I was recently inspired to study symbolism in the gospel. There is so much of it that is obvious, like Christ being a shepherd. But I have been pondering lately about the significance of numbers. We see numbers like 7, 40, and 12 most often, though there are other commonly found numbers in scriptures.

In my research, I have had a very hard time trying to determine the significance of these numbers. I found some interesting information about the number 12, although none of it really signifies WHY the number 12 and not 13 or 18 or anything else. Some of the most interesting things are Joseph Smith's plans for the New Jerusalem to be built in Missouri. He sketched the plan for the city, designed to include 12 temples and the foundations of the walls will bear the names of the original 12 Apostles (Celestial Symbols, pg. 23). Adding to this is the vision that John saw of a holy city to be built in the millennium: 12 gates guarded by 12 angels, each gate bearing the name of one of 12 lost tribes of Israel (Revelation 21:10-14).

I have learned about several other symbols as well. The circle, which is a symbol for eternity as well as perfection. A perfect square, the symbol of the Earth (like a circle, only imperfect) with each corner representing one of the directions. The perfect square is also a symbol of a strong and secure foundation. The equilateral triangle is a very interesting one to me. It can men many things that come in threes. Some of these are Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Other interpretations are husband, wife, child; birth, life death; body, mind, spirit; or water, spirit, blood. Of course, we also use a triangle modernly to represent the unity between husband, wife, and God. The cross, as many Christians use as their symbol, was not used as a symbol of Christ or his crucifixion until around 300 A.D. and then it was a modification of an earlier symbol.

There is so much symbolism all over the church. The Salt Lake City temple is, in essence, a huge granite symbol. There is so much symbolism from the architecture, to the design of the doors. The people who planned and built that temple spent so long on little details that I'd never before noticed, that bring an even deeper meaning of its importance. Our ceremonies are extremely symbolic. The Sacrament, Sunday school, priesthood/relief society, temple ordinances. Even the act of raising your right arm to the square to sustain people in their callings is symbolic.

It's the little details like these that really make the church and the gospel true to me. I have had a revelation telling me of the truthfulness of the church, but these little details that link it back to ancient Jewish tradition and Christ himself make it that much more convincing. I don't know how much Joseph Smith or anyone else in his time knew about symbolism, but even if he knew... There are just so many little things that are testimony boosters that it just seems unlikely that Joseph Smith really would have put that much thought into if he were a fraud as has been alleged so many times.

Tags: Symbolism Temple Salt Lake City Lds Jewish

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