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 Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:56 am
  Welcome to my Sacred Ground,
a place where I will be placing spiritually uplifting thoughts;
as well as facts about the church.
This is not a place of debate.
Some of you will find it educational, fascinating,
or simply be bored by all the information.
No matter, this is my personal space.
I welcome you to enjoy the things that make my mind tick.
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:59 am
In the very beginning, we were intelligences, who God and his wife created Spirits from. We became the Literal Spirit Children of God.
He had Tons of Children.
Jesus was his Oldest Spirit Child.
This is a process of which has been going on for Eternity.
a process that if we are righteous we will continue.
So Heavenly Father who is God, gathered his children together.
We all came to the meeting.
Heavenly father explained to us, that if we wanted a body like him.
If we wanted to become a God as he is a God, then we needed to come to the Earth. We would have to follow his commandments.
We would make mistakes, but he would provide a Savior for us.
Jesus volunteered to be that savior, and then so did Satan.
Jesus wanted to follow the plan. Satan wanted to change the plan.
God chose Jesus to be our Savior.
Satan was angry and started a "war".
1/3rd of the hosts of heaven followed him, and they were cast out of heaven. They were never to receive a body, and would never be able to go to any of the kingdoms of heaven.
Now, we wanted to follow this eternal plan.
So God created our Earth, and sent us here to gain a Body and to follow his teachings.
We are born, we follow the commandments then we die.
After death we go to either Paradise or Prison to await our Resurrection, and our final judgment.
After our Resurrection and Judgment then we go to one of three kingdoms depending on our faithfulness.
Okay so what are Angels.
The first man who was Adam is the same Angel from heaven named Michael who helped God create the earth.
Noah is the angel Gabriel, who told Mary she would have God's Literal Son.
So angels are us after we die, and sometimes sprit children, not yet born to the earth will be a messenger for God, which gives him or her, the title of Angel.
To be an Angel one must be sent by god to give a message or to watch over whom the Lord asks them to watch over.
The Prophet Moroni, who buried the ancient record of the Book of Mormon, Came back to earth as a heavenly messenger, an Angel, and showed Joseph smith were he had buried the record.
A worthy young man, who decides not to marry in the temple will become an Angel for eternity. Instead of the Godhood he could have had.
He holds the priesthood, and must find a wife in this life. That is one of his priesthood responsibilities.
A worthy woman, who never has the opportunity to receive a temple marriage in this life, because no one ever asked for her hand in marriage, will have that opportunity after she dies. She will become a Goddess to her Husband.
If that woman chooses not to be sealed then she too if she is righteous will be an angel in heaven.
You my dear, have the opportunity to become a Goddess or a God.
That is why we share the gospel with everyone we know, because we want all of our brothers and sisters of the spirit to have that opportunity in there life.
One must be baptized, for baptism is the key to the door of the celestial kingdom.
One must be endowed in the temple and given the keys to enter the door of the second degree of glory in the Celestial kingdom.
One must be sealed in the temple for it is the key to open the door of Godhood and be exactly as our Heavenly Father, were we will create worlds the same as he has.
If one receives the first two and not the last, by choice, then they become an Angel in heaven.
But why settle for being an Angel, when one can be a God.
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:13 am
 By President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985)
Twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple marriage is a covenant that bridges death, transcends time, stretches unbreakable into eternity.
Life is eternal. Death does not terminate the existence of man. He lives on and on. Man, whether good or evil, will be resurrected. His spirit will be reunited with his body from the grave, and if he has perfected his life and magnified his God-given opportunities, that spirit and body will be brought together in a new, fresh, glorious immortality.
The greatest joys of true married life can be continued. The most beautiful relationships of parents and children can be made permanent. The holy association of families can be never-ending if husband and wife have been sealed in the holy bond of eternal matrimony. Their joys and progress will never end. Yet none of this will ever fall into place of its own accord.
The way is well defined and clear. Eternal marriage was known to Adam and others of the prophets, but the knowledge was lost from the earth for many centuries. God has restored the truths and has provided the way. With the restoration of the gospel in these last days through the Prophet Joseph Smith came also the genuine priesthood, and with it all keys, powers, and authorities held by Adam and Abraham and Moses and the early-day Apostles.
