Mormon Kabbalah

This week we look at Lehi through the eyes of Nephi, and we flee to the wilderness to protect our righteous desires.

1:15 [1:16a] And now, I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father hath written, for he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams;

1:16a [1:16b] And he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account;

1:16b [1:17a] But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days.

1:17 [1:17b] Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father upon plates which I have made with mine own hands; wherefore, after I have abridged the record of my father, then will I make an account of mine own life.

1:18a [1:18a] ¶ Therefore, I would that ye should know that after YHVH(1)had shown so many marvelous things unto my father Lehi,

1:18b [1:18b] Yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold, he went forth among the people and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard.

1:19 [1:19a] ¶ And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations;

1:20 [1:19b] And he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah and also the redemption of the world.

1:21 [1:20a] ¶ And when the Jews heard these things, they were angry with him, yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain;

1:22 [1:20b] And they also sought his life, that they might take it away.

1:23 [1:20c] But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of YHVH are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

[OPV Chapter 2]

1:24 [2:1a] ¶ For behold, it came to pass that YHVH spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done;

1:25 [2:1b] And because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life.

1:26 [2:2] ¶ And it came to pass that YHVH gave unto to my father teshuvah (2), even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness.

1:27 [2:3] And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of YHVH; wherefore, he did as YHVH commanded him.

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Notes:

This text has been edited from the original to change Greek or English terms to the Hebrew. 

RAV is the Book of Mormon version more commonly used by Community of Christ and their offshoots, [OPV] is the version more commonly used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their offshoots. Neither version was available in the original denomination. 

(1) YHVH: also known as the Tetragrammaton, translated as Yahweh, Jehovah, Yehovah, or LORD.
(2) Teshuvah: The return back to God, usually translated as “repentance,” “redemption,” “commandment,” or “grace.”

Music: “Impact Moderato” by Kevin MacLeod

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This week we look at Lehi's vision internally, how it speaks of us and our journey. 

1:11a [1:12] ¶ And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of YHVH(1);

1:11b [1:13a] And he read, saying: Wo, wo unto Jerusalem! For I have seen thine abominations;

1:12a [1:13b] Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem—

1:12b [1:13c] That it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof, many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive into Babylon.

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Notes: 

This text has been edited from the original to change Greek or English terms to the Hebrew.  

RAV is the Book of Mormon version more commonly used by Community of Christ and their offshoots, [OPV] is the version more commonly used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their offshoots. Neither version was available in the original denomination. 

(1) Spirit of YHVH: the premortal Jesus Christ as the Spirit of YHVH is YHVH Himself, or an angel or the Holy Spirit representing YHVH; the light of Christ.  
YHVH: The name of the Eternal God, also known as the Tetragrammaton, commonly translated as Yahweh, Jehovah, Yehovah, or LORD. In this podcast it is pronounced “Yah`vah.”  

Music: “Impact Moderato” by Kevin MacLeod

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In this episode we compare Lehi's, Ezekiel’s, and Isaiah's visions, and how they relate to us today. 

1:6 [1:7] ¶ And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with Ruach Hakodesh(1) and the things which he had seen;

1:7a [1:8a] And being thus overcome with Ruach Hakodesh, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open;

1:7b [1:8b] And he thought he saw Yah(2) sitting upon His throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels(3) in the attitude of singing and praising their Elohim(4).

1:8 [1:9] ¶ And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that His luster was above that of the sun at noonday;

1:9a [1:10] And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament;

1:9b [1:11a] And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth;

1:10 [1:11b] And The First came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read.

1:11a [1:12] ¶ And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of YHVH(5);

1:11b [1:13a] And he read, saying: Wo, wo unto Jerusalem! For I have seen thine abominations;

1:12a [1:13b] Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem—

1:12b [1:13c] That it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof, many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive into Babylon.

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Notes:

This text has been edited from the original to change Greek or English terms to the Hebrew. 

RAV is the Book of Mormon version more commonly used by Community of Christ and their offshoots, [OPV] is the version more commonly used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their offshoots. Neither version was available in the original denomination. 

(1) Ruach Hakodesh: “The Glory of God or God’s Glory.” Used to describe the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God. Through the Holy Spirit we receive God.

(2) Yah: Yod Hei, Yod representing The Creator or the Divine Masculine (Heavenly Father), and Hai the revelation, the Divine Feminine (Heavenly Mother).

(3) Angels: מַלְאַךְ (malak) singular, מַלְאָכִים malakim plural. The divine messengers of God. 

(4)  Elohim: “Gods.” Can denote the Godhead or Trinity as a whole, God the Father & Mother, or the Masculine and Feminine aspects of God.

(5) Spirit of YHVH: the premortal Jesus Christ as the Spirit of YHVH is YHVH Himself, or an angel or the Holy Spirit representing Him.

