April 3 - Tying the Law of Moses to the LDS Sacrament Table

1. *There were three kinds of sacrifice under the Law of Moses, and an order by which they were carried out. These are outlined as follows with regard to sin. When one committed a sin, they would follow the steps outlined below. But first, it is important to understand that food and the eating of it represents a feeling of being satisfied. The consuming of sacrifices whether by eating or burning representing the satisfying of the demands of justice.
1. The Chatat חטאת. An animal was killed upon the altar and divided two ways. The first half was for the priest and his family and represented becoming reconciled with the church, and with the Savior (represented by the priest). The second half was consumed on the altar, and went up in smoke, symbolically going up to God. Scriptures often refer to the sweet savor, or smell, etc, that a burnt offering was to God. 
2. The Olah עֹלָה. (The one God asked Abraham to perform with Isaac) The animal is slaughtered, divided, washed, annointed, and burned completely. This sacrifice belonged entirely to God. The entire aspect of this sacrifice represents the total consecration necessary to satisfy God, and fully repent.
3. The Shalom. An animal is slaughtered and divided 3 ways; The first was eaten by the offender; the 2nd by the priest, and the 3rd was consumed by God. This three way participation represents oneness and unity that follows true repentance among the offender, the priest (the church/Christ), and God.
2. *Genesis 22:16 - Grammatical mistranslations: Extra emphasis on the me/I pronoun. Should be translated more like "I am swearing to myself...". Then there were many words and Direct Object Markers that created repetition and emphasis. The message in Hebrew that was lost in English was "This Covenant is a DONE DEAL, absolutely, completely, wholly."
3. *Once again, the covenant with Abraham involved the following: 1) A city (the worldwide Zion that is yet to be built) 2) Become a God and have endless posterity, and so will his children 3) Priesthood/ordinances/covenant marriage ordinance of exaltation.

April 1 - Intelligence, Visions, and Intergalactic time travel

1. Genesis 22:12 - The Lord says "Now I know that...", wait a minute! Doesn't God already know all things? Yes, but He speaks to us according to our understanding, and according to our time reckoning. God can SEE the timeline, he does not MAKE the timeline. The Hebrew name, יְהוָה (Jehovah) has the imperfect verb form meaning it has never had a beginning or and end. Like as in "I AM", rather than "I WAS". Yes, God always knew Abraham would make the choices he did, but NOW he is seeing it. A slightly missed translation here points out that Abraham did not only prove that he learned to fear God, but God recognized that Abraham actually IS the Fear of God. 
2. Big discussion on Fear, and what that means in English vs. what that means in Hebrew. In short, they really are very much the same. There really is a bit of the English "FEAR" in the real Hebrew word, meaning, if you are afraid of a certain consequence, then you don't do that thing. Elder Christofferson has a talk on Fear "A sense of the Sacred" (Part 5 entitled "Godly fear". When you fear God, you depart from evil. We don't' naturally want bad consequences in our lives.
3. There are many scriptural synonyms terms for light: Glory, Intelligence, Power, Light, Truth, Power, Life, The Light of Christ.Gods learn to control this perfectly and completely, and have FULL CONTROL over it. (As a side note, I recently read a talk by Cleon Skousen who taught that these particles of intelligence respect God, and God respects them). The Lord is ALL POWERFUL within parameters/natural laws. D&C 88 - Light is in everything, priesthood, ordinances, etc.
4. We have had a lot of light infused into this world, especially since the 1700's. This light will continue to grow until we make this world the Terrestrial Kingdom, and Christ's light will be added through the Millennium until this world becomes the Celestial Kingdom. The purpose of this dispensation is to PREPARE FOR THE MILLENNIUM!! 
5. The Andromeda Galaxy is the nearest galaxy to our Milky Way galaxy, at 2.5 Million Light years away. This means, as we look and behold the galaxy with our naked eyes, we are literally beholding it as it was 2.5 M years ago, in the present. Energy/Light/Intelligence/Power/Truth/Etc left that sphere all that time ago, and we are now seeing what was recorded on those energy particles with our mortal eyes in the present. This is how God can use light to show things past, present, and future. If he wants to give someone a vision of the Savior's atonement, he controls the light/energy/etc, etc which directly witnessed that event and calls it to the attention of the person beholding the vision. 
6. Abraham was faithful to all the tests presented to him. If WE want to be as Abraham, and be promised all that was promised to him, then WE must be tried as Abraham!
7. The Holy Ghost Administers the Light of Christ
8. Marion Romney spoke of light coming to us in three phases. The first is the light that comes to us at birth; the second is the Gift of the Holy Ghost; the last phase is The more sure word of prophecy, and is directly administered by Christ. (The Light of Christ - Marion G Romney, April 1977)

