What's with the Moon?

(Times and Seasons Series: Post #VI)

Have you ever made observations of the moon for an extended period? how sometimes it's in the night sky and sometimes in the day sky? If its movements are to be for signs and for seasons and for days and for years, as in:

14 ¶ And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and for years: ...
16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. (JST Old Testament | Genesis 1:14, 16)

then what might we be missing by not paying attention?

From the Ethiopic Book of Enoch [1 Enoch],¹ we read this about the moon:

XLI. 3-9. Astronomical Secrets. ...
5. And I saw the chambers of the sun and moon, whence they proceed and whither they come again, and their glorious return, and how one is superior to the other, and their stately orbit, and how they do not leave their orbit, and they add nothing to their orbit and they take nothing from it, and they keep faith with each other, in accordance with the oath by which they are bound together.
6. And first the sun goes forth and traverses his path according to the commandment of the Lord of Spirits, and mighty is His name for ever and ever.
7. And after that I saw the hidden and the visible path of the moon, and she accomplishes the course of her path in that place by day and by night--the one holding a position opposite to the other before the Lord of Spirits. And they give thanks and praise and rest not; For unto them is their thanksgiving rest.
8. For the sun changes oft for a blessing or a curse, And the course of the path of the moon is light to the righteous And darkness to the sinners in the name of the Lord, Who made a separation between the light and the darkness, And divided the spirits of men,²

CHAPTER LXXII. The Sun.
3. And I saw six portals in which the sun rises, and six portals in which the sun sets and the moon rises and sets in these portals, and the leaders of the stars and those whom they lead: six in the east and six in the west, and all following each other in accurately corresponding order: also many windows to the right and left of these portals.³

32. On that day the night decreases and amounts to nine parts, and the day to nine parts, and the night is equal to the day and the year is exactly as to its days three hundred and sixty-four.⁴

37. As [the sun] rises, so he sets and decreases not, and rests not, but runs day and night, and his light is sevenfold brighter than that of the moon; but as regards size they are both equal.⁵

CHAPTER LXXIII.
1. And after this law I saw another law dealing with the smaller luminary, which is named the Moon.
2. And her circumference is like the circumference of the heaven, and her chariot in which she rides is driven by the wind, and light is given to her in (definite) measure.
3. And her rising and setting change every month: and her days are like the days of the sun, and when her light is uniform (i.e. full) it amounts to the seventh part of the light of the sun.
4. And thus she rises. And her first phase in the east comes forth on the thirtieth morning: and on that day she becomes visible, and constitutes for you the first phase of the moon on the thirtieth day together with the sun in the portal where the sun rises.
5. And the one half of her goes forth by a seventh part, and her whole circumference is empty, without light, with the exception of one-seventh part of it, (and) the fourteenth part of her light.
6. And when she receives one-seventh part of the half of her light, her light amounts to one-seventh part and the half thereof.
7. And she sets with the sun, and when the sun rises the moon rises with him and receives the half of one part of light, and in that night in the beginning of her morning [in the commencement of the lunar day] the moon sets with the sun, and is invisible that night with the fourteen parts and the half of one of them.
8. And she rises on that day with exactly a seventh part, and comes forth and recedes from the rising of the sun, and in her remaining days she becomes bright in the (remaining) thirteen parts.⁶

CHAPTER LXXIV.
1. And I saw another course, a law for her [the Moon], (and) how according to that law she performs her monthly revolution.
2. And all these Uriel, the holy angel who is the leader of them all, showed to me, and their positions, and I wrote down their positions as he showed them to me, and I wrote down their months as they were, and the appearance of their lights till fifteen days were accomplished.
3. In single seventh parts she accomplishes all her light in the east, and in single seventh parts accomplishes all her darkness in the west.
4. And in certain months she alters her settings, and in certain months she pursues her own peculiar course.
5. In two months the moon sets with the sun: in those two middle portals the third and the fourth.
6. She goes forth for seven days, and turns about and returns again through the portal where the sun rises, and accomplishes all her light: and she recedes from the sun, and in eight days enters the sixth portal from which the sun goes forth.
7. And when the sun goes forth from the fourth portal she goes forth seven days, until she goes forth from the fifth and turns back again in seven days into the fourth portal and accomplishes all her light: and she recedes and enters into the first portal in eight days.
8. And she returns again in seven days into the fourth portal from which the sun goes forth.
9. Thus I saw their position--how the moons rose and the sun set in those days.
10. And if five years are added together the sun has an overplus of thirty days, and all the days which accrue to it for one of those five years, when they are full, amount to 364 days.
11. And the overplus of the sun and of the stars amounts to six days: in 5 years 6 days every year come to 30 days: and the moon falls behind the sun and stars to the number of 30 days.
12. And the sun and the stars bring in all the years exactly, so that they do not advance or delay their position by a single day unto eternity; but complete the years with perfect justice in 364 days.
13. In 3 years there are 1092 days, and in 5 years 1820 days, so that in 8 years there are 2912 days.
14. For the moon alone the days amount in 3 years to 1062 days, and in 5 years she falls 50 days behind: [i.e. to the sum (of 1770) there is to be added (1000 and) 62 days.]
15. And in 5 years there are 1770 days, so that for the moon the days in 8 years amount to 2832 days.
16. [For in 8 years she falls behind to the amount of 80 days], all the days she falls behind in 8 years are 80.
17. And the year is accurately completed in conformity with their world-stations and the stations of the sun, which rise from the portals through which it (the sun) rises and sets 30 days.⁷

