Animals
- ass-representative of non-covenant people
- bull-symbolic royalty, kingship, protection, standard symbol for Jehovah and His dependability and strength
- calf/cow-symbol of God
- camel-representative of immorality
- chameleon-symbol for people who are deceptive or mis-representative, sinful practice of gluttony, see also weasel, mouse, tortoise, ferret, lizard, snail
- clean animals-figure of Christ and His followers, those who pour over words of God again and again("chew the cud"), see also oxen, sheep, lamb, goat
- cormorant-type of those who succumb to insatiable and unquenchable desires, slaves of passions
- divided hoof-symbol for one's having faith in God, diligent to God's command, choose right, avoid wrong
- divided hoof w/out ruminating-represent people who are heretical, profess faith in God but don't meditate words of God
- dog-symbol hypocrisy, represent men who cycle pattern of feigned repentance and return to past sins, enemy of God, see pig
- donkey-Egyptian symbol of god of evil, Hebrew symbol for devil, evil, harm, non-covenant people
- dove-symbol Holy Ghost, peace, purity, purification, House of Israel, and constancy
- dragon-symbol of evil, serpent, darkness, heresy, adversity, destruction, Latin snake and dragon interchangeable
- eagle-sometimes symbol God or Christ, Hebrew bible represent people who prey upon weakness of others for personal gain, see also stork, swan, pelican, bat, raven, owl, hawk
- fish w/ fins/scales-symbol for faithful Israel, rebirth, baptism, invisible presence of Christ, hope of God (Lev 11:9, Deut 14:9)
- fish w/out fins/scales-fin/scale symbol self-control, symbol for those who don't "swim" mainstream church teachings, more likely to be tempted, apostatize (Lev 11:10,12, Deut 14:10)
- goat-sacred and accursed, Satan, damned, sinners, lust, and symbol of Christ burdened with our sins
- grasshopper-represent members of church who overcome and risen above world and telestial temptations, cravings, lifestyle (Jerem 46:23)
- hare-immorality, adultery, fornication, "playboy bunny", "multiply like rabbits", see also camel
- hawk-represent people who prey on weakness of others for gain, see also raven owl vulture, swan, pelican, stork, bat
- hyena-symbol of immorality
- lamb-represent Christ and His followers, gentleness, innocence, meekness, purity, humility, and surrendering one's will
- lamprey-symbol of members who don't go with norms of church, gravitate towards dark things
- locusts-represent member of church who over come and rise above world and telestial temptation, cravings
- owl-denote scaveners who sought gain via work and misfortune of others, darkness, death, desolation, ingratitude (Lev 11:17)
- ox-members of Christ's church, obedience, sacrifice, strength of character, and deity, symbol for Messiah under Mosiac system
- pig-symbol people who call/remember God in times of need but when life is well forget, greed, gluttony
- rabbit-represent immorality, adultery, fornication, see hare
- ram-representation of Christ, resurrection, protection, sacrifice
- raven-scavenger bird symbol evil, mortification, corruption, sin, wandering, unrest, carrion, deceit, death, see vulture
- rumination-to "chew the cud". symbol practice meditating day and night upon words of God, doing good works. reading scriptures
- ruminating but not parting the hoof-symbol members of church who have words of God but don't deep in heart and mind
- serpent/snake-originally refer to Messiah and resurrection, later represents devil, temptation, evil
- sheep-representation of Christ and His followers, gentleness, meekness, purity, humility, surrendering one's will
- snail-symbol of deceit, laziness, sin
- swine-see pig
- undivided hoof-figure of those who struggle distinguish between good and evil, not well grounded in gospel
- vulture-see hawk
- weasel-symbol people who are deceptive or misrepresentative (Lev 11:29)
- wolf-represent evil, devil, craftiness, heresy, dark side of one's personality (Gen 49:27)
Body Parts
- arm-symbol for power and strength, human and divine, when folded symbol submission, upraised symbol prayer
- blood-symbol life, humanity, mortality, sin, impurity, sacrifice, death
- bosom/breast-figure for intimacy of relationship(non-sex), favored status, place of security, protection, nurturing
- bowels-symbol compassion, feeling, emotion, sometimes loins thus reproduction/fertility
- ear-symbol receptivity and obedience, what one hearkens to or what one chooses to listen to
- eye-represent light, knowledge, insight, and revelation, multiple eyes represent omniscience/godliness, also desires
- foot-figure for how one lives and what path one chooses to follow, feet also represent having power over one
