mysteries

What Does “Esoteric” Mean?

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The High Priest stands before the veil of the Israelite Temple.

The High Priest stands before the veil of the Israelite Temple.

A column in the Deseret News last Friday by Professors William J. Hamblin and Daniel C. Peterson explains the meaning of esoteric and exoteric.  Their article describes the roots of these terms, and their use in antiquity.  Particularly insightful is the use of esōteros in the New Testament, which has reference to the veil of the Temple. They note,

“Esoteric,” then, in its original biblical meaning, refers to the teachings and practices done within the Temple. This concept helps us understand that in the Israelite world view there were public, exoteric rites and teachings performed in the outer court of the Temple in view of all the people, including Gentiles. There were also esoteric rites and teachings performed within the temple building and restricted to the priests or even to the High Priest alone.

That Christ taught esoteric teachings is clear from his use of a similar term mustērion, or “mystery” – “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God” (Luke 8:10, Matthew 13:11).

A presentation given by Professor Hamblin goes into greater depth on this subject.

Read the full article at the Deseret News.

The Mysteries of Solomon’s Temple – Esoteric Teachings of the Ancient Israelite Temple

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Back in April I posted a quote from Professor William J. Hamblin about the relationship between the ancient Israelite temple and the endowment. Just recently I had the opportunity to attend a fireside where Professor Hamblin explained this much more fully, particularly what we can glean from the Old Testament about what happened inside the temple anciently, or, more importantly, what it all meant.  His talk is embedded below as a video presentation.

I highly recommend this for those who would like to better understand the teachings and meaning of what occurred within the ancient Israelite temple, and how it might relate to our modern LDS temples today.

Here is a PDF of the slides of the presentation.

Nephi’s Temple Experience on the Mountain

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Nephi was caught away in the Spirit to "an exceedingly high mountain"

Nephi was caught away in the Spirit to “an exceedingly high mountain,” where he conversed with the Spirit of the Lord. Artist: Clark Kelley Price.

If you have not had the opportunity to read David Bokovoy’s inaugural article in the new Interpreter journal, I recommend it. It discusses Nephi’s experience in 1 Nephi 11 when he was caught away to “an exceedingly high mountain” where he had a question and answer exchange with the Spirit of the Lord, and thereafter was given higher spiritual knowledge.

High mountains have always been traditionally associated with temples, and as sacred spaces.  Indeed, their physical height and altitude alone contribute to this symbolism; ascending the mount gets one closer to God on high. Many times throughout the scriptures, the prophets ascend high mountains to seek spiritual refuge and converse with God. Such is the case with Moses ascending Mount Sinai, for example. Whenever a prophet or other individual in the scriptures goes to, or is taken to, a high mountain, it is well to pay careful attention to what is taking place, as it is almost always a sacred temple-type experience.

The question and answer exchange format that precedes an endowment of further light and knowledge is also a pattern often found within these scriptural accounts. Bokovoy explains that these exchanges were often to consider the worthiness and faith of the individual who had approached God, and so that there could be a divine witness, or seal by the Holy Spirit of Promise, of such righteousness before higher mysteries were given by God to that individual. At the ancient Israelite temple, such question and answer exchanges also preceded even entering a temple, when those ascending to the temple would encounter the priests at the gate, and be interrogated as to their worthiness to enter there.

I’ve been impressed for some time by the many prophets we read about in the scriptures who have apocalyptic visions of the history of the earth, the creation story, it’s purpose, the reason for our mortal lives, and concluding with visions of the heavenly temple and God’s throne. I’ve often wondered if these prophets were, in fact, witnessing the same heavenly ascent vision, as it almost always includes the same or similar elements.  It would be interesting to compare further these accounts.

