Why Engraven Images Of A Caucasian Jesus?

[Tramper]

Tramper:

You are incorrect. I've NEVER been a racist in any shape, form, or matter. Please DO NOT tell me what I believe again.

Holding the Priesthood is not, nor ever has been, a determinate for receiving all the blessings from God.

NO Blessing from God will be denied in the eternities because of skin pigmentation that we are otherwise entitled to.

I've always accepted the fact that God hasn't told me, and that I didn't know the reason behind the Priesthood Ban. Any more than God has told me why for a time only the first born son of a Priest in House of Levi could serve in the Temple, or why Jesus during his mortal ministry only went to the Jews, or why Peter needed Revelation from God to change that, or why to this day women can not hold the Priesthood.

By your reasoning is God a racist, and a sexist.

From my point of view the Ban was not to last forever. NO ONE regardless of skin pigmentation will be refused ANY blessing from God that is otherwise worthy of it.

It wasn't a test for worthy blacks, but a test for the rest of us to see if we could/would accept blacks in full.

See http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=11017

There are statements in our literature by the early Brethren which we have interpreted to mean that the Negroes would not receive the priesthood in mortality. I have said the same things, and people write me letters and say, “You said such and such, and how is it now that we do such and such?” And all I can say to that is that it is time disbelieving people repented and got in line and believed in a living, modern prophet. Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whomsoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world.

As I have no way of juding the intents of anyone else's heart. I can only address their actions. I personally know of a LDS mixed race couple that were married before the Ban was lifted. They were Sealed soon after the ban was lifted. You AGAIN are incorrect.

Only in your personal opinion. See Article of Faith #13 ...If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

The Israelites were covenant people. It was not about races. The last words of the resurrected Jesus were to preach to all people with no exception. The Apostles followed this commandment. Nowhere did Jesus exclude the black people at any time. Nor did the Apostles. The priesthood ban however was purely racial. A drop of blood from a black ancestor and you were prohibited to receive your ordinances. It was a race issue solely. Your worthiness didn't matter at all. A true black disciple was prohibited to enter the temple and receive his endowment. That is racism. What else would it be?

My core belief is that we should become like Christ. How we look is not important at all. The LDS Church chooses to portray Jesus as a good looking quite tall Caucasian. Such paintings only shifts focus away from the true Christ. What good can from that? Nothing.

[Jeff K.]

The Israelites were covenant people. It was not about races.

Aren't Latter-day Saints a covenant people? Oh my, yes they are! Seems you have painted yourself into a corner.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

The Israelites were covenant people. It was not about races.

Who could hold the priesthood in the days of Moses? I think you are missing the mark here.

[Jeff K.]

Nowhere did Jesus exclude the black people at any time.

He preached only to the Jews in his lifetime. Indeed he purposely excluded everyone else, including blacks. I suggest you review the New Testament regarding the Samaritan by the well. You seem woefully short on understanding regarding the issues involved. Including the genocide upon other races in the Old Testament.

[HeatherAnn]

He preached only to the Jews in his lifetime. Indeed he purposely excluded everyone else, including blacks. I suggest you review the New Testament regarding the Samaritan by the well. You seem woefully short on understanding regarding the issues involved. Including the genocide upon other races in the Old Testament.

Accusing someone to be short on understanding is basically claiming psychic abilities (as if you know what they think) & to be all-knowing (as if you know what is 100% truth)... in order to put down another.

One may say one is ignorant of his-story & another may say one is ignorant of spiritual lessons. We are all ignorant... only on different subjects.

If you read in the NT, you'll realize that Jesus blessed a Cannan woman, & even praised her faith and healed her daughter.

Jesus repeatedly taught Jews to love those who they traditionally didn't... like Samaritans.

Some of the wording has been mistranslated... some unintentional some intentional. Do you think the many corrupt people who had people killed for trying to translate the bible had the best of intentions in translating the bible as they wanted?

ie King James had the bible translated to support kings' power.