CHAPTER LXXVIII. The Sun and Moon: the Waxing and Waning of the Moon.
1. And the names of the sun are the following: the first Orjârês, and the second Tômâs.
2. And the moon has four names: the first name is Asônjâ, the second Eblâ, the third Benâsê, and the fourth Erâe.
3. These are the two great luminaries: their circumference is like the circumference of the heaven, and the size of the circumference of both is alike.
4. In the circumference of the sun there are seven portions of light which are added to it more than to the moon, and in definite measures it is s transferred till the seventh portion of the sun is exhausted.
5. And they set and enter the portals of the west, and make their revolution by the north, and come forth through the eastern portals on the face of the heaven.
6. And when the moon rises one-fourteenth part appears in the heaven: ⌈ the light becomes full in her ⌉: on the fourteenth day she accomplishes her light.
7. And fifteen parts of light are transferred to her till the fifteenth day (when) her light is accomplished, according to the sign of the year, and she becomes fifteen parts, and the moon grows by (the addition of) fourteenth parts.
8. And in her waning (the moon) decreases on the first day to fourteen parts of her light, on the second to thirteen parts of light, on the third to twelve, on the fourth to eleven, on the fifth to ten, on the sixth to nine, on the seventh to eight, on the eighth to seven, on the ninth to six, on the tenth to five, on the eleventh to four, on the twelfth to three, on the thirteenth to two, on the fourteenth to the half of a seventh, and all her remaining light disappears wholly on the fifteenth.
9. And in certain months the month has twenty-nine days and once twenty-eight.
10. And Uriel showed me another law: when light is transferred to the moon, and on which side it is transferred to her by the sun.
11. During all the period during which the moon is growing in her light, she is transferring it to herself when opposite to the sun during fourteen days [her light is accomplished in the heaven], and when she is illumined throughout, her light is accomplished full in the heaven.
12. And on the first day she is called the new moon, for on that day the light rises upon her.
13. She becomes full moon exactly on the day when the sun sets in the west, and from the east she rises at night, and the moon shines the whole night through till the sun rises over against her and the moon is seen over against the sun.
14. On the side whence the light of the moon comes forth, there again she wanes till all the light vanishes and all the days of the month are at an end, and her circumference is empty, void of light.
15. And three months she makes of thirty days, and at her time she makes three months of twenty-nine days each, in which she accomplishes her waning in the first period of time, and in the first portal for one hundred and seventy-seven days.
16. And in the time of her going out she appears for three months (of) thirty days each, and for three months she appears (of) twenty-nine each.
17. At night she appears like a man for twenty days each time, and by day she appears like the heaven, and there is nothing else in her save her light.⁸

CHAPTER LXXIX.
1. And now, my son, I have shown thee everything, and the law of all the stars of the heaven is completed.
2. And he showed me all the laws of these for every day, and for every season of bearing rule, and for every year, and for its going forth, and for the order prescribed to it every month and every week:
3. And the waning of the moon which takes place in the sixth portal: for in this sixth portal her light is accomplished, and after that there is the beginning of the waning:
4. 〈And the waning〉 which takes place in the first portal in its season, till one hundred and seventy-seven days are accomplished: reckoned according to weeks, twenty-five (weeks) and two days.
5. She falls behind the sun and the order of the stars exactly five days in the course of one period, and when this place which thou seest has been traversed.
6. Such is the picture and sketch of every luminary which Uriel the archangel, who is their leader, showed unto me.⁹

CHAPTER LXXIV
4. And in certain months she [the Moon] alters her settings, and in certain months she pursues her own peculiar course.
5. In two months the moon sets with the sun: in those two middle portals the third and the fourth. ¹⁰

Does the moon really set with the sun in portals three and four? if so, why does she do this? And are those middle portals the ones that relate to months 6 and 7 (with five months on each side of them) and with the Fall Equinox (transition) marking the end of month 6 and the beginning of month 7?

If we observed the moon using 1 Enoch's calendar, what might it tell us about signs and seasons, days and years?

With our Gregorian Calendar, we seem to have lost the precision and beauty of days and months and years as seen in the grid version of 1 Enoch's calendar.¹¹

If indeed, the sun and the moon “keep faith with each other, in accordance with the oath by which they are bound together,”¹² then should we be more observant of their signs and seasons, days and years?

For now, let us also begin observing the moon to see what she does in relation to 1 Enoch's calendar.

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1. Perhaps the best source to explore all the extant Enoch writings and references is the Annotated Edition - The Book of Enoch: Translated from the Ethiopic Text by R. H. Charles, D.Litt., D.D. (Includes the Slavonic Text (2 Enoch); the Hebrew Text (3 Enoch); and Enoch Text Passages from the Writings of Moses and the Book of Jasher) compiled by David R. Hocking, Editor. Available at BeaconLight Books.com ( https://beaconlightbooks.com/the-annotated-book-of-enoch/ ) or other online or walk-in book stores.
Note: The Slavonic Book of Enoch (2 Enoch) gives different timing for the moon: 7 months of 31 days, 4 of 30, and one of 28, totaling 365 days (Hocking, p. 106).

Other Annotated Books by David R. Hocking at https://beaconlightbooks.com/
• The "Gospel Tangents" interview with the Editor, David R. Hocking can be seen at:
   723: Books of Enoch & Jasher (David Hocking 2 of 2) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oGXd3cWvUs&t=4220s
   722: Annotated Book of Mormon (David Hocking 1 of 2) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6osuaogbT0
• See also the Enoch chart posted at Deja Vu - Times II: https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/09/signs-seasons-days-and-years-part-ii.html
• and the calendar / time series posts:
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/04/gods-prophetic-day-evening-to-evening.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/09/deciphering-heavens-times-signs-and.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/09/signs-seasons-days-and-years-part-ii.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/09/deciphering-night-and-day-or-day-and.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/12/signs-seasons-iv-do-we-need-sundial.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/02/pondering-enochs-calendar-v.html
2, Anonymous, Enoch. The Book of Enoch: The Complete Collection (Translation and commentary by R.H. Charles) (Alpha Centauri Religion 9201) (Kindle Locations 1625-1648). Alpha Centauri Publishers. Kindle Edition. (All bold emphasis added.)
3. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 2510-2513)
4. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 2567-2569)
5. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 2577-2578)
6. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 2580-2597)
7. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 2598-2628)
8. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 2702-2737)
9. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 2741-2751)
10. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 2604-2606)
11. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/02/pondering-enochs-calendar-v.html
12. See CHAPTER XXL.5 above.

Pondering Enoch's* Calendar?

(Times and Seasons Series: Post #V)

Because we:

▪ are approaching the vernal equinox of Gregorian year 2023 A.D¹;
▪ are nearing the season that God appointed for the beginning of a new year² for the children of Israel as they left their bondage in Egypt;
▪ are mostly unfamiliar with the 364-day calendar year that 1 Enoch detailed³;
▪ are perhaps out of sync with God's specifically marked and detailed Feasts⁴;
▪ are perhaps naïve about the adversary's purposes in corrupting times and dates; and
▪ are probably needing to pay more attention to the lights God placed in the heavens “for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and for years”⁵;

I decided to post this pdf grid of what the Enoch solar year might look like according to my reading of 1 Enoch.⁶ Undoubtedly others have done something similar, though I haven't yet seen one starting on Sunday (Day One of creation). However, last December, I came across a Zadok calendar using a similar grid, but it  begins each year on a Wednesday (Day Four of the 7-day week) according to their beliefs.⁷

Notice the beauty of the perfect blocking of  52 weeks; the pleasing repetition of 4 sections of 3 months each, marked off by the four transitioning seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. According to Enoch's calendar, we are approaching day one of a new year following Day 31 of the last winter (12th) month.  On the 31st day of each 91 day course, a seasonal transition occurs. If the vernal equinox is calculated correctly (equal light and dark), will it fall on the transition day (31st) of Month XII to bring on Day One of Month I? Will a new (crescent) moon play any role as a second witness to a new beginning of the year? Do we mistake looking for the new moon to start each new month? or is it a simple count of 30, 30, then 31 days before the next seasonal transition with the moon playing some part (or not) that we don't yet understand? If we don't observe, how will we know? Do the four directions and the four seasons have any symbolism in the four faces described in Ezekiel chapters1 and 10?

