The Temple in The Vineyard - Isaiah 5

Every summer our family goes on vacation.  We basically do the same thing- load up gear, a trailor of motor bikes and quads, and head for mountians to go riding.  But each year we try to go some place different and even though the technique you use to ride is much the same, it is fun to discover new places, new vistas, new (old) historical sites.  I often feel the same way in studying the scriptures.  For instance, I realized as I approached Isaiah's parable of the vineyard, that I had never taken the time to learn about vineyards in ancient Israel, so I began to explore and found my vista expanding again. 

Did you know grape cultivation and winemaking originated in Israel’s neck of the woods, so to speak?  By the time the Children of Israel marched in, it was already well established.  A heavy vine covered in grapes was part of the produce that Joshua and the Israelite spies brought back from their search of the land of Canaan.  (Numbers 13:23)  At the time of Christ, premium wine from the troublesome province of Judea was one of the luxury items that made it worth the trouble.  The Roman conquest of Europe paved the way for cuttings from prime plants to be taken and grown on Roman Estates in the far flung province of Gaul, which includes most of modern day France. Obviously, winemaking became a major industry there.  On the other hand, when Muslim rule came in the 7^th century A.D., with that religions’ prohibition on alcohol, the vineyards were destroyed.  Now, modern vineyards have been replanted in Israel on land which still boasts the remnants of ancient wine presses.  All interesting facts, but it was HOW the grapes were cultivated that really helped me understand more from Isaiah’s parable.

For instance, grapes are one of two major Israelite crops that, if properly tended to, actually grew better in the poorer, rocky, hillside soil.  The other crop was the olive.  That caught my attention because right after the Children of Israel miraculously crossed the Red Sea, Moses taught them a song of praise which taught them the Lord would “bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance….” (Exodus 15:17) And the two plants the Lord repeatedly uses as types of Israel - the grape vine and the olive tree.   Different aspects of those plants are brought out in different references, and we will discuss more about the olive in a few chapters, but right now I would like to explore their common ground – the poorer, rocky, hillside soil they thrive in IF they have the proper care to enable that growth and how that proper care, spiritually speaking, centers on (can you guess) the “mountain of the Lord’s house” - in other words the temple.

First, let’s go back to Exodus 15, because the next words in that verse shows Moses teaching the Israelites’ that the Promised Land is also one where the Lord has a “Sanctuary” to dwell in and where the Lord will “reign”. (This verse was referred to by King Solomon when he dedicated the first temple in Jerusalem.1 Kings 8:13, Also see Exodus 15:13) I think the translation in the New International Version is worth sharing, because it is clear that we are talking about the planting His people in His holy mountain. 

You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance--the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established.

Next, the Lord put a lot of effort into teaching the people His way of strengthening, supporting them, and abiding among them.  He began by going “before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not… the pillar away.  (Exodus 13:21-22) When the Egyptians closed in on them, the pillar moved to the rear of the camp, protecting them from the pursuing Egyptian army, and still giving light to the camp. (Exodus14:19-20)  

When the Tabernacle was built, the pillar “covered” it and the “glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys, but if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel… throughout all their journeys.”(Exodus 40:34-38 also see Deuteronomy 1:33) 

To keep their focus on the fact the Lord was with them, guiding and protecting them, He gave them “judgments” or, as we would say it, “ordinances,” which would help them understand the Lord’s ways, and above all, the atoning sacrifice of the Savior. (See Deuteronomy 30:16 and refer to footnote ‘b’ for an example of the word translated as “judgment(s)” being better translated as “ordinance.”)

