Christmas Imagery Modern and Ancient

Christmas Symbolism

Both Ancient and Modern

Joseph: Lineage of Jesus Christ comes through Joseph in Matt.  James Talmage said, If Judah would have reigned from David until Joseph, Joseph would have been king of the Jews and Jesus would have been as his successor. Jesus the Christ  (1916 p. 87)  Luke 1:32 Throne of his father David Luke 1:32

Mary a virgin: undefiled by man

Angel sent: A heavenly mission that comes from God and not of man.

Name of Jesus: Hoshea or Joshua he will save his people from their sins.

Emmanuel: God is with us

Her First Born Son: Right to preside over the family,  he would also inherit all that his father has (as the birthright son), who was King of the universe.

Joseph knew her not so Jesus would be born of a virgin to show the world he came not of any man, he came only by God, his father.

Bethlehem: House of Bread- I am the bread of Life to those who will internalize and make him a part of their lives.

City of David: Right to rule the nation

Day-night-day no darkness:  With Christ there is no darkness, he is the light of the world.

Born at night: Light to lead the world out of darkness

Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes: Arms (Power) not available to use, he is helpless as all kids

Laid in a manger: Christ will be the food for the sheep

Shepherds watching over their flocks: Priesthood leaders and their responsibilities to be a witness, many believe the shepherds were the temple priests caring for the sheep that would be the paschal lambs for the “feast of the Passover”

Angelic Choir: praising God, announcing the good news of a Savior for the world

Shepherds bear witness of the Savior: He is the shepherd of Israel

Wise men from the East:  All will come to worship him from the highest to lowest.

New Star in East: East =comes from God, He is here to give us guidance and direction.

Gold: wealth for a king, symbolic of the Celestial kingdom

Frankincense-incense: spices for burial, his purpose was to come and die for us.

Myrrh: to prepare him for his death in order to save us.

Stable: He received nothing man would consider important, descended below all things

Candy Cane: shepherd’s staff, also colors red, blood of Christ & white, purity.

Snow: Pureness of the world through the atonement

Green: eternal life    Gifts: He is the 1^st gift

Christmas Tree: evergreen or eternal life       Christmas lights: light and truth

Presents: The greatest gift ever given. (Christ and his atonement)

Moses as a Type of the Savior

Moses as a Type of the Savior

By Jeffrey A. Bushman June 2014

 

I would like to show how Moses is a type of Christ by first giving you some commonly taught examples in the ministry of Moses in part one.  But my real goal is to use the exodus of Israel as one of the greatest stories teaching the roll of the Savior in saving Israel and making the Celestial kingdom available, this will be in part two.

1^st Part

Moses as a Type for Christ

1 Both known by their name & deeds long before their birth

2 Both babies saved from slaughter when the king had the children killed

3 Both called a ruler, a deliver, and a judge

4 Both fasted 40 days

5 Both were personally tempted by Satan

6 Both carried to a high mountain, where they were transfigured

7 Both miraculously provided bread and meat

8 Both provided water

9 Both changed the nature of water, and controlled the elements like wind

10 Both were great givers of the law

11 Both were rejected by Israel the first time they offered to lead Israel

12 Both were redeemers, deliverer, or liberator

13 Both restored the church in their day, and called others (12 & 70) to lead

14 Both Loved, prayed for and interceded for their people

15 Both were compared to each other in scripture

16 Both prophesied concerning the destiny of Israel

17 Both ascended into heaven in a cloud

I did not include any references for they are pretty well known  

and taught.  I want to spend more time on part 2.

 

2^nd Part

The Story of the Exodus of Israel as a Plan of Happiness Experience

 

Joseph who was sold into Egypt by his brothers, later saved them from a famine by bringing the whole family into the land of Goshen, considered the best part of the Egypt.  Once they were established they prospered as long as Joseph was alive, but years after he died, there arose a Pharaoh, who knew not Joseph, and who was responsible for bringing the Children of Israel in to bondage.  In the book of Revelation chapter 11:8 Egypt is mentioned as a symbolic place of wickedness or being of the world.  During this time, Israel was in bondage to sin or the world and had not the power to free themselves from the grip of Egypt.  This is just like all who come to the earth, who experience their own fall when they sin and put themselves in Satan’s power.(see Romans 3:23)  Once we are cut off from God because of our fall, we become carnal, sensual and devilish, we are incapable of saving ourselves from this bondage.

