flock to the (living) waters, to drink the waters of Eternal life.  Remember sheep are symbolic of members of the church.
V27-32  Next wicked men stand up and scattered the flocks of the king in many directions.  The servants of the king began to murmur and weep saying now they will be slain by the king for letting his flock be scattered.  When Ammon sees this he rejoices and thinks I will show forth the power that is in me that I may win the hearts of these my fellow servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.  He believed he was no better than the other servants and flatters them to go in search of the flocks.  They follow Ammon and bring the flocks back to the waters.  Wicked men are Satan and his followers and they scatter the flocks of the Lord, for as we learn in verses 35 they delighted in seeing the servants of the king killed and in 18:7 they wanted the sheep to be scattered that they would go into their lands and it be an act of plunder.  Satan’s goal is to destroy the church and he takes great pleasure in seeing the servants of the king put to death.  He also seeks to drive members away from the living waters and make them part of his own flock.  These good servants follow Christ and with great swiftness they return the flock to the living water.
V33-39  The wicked men come again to scatter the flock when they see them gathered back to the waters.  Ammon instructs them to encircle the flocks that they flee not and I will go and contend with these men who do scatter the flocks.  The servants circle the flocks and Ammon goes to contend with the men who are not a few.  They are not afraid for they thought anyone of them could slay him, but they didn’t know that God would deliver him out of their hands.  Ammon stands forth and begins to cast stones at them as they come to scatter the flocks.  They try to hit him but they cannot hit him with their rocks, so they get angry and decide to come and club him to death.  As every man lifted his club Ammon smote off their arm with his sword and they became frightened and flee from before Ammon.  He had killed 6 of them with the sling but he killed none but their leader with his sword, but he had smitten off many arms, even as many as were lifted against him.  He then goes back to the flocks and they finish watering them and return to the king with the servants bringing along all the arms that were cut off.  Ammon representing Christ, tells the servants to keep the sheep (saints) safe and he will fight our battles for us.  They respond and guard the sheep and he takes out his sling and uses stones that may be symbolic of the rock of revelation, the word of God or the gospel, remember we are to build on the rock of our redeemer.  He kills 6 with the sling, remember 6 is a number that stands for Satan and they cannot hit him with their rocks.  It is nice to have a savior who can’t be destroyed who will help us fight against Satan and his followers.  As they attack him with their clubs (remember your arm is symbolic of your power or strength) he takes the sword and by the strength of his arm he cuts off all who oppose him.  In scripture the word of God is sharper than a two edge sword.  Both the rocks and the sword represent the word of God filled with might and the power of God.  He kills only their leader with the sword (Satan) he has now killed 7 which mean (perfect or complete) victory over Satan and his followers.  Christ when he was on the mount of temptation withstood Satan by quoting scripture.  Remember Satan cannot win if we have the Lord fighting for us.  The servants will now bear testimony of the saving power of Ammon (Jesus) by bearing the arms as a testimony of their great deliverance.

Alma 18
V1-7   These verses have many imageries that I won’t take the time to go through since it is conversation between Lamoni and his other servants.  I will just mention a few things but won’t put my comments.  As the servants tell the story of their deliverance from the wicked men, Lamoni  believes that Ammon is the great spirit.  The servants say we don’t know what he is but we know he cannot be killed, and our enemies cannot scatter the flocks when he is with us, because of his great power or strength.  We know that he is a friend to the king, and Lamoni comments that Ammon came down to preserve your lives that I might not slay you.  Are you seeing the imagery?  We need to stay close to the Lord so He can do certain things for us.
V8-10     Lamoni asks where Ammon is at the present time and they say he is preparing your horses and chariots,  he then said, “Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that have been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them”.   Christ has remembered all of God’s commandments and doth perfectly execute them, hence he is without sin.
V11-23   The king would like to talk to Ammon but is afraid because of his past sins, finally Ammon came in after getting the chariots ready and asks if there is anything else Lamoni would like from him.  He is afraid to answer and so after a while Ammon decides to leave when a servant says, “Rabannah” which means great powerful king, the king would like you to stay.  Ammon asks what he wants and waits an hour for a reply, but none is forthcoming.  He asks again with no answer, then he perceived the thoughts of the king.  He asks is it because of what I did in protecting your servant and sheep?  The king says how do you know what I am thinking?  Are you that great spirit who knows all things?  Ammon says no.  But he tells the king if I tell how I did what I did, will you believe me? The king says yes, so Ammon teaches him the Plan of Happiness.  Christ is certainly a great and powerful King.  One who has the power to discern our thoughts, and is willing for us to know by what power he can lead us to living water.  Who can keep us safe from he who has power to destroy both body and spirit, and return us to the pastures of the King of Heaven.