Of course, this constant evidence of the Lord’s being present and guiding the Israelites did not take the work - the rockiness - out of their journey.  The whole point of their journey - and our journey in life- was to use the combination of the “rocky soil” and the Lord’s unfailing, nurturing care to become “fruitful.”  Nephi succinctly sums up what the Lord was trying to teach both groups of wandering Israelites:  And thus we see that the comandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide a means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them. (1 Nephi 17:3) 

Now, you might think this tying together of Isaiah’s parable and the way the Lord showed his presence to the wandering Israelites was my own brainchild, but in fact Isaiah prefaces this parable with a promise in Isaiah 4:4-6 that when Israel gathers and is made pure “by the spirit of judgment (ordinance)” and the “spirit of burning” then His presence, as manifest in “a cloud…by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night,” will be not only be in the “tabernacle,” but on every dwelling and will be a defense and refuge for those who are gathered in.  What an extraordinary promise- the protecting, guiding influence of the Lord will then be in every home! And notice what needs to happen for it to be fulfilled.

The “spirit of burning” was referred to by John the Baptist when he taught, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”(Matthew 3:11)  In turn, a modern apostle explained this “spirit of burning” more fully: 

We are commanded and instructed to so live that our fallen nature is changed through the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. President Marion G. Romney taught that the baptism of fire by the Holy Ghost “converts [us] from carnality to spirituality. It cleanses, heals, and purifies the soul. … Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and water baptism are all preliminary and prerequisite to it, but [the baptism of fire] is the consummation. To receive [this baptism of fire] is to have one’s garments washed in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ” (Learning for the Eternities, comp. George J. Romney [1977], 133; see also 3 Nephi 27:19–20).  Hence, as we are born again and strive to always have His Spirit to be with us, the Holy Ghost sanctifies and refines our souls as if by fire (see 2 Nephi 31:13–14, 17). Ultimately, we are to stand spotless before God.  (Elder David A. Bednar, “Clean Hand and a Pure Heart,” Ensign, November 2007)

But besides becoming pure, we are promised the Lord’s presence will provide a source of strength, refuge, and defense.  What is the source of such moral and spiritual power, and how do we obtain it? The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him. A covenant is an agreement between God and man, an accord whose terms are set by God (see Bible Dictionary, “Covenant,” 651). In these divine agreements, God binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep His commandments. We enter into covenants by priesthood ordinances, sacred rituals that God has ordained for us to manifest our commitment…. Our covenant commitment to Him permits our Heavenly Father to let His divine influence, “the power of godliness” (D&C 84:20), flow into our lives. He can do that because by our participation in priesthood ordinances we exercise our agency and elect to receive it.  (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “The Power of Covenants,” Ensign, May 2009)

Now, let’s return to 2 Nephi 15:1 (which is Nephi quoting Isaiah 5:1) where is restored this small, but precious wording – And then -- a connecting phrase to help us understand that this parable isn’t about an ancient them, but for every person who in mortality has the opportunity to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple. 

To further emphasize and point to the temple and its ordinances, Isaiah uses some interesting word choices in that first verse.  The phrase “fruitful hill” in particular was a surprise - not in the English- but I felt compelled to look up the Hebrew words.  I resisted a bit because I had just done a bit of research on mounts, hills, and mountains, and knew the words translated as “hill” were pretty consistent.  (Maybe my subconscious had picked up on the fact that there was an anomaly in that list, and it was the word used in this verse.) This verse is the only time in the Old Testament the word Isaiah uses here is translated as “hill.”  Given the context, it is a good translation, but you miss the nuance of Isaiah’s parable.  The word he uses here is usually translated as “horn.”  As in a symbol of God’s power and authority.  As in the “horns” the Lord commanded be put on the corners of the altar of the temple (Exodus 27:2) As in the “horn” filled with oil used to anoint those called to serve the Lord. (1 Samuel 16:3, 1 King 1:39) As in the “horn” of the altar blood was smeared on in performing the mosaic ordinances pointing to the Savior’s atoning sacrifice. (Exodus 30:10, Leviticus 9:9) 