Once Israel realized they were suffering hard bondage, and a loss of freedom, and forced to serve Egypt, they turned to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and prayed that he would deliver them from their bondage.  Because of God’s knowing they would turn to him for relief, he set in motion the great story of Moses and their deliverance from the power of Satan. (Pharaoh) God had already planned for their deliverance from Satan for any who returned to him.  This is according to some of the prophecies of Joseph who was sold into Egypt.  When Moses as a baby was put in an ark and was found by Pharaoh’s daughter she called him Moses which in Egyptian means, to begat a child but in Hebrew it means to “draw out”.  It would be Moses’s mission to draw Israel and any others who would listen out of Egypt (world & bondage to sin) and help them obtain a land of promise. (Celestial kingdom or presence of God) 

Paul taught in Hebrews 11:24-29 that Moses knew who he was and chose to follow the Lord rather than enjoy the sins of Egypt for a season.  He later thought that all Israel should know that he was the one the Lord raised up to provide them God’s deliverance from their bondage.

Later Moses decided to visit his brethren and was involved in an altercation with an Egyptian who was trying to force his will on an Israelite woman.  When Pharaoh heard of this, he was angry with Moses, and Moses fled for his life and eventually joined the shepherds of Midian and joined Reuel priest of Midian and married his daughter.  He was instructed in how the priesthood works.  After 40 years of being a shepherd he experienced the burning bush episode where he came to more fully get to know the Lord. Remember 40 is a number meaning time of trial and preparation.  This came after 40 years in Egypt and then it led to 40 years of working to get them to recognize the Lord’s hand in all things and preparing them for life in the Promised Land. (Lord’s presence)

In Exodus 3 Moses has his experience with God at the burning bush where he is instructed by the Lord to his role of setting Israel free, and bringing them back to this mountain where they would serve God.

The Lord teaches Moses that the Egyptians will not allow Israel to go out of bondage but that the Lord will stretch forth his hand (power) to teach Egypt that he is God and then they will finally let them go when he has humbled them.  The Israelites are to ask the Egyptians for their jewels and all Egypt will gladly give up all they have just to get the Israelites out of their lives.  God will not only conqueror his enemies, but takes back that with which he had blessed them and blesses those who will have him to be their God.  It may be considered back wages due to Israel for her service.

Moses is given Aaron his brother to be his spokesman and heads back to Egypt to free Israel.  Once he arrives he goes to the Israelites and tells them his errand from the Lord.  He has to show them the signs the Lord had given him on the mountain, one was his hand turning leprous and then putting it back in his bosom and drawing it out and it was healed.

Leprosy was a disease symbolic of sin and living death, showing Israel that God had given him great power, much more than Pharaoh possessed.  Once Moses had convinced the Elders of Israel, he then went in to talk to Pharaoh.  Pharaoh rejected the request of Moses and put harder tasks on Israel.  Sounds like Satan when people start to turn to the Lord he seems to make it seem harder to do what’s right than go with the way things were like in the past.  Israel then rejects Moses because of the hard bondage and he seeks out direction from the Lord.  God then strengthens Moses and tells him what to do.

Moses has some interesting experiences with Pharaoh over the next few days.  He brings down many plagues and many seemed to focus on showing the Egyptians that their gods are no gods, like the Sun, Nile River, Cattle and frogs many of which now cause much hardship for all Egypt.  Some of the plagues also come to Israel because of their unbelief but later the Lord’s plagues only effect Egypt and not Israel.  Israel seems to be learning that God is God and they start to exercise faith, even starting to believe that they might be free soon. 

Pharaoh had magicians who’s power was given by Satan and they help harden Pharaoh’s heart as they also duplicated some of the plagues, but eventually they admitted to Pharaoh that Moses’s power was from God and much greater than theirs.