As I read this story I am impressed with Christ’s desire that the members of the church are able to drink from the “Living Waters” and that he is there to protect us, along with His chosen servants, from the evil one.  There is no doubt He has power over our enemies, and that the only reason he demonstrates His power is to lead us to salvation.  It is nice to know that we can’t lose Eternal Life if we will stay with the flock He is protecting.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Joseph in Egypt as Similitude of Christ and You

# 5 Joseph In Egypt
By
Jeffrey A. Bushman March 2014
This is rather lengthy but the imagery in this one was to use Joseph as Similitude of Christ and how Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and compare it to how the Lord would like to reveal himself to all who are of the house of Israel.  Hopefully you may also see some connections to the temple experience.

There has been much written and taught about how Joseph is symbolic of Jesus Christ.  Most dwell on how he was the birthright son and beloved of his father.  He was to be responsible for his father’s family when Israel was not present.  He is  betrayed or sold by Judah after his brothers rejected him.  He is sold for 20 pieces of silver (the price of a teenage slave) Christ for 30 pieces of silver (the price of an adult slave).  His  brothers were jealous of his birthright to direct the family of Israel and wanted to be the rulers over the family.  Joseph was sold into the world or Egypt, which will make a way to save his whole family.  Everything the scriptures talk about Joseph is how good he is and refuses to sin to enjoy a, quote, “better life”.  All he does prospers and he endures rejection and persecution without just cause.  He has gifts from God to interpret dreams and be a great leader and organizer.  He is always trying his best to do what he can under all circumstances.
From this point on I will go through the story of Joseph with the famine and show what I feel is the greatest desire the Lord has for the House of Israel.  He wants to reveal himself to them in righteousness and bring them Eternal Life through the power of His father.  I have left the actual written story line and included in red some thoughts I have had on the subject.  These are just a few for I have had many.
Genesis 41
1 ¶ AND it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well-favoured kine and fat-fleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the [other] kine upon the brink of the river.
4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, [it was] a dream.
8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but [there was] none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
9 ¶ Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, [both] me and the chief baker:
11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
12 And [there was] there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. (Christ has the ability to deal with us individually according to our own life and needs)
13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved [himself], and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. (Jesus always does everything in his power to take advantages of his opportunities.)
15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and [there is] none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, [that] thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. (Jesus said, “…that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.” John 8:28)
17 ¶ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed and well-favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they [were] still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, [and] blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told [this] unto the magicians; but [there was] none that could declare [it] to me.
25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh [is] one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he [is] about to do.
26 The seven good kine [are] seven years; and the seven good ears [are] seven years: the dream [is] one.
27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them [are] seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
28 This [is] the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God [is] about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; (Seven is a number representing God and perfection or being complete. God is going to prepare enough during the plenty, so that he can save the world when it is without bread or life.)
31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it [shall be] very grievous.
32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; [it is] because the thing [is] established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
33 ¶ Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. (Egypt or the world was under the control of Pharaoh or Heavenly Father and he would pick out Jesus or Joseph to oversee his land)
34 Let Pharaoh do [this], and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. (God will make preparations to make sure there is sufficient in the land when there is a famine or lack of the bread of life)
38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find [such a one] as this [is], a man in whom the Spirit of God [is]?
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, [there is] none so discreet and wise as thou [art]: (Jesus “Joseph” is chosen because he has the spirit of God in Him and can know the mind and will of God.)
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. (His role is defined in his relationship to the Father)
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. (The world is under his direction.)
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; (Power and authority to act for God in the world.)
43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him [ruler] over all the land of Egypt. (All the world would bow the knee and he had to power to go throughout the world.  Here is second only to the King.)
44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I [am] Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. (All power and authority in this world will have to go through Christ, he gives us ability to act and to move.)
45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over [all] the land of Egypt. (His name means to reveal that which is hidden, (BD) Also the greatest thing that Christ would like to reveal is the mysteries of the knowledge of God. See D&C 84:19 & John 17:3 where it is life eternal if we get to the point where we learn who God and Christ are as they  reveal themselves to us.)
 46 ¶ And Joseph [was] thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. (The age when Christ starts his ministry.)
47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. (There is enough of the (7) perfect or complete bread of life, for all who will come.)
48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which [was] round about every city, laid he up in the same.