There is much yet to explore, investigate, discern, and reconcile, not just in the Enoch versions, but with our 365 ¼ day year. But let us consider this: If we have a God who sometimes micromanages things, such as:

▪ the timing and conduct of Feast Festivals (ibid., footnote 4);
▪ the detailed construction, décor, clothing, and service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation⁸;
▪ the use of mechanized wheels within wheels? (cogs?)⁹;
▪ the Kirtland buildings: dimensions and patterns¹⁰;
▪ 1841 Joint Stock Company¹¹;
▪ frequent reference to a required pattern for things¹²;

then, could there be some unseen order or pattern in a 364-day solar year mixed with a 354-day lunar year that we have lost? How does it all jive with our 365 ¼ day Gregorian year? Do the sun, moon, and stars serve the Law of Witnesses¹³ so that if we knew the true pattern, we could reset Gregorian time and date to God's time and date? I have read some of John Pratt's thoughts¹⁴ on these matters, but have not yet settled on a pattern that reconciles the precision that seems to characterize the works of God. 

In the meantime, let's all be more observant, and understand, as usual, that the efforts to uncover buried or corrupted truth seem unending.

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* Perhaps the best source to explore all the extant Enoch writings and references is the Annotated Edition - The Book of Enoch: Translated from the Ethiopic Text by R. H. Charles, D.Litt., D.D. (Includes the Slavonic Text (2 Enoch); the Hebrew Text (3 Enoch); and Enoch Text Passages from the Writings of Moses and the Book of Jasher) compiled by David R. Hocking, Editor. Available at BeaconLight Books.com ( https://beaconlightbooks.com/the-annotated-book-of-enoch/ ) or other online or walk-in book stores. Other Annotated Books at https://beaconlightbooks.com/
• The "Gospel Tangents" interview with the Editor, David R. Hocking can be seen at:
   723: Books of Enoch & Jasher (David Hocking 2 of 2) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oGXd3cWvUs&t=4220s
   722: Annotated Book of Mormon (David Hocking 1 of 2) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6osuaogbT0
• See also the Enoch chart posted at Deja Vu - Times II on https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/09/signs-seasons-days-and-years-part-ii.html
• and the calendar / time series posts:
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/04/gods-prophetic-day-evening-to-evening.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/09/deciphering-heavens-times-signs-and.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/09/signs-seasons-days-and-years-part-ii.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/09/deciphering-night-and-day-or-day-and.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/12/signs-seasons-iv-do-we-need-sundial.html

