(#-of-days-between calculator**)
Yesterday, I read two dedicatory prayers on the same evening1: king Solomon's dedication2 of the temple in Jerusalem that was completed circa 957 BC and Joseph Smith's dedication of the Kirtland Temple,3 completed in 1836 AD (about 2,793 years after Solomon's dedication), yet the spirit and beauty of the prayers seemed as one. The shapes of the temples seem similar to me as well – rectangular and boxy — so unlike many elaborate religious structures of the past and present, yet both temples (of Solomon and Kirtland) were built according to a pattern revealed by God.4 For some reason, God insisted on micro-managing the design and accessories of these two temples. Remember, also, the Tabernacle of Moses?5 Is there something important about shapes and measures? something that appears plain-ish on the outside but contains unexpected revelation within, like a geode? something the great Architect-Designer sees and knows about truth and beauty that we don't?
Solomon's Temple endured for about 370 years and served as a pivotal centre for the children of Israel until their division after Solomon's death (circa 931 BC) and then subsequent captivity of the Northern Kingdom in 722 BC. Finally, about 587 BC, the temple built by Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonians. But as I ponder the two structures and dedicatory prayers, I wonder if there is some prophetic, pivotal measure about the Kirtland Temple that we have not recognized – which brings me directly to a 2008 post6 that I recently encountered, written by Mr. Watcher.7 I first referred to Mr. Watcher in my previous Déjà Vu Times II post of April 27, 2022.8
Mr. Watcher's 2008 post was subtitled: Daniel the Prophet and the Kirtland Temple. In my view, this post is so thought-provoking and potentially important to understanding some aspects of latter-day prophecy that it deserves a resurrected awareness; plus there is a possible element of God's evening-to-evening day as reviewed here.9
In short, Mr. Watcher's thesis is that the Kirtland Temple fulfills a portion of Daniel's prophecies concerning the 139 weeks of Daniel's end times instruction by Gabriel;10 and, in addition, may give us a marker for prophecy calculation. I cannot adequately condense Mr. Watcher's post, so please read it here.11 But when you get to these paragraphs, remember God's evening-to-evening day. Mr. Watcher writes:
Once again I began with the date that Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to forgive their sins, accept the temple and usher in the various dispensational keys. I backed up 70 weeks from Sunday April 3rd 1836 to find the starting date of the seventy-week period. It is Sunday November 30th, 1834. I Began looking though the history of the church to see if anything of significance happened on that date that might involve Joseph and Oliver. The event according to Daniel would be essential in making a reconciliation for sins. Once again I was blown away at what I found. Here is what the Documentary History of the Church has to say about the prophecy on that date and the covenant that was made the day before. [His bold emphasis]Since the covenant Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery made with the Lord was on the evening of November 29, 1834, it would already be Sunday, November 30, 1834 (according to God's evening-to-evening day), being the beginning of the first week of the 70 weeks' count until the remarkable vision of Sunday, April 3, 1836 in the Kirtland Temple recorded in D&C 110 — making 490 days – not a day less, not a day more than 70 weeks 12
The Covenant of Tithing [consecration].
On the evening of the 29th of November, I united in prayer with Brother Oliver for the continuance of blessings. After giving thanks for the relief which the Lord had lately sent us by opening the hearts of the brethren from the east, to loan us $430; after commencing and rejoicing before the Lord on this occasion, we agreed to enter into the following covenant with the Lord, ... [His color emphasis]
When it comes down to scripture and prophecy, God seems to be a God of déjà vu — of types and shadows, of double (plus?) and precise fulfillment. Thus, should we be paying more attention to our history? Should we be considering whether Kirtland may contain far more information and promise for our future than we realize?
Side-notes:
1. Mr. Watcher has many interesting ideas which I have not had time to process, so I am not endorsing all his writings or beliefs, but as the Apostle Paul advised:
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*https://www.dayoftheweek.org/
**https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/date-calculator
1. I was motivated to re-read Solomon's prayer after reading Philip Yancey's entry: “DAY 120 1 Kings 6: 1, 38; 8: 1– 34” in his Meet the Bible anthology. Yancey, Philip; Quinn, Brenda. Meet the Bible (p. 222). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
2. Old Testament | 1 Kings 6:1, 38
1 AND it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.
38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.