This is why I trust what I've experienced in relation to what Jesus taught... that the kingdom of God is within... not external.

I know that God is love. God is not prejudice, or putting down anyone for any reason.

God & love are about loving people & wanting & striving for what's best for them & us - spiritual progress & learning to love well.

Anything that shifts us away from loving everyone (as racial prejudice does)...is ungodlike.

This is probably behind the intention for the 2nd commandment of not making any ingraven images for worship purposes.

Edited July 18, 2011 by HeatherAnn

[TAO]

Accusing someone to be short on understanding is basically claiming psychic abilities (as if you know what they think) & to be all-knowing (as if you know what is 100% truth)... in order to put down another.

Yes. We all do this. To say another is wrong though, is to put down another as well. The importance is if you have to put them down, to put them down in such a nice enough way that they understand your goal was not to put down, but to do something else.

This is why I trust what I've experienced in relation to what Jesus taught... that the kingdom of God is within... not external.

I know that God is love. God is not prejudice, or putting down anyone for any reason.

God & love are about loving people & wanting & striving for what's best for them & us - spiritual progress & learning to love well.

Anything that shifts us away from loving everyone (as racial prejudice does)...is ungodlike.

Of course, my friend, but you are failing to realize one thing.

None of the statements of the prophets were to cause discrimination. Other people have taken and used them for discrimination, but they were not intended for that purpose.

This is probably behind the intention for the 2nd commandment of not making any ingraven images for worship purposes.

I disagree.

I think it was to stop us from going off and worshiping Earthly things.

And yet... if what you said was the purpose, then this conversation is doing precisely the opposite of that.

Heather... you don't solve racism by making there an equal amount of racial pictures in church. You solve racism by not worrying about the race of Christ. Let's stop worrying about this so much.... please =).

Edited July 19, 2011 by TAO

[thesometimesaint]

HeatherAnn:

Yes we are all ignorant in one area or another, and often multiple areas. Ignorance can be cured, it's called knowledge. At this late date it is not reasonable to assume someone who claims to a Temple Recommend holding member of the Church would be ignorant of the Churchs' position on race. Especially given the fact that they have presented arguments against the Churchs' position.

IIRC the Samaritan women was not cured. She went unto her city and persuaded threm to come see for themselves. Jesus still not go to the Samaritans, and neither did the Apostles until after the Revelation given to Peter.

We are still commanded to love everyone. But being taught the Gospel, and receiving the Priesthood are not the same thing as loving every one. As foretold by ancient and modern prophets the time will come when every one will have the opportunity to hear, fully understand, and acccept or reject Christs' call. We are working hard to fulfill that goal.

We have NO extent original writings of ANY of the ancient Prophets, or New Testiment Apostles. The KJV itself is just one of many renditions of what Christian people now call the Bible.

I have no way of either confirming or disputing what you have personally experiened.

The Kingdom of God is a literal physical place. Our feelings about it are internal to us alone.

I don't believe God is predjudice, or hateful or mean. But he does allow us to be that. The true miracle is that he still cares enough about us to communicate with, and extend his love to us today.

[Skylla]

Tramper has been removed from the thread for his over the top comments.

Skylla

[Jeff K.]

Accusing someone to be short on understanding is basically claiming psychic abilities (as if you know what they think) & to be all-knowing (as if you know what is 100% truth)... in order to put down another.

One may say one is ignorant of his-story & another may say one is ignorant of spiritual lessons. We are all ignorant... only on different subjects.

If you read in the NT, you'll realize that Jesus blessed a Cannan woman, & even praised her faith and healed her daughter.

Jesus repeatedly taught Jews to love those who they traditionally didn't... like Samaritans.

Some of the wording has been mistranslated... some unintentional some intentional.