1. https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2023&country=22&wno=1
2. Old Testament | Exodus 12:1-2
   1 AND the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
   2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Old Testament | Exodus 13:3-4
   3 ¶ And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
   4 This day came ye out in the month Abib.
Old Testament | Exodus 34:18
   18 ¶ The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.
Old Testament | Deuteronomy 16:1
   1 OBSERVE the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
3. See footnote 6.
4. Old Testament | Leviticus 23:2 (Plus entire chapter)
   2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
(Feasts named here and elsewhere: Passover, Unleavened Bread; Firstfruits; Weeks / Pentecost; Trumpets; Booths / Tabernacles; Dedication; Purim)
5. JST Old Testament | Genesis 1:14, 16
   16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
I acknowledge that 2 Enoch specifies a 365 ¼ day year, but 2 Enoch does not contain the detail of 1 Enoch.
6. Here are the relevant Enoch verses as to the sun. The moon verses will be posted on February 23.
CHAPTER LXXII. The Sun.
   1. The book of the courses of the luminaries of the heaven, the relations of each, according to their classes, their dominion and their seasons, according to their names and places of origin, and according to their months, which Uriel, the holy angel, who was with me, who is their guide, showed me; and he showed me all their laws exactly as they are, and how it is with regard to all the years of the world and unto eternity, till the new creation is accomplished which dureth till eternity.
   2. And this is the first law of the luminaries: the luminary the Sun has its rising in the eastern portals of the heaven, and its setting in the western portals of the heaven.
   3. And I saw six portals in which the sun rises, and six portals in which the sun sets and the moon rises and sets in these portals, and the leaders of the stars and those whom they lead: six in the east and six in the west, and all following each other in accurately corresponding order: also many windows to the right and left of these portals.
   4. And first there goes forth the great luminary, named the Sun, and his circumference is like the circumference of the heaven, and he is quite filled with illuminating and heating fire.
   5. The chariot on which he ascends, the wind drives, and the sun goes down from the heaven and returns through the north in order to reach the east, and is so guided that he comes to the appropriate (lit. 'that') portal and shines in the face of the heaven.
   6. In this way he rises in the first month in the great portal, which is the fourth ⌈ those six portals in the cast ⌉.
   7. And in that fourth portal from which the sun rises in the first month are twelve window-openings, from which proceed a flame when they are opened in their season.
   8. When the sun rises in the heaven, he comes forth through that fourth portal thirty mornings in succession, and sets accurately in the fourth portal in the west of the heaven.
   9. And during this period the day becomes daily longer and the night nightly shorter to the thirtieth morning.
   10. On that day the day is longer than the night by a ninth part, and the day amounts exactly to ten parts and the night to eight parts.
   11. And the sun rises from that fourth portal, and sets in the fourth and returns to the fifth portal of the east thirty mornings, and rises from it and sets in the fifth portal.
   12. And then the day becomes longer by †two† parts and amounts to eleven parts, and the night becomes shorter and amounts to seven parts.
   13. And it returns to the east and enters into the sixth portal, and rises and sets in the sixth portal one-and-thirty mornings on account of its sign.
   14. On that day the day becomes longer than the night, and the day becomes double the night, and the day becomes twelve parts, and the night is shortened and becomes six parts.
   15. And the sun mounts up to make the day shorter and the night longer, and the sun returns to the east and enters into the sixth portal, and rises from it and sets thirty mornings.
   16. And when thirty mornings are accomplished, the day decreases by exactly one part, and becomes eleven parts, and the night seven.
   17. And the sun goes forth from that sixth portal in the west, and goes to the east and rises in the fifth portal for thirty mornings, and sets in the west again in the fifth western portal.
   18. On that day the day decreases by †two† parts, and amounts to ten parts and the night to eight parts.
   19. And the sun goes forth from that fifth portal and sets in the fifth portal of the west, and rises in the fourth portal for one-and-thirty mornings on account of its sign, and sets in the west.
   20. On that day the day is equalized with the night, [and becomes of equal length], and the night amounts to nine parts and the day to nine parts.
   21. And the sun rises from that portal and sets in the west, and returns to the east and rises thirty mornings in the third portal and sets in the west in the third portal.
   22. And on that day the night becomes longer than the day, and night becomes longer than night, and day shorter than day till the thirtieth morning, and the night amounts exactly to ten parts and the day to eight parts.
   23. And the sun rises from that third portal and sets in the third portal in the west and returns to the east, and for thirty mornings rises in the second portal in the east, and in like manner sets in the second portal in the west of the heaven.
   24. And on that day the night amounts to eleven parts and the day to seven parts.
   25. And the sun rises on that day from that second portal and sets in the west in the second portal, and returns to the east into the first portal for one-and-thirty mornings, and sets in the first portal in the west of the heaven.
   26. And on that day the night becomes longer and amounts to the double of the day: and the night amounts exactly to twelve parts and the day to six.
   27. And the sun has (therewith) traversed the divisions of his orbit and turns again on those divisions of his orbit, and enters that portal thirty mornings and sets also in the west opposite to it.
   28. And on that night has the night decreased in length by a †ninth† part, and the night has become eleven parts and the day seven parts.
   29. And the sun has returned and entered into the second portal in the east, and returns on those his divisions of his orbit for thirty mornings, rising and setting.
   30. And on that day the night decreases in length, and the night amounts to ten parts and the day to eight.
   31. And on that day the sun rises from that portal, and sets in the west, and returns to the east, and rises in the third portal for one-and-thirty mornings, and sets in the west of the heaven.
   32. On that day the night decreases and amounts to nine parts, and the day to nine parts, and the night is equal to the day and the year is exactly as to its days three hundred and sixty-four.
   33. And the length of the day and of the night, and the shortness of the day and of the night arise--through the course of the sun these distinctions are made (lit. 'they are separated').
   34. So it comes that its course becomes daily longer, and its course nightly shorter.
   35. And this is the law and the course of the sun, and his return as often as he returns sixty times and rises, i.e. the great luminary which is named the sun, for ever and ever.
   36. And that which (thus) rises is the great luminary, and is so named according to its appearance, according as the Lord commanded.
   37. As he rises, so he sets and decreases not, and rests not, but runs day and night, and his light is sevenfold brighter than that of the moon; but as regards size they are both equal.
Anonymous, Enoch. The Book of Enoch: The Complete Collection (Translation and commentary by R.H. Charles) (Alpha Centauri Religion 9201) (Kindle Locations 2503-2578). Alpha Centauri Publishers. Kindle Edition.
7. https://www.returningtothegarden.com/
I think some of the reasoning behind Day 4 is to avoid some overlapping of Festivals with Sabbaths, and to reconcile beliefs about crucifixion and resurrection dates. And who knows, perhaps they are right.
8. Old Testament | Exodus 25:8-9
   8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
   9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
Read also multiple detailed instructions thereafter: Exodus chapters 26-30+
Old Testament | Exodus 25:40
   40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
Old Testament | Numbers 8:4
   4 And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
9. Old Testament | Ezekiel, chapters 1 & 10
10. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 94
11. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 124:62-82; 111-123
12. Old Testament | 1 Chronicles 28:10, 12-19
   10 ¶ 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.
New Testament | Hebrews 8:5
   5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
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, like unto the pattern which I have given you.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 102:12
   12 Whenever a high council of the church of Christ is regularly organized, according to the foregoing pattern, it shall be the duty of the twelve councilors to cast lots by numbers, and thereby ascertain who of the twelve shall speak first, commencing with number one and so in succession to number twelve.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 115:14-16
   14 But let a house be built unto my name according to the pattern which I will show unto them.
   15 And if my people build it not according to the pattern which I shall show unto their presidency, I will not accept it at their hands.
   16 But if my people do build it according to the pattern which I shall show unto their presidency, even my servant Joseph and his counselors, then I will accept it at the hands of my people.
Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:46
   46 For a book of remembrance we have written among us, according to the pattern given by the finger of God; and it is given in our own language.
13. New Testament | 2 Corinthians 13:1
   1 ... In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 6:28; (see also 128:3)
   28 And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
14. https://www.johnpratt.com/
https://www.johnpratt.com/items/calendar/wall_cal.html
https://www.johnpratt.com/items/calendar/index.html
https://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/sc_tutorial.html

The Yoke of Bondage*

**Image Source  below

If there is one word in scripture that best describes the déjà vus of history, it might be the word bondage.¹ Bondage appears 169 times (also, captivity 188 times) in the Quad² to describe the recycling condition of the peoples in those books. It was the condition that necessitated Exodus upon exodus³; conflict on conflict, war on war. It is the condition (whether physical, mental, or spiritual) that oppresses millions billions in our present world. Bondage is the (imagined) final solution to the chaos, disorder, and “evil”⁴ that the Utopians of our technocratic world hate. Bondage is the end-game of the WEF,⁵ the WHO,⁶ their hidden masters, and their power competitors. And how do we know this about the WEF and the WHO, et al.? Simple: we go by their publications (web and print)⁷ and their actions sifted through history; especially 20th Century history — the yet-living history we were never going to repeat or forget.⁸

We have already seen the unfolding bondage of many in the so-called freedom-loving western nations; how the ignored subtext of the CV campaign “keeping-us-safe”⁹ is bondage — a bondage that is demonic in origin. It is the day- and nightmare that always follows unchecked, unrepentant corruption, pride,¹⁰ and iniquity. Every discerning human is witnessing in real time how the powers and their (witting and unwitting) minions in North America have become exporters and advocates of unchecked corruption, pride, inversion, and iniquity, linking into a global intention because bondage has always been the intent of evil and its advocates.

The Utopians are already inside the open gates¹¹ and (like the PWOCs¹² and traitors that they are) are inviting (and provoking) the “Assyrians and Babylonians” to bring greater destruction and death in the cause of order-out-of-chaos. Remember: “Never let a crisis go to waste”¹³? And if we don't have a useful crisis, the powers invent or create one (disease, famine, shortage, unemployment, climate woes, conflict, war, etc., etc.); all in pursuit of a global bondage scenario. And what else should we expect when so many are saying: “We trust you: WEF and WHO and PHO and Pharma and Silicon Valley”?

