Comments on: A note about the Tree of Life

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:05:16 +0000

I won’t get into detail here, but my understanding of the Tree of Life is that they were allowed to partake of it. Whether or not there was a penalty I can’t say, but there is specific reference to the tree of life in the temple ceremony that leads me to believe they were allowed to partake of it.

By: Matt W.

Matt W. — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:33:04 +0000

Doesn’t the Book of Mormon state that the tree of Life represents the Love of God/Jesus Christ? Isn’t that what Nephi sees in his expansion on Lehi’s dream? Doesn’t the temple, with it’s pre-mortal physicality suggest a certain level of symbolism (sorry for obfuscating here, but I know temple talk is frowned upon on the net) to the creation story.

By: R. Gary

R. Gary — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:41:36 +0000

Guide to the Scriptures is not canonical, merely authoritative. How is it in this case distracting?

By: Ronan

Ronan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:18:28 +0000

Our contention is that the story intends to suggest that Lucifer wanted them to eat from the Tree of Life after having fallen, thus anulling their probation. It’s a damning form of salvation, which has always been the devil’s plan.

This is not a particularly original reading, but we hope to present it in the clarity and logic it deserves.

I think there is a powerful spiritual and moral message here, one sadly forgotten when we get into distracting NDBF arguments.

By: TrevorM

TrevorM — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:23:56 +0000

Gary:

The LDS guide the scriptures is not scripture.

By: BrianJ

BrianJ — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:44:55 +0000

Clark: if you own a flaming sword, I say you use it whether you have a reason or not.

By: R. Gary

R. Gary — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:52:09 +0000

Tom D (#19): Yep, it was quoted only a few times in April conference, so why should anyone think it’s a realistic gauge of LDS teachings?

By: Tracy M

Tracy M — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:00:01 +0000

I’m with Clark on this- and I’m really looking forward to your paper, Ronan.

By: clarkgoble

clarkgoble — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:30:59 +0000

I think the Tree of Life is only made off limits after they fall, “lest they partake and live forever in their sins.” That was the whole point of the flaming sword.

By: JM

JM — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:45:55 +0000

Apologies for the slight thread-jack,

“Both are sacred plays in which essential ordinances are performed and covenants are made. They are not the same length of course, but both are meant to be repeated.”

Tom D,

My understanding was that the Endowment is a one time event, not meant to be repeated. The only reason why we experience it multiple times is because we are able to perform it by proxy.

Once all of the proxy work is accomplished, do you see it still being performed repeatedly?