49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for [it was] without number. (Christ prepares for the salvation of the world “the bread of life” and there is enough for all.)
50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. (Christ shall see his seed and be satisfied. Isaiah 53)
51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, [said he], hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. (Because of his seed who accepts of his atonement he will feel his trials were worth it.)
53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. (The land where Joseph reigned)
55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. If you want the bread of life from God you have to get it through the person that god has appointed for this purpose, in other words Jesus Christ.
56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy [corn]; because that the famine was [so] sore in all lands. (Joseph is the one who possess the bread (of Life) you need to go to him.
Genesis 42
1 ¶ NOW when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
2 And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. (Jacob realized that their salvation would have to come from Egypt because that is where the bread was and also Joseph “Jesus”, and they need to go and get bread, meaning the bread of life.)
3 And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him. 
5 And the sons of Israel came to buy [corn] among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
6 And Joseph [was] the governor over the land, [and] he [it was] that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him [with] their faces to the earth. (Again all have to go through Joseph to get this bread and they reverence him. Joseph had known before that his brothers would bow down, but all 11 and not just 10.)
7 ¶ And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. (Christ knows them all as he does us, especially those of the house of Israel.  He will repeat over and over that he knows them, but he makes himself strange unto them for all will be proved to see if they will keep the commandments of God before he makes himself known unto them.  Even to the point of treating them roughly if it is for their good.)
8 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. (Again Christ knows all of us, but we all come to him for bread without really knowing who and what he is.)
9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye [are] spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. (He knows that all 11 have to be there not just 10 and will devise a plan to bring a completion of the prophecies.)
10 And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. (They say we will pay for what we get, and will not rob you.)
11 We [are] all one man's sons; we [are] true [men], thy servants are no spies. (Here they are stating that they are true men and not thieves.  This theme of being true men will run throughout this experience. But in the past they have shown to Joseph that they were not true men and took from him his rightful position as the favored son of his father and took his right to preside over the house of covenant Israel.  They have been thieves in the past or at least taken what they wanted from him.)
12 And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
13 And they said, Thy servants [are] twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest [is] this day with our father, and one [is] not. (Start to reveal things that will let Joseph know whether they are true men.)
14 And Joseph said unto them, That [is it] that I spake unto you, saying, Ye [are] spies:
15 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. (I will now prove you herewith to see if you are true men.)
16 Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether [there be any] truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye [are] spies. (The test begins.)
17 And he put them all together into ward (prison) three days. (Three represents thing that relate to God.)
18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; [for] I fear God: (Because of them telling the truth about the family he now is going to start the test to see if they really are true men, and reveals things to them about himself, like I believe in God and am not like the Egyptians.  Again Christ desire is to reveal himself to the house of Israel and those who will join with them in true worship, but he will do it by degrees as we prove ourselves as being true men.)
19 If ye [be] true [men], let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: (He then is going to keep one of the brothers and let the others go home to bring food to their families, but the test is whether they will forget their brother and go about their life like, they did to him.)
20 But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so. (If you are true men then bring Benjamin and I will bless you and you will not die.  They have no idea that the famine is for 7 years and there is still over 5 years to go.  But he is also referring to spiritual death.)
21 ¶ And they said one to another, We [are] verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. (They talk among themselves and said that this bad thing is happening because of what we did to Joseph when we sold him. They are realizing their sins have impact on their future lives.)
22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required. (Because of our sins this is happening to us.  He is correct.)
23 And they knew not that Joseph understood [them]; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. (Christ knows everything we speak and think, but here he talks through the prophets to them, for they are not ready to speak to him face to face.)
24 And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes. (The Lord wants to let them know who he is, but they need this test for them to know if they are willing to do all things that are for their good.  He has true feelings of love for them and the greatest desire is to make himself know to them so they can have eternal life.)
25 Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them. (He then gives them corn, or bread of life and has their money put back into their bags for the bread of life is free to those of the house of Israel.  He also is supporting them in their journey.)
26 And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence. (Though the bread of life is provided they have to take it and use it in their life.  They have to do some works to make this mercy available to them and their family.)
27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it [was] in his sack's mouth.
28 And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, [it is] even in my sack: and their heart failed [them], and they were afraid, saying one to another, What [is] this [that] God hath done unto us? (The bread of Life or the Gospel is free to the house of Israel.  Also this may be a test of whether they will bring the money back to demonstrate they are true men.)
29 ¶ And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,
30 The man, [who is] the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.
31 And we said unto him, We [are] true [men]; we are no spies:
32 We [be] twelve brethren, sons of our father; one [is] not, and the youngest [is] this day with our father in the land of Canaan.
33 And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye [are] true [men]; leave one of your brethren [here] with me, and take [food for] the famine of your households, and be gone:
34 And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye [are] no spies, but [that] ye [are] true [men: so] will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land. (Joseph needs them to know that they are true men for themselves, for if he reveals himself to them before they have proved themselves, they would be good in Joseph’s presence because of the fear of what Joseph could do to them because of what they had done to him. Joseph wanted them to treat him nice out of love and respect, not out of the fear of punishment for past actions.)
35 And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money [was] in his sack: and when [both] they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.
36 And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved [of my children]: Joseph [is] not, and Simeon [is] not, and ye will take Benjamin [away]: all these things are against me.
37 And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
38 And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Genesis 43
1 ¶ AND the famine [was] sore in the land.
2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, go again and buy us a little food.
 3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother [be] with you. (If you don’t keep your end of the deal then you can’t even come in to see me or talk with me, for you will not be true men. We also talk about seeing the Lord and knowing that “I am God”.  We call this Eternal Life, John 17:3. Part of the curse associated with promised lands is if you keep not my covenants you will cut off from my presence.)
4 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
5 But if thou wilt not send [him], we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother [be] with you.
6 And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye [so] ill with me, [as] to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
7 And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, [Is] your father yet alive? have ye [another] brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
8 And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, [and] also our little ones.
9 I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: (Here Judah who had sold the favorite son of Israel is now saying put your “now favorite son” in my hands, I will be responsible for him, what a great way to see if Judah is a true man.)
10 For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
11 ¶ And their father Israel said unto them, If [it must be] so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: (We need to bring what little we have to the Savior when we are asking him to give us the bread of life.  A great tie in to grace and our works.)
 12 And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry [it] again in your hand; peradventure it [was] an oversight: (To show that you are true and honest men.)
13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved. (The plea of Jacob was that Heavenly Father would give them mercy before Joseph “Jesus” since he was the only one with the ability to give mercy.  Without going back to Joseph they would all die.)
15 ¶ And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring [these] men home, and slay, and make ready; for [these] men shall dine with me at noon. (Once Joseph saw that they had brought Benjamin and were fulfilling their part of the agreement, he had his servant invite them to his own house “temple” to be filled with meat.  Jesus said, “Labour not for the meat whichperisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27)  Also Mal 3:8-10 where God states that we should pay tithing so that there will be meat in my house.  The meat is the bread of life.  Here in his house they will get to know him even better as they are more worthy than before for they have kept his commandments.  Noon is also the time when the light is the greatest.
17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.
18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, (Here at the door to Joseph’s house they feel a need to make sure they are considered true men so they talk to the servant at the door, “recommend desk” and explain their situation that they were not thieves.)
20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, [every] man's money [was] in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
22 And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
23 And he said, Peace [be] to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them. (After their explanation, the servant tells them that they are fine.  The Lord has blessed them and he had been given their money, their family is then restored to them as they get ready to enter Joseph’s home.)
24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave [them] water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender. (As the enter Joseph’s home they are washed or cleansed “temple” and their immediate needs are taken care of so that they may focus on this experience they are to have with Joseph.)
25 And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there. (They show preparation to show Joseph they appreciate what he has and will do for them.)
26 ¶ And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which [was] in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth. (They now fulfill the dream Joseph had of his 11 brothers, all the descendents of the house of Israel bow before the Lord.)
27 And he asked them of [their] welfare, and said, [Is] your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? [Is] he yet alive?
28 And they answered, Thy servant our father [is] in good health, he [is] yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, [Is] this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought [where] to weep; and he entered into [his] chamber, and wept there. (Still not time to reveal himself to them.)
31 And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. (In his house they have a meal together.  Meals were often part of covenant making.  Internalize the covenant, or to make it a part of them like taking Sacrament.)
32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that [is] an abomination unto the Egyptians.
33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marveled one at another. (He places them according to age, everything in its proper order.)
34 And he took [and sent] messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. (Benjamin had not sinned against Joseph so he is given more, also to see if they would be jealous of the attention paid to him like they were when Joseph received the attention.  They are also getting to know Joseph better as they eat and drink together and have an enjoyable time.)
Genesis 44
1 ¶ AND he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks [with] food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.