And what is bondage if not being compelled to bend to official narratives (whether CV, climate, allowed speech, allowed opinion, etc., etc.), or else:

• lose your employment,
• lose freedom of association
• lose travel and mobility rights
• lose your bank and bank account 
• lose your license to practice your profession
• lose your social media platform
• lose home and family ties
• be denied medical treatment
• be cut from your team or benched
• be smeared and targeted
• lose custody of children
• go into lockdown, quarantine, or jail
• lose your life
• and on and on,

In the once-free West, many are daily experiencing the above losses, yet so many are not paying attention or are in bondage to fear and lying wonders. Our world has fallen under the spirit of bondage — the spirit of domination.¹⁴ If we go by prophecy, it's going to get suddenly worse in another repeat of this:

21 And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies.
22 And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am the Lord their God, and am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of my people.
23 And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God. (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 11:21-23)

and this: 

47 Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;
48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
49 The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;
50 A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 28:47-50).

We are broadcasting our iniquity and guilt every day — 24/7 worldwide — in graphic color and recorded sound. So if the angels thought 1832 was a bad year, what must they think of 2023?

5 Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 86:5).

If only we sinners could see and hear and believe:

28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (New Testament | Matthew 11:28-30).

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father (New Testament | Romans 8:15).

-------------------------------------------------------/
* Bondage: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bondage
   1: the tenure or service of a villein, a serf, or an enslaved person
   2: a state of being bound usually by compulsion (as of law or mastery): such as
       a: CAPTIVITY, SERFDOM
       b: servitude or subjugation to a controlling person or force
           young people in bondage to drugs
See also: When We Become Property at https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2021/02/when-we-become-property.html

1. Sample of Examples:
Also, review other stories in history and consider the recycling sequence: falling into bondage; suffering in bondage; escaping from bondage. Also search the word yoke.
Old Testament | Exodus 2:23
   23 ¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
Old Testament | Exodus 6:5-6
   5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
   6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Old Testament | Nehemiah 5:5
   5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
Old Testament | Isaiah 14:3
   3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
New Testament | John 8:32-34
   32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
   33 ¶ They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
   34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
New Testament | Romans 8:21
   21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 

New Testament | Galatians 2:4
   4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
New Testament | Galatians 4:3, 9
   3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: ...
   9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
New Testament | Galatians 5:1
   1 STAND fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
New Testament | Hebrews 2:14-15
   14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

   15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 17:24-25
   24 Yea, do ye suppose that they would have been led out of bondage, if the Lord had not commanded Moses that he should lead them out of bondage?
   25 Now ye know that the children of Israel were in bondage; and ye know that they were laden with tasks, which were grievous to be borne; wherefore, ye know that it must needs be a good thing for them, that they should be brought out of bondage.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 7:15
   15 For behold, we are in bondage to the Lamanites, and are taxed with a tax which is grievous to be borne. And now, behold, our brethren will deliver us out of our bondage, or out of the hands of the Lamanites, and we will be their slaves; for it is better that we be slaves to the Nephites than to pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 7:20
   20 And again, that same God has brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem, and has kept and preserved his people even until now; and behold, it is because of our iniquities and abominations that he has brought us into bondage.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 7:20-22
   20 And again, that same God has brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem, and has kept and preserved his people even until now; and behold, it is because of our iniquities and abominations that he has brought us into bondage.
   21 And ye all are witnesses this day, that Zeniff, who was made king over this people, he being over–zealous to inherit the land of his fathers, therefore being deceived by the cunning and craftiness of king Laman, who having entered into a treaty with king Zeniff, and having yielded up into his hands the possessions of a part of the land, or even the city of Lehi-Nephi, and the city of Shilom; and the land round about—
   22 And all this he did, for the sole purpose of bringing this people into subjection or into bondage. And behold, we at this time do pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites, to the amount of one half of our corn, and our barley, and even all our grain of every kind, and one half of the increase of our flocks and our herds; and even one half of all we have or possess the king of the Lamanites doth exact of us, or our lives.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 7:33
   33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 9:10-12
   10 Now it was the cunning and the craftiness of king Laman, to bring my people into bondage, that he yielded up the land that we might possess it.
   11 Therefore it came to pass, that after we had dwelt in the land for the space of twelve years that king Laman began to grow uneasy, lest by any means my people should wax strong in the land, and that they could not overpower them and bring them into bondage.
   12 Now they were a lazy and an idolatrous people; therefore they were desirous to bring us into bondage, that they might glut themselves with the labors of our hands; yea, that they might feast themselves upon the flocks of our fields.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 12:2
   2 Yea, wo be unto this generation! And the Lord said unto me: Stretch forth thy hand and prophesy, saying: Thus saith the Lord, it shall come to pass that this generation, because of their iniquities, shall be brought into bondage, and shall be smitten on the cheek; yea, and shall be driven by men, and shall be slain; and the vultures of the air, and the dogs, yea, and the wild beasts, shall devour their flesh.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 12:14-15
   14 And now, O king, behold, we are guiltless, and thou, O king, hast not sinned; therefore, this man has lied concerning you, and he has prophesied in vain.
   15 And behold, we are strong, we shall not come into bondage, or be taken captive by our enemies; yea, and thou hast prospered in the land, and thou shalt also prosper.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 21:36
   36 And now all the study of Ammon and his people, and king Limhi and his people, was to deliver themselves out of the hands of the Lamanites and from bondage.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 22:1-4
   1 AND now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the matter.
   2 And it came to pass that they could find no way to deliver themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women and children, and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents, and depart into the wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous, it was impossible for the people of Limhi to contend with them, thinking to deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword.
   3 Now it came to pass that Gideon went forth and stood before the king, and said unto him: Now O king, thou hast hitherto hearkened unto my words many times when we have been contending with our brethren, the Lamanites.
   4 And now O king, if thou hast not found me to be an unprofitable servant, or if thou hast hitherto listened to my words in any degree, and they have been of service to thee, even so I desire that thou wouldst listen to my words at this time, and I will be thy servant and deliver this people out of bondage.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 22:1-4
   1 AND now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the matter.
   2 And it came to pass that they could find no way to deliver themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women and children, and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents, and depart into the wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous, it was impossible for the people of Limhi to contend with them, thinking to deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword.
   3 Now it came to pass that Gideon went forth and stood before the king, and said unto him: Now O king, thou hast hitherto hearkened unto my words many times when we have been contending with our brethren, the Lamanites.
   4 And now O king, if thou hast not found me to be an unprofitable servant, or if thou hast hitherto listened to my words in any degree, and they have been of service to thee, even so I desire that thou wouldst listen to my words at this time, and I will be thy servant and deliver this people out of bondage.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 23:23
   23 For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea, even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 24:13-21
   13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
   14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
   15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
   16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.
   17 And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage.
   18 Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the night–time gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, even all the night–time were they gathering the flocks together.
   19 And in the morning the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanites, yea, and all their task–masters were in a profound sleep.
   20 And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness; and when they had traveled all day they pitched their tents in a valley, and they called the valley Alma, because he led their way in the wilderness.
   21 Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 25:16
   16 And he did exhort the people of Limhi and his brethren, all those that had been delivered out of bondage, that they should remember that it was the Lord that did deliver them.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 27:15-17
   15 And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also behold me before you? And I am sent from God.
   16 Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them. And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.
   17 And now it came to pass that these were the last words which the angel spake unto Alma, and he departed.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:18-20
   18 Yea, remember king Noah, his wickedness and his abominations, and also the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold what great destruction did come upon them; and also because of their iniquities they were brought into bondage.
   19 And were it not for the interposition of their all–wise Creator, and this because of their sincere repentance, they must unavoidably remain in bondage until now.
   20 But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:40
   40 And they did wax strong in love towards Mosiah; yea, they did esteem him more than any other man; for they did not look upon him as a tyrant who was seeking for gain, yea, for that lucre which doth corrupt the soul; for he had not exacted riches of them, neither had he delighted in the shedding of blood; but he had established peace in the land, and he had granted unto his people that they should be delivered from all manner of bondage; therefore they did esteem him, yea, exceedingly, beyond measure.
Book of Mormon | Alma 5:5-6
   5 And behold, after that, they were brought into bondage by the hands of the Lamanites in the wilderness; yea, I say unto you, they were in captivity, and again the Lord did deliver them out of bondage by the power of his word; and we were brought into this land, and here we began to establish the church of God throughout this land also.
   6 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?
Book of Mormon | Alma 9:22
   22 Yea, and after having been delivered of God out of the land of Jerusalem, by the hand of the Lord; having been saved from famine, and from sickness, and all manner of diseases of every kind; and they having waxed strong in battle, that they might not be destroyed; having been brought out of bondage time after time, and having been kept and preserved until now; and they have been prospered until they are rich in all manner of things—
Book of Mormon | Alma 29:11-12
   11 Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them out of bondage.
   12 Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers; and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage.
Book of Mormon | Alma 36:2
   2 I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions.
Book of Mormon | Alma 36:28-29
   28 And I know that he will raise me up at the last day, to dwell with him in glory; yea, and I will praise him forever, for he has brought our fathers out of Egypt, and he has swallowed up the Egyptians in the Red Sea; and he led them by his power into the promised land; yea, and he has delivered them out of bondage and captivity from time to time.
   29 Yea, and he has also brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem; and he has also, by his everlasting power, delivered them out of bondage and captivity, from time to time even down to the present day; and I have always retained in remembrance their captivity; yea, and ye also ought to retain in remembrance, as I have done, their captivity.
Book of Mormon | Alma 43:8
   8 For behold, his designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great power over them, and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage.
Book of Mormon | Alma 43:29
   29 And now, as Moroni knew the intention of the Lamanites, that it was their intention to destroy their brethren, or to subject them and bring them into bondage that they might establish a kingdom unto themselves over all the land;
Book of Mormon | Alma 43:48-49
   48 And it came to pass that when the men of Moroni saw the fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, they were about to shrink and flee from them. And Moroni, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts—yea, the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from bondage.
   49 And it came to pass that they turned upon the Lamanites, and they cried with one voice unto the Lord their God, for their liberty and their freedom from bondage.
2. Quad: being the scriptures of the People of the Books: 1) Bible (Old and New); 2) the Book of Mormon; 3) The Doctrine and Covenants; and 4) the Pearl of Great Price.
3. Exodus: https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/12/patterns-of-exodus-preparing-for-exodus.html
4. "Evil" is everything that irritates or frustrates the devil and his agenda of captivity, bondage, death, destruction.
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Economic_Forum
(though more accurately, the intent of their masters behind the scenes)
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization
(though more accurately, the intent of their masters behind the scenes)
7. https://www.weforum.org/
https://www.who.int/
8. https://dejavu-times.blogspot.com/2023/02/our-human-duty.html
9. https://dejavu-times.blogspot.com/2023/01/cult-of-safety-inverted-quarantine.html
10. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2019/08/are-we-repeating-history-without-memory.html
11. https://dejavu-times.blogspot.com/2021/01/utopians-at-open-gates.html
12. PWOC: People Without Conscience
13. Rahm Emanuel?:
https://freakonomics.com/2009/08/quotes-uncovered-who-said-no-crisis-should-go-to-waste/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/25/lets-make-sure-this-crisis-doesnt-go-waste/
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill (see under "Disputed" at bottom of Wikiquote article)
14. https://dejavu-times.blogspot.com/2023/01/plague-of-tyrants.html

