Comments for Heavenly Ascents

Comment on Instructions for the Netherworld: The Orphic Gold Tablets by William Graves

William Graves — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:20:39 +0000

Are you aware of the poem “Instructions to the Orphic Adept” which Orpheus sings to the Argonauts in Robert Graves’s The Golden Fleece (Hercules, my Shipmate) published 1944? The translation of the Orphic tablets made by Sir Gilbert Myrray in 1903 is incorporated in the poem. The poem may also be found in Graves’s Collected poems.

Comment on The Jewish Legends of Jacob vs. Esau: The Birthright and the Blessing by David Larsen

David Larsen — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:25:27 +0000

Thanks, Gerald!
I read your post and it is great! I highly recommend it! I don’t know how you find time to cover so much material.
You have really put together some great material and focus on all the right points. Keep up the good work!

Comment on “Noah…Prepared an Ark to the Saving of His House” (Old Testament Lesson 6) by David Larsen

David Larsen — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:22:43 +0000

Tyson,
I think you’ve put together some good thought here. I think Cain’s main fault was that he was offering the sacrifice that Satan wanted him to offer and in obedience to Satan instead of God. But the question of priesthood authority is certainly a valid one. There is also the worthiness to participate in the priesthood–which is why Jacob was ultimately the preferable choice to take over the priesthood duties instead of Esau, and Joseph over his brothers, although neither were the firstborn son.
Thanks,
David

Comment on The Three Men Who Appeared to Abraham: The Godhead, Angels, or Human Beings? (Old Testament Lesson 8) by David Larsen

David Larsen — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:16:27 +0000

Thank you all for your comments.

Comment on The Jewish Legends of Jacob vs. Esau: The Birthright and the Blessing by Gerald Smith

Gerald Smith — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:00:32 +0000

David, thanks. I don’t have Ginzberg, and so there were some things I didn’t have. I’ve completed my Lesson 10, tried to do it first before reading yours, so as to try and do my own thing. Funny how there is some overlap, but differences, as well. However, I’ve linked to your site from my lesson at Joel’s Monastery.
The story of the garment and Nimrod/Esau is found in the Book of Jasher. Isn’t it amazing how these additional points from tradition expand out and give understanding to the story line?

http://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2010/03/gospel-doctrine-ot-lesson-10.html

Comment on “God Will Provide Himself a Lamb” (Old Testament Lesson 9) by Ruth Lee-Bertot

Ruth Lee-Bertot — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:13:05 +0000

Fascinating post. Keep them coming

Comment on “Noah…Prepared an Ark to the Saving of His House” (Old Testament Lesson 6) by tyson

tyson — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:07:13 +0000

I thought I might be able to present a thought. It’s definatly not doctrine nor do I adhere to the possibility of what I’m about to write. I was just thinking about something, and thought I would type it out here after reading this post.

Here goes,

What if Abel was to receive the garment of Adam, or perhaps he did. In Moses 5:16 we see that Cain didn’t hearken to the Lord. In the next verse we read that Abel “hearkened unto the voice of the Lord.” Whether or not this reference “hearking” has any relation to priesthood authority…I don’t know. Let’s assume that it does. If you would like we could also assume that the “Lord” talking to Cain in this setting is Adam. It certainly follows the principal found in D&C 1:38. (voice of my servants) With this in mind, the story accounts that Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice unto the Lord. However, when Cain tried to offer a sacrifice unto the Lord it was rejected. Was Cain’s sacrifice done without the proper priesthood authority and thus rejected by the Lord? It mentions that Satan commanded Cain to make the offering. This seems similar to the story of Saul when he tried to make an unauthorized sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel. (1 Sam 15)

I guess the idea is that Satan found a willing participant with Cain. They entered into a combination wherein he could gain power and dominion over his brethern. I realize that the garment of Adam is not mentioned here, but the concept and idea is repeated by others such as Nimrod or Ham.

Thoughts? Please add insight or correction. Just typing out my thoughts.

Comment on The Three Men Who Appeared to Abraham: The Godhead, Angels, or Human Beings? (Old Testament Lesson 8) by tyson

tyson — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:14:31 +0000

While reading this post I kept thinking about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood.

Of particular, verse 33 which reads, “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.”

In my simple mind I compare what we have now in the restoration with what I’ve read in the scriptures. For example, to me it makes sense that this “renewing of the body” under the priesthood covenant, was to be given to the House of Israel under the hand of Moses. (see D&C 84:23-25) Had the house of Israel been true and faithful, they possibly would have received the renewing of their body and enjoyed the presence of those already translated, but that of the Lord as well.

The idea that the “angels” who visited Abraham seems consistant with what we understand about translated beings.

Comment on More on Melchizedek and Abraham and More Old Testament Resources by David Larsen

David Larsen — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:30:07 +0000

Thanks, Gerald!

I agree with your assessment and understanding of this process of divine investiture and deification. I looked at an interesting aspect of this in a post I did on Orson Hyde’s explanation of the hierarchy of gods/kingdoms and similar ideas from the Dead Sea Scrolls. If you’d like, you can see that post here: http://www.heavenlyascents.com/2009/03/09/orson-hyde-the-dead-sea-scrolls-and-the-hierarchy-of-the-gods/ Your thought regarding the kings ruling as gods over their own portion of heaven (their kingdom) is very much in line with ancient religious tradition and also Joseph Smith’s view of human destiny.

Comment on More on Melchizedek and Abraham and More Old Testament Resources by Rameumptom

Rameumptom — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:01:21 +0000

David,

I really appreciate your insights. They give us a new way to look at ancient religion, but also a new way to consider modern LDS belief, as well. When we consider Divine Investiture such as the angel in Revelation representing Christ to the point that John tries to worship him, and the fact that D&C 132 and other verses state that we can become gods, it truly becomes a new way to consider these stories. God is making mortals divine, occasionally by translating them. Enoch and Melchizedek were kings of their people, and as such reigned as mini-gods in their portions of heaven.