Music: “Impact Moderato” by Kevin MacLeod

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1 Nephi 1:3-7 RAV, 1:4-8 OPV

In this episode we look at Lehi's prayer and his vision of the burning rock. 

1:3a [1:4a] ¶ For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah (my father Lehi(1) having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days),

1:3b [1:4b] And in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.

1:4 [1:5] Wherefore, it came to pass that my father Lehi, as he went forth, prayed unto YHVH(2), yea, even with all his heart in behalf of his people.

1:5a [1:6a] ¶ And it came to pass as he prayed unto YHVH, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock(3) before him;

1:5b [1:6b] And he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard, he did quake and tremble exceedingly.

1:6 [1:7] ¶ And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with Ruach Hakodesh(4) and the things which he had seen;

1:7a [1:8a] And being thus overcome with Ruach Hakodesh, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open;

1:7b [1:8b] And he thought he saw Yah(5) sitting upon His throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels(6) in the attitude of singing and praising their Elohim(7).

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Notes: 

This text has been edited from the original to change Greek or English terms to the Hebrew. 

RAV is the Book of Mormon version more commonly used by Community of Christ and their offshoots, [OPV] is the version more commonly used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their offshoots. Neither version was available in the original denomination. 

(1) Lehi: Hebrew, "jawbone." 

(2) YHVH: The name of the Eternal God, also known as the Tetragrammaton, commonly translated as Yahweh, Jehovah, Yehovah, or LORD. In this podcast it is pronounced “Yah`vah.”

(3) Rock: צוּר (tsur). Yah YHVH is called the eternal Rock in Isaiah 26:4. 

(4) Ruach Hakodesh: “The Glory of God or God’s Glory.” Used to describe the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God. Through the Holy Spirit we receive God.

(5) Yah: Yod Hei, Yod representing The Creator or the Divine Masculine (Heavenly Father), and Hai the revelation, the Divine Feminine (Heavenly Mother).

(6) Angels: מַלְאַךְ (malak) singular, מַלְאָכִים malakim plural. The divine messengers of God. 

(7)  Elohim: “Gods.” Can denote the Godhead or Trinity as a whole, God the Father & Mother, or the Masculine and Feminine aspects of God.

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Music: "Impact Moderato" by Kevin MacLeod

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Guide: RAV (RLDS/CoC) [OPV] (CJCLdS)
1:1a [1:1a] I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore, I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days—

1:1b [1:1b] Nevertheless, having been highly favored of YHVH in all my days, yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of Elohim;

1:1c [1:1c] Therefore, I make a record of my proceedings in my days; (Olam Assiah)

1:1d [1:2] Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians. (Olam Yetzirsh)

1:2a [1:3a] And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand; (Olam Briah)

1:2b [1:3b] And I make it according to my knowledge. (Olam Atziluth)

Click here to become a patron. 

Notes: 

This text has been edited from the original to change Greek or English terms to the Hebrew. 

RAV is the Book of Mormon version more commonly used by Community of Christ and their offshoots, [OPV] is the version more commonly used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their offshoots. Neither version was available in the original denomination. 

YHVH: The name of the Eternal God, also known as the Tetragrammaton, commonly translated as Yahweh, Jehovah, Yehovah, or LORD.

Elohim: “Gods.” Can denote the Godhead or Trinity as a whole, God the Father & Mother, or the Masculine and Feminine aspects of God.

Music: "Impact Moderato" by Kevin MacLeod

Click here to become a patron. 

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In this episode we go over the title page and the testimonies of the Book of Mormon. What is the purpose of the Book of Mormon? Did anyone see the plates? How was it translated? What should be do with it?

Title Page

AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF MORMON, UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI.

Wherefore it is an abridgment of the Record of the People of Nephi; and also of the Lamanites; written to the Lamanites, which are a remnant of the House of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile; written by way of teshuvah, and also by the spirit of Prophesy and of Revelation. Written, and sealed up, and hid up unto YHVH, that they might not be destroyed; to come forth by the gift and power of Elohim unto the interpretation thereof; sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto YHVH, to come forth in due time by the way of Gentile; the interpretation thereof by the gift of Ruach Hakodesh; an abridgment taken from the Book of Ether.

Also, which is a Record of the People of Jared, which were scattered at the time YHVH confounded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to Heaven: which is to shew unto the remnant of the House of Israel how great things YHVH hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of YHVH, that they are not cast off forever; and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Yeshua is HaMashiach (Messiah), YHVH, manifesting Himself unto all nations. And now if there be fault, it be the mistake of men; wherefore condemn not the things of Elohim, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment seat of the Messiah.

BY JOSEPH SMITH, JUNIOR, AUTHOR AND PROPRIETOR.

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Music: "Impact Moderato" by Kevin MacLeod

Click here to become a patron. 

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