- forehead-symbol what one dwells on, loves, or desires, thoughts, sometimes heart
- hair-symbol(complex) life and health(spiritual and physical)
- hand-figure of one's actions or pursuits, when clasped symbol solidarity/convenantial relationship, hand upon another symbol for the conferral/transfer of power or authority
- head-represent that which governs the body, crowned symbol for authority, royalty, ruling power, also entirety of person
- heart-symbol for seat of knowledge, receipt of revelation, omniscience, true inner man, etc
- horn-symbol for power or strength both good and bad
- knee-represent of state of one person in relation to another
- loins-primarily for offspring, reproductive powers, and omnipresence, also preparedness
- neck-outward symbol of one's heart, bowed symbol humility, stiff/erect symbol pride, disobedience
- nose-figurative represent anger or temptation
- shoulder-symbol of labor, burdens and responsibilities
- throat-voice represented power, priesthood power or ability/right to command, symbol for omnipotence
- wing-symbol for a being's power to move or act
Colors
- black-grief, sorrow, mourning, also foreboding, negativity, evil, death, judgment, corruption
- blue-symbol of godliness, spirituality, and heavenly nature of a thing
- brass-symbol of judgment
- brown-represent judgment, damnation, and death
- gold-represent wealth, temporal power and worldliness, also celestial, divine, godly nature of a thing
- green-symbol for life, including eternal life
- pale green-image of impending death
- purple-wealth, power, royalty, majesty, and the like
- red/scarlet-sin, blood, atonement, war, violence, and death
- silver-redemption, and moral purity
- white-purity, righteousness, holiness, innocence, victory, light, revelation, also happiness and spirit
Clothing
- apron-symbol fertility/reproduction, priesthood and work
- armor of God-scriptorial motif for sources of protection God has provided us with, so resist evil and ensure salvation
- bows-represent marriage covenant between man and wife, and thus God and His church
- breastplate of righteousness-symbol controlling one's thoughts and desires
- breeches-emblem of glory which God, Christ, and all celestial resurrected beings possess, symbol flesh of Christ
- cap/crown/hat-represent authority, victory, wisdom, and power
- coat of skins-see breaches
- helmet of salvation-symbol importance of controlling and limiting what enters one's body, heart, mind, being. Figuratively that salvation will only be had if one protects his or her eyes, mind, ears, and mouth from things forbidden by God
- footwear-several connotations in scripture and temple worship, represent enslavement and poverty when absent, symbol entrance into hallowed place when removed, also removal suggest covenant has been struck, feet shod w/ "preparation of the gospel of peace" implies gospel is sound, trustworthy, sage, and give sure footing and stability in life if rely on it
- garments-see breeches
- girdle of truth-symbol for utilization of truth as a means of not being deceived y the temptations and traps associated w/ immodesty
- robes-image of priesthood power
- sackcloth-worn by mourners as a token of grief, humiliation, repentance, or dismay
- sashes-symbolize chastity, virginity, or faithfulness
- shield of faith-symbol for truth that one has faith in Lord Jesus Christ is protected from spiritual death, by ability deflect temptations
- shoes/sandals/slippers-see footwear
- swaddling clothes-symbolic both parental care and compassion, see pending death
- sword of the spirit-represent the reality of scripture, covenants, and teachings of prophets, companionship of Holy Ghost, return spiritual battle
- veils-3 symbolic meanings w/ veiled face represent chastity, virtue, modesty, second submission, obedience, commitment, last divine authority
Directions
- east-associated w/ presence of God or God's influence, face east is to face God, move east move towards God, attack from east is the wrath of God
- north-Hebrew mean dark, hidden, gloomy, non-covenant people, represent apostasy
- south-Hebrew covenant people if face east south is the right hand. Greek that which is from heaven, revelation
- west-like north very negative, sorrow, chaos, understandability, evil, darkness
Numbers
- 1/3 or 1/3 part-symbol for idea that bounds have been set, power is limited
- 1-token of unity between members of Godhead, church and any specified group, symbolize God as origin of all things
- 2-layered symbol, implies opposition, separation, good vs evil, Hebrew means life force/creative power, combine male/female
- 3-symbol Godhead, divine involvement, atonement (3 crosses, 3 hr darkness, 3 days in tomb, ...)