God has restored the knowledge of temples and their purposes. On the earth in our time are holy structures built for this special work of the Lord, and each is the “house of the Lord.”
In these temples, by duly constituted authority, are men who can seal husbands and wives and their children for all eternity. This is a fact, even though it is unknown to many.
This is one of the mysteries spoken of by the Redeemer, who taught the multitude in parables, saying:
“I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 13:35).
These priceless truths are not understood by the casual reader of the scriptures:
“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. …
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:11, 14).
It is inconceivable that otherwise intelligent, astute, and highly educated people should ignore or willfully disregard this great privilege. The doors can be unlocked. The gap can be bridged. And men can walk safely, securely, to never-ending happiness, making their marriages timeless and eternal.
Explaining the use of parables, the Savior said:
“It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. …
“For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed” (Matt. 13:11, 15).
And then, speaking to those disciples who were near him and who understood, he said:
“But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
“For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them” (Matt. 13:16–17).
The Lord knew that those who were sincere in heart and who really wished to know the mysteries of the kingdom would seek and search prayerfully until they informed themselves.
It will be remembered how the Lord answered the hypocritical Sadducees who, trying to trap him, propounded this difficult problem:
The husband died leaving no posterity, and the wife married his brother, who also died without seed. She in turn married a third brother, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, and a seventh, all in accordance with the law of Moses, and then the woman of the seven husbands died also. Now the frustrating question is:
“In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.” The Redeemer’s answer was clear and concise and unmistakable:
“Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?” (Mark 12:23–24.)
And now, we ask you, what does this mean? The Sadducees were discussing matters about which they knew little or nothing. Was there accusation in his voice? Was he saying to the Sadducees, “Open your blind eyes and see. Open your stony hearts and understand”?
My friends, do you understand the implication and truth of this statement of the Lord? Though somewhat veiled in scripture, it is clear and understandable when supported by modern revelation.
Elder James E. Talmage writes: “The Lord’s meaning was clear, that in the resurrected state there can be no question among the seven brothers as to whose wife for eternity the woman shall be, since all except the first had married her for the duration of mortal life only. … In the resurrection there will be no marrying nor giving in marriage; for all questions of marital status must be settled before that time, under the authority of the Holy Priesthood, which holds the power to seal in marriage for both time and eternity” (Jesus the Christ, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982, p. 509).
Undoubtedly, the first husband married the woman for eternity by a ceremony that was not limited by time. She became a widow at his demise until she should also die and join her husband. Now, she married number two, “until death do you part,” and it definitely parted them even before posterity, and he went into the spirit world through the veil and with no wife, for their contract also had been terminated by death. And brothers numbers three and four and five and six and finally number seven in turn all married her in temporary marriage, in which ceremonies were the limitations, “so long as you both shall live.”
I knew of one young couple whose promising marriage was ended by a car crash one hour after the ceremony which included those perilous words, “till death do you part.”
Civil marriage is an earthly contract, dissolved by the death of either party. Eternal celestial marriage is a sacred covenant between man and woman, consecrated in the holy temple by servants of God who hold authoritative keys. It bridges death; it includes both time and eternity.
The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians:
“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1 Cor. 15:19). And we could paraphrase it to say:
“If in this life only our marriages are firm, our marital bliss real, and our family life happy, we are of all men most miserable.”
Paul continues: “There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
“There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
“So also is the resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:40–42).
Paul understood, as undoubtedly did many of his fellow Saints, these vital truths that have been veiled in parabolic language. Unfortunately, millions of Christians today do not understand. Heaven is not a single place or one single condition. It is as diverse as men’s behavior patterns are different, for men will be judged according to their deeds done in the flesh (see Rom. 2:6–8; Rev. 20:12–13).
In modern revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord said: “Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same.
“For behold, I reveal unto you a new and everlasting covenant” (D&C 132:3–4).