What were some of your impressions of Bokovoy’s article? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Expect the Unexpected at the Temple

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Vision of Zacharias, James Tissot (1894)

Vision of Zacharias, James Tissot (1894)

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, I haven’t contributed much to Temple Study in recent months.  I’ve received emails from readers wondering if I’m OK.  I’m still here, but have had other priorities to attend to.  Until life stabilizes a bit, I won’t be able to get back to blogging.  Toby Palmer has offered to help keep the blog alive, and I’m interested in his insights about Hugh Nibley and the temple.
-Bryce

Guest Blogger: Toby’ s self-identifying moment came when he read a Hugh Nibley article describing the characteristics of an eschatologist—someone who loves and seeks the infinite possibilities of God beyond the veil. With this self-proclaimed title, Toby voraciously reads and writes searching the mysteries of God while building his own testimony of Jesus Christ. He proudly contributes to TempleStudy.com in hope of strengthening others. Toby lives with his wife and four children in Orem, Utah.

Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seek spiritual guidance for important individual and family decisions as they attend and worship at the temple. Many times divine messages that come to the heart and mind while in these holy spaces is hardly what is expected—and sometimes even a bit surprising.

According to Hugh Nibley in Three Shrines: Mantic, Sophic, and Sophistic ((Hugh Nibley, Three Shrines: Mantic, Sophic, and Sophistic can be found at http://farmsoldsite.farmsresearch.com/publications/books/?bookid=76&chapid=955)), being surprised by revelation is exactly what should be expected. Nibley explains the mantic individual seeks revelation and the sophic person goes no further than his own learning for knowledge. To the sophic the thought of finding answers from a spiritual source is “uncontrollable, incalculable, and full of imponderables” and completely unacceptable to the cool and rational mind. Conversely, the mantic believes revelation comes in the same unexpected way. The difference between the two is the mantic has learned to trust the divine message as he bends his will to the creator.

Consider scriptural accounts of those being surprised by unexpected revelation. Gabriel’s visit to Zacharias in the temple took the wise man by surprise, the shepherds on the eve of Christ’s birth were “sore afraid” at the site of the angel—a feeling the apostles also experienced on the Mount of Transfiguration.  Even people chosen of God for great things had to do a double take during these personal spiritual experiences.

Nibley cites C.S. Lewis in reference to revelation, “That is one of the reasons I believe Christianity. It is a religion you could not have guessed. If it offered us just the kind of universe we had always expected, I should feel we were making it up…”

Next time you attend the temple seeking spiritual council, keep in mind the answer you receive may be unexpected and challenge the will to obey. Take heart with this paradox. Our faith can be strengthened by expecting the unexpected answers from Heavenly Father.

Mormon Impressions of Dan Brown’s ‘The Lost Symbol’

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Book Cover

I just finished Dan Brown’s latest thriller, The Lost Symbol, which was published a few days ago on September 15th.  There has been a lot of anticipation surrounding this book, since 6 years have passed since the publication of his bestseller The Da Vinci Code, with 80 million copies sold worldwide to date.  Many wondered if Brown would repeat his success with this book, and while the jury is still out on the answer to that question, I must say that I’m personally fascinated by the material that Brown discusses in this novel.

As was predicted, the story centers around the subject of Freemasonry (or simply Masonry), which most people have heard of but know little about.  This is perhaps the reason Brown chose to explore this subject, one that was ripe for novelty in historical fiction.  However, as before, Brown branches out into a myriad of related subjects and connections, weaving a web of mystery and puzzles which must be solved once again by his favorite character, Robert Langdon.

But this is not going to be a review of the book.  There will be ample time for that, with more qualified critics analyzing the merits and faults of Brown’s work.  In addition, I don’t want to spoil anything while the pages are still wet.  I do quote some brief excerpts from the book below, but they are mostly circumstantial details, and won’t give much away about the plot, if anything.

What I do want to point out are some interesting general impressions I had while I read, particularly as they relate to me, my studies, and the LDS (Mormon) faith.  Call them synchronicities or coincidences, or just interesting tidbits, either way they have called my attention.  [Read more…]