Well, after discovering that, I didn’t resist the idea of looking up “fruitful,” and was not overly surprised to find it too was an unusal choice.  It is a, at least within the Old Testament, a uniqu combination of two other distinct words.  The first means literally “to build” and “tent panel.”  It is also THE word for “son” and conveys the idea of “seed of the tent” or the continuation of the family. The other word means literally “oil” as in the olive oil used in the temple ordinances and to anoint those called by the Lord.  It also came to mean “fat” as in having abundance.  Another word for “abundance” is translated as “multiply” and used in the Lord’s promises to Abraham concerning him becoming a “father of many nations.” It comes from roots that literally mean “the head of the tent.”  With that in mind I looked again at the phrase “choicest vine” and immediately thought of Isaiah’s other admonition, “Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.” (Isaiah 51:2)  Add to that this restoring and clarifying revelation:
Abraham received all things, whatsoever he received, by revelation and commandment, by my word, saith the Lord, and hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth upon his throne.  Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loins... and as touching Abraham and his seed, out of the world they should continue; both in the world and out of the world should they continue as innumerable as the stars; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the seashore ye could not number them. This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law is the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself.  Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham; enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved.  But if ye enter not into my law ye cannot receive the promise of my Father, which he made unto Abraham. (Doctrine & Covenants 132:29-33)

It seems so important to understand that Isaiah is talking to all, both ancient and modern, who are “planted” in a place and time where they can affirm their willingness to “enter ye into” the Lord’s law by making sacred covenants through receiving the ordinances in the house of the Lord as the Lord has directed.   And then – and this part is even more critical – striving to live according to that law. As Christ so pointedly taught, “all the law” and “all the prophets” “hang” or “hinge” on obedience to the commandments to love and serve God and, working hand in hand with Him, love our “neighbor.” (Matthew 22:40) In other words, Isaiah is addressing all those who have the opportunity to “do the works of Abraham.”

With this in mind the rest of the chapter (not to mention the whole book) opens up.  The grape vine he used in the parable does thrive best in the hill’s rocky soil, but it cannot survive in a manner to produce good fruit without the care of the Lord of the vineyard.  The ground on the hill is too hard for the tender roots to penetrate on their own; it must be dug up to make way for the vine to grow deep, healthy roots.  The large stones, too, would prevent its growth and the loosened soil would be washed away in the first heavy rainstorm. So the Lord laboriously gathers the rocks, and uses what used to be obstacles to the vines growth, to create terraces to prevent the soil washing away and allow the rain water to soak deeper into the ground, again to encourage deep roots.  Tender young leaves are tasty and a cutting from the “choicest vine” would not be an inexpensive acquisition.  Critters of both the two legged and four legged variety would be tempted to prey on the tender vine.  So the wise Lord, with great discomfort to himself, used the thorny brambles cleared from the land to make a hedge- a strong deterrent - and adds the expense of a wall and a watchtower. One other step, which Isaiah mentions only when the Lord talks about what is going to happen to the unfruitful vineyard, is pruning.  Not something the plant enjoys, but absolutey essential on an annual basis if the vine is to bear fruit.  Finally, he builds a press, which would ensure that none of ripened fruit would be wasted to spoilage.  All is in place for the vine to become all it has the potential to become. 

I have come to love this parable as a beautiful illuminating illustration of how much work –infinitely beyond any sacrifice or work I have done in my life – is meant when the Lord says, “This is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”(Moses 1:39)  And the relationship of the Lord of the vineyard to the vine is so hands on, so invested, so personal.  Even though I am not a keeper of a vineyard, as most of Isaiah’s original listeners would have been, I can still understand how unthinkable would be the possibility of the vineyard producing “wild grapes.”  I think that is one of Isaiah’s objectives, to get us to stop and “consider the work of the Lord… and the operation of his hands.” (Isaiah 5:12)  And to check our own lives for the production of “wild grapes,” which are identified as filling our lives with the pursuit of wealth and pleasure, often at the expense of the welfare of our “neighbor” and at the expense of taking the time and effort to “feast upon the words of Christ.” (Compare Isaiah 5:12,24 and 2 Nephi 32:3)  