**Image Source:
Page URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Earl_Butlin,_Oxen_Yoke,_c._1937,_NGA_28390.jpg
Attribution: National Gallery of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Date: circa 1937
Permission: This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

Despite the Evidence?

In the recently posted Exodus seminar series, JB Peterson said:

I think [“God's goodness”] is the leap of faith. You decide that things are good and that you are going to act in the service of the good — in many ways despite the evidence.¹

Despite the evidence?!

Well, yes! if we go by history and mortal perspective, Peterson is, in many ways, right. Remember OT Job. Remember the persecuted and martyred: John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, Stephen, James, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Abinadi, John Huss, Thomas Becket, Wm. Tyndale, Joseph & Hyrum Smith. — to name a few on the endless, ongoing list²? And this does not count all the evidence of anguished “unanswered” prayers for healing, safety, companionship, offspring; for a child''s or spouse's repentance; for a way out of depression, abuse, anxiety, dysphoria, addiction, tyranny, and so forth. And what of the wind, flood, fire, earthquake or man-made catastrophes that devastate? Even for some, the required³ death of God's own Son is all the evidence they need to reject the idea of a good God.

Yes, of course, there are also endless witnesses of God's goodness, but what do we do if contrary “proofs” also plague our awareness. For many, life is a recycling struggle with dissonance. If God is good, why do I (or we or they) suffer so much mental distress? so much unrelenting physical pain and disease? so many hurdles and roadblocks? so much conflict, loss, confusion, trauma?

Perhaps the definition of faith warned us already of the dissonance factor.

NOW faith is the substance assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (JST New Testament | Hebrews 11:1).

Does this put us on notice that the evidence of God's 100% goodness may, frequently (from our mortal perspective), not be seen?

As we witness and endure the increasing tyrannies and catastrophes of coming days (as prophesied), will we be persuaded by the evidence of things seen or the evidence of things not seen? Are we prepared to see beyond the seen? to believe without reservation that whatever happens, God is good? that all He does is based in Truth, Justice, Mercy, and Love — a Love we may not, perhaps, cannot comprehend?