2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. (The final test to see if they are true men is set.  The cup we learn may be Joseph’s Urim & Thummim wherein he can divine, and see hidden things like his Egyptian name means.)
3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.
4 [And] when they were gone out of the city, [and] not [yet] far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
5 [Is] not this [it] in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
6 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.
7 And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?
9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.
10 And he said, Now also [let] it [be] according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless. (Men shall be punished for their own sins and not for the sins of another.)
11 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.
12 And he searched, [and] began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
14 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he [was] yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.
15 And Joseph said unto them, What deed [is] this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine? (I have a gift that lets me know things that others do not know.)
16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we [are] my lord's servants, both we, and [he] also with whom the cup is found. (They state that they had said that they would be servants if any had the cup. But Joseph is going to say that everyone is guiltless except who took the cup.  We are to answer for our own sins.)
17 And he said, God forbid that I should do so: [but] the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father. (The real test is finally here.  They can all go back home by leaving one of their brothers, if they are thinking about themselves.  This is much like what they did to Joseph himself.)
18 ¶ Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou [art] even as Pharaoh. (Judah, the one who sold Joseph and then said he would be responsible for Benjamin now asks to speak a word in the Lord’s ear who is like God “temple” and explain his situation or solution to the problem.)
19 My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
20 And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.
21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.
22 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for [if] he should leave his father, [his father] would die.
23 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.
24 And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
25 And our father said, Go again, [and] buy us a little food.
26 And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother [be] with us.
27 And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two [sons]:
28 And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
29 And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
30 Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad [be] not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;
31 It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad [is] not [with us], that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
32 For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.
33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.
34 For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad [be] not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father. (Here Judah now offers his life for the life of his younger brother and is willing to serve Joseph if Benjamin can go home.  He has just demonstrated that he (by offering his life for his  brother) and his brothers have repented and are true men as they have been claiming, as he is communing with Joseph in his house. “temple”)
Genesis 45
 1 ¶ THEN Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. (Now that they have proved themselves, Joseph “Jesus” knows that he can reveal himself to them because they are men of truth like he is and have repented of their past sins and will now live righteous lives, like Joseph.  He sends out all servants (non Israelite) for he can only reveal himself to his covenant people.  He then makes himself known to his brothers.  They have the opportunity to know him (John 17:3 eternal life) and will be invited to live with him and enjoy the most prosperous blessing of the earth.)
2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. (The Lord has wanted to reveal himself all along and has great emotion as he is able to reveal himself to his brothers)
3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I [am] Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could  not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. (In this verse, I just like the phrase “I am”, the same name that Jesus tell Moses to give the Israelites on who is send him to them.)
4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I [am] Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. (Revelation 13:8, the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.)
6 For these two years [hath] the famine [been] in the land: and yet [there are] five years, in the which [there shall] neither [be] earing nor harvest.
7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (The purpose of the Lord is to preserve us a posterity in the earth “Celestial Kingdom” and he accomplished this by a great deliverance by being the bread of Life.)
8 So now [it was] not you [that] sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. (This seemingly negative experience for Joseph was God’s way preparing a Savior for them.  God used their sin or mistake to  bring about his plan of salvation for the house of Israel.)
9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: (If you know where the Lord is you need to go to him and he will bless you.)
10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet [there are] five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. (Come unto me and ye shall prosper in the land.)
12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that [it is] my mouth that speaketh unto you. (Here, and in the following verses he separates Benjamin from his other brothers because Benjamin had not sinned against him like they had.)
13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.
14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
16 ¶ And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. (The righteous of Israel will get the good and eat the fat of the earth.) Fat is symbolic of God giving us more blessing than we deserve.
19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt [is] yours.
21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred [pieces] of silver, and five changes of raiment.
23 And to his father he sent after this [manner]; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.
24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
25 ¶ And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
26 And told him, saying, Joseph [is] yet alive, and he [is] governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.
27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

