What the Meaning of the Book of Mormon

What the Meaning of the Book of Mormon?

The purpose of this page is to suggest that the real meaning behind the Book of Mormon is hidden from those who perceive it as about "then and there" (a history of the Americas) rather than about "here and now". It is suggested that the real meaning is deeply hidden in symbolism and metaphor.

Most of the following are part of an email conversation about a well-known story in the BoM that tells of the beheading of a drunken man Laban with his own sword. In thinking about deeper meanings of such passages, one might remember that this cutting off of the head is a common theme in scriptural stories (eg. the beheading of John the Baptist, the cutting off of Laban's head, Coriantumr cutting off the head of Shiz). In trying to understand the hidden (sealed from "the world") meanings of these stories, one should consider the metaphorical/symbolic relevance to the self and also realize that scriptural accounts are often about the failure of carnal and fallen man to understand/comprehend what God has told him rather than the opposite.

This following does not come with claims of authority and is meant to be a sampling rather than an exhaustive treatment of the subject. Doing so would defeat the entire purpose. One ought to begin discovering these things on their own.

01/05/03

" -- Nephi killed the wrong man. And so he became a murderer of his brother who is, interestingly enough, worshiped by many for his actions. -- "

'Who was the right man to kill??'

Few notice the language of symbol. Laban was a symbol for Nephi, or rather his own nature. Laban was the old jew who kept the scriptures, but didn't read them. Nephi finds Laban drunk in the road. But, its not about Laban, but rather a message about Nephi. Drunken is symbolic of being in a state of misunderstanding and consumed with the things of the world. Having the records, but not reading them is symbolic of our (fallen) state of being where we have the record (of heaven) within ourselves, but do not understand (it). Using Laban's "sword" to kill the beastly man (by cutting off his head) is symbolic of what Nephi is to really do.

The one who Nephi is to kill is his own beastly nature that is represented by Laban. This is the same message in the OT injunction to "sacrifice the beast". The beast to be sacrificed is within our nature; it is not killing an innocent animal like the OT priests erroroneously practiced in vain.

That is one of the keys too in realizing how these messages are relevant to us in the present time and place rather than then or there.

Is the BoM a literal history? Well, sort of. That is, maybe it isn't about being a literal history at all? Rather it is about what is happening all of the time. Right now. Our-story. That is perhaps what is sealed from the eyes of the (so-called) prophets.

01/06/03

"... Perry provided me with, and the law of Moses. With those scriptual references would we still consider Nephi a murderer??"

The basic premise of Perry is that Nephi was doing what he perceived to be right, therefore it is counted acceptable. This is a common theme in regard to LDS teachings. Many times, I have sat in priesthood meetings and heard that if one does something that the leaders say, but it turns out to be wrong, then it is in their head but counted unto us as a blessing because we obeyed (them). This reasoning has bothered me.

Remember that a common defense by Nazi soldiers was that "we were just following orders."

Notice that Nephi was constrained (to not kill Laban) by his own conscience, but the voice he heard overcame it by reasoning with him.

We hear the same voices as Nephi. They are all about us. Even here, I am reasoning with you.

I've had a Stake President tell me about a year ago that "you cannot trust your conscience", rather you are to trust your "duly appointed leaders."

Personally, I think that denying conscience is denying the Spirit (within) that each of us have. Need we anyone to tell us what is right or wrong? No. You know. At least if we have not suppressed it (like Nephi).

That is why I think that Nephi is a murderer. He listened to the wrong voice. It is not that we shouldn't listen to voices of reason, but it is rather that we should never take them as the infallible truth.

01/06/03

"... Perry provided me with, and the law of Moses. With those scriptural references would we still consider Nephi a murderer?? "

Adding a postscript:

The law cannot exempt us from responsibility, though that is what it attempts to do. That is one of the ways that the innocent are punished and the guilty go free.

In the endowment ceremony, the patrons are given a series of tests to pass through the veil. There is a hidden meaning in it. Notice that there is only one thing that works, speaking with the Lord through the veil. The worker says "Adam, having conversed with the Lord through the veil, now desires to enter his presence."

Notice that the patron has gone through a lengthy exchange in answering questions... "What is that?". There is only one time that he is told "That is correct." Why? Well, it has to do with what is going on. Till then, the patron was doing exactly what he was taught by Peter. The obtaining of the (correct) name (symbolic of meaning) of the (2nd) token (tokens are symbols of what is real) through the veil (within the temple, which temple ye are) is what works (ie. knowing the essence of what is real).

That is one of the fundamental meaning of the entire endowment. It is all about tokens (symbols). Everything. Nothing there is real. At least what is perceived as real by the patrons.

Those who fail come back again and again to do the work for the dead, that is, until they understand. The dead are those who are spiritually dead. But, just because one quits going does not mean that one has understood it.

The custodians of the endowment are also in the dark. That is part of the meaning too.

With that said, the question is "Can one trust their concience?" Well, if not, then who are we listening to?

Eve, Lucier, Peter, etc, etc. A Legion of voices.

01/05/03

"A friend sent this URL and thought some of you may enjoy it. It contains texts from all major religions " http://www.sacred-texts.com/index.htm

One interesting and very profound religious text is the Bagavad Gita. Not to single this out, but it is interesting that it is recognized for its deeply symbolic/metaphorical meaning rather than being valued as a historical account. It is a conversation between Kristna (symbolizing Spirit) with Arjuna (symbolizing us) who is driving a chariot (symbol of body) into battle (the world). The chariot (body) is drawn by five horses (representing the senses). The point is that its metaphor and about the present time and place rather than a history.

The reason I bring this up is the BoM. Why do so many Mormons think that the BoM has to be historic? Perhaps it is like the Gita? And in thinking that the BoM has to be history, then don't we totally miss the meaning?

02/16/03

'"When ye therefore shall see the Abonimation of Desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readth, let him understand) then let them which be in Judea flee in the mountains" Matthew 24:15-16'

Yes, the meaning of the above is timeless.... relevant to all people in whatever time they live. It isn't just for this (our) time. It was as relevant to Daniels people as well as those before "Daniel". Well, at least the person. (c;

The Abomination has always been here. We are a part of it. Realizing that is what is meant by "see"ing it. See means to perceive, realize, and comprehend/understand (what is meant).

Daniel the prophet (speaking) represents the token, symbol, signs, etc., that surround us all of the time and "speak" to us in a language that we've forgotten, though we "hear" it. We hear (read), but do not understand.

The "Holy place" is the temple. Ye are the temple spoken of. It is not some church, building, or spot on the map (eg. Missouri).

Those who "be in Judea" are those in the Abomination. We are them. Those who "be in Judea" are those who are fallen, carnal, sensual, and blind.

"Flee unto the mountains" is redundant with "stand in the holy place". "Mountain of the Lord" is synonymous with the "temple", the Holy Place, the Garden, etc., the place where none except you can go.

Now is the time. It's the only time. (c;

We should realize the same (regarding the relevant meaning which is "sealed from the world") in understanding passages in the BoM which those "in Judea" (us; Fallen men) erroneously view as "history", having eaten the sour grapes.

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