Though relatively few people in this world understand it, the new and everlasting covenant is the marriage ordinance performed in the holy temple by the properly constituted officiators who have the genuine, authoritative power to perform them. This glorious blessing is available to men and women on this earth. The deep underlying purpose is clarified by the Redeemer himself:
“And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God” (D&C 132:6).
Paul spoke of telestial, terrestrial, and celestial areas, and people are assigned in accordance with their righteousness and their compliance with eternal laws. Even this celestial kingdom has three heavens or degrees. We quote our Lord further:
“And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
“And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.
“He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase” (D&C 131:2–4).
The Lord then further clarifies eternal marriage:
“All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, … are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead” (D&C 132:7).
Marriages that are made only “so long as you both shall live” or “until death do you part” are terminated when the mortal breath is no more.
The Lord is merciful, but mercy cannot rob justice. His mercy extended to us when he died for us. His justice prevails when he judges us and gives us the blessings we have duly earned.
“No one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory,” says the Lord.
“For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world” (D&C 132:4–5).
A civil marriage may be performed by any of the numerous people approved by laws of the respective countries, but eternal marriage must be solemnized by one properly authorized.
“Will I accept of an offering, saith the Lord, that is not made in my name?
“Or will I receive at your hands that which I have not appointed?” (D&C 132:9–10.)
It is the Redeemer who postulates:
“Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world” (D&C 132:15).
“I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment—that no man shall come unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord” (D&C 132:12).
He then reiterates that “everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God” (D&C 132:13).
How final! Since we know well that mortal death does not terminate our existence, since we know that we live on and on, how devastating to realize that marriage and family life, so sweet and happy in so many homes, will end with death because we fail to follow God’s instructions or because we reject his word when we understand it!
It is clear in the Lord’s announcement that righteous men and women will receive the due rewards of their deeds. They will not be damned in the commonly accepted terminology but will suffer many limitations and deprivations and fail to reach the highest kingdom if they do not comply. They become ministering servants to those who complied with all laws and lived all commandments.
He says concerning these excellent people who lived worthily but failed to make their contracts binding:
“For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever” (D&C 132:17).
How conclusive! How bounded! How limiting! And we come to realize again as it bears heavily upon us that this time, this life, this mortality is the time to prepare to meet God. How lonely and barren will be the so-called single blessedness throughout eternity! How sad to be separate and single and apart through countless ages when one could, by meeting requirements, have happy marriage for eternity by marrying in the temple by proper authority and continue on in ever-increasing joy and happiness, growth, and development.
Listen to the Lord again:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.
“For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.
“But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also.
“This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law.
“Broad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth to the deaths; and many there are that go in thereat, because they receive me not, neither do they abide in my law” (D&C 132:21–25).
If a man receives the Lord, he believes in Him, lives His commandments, and performs the ordinances which He has required.
Are you willing to jeopardize your eternities, your great continuing happiness, your privilege to see God and dwell in his presence? For the want of investigation and study and contemplation, or because of prejudice, misunderstanding, or lack of knowledge, are you willing to forgo these great blessings and privileges? Are you willing to make yourself a widow for eternity or a widower for endless ages—a single, separate individual to live alone and serve others? Are you willing to give up your children when they die or when you expire? Are you willing to go through eternity alone and solitary when all of the greatest joys you have ever experienced in life could be “added upon” and accentuated, multiplied, and eternalized? Are you willing, with the Sadducees, to ignore and reject these great truths? I sincerely pray that you stop today and weigh and measure and then prayerfully proceed to make your happy marriage an eternal one. Our friends, please do not ignore this call. I beg of you, open your eyes and see; unstop your ears and hear.
An eternal marriage plus a worthy continuing consecrated life will bring limitless happiness and exaltation.
May I conclude with the words of the Lord:
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” (Rev. 3:18 ).