28 And Israel said, [It is] enough; Joseph my son [is] yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Christ uses Jonah as a Similitude

Jonah as a Similitude of Christ
You can learn to find and see these similitudes or imageries of Prophet’s ministry and the acts of Jesus Christ. (Hosea 12:10)  I will try and show you how I look for similitudes.

1.    Jesus is the one who shows that there is a connection between Jonah and himself.  See Matthew 12:39-41 and also it is mentioned in Luke 11:29-32.  When the Pharisees said, ”we would see a sign from thee”  Jesus replied, “…and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas” (Jonah).  Then Christ tells some similitude, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth”.

2.   Let’s now go to the book of Jonah and try and find things that both Jonah and Christ did.  I don’t look at the negative things for they would not be like Christ.

3.   In Jonah 1:3 Jonah went down into a boat. Did Christ ever go down into a boat?  If you say yes then you can see the similarities.

4.   Chapter 1:4  There was a great tempest that arose while he was in the boat.  Sound like Christ?  (See  Matt. 8:23-27 to see what happened to Christ.)

5.   1:5 Jonah was inside the ship and was fast asleep, just like Christ.

6.   When the storm was strong those in the boat awoke Jonah (Christ) and asked for his help.  Jesus stood up and rebuked and calmed the storm.  In Jonah 1:11-12 they asked Jonah what shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? And he told them to cast him into the sea for the storm was because of him.  So in v15 they threw Jonah into the sea, and the sea ceased from her raging.

7.   One other imagery that I think is important was when Jonah was thrown into the waters but was swallowed by a fish.  It is like when Jesus got ready to complete His atonement that he allowed himself to be turned over to the wicked (remember water imagery) and when he died on the cross and was in the tomb, the storm the wicked had started was calmed.  They felt that Jesus was no longer a threat to them.

Now Chapter 2 of Jonah is the great jewel of this imagery.  I will put in all 10 verses of chapter two.  You read them one at a time and see if you can see if what happened to Jonah happened to Christ.  I will record what I found, but you try first before you read ahead.
1.   Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly,
1b. Christ praying in His hour of distress (see Matt 26:37–45

2.   And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
2b. Hell is translated from the Hebrew word לּרּאּשּ (she’wl – Strong’s #7585), which means “world of the dead” (or spirit world).  Where Christ went, when body  in tomb.

3.    For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
3b.  Turned over to the wicked (Rev 17:15, water).  He was in a wicked world where He was tempted in all things.  He also suffered for all sin, sorrow, pain, sickness, ect.

4.    Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
4b. “My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me” (Matt 27:46).

5.    The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.  See footnote
5b. Wicked took Him to the point of death (footnote 5a); placed Him in a tomb, and a crown of thorns placed on His head (see Matt 27:29, 57–60).