- 3 1/2-half of 7 symbol something which has been arrested midway in normal course
- 4-implies geographic fullness or totality, the earth, and universally of divine acts
- 5-designed to provoke images of divine grace, man in fallen state or mortal state
- 6-negative symbol conveys idea of deficit, imperfections, failure to attain completeness
- 7-most common symbolic number, represent fullness, completion, spiritual perfection, Egyptian symbol for eternal life
- 8-symbol resurrection, new beginning, rebirth, baptism, Christ
- 9-symbol evokes images of judgment, finality, completion(in negative sense)
- 10-denotes "all of a part", a whole or complete unit that exists w/in greater whole
- 11-rare symbol represent sin, transgression, peril, conflict, disorder, imperfection, disintegration
- 12-represent priesthood, including power and right to govern
- 13-foreshadow apostasy or an evil omen
- 24-symbolize fullness of priesthood or making one's calling and election sure
- 40-suggestive of a period of trial, testing, probation, mourning
- 42-same as 3 1/2, 1260
- 144-fullness of priesthood or making one's calling and election sure
- 666-6 symbol imperfection, triple repetition is "trinity of imperfection" Satan, great and abominable, antichrist, imperfect, setting up as divine
- 888-number represent Christ
- 1000-symbol for completion, w/ any other number 1000 magnify symbolic meaning of other number
- 1260-3 1/2, 42
- 144,000-144,12
Other
- ark of the covenant-symbol presence/manifestation of God and church of God, wood and gold symbol 2 natures of Christ: mortal and divine
- bride/woman-Church of Jesus Christ, covenant Israel(male and female)
- bridegroom-messiah, Jesus Christ
- budding rod-resurrected Christ, priesthood authority, divine investiture of authority
- cherubs-angels which stand sentinels/guards protect us from presence/glory of God, until through covenant
- figs-symbol fertility/reproduction also covenant people, figs: sin and fall of man
- flaming swords-celestial/divinely revealed words, commands, covenants used to discern, protect righteous from disobedient, represent what learn in life so enter God's presence
- incense-symbol for prayers of saints ascending to God
- kolob-star "nearest unto the throne of God" detailed type of Christ
- leaven-represent infiltration, scattering or dispersion, positively symbol growth of Church in world, used negative scattering of saints as punishment for wickedness, sin and corruption and ability to infiltrate our lives
- manna-heaven sent sustenance symbolized Christ "bread of life"
- mountains-image of temple or house of the Lord, also represent revelation, inspiration
- name-symbol person's personality, character, nature, authority, status
- olive oil-symbol Holy Ghost and influence thus revelation, consecration, healing
- salt-symbol of covenant making and sacrifice, represent purity and preservation from corruption
- sun-symbol for son of God and glory of things celestial or divine, daily reminder of 2nd coming
- tree of life-symbol of Savior and blessings associated w/ His life, ministry, gospel, atonement, Christ source of immortality so same blessing to Adam and Eve
Chiasmus
The literary technique of presenting a set of words or ideas in a certain order and then retracing them in the opposite order. The word chiasmus comes from the Greek chiazein, meaning to mark with an x, or a chi. The device is useful for several purposes, especially for concentrating attention on the main point of a passage by placing itiat the central turning point of the text...It can aid memorization, teach by means of calculated repetition, and confer a snese of completeness or closure to a lenghy textual development. (see #3 pg 182)
2 Nephi 29:13
a1 And it shall come to pass that the Jews
b1 shall have the words
c1 of the Nephites, and the Nephites
b1 shall have the words
a1 of the Jews;
a2 and the Nephites and the Jews
b2 shall have the words
c2 of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel
b2 shall have the words
a2 of the Nephites and the Jews
Jacob 4:9
a For behold, by the power of his word
b man came upon the face of the earth, which earth was created
a by the power of his word.
Enos 1:8-12
a And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, ...(8)
b I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; ...(9)
c I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; ...(10)
b and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites. ...(11)
a because of thy faith.(12)
Mosiah 3:18-19
a men drink damnation to their own souls except they
humble themselves
b and
become as little children,
c and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the
atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent
d For the
natural man is an enemy to God,
e and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he
yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit,
d and putteth off the
natural man
c and becometh a saint through the
atonement of Christ the Lord,
b and
becometh as a child,
a submissive, meek,
humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Mosiah 4:6-7
a The atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world,
b that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord,
c and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body-
b I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation,
a through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind
Mosiah 5:10-12
a Whosoever shall not take upon him the
name of Christ
b must be
called by some other name;
c therefore, he findeth himself on the
left hand of God. ...
d ye should
remember also, that this is the name that I said I should give you
e that never should be
blotted out,
f except it be through
transgression;
f therefore, take heed that ye do not
transgress
e that the name be not
blotted out of your hearts. ...
d ye should
remember to retain the name written always in your hearts,
c that ye are not found on the
left hand of God,
b but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be
called,
a and also, the
name by which he shall call you.