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:44 am
 Tamara A. Ilich, “I Longed to Be a Mother,” Ensign, Aug 2000, My struggle with not having children left me in turmoil. Could I ever find peace? As a child, I never had any reason to doubt that I would be a mother when I grew up. It was the strongest desire of my heart. I began training myself for the job when I was a little girl, pretending my dolls were real babies, closely watching parents with their children, even working as a nanny for five months when I was 18. So when I found myself struggling with infertility at the beginning of my newly married life at age 23, I was more than a little stunned. I felt defensive and confused when people asked when my husband and I would be having a baby. I answered their questions in a lighthearted way, but my heart was growing heavy. I thought my body was betraying me, and though I didn’t show it at first, I was in turmoil. Little things seemed to make the pain most acute, like traditions I brought into my marriage from my own family. For example, Christmas had always been a time for baking cookies and sharing them with children, so I baked. Only after the baking was finished did I realize that the children for whom I carried on these traditions were absent. I also thought Christmas gifts and decorations were primarily for children—the children I didn’t have. Everywhere I looked, I saw painful reminders of what I lacked. In the spring, a pair of birds raised their babies in the eaves above our front door. It seemed that women all around me were pregnant. People who mistreated their children and therefore didn’t seem to deserve them still had them. It seemed that everyone and everything but me could “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Gen. 1:2 cool . My husband and I received fertility treatments. We fasted. My family fasted. We prayed. Our names were added to temple prayer rolls. Still no baby. I tried to bargain with Heavenly Father in an effort to find the key that would turn the lock and reverse infertility for me. I believed in miracles, and I was desperate for one. I was sure that the answer lay in some law I needed to live better; I just needed to figure out which law it was. But trying to change myself didn’t change my childless state. My spiritual struggle lasted for more than seven years. During that time, my relationship with my Father in Heaven was affected. It seemed that every prayer I said was directed toward my goal of having children. After my disbelief wore thin, I found myself angry. I became less and less humble. Soon I lost the desire to pray altogether. I alienated everyone around me. I cried during Mother’s Day sacrament meeting programs, never thinking to honor my own mother because I was too wrapped up in my own sorrow. Relatives hesitated to tell me of new babies to be born, and people at church didn’t know what to say. Hearing that perhaps I was not yet ready to be a mother made me cringe. How could that be when I was never told how to get ready? Nor was it a comfort to know that blessings withheld in this life would be granted in the eternities if I was worthy; I was in pain today. Worst of all, I alienated my husband. In the beginning of our relationship, while we dated, he had been attracted to me because I seemed carefree and effervescent. Now, even that quality was lost in my struggle. Parenting had also been a lifelong dream for my husband, but he came to believe that it would be better for us to stop trying rather than to bring such misery into our home through our unsuccessful efforts. I felt betrayed by his suggestion. My pain left no room for his, and I believed that no one understood my feelings. I felt very alone. Toward the end of the first seven years of my infertility experience, I was extended a calling as a Relief Society teacher. I accepted the calling even though I felt spiritually depleted and unworthy. I returned to my knees, but instead of praying for myself this time, I prayed for the sisters in Relief Society. I wanted to be able to teach so that hearts could be touched and gospel principles understood. I wanted to bring hope and help to renew the resolve to live whichever gospel principles I was teaching. I knew these things could be accomplished only through the Spirit of the Lord, so I sought the Spirit as I studied and prepared, and I fasted and prayed for His influence to accompany my teaching. Little did I know, but the effort I was giving for the Relief Society sisters was preparing my heart to be healed. It was while I was teaching one of the lessons that I realized I believed my long unanswered prayers for a baby meant that I was not loved. This realization brought me once again to my knees. I prayed for myself, but now my prayer did not concern my childlessness. What I asked was simply, “Do you love me?” As soon as I uttered that question, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of love, joy, and peace. Like Alma, I had been in the “gall of bitterness,” but “I could remember my pains no more.” Indeed, “my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!” (Alma 36:18–20). From that moment, I began to better understand the Atonement. In Gethsemane our Savior took upon Himself the pains, sicknesses, and infirmities of His people so that He would know how to succor them according to their infirmities (see Heb. 4:15; Alma 7:11–12). He sweat great drops of blood as He suffered for all of the afflictions that result from living in a telestial world. Before this answer to prayer, I understood that He did what He did for the world. Now, I understood that His sufferings were also for me. I knew that because of the Atonement, the Savior understood the nuances of my pain. Because He knew my experience, I did not have to feel alone. My understanding of the Atonement and of the Savior’s love for me were forever changed. Now I have hope. I have joy. About a year after that answer to my prayer, Heavenly Father blessed my husband and me with a beautiful adopted daughter. I do not know if our home will be blessed with more children, but one thing I do know: I am loved, and my Savior knows me by name. With joy, I strive to pass on this understanding to the heart of our child. Most of us will have to experience heart-wrenching adversity at one time or another. Infertility was my greatest trial. Although I still do not understand why I have never been blessed with the experiences of pregnancy and childbirth, I realize it is not essential for me to understand why—that understanding will come at a later time. What matters is that I know that the same Jesus Christ who walked on the earth, healing spiritual and physical sickness of every kind, has healed the sickness that infertility created in my heart. He lives, and my knowledge of His love and of His Atonement is a greater gift than any other—even the gift of being a mother.