The context of the Christ being among the Jews and adhering to Jewish principles would tell you that the covenant people excluded everyone else. Whether he blessed a Canaanite woman or not is irrelevant to the exclusivity of both priesthood and blessings of the church.

If you know the information, and someone makes a wild accusation about LDS being racist, are we to assume they have a full understanding of what being LDS is like? I find that just a bit odd. You may endorse the position, but given the historical context, I think I am pretty safe in stating their understanding is off, their historical analysis does not fit the facts, indeed they lack a proper understanding.

Anything that shifts us away from loving everyone (as racial prejudice does)...is ungodlike.

This is probably behind the intention for the 2nd commandment of not making any ingraven images for worship purposes.

Do you believe that the acts of the Hebrews in genocide shifted people towards loving everyone or away from loving everyone? Where they then ungodlike in following the Lords commandments to do this acts? I don't think so.

As to what was "behind" the making of graven images... the research presented by FAIR did an excellent job of explaining clearly how the entire "there should be no paintings and images" question is out of context and lacked a certain scholarly research in which the basic premise of no images is contextually wrong. The second commandment was there to break the habit of henotheism and polytheism.

This is why I trust what I've experienced in relation to what Jesus taught... that the kingdom of God is within... not external.

I know that God is love. God is not prejudice, or putting down anyone for any reason.

God & love are about loving people & wanting & striving for what's best for them & us - spiritual progress & learning to love well.

You will forgive me if I don't get out my tamborine and light the jasmine incense. God is indeed not prejudice, and his church should not be called racist, as has been charged (which perhaps you chose to overlook). To make such a charge is to be insufficiently knowledgeable as to what His church stands for and does. And God did an excellent job of putting down people like that, be they Sanhedrin, Pharisees, Sadducees, or the other who constantly sought a way to undermine his mission. He told them they lacked knowledge, or ability. Pull up most of the first three gospels and you will see my words are true. Christ wasn't some sixties love child that happened to love everyone, he was the same Jehovah and knew more and dealt with the money changers with a whip, and had little truck with those who sought to undermine His divine mission.

[HeatherAnn]

I believe that the spirit giveth light to every man... that deep within, we know what brings us closer to God & what pulls us away.

We know that as we judge others, we'll be judged.

We know that as we define others, we define ourselves, since we are all children of God.

[Jeff K.]

The light helps us know when someone is misleading us, it can also let us know when someone is making false accusations, and more to the point, when someone lacks knowledge. I suggest you review the life of Korihor to achieve greater light and understanding. We do not, no, we must not presume that all are speaking with equal light, that all are speaking with equal love. I will gladly point out to the Korihors who accuse God's church of racism and point out their lesser light.

[HeatherAnn]

Jeff,

That's true - the light or spirit within can let us know when someone is misleading us.

The best method Jesus taught of shedding light on what is right or wrong are the 2 greatest commandments... to love God & to love others as ourselves.

If someone leads us to regard & treat others differently from ourselves, they clearly are leading us away from God.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

In our home, we have pictures of Jesus.

Once, a Muslim friend asked if we believe in the commandment, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image," then why do we put up pictures of Jesus?

He made a good point. I've also wondered why Jesus is usually (at least in the LDS church) portrayed as being caucasian, when he wasn't.

Through, foresnic anthropology, & using 1st century Jewish skulls, a face of a typical man in Israel during Jesus' time was created...

http://en.wikipedia....i/Race_of_Jesus

(scroll down to picture under "Emergence of Racial Theories")

We also know that Joseph & Mary hid with Jesus in Egypt, Africa & that he blended in with his apostles.

We discussed this in Sunday School. One argued that many Jews in Israel today are fair-complected.

Along that line of logic, we (in the USA) would all look Native American... which we don't.

Another argued that Heavenly Father is white, so it follows that his son would be.

This goes along with the Nephites' fair complexion being associated with being a more pure & delightful people.

My guess is that most people on this forum are caucasian, so maybe this doesn't bother you.

