Thou Shalt Construct a Ship

 1 Nephi 17:4 - 10, NC 1 Nephi 5 par 13 - 15

And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.
And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.
And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying, Arise and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain and cried unto the Lord. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Thou shalt construct a ship after the manner which I shall shew thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters. And I said, Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shewn unto me? And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 5 pars. 13 - 15

And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yes, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of yhwh that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which (being interpreted) is many waters.
And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore. And even though we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yes, even so much that we cannot write them all, we rejoiced exceedingly when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful because of its much fruit.
And it came to pass that after I, Nefi, had been in the land Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of yhwh came unto me, saying, Arise and get you into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain and cried unto yhwh. And it came to pass that yhwh spoke unto me, saying, You shall construct a ship after the manner which I shall show you, that I may carry your people across these waters. And I said, yhwh, where shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which you have shown unto me? And it came to pass that yhwh told me where I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.

I recently had the opportunity to listen to two individuals presenting scriptural messages.  Both presentations resonated with me and I am in agreement presently with their conclusions. 

I believe that at least part of the content of the first presentation fits very well with this part of the Book of Mormon record.

There are six times in scripture, three times in the Old Covenants and three times in the New Covenants, that the story shows up of a father figure saving his family by crossing a “water.”  Noah, the brother of Jared, Joshua, Lehi, and the Lord Himself, also each save a “family” by crossing a “water” and establishing them in a “promised land.” Although the imagery varies somewhat, the big idea is always the same.  The fact that this theme is used in the time when the religion of the fathers was practiced, and again in the time of the old covenants, and then once more after after the law of Moses was fulfilled, suggests that the process is not obsolete. And the fact that the process is described over and over again – in many different dispensations – implies that it’s always the way that God uses to save his people whenever there is one on Earth who has patriarchal authority... 

Now, it’s true that these six scriptural accounts of water-crossings don’t contain every element that every other of the accounts contains. There is some overlap, and then there are some unique bits that only certain of the stories have. But when we bring together the isolated bits of information from the different accounts, then a pretty complete picture emerges of what the process looks like – and, here’s the important thing, what the process will look like in our day, when there is again one on Earth with patriarchal duties. 

Six accounts are nice, but Jewish custom requires a seventh in the series. Collect all seven, you get a menorah! A Tree of Life.   

Here's an example of the kind of overlap that I’m talking about. Noah saved three categories of beings aboard the ark: unclean beasts, clean beasts, and humans. And Jacob crossed the Jordan, after his labors, bringing in his wake three categories of beings: flocks, servants, and family. In both cases, the three groups serve as figurative descriptions of the families that these men helped to save in the Kingdom of God. Families with members that showed varying levels of faithfulness. These accounts of water-crossings suggest that three tiers of individuals are always saved as part of the patriarch’s family. 

The Lord specifically directed Noah to make the ark with three levels. “With lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.” So…, first class, business class, and steerage. Steerage is where you keep the steers – those without the capacity to reproduce. Or if you don’t like that joke, there are those who can “sing” the song of redeeming love, those who “speak” with the tongue of angels, and on the bottom deck you find your “dumb” asses. I hope my stall has a window. There are also three levels represented in the Ark of the Covenant. If you look for it, you’ll find it. And by the way, it is called the Ark of The Covenant, so that tells you the price of a ticket. 

Now, speaking of arks. In three of the accounts of the water-crossing, the father figures are directed to build arks or boats. The brother of Jared, Noah, and Lehi all built boats in order to get to either a promised land, or in the case of Noah, a land that had been swept clean by the flood. In either telling, the land on the other side of the “flood” is a good place to be, free from many of the worries of the place they left – and boats were how you got there. A part of me wishes that this meant that in our day some five-star cruise ship will carry us all off to an island paradise with white sandy beaches and fruity drinks. But that’s not gonna happen. Alas! There is no boat in our day. But there is a conveyance.

There’s a reason that Noah’s ark came to rest on the top of a mountain. It’s foreshadowing. It’s to draw an equivalence with the latter-day temple that will be built in the top of the mountains. I don’t doubt for a minute the historical reality of the voyages of Noah, and the brother of Jared, and Lehi. But their stories are written, as with Jacob’s story, to convey multiple meanings. Their boats really were boats, but they also symbolized temples. And, in a sense, the latter-day temple in the top of the mountains will also be a boat: a starship, if you will, where those that enter in will be taught to walk in God’s heavenly paths. Here are a couple of fairly authoritative commentators, talking about what lies ahead.

