THE PEARL
Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum Doug Christens
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The 2015 Book of Mormon Lands Conference will not be held this Fall.
New schedule is for Saturday, April 16, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Dr. Hugh Nibley has brought to the attention of the LDS reader a short story written around 50-70 AD by Coptic Christians in Egypt. It is one of the oldest early Christian documents in existence. It was meant to be a romanticized story, something like Added Upon or Saturday Warrior is in our generation. Comments as we read along are by Dr. Nibley:
“In my first primeval childhood ( they definitely knew and understood the pre-existence ) I was nurtured in the royal house of my father with loving care in the midst of abundance and glory. My Father was the King and my Mother the Queen of the East. (The East signifies the source of all truth) Myparentsexplainedtomethenecessityofleavingourhome and going to Egypt (the world) to find and bring back home with me THE PEARL . They explained to me that this pearl is the integrity which I must preserve during the tests and trials of life. I was told that if I were to preserve the treasures I had already accumulated before my journey and add more to them by finding this pearl, I could return home again and not only continue to be a member of the royal household, but I would assume a crown and all that my royal parents possess ; just as my older brother , my exemplar, had done.
So, they prepared a packet for me consisting of precious stones ( truths and pre-existent feelings) and they girt me with a diamond ( which represents immortality) . They removed from me the garment of light which they had made for me above ( in heaven we had a heavenly garment or treasure which is removed and placed under the Father’s throne until, if worthy, we come back to receive it again and add to it. If, due to unfaithfulness, you can’t take it back after life’s experiences, you have lost what you worked so hard to achieve in heaven) They also removed from me my garment with marks on it made exactly to fit me and no one else.
They made a covenant with me and wrote it in my heart so I would not forget.
I was instructed to go down to Egypt and bring back the pearl. I was warned that the pearl is guarded by the dragon ( Satan) which I must outwit. I was reminded that my older brother, the first born, has already succeeded in this mission and that if I succeed I would be the
second born, second in line to the throne. I was promised that when I got there I would have guides who would meet me. These guides, along with others (earthly parents, prophets, etc.) , will instruct me and then they will go away for a while and as soon as they leave, the dragon will try to win me over.
I left for my journey and found myself in the borderland, amidst the merchants of Egypt ( he is now in the world or Babylon). Two guides met me and instructed me on my purposes..... then they left me. When I finally arrived in the center of Egypt I immediately sought out the dragon who was staying at the Inn..... though I had been instructed to not do such a dangerous thing as confronting the dragon in person, I knew I could withstand any weapon he could throw at me. I disguised myself by dressing like an Egyptian, but the people at the Inn could tell I was an alien to their culture. My speech betrayed me for I didn’t use the vulgar terms which peppered their conversations. They invited me in to dinner . Afterwards, the wine flowed freely, and not wishing to offend or embarrass, I indulged. Soon, they invited me to join them in some of their money-making schemes which seemed so appetizing. It did not take very long and I forgot I was a son of the King and I became involved in the affairs and sins of Egypt.
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My parents, watching on, were grief-stricken......so they called a family council up above. All the great and noble relatives came together and decided they had to do something. They drafted a letter to me and they all signed it. The letter was addressed to “our son in Egypt from thy Father, the King of Kings, and thy Mother, the Queen of the East , and our first born, thy brother.” This was what the letter said:
Our Son.....Awake and arise from thy sleep. Heed this letter. Remember that you are the son of the King and take a good look at your present master, the dragon. Remember your mission to fetch the pearl. Remember the garment and the robe and the treasure that are awaiting you so you can put them on again and when your name is called out from the book of those who were valiant, you will become heir to our kingdom along with your elder brother.
My father, the king, had sealed the letter with his right hand so that the wicked children of Babylon could not read it or destroy it.( Revelation....the scriptures)
The letter was delivered to me by an eagle ( anciently used to represent revelation) . I was asleep when it was delivered. I awoke and rose from my sleep. As I recited the words, I recognized that this letter was the same letter that my parents had burned into my heart before I had left on my journey. Then......I remembered and I knew who I was....that I am the son of a King, of royal birth. The spirit that accompanied that letter gave me to know how to subdue the dragon. I knelt in fervent prayer and invoked the holy name of my Father. I arose disgusted at what I had become and threw away the filthy garments of the Egyptians. I realized that I had reached the depths of hell. I snatched the pearl from the dragon and fled his presence as fast as I could. I set my course undeviatingly toward the light of our home in the East. The letter served me not only as a guiding voice but also as a guiding light.
When I reached the port of the merchants, I found my garment and my robe waiting for me. They had been sent ahead from my home by my parents in the custody of the two faithful guides right at the same point where they had left me earlier. I had forgotten how glorious the clothing was, having lost my childhood memories of it. Yet it all came back to me instantly upon seeing it again. I saw myself as if in a mirror . The garment and I were completely identified with each other for the garment would fit no other. Both of the guides had similar garments and bore the token of the King on their person. They inquired of me certain knowledge and information which I gave them in the form of signs and tokens and was then allowed to mount the gate of greeting.
Finally, I came to the gate and my whole extended family was there to greet me. The first person to embrace me was the very last person to embrace me before I had left... my Heavenly Mother . ( Bro Nibley points out that in no dispensation has Heavenly Mother been mentioned very much for reasons known only to God) There was a great greeting ceremony held for me after which I dropped to my knees and worshipped the God of Truth forever.”
ARTICLES ADDED TO THE BMAF WEBSITE THIS MONTH:
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- 20. Did Moroni Foresee the Time of His Death? by Ainsworth, Jerry L.
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