In verse 24 Isaiah brings us back to the theme illustrated by Isaiah’s word choice in verse 1, this time talking about the eternal consequences of growing “wild grapes,” or casting “away the law of the Lord of Hosts” and despising “the word of the Holy One of Israel.”   He says that “their root shall be rottenness, and their blossoms shall go up as dust.”  (Isaiah 5:24)   You might notice a similarity between this pronouncement and the one given by Malachi and quoted in full by Christ to the Nephites:  “For behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea and all the do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” (Malachi 4:1) 

This prophecy immediately precedes the prophecy of Elijah coming to “turn the heart of the father to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” (Malachi 4:5-6, 3 Nephi 25:5-6, Joseph Smith History 1:37-39, Doctrine & Covenants 2)  Which brings us back to the temple.  In fact, a lot of what Isaiah says doesn’t make much sense without an understanding of the power of priesthood keys to bind on earth and in heaven.  It is also so important to understand that the work done in the temple is one of most glorious - available here and now- gifts to help us gain eternal perspective and begin to understand more deeply the infinite nature of the atonement of Christ.  I have discovered this theme is so prevalent throughout Isaiah that I think I will leave a more detailed exploration to later, but I must quote a couple of my favorites because I think I see these promises happening a bit in my life-

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your (ordinances) we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.  When your (ordinances) come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:8-9)

And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. (Don’t forget 2 Nephi 32:3) And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 25:6-8)

It is when I think of my father, who is no longer here in mortality and do not doubt that our separation is temporary; or when I find myself treasuring people over books and being amazed and the strength and goodness I see in them; or when I remember that I know, really know, that what God has in mind for me is far greater than I could ever imagine and that if the veil were removed in full I would again kneel in humble awe and gratitude and affirm again my firm defense of His plan; or when I hear others voice,  in different words, the same conviction, that I feel my heart burn within me and then I know these promises are already being fulfilled.

On His Wings

Been delving into trivia again. It is amazing how it happens. One question leads to another and before you know it, you know which two animals have been used -far, far more than any others- as national and family symbols throughout the ages and throughout the world. Any guesses? Here they are, in no particular order- the lion and the eagle. It was the eagle that led me to this bit of trivia. And so I also noted that one particular species of eagle, namely the majestic golden eagle, is the most widely heralded of all the chosen eagle species. I found out that its habitat stretches across the whole of the northern hemisphere and so it has a prominent position in the history, religion, and folklore of countries from Mongolia to Mexico to Indonesia to Canada to Egypt.

Now you might wonder what exploring the webs store of knowledge on the golden eagle has to do with my current study of the Old Testament. If you've read my blog on Noah, you might recall I quoted a scripture from the Book of Isaiah, which included this: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…. (Isaiah 40:31) (See "Through the Storm)

That quote was indeed the inspiration for this little foray into wildlife -that, and the life of Joseph of Egypt. It was the word "wait" that particularly caught my notice this time. It comes from the same root as the Hebrew words for "hope" and "obedience." It literally means "to bind together" and indicates the patience needed to bind or weave something together. If ever there was an example of someone "waiting" on the Lord, it was Joseph. And if ever there was an example of someone who mounted up as with "wings as eagles," it was also Joseph. In a way, Joseph's story gives us an eagle's eye perspective of life, and the way the Lord works with and teaches his children.

Joseph is the one of the few Old Testament characters whose impression, in my eyes, improved the first time I read the Old Testament for myself. I remember in my primary class, knowing that what is brothers did when they sold him into slavery was a bad, bad thing, but I couldn't help but sympathize with them being jealous of Joseph when Jacob favored him and Joseph bragged about his dreams (he claimed came from God) of becoming a leader over them. Even if he did have those dreams, did he have to share it! I come from a family of eight children- I understand sibling rivalry.