The Scottish writer George MacDonald⁴ wrote

Our God is a consuming fire. Heb. 12:29
Nothing is inexorable but love. Love which will yield to prayer is imperfect and poor. It is not love that grants a boon unwillingly; still less is it love that answers a prayer to the wrong and hurt of him who prays. Love is one, and love is changeless.

For love loves unto purity. Love has ever in view the absolute loveliness of that which it beholds. Where loveliness is incomplete, and love cannot love its fill of loving, it spends itself to make more lovely, that it may love more; it strives for perfection, even that itself may be perfected—not in itself, but in the object. . . . Therefore all that is not beautiful in the beloved, all that comes between and is not of love’s kind, must be destroyed.

And our God is a consuming fire

It is the nature of God, so terribly pure that it destroys all that is not pure as fire, which demands like purity in our worship. He will have purity. It is not that the fire will burn us if we do not worship thus; but that the fire will burn us until we worship thus; yea, will go on burning within us after all that is foreign to it has yielded to its force, no longer with pain and consuming, but as the highest consciousness of life, the presence of God. When evil, which alone is consumable, shall have passed away in his fire from the dwellers in the immovable kingdom, the nature of man shall look the nature of God in the face, and his fear shall then be pure; for an eternal, that is a holy fear, must spring from a knowledge of [His] nature, not from a sense of power.⁵

In the words of British writer, C. S. Lewis⁶:

I find I must borrow yet another parable from George MacDonald. Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of— throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.

The command Be ye perfect is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command. He said (in the Bible) that we were ‘gods’ and He is going to make good His words. If we let Him— for we can prevent Him, if we choose— He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, a dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness. The process will be long and in parts very painful, but that is what we are in for. Nothing less. He meant what He said  (—from Mere Christianity⁷).

From a prior observation, I repeat:

Maybe most of all, we don’t comprehend faith (or perhaps don’t want to), being: “the substance [assurance—JST] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”[(JST New Testament | Hebrews 11:1)]. But, as I have asked elsewhere: HOW is God going to test/prove/try us? by NOT offending our sense of logic and reason? by always confirming our faith-based, telestial/terrestrial perceptions and biases? by offering up physical evidence? by preventing contradictory, confusing evidence? by making it easy to believe? by flooding us with “rational” signs? by preventing every bad choice or consequence? ... What better way to push us toward “the evidence of things not seen” than to hopelessly confound the “evidence of things seen?”⁸

Let us prepare ourselves to observe how often we dwell in dissonance and take the leap of faith to believe without qualification that God is always and forever good, however it may sometimes appear or feel.

… Great is His wisdom, marvelous are His ways, and the extent of His doings none can find out. His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay His hand  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:2-3; see also Old Testament | Isaiah 55:8-9).

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1. https://www.dailywire.com/episode/exodus-episode-4 (begin about minute 49 for background and quote)
2. ▪ Foxe, John. Fox's Book of Martyrs Or A History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Triumphant Deaths of the Primitive Protestant Martyrs.
▪ Eric Metaxas. Bonhoeffer Thomas Nelson.
▪ The Voice of the Martyrs. Extreme Devotion: Daily Devotional Stories Of Ancient To Modern-Day Believers Who Sacrificed Everything For Christ
▪ New Testament | John 16:33
   33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
▪ New Testament | 2 Timothy 3:12
   12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
▪ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 101:35-36
   35 And all they who suffer persecution for my name, and endure in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives for my sake yet shall they partake of all this glory.
   36 Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.
▪ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_martyr
▪ Research news articles about latter-day martyrs worldwide.
Related posts:
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2015/10/in-remembrance-of-john-huss.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2017/10/everyone-gets-what-he-deserves.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2012/11/transrational.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2013/11/god-is-not-rational.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2013/04/man-vs-god.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-lamb-and-lion.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2013/01/why.html
3. New Testament | Matthew 26:39, 42
   39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. ...
   42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:2
   2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_MacDonald
5. Hein, Rolland. Through the Year with George MacDonald: 366 Daily Readings (Kindle Locations 441-454). Winged Lion Press. Kindle Edition. January 8: “The Consuming Fire,” Unspoken Sermons: Series One.
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis
7. Lewis, C. S.. A Year with C. S. Lewis (p. 218). HarperOne. Kindle Edition.
8, https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2013/11/god-is-not-rational.html

“Eating Together” — A Divine Paradigm?

Dining / Feasting
A plandemic target?

Since listening to a brief exchange in the Exodus seminar series¹ about “eating together,”² I have been thinking about what happened to dining and feasting during COVID. What part did lockdown and isolation play in exacerbating fear, stress, distrust, and simmering anger — not against the “authorities,” but against those (including family members) who did not wholeheartedly accept the official narrative? How many “infected” family members, including young children, were quarantined in their bedrooms for 14-day stretches and mandated to mask and eat alone? And what of the communal dining-room closures in senior and other care-giving facilities? Isolation upon isolation.

Our obsessions with social media, sports, and work have already disrupted in large measure family “eating together” patterns, but COVID thrust an even broader wedge into every aspect of human sociality, celebration, commemoration, and fellowship. No church suppers. No wedding, reunion, anniversary, grad, club, or society banquets. No funeral luncheons. No dine-in cafes or restaurants for get-togethers or date-nights. At times, “eating together” seemed almost a targeted activity. Remember the fear-alarms at Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas? And remember the vax-passport phase-in for resuming “eating together” in public?

On the other hand, have we noticed in scripture:

▪ how often God commanded feasting in preparation or commemoration of memorable events³?
▪ how angels or messengers were entertained with feasts⁴?
▪ how the “certain man” sent servants out into the streets and lanes, highways and hedges to gather all who would come to his supper / feast after the initial invitees had made excuse⁵?
▪ how the prodigal son was welcomed home with a feast⁶?
▪ how feasting was almost always a part of important milestones⁷?
▪ how feasting has been used as a spiritual metaphor for God's word⁸ and for judgment and millennial days⁹?
▪ how even the miraculous multiplication of simple bread and fish at the feeding of five thousand and four thousand was a feast because of the amount of leftovers gathered up¹⁰?

In the previously mentioned Exodus clip, Dennis Prager observed:

“The center of Jewish religious life is the house and the center of religious life in the house is the table.”.

How many of us can say: The center of our religious life is the home and the center of religious life in our home is the table?¹¹ Could there be any typology between our dining tables and God's shewbread table so meticulously placed in His tabernacle with its dishes, spoons, covers, bowls, and shewbread¹²?

Perhaps corrupted powers have a paranoia about people freely congregating in celebration, commemoration, thanksgiving, and fellowship, because they might freely share opinions and observations, or discuss matters of import or action? Is that why the powers are predicting (orchestrating?) a coming food shortage / famine,¹³ so “eating together” becomes a zero-sum, existential paranoia? so that sociality and fellowship revert to competitive survival — even savagery?