Old Testament | 1 Kings 8:22-54 (no changes in JST)
3. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 109
4. Temple built by Solomon
Old Testament | 1 Chronicles 28:6-8, 11-21 (Bold emphasis added.)
6 And he said unto me [David], Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.
8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. ...
11 ¶ Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,
12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:
13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.
14 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:
15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.
16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver:
17 Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basons he gave gold by weight for every bason; and likewise silver by weight for every bason of silver:
18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.
20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.
Kirtland Temple
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 94:1-7 (Bold emphasis added.)
1 AND again, verily I say unto you, my friends, a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall commence a work of laying out and preparing a beginning and foundation of the city of the stake of Zion, here in the land of Kirtland, beginning at my house.
2 And behold, it must be done according to the pattern which I have given unto you.
3 And let the first lot on the south be consecrated unto me for the building of a house for the presidency, for the work of the presidency, in obtaining revelations; and for the work of the ministry of the presidency, in all things pertaining to the church and kingdom.
4 Verily I say unto you, that it shall be built fifty–five by sixty–five feet in the width thereof and in the length thereof, in the inner court.
5 And there shall be a lower court and a higher court, according to the pattern which shall be given unto you hereafter.
6 And it shall be dedicated unto the Lord from the foundation thereof, according to the order of the priesthood, according to the pattern which shall be given unto you hereafter.
7 And it shall be wholly dedicated unto the Lord for the work of the presidency.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:10
10 Verily I say unto you, that it is my will that a house should be built unto me in the land of Zion [Kirtland?], like unto the pattern which I have given you.
5. Old Testament | Exodus chapters 25-28
6. A Mystical Look at the LDS Restoration Movement by onewhoiswatching | Oct. 12, 2008 at https://ldsanarchy.wordpress.com/2008/10/12/a-mystical-look-at-the-lds-restoration-movement/
1. Mr. Watcher has many interesting ideas which I have not had time to process, so I am not endorsing all his writings or beliefs, but as the Apostle Paul advised:
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.132. As to Mr. Watcher's connecting of Kirtland to Jerusalem (per archetypes / “types and shadows”), here are Ohio map sources14 showing a Jerusalem Road passing north of Kirtland.
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*https://www.dayoftheweek.org/
**https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/date-calculator
1. I was motivated to re-read Solomon's prayer after reading Philip Yancey's entry: “DAY 120 1 Kings 6: 1, 38; 8: 1– 34” in his Meet the Bible anthology. Yancey, Philip; Quinn, Brenda. Meet the Bible (p. 222). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
2. Old Testament | 1 Kings 6:1, 38
1 AND it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.
38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.
Old Testament | 1 Kings 8:22-54 (no changes in JST)
3. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 109
4. Temple built by Solomon
Old Testament | 1 Chronicles 28:6-8, 11-21 (Bold emphasis added.)
6 And he said unto me [David], Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.
8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. ...
11 ¶ Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,
12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:
13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.
14 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:
15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.
16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver:
17 Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basons he gave gold by weight for every bason; and likewise silver by weight for every bason of silver:
18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.
20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.
Kirtland Temple
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 94:1-7 (Bold emphasis added.)
1 AND again, verily I say unto you, my friends, a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall commence a work of laying out and preparing a beginning and foundation of the city of the stake of Zion, here in the land of Kirtland, beginning at my house.
2 And behold, it must be done according to the pattern which I have given unto you.
3 And let the first lot on the south be consecrated unto me for the building of a house for the presidency, for the work of the presidency, in obtaining revelations; and for the work of the ministry of the presidency, in all things pertaining to the church and kingdom.
4 Verily I say unto you, that it shall be built fifty–five by sixty–five feet in the width thereof and in the length thereof, in the inner court.
5 And there shall be a lower court and a higher court, according to the pattern which shall be given unto you hereafter.
6 And it shall be dedicated unto the Lord from the foundation thereof, according to the order of the priesthood, according to the pattern which shall be given unto you hereafter.
7 And it shall be wholly dedicated unto the Lord for the work of the presidency.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 97:10
10 Verily I say unto you, that it is my will that a house should be built unto me in the land of Zion [Kirtland?], like unto the pattern which I have given you.