Finally we get to the plague that sets Israel free.  The Lord tells Moses that about midnight that he will go into the midst of Egypt and kill the first born in all Egypt but he will make a way for Israel to escape.  The Lord then has then reckon their time from this date, it is to become the beginning of months. (new beginnings) and they are to get ready for a paschal feast on the 10 day of the month. (10 in Hebrew has many meaning but here are a few: it is the numerical value of Yod, the Eternal Word, the first letter of the divine name, the ten commandments, diving support, represents also the mystic return to unity)

On this day they were to take a lamb for their father’s house.  If your house was small you could group together with another house in order to have enough to consume the lamb at this Passover meal.  Each item describing the preparation of the lamb is to draw your attention to the Savior as he is our paschal lamb.  The lamb had to be male of the first year. (Christ is the first born of Heavenly Father) It had to be without blemish, (no sin) and they were to keep it until the 14 day. (Possible 2 times 7 which may stand for completion or perfection)  It was to be killed in the evening, (a time of darkness) and then take it’s blood and strike it on the two sides post and on the upper door post of the house where you are going to eat it. (the door posts seem to represent the everyday life of those who lived there, it was their coming and goings)  It was if they wanted their everyday life to reflect the saving life blood of the lamb. (Christ)  They were to eat the flesh of the lamb that night and leave nothing of it to remain until the morning. (They were to use the full benefits of the death of the son of God in their life and not just a part of it)  It was also to be roasted in the fire. (Fire is symbolic of the spirit and power of God, it is a cleansing agent or purifier) They were also to eat it with their loins girded, (here they would take their hand and reach between their legs and grab the back of their robe and pull it between their legs and tuck in into the sash around their waist.  This was a sign that they were ready for action and ease of motion so as to not trip on their robe.  They were to be ready to go as soon as the way from God was revealed to them.  It is like us and our sins, we are not to wait for a better day but to do it now when God tells us)  They also eat with their shoes on and their staff in their hand and eat in haste,(for as soon as the destroying angel had passed over Egypt they needed to be ready to go then) for because of the blood on the posts they would be protected against the angel of death.  But when God said to move you need to be ready.

They were also to eat unleaven bread from the 14 to the 21 or 7 days. (unleaven bread is bread without yeast which causes the bread to rise but it also cause it to spoil after a little time.  It is symbolic of sin especially that of pride or being puffed up) They needed to be humble and willing to follow the Lord no matter what he asked of them.  That Passover night they were to stay in the house all night and not go into the streets, you needed the protection of being in the Lord’s house.  One last instruction was that they were not to break any bones of the lamb. (Christ had no broken bones on the day of his death)  This Passover was only for Israel or for the strangers who would be willing to covenant through being circumcised before eating of the Passover. (Today only those who are willing to covenant with the Lord are able to truly able to be saved in his presence by the power of the lamb)

Once all the first born of Egypt died, just before dawn, Israel started to leave Egypt.  Again this was in the month of Abib which is the first day of Spring, or new beginnings.  As they left Egypt the Lord went before them in a pillar of Cloud (Power and glory of God) in the day time and as a pillar of fire in the night. (Fire again is the spirit of the Lord to give us direction and light in our lives as we follow him)

The Lord tells Moses to have the people camp near the Red Sea and tells him that Pharaoh will soon come after them.  Pharaoh decides to change his mind after thinking it was dumb to let them go and stop serving him. (Sound like what Satan does to people who are trying to do better, he will try anything he can to bring them back into bondage.  Many converts think that all will go well when they join the church, but they might need to prepare for Satan’s onslaught that will undoubtedly come)  Pharaoh arrives on the scene at the shore of the sea and then the Lord has Moses tell the people to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.  Now one note, whenever it says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart the JST changes that to Pharaoh hardened his own heart for the Lord does not play of role of Satan.  At this point in the story the Lord who had been in the front leading now moves between the army of Pharaoh and Israel.  It talks about this cloud being darkness to the Egyptians but gave light to Israel.  It is how many nonbelievers feel about the gospel of Christ, because it appears as darkness to the unbeliever, they can’t seem to open their hearts and minds to be enlightened by the spirit of the Lord, but those of a righteous nature, the spirit enlightens and opens their mind to comprehend the things of God.  That is why many wicked people just think we are stupid when it is really the opposite way.