6.    I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me forever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
6b. Jesus “descended below all things” (D&C 88:6; see also 122:8); the bars of the earth (death) were about Him.  But His body did not see corruption (or decay–see Acts 2:31) before He was brought up, or resurrected.

7.   When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
7b.  Prayer in both Gethsemane and on the cross (See #1 & 4 above).  Heaven is a holy temple (See Revelation 21:22).

8.   They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. (Many consider this the most important verse in the book of Jonah. )
8a. People who rely on their own arm of flesh will not receive of His mercy (See 2 Nephi 4:34; Moroni 6:4).

9.   But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay [that] that I have vowed. Salvation [is] of the LORD.
9a. “For this cause came I into the world” (John 18:37); “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42); Salvation comes only from Christ (see Acts 4:12).

10.And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

10a. Resurrection where Christ from this point only shows himself on dry ground (where the righteous live) and not in the water (where Satan has power over the people)–see John 21:1, 4 .   What a great account of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Friday, March 7, 2014

My Starting Imagery

The Imagery That Got Me Started
“WATER” & boats
And Why Christ Might Walk Upon the Water!
As a youth I remember being taught that the reason that missionaries didn’t go swimming was because Satan had this power over water and it was very dangerous to go into the water.  But have noticed that the members still continued to swim and take showers, without the least concern for Satan.
This idea seemed to come from section 61 in the Doctrine and Covenants.  In the heading it states that Joseph along with 10 elders was traveling down the Missouri River in canoes.  During this journey Joseph’s canoe hit a submerged log and capsized and the next day W.W. Phelps had a daylight vision and saw the destroyer (Satan) riding in power upon the face of the waters.  In verse 3 the Lord stated, “that it is not necessary for this whole company to be moving swiftly on the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief”.  Then in 4 he states, “that there are many dangers upon the water, and more especially hereafter”. Next in 5 the Lord says he has decreed many destruction upon the waters; “yea especially upon these waters”. (Missouri River)
During the next verse 7 He goes on to say that if you are righteous you will not perish by the waters.  Then in 8 he states that you might not perish in wickedness.  One way to perish was by waters then by wickedness.  Are they the same?
Later in 13 he says,“and I, the Lord, will reason with you as with men in days of old”. (In old days he spoke much with imagery, an example is when in Isaiah 8:7 the Lord said he will “bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria and all his glory; and he shall come up over all his channels and go over all his banks”. 
Back in D&C 61:14 the Lord stated,” I the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters; but in the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters.  I was curious where John cursed the waters and found it in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament chapter 16.  This chapter contains seven angels who are going to pour out their vials of God’s wrath on the earth.  Starting in verse 3 it says; “And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea”.  Then in verse 4 the “3rd angel pours out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of water: and they became blood”.  The strange thing for me was here the angel of the waters tells the Lord that he is righteous because he did this to the waters.  Why?  What had these waters done?  Finally in verse 6, John tells what sins that the water have committed to be judged thus. “For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, (murder) and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy”.
  Later in Revelation 18 the destruction of the Devils church is outlined and in the last verse of this chapter he explains that the wicked were destroyed because, “in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth”.  These two destructions seem to be to the same group or at least for the same sins.  With a little more help from John in Chapter 17:15 he tells us, “And he said unto me, the waters which though sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues”.  Here John just tells us that the waters spoken here are people who are wicked.  There are four groups listed that relate to being of the world, or mortality.  There are several other references in Revelation that fit this thought.   see:  12:15, 13:1   21:1   Saints are asked to be in the world but not of the world.
If the waters the Lord was referring to in Section 61 are people it is easy to understand why in verse 4 says there are many dangers upon the waters, and more especially hereafter.  We know that it wasn’t the Missouri river that was so dangerous but the state of Missouri, especially later when the governor issued the extermination order and the saints were driven out of the state, during which many lost their lives.  Maybe the reason missionaries should not swim is not because of the ocean water itself, but the water dressed in bikinis that are much more dangerous to the elders than H2O.
The main thought I am trying to make is that water is used to represent wicked people who are under Satan’s power.  And there is great danger to us if we wish to accept what the wicked do, and remain unaffected by it.  Living as a natural man would be like becoming part of the sea.  Therefore when scripture stories talk about crossing the seas it may be suggesting overcoming the trials of life, or mortality and becoming a saint by putting off the natural man by rejecting the temptations of Satan.
Summary
Each symbol can have at least 2 meanings
1.    Water can represent Satan, wickedness, temptations sent to destroy us, mortality in a fallen world, and trials in our lives we need to overcome.
a.     The deeper you get in this water the less light you have until there is no light.  Light increases our understanding, and can bring us to eternal Life.
b.   If you get too deep in water, or sin, you can’t breathe and will die (spiritually).  Breath seems to represent the spirit of the Lord, also represented by the wind.  Example.  Jesus said the spirit is like the wind, you can feel it but you don’t know where it comes or goes.  However storms that destroy can be a negative use of this symbol of wind.
2.   Water can also represent Living water or the promise of Eternal Life that the Lord will give those who chose to follow him.  See John 4:14  The woman at the well.