Yet, if you had darker skin, how would you feel about this?

Why is white skin deemed more god-like than dark skin, when it isn't? - Or if it is, then Jesus wasn't God-like.

And why do we break the 2nd commandment?

When I see the face of Christ, it will not matter to me if he matches anyone’s rendition. Black, White or somewhere in the middle…I will fall down at his feet and give thanks. “Graven images” are object of worship. Do you worship your pictures? If you are as conscientious as you sound, I think not.

[HeatherAnn]

When I see the face of Christ, it will not matter to me if he matches anyone’s rendition. Black, White or somewhere in the middle…I will fall down at his feet and give thanks. “Graven images” are object of worship. Do you worship your pictures? If you are as conscientious as you sound, I think not.

That's beautiful, Papa... that one's appearance does not matter to you. And thank you for the compliment.

I do not pray to pictures... nor do other LDS. Yet throughout church buildings & curriculum are images of who we worship, which is exactly what God commanded us NOT to do... God's intent in giving us that commandment was probably in an attempt to avoid conflicts like prejudice, focusing on external & taking our focus away from the kingdom of God within.

Edited July 19, 2011 by HeatherAnn

[Jeff K.]

That is not exactly what God commanded us not to do.

Again, I suggest you review the research presented. It is almost diametrically opposed to the very literalist sense you present here.

Did the graven images above the arch and covenant constitute a breaking of the law? How do you reconcile this?

God's intent in giving us that commandment was probably in an attempt to avoid conflicts like prejudice, focusing on external & taking our focus away from the kingdom of God within.

A bit presumptious in your rationalization divining the mind of God in regard to yours being the only interpretation of value. Let us set aside that no modern prophet has ever felt the need to comment on a basic commandment and our being out of sync with that commandment.

You bring up your rationalization, but is it rational to presume that the prophets and apostles of this dispensation are breaking a basic commandment, a basic stance up there with keeping the Sabbath Holy?

Is it rational to avoid the research that places the correct context upon which the commandment was based?

Specifically:

The prohibition in Exodus 20: (http://lds.org/scrip...x/20.?lang=eng#) (see also Deuteronomy 5: (http://lds.org/scrip...et/5.?lang=eng#) ) is not the production of graven images per se but the bowing down and serving of such images. We should remember that God later commanded the construction of the seraphim and cherubim for the ark (Exodus 25:17-22 (http://lds.org/scrip...?lang=eng#17-22) , Exodus 37:8-9 (http://lds.org/scrip...-9?lang=eng#8-9) ) and temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6:23-35 (http://lds.org/scrip...?lang=eng#23-35) , 1 Kings 8:6-7 (http://lds.org/scrip...-7?lang=eng#6-7) ), and the veneration given to the Ark of the Covenant, as well as the brass serpent (Numbers 21:6-9 (http://lds.org/scrip...-9?lang=eng#6-9) ).

or

One of the facts that must be reconciled with any interpretation of Exodus 20:3-4 is that the Bible states that God explicitly commanded that the Israelites make images and include them in their holiest places of worship. The text explicitly says that these images were revealed to Moses while he was on the mount (Exodus 25:40 (http://lds.org/scrip....40?lang=eng#40) and Exodus 26:30 (http://lds.org/scrip....30?lang=eng#30) ), meaning that they were given at the same time as the Ten Commandments and are part of the environment in which Exodus 20 must be interpreted.

How do you reconcile your rationalization with the facts as presented in the scriptures?

Such zeal in such a narrow interpretation begs a reference to an excellent talk in general conference by Elder Cook:

Gospel Extremism

Another sign of spiritual immaturity and sometimes apostasy is when one focuses on certain gospel principles or pursues “gospel hobbies” with excess zeal. Almost any virtue taken to excess can become a vice.