However, after reading Genesis for myself, I quickly realized that was only half the story. Jacob didn't arbitrarily choose Joseph as his favorite. Jacob's favoring Joseph had a great deal to do with trust, and knowing that in Joseph he had a son who would work with him in faithfully following the Lord. Genesis 34, 37 & 38 seem to be pointed efforts on the part of the author of Genesis to give us some idea of why Joseph's desire to seek after and follow the Lord, as well as how he faithfully obey his father, made him Jacob's favored son. I do not deny Jacob's imperfect humanity, but I think his favor for Joseph is a type of what Nephi, in the Book of Mormon, tried to teach his brothers about who is favored of the Lord:  Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God. (1 Nephi 17:35)

All the other sons, who by birth may have had a prior claim to this type of favor and claim of leadership, had quit simply blown it - in big, messy, decidedly wicked, complicated ways. Their actions towards Joseph only emphasize how unrepentant they were at that point. Perhaps Jacob's words "Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land," says it best. (Genesis 34:30)

So here is Joseph, young and maybe even feeling a little fallen-man pride about the righteous choices he has made. Not perfect, but good and striving to do his best. One day he is the favored son of a rather powerful nomadic leader, and the next he is beaten by those he thought he would lead, thrown into a pit, and later sold as a slave to a passing caravan. It is easy for us, because reading the whole account takes only a few minutes, to see how he became so much more, had so much more, was able to serve his family and father so much more, because of that fateful day. But when he was roped, driven like a beast to market, and sold, and then spent years as a slave and prisoner, he could not see that.

Yet, in the first verses describing his life as a slave and prisoner, it tells us "the Lord was with Joseph."(Genesis 39:2, 21) That is a very significant phrase because the Lord has taken great pains (as I've noted before) to make clear to us the importance of agency and that he will not force himself on us. For instance:

Behold I stand at the door, and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

Or:     Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8)
Or:

Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil. And I have learned to conclude all my prayers with “Thy will be done.” (Matthew 6:10; see also Luke 11:2; 3 Nephi 13:10). (Boyd K. Packer, “Prayer and Promptings,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 43–46)

So that phrase "and the Lord was with Joseph" together with Joseph's own words declaring his devotion and obedience to God, show that the one thing Joseph did do was to continue turning to the Lord for comfort, strength and help as his life took unexpected, unwelcome turns. This is particularly thought provoking when you consider that both his being sold into slavery, and then his being thrown into prison, could be construed as directly resulting from his obedience to the Lord's commands.(Genesis 37:13-14, Genesis 39:9) Perhaps his life lens is summed up best in what he said to his brothers when his brothers when they came to him, after their father's death, worried that Joseph will use his considerable power to get justified revenge, and he tells them,

Am I in the place of God? …Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:19-20)

In other words:  God knows best. He has always known best, and what happened was never out of his control. He allowed you to do your evil deed. He prepared a way for it to be a good thing for me, and many others. I'm good and I love having you and your families here. You just worry about making sure you are right with God.

His approach to life and his Heavenly Father, and the result of that approach, seems to be a perfect example of the perspective the Lord tried to illustrate for the wandering, often angry and bitter, children of Israel. I found this previously underappreciated gem by following the footnotes from, (can you guess) Isaiah 40:31. It too, uses the example of eagles to illustrate the way the Lord lifts and teaches his children. But this time it compares His efforts to teach the children of Israel with the efforts of an eagle to teach her young to fly.