Alma 34:9
a For it is expedient that an
atonement should be
made;
b for according to the great
plan of the Eternal God
a there must be an
atonement made,
b or else all mankind must unavoidably
perish;
c yea, all are hardened; yea all are
fallen and are lost,
b and must
perish
a except it be through the
atonement which it is expedient should be
made
Alma 36
a My son, give ear to my
words (1)
b Keep the
commandments and ye shall
prosper in the land (1)
c Do
as I have done (2)
d Remember the
captivity of our fathers (2)
e They were in
bondage (2)
f He surely did
deliver them (2)
g Trust in God (3)
h Supported in
trials, troubles, and afflictions (3)
i lifted up at the
last day (3)
j I
know this not of myself but of
God (4)
k Born of God (5)
l I sought to destroy the church (6-9)
m My limbs were paralyzed (10)
n Fear of being in the
presence of God (14-15)
o Pains of a damned soul (16)
p Harrowed up by the memory of sins (17)
q I remembered
Jesus Christ, a
son of God (17)
q I cried,
Jesus son of God (17)
p Harrowed up by the memory of sins no more (19)
o Joy as exceeding as was the
pain (20)
n Long to be in the
presence of God (22)
m My limbs received strength again (23)
l I labored to bring souls to repentance (24)
k Born of God (26)
j Therefore my
knowledge is of
God (26)
h Supported under
trials, troubles, and afflictions (27)
g Trust in him (27)
f He will
deliver me (27)
i and raise me up at the last day (28)
e As God brought our fathers out of bondage and captivity (28-29) d Retain in remembrance their captivity (28-29)
c Know as I do know (30)
b Keep the commandments and ye shall prosper in the land (30)
a This according to his word (30)
Alma 41:13-14
a1a2 good for that which is good;
b1b2 righteous for that which is righteous;
c1c2 just for that which is just;
d1d2 merciful for that which is merciful.
d1 merciful unto your brethren;
c1 deal justly,
b1 judge righteously,
a1 and do good continually;
and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea,
d2 ye shall have mercy restored unto you again;
c2 ye shall have justice restored unto you again;
b2 ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and
a2 ye shall have good rewarded unto you again
Helaman 6:10
a Now the land south
b was called Lehi, and
c the land north
d was called Mulek,
e which was after the son of Zedekiah; for the Lord
d did bring Mulek
c into the land north,
b and Lehi
a into the land south.
Helaman 16:2
a they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall;
b but the Spirit of the Lord was with him,
a insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows.
Genesis 7:21-23
a And all flesh died that moved upon the earth,
b both of fowl,
c and of cattle, and of beast,
d and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth,
e and every man:
f All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.
g And every living substance was destroyed
f which was upon the face of the ground,
e both man,
c and cattle,
d and the creeping things,
b and the fowl of the heaven;
a and they were destroyed from the earth:
Isaiah 55:8-9
a For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
b neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
c For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
b so are my ways higher than your ways,
a and my thoughts than your thoughts
Isaiah 60:1-3
a Arise, shine;
b for thy light is come,
c and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
d For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:
c but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
b And the Gentiles shall come to thy light,
a and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Amos 5:4-6
a Seek ye me, and ye shall live:
b But seek not Beth-el,
c nor enter into Gilgal,
d and pass not to Beersheba:
c for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity,
b and Beth-el shall come to nought.
a Seek the Lord, and ye shall live;
Matthew 10:39
a He that findeth his life shall lose it:
b and he that loseth his life for my sake
a shall find it
Matthew 13:13-18
a Therefore speak I to them in parables:
b because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
c And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias,
d which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
e For this people's heart is waxed gross,
f and their ears are dull of hearing,
g and their eyes they have closed;
h lest at any time they should see
g with their eyes,
f and hear with their ears,
e and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
d But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
c For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to
b see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
a Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