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:52 am
Two different types of stars decorated the exterior of the Nauvoo Temple. The first type had five points with a single ray pointed down. The second type was six-pointed on vertical axis. The six-pointed star (without crossing lines) has been used for centuries as a symbol of the fixed stars seen in the depths of the night sky. This type of star was interspersed among the railing panels that surrounded the roofline of the temple. It was also placed along the bottom of the roofs overhang so that people standing underneath the roofline would be able to look up and see these stars as if they were fixed against the sky.
Stars are often used in the scriptures to symbolize the endless posterity of those who are faithful to the Abrahamic Covenant. It is only in the temple of the Most High God that a husband and wife enter into the Abrahamic Covenant, for “everyone in the Church who has been married in the temple has received exactly the same promise that God gave Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Everyone who is married in the temple and who keeps the covenant has the assurance that he will have eternal increase, that his posterity will be like the dust of the earth and the stars of heaven in number.”
Joseph Smith said that the glory of the telestial kingdom could be compared to the light emanating from the stars (see D&C 76: 81, 98, 109 ). The word telestial is unique. It was evidently removed from the text of 1 Corinthians 15:40 in the ancient past and then restored by the Prophet in the Joseph Smith Translation. The root of this word, tele- is “a combining form meaning: at or over a distance.” In LDS theology the telestial kingdom is the most distant place one can be from the presence of the Lord while still retaining some degree of glory. Hence the name of this kingdom is most descriptive. This word has several other forms that’s should be considered, however, because of their relationship to the temple. Dr. Hugh Nebley has pointed out that the word telos means “initiation,” Teleiomai means “to be initiated into the mysteries,” and teleiotes is someone who has become complete or ritually “perfect” through a full reception of those mysteries.
Dr. John W. Welch also informs us that teleios is an initiate who receives the mysteries. The connection here seems to be that the telestial world is the place that has been appointed for us to accept and then be initiated into the mysteries of godliness; otherwise, as other revelations proclaim, there can be no exaltation. Wilford Woodruff was straightforward and uncompromising on this matter when he said that “no man will receive of the celestial glory except it be through the ordinances of the house of God.”
The book of Abraham presents us with an interesting array of cosmological terms As mentioned above, this material is often thought of as just an elaborate astronomy lesson. Some people have even felt that Joseph Smith made these terms up on his own. But it should be noted that the unusual terms found within the Abrahamic scriptures are indeed ancient.
The following comparison will serve to demonstrate this point.
“Kokob, which is star”
(Abraham 3:13)
Hebrew kokab = star
“Kokaubeam, which signifies stars”
(Abraham 3:13)
Hebrew kokabim = Stars
“The name of the great one is Kolob”
(Abraham 3:3)
Semitic klb or qlb = center, middle, heart
“Olea, which is the moon”
(Abraham 3:13)
Egyptian ich = moon
And Hebrew ya rec ah = moon
“Shinehah, which is the sun”
(Abraham 3:13)
Egyptian sheni = ‘encircle’ and
Hh = eternity;
Nehah = sun
“Earth, which is called… Jah-oh-eh”
(fac. #2, fig 1)
Egyptian yoh-heh and Coptic ja-i-e = earth
“The Hebrew word Raukeeyang, signifying expanse, or the firmament of the heavens”
(Fac, #2, fig 4; see also Fac.#1, fig. 12 )
Hebrew rah-kee’ag = meaning firmament, expanse
“Shaumau, to be high, or the heavens, answering to the Hebrew word, Shaumahyeem”
(Fac.#1 fig. 12)
Hebrew shamayim = to be lofty, sphere of celestial bodies
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:10 am
Are we allowed to talk in here?