Once Pharaoh believes he has Israel is in his power, the Lord inspires Moses to lift up his rod and part the Sea (remember that Satan has power over the seas or water).  All night a wind (spirit of the Lord) blows and stacks the water up on each side so that a path is made with dry ground (no wickedness, firm foundation) for Israel to cross in safety.  Pharaoh tries to follow Israel through the sea but the Lord takes off the wheels of their chariots and they drag heavy.  When the Egyptians realize that God is still fighting for Israel they want to flee from the face of Israel, but then the Lord instructs Moses to stretch his hand over the sea so that it would come in upon the Egyptians.  A little later, all Israel sees that not one soul of Pharaoh’s army survived, for they saw their bodies on the sea shore.

Paul makes an interesting comment about this experience in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea.  All were baptized unto Moses in the cloud (baptized of the spirit ) and in the sea (Baptized in the water); And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” ( Sounds like sacrament)

One important symbolism is that this Red Sea event is when they passed though the water, and the power and might of their former masters was washed away leaving no more power over them, and they were now truly free through the power of Christ. So developing faith that God sent Moses, then returning after they rejected him and being baptized of the spirit and the water, they are now ready to manifest their righteousness by following Moses through the wilderness to the Mountain of the Lord. (Mt. Sinai-Temple) Here at the Mountain of the Lord they will be given the opportunity of getting to know the Lord face to face. (See Exodus 15:17 & John 17:3 getting to know God is Eternal Life)

During their sojourn in the wilderness many murmured and complained even after healing the bitter water, (providing living water) and sending down manna or bread (bread of Life) and then providing meat with the flocks of quail.  As they learned to trust the Lord and then after 3 months they arrived at Mt. Sinai here the Lord tells them that if they will keep their covenants and obey his voice they will be a kingdom of priests. (Think of the temple)  After the Lord made this offer they all said they would do as the Lord asked.  The people prepared as Moses instructed and then the Lord came down on the Mountain. It was covered with clouds with much thunder and lightning. (Glory and power of the Lord) Following this experience the people said to Moses that he should speak to God and they would just like to hear from Moses what God wanted and not talk to God themselves.

 God then gives the 10 commandments and then has Moses teach them his laws.  Once the people have put themselves under covenant with Moses’s help.  They signified this covenant by having the blood of the sacrifice sprinkled on them, later 70 of the elders of Israel went up on the Mountain and saw God face to face with their own eyes. (Ex.24:9-14)

Moses then is instructed to build a tabernacle and the Lord promises to dwell in the midst of his people.  During the next few months they progress towards the Promised Land and then 12 are sent to spy out the Promised Land.  On their return Joshua and Caleb give good reports but the other 10 give wicked reports and the people rebel for the 10^th time against Moses and the Lord.  They decide they want to return to Egypt and just forget the Promised Land.  The Lord then tells them because of their wickedness that only Joshua and Caleb will enter the promised land and all others over the age of 20 will wander 1 year for each day the spies were gone or 40 years and after all these adults died he would take their children into the Promised land.

At the end of 40 years Moses will be taken into heaven and be released from his calling and he will appoint Joshua of the tribe of Ephraim to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land.  Moses was to draw them out of Egypt and Joshua (Hoshea in Hebrew that means Jesus in Greek or savior or redeemer) was to take them from the wilderness into the Promised Land. 

The story of Moses and the exodus was repeated over and over to later generations, explaining the great love God had for the House of Israel.  He brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and was their savior and deliverer.  He has the power to bring his people out of bondage and captivity and bring them to a Promised Land where he would be their God.

Today, as the children of Israel we have the opportunity to be faithful in our wilderness journey and with help through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ he will carry us from this world to a far better place where we can dwell in the presence of our Father in Heaven.

One last thought, as Joshua was from Ephraim, even so in the last days it will be Ephraim’s responsibility to help the Lord bring the rest of the twelve tribes into their Promised Land.