5. Old Testament | Exodus chapters 25-28
6. A Mystical Look at the LDS Restoration Movement by onewhoiswatching | Oct. 12, 2008 at https://ldsanarchy.wordpress.com/2008/10/12/a-mystical-look-at-the-lds-restoration-movement/
See also: #46 “O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the End…"
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 | https://threewatches.blogspot.com/2008/10/46-o-daniel-shut-up-words-and-seal-book.html
7. https://threewatches.blogspot.com/
https://onewhoiswatching.wordpress.com/
8. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/04/prophesy-calculations-man-among-gentiles.html
9. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/04/gods-prophetic-day-evening-to-evening.html
10. Old Testament | Daniel 9:20-27
20 ¶ And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
11. https://ldsanarchy.wordpress.com/2008/10/12/a-mystical-look-at-the-lds-restoration-movement/
12. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/date-calculator
13. New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 5:21
14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_State_Route_2
https://www.mapquest.com/us/ohio/jerusalem-township-22578978 | showing Ohio SR 2 bearing the name Jerusalem Road south of Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge. SR 2 runs the full length of Ohio (W to E) near the lake shore and passes North of Kirtland. | Other maps showing Jerusalem Road:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12gycBIPGaR_fH84GAF_yL8RJSNHQIA2c/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19uvQXfMzbyMArzbTo9NoaJPf3teVpzHt/view
Other Jer-USA-lems in the USA:
https://geotargit.com/index.php?qcountry_code=US&qregion_code=OH&qcity=Jerusalem
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-usa-see-the-20-jerusalems-in-usa/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_biblical_place_names_in_North_America
Image Source:
Description: Mormon Temple at Kirtland
Drawn by Henry Howe 1846
Attribution: Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Permission: Public Domain
Page URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Historical_Collections_of_Ohio-_An_Encyclopedia_of_the_State;_History_Both_General_and_Local,_Geography_with_Descriptions_of_Its_Counties,_Cities_and_Villages,_Its_Agricultural,_Manufacturing,_Mining_(14586424199).jpg
File URL: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Historical_Collections_of_Ohio-_An_Encyclopedia_of_the_State%3B_History_Both_General_and_Local%2C_Geography_with_Descriptions_of_Its_Counties%2C_Cities_and_Villages%2C_Its_Agricultural%2C_Manufacturing%2C_Mining_%2814586424199%29.jpg
7. https://threewatches.blogspot.com/
https://onewhoiswatching.wordpress.com/
8. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/04/prophesy-calculations-man-among-gentiles.html
9. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/04/gods-prophetic-day-evening-to-evening.html
10. Old Testament | Daniel 9:20-27
20 ¶ And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
11. https://ldsanarchy.wordpress.com/2008/10/12/a-mystical-look-at-the-lds-restoration-movement/
12. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/date-calculator
13. New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 5:21
14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_State_Route_2
https://www.mapquest.com/us/ohio/jerusalem-township-22578978 | showing Ohio SR 2 bearing the name Jerusalem Road south of Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge. SR 2 runs the full length of Ohio (W to E) near the lake shore and passes North of Kirtland. | Other maps showing Jerusalem Road:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12gycBIPGaR_fH84GAF_yL8RJSNHQIA2c/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19uvQXfMzbyMArzbTo9NoaJPf3teVpzHt/view
Other Jer-USA-lems in the USA:
https://geotargit.com/index.php?qcountry_code=US&qregion_code=OH&qcity=Jerusalem
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-usa-see-the-20-jerusalems-in-usa/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_biblical_place_names_in_North_America
Image Source:
Description: Mormon Temple at Kirtland
Drawn by Henry Howe 1846
Attribution: Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Permission: Public Domain
Page URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Historical_Collections_of_Ohio-_An_Encyclopedia_of_the_State;_History_Both_General_and_Local,_Geography_with_Descriptions_of_Its_Counties,_Cities_and_Villages,_Its_Agricultural,_Manufacturing,_Mining_(14586424199).jpg
File URL: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Historical_Collections_of_Ohio-_An_Encyclopedia_of_the_State%3B_History_Both_General_and_Local%2C_Geography_with_Descriptions_of_Its_Counties%2C_Cities_and_Villages%2C_Its_Agricultural%2C_Manufacturing%2C_Mining_%2814586424199%29.jpg
.jpg){kind=link}
