Lesson 5: Learning from the Lord through Symbols
Lesson 5: Learning from the Lord through Symbols
What are
some symbols or signs that we see every day? Stop signs and lights, etc.
How can
symbols help us remember important things? Wedding rings, hearts, clovers,
shamrocks, cross, Star of David
How able
parables? What are they? Jesus taught with parables. He used stories that were
meaningful to those He was teaching, to help them visualize and understand His
message. His stories including things like hens protecting their chicks under
their wings; flowers in the field; lost coins or lost sheep.
What are a
few of the parables Jesus taught during His lifetime that you remember?
Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12–14); Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31–32): Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45–46).
The Spirit
teaches us in layers according to our desire to learn and our faith in Jesus
Christ. We continue to learn new things through our efforts in prayer, study,
worship, and service. We don’t know everything at once.
Your temple
experiences will be the same. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything,
because you will have the opportunity to go back as often as you desire and
your time permits. Your temple garments will contain symbols as well, and you
will learn more about them in the temple. As we learn more and humbly desire to
know more, we can be taught by the Spirit. In the temple, you will be endowed
with power from on High.
We learn
about Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father’s Plan in the temple. There are
teachings that will remind us of the covenants that we make with Him.
“The prophets
and apostles often use symbols to teach of Jesus Christ and His atoning
sacrifice. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the basis of the gospel and of all
the blessings we receive. It makes salvation possible. Therefore, most of the
symbols in the scriptures teach us about the Savior and His sacrifice.”
Before the
atonement, death and resurrection of Jesus, the people sacrificed animals as a
symbol of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Moses 5:4–8
Now, we
sacrifice a broken heart and a contrite spirit. 3 Nephi 9:20
What things on
earth bear record of the Savior? Moses 6:63
How do
priesthood ordinances bear record of the Savior? Alma 13:16
The priesthood ordinances we receive in the temple also help us to remember the
atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The following words are from President Russell M. Nelson,
“Essential ordinances of the gospel symbolize the Atonement. Baptism by
immersion is symbolic of the death, burial, and Resurrection of the Redeemer.
Partaking of the sacrament renews baptismal covenants and also renews our
memory of the Savior’s broken flesh and of the blood He shed for us. Ordinances
of the temple symbolize our reconciliation with the Lord and seal families
together forever.”
If we don’t
understand all of the symbolism in the temple, it doesn’t mean that we aren’t
worthy to be there. (If the Spirit has confirmed to you that you should be
there, you really should be.) SO if you don’t understand everything, it means
you should go back, and keep studying and praying.
Why do you think God teaches us in layers? 2 Nephi 28:30 and Doctrine and Covenants 42:49–50
Even though in the temple, we repeat the same ordinances and hear the same
words, we can continue to learn and receive guidance and information from the
Spirit. Even the prophets do that.
We receive sacred symbols in the temple, which increase our understanding and
protect us.
“In a
symbolic way, the teachings and rituals of the temple take us on an upward
journey toward eternal life, ending with a symbolic entrance into the presence
of God. The characters depicted, the physical setting, the clothing worn, the
signs given, and all the events covered in the temple are symbolic. When they
are understood, they will help each person recognize truth and grow
spiritually.”
“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” (Moses 6:63).
The temple
itself is a symbol:
“If you
have seen one of the temples at night, fully lighted, you know what an
impressive sight that can be. The house of the Lord, bathed in light, standing
out in the darkness, becomes symbolic of the power and the inspiration of the
gospel of Jesus Christ standing as a beacon in a world that sinks ever further
into spiritual darkness”
The temple clothing is also symbolic. When we enter the temple, we change from street clothes into white temple clothing, which is a symbol of purity.
President
James E. Faust said:
“Fundamental
to temple worship is the principle that ‘God is no respecter of persons.’ [Acts 10:34.] Within the hallowed walls of the
temples, there is no preference of position, wealth, status, race, or
education. All dress in white. All receive the same instruction. All make the
same covenants and promises. All receive the same transcendent, eternal
blessings if they live worthy to claim them. All are equal before their
Creator.”
After you go to the temple and participate in covenant there, you will wear
special underclothing:
“The garment represents sacred covenants. It fosters modesty and becomes a
shield and protection to the wearer. … The garment, covering the body, is a
visual and tactile reminder of [covenants made in the temple]. For many Church
members the garment has formed a barrier of protection when the wearer has been
faced with temptation. Among other things it symbolizes our deep respect for
the laws of God—among them the moral standard.”
When you go to the temple, you can expect to learn many new things and feel the power of the Lord’s Spirit. We should be continually preparing ourselves spiritually to participate in the temple. It’s a privilege to go to the temple, and we will find more knowledge, greater faith, and more sure spiritual protection by going as often as we can.
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