The Earth & the Plan of Happiness

The Course of the Earth Teaches the Plan of Happiness

By    Jeffrey A. Bushman    June 2014

My goal is to show that the God uses the earth and other heavenly bodies to bear witness of his plan for the exalting of his children.  The first part will focus on the history of the earth and what is foretold about what will happen to her in the future.  The following verse shows all things bear witness of the Savior, and it especially focuses on the heavens and the earth.

Moses 6:63 “And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me.”

Also in 2 Nephi 11:4 it states that all things are to the typifying of Christ, meaning not only himself but also his mission.  I will try and show how the earth is teaching his mission and giving us an example of how to follow him.

First, (Creation) We learned that when the Lord created the earth as recorded in Genesis and also in the book of Moses, that it was created spiritually before it was natural, meaning it would have remained forever in the same state God created it if Adam had not partaken of the forbidden fruit. (See 2 Nephi 2:22)  Another consequence of not partaking of the fruit would be that there would have been no death.

Also in Abraham 5:13 we are to know that Adam, when he was living on this paradisiacal earth was still on the Lord’s time.  That one day of the Lords time would equal 1000 years here on earth after the fall of Adam and Eve.  We also learn that Adam was given dominion over all things on the earth as well as the earth itself. (Genesis 1:26, or Moses 2:26)  So here the earth is pretty much in the same condition as Adam himself and could have remained that way forever.

Second, (Fall) We know that when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit that they fell, hence bringing death or mortality to everything living thing on the earth.  The earth itself was cursed (Gen. 3:17 )and fell bringing it and all life into a mortal state where death reigned along with being cut off from the presence of the Lord.

Third, (Baptism) Since mankind had become natural men and women or mortal with a desire to follow their own carnal desires, the Lord had the doctrine of the atonement taught to show mankind that through the Savior’s atonement this fall could be overcome.   This required developing faith in Christ, the repentance of their sins, being baptized and accepting the reception of the Holy Ghost they then could become clean and pure through the atonement enabling us to return to live with Heavenly Father again, this covenant is made at baptism.

The earth showed it’s obedience for the wind, dust rock, mountain would obey the Lord.  The earth was baptized during the flood in Noah’s day when according to Gen 7:19-20 the earth was totally submerged under water and 8 souls (Noah and his 3 sons and their wives) were saved by water. Consider the following verses in 1 Peter 3:18-21 where Peter taught that when Christ died that when his body died that he was quickened by the spirit which allowed him to visit the spirits in the spirit world and teach them the gospel plan of Salvation.  Now in verse 20 it tell us who these spirits are, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”  Here it says the like figure, or in other words the same number 8 is when we should be baptized.   Eight is a number that means new beginnings and Noah’s story turns now into a story that shows the Lord starting over with both man and beasts.  Also the flood washed away (through baptism) all sin and wickedness from the world and saved only the righteous.

Fourth, (Cleansed by fire or Holy Ghost) We have learned that at the second coming of Christ that the wicked will be burned.  Malachi taught it this way; 4:1 “For behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” 

2 Thessalonians 2:8 is talking about what will happen to the wicked at this time. “And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”   In the next verse he tells us that those who were burned, even those whose coming is after the workings of Satan. (Wicked)

Here the earth is again baptized by fire (Holy Ghost) and all wickedness is cleansed from off the earth and it becomes new and clean.

Fifth, (Millennium or 1000 years of peace or rest)   Just a few scriptures to give us some idea what will happen to the earth after the wicked are burned.  Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

 14 And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.

Isaiah 65:17  For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

25  The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.:

Also in Moses 7:  61 And the day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve;

 64 And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest.

Articles of Faith 10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

Here we learn that the earth, after or during its cleansing, will be moved back closer to our Heavenly Father and  will be in a new heaven where both man and beast along with the earth will enjoy rest and peace for 1000 years in this paradisiacal state.  It should then be more like the paradise that God created for Adam and Eve.

Sixth, (The Earth shall die)  Luke in his recorded account of Christ talking about his second coming, stated that he wanted the apostles to understand that everything he says will happen and will really take place.  Luke records it this way, Luke 21:33,  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.   In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord adds another witness in Section 29:23, …the earth shall be consumed and pass away…   And later in Section 88:26 of the Doctrine and Covenants it also talks about the earth dying.  It seems that the earth will die by fire and be consumed.