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:33 pm
Itesa Are we allowed to talk in here? You are allowed to talk in here if you like. wink
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:45 pm
Wow! i feel so good just reading the first post! i'l save the rest for later!
some of that stuff i diddnt know O.O
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:43 am
Stars' Continued
The most prominent type of star that adorned the Nauvoo Temple was five-pointed and had a single ray pointing down. This star was placed directly above the sunstones and took two different forms. The first form had rays of equal length. The architect’s drawings show that this star was going to be outlined on or etched into the glass of the small round windows that were next to the stars stones. One of the sketches of the temple shows that the glass of these windows was to be stained. It was originally decided that the stars stones would also be depicted with rays of equal length, but over time this design was modified so that the single ray on the bottom of the star was considerably elongated. Photographs and fragments of stone that have been recorded confirm that this modified version of the star was ultimately used to adorn the temple’s façade.
To the early saints of our dispensation this emblem was known as “The Star of the Morning.” This title may help us to understand why it has an elongated ray on the bottom. It is well-known that the morning star is the brightest object in the sky just prior to the breaking of dawn. The reason for its unusual brightness is that this star (actually the planet Venus) “borrows” its light from the sun, which is directly below the horizon. The elongated ray of the Nauvoo star is pointed down toward the rising sun as if the star were drawing its light from that source.
As the morning star is a herald or precursor, it has some interesting theological implications. For example, it was on a “holy mount” that Peter James, and John received the “more sure word of prophecy.” And peter compared this experience to having “the day star arise” in their hearts. The day star and morning star are one and the same. According to the scriptures, the “more sure word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood”
Joseph Smith further taught that the more sure word of prophecy pertains to steadfast disciples of Christ making their calling and election sure, and having the promise of eternal life sealed upon them. Those saints who are wholly devoted to righteousness, says Elder McConkie, “make their calling and election sure. That is, they receive the more sure word of prophecy, which means that the Lord seals their exaltation upon them while they are yet in this life. Even though the fullness of eternal life is not attainable in mortality… the peace which is its harbringer and which comes as a result of making ones’ calling and elections sure is attainable in this life.” These teachings may help to clarify what the Lord meant when he promised those who overcome the world: “I will give him the morning star”
On the highest level of meaning, the morning star is a descriptive symbol of the Lord Jesus Christ. To those living under the Old Covenant, the coming Messiah was known as the “star out of Jacob”. To those under the New Covenant, the resurrected Lord revealed that he is the “bright and morning star”. When the Lord is referred to as “a light that shineth in a dark place”, it is another way of stating that he is the morning star, the brightest star that heralds the dawn.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:45 am
 This is the way the Big Dipper is depicted upon the outside wall of the Salt Lake City Temple. High up on the west center tower of the temple we see the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear), commonly known as the Big Dipper. The seven stars that make up this constellation are six-pointed, a design used for centuries to represent fixed stars in the sky. The Big Dipper has been used for thousands of years as guide to the traveler and the lost. By following an imaginary line out from the pointer stars of this constellation, one can find the North Star and thus determine his location. To have this particular symbol adorn the temple is most appropriate for, as Hugh Nibley has stated many times, the temple is the place where one takes his “bearings on the universe and in the eternities, both in time and space.” The Big Dipper is positioned on the temple’s tower so that one may actually follow the pointer stars of this stationary symbol and locate the North star out of the heavens. The location of this symbol on a tower that represents the priesthood helps us to better understand