March 30 - The Many Names of God

1. The English words for Deity, God, Gods, gods, Jehova, Lord, LORD, etc, come from three basic Hebrew words (Elohim, Jehova, Adonai). The English word choice depends upon the context of the sentence. In many cases it simply is not known which specific God is being dealt with. 
2. Deuteronomy 10:9 is a good example of the frequent repetition of various names for Deity. What is the point of this repetition? Anytime a word is repeated is for emphasis (Verily, Verily / Wo,wo / Lord of Lords, etc). The point of the repetition in this verse is simply to say "The True God"... Which true God? It doesn't matter, because as we learned from the word Ma'lak, anyone who is a messenger of God will deliver the same message.
3. Genesis 22:12 - There are two words used before verbs that NEGATE the verb : אַל־ and לֹו. The first use means "Not right now", and the second means "Not EVER". The "Not Ever" form is the one used with regard to the Ten Commandments. In this verse, the messenger of the Lord told Abraham not to lift his hand (to slay) using the "Not right now" form, because a ram was about to become the sacrifice. 
4. Sometimes literary license is needed in translation, due to idiomic expressions, or cases where there are no similar words in English. This license can introduce doctrinal/theological bias. The ram is significant to Christians because it becomes a symbol of the Savior's sacrifice in saving Isaac. To the Jews, who don't believe in Jesus as the Messiah, this command to not slay Issac is interpreted as the divine direction not to perform human sacrifice. Bruce Satterfield's argument then is "Why did they use the 'don't kill right now' form of the negation word?", surely the Lord would use the "Not Ever" form if that were the case.
5. The sacrificed ram following the test of Abraham sealed the Abrahamic Covenant.

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

March 25, 2015 - Voices in the wilderness, and Stuff

1. *The definition of truth is: Things as they WERE, things as the ARE, and things as they WILL BE. Hebrew words and letter order often have symbolic meaning. The three letter word for Truth in Hebrew is ---, or in English is A-M-T, or "Amet". These are the first, middle, and last letters in the Hebrew alphabet. A is symbolic of things past, M is symbolic of things present, and T is symbol of things future. 
2. *מדבר (Mah-deh-bar) is a Hebrew word meaning Wilderness, but also has a connotation of the words that come from the Lord in the wilderness, or the importance of relying on the word, and not bread alone (Luke 4:4; Matthew 4:4; Israel Genesis??)

