<p>1 Nephi is written chiastically, with 16 of the 22 chapters containing near chapter-wide chiasmi. Until now, these large parallel structures have not been documented. However, by their study we gain a deeper connection to Nephi the ancient prophet, and new insight into his gospel thinking, in particular the Atonement. The heart of Nephi's composition is his account of his vision of the tree of life, which features many inspiring parallels. For instance, there are two usages of condescension, one which speaks of Christ's birth to a fair virgin, and the other which tells of Christ's baptism. The question arises, how are these parallel? Nephi's vision at the center of his book also extends into chapters 12-14. These three chapters form a large chiasmus, and narrow to center on the restoration. The precise center of chapters 11's chiasmus and chapters 12-14's share the common thought - that He spake unto me. This is the hinge of Nephi's message, which is that God desires to commune with man, whether by angel, personal visitation, or the still small voice of the Spirit. This book also explores in depth the story of Nephi and Laban. Answering such questions as, what does Laban mean in Hebrew, and why is that important? As well, this book identifies prophetic pattern found in the stories of Jonah, Elijah, Joseph in Egypt, Moses, and Stephen, and examines how Nephi uses these same patterns in his writing.</p>

And He Spake Unto Me: Structural Revelations and Prophetic Pattern in 1 Nephi

Ladd, Marcus M

Religion & Spirituality

Express

Is there a pattern in the modern LDS temple endowment which can be identified in ancient scripture? Many say that we only have bits and pieces, but not the temple endowment in its entirety. The purpose of this book is to disclose where the modern temple endowment is repeatedly found in scripture, testifying of the Savior and his saving plan.

The Temple Pattern: A Celebration of the Plan of Salvation

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

<p>What is a matrix? In Webster's dictionary we read its primary definition; "something within or from which something else originates, develops, or takes form." Secondary definitions include - a mold or die from which a replica is made, or an array (arrangement) of elements. Although it sounds like a modern word, it is actually very old, used interchangeably in the Bible with the word "womb" ("from which something originates"). As this relates to the title of this book (The Temple Matrix) there is an "array of elements" from which the temple endowment originates. This matrix, which gives birth to the endowment pattern, is found in Genesis 1, the seven days of creation. Moreover, it is a blueprint that is repeated throughout scripture. Most important, it also iterates God's plan of Salvation - a seven part spiritual creation narrative.This book is a follow-up to an earlier work called The Temple Pattern. As a result, there are some important concepts which need to be considered. Here are some of these essential ideas. When we attend an endowment session we are first presented with the seven days of physical creation, followed immediately by the seven stages of our spiritual creation. The first creation story establishes the perfect pattern for the second. And, just as the earth progressed from barren to beautiful (covered or endowed with beauty), our spiritual creation is also a process of being covered - with robes and white linen, representing the beauty of righteousness (holiness). This "endowment" is explained in Revelation 19:8-9 "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Below is this heptadic creation\beautification process, chiastically expressed:With our Heavenly Father - Eden Spiritual Death Telestial Terrestrial Celestial Physical DeathReturn to our Heavenly Father The seven periods required to "complete" creation is figuratively significant. If you are familiar with biblical Hebrew symbolism then you know that seven is the number used to represent wholeness, completeness, or perfection, which is also what we hope to be at the end of our life's journey. In the temple our spiritual creation is accomplished through making and being true and faithful to God's covenants. It is no coincidence that the Hebrew word for covenant (berith) comes from the Hebrew verb "to create" - bara. We are created in spiritual beauty and righteousness through covenants, which refine our hearts, minds, and desires.One of the principal ways that scripture and the LDS temple unfold each other's meaning and testify of each other, is in the pattern common to both. To be sure, when this shared pattern is discovered, its heptadic or sevenfold sequence is found again and again in sacred text, in variations large and small. The cosmic creation pattern emanating from Genesis 1-2, the first series of seven events in the Bible, is also widely recognized as the model for construction of God's temple, with Eden as the Holy of Holies. The ancient Mosaic sacrificial system, later performed in the Jerusalem temple followed this original template, as does the New Covenant sacrifice performed in the temple of the contrite heart.The seven days of creation (God's cosmic temple) could also be categorized as the primary Bible fractal. By definition, "a fractal is a shape made up of smaller versions of itself. If you zoom in on each part, you can see that it is a smaller replica of the entire object. The pattern of self-similarity continues through many layers as you zoom in." In scripture, the temple endowment pattern constantly repeats.</p>

The Temple Matrix

Independently published

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Books by Ladd, Marcus M

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Ladd, Marcus M. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

And He Spake Unto Me: Structural Revelations and Prophetic Pattern in 1 Nephi

The Temple Pattern: A Celebration of the Plan of Salvation

The Temple Matrix