Abraham 3 Abraham learns about Spirits and Stars and how God governs both of them.
Cosmology Anciently, men looked to the heavens for spiritual and physical guidance. This increased their faith in God: Alma 30:44; D&C 88:47; Moses 6:63 Nowadays, it has become increasingly vogue to only look for evidence of God in the earth. This has led to many anti-christ heresies, based in extreme interpretations of Darwinism, etc. We need to look up, not down, to see God.
Explanation Fig. 1. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God. First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time. The measurement according to celestial time, which celestial time signifies one day to a cubit. One day in Kolob is equal to a thousand years according to the measurement of this earth, which is called by the Egyptians Jah-oh-eh. Fig. 2. Stands next to Kolob, called by the Egyptians Oliblish, which is the next grand governing creation near to the celestial or the place where God resides; holding the key of power also, pertaining to other planets; as revealed from God to Abraham, as he offered sacrifice upon an altar, which he had built unto the Lord. Fig. 3. Is made to represent God, sitting upon his throne, clothed with power and authority; with a crown of eternal light upon his head; representing also the grand Key-words of the Holy Priesthood, as revealed to Adam in the Garden of Eden, as also to Seth, Noah, Melchizedek, Abraham, and all to whom the Priesthood was revealed. Fig. 4. Answers to the Hebrew word Raukeeyang, signifying expanse, or the firmament of the heavens; also a numerical figure, in Egyptian signifying one thousand; answering to the measuring of the tie of Oliblish, which is equal with Kolob in its revolution and in its measuring of time.
Fig. 5. Is called in Egyptian Enish-go-on-dosh; this is one of the governing planets also, and is said by the Egyptians to be the Sun, and to borrow its light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash, which is the grand Key, or, in other words, the governing power, which governs fifteen other fixed planets or stars, as also Floeese or the Moon, the Earth and the Sun in their annual revolutions. This planet receives its power through the medium of Kli-flos-is-es, or Hah-ko-kau-beam, the stars represented by numbers 22 and 23, receiving light from the revolutions of Kolob. Fig. 6. Represents this earth in its four quarters. Fig. 7. Represents God sitting upon his throne, revealing through the heavens the grand Key-words of the Priesthood; as, also, the sign of the Holy Ghost unto Abraham, in the form of a dove. Fig. 8. Contains writings that cannot be revealed unto the world; but is to be had in the Holy Temple of God. Fig. 9. Ought not to be revealed at the present time. Fig. 10. Also. Fig. 11. Also. If the world can find out these numbers, so let it be. Amen. Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 will be given in the own due time of the Lord. The above translation is given as far as we have any right to give at the present time.
Fig. 1. Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh s throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven; with the scepter of justice and judgment in his hand. Fig. 2. King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head. Fig. 3. Signifies Abraham in Egypt as given also in Figure 10 of Facsimile No. 1. Fig. 4. Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above the hand. Fig. 5. Shulem, one of the king s principal waiters, as represented by the characters above his hand. Fig. 6. Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince. Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy, in the king s court.
A Divine Object Lesson Those which are closest to God are the governing ones Those govern who are after the manner of the Lord The greatest one (closest to God) rules over them all Spirits also vary in intelligence, and the Lord is most intelligent The Lord chose the noble and great ones to be his rulers One was like unto God he was made ruler over all 3:2-3 3:4,7-9 3:16 3:18-19 3:22-23 3:24
This life is a test! 3:25-26 We made vows, solemn vows, in the heavens before we came to this mortal life We made covenants. We made them before we accepted our position here on earth. We made this commitment, ` all things whatsoever the Lord our God shall command us. We committed ourselves to our Heavenly Father, that if He would send us to the earth and give us bodies and give to us the priceless opportunities that earth life
This life is a test! Afforded, we would keep our lives clean and would marry in the holy temple and would rear a family and teach them righteousness. This was a solemn oath, a solemn promise. He promised us an eventful mortal life with untold privileges and providing we qualified in the way of righteousness, we would receive eternal life and happiness and progress. There is no other way to receive these rewards. (President Spencer W. Kimball, address delivered 10 Jan. 1975.)
What can we learn from Abraham 3? Do we know what an intelligence is, and if it differs from a Spirit, and if it had life unto itself before being organized into a Spirit? (See D&C 93:29-30) Who are referred to in Abraham 3:24? Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: Christ, acting under the direction of the Father, was and is the Creator of all things. That he was aided in the creation of this earth by many of the noble and great spirit children of the Father is evident from Abraham s writings.... Michael or Adam was one of these. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Peter, James, and John, Joseph Smith, and many other noble and great ones played a part in the great creative enterprise (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:194).
Consequences of Disobedience Receive not 2 nd estate, cast out with Satan 1/3; suffer and tempt children of men Cast out of heaven and lose their inheritance Suffering so great no man knows it We will see them and be surprised they were able to tempt us. 3:27-28 D&C 29:36-38 Revelation 12:4 D&C 76:25-37; 44-49 Isaiah 14:12-16