May 1 - May 4 - Covenants, and family relationships

• The word ברך (bah-rach) means "Bless", and also has reference to the word "Kneel". 
• Abraham's name is known by 3 major religions (Christian, Islam, Judaism) 4,000 years later. That is significant!! Who else is so well known after that much time? Why? Because of his faithfulness. Because he was great.
• Genesis 12: 3 says those who Bless and make Abraham's name great will become great! Those who curse Abraham will be cursed. DO WE BLESS ABRAHAM? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints blesses Abraham, but it's members may or may not bless Abraham. Those who do are blessed!

• Marriage covenants in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have very specific reference to Abraham. Do members know what that significance is? Are they trying to understand? Do they find Abraham significant? Do they bless his name? Do they think he is great? Do they kneel to him (respect, honor, etc. NOT Worship)? If they do, the blessings of Abraham are theirs.

May 4

• Scriptures often introduce the main characters at the beginning of the narrative. Abraham chapters 12-22+ are a story of two outcomes for two different people, both of which are immediately introduced in Genesis 12 - Abraham, and Lot. The author clearly intended to highlight these two outcomes for the readers sake.
• FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS in Hebrew culture: There are no words for most family relationships we have today, such as Cousin, Nephew (Brother's son), Grandfather (Father's father). I Find this fascinating. At first I thought this was a limitation of Hebrew compared to English, but I see differently now. Imagine the intimate closeness of calling your grandpa "Father", and him calling you "My Son" (or "My Daughter"). 
• The head of a household often had many wives and concubines. There would be a house (tent) for each wife (And her servants, even if her servants bore children to the head of household). All combined would be considered a "Clan", but each wife's family would be considered a 'house". The picture above shows a Clan consisting of two wives, and therefore, two houses.

March 27 - Ministering Angels / Messengers

1. We had a really interesting discussion on the Hebrew word, מַלְאַךְ (Maw-lach), which means "Messenger". But this word often gets translated as "Angel" in the scriptures. Hebrew doesn't have the word for the English word "Angel". Messengers in Hebrew can be mortal or immortal, or can even be God Himself. The same word in Greek is translated "Angelos", and also does not have the divine overtones we have in English. 
2. Some rules about the word מַלְאַךְ: (click here for more rules)
1. Messengers represent the one who sent them (And often speak in first person) 
2. Messengers do not usually provide details concerning their commission (who sent them) 
3. Bro. Satterfield said The Lord can send whoever He wants as a messenger (whether living, dead, or whatever) 
3. Judges 2, references an 'angel' who was actually a mortal prophet from the nearby community of Gilgal, who was sent by the Lord to deliver a message. It is interesting to note the 1st person aspect of his communication. Messengers represent the one who sends them. 
4. We should translate this word as "Messenger", rather than "Angel". It is more accurate. 
5. The same organization that exists in the LDS church, namely the priesthood lines of authority through prophets, apostles, stake and ward leaders, and ultimately quorum leaders, must surely exist on the other side of the veil. 
6. The Holy Ghost has an important responsibility as a messenger (מַלְאַךְ) , testifying of the Father and the Son. We learned that the Holy Ghost is an orchestrator for providing our spiritual experiences, and is the one responsible for assigning messengers to us. Many doctrinal examples support this idea, including the story of Nephi, Laman, Lemuel, who were continually followed by their מַלְאַךְ, and who often heard his voice, literally beheld him, and felt his promptings at times. These מַלְאַךְ act under the directing influence of the spirit, and convey the feelings, thoughts, peace, guidance, etc. we associate with the Holy Ghost. This doctrine is further discussed by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the quorum of the 12 apostles in his talk, "The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament". This doctrine does not in any way take away from the divine role of the Holy Ghost. Understanding that he is the one orchestrating each spiritual manifestation in my life, whether it is Him directly, or one He sends to me (Likely an ancestor) it doesn't matter, the message is the same. This doctrine is strongly supported in D&C 1:38, whether it is the Lord's voice, or the voice of his servants, it is the same. Frankly, I LOVE the concept of my ancestors having direct dealings with me, and having my own 'assigned' מַלְאַךְ. I think most people love this doctrine and want to believe it is true. 
7. Lastly, he spoke of the need for the Nephites who were having a difficult time understanding the Savior's words, to go home, pray for the spirit, and return the next day. They did so, gathered others, fasted, prayed, and had the literal ministration of מַלְאַךְ (Angels), and the Savior immediately appeared. The point is that The Holy Ghost can not always strive with us when we sin. But our מַלְאַךְ can minister to us, get us to repent, and bring the Holy Ghost back in our lives, and allow the Savior to administer to us.

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see also: Bruce Satterfield's collection of sources on this topic
Rules for the understanding of the Hebrew word Mal'ak - http://emp.byui.edu/SATTERFIELDB/Rel302/MalakMessengerAngel.html