An Example of Water Imagery
See Matt 14:24-33, John 6:16-20, Mark 6:47-50
After Jesus had fed the 5000 people, he told his disciples (apostles) to get in the ship and go across to Capernaum, while he went into the mountain to pray to his Father. While the apostles were trying to cross the sea there arose a strong wind, and the sea arose by reason of this great wind.  They were toiling because of the wind and had been doing thus from evening until the 4th watch or between 3 and 6 am.  At this watch Jesus came unto them walking on the water, and Mark says he would have passed them by, but they saw him and cried out to him.  We know that Peter said if it is really you, bid me come unto thee upon the water.  Jesus said come, and Peter got out of the boat walking on the water to come to Jesus.
When Peter saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, called out to him saying Lord, save me.  Immediately Jesus caught him and said, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  They both then walked back to the ship and when they arrived the wind ceased.  John records at this point that immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
I believe that Jesus knew all this was going too happened and he used it to teach his apostles some very important principles, especially Peter who was to become the head of the church after Christ’s death.
1.    Jesus knew what was happening to his disciples even when he was not with them.
2.   He came to where they were but waited for them to ask his help.
3.   He had total control of the elements and wasn’t worried about something happening to him.
4.   He stayed above the water (symbolic of world or wicked) and it had no power or control to take him down.  I doubt if he even got wet.
5.   Invited Peter to come to him when Peter said he would like to.
6.   Peter walked on the water and stayed above it until he began to fear and doubt, then he began to become part of the water by sinking into the world losing his faith,
7.   He called out to the Master, saying Lord, save me.  We are all in need of the Lord saving us because of the hold the water or world has on us.
8.   The Lord takes him by the hand and said why did you doubt?  It was if he were saying if you kept your eyes focused on me and don’t fear the world, it can have no power over you to take you down.  Peter is brought back to the top of the water.
9.   They walk back to the boat without any trouble from the water, and join their brethren.
10.                The boat was taken immediately to the shore.  When you have the Savior in your boat the water has no power to restrict your ability to progress.
All of these events were a great training exercise to let his future leaders know that he was in control and that if they would exercise faith in him nothing doubting that he would be there to assist in fulfilling anything he had sent them to accomplish.

Thoughts about Boats in Scriptures
Several authors refer to stories that have boats as part of the experience, especially when instructed by the Lord how to build them to save them from the waters. (world or sin) As being symbolic of covenants especially those made in temples that will give us power over Satan and evil.
Noah’s ark- We are told in 1 Peter 3:20-21 that there were 8 souls saved by water in the ark. The like figure (8) where baptism also now saves us.  The story of the ark was how the Lord provided a way to be saved if they followed his word when the world was flooded as a means to cleans it from wickedness, like baptism does for us.
The Brother of Jared was instructed how to build barges, that were not made after the manner of men.  He built 8 barges (sound familiar, see my first post on Jaradites) that were tight like a dish.  They were tight to keep the living water in and to keep the sea (wicked) out.
Nephi also had a similar experience with the Lord providing instructions on how to safely arrive at the Promised Land, (Celestial kingdom) if they kept their covenants.

He will help us arrive at the same place.