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. (Deuteronomy 32:11)

This is what led me to the golden eagle. I wanted to know what type of bird would most likely have been the "eagle" spoken of here. The golden eagle was well known to the children of Israel. The plains of Goshen and the Sinai wilderness are both natural habitats. Culturally, it was revered as a messenger of the Horus and Isis, the chief Egyptian deities. So the Lord is giving a powerful reminder that He, and He alone is the only true God. And he is also answering one of Israel's most repeated and pressing concerns:

Why, if God is really with us, do we go from being majestically led out of Egypt one day to being hungry and thirsty in the wilderness the next? Why if he has such power doesn't he use it, but instead leaves us to struggle with such painful problems? "Is the Lord among us or not?" (Exodus 16:7)

I found the Lord's illustrative example to be incredibly powerful.  You see, the golden eagle is a devoted parent. It mates for life. The mated pair claims a territory of up to 60 miles in diameter, and, carefully builds a nest. The nest is made of woven branches, sometimes small rocks or other hard materials, and then, in preparation for the young, covered in comfortable, soft material- leaves, moss, even their own feathers. For the first six to eight weeks the eaglets grow rapidly in their comfy home, being fed the choicest bits of meat. And then they fledge- or grow the wings they will need to fly, and things begin to change.

Apparently flying is not an instinctive behavior for the eagles. There are recorded cases of golden eagle eggs being successfully hatched by brooding hens. Without intervention, the eaglet will grow up to act like a chicken, pecking at the ground, living on insects, and never thinking to use his powerful wings to soar. However, the eagle parent knows that eagles are meant to fly- and that means gaining muscle and leaving the comfort of the nest. Most eaglets do not take the initiative, but need firm encouragement to realize their potential to soar.

Just as the verse above describes, this encouragement can include the mother flapping her wings close to the fledglings. This shows them how it is done, and the fledgling has only to make a weak attempt to flap his own wings to get his first taste of flight, courtesy of the draft created by the mother's powerful wings. Mother eagles have also been observed literally "stirring up the nest", taking away the soft moss, leaves or feathers that made it such a comfy place to stay. Wise eagle parents also stop bringing the fledglings choice bits of meat, instead inviting the fledgling to leave the nest and dine with them on a nearby ledge or branch. This is an offer most fledglings refuse at first. They scream their outrage- but to no avail, and eventually they learn they are ready to leave the nest. Now it is time to learn to fly. And it is true- golden eagles have been observed "spread(ing) abroad her wings" to help support their young in learning to fly. However, as is evident in the quote below, the fledglings were no more keen about being dropped off the ledge and spreading their wings, than they were about leaving the nest.

Last summer while my father and I were extracting honey at the apiary about a mile southeast of Thacher School, Ojai, California, we noticed a golden eagle teaching its young one to fly. It was about ten o'clock. The mother started from the nest in the crags, and roughly handling the young one, she allowed him to drop, I should say, about ninety feet, then she would swoop down under him, wings spread, and he would alight on her back. She would soar to the top of the range with him and repeat the process. One time she waited perhaps fifteen minutes between flights. I should say the farthest she let him fall was 150 feet.


My father and I watched this, spellbound, for over an hour. I do not know whether the young one gained confidence by this method or not. A few days later father and I rode to the cliff and out on Overhanging Rock. The eagle's nest was empty. (Dr. Loye Miller (1918) published the following account, as given to him by one of his students: Miss F.E. Shuman) http://www.birdsbybent.com/ch61-70/goleagle.html)

To watch an eagle's flight is truly a thrill to the soul! Just imagine what a truly great tragedy it would be if the mother eagle, knowing the capabilities inherent in her offspring, gave way to their screeches and let them comfortably waste their lives as fat, dependent, flightless parasites. Perhaps, with that in mind, we can begin to see the purpose in the Lord's allowing us to experience strengthening and growing opportunities, even when those opportunities cause us to cry out in pain and fear. The purpose is not our suffering- it is to give us the chance to know the meaning of soaring. But, it requires something of us. It requires that in that moment when we feel proverbially dropped off a cliff, as Joseph must have, we turn to Him in trust that His outstretched wings will be there, to give us the lift we are well aware we are too weak to give ourselves. He will always be there for us, just as He was with Joseph -if we will allow it.