Seventh, (The earth shall be resurrected) 

Doctrine and Covenants 88:17 And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.

 18 Therefore, it (the earth) must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;

 19 For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;

 20 That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified.

 25 And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—

 26 Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it.    See also 1 Corinthians 15:40-42

Christ seems to be referring to this same doctrine during his great discourse at the Sermon on the Mount, for in Matthew 5: 5  he states this beatitude “Blessed are  the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”  It will be theirs forever.

In Genesis, God covenanted with Abraham to give him a promised land for an everlasting possession.  He promised to Moses and the Israelites he led, to a promised land, that they could have forever from generation to generation if they remained faithful.  If they became wicked and wouldn’t repent they would be cut off from the land or from the presence of the Lord.  They would lose their place in the Celestial Kingdom for it was only for the meek of the earth.

This same promise is given over and over in scriptures as the Lord leads people away from wickedness and takes them to their promised lands.  We call this promise part of the Abrahamic Covenant.

If you would like one more scripture about this check out section 130:9 in the Doctrine and Covenants where it couldn’t be plainer.

Addendum, another item dealing with the earth are the four seasons.  There are many imageries that could deal with these seasons, I will give only one or two.

1^st    Fall after Adam ate the fruit he fell and became mortal which brought

2^nd   Winter or death with no new life

3^rd    Spring or new beginnings or new life both physically or spiritually like baptism made available by the savior.

4^th     Summer as a time to prepare, especially for winter when we will have to be sustained by our labors.

Or

1^st    Spring is symbolic of our new beginnings, or our life here on the earth, giving us a chance to begin growing and progressing. (1^st vision, Christ’s birth, and restoration of the Lord’s church)

2^nd   Summer would be a time of growing and progressing to full maturity. (Now is the time to work out our salvation by following the example of our Lord and Savior)

3^rd    Fall could also be symbolic of harvest and appreciation for all the Lord gives us, laying up in store what the Lord has made available. (When Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith it was on Sep. 21^st,  where he stated several times that the field was white already to harvest and he who would thrust in his sickle who lay up much in store, (people) and bring salvation to his soul.

4^th  Winter, or the night of darkness (death) when there can be no labor perform.  Let us pray that we don’t procrastinate the day of repentance until it is impossible to grow and store up for eternal life.  (Parable of 10 virgins)

Now try your own

A weird add on, there is another way that the earth is used to teach the Lord’s plan for the children of God.  We have been taught in the “Proclamation on the Family,” that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.  It also mentions that gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.  I believe that if God gives you details in scripture then he does it for the purpose of teaching us more about himself and his plan.  Take a look at the two Isaiah verses given below and notice what gender is used for the sun, moon and earth.  There are quite a few verses in Holy Scripture that use the same gender for these heavenly bodies.

Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

I guess there is a good reason why we refer to the earth as “mother earth”.  But if the earth is only female can she bring forth life by herself?  Now we know that it takes male and female to beget life, so who is the earth’s partner in creating a family for all life here?

We know that it takes the sun to be in the right position or relationship with the earth to enable the two of them to bring forth life here.  It might be fun to explore how the moon may affect life here on earth.  What effect does she have on the sea?  It is also interesting that in the book of Malachi chapter 4:2 it talks about the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings and the righteous will go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.  Here Jesus is called the Sun for he is the life and the light of the world.  He has healing in His wings (wings are symbolic of his power to move and to act, to complete the atonement, see D&C 77) with this power he will feed his calves (the righteous) like a calf in the stall who have all that they need.  In Doctrine and Covenants 88:7, it teaches that Christ is the light of the sun.  And in Matthew 13:43 it teaches that we should become like Christ for the righteous shall shine as the sun, for he is the great exemplar.

Christ is the symbolic husband of the earth, (where his children are born and raised by his symbolic wife the earth) who herself keeps the Celestial law and will live forever as the Celestial Kingdom in the presence of the Sun. (Christ)