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The Lord's Plan of Salvation is deeply interwoven with symbolic representations. This is especially so with respect to Christ and His atonement, baptism, and the temple. In this book, Allen H. Barber lists over 300 symbols, explains their meanings, and tells how the Lord uses them to teach His plan of salvation through the scriptures, the prophets, and in the temples.
Part One deals with the purpose and nature of symbols. It explains what a symbol is, relates ancient uses of symbols, and gives guidance for recognizing and understanding true symbols. It illustrates and describes the meanings associated with many geometric symbols such as crosses, circles, triangles, interlaced triangles, squares, and stars.
Part Two deals with symbols relating to the eternal nature of the universe and God's creations. It explains how things of an eternal nature on earth are symbolic of their counterparts in heaven.
Part Three deals with symbols that relate to man's lifespan on earth, the plan of salvation, and the priesthood on earth and in heaven. The symbolic counterparts of earthly and heavenly marriage relationships are explained.
Part Four deals with the House of The Lord. Symbols relating to the ceremonies and ordinances of the temple are explained, including the endowment and the manner in which it is used to teach the gospel. The symbols on the exterior walls of the Salt Lake temple are explained. They include the sun, moon, star stones, cornerstones, circles, squares, clasped hands, all-seeing eyes, curtains, clouds, spires, finials, scrolls, etc. The whole structure of the temple is designed to symbolize the great architectural work of God above.
Celestial Symbols is a carefully prepared, well-documented book with valuable insights that will enhance and broaden the gospel understanding of all who read it.
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Part One: The Purpose and Nature of Symbols
1. Religious Symbolism, 11
The Symbols in the Plan of Salvation, 11
What A Symbol Is, 11
The Ancient Use of Symbols, 12
Discerning True Symbols, 13
The Arrangement of Symbols in This Book, 13
2. Miscellaneous Secular and Religious Symbols, 15
Recognizing and Understanding Symbols, 15
Many Symbols Point to Jesus Christ, 16
The Lord's Guiding Hand, 19
Numbers Used As Symbols, 22
The All-Seeing Eye, 24
3. Miscellaneous Geometric Symbols, 26
The LDS Church's Claim on Symbols, 26
Geometric Symbols, 26
The Cross, Circle and Square, 27
The Stars As Symbols, 30
Triangles and Their Variations, 31
The Interlaced Triangle or Star of David, 34
Abbreviations and Combination of Symbols, 35
Part Two: Celestial Possibilities
4. The Eternal Nature of the Universe, 41
The Importance of Knowledge Concerning the Universe, 41
An Infinite Universe, 41
Priesthood the Governing Power, 43
The Nature of the Godhead and Mankind, 44
The Purpose of God's Creations, 45
Degrees in God's Realm, 46
Who and What Is God, 48
The Celestial Family Chain, 49
A Tangible Kingdom of Activity, 50
5. The Earth's Creation and the Garden of Eden, 52
Spirits Chosen to Inhabit the Earth, 52
The Creation of the Earth and Those Who Dwell Thereon, 55
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, 55
Satan's Temptation of Eve, 57
The Symbolic Counterparts Between the Garden and Mortality, 58
Adam and Eve Chastised and the Earth Cursed, 59
Adam and Eve Cast Out of Eden, 60
Satan's Influence Continues, 62
6. Pointing Towards Christ's Atonement, 63
Christ Chosen as Savior, 63
Adam and Eve Begin Mortal Life, 63
Sacrifices as Symbols of Christ and His Life, 64
Symbolic Sacrifices Many and Varied, 66
The Serpent Also A Symbol of Christ, 67
Christ and His Atoning Sacrifice, 68
Part Three: Man's Lifespan Between Birth and Resurrection
7. Probation in the Physical World, 71
The Plan of Salvation, 71
Man Can Become as God, 71
The Priesthood on Earth and in Heaven, 74
The Sustaining of Proper Authority, 76
8. The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel, 78
Faith and Repentance, 78
Baptism as the Gateway, 79
Baptism as a Complex Symbol, 79
Baptism into the Family of Christ, 82
Baptism by Fire and the Holy Ghost, 83
Baptism of the Earth, 85
9. The Lord's Commandments, 87
The Sacrament as a Renewal of the Baptismal Covenants, 87
Anointing and Administrations, 90
The Symbolism of God's Commandments, 90
Adversity and Service Develop Talents, 92
The Importance of a Healthy Mind and Body, 94
Tithing and Service to Others, 95
10. The Family Sealed for Time and Eternity, 99
The Patriarchal Order of the Priesthood, 99
The Proper Marriage and Sealing, 100
The Relationship Between Husband and Wife, 102
Ordinances Must Be Sealed for Validity, 103
11. Life in the Spirit World, 105
Spirit Life Is Much the Same as Earth Life, 105
The State of the Wicked, 106
The State of the Righteous, 108
The Intermediate State of Spirits, 108
Everyone to Hear the Gospel, 110
12. Symbols Related to the Millennium and Resurrection, 115
The Earth to Return to a Paradisiacal Glory, 115
Baptism of the Earth by Fire, 116
The Signs of Christ's Second Coming, 118
The Death and Resurrection of the Earth, 118
The Resurrection of Mankind, 120
The Differences of Bodies and Degrees in the Resurrection, 122
The Righteous to Reside as Eternal Parents With Heavenly Father, 123
Part Four: The House of the Lord
13. Ceremonies and Ordinances of the Temples, 126
The Temple as a Symbolic Beacon Toward Eternal Life, 126
The Temple Ordinances and Ceremonies, 129
Sealing by Proxy, 131
The Temple Endowment, 132
The Modes and Methods of Endowment Instruction, 134
The Principles and Ordinances of the Temple, 137
14. Symbols and Revelation In and On the Temple, 140
The Physical Symbols on the Salt Lake City Temple, 140
Wall Buttress Containing the Earth, Moon and Sun Stones, 141
The Miscellaneous Physical Symbols on the Salt Lake City Temple, 145
The Symbols on the East and West Doors, 148
The Temples as Places for Revelation, 155
Spiritual Experiences Available in the Temple, 158
15. Expanding Horizons, 162
Alpha and Omega on LDS Buildings, 163
The Manti Temple Door Hardware, 165
Symbolic Flowers, Rosettes, and Designs in Temples, 168
Popular Use of Flowers, Rosettes and Other Designs, 170
Bibliography and Indexes, 178
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