Through The Storm

All right, I admit it. For many years of my life the very name "Noah" did not conjure up good feelings. This section of scripture- namely Genesis 6-10, was one of my first and most intense "exaltation" experiences. (See "My How To Book") When I first read it for myself, at about age 7, it seemed that God mirrored in so many way the capricious and vengeful (in the most modern and worst sense of the word) ancient gods I'd been reading of in a series of books with legends from around the world. It is amazing how tenacious can be the impressions of our youth! By the time I taught the Old Testament in early morning seminary, I had read and reread both accounts in Genesis and Moses, and read every article on the subject I could, spiritual or scholarly. I think I was in a place similar to what my daughter described about the word "exalt"- I knew the problem was not with what the Lord taught and could see how a change in perspective really did show this story to be another example of the Lord's love- but I was relieved when the lesson passed and I could move on, past the residue of confused feelings that continued to darken this part of the scriptures for me.


When did that darkness completely dissipate? I'm not sure, but as I read the account this time it came alive with vibrant meaning for me, here, now. It was like that perfect moment early in the morning when the deep purples, blues, and pinks of dawn are in perfect balance with the first burst of sunlight over the mountain. The colors are so beautiful and serve to emphasize the wonder- often taken for granted once the sun's light has completely dissipated the darkness- of a new day, of life, of eternal hope. "Which hope, cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men." (Ether 12:4) The hope and anchor Paul knew when he wrote:

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor thing present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romas 8:38-39)
As Paul carefully explains earlier in the chapter, the only thing that can separate us from the strengthening, healing, redeeming love of God is our rejection of it. That is so important to understand when approaching this epoch story.

Elder David A. Bednar noted the use of the word unto: “Please notice how the power of the Spirit carries the message unto but not necessarily into the heart. … Ultimately, … the content of a message and the witness of the Holy Ghost penetrate into the heart only if a receiver allows them to enter.” (2 Nephi 33:1)

Why just unto the heart? Individual agency is so sacred that Heavenly Father will never force the human heart, even with all His infinite power. Man may try to do so, but God does not. To put it another way, God allows us to be the guardians, or the gatekeepers, of our own hearts. We must, of our own free will, open our hearts to the Spirit, for He will not force Himself upon us. (Gerald N. Lund, “Opening Our Hearts,” Ensign, May 2008, 32–34)

Now let's think about what happened during the time when Enoch and his people were building Zion. According to our record, Enoch humbly recognized those he spoke to as his brethren, equally loved of God and equally capable of deciding for themselves. Under the Lord's direction, he pleaded with them to consider the world on which they stood, and the magnitude of creation, and to stop denying their creator. Some listened and began to "experiment upon (the) words" that Enoch taught and to repent (turn back) to the Lord. (Alma 32:27, Enoch 7) Those who listened to Enoch, were so unpopular they had to flee for their lives. It took moving mountains, literally, to get those who wanted them dead to stand off. Zion was protected until the people had become beings who could comfortably dwell and learn in the presence of God. (A testimony that no one has power to thwart the purposes and opportunities that are important for our eternal growth, if we rely on the Lord.)

When the enemies of Zion noticed it was gone, they gloated that "Zion had fled."(Moses 7:69) In other words, "We won, they fled, we have successfully cast them out from among us!" Nor was the world any more accepting of those who remained behind to carry on the Lord's work. Noah not only dealt with mockery as he taught and warned, but attempts on his life. (Moses 8:18)
This correlates to a repeated pattern taught in all the scriptures, but expressly spelled out in the Book of Mormon:

Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land that ye would even now would be visited by utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence and by the sword.