 “The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” The paths of God lie in the heavens. So, if you’re going to learn to walk in His paths, you are going to have to learn how to walk in the heavens. (Isaiah 2: 2-3, and D.S. podcast 14, “The Heavens”) ("Crossing Guards," Gordon Platt, Celebrating 40 Years-March 1, 2023-Provo Utah, pgs. 3 - 4)

Is it possible that the above explains a couple of reasons for the following parts in the record?

... And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Thou shalt construct a ship after the manner which I shall shew thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters...

And

And it came to pass that they did worship the Lord and did go forth with me, and we did work timbers of curious workmanship. And the Lord did shew me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship. Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of man, but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shewn unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men. (1 Nephi 18:1 - 2, NC 1 Nephi 5 par. 24)

Isn't it interesting that although Nephi and his brothers are commanded to build the ship it is the Lord declaring clearly that He is the one accomplishing the labor of carrying Lehi's company across the waters?

Is that consistent with the pattern the Lord uses to do His own work of accomplishing His promises to the ancient Fathers through working with and prospering the labors of faithful individuals working cooperatively with Him?

Are there varying levels of faithfulness in this migrating company?

Is it possible that there is sacred symbolism crafted into the timbers of curious workmanship?

What does it mean that they did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men?

I used to believe that statement applied to building a ship that was advanced technologically.  Now I wonder if the statement has a reference, as well, to building something that was a sacred space.

Is it possible that is why Nephi declared that the Lord showed him from time to time after what manner he should work the timbers of the ship?

Is this event similar to the events of the migration of the brother of Jared and his group?

In the record of the brother of Jared and his group we read, concerning their crossing in the barges,

... And they did sing praises unto the Lord, yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long. And when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord. And thus they were driven forth, and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them. And they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.... (Ether 6:8 - 13, NC Ether 3 par. 4)

Was the Lord only interested in getting this group of people physically across the ocean?

What was involved in "singing praises unto the Lord"?

Is it possible that there is more to the meaning of the statement "And they did have light continually", than that they just had physical light?

When the Lord touched the eyes of the blind while on the earth they were able to see.

The Lord has revealed recently

I desire to heal you from an awful state of blindness so that you may see clearly my will, to do it. I promised to bring unto you much of my gospel through the Book of Mormon and to provide you with the means to obtain a fullness of my gospel, and I have done this; yet you refuse to receive the truth, even when it is given unto you in plainness. How can you who pursue the truth yet remain unable to behold your own weakness before me? (T&C 157 par. 16)

Is it possible that the Lord used the event of the crossing of the Jaredites to heal them from an awful state of blindness to see clearly His will, to do it when they arrived in the promised land?

Is it possible that because the Lord touched the stones the stones showed forth more than just physical light?

Is it possible that "singing unto the Lord" involved participation in sacred ordinances and ritual that had to be performed in sacred space?

Is it possible that the barges of the brother of Jared had been crafted with timbers of curious workmanship in order to be sacred spaces where the Lord could give the occupants light and where authorized ordinances could be performed?

In the scripture record is it possible to detect that the Lord is trying to do more than just move faithful people to a different place?

O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. And he said, If ye will keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land, but if ye keep not his commandments, ye shall be cut off from his presence. And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations. (Alma 37:13 - 14, NC Alma 17 par. 9)

Doesn't Alma, speaking to his son Helaman, consider that "prospering in the land" is being able to come into the presence of God?

Does God desire to simply have a group of faithful people moved from one place to a promised land only to remain cut off from His presence?

Isn't obedience to the commandments of God required to come into His presence in order to "prosper in the land"?

Doesn't God impart His commandments in sacred ordinances and ritual as well as in the scriptures?

The most useful and obedient servants of the Lord have been those who have been exposed to the greatest understanding of His eternal role. The opening paragraph of Abraham’s book is a direct statement of the relationship between knowledge and obedience. 

From the first generation, the Patriarchs used ritual to convey a great body of information (a theatrical revelation) to initiates. The Book of Abraham itself appears to be a ritual text. 

