Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 2:59, 62-63
And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
Interesting, that when the Jews returning from Babylon to Jerusalem and Judah had no genealogy to declare they were of Israel, they were considered polluted from the priesthood. It seems like the Urim and Thummim was used to declare which tribe they belonged to.
I see the parallels to patriarchal blessings today that declare our lineage. It also shows an importance in preserving our genealogy, not doing so caused them to be polluted. Today, we are also told over and over again the need to work on our family history. It is a protection to us in these latter-days. This made me look up Elder Gong's general conference talk.
"Connecting with our ancestors can change our lives in surprising ways. From their trials and accomplishments, we gain faith and strength. From their love and sacrifices, we learn to forgive and move forward. Our children become resilient. We gain protection and power. Ties with ancestors increase family closeness, gratitude, miracles. Such ties can bring help from the other side of the veil.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of—a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven.” The sociality we create here can exist with eternal glory there. Indeed, “we without [our family members] cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect,” that is, in “a whole and complete and perfect union.”
(Gerrit W. Gong, "We Each Have a Story", Apr 2022 General Conference)
Day 2564
No comments:
Post a Comment