But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, If ye will cast out the righteous from among you then will not the lord stay his hand; (Alma 10:23-24)

That imagery,of the Lord's hand, is also central in what the Lord relates to Enoch about the flood:

The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold, I am God; man of Holiness is my name, man of counsel is my name; and Endless sand Eternal is my name also. Wherefore, I can stretch forth mine hands and hold all the creations which I have made; and mine eye can pierce them also, and among all the workmanship of mine hands there has not been so great wickedness (rejection of the Lord's directions and power) as among they brethren. (Moses 7:35-36)

Just as the Lord won't force us to open our hearts-he won't force us, once we have intentionally and decidedly rejected his power, to live with the organizing, creating, sustaining, enabling grace which holds all creation together.  For visualization purposes it is as if we are held lovingly in the cupped palm of his hand, and when we insist, the palm straightens out, pulls away, and we are "free" to fall. 

Seeing and living through the effects of the Lord withdrawing -and the earth momentarily re-experiencing a piece of its primordial chaos- was so horrific that the righteous (namely Enoch and Noah) prayed that the Lord would never again withdraw so completely.  The Lord did promise, and as pointed out in the scripture above, is able to enforce eternal laws and justice equally well through other means. But, there are eternally significant reasons why the flood did happen, not the least of which is its testimony of both the Lord's power and our own position and need of him. A heartbreaking global example of the truth which is so aptly illustrated by this passage:

All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field…Behold the nations are as a drop of the bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance; behold, (God) taketh up the isles as a very little thing….It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; (He) bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. (Isaiah 40:8-23)

Remember that all the Lord says and does, he does for our benefit (John 3:16, 2 Nephi 26:23) So, the account of the flood also carries a message of profound, infinite hope. Hope that even if the whole world falls apart, if we choose the Lord, He will be with us even as he was with Noah:

Wherefore Enoch saw that Noah built and ark; and that the Lord smiled upon it, and held it in his own hand....(Moses 7:43)

Also, remember:

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-30)

The Savior spoke those last words to his apostles before sending them out to teach. He knew they would face opposition. He prepared them for it, even telling them they would be scourged for their testimony of Him. His admonition was given to strengthen them and help them keep their perspective in the midst of difficulty. To help them look for and see how the hand of the Lord was upholding them, strengthening and enabling them to become. Now let's consider for a moment how the same was true for Noah, another faithful follower of Christ.
According to the record the flood was a storm unlike any we see today. The rain was continuous for 40 days and winds never ceased. We know the kinds of conditions that a severe storm can cause in a matter of minutes. A Tornado can wipe out a town. When that kind of storm combines over water, we call it a hurricane, and it can create a force more powerful and destructive than several atomic bombs. We know that vessels of twice the recorded size and stature of the ark have been broken to bits by lesser storms. If you've seen the recent articles on rogue waves or movies such as The Perfect Storm, you get some idea of the miracle it was that the ark survived the storm. And you get a glimpse into the level of individual care and infinite control the Lord exercises for each one of his children, if they will allow. And you also get a glimpse into the character of Noah.

Again, our experience tells us that passing through a decidedly lesser storm is an uncomfortable experience at best. The ark was not a luxury vessel- it had no heat or other accommodations. Jewish tradition recounts that Noah and his family suffered from cold, and with illness severe enough that he coughed up blood. (Hugh Nibley, Abraham in Egypt, Deseret Book, 1981, p.264) After living through these difficulties, what is his first act upon leaving the ark? It was to "build and altar to the Lord" and offer sacrifice in gratitude. Yes, he was supported by the hand of the Lord through this experience, but, no, he was not denied the oppositional opportunities for growth that come with challenges. Most importantly, he was able to profit because he recognized, with gratitude the hand that supported his every breath through the whole eternally profitable learning experience. In turn, this account can help us maintain perspective as we try to understand the difficult storms that come into our lives. Help us to not focus on the dark, cold, and discomfort, but instead discern the hand that is, even in the midst of the storm, upholding us- ensuring that even as we are tossed, we are moving forward toward our eternal goals-being prepared to see the Lord's promises fulfilled in our own lives:

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand for ever…Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand….
Hath thou not know? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall;

 But they that wait (move forward with hope) upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles….(Isaiah 40 10,28-31)