...the book of Abraham, far from being merely a diverting or edifying history, is a discourse on divine authority, which also is the theme of the three facsimiles. The [explanation] to the three plates make it perfectly clear that they are meant as diagrammatic or formulaic aids to an understanding of the subject of priesthood on earth. (Hugh Nibley, An Approach to the Book of Abraham, p. 178) 

Enoch’s account (now in Genesis of the Restoration Edition of Scriptures) also appears to be a ritual text. Hugh Nibley calls Enoch, 

...the great initiate who becomes the great initiator... He adds: His is the independent intelligence always seeking further light and knowledge. He is the great observer and recorder of all things in heaven and earth, of which God grants him perfect knowledge. The great learner, he is also the great teacher: Enoch the Initiator into the higher mysteries of...faith and secrets of the universe; Enoch the Scribe, keeper of the records, instructor in the ordinances, aware of all times and places, studying and transmitting the record of the race with intimate concern for all generations to come. He offers the faithful their greatest treasure of knowledge. He is the seer who conveys to men the mind and will of the Lord. (Enoch the Prophet, p. 19, 21)

The religion of the Fathers cannot be adequately conveyed if it is separated from ritualized knowledge. By using symbol, movement, gesture, dress, architecture, sound, orientation, and setting, it is possible to embed light and truth in a way to engage the mind, spirit, and heart of mankind. The temple can be the house in which it is possible to stretch the mind of man both upward and downward by the things presented there. “The temple itself was but a copy of the heavenly temple, the liturgy on earth a shadow of the worship of the angels” (Margaret Barker, The Great Angel, p. 118). 

It is through covenant-forming ordinances—including rituals—that the power of Godliness has been manifested to mankind. The order of the House of God has and ever will be the same, even after Christ comes, and after the termination of the thousand years it will be the same, and we shall finally roll into the Celestial Kingdom of God and enjoy it forever (T&C 117:4). 

When writing from a dungeon in Missouri, Joseph Smith’s reflection on what is needed to save souls clarifies the function of a temple: 

...because the things of God are of deep import, and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Your mind, O man, if you will lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost Heavens, and search into and contemplate the lowest considerations of the darkest abyss, and expand upon the broad considerations of eternal expanse. You must commune with God. 

…None but fools will trifle with the souls of men. How vain and trifling have been our spirits, our conferences, our councils, our meetings, our private as well as public conversations: too low, too mean, too vulgar, too condescending for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, according to the purposes of his will from before the foundation of the world, to hold the keys of the [mystery] of those things that have been kept hid from the foundation until now, of which some have tasted a little, and which many of them are to be poured [out] from Heaven upon the heads of babes, yea, the weak, obscure, and despisable ones of this earth. (T&C 138:18-19) 

Accordingly, there is always going to be a temple when the Holy Order is present in its fullest manifestation. Abraham also is directly associated with temple ritual. As Nibley explained,

 “There is a wealth of tradition now being zealously studied to show that the temple ordinances really go back to the beginning, as Joseph Smith declared. The four names associated with the tradition are those of Adam, Enoch, Abraham, and Elijah” (Temple and Cosmos, p. 78). 

To return a complete Restoration, a temple will be required. As the Lord revealed to Joseph, a temple is always required of God’s people: 

For your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments [in]...beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, and honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name. (T&C 141:12) ("The Religion of the Fathers", Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. Aravada Springs, Nevada 27 March 2021, pgs. 47 - 48)

Is it possible that the timbers of curious workmanship contained symbols,  architecture, and created a setting that when combined with movement, gestures, dress, sound, and orientation were intended to imbed light and truth in a manner to engage the minds and hearts of those on the ship duringthe water crossing?

Did God intend that a space be created that their minds could be stretched both upwards and downwards by the things that would be presented to those on the ship?

If such could have been the case would all of these things have been prepared in the wisdom of the Lord in order to impart the Lord's commandments to them through ritual and ordinance during the voyage so that through obedience they would be able to "prosper in the land" when they arrived?

Is it possible that "prospering in the land" is related to these words from the Lord?

And it came to pass that there came a voice again unto the people, and all the people did hear and did witness of it, saying, O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, O ye people of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you! And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel who have fallen! Yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem as ye that have fallen, yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not! O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart! But if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers. (3 Nephi 10:3 - 7, NC 3 Nephi 4 par. 9)

Is it necessary to participate in sacred ordinances and ritual in a sacred space in order to be gathered as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings in order to come into the presence of God and prosper in the land?

Are we seeing, in these migration records, the creation, by the Lord's direction, of sacred space in order for the migrants to receive light and participate in sacred ordinances and ritual while they are traveling across the waters in order to be able to obey the commandments of God and prosper in the land upon their arrival by entering into His presence?

Was Nephi being directed to build a floating temple?

Do we have another example here in the Book of Mormon record where it might be possible that something very sacred is being hidden right in plain sight?