The representation of a mountain as the "mountain of the Lord’s house" (Isaiah 2: 2) is a recurring theme in scripture, and Nephi's vision is no exception. In First Nephi chapters 11 through 14, Nephi makes the ascent "into" the mountain and experiences a remarkable vision.
Note how Nephi always goes "into" the mountain and not onto or upon the mountain. Either he is going into a cave or he is going into the temple, and I'll stick with the latter (see 1 Nephi 11: 1).
Degrees of Holiness
The exceeding height of the mountain is a representation of the heavenly ascent and the levels on a mountain, as a representation of temple, correspond with degrees of holiness. When Moses ascended Sinai with Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, he went alone unto (or into) the top of the mount and a cloud, similar to a veil, covered the mount. The congregation of Israel was worshiping afar from the foot of the mount and beyond. Higher up were Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and the seventy elders, and upon the top was Moses. The cloud remained upon the mount for six days and on the seventh day the Lord "called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud" (Exodus 24: 12-16).
The proximity of the top and the sacred center, or midst, are measuring reeds to differentiate degrees of holiness. As one ascends the mount and approaches the Lord, higher degrees of holiness are experienced.
The temple is very similar. There was the outer courtyard where Israelites could go and sacrifices could be brought. The Holy Place in the tabernacle and later temple was reserved for the priests. But only one could enter into the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur, and that was the high priest. As he approached the mercy seat, or throne of God, he was covered in a cloud, similar to Sinai, as the smoke of the incense protected him from the consuming glory of the Lord. The high priest would carry the incense in both hands as an act of consecration prior to passing through the veil and into the Holy of Holies. The Hebrew word for consecrate means "to fill the hand." You can click here and here to read more about the two Hebrew words, male and yad, creating the phrase, "to fill the hand." This atonement symbolism is described in Leviticus 16.
It is interesting that the brother of Jared carries clear, celestial-type, white stones in his hands and consecrates them to the Lord before seeing inside the veil where he is brought back into the presence of God (Ether 3). Really, he is a type of Christ bringing the celestial stones (us) and presenting them to the Father.
Heaven Meets Earth
If you want a good definition of the concept of temple, it would be that sacred space where heaven meets earth. The top of a mountain serves as the prime location. In the opening chapter of the Book of Mormon, Lehi experiences a theophany where he sees God sitting upon His throne. He remarks, "Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth" (1 Nephi 1: 14). When you see Isaiah pairing heaven and earth, you can be sure he is speaking of temple concepts with passages like, "Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens" (Isaiah 48: 13).
Question and Answer Dialog
Nephi is privileged to have the Holy Ghost as his guide and Presenter to the Father in this temple-like experience. There follows a question and answer session. This serves two purposes. The first is a testing of knowledge and an initiation rite of passage. In pseudapigraphal texts and other non-biblical texts, Adam is questioned regarding names of animals and other things as a testing or rite of passage. As Adam named the animals and elements of creation he was also citing their purpose in the divine plan (see Genesis 2: 19-20). Also, several non-biblical accounts have Adam as a participant in creation, and thus he is revealing their role in the creative process.
The second reason for the question and answer session is to allow the initiate to gain greater knowledge from the Lord. Nephi is asked questions such as, "Behold, what desirest thou?" and "Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?" After Nephi's second correct answer the Spirit vocally proclaims, "Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired." (1 Nephi 11: 2-6). Twice there is reference to "The Most High God." This pertains to divine council imagery, and makes reference to Elohim as the One presiding over the heavenly council. Nephi has now learned one of the names of God and has learned of His role in the divine council. Upon acknowledgment from the Lord that he has answered correctly, Nephi is allowed passage to "behold the things . . . desired" (v. 6).
Signs and Symbols
Nephi is then told he will be given a "sign." He learns that the sign is associated with the Son of God (v. 7). The love of God is symbolized by the tree of life, and the candlestick in the ancient temple (or tabernacle) is a symbol for the tree of life. The tree of life was placed in the "midst of the garden" of Eden (Genesis 2: 9).
The candlestick was placed in the tabernacle in the Holy Place. The Lord described the candlestick as follows:
"And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same" (Exodus 25: 31).
The "shaft" can be likened to a tree trunk, and the branches shoot forth out of the trunk with "three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side" (Exodus 25: 32). The "bowls" were filled with pure olive oil recalling the "oil press" of Gethsemane. The light emanating from the branches of the candlestick was bright, white, and pure like the fruit of the tree of life. Perhaps Alma is describing the Holy Place of the tabernacle containing the table of shewbread and the candlestick with the verse, "Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely" (Alma 5: 34).
Angels as Messengers
After the Fall, Adam and Eve (and all mankind) were shut out from the direct presence of God. It then became the role of angels, or messengers, to proclaim the gospel plan and to reveal those heavenly initiation rites and other gospel truths. It is significant to this account of Nephi's vision that he no longer sees the Holy Ghost as a personage, and that the remainder of this temple-like experience is conducted by an angel. Nephi writes,
"And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou?" (1 Nephi 11: 14).
The messenger continues the question and answer dialog. This corresponds to the account of Abraham when "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" (Genesis 18: 2). The three men represent the keys of presidency and whenever or wherever you see three men or women acting together as a presidency they act in the role of messengers. This can be the First Presidency, a stake presidency, bishopric, Elders Quorum presidency, Young Women presidency, or other presidencies in the Church. Abraham's experience "at the tent door" also implies a temple-like experience.
Ascending the Mount
I've been working on this post for two weeks. Last Friday was our wedding anniversary. My dear wife chose to attend the temple for our anniversary. I tagged along. It was my first time in the new Provo City Center Temple since it was dedicated as a temple.
I realized on the day of dedication in March that I was once arrested on the grounds of the old tabernacle. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, my life is much more joyous and fulfilling than it was in those years of alcoholism and addiction. That old building has progressed and hopefully so have I, at least a little bit.
I never thought I would enter the temple again or for that matter have a wife or kids. Alcoholism consumed me. But last Friday I was consumed by the Spirit and the love of God burning in my heart. Like Nephi, I might have got a little "carried away."
In the new Provo City Center Temple you actually get to ascend--literally! As you may have guessed, my wife made it up the mountain first. She arrived first at the midpoint, and first at the top of the mount. It was a fitting symbol for my life. She is far ahead of me spiritually but in trying to keep up, I am made a better man.
I love her so much for all she has given me.
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