Certain members have wanted to add substantially to various doctrines. An example might be when one advocates additions to the Word of Wisdom that are not authorized by the Brethren and proselytes others to adopt these interpretations. If we turn a health law or any other principle into a form of religious fanaticism, we are looking beyond the mark.

Some who are not authorized want to speak for the Brethren and imply that their message contains the “meat” the Brethren would teach if they were not constrained to teach only the “milk.” Others want to counsel the Brethren and are critical of all teachings that do not comply with their version of what should be taught.

The Lord said regarding important doctrine, “Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me” (D&C 10:68) and “That which is more or less than this cometh of evil” (D&C 124:120). We are looking beyond the mark when we elevate any one principle, no matter how worthwhile it may be, to a prominence that lessens our commitment to other equally important principles or when we take a position that is contrary to the teachings of the Brethren.

Looking Beyond the Mark

You may, of course, follow any philosophy you wish, engage in any fundamental idea that suits you, and expand it to fill your entire kingdom. But I believe you err in your zealotry and you have perhaps used your own rationalization of the law to expand its parameters beyond the mark that Christ intended. The mark, as Elder Cook stated, is Christ, and not the law alone.

Such changes and rationalizations were large stumbling blocks for the Jews in their acceptance of Christ. The Mosaic Law and the zealotry for it replaced what Christ sought for his covenant people.

I applaud your putting your shoulder to the wheel. But I think you are putting it to the wrong wheel.

[HeatherAnn]

Looking Beyond the Mark

... you have perhaps used your own rationalization of the law to expand its parameters beyond the mark that Christ intended. The mark, as Elder Cook stated, is Christ, and not the law alone.

Such changes and rationalizations were large stumbling blocks for the Jews in their acceptance of Christ. The Mosaic Law and the zealotry for it replaced what Christ sought for his covenant people.

Thank you for summarizing the 2nd commandment's purpose, to not make engraven images for worship... So there is no "mark" to look beyond. Jesus specifically said, "The kingdom of God cometh NOT with observation... the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17) . The Mosaic law focused on "observing" many trite rituals. Jesus discouraged focusing on external & repeatedly taught to search within to feel God.

ALL laws & prophets hang on 2 commandments: to love God & to love others as ourselves. To use rationalization to change the law is not what Christ taught. When you rationalize a law to avoid loving others as yourself, it becomes a spiritual stumbling block in accepting the most important message of Christ.

Edited July 20, 2011 by HeatherAnn

[Pahoran]

Thank you for summarizing the 2nd commandment's purpose, to not make engraven images for worship...

And the pictures of Jesus typically found in LDS homes do not violate that commandment.

So there is no "mark" to look beyond. Jesus specifically said, "The kingdom of God cometh NOT with observation... the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17) . The Mosaic law focused on "observing" many trite rituals. Jesus discouraged focusing on external & repeatedly taught to search within to feel God.

Actually that "within" is addressed to the plural and not the singular "you;" the kingdom is within the group, not any one individual. IOW, modernly it would be more accurate to say, "The kingdom of God is among you."

ALL laws & prophets hang on 2 commandments: to love God & to love others as ourselves. To use rationalization to change the law is not what Christ taught. When you rationalize a law to avoid loving others as yourself, it becomes a spiritual stumbling block in accepting the most important message of Christ.

May I suggest that there are many stumbling blocks apart from your particular hobby-horse. Forcing the interpretation of a commandment beyond its real meaning in order to invent sins that are not sins at all is another way to create stumbling blocks.

Regards,

Pahoran

[Jeff K.]

ALL laws & prophets hang on 2 commandments: to love God & to love others as ourselves. To use rationalization to change the law is not what Christ taught. When you rationalize a law to avoid loving others as yourself, it becomes a spiritual stumbling block in accepting the most important message of Christ.