Truman O. Angell’s explanation that the Big Dipper is meant to teach those who look upon it that “The lost may find themselves by the priesthood” Elder Benjamin F. Goddarad gave a similar explanation in a general conference address, stating, “as that constellation in the heavens is always pointing to the north star, so this temple points unto God, and indicates to the saints that therein they may learn more perfectly how to walk in the way of the Lord, and how to gain an exaltation in his presence.” That holy presence, according to some ancient Hebrews, was located near the North Star, “The point around which the constellations tuned, where was located the summit of the heavenly mountain and the throne of the Most High” Some Scholars believe that the “seven stars” in revelation 1:16 refer to the Big Dipper. In Hinduism, the seven stars in the constellation represent the seven rishis, or holy ancient sages
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:29 am
Angels  These are messengers of the Lord, and are spoken of in the epistle to the Hebrews as "ministering spirits" (Heb. 1:14). We learn from latter-day revelation that there are two classes of heavenly beings who minister for the Lord: those who are spirits and those spirits and those who have bodies of flesh and bone. Spirits are those beings who either have not yet obtained a body of flesh and bone (unembodied), or who have once had a mortal body and have died, and are awaiting the resurrection (disembodied). Ordinarily the word angel means those ministering persons who have a body of flesh and bone, being either resurrected from the dead (reembodied), or else translated, as were Enoch, Elijah, etc. (Doctrine and Covenants section 129) There are many references to the work of angels in the Old Testement. In some passages the "angel of the Lord" sspeaks as the voice of God himself (Gen.22:11-12). The word angel is also sometimes used to designate a human messenger, as in JST Gen.19, and may have some application also in Matt.13:39-42. There is evidence of nonmortal beings who serve God in heaven (1 Kgs.22:19; cf. Alma 36:22) and some also of some who do God's will and minister to men on the earth (Gen.28;12; 32:1; 2 Sam.24:16; 1 Kgs.19:5-7; 2 kgs. 1:15, 19:35; Ps.91:11). We find angels mentioned by name in Dan. 8:16; 9:21; 10:13, 21; 12:1; Luke 1:19, 26. In latter-day revelation we learn that the angel Michael is Adam, and the angel Gabriel is Noah (HC 3:386) In the New Testement there are many references to the ministry of angels, but no clear statement as to their nature or their relation to mankind in general. Angels attended on our Lord throughout his life on earth (Matt. 1 :20; 2:13, 19; 4:11; 28:2-8; Luke 1:11-20, 26-30; 2:9-15; 22:43). Jesus often spoke of angels (Matt.13:14-30, 37-41; 16:27; 18:10; 22:30; 24:36; Luke 15:10, etc.). The sadducees did not believe in supernatural beings, but the Pharisees believed in both angels and spirits, which fact Paul used to his advantage when brougt before the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:7-9) Other New tesetement references are Acts 7:53; 1 Cor. 4:9; 6:3; 11:10; Gal. 1:8; 3:19; Col. 2:18 (where we are warned against the worship of angels), and throught the Revelation of John. There are references to fallen angels in 2 Pet. 2:4 and Jude 1:6 The Scriptures speak of the Devils angels. These are those spirits who followed Lucifer and were thrust out in the war in heaven and cast down to the earth. See Rev. 12:1-9; Doctrine and Covenants 29:36-38; Moses 4:1-4; Abr. 3:27-28, and as alluded to by peter and Jude cited above. Latter-day revelation contains much about the natrue, ministry and identification of angels. Latter-day revelation contains much about the nature, ministry, and identification of angels. See 2 Ne. 32: 2-3; Alma 12: 28-29; 13: 24-26; Moro. 7:29-31; Doctrine and Covenants 7: 6-7; 13; 37; 76: 21; 110: 11-16; 128: 21; 129; 132: 16-18. Angels do not have wings (HC 3: 392) The word angel is used in various ways. A person who is a divine messenger is called an angel. Thus Moroni, John the Baptist, Peter, James, John, Moses, Elijah, and Elias all minister3ed to Joseph Smith as angels. These all shall be exalted and inherit celestial glory. The scriptures also speak of another class of persons who, because of failure to obey the gospel, will not be exalted and will become angels in eternity. These are spoken of as angels in Matt. 22: 29-30 and Doctrine and Covenants 132: 16-18. This latter designation should not be confused with the use of the term angels having reference to the heavenly messengers sent forth to minister to the inhbitants of the earth.
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