Why Imagery?

After teaching for the church for 36 years, I have learned that the Lord loves to use imagery. In Hosea 12:10 he states that he uses similitude's by the ministry of the prophets. I believe that when there is a event about a prophet recorded in scriptures, we can then look to see that the story may be talking about the life and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 8:18 talks about how he and his family are for signs and wonders. Moses 6:63 states that all things bear witness of Him, and I hope to show some of these examples. This blog is designed to share some of my discoveries and those of many of my students who helped me learn so much in seeing Christ throughout all scripture. I was blessed to have these students from Northern Arizona, Texas and the Seattle area. I also thank all the CES teachers who have shared their thoughts and ideas. I will also include some posts giving helps to understand the book of Revelation and a few other books and chapters. Also included is an imagery sheet of notes taken at an in service meeting given by Gerald Lund back in the 80's that helped get me started with symbolism or imagery. I believe that the Lord uses both sides of your brain to teach about him. The logical side will just tell you the doctrine put straight forward and the creative side of your brain to see the imagery and symbolism, giving you two witnesses in your own body. These thoughts do not reflect any official position of any church but may be of help to some who want to learn more about their Savior.
I will try and not post more than one a week, so I don't overwhelm you.
Suggested reading order: 1. Scriptural Symbols 2. Imagery that got me started
Other blogs available. - Christ as the husband of Church part 1 of 2. It shows how family is central to God's plan,-Our marriage imagery part 2 of 2 -Jonah as a similitude of Christ - Jaredite Barge story - Nephi Building a boat - Joseph in Egypt or Temple experiences - Ammon in B of M Cutting Off Arms - The war chapters in the Book of Alma - Book of Revelation Helps-Understanding Adam and Eve-The Good Samaritan a plan of happiness story-The earth teaches the Plan of Happiness- Moses as a type of the Savior-The following posts are the chapters of Isaiah as found in the Book of Mormon.
The next series of posts will be the chapters of the book of Revelation,-A little paper on some Christmas imagery-


Friday, October 4, 2019

Isaiah in the Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 22 Isaiah 54


Isaiah 54 or 3 Nephi 22
By Jeffrey Bushman Sep. 2017
Chapter 22
In the last days, Zion and her stakes will be established, and Israel will be gathered in mercy and tenderness—They will triumph—Compare Isaiah 54. About A.D. 34.
Ludlow:   The Husband wife Relationship through this Chapter

Husband provides wife:                      Jehovah provides Israel                                  Verses
Children                                              Great numbers                                                1-3
Love                                                    Reconciliation                                                            4-8
Commitment                                       Covenant Relationship                                   9-10
Material comfort                                 Prosperity                                                        11-12
Protection                                           Peace                                                               13-17


1 And then shall that which is written come to pass: This refers back to 3 Nephi 20-21 where the Lord talks about 1) the Gentiles will receive the gospel and help gathered scattered Israel; 2) Gospel preached to Lamanites; 3) the gospel will be preached to all the dispersed of Israel including the 10 tribes. 4) Israel’s remnants will gather to Zion. 5) The remnants will return to the lands of their inheritance, also the New Jerusalem, he then says the following things will happen  Sing, O abarren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into bsinging, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; These are gentiles (or scattered Israel) who have not made any marriage covenants (baptism) with the Lord.  They will sing because they will take upon them the name of the Lord (Marriage) by baptismal covenant for more are the children of the cdesolate (gentiles who will have many children, but not with Christ, who will later join Christ’s church) than the children of the married wife, There will be more people join the church at this time than there were members of the church.  The married wife is the one who has made and kept her covenants (baptism) with the Lord. (husband) saith the Lord. Galatians 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate have many more children than she which hath a husband. Another view is that the barren are those outside of Jerusalem who will come to the Lord and they have many more children than covenant Israel has.
2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy astakes; Because of the increase of the size of the Lords family they will have to add walls and ropes to hold up the sides of the tent (or house) and strengthen the stakes.  That is why we call them stake for they are holding up part of the Lords house.  This house or tent will grow until the stakes holding up the house will cover the entire world.
3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left, and thy seed shall ainherit the bGentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.  .  The Lord’s people will increase after the wicked are burned until they will inhabit the cities of those who have been destroyed.

4 Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed; neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to ashame; for thou shalt forget the bshame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the creproach of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.  Here the Lord says, don’t worry about the past because of what you did when I first made a covenant with the house of Israel and you committed adultery and then suffered for your sins.  The wife will also not remember her reproach because after coming back to the Lord she will enjoy eternal life making this earth life just a moment in the grand scheme of things, she will have plenty of time to forget.
5 For thy maker, thy ahusband, the Lord of Hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer (who will purchase you for a price), the Holy One of Israel—the God of the whole earth shall he be called. 
6 For the Lord hath called thee aas a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when (HEB because thou wast despised) thou wast refused, saith thy God. .  When you sinned against me anciently and broke your covenants sand suffered for your bad choices.
7 For a small moment have I aforsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. . I had to honor your agency and had to let you leave me, but I still love you and will still seek for your return
8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting akindness will I have bmercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.  I have always loved you and will extend great mercy to you, even though for a while I couldn’t because of your refusal to repent.  I still love you.

9 For athis, the bwaters of Noah unto me, for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee.  Here the Lord is teaching his returning wife of the covenant he made to her that he would always remember her, he then compares this to the covenant he promised Noah that there would never be a flood of water again.  This is all like a big love letter the Lord is reassuring his love for Israel and he will receive them unto himself in love.  His not being wroth with her will come as she follows his counsel and direction and become like him with no need of correction.  She will become righteous since he can’t lie and be wroth with her again.
10 For the amountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my bkindness shall not cdepart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.  More of the same.
12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. Here he seems to be describing what he will build for her, like a heavenly city or New Jerusalem.  John seems to describing this same city in Rev. 21:18-21 NIV version “The wall was made of Jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.  The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.  The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eight beryl, the ninth topaz, the 10th chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.  The 12 gates were 12 pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.  The street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. It is possible that they may be describing the symbolic material and spiritual wealth throughout all the stakes of Zion.
13 And aall thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the bpeace of thy children. Could show a very intimate relationship between Christ and his people during the Millennium.  Pres. Kimball said about this verse, “Surely every good parent would like this peace for his offspring. It comes from the simple life of the true Latter-day Saint as he makes his home and family supreme”   (Ensign, July 1973, p. 16)
14 In arighteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror for it shall not come near thee.  The Lord will act as their protector and they will not have to worry about their safety.
15 Behold, they shall surely gather together aagainst thee, not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.  The Lord promises that no power will prevail against his people. (D&C 71:9-10, 109:25)
16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster (IE God controls all) to destroy. See 2 Nephi 26:24  I am in control, nothing happens without my permission and you need not  fear anything.
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the aservants of the Lord, and their righteousness  is of me, saith the Lord.  Righteousness we have gained is all made possible because of the perfect righteousness of Christ through his provided atonement thus providing a way to become like him.       Great Love Story. 

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