The commandment does not rationalize loving someone else or not loving someone else. However if one chooses to take the law out of context and as Pahoran put it so well "Forcing the interpretation of a commandment beyond its real meaning in order to invent sins that are not sins at all..." is indeed "Looking beyond the mark". And that in itself suddenly creates an exclusivity from others by indicating they are separating themselves from God, luckily a select few see their interpretation as the correct one as it must be (while overlooking the research, context and prophets). Kind of an unwashed masses stance isn't it?

[HeatherAnn]

Those who justify holding racially prejudice pictures in places of worship & while teaching about who we worship, as well as continuing racially dicriminatory doctrine is forcing one's own interpretation of the greatest commandments, which are to love God & love others as ourselves.

In reading some responses in this thread, I've realized more how deep this traditional, yet incorrect belief is & it amazes me that some don't realize it as incorrect & harmful to many of their brothers & sisters.

Nobody's perfect & as I mentioned, we all tend to have prejudices, & incorrect thoughts... yet to deny one's own imperfection creates a stumbling block for spiritual progress.

Scott Peck wrote, "...it is not so much the sin itself but the refusal to acknowledge it that makes it evil."

[Jeff K.]

Amazing. Race has nothing to do with it. I have seen paintings of Christ with Middle Eastern influences and Asian influences. None of these I have found to be anything less than the attempts of the artist to pay tribute to somoene they have not seen but loved. I do not presume the Asian or Levant artist to be racially prejudiced against Europeans or caucasions in general. I merely assume they are attempting their best to place what they see as the greatest representation of Christ they can produce. I know an artist that has painted Christ. She spends hours looking for the faces that create the most humble and yet majestic mix he can find. She takes so much time searching photographs, looking in books and reading, just to be in that spiritual mood. There isn't a racist thought in her mind as she attempts to produce those features that are most Christ like.

The artist was not forced. She thought mightily upon the process of love and how to express it.

I find it strangely disquieting when someone speaks of love so freely, and yet sees racism where none exists. The charge I believe reflects a lack of true humility, almost an arrogance that prophets and apostles, and the scriptures are somehow wrong, and yet the charge is that the only one true interpretation made by one person is somehow more accurate than any prophet or apostle who dedicates their life to Christ, or the artist who seeks only to find the most Christ like attributes.

These people, in your mind are ignorant racists?

Nobody's perfect & as I mentioned, we all tend to have prejudices, & incorrect thoughts... yet to deny one's own imperfection creates a stumbling block for spiritual progress.

One suggests you read those words with greater care and application.

Edited July 20, 2011 by Jeff K.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

Those who justify holding racially prejudice pictures in places of worship & while teaching about who we worship,

Straining at a gnat I see? And this is a gross misrepresentation of what is going on. What exactly is a "racially prejudice picture"?

[Jeff K.]

In our Newport Beach Temple we have different paintings of Christ with distinct aspects. One with shows a certain middle eastern influence in the depiction of Christ.

I do say that is racist? Of course not. I appreciate the endeavor.

[HeatherAnn]

MolaRamSudaRam,

A racially prejudice picture is portraying someone who orginally had dark skin with light skin.

http://en.wikipedia....i/Race_of_Jesus

Yet, what's more important is not trying to make ANY image out of someone we worship... which breaks the 2nd commandment & corrupts Jesus' teachings, which were originally to focus within instead of externally.

I stand up for what is right, when I see people are blind to it & their blindness hurts them & others.

If you think this is straining at a gnat, take it up with God or Jesus (or the authors that quoted them)...

I didn't write, "Thou shalt not make unto thee ANY graven image, or any likeness of any thing..."

Nor did I write, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart & mind & the 2nd is like unto it... thou shalt love thy neighbor as theyself... On these laws hang ALL the laws and the prophets."

Yet, I know it's true, because of how I feel within when I love and am loved... & I know that we are "spiritual beings having a rare human experience" & that we should do as God & look upon the heart of ourselves & others.

I didn't write these scriptures either...

"And I beheld the spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper & obtain the land for their inheritance; & I beheld that they