Next time we see “eating together” deemed a dangerous, targeted activity, let us ponder the source and purpose.

As a troubling aside: as of 2022, we no longer have the option of meeting as friends or family to eat together in temple cafeterias.¹⁴ Does the reason “to simplify temple operations” weigh sufficiently against the blessing of sharing food with fellow servants in the house of the Lord? a place of peace, quiet, and fellowship unparalleled in the outside world. For many temple-goers, nearby(?) food establishments immersed in the noise and poisons of present Babylon has no allurement. They seek to retain and carry home the spirit felt in the temple. Of course, some readers may be offended by this criticism, but for many who know the spirit of the temple (even in its cafeteria), they feel a sense of loss that dining together there has been foreclosed. (And what of the loss of hundreds of jobs?) For some, the hope and prayer is that before they auction off the kitchens, they reconsider the costs v. benefits; perhaps even to survey the wishes and will of the members and service workers impacted. For the most part, an imported sack lunch does not have the same flavor, presentation, or fellowship as a savory, hot meal served with “dishes, spoons, covers, and bowls,” and ambience. To simplify operations does not necessarily simplify life's necessities for service givers. Should reciprocal service be a prime consideration? 

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1. https://www.dailywire.com/episode/exodus-episode-5 (from min. 45:38 to 57:14)
2. Excerpt from footnote 1: The Key to Peace With Russia[?] (Jordan B Peterson Clips | Dec 16, 2022 | Time 7:05 min.) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT2Ivm
3. Old Testament | Exodus 5:1
   1 AND afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
Old Testament | Exodus 10:9
   9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.
Old Testament | Exodus 12:14, 17
   14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. .
.. 17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
Old Testament | Exodus 13:6
   6 Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.
Old Testament | Exodus 23:14-16
   14 ¶ Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
   15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
   16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
Old Testament | Exodus 34:22
   22 ¶ And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.
Old Testament | Leviticus 23:39, 41
   39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. ..
. 41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
Old Testament | Deuteronomy 16:16
   16 ¶ Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
New Testament | Matthew 26:17
   17 ¶ Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
4. Old Testament | Genesis 18:1-8
   1 AND the LORD appeared unto him [Abraham] in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
   2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
   3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
   4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
   5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
   6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
   7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
   8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
Old Testament | Genesis 19:3
   3 And he [Lot] pressed upon them [the two angels] greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
5. New Testament | Luke 14:16-24
   16 Then said he [Jesus] unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
   17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
   18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
   19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
   20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
   21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
   22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
   23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
   24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
New Testament | Luke 14:13
   13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
6. Prodigal: New Testament | Luke 15:22-24
   22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
   23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
   24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
7. Old Testament | Genesis 21:8
   8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
Old Testament | Genesis 26:30
   30 And he [Isaac] made them [his former adversaries] a feast, and they did eat and drink.
Old Testament | Genesis 29:21-22
   21 ¶ And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
   22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
Old Testament | Judges 14:10
   10 ¶ So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.
Old Testament | 2 Samuel 3:20
   20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
Old Testament | 1 Kings 3:15
   15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
Old Testament | 1 Kings 8:65
   65 And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.
Old Testament | 1 Kings 10:4-6
   4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,
   5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
   6 And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
Old Testament | Esther 1:3-5
   3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
   4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
   5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
Old Testament | Psalms 128:3
   3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
New Testament | Matthew 27:15
   15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
New Testament | Luke 5:29
   29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
New Testament | John 2:8-9
   8 And he [Jesus] saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
   9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
New Testament | John 5:1
   1 AFTER this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Book of Mormon | Alma 18:9
   9 And they said unto him: Behold, he is feeding thy horses. Now the king had commanded his servants, previous to the time of the watering of their flocks, that they should prepare his horses and chariots, and conduct him forth to the land of Nephi; for there had been a great feast appointed at the land of Nephi, by the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.
8. New Testament | John 7:37
   37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:51
   51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.
Book of Mormon | Jacob 3:2
   2 O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.
Book of Mormon | Alma 32:42
   42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.
9. Old Testament | Isaiah 25:6
   6 ¶ And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
Old Testament | Zechariah 14:16
   16 ¶ And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 58:8-9
   8 And also that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor; yea, a feast of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined, that the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail;
   9 Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited.
Old Testament | Ezekiel 39:17-24
   17 ¶ And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.
   18 Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.
   19 And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.
   20 Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.
   21 And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.
   22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.
   23 ¶ And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.
   24 According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them.
New Testament | Luke 22:29-30
   29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
   30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
New Testament | 1 Corinthians 10:21
   21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
Old Testament | Malachi 1:5-12
   5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.
   6 ¶ A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
   7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.
   8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
   9 And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.
   10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
   11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
   12 ¶ But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.
10. Five Thousand
New Testament | Matthew 14:19-21 (Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 5:5-13)
   19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
   20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
   21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Four Thousand
New Testament | Matthew 15:32-38 (Mark 8:1-9)
   32 ¶ Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
   33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
   34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
   35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
   36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
   37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
   38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
New Testament | Matthew 16:6-10 (Mark 8:14-21)
   6 ¶ Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
   7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
   8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
   9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
   10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
11. Remember David O McKay:
“The home is the first and most effective place to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self control, the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no worldly success can compensate for failure in the home.” https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/287590-the-home-is-the-first-and-most-effective-place-to
12. Old Testament | Exodus 25:23-30
   23 ¶ Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
   24 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
   25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
   26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
   27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
   28 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
   29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
   30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
Old Testament | Leviticus 24:5-9
   5 ¶ And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.
   6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.
   7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
   8 Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
   9 And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
New Testament | Hebrews 9:1-2
   1 THEN verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
   2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
Old Testament | 2 Chronicles 29:18
   18 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
Old Testament | Ezekiel 41:22
   22 The altar of wood was three cubits high, and the length thereof two cubits; and the corners thereof, and the length thereof, and the walls thereof, were of wood: and he said unto me, This is the table that is before the LORD.
https://www.albanymissionarybaptist.org/table-of-shewbread/
https://www.amazingsanctuary.com/the-furniture-of-the-tabernacle/the-table-of-showbread
https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2017/12/the-table-of-showbread/
13. https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2022/09/Cafe-Econ-a-looming-Food-Crisis
https://www.theepochtimes.com/edition/the-coming-food-crisis_4645292
https://www.raptureready.com/2022/04/03/60067/
https://www.wfp.org/emergencies/global-food-crisis
https://www.economist.com/leaders/2022/05/19/the-coming-food-catastrophe?
14. https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/11/5/23217666/temple-cafeterias-permanently-close-in-early-2022
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/temple-cafeterias-closing