March 23, 2015 - Covenants, Land, and Sacrifice

1. The King Follet Discourse was compiled from many people's notes, and was reported to have lasted 2 1/2 hours long. The amalgamated version of the talk would be no longer than 45 minutes long. Lesson: There is missing material! This is likewise true of our scriptures, and many of the prophetic experiences prophets have held. Though we certainly have what we need, we can definitely ascertain that there is missing material.
2. Verbless sentences (See NOTE 49B in Workbook)
3. When translating, stick as close to the word order as possible
4. *COVENANTS: Always include two things; 1) Cutting 2) Blood. In Genesis 15:12, Lucifer attempts to stop the covenant Abraham was about to enter into, which would establish this very critical covenant that would bind the Lord to the House of Israel. NOTE: This is similar to Joseph Smith's experience with the adversary just before offering his prayer in the Hill Cumorah. 
5. *Abraham and his posterity (at different times) both lived in Egypt to gain posessions/substance before passing into the promised land of Canaan, which is essentially a desolate place (no resources). 
6. *Abraham's covenant included receiving a promised land. Lehi also made a covenant similar to Abraham's. We don't have an account of the experience, but we have Lehi's testimony: "But behold, I have obtained a land of promise" (see 1 Ne 5:5). His confidence in the Lord was sure, many years before (and on a different continent) he even received it! He knew God does not break his promises.
7. *ALTARS - Altars are commonly understood in Hebrew as "Places of slaughtering" - a connotation that totally doesn't exist in English. But understanding this when we visit modern day temples can deepen the experience if we bring a part of ourselves to slaughter there upon the altar.  Furthermore, in ancient times the animal was cut up, washed, annointed, and then offered up to God. This pattern still exists in temples today, but not with regard to animal slaughtering. Therefore, what do we slaughter on our altars?

March 18, 2015 - Another slight mistranslation with huge significance

1. "Paul used the septuagint, but knew his Hebrew". The New testament verse Hebrews 11:19 gives a strong indication that Paul knew something about Abraham's faith that we don't quite have in the KJV translation. "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." The Old Testament says nothing of this belief held by Abraham. 
2. There are intensive verb forms in Hebrew, that are relatively uncommon, and Gen 22:6 has three of them, each of which failed to make the KJV translation. The first is on the word "Nelcah", or "we will go". Intensify that phrase and you have "We will indeed go". It doesn't sound like a significant difference but it is. Abraham was eager to obey the Lord's command, and possessed a sense of confidence.
3. *The second intensive verb that was lost was on the word for "worship". This opened an awesome discussion on the word in English. In the USA, we don't really use the word, or practice the word like it was used in practically every other culture, and age. We are all equal, so we do not show respect as in the form of bowing to our superiors, like the President. This is common in even present day cultures elsewhere to bow to a superior. "The higher the rank, the deeper the bow in other societies", bro. Satterfield said. He then demonstrated a short quick bow, a deeper longer bow, and then got on his knees in front of the class and got VERY low. Then he said, "This is still not the form of the word for worship used here." He then laid completely prostrate, as low as he could possibly go, and said "This is the kind of worship this verse is talking about". It's an intensive form of worship. Abraham knew what kind of intensive slaughtering and consuming that was about to occur on the altar. Intense sacrifice equals intense worship.
4. *This led to a discussion on the "olah sacrifice", the most intense sacrifice of Hebrew times spoken of in previous class notes. In this type of sacrifice you divide the body by the head, fat, inwards, arms, legs, and skin. You wash certain parts. Then you burn them in their entirety This is the most intense sacrifice. 
5. *He then spoke about the symbolism of each part of the sacrifice, and listed three rules for interpreting symbols:
1. Look beyond the symbol itself
2. Examine the nature, characteristics, and attributes of the symbol which reveals meaning
3. Look to the Lord for the interpretation
6. *The head has the brain, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and represents our senses, and thinking, and intellect. (Tangent, the nose is the only organ that produces an actual direct connection with the brain). Fat cells store energy, and thus represents all of the strength. The inwards come from the part of the body that feels emotion in all its varieties and thus represents feeling, emotion, heart, etc. Consuming these things upon the altar and sending them up in smoke represents giving our all to him. This is an intense sacrifice and form of worship.
7. *The third intensive verb form is in the expression "and return unto you". Intensify this expression and you have "We will indeed return unto you". Notice the inclusion of Isaac in this expression that missed the KJV translation. Abraham had the confidence and faith that he would go worship, perform the complete sacrifice of his son, and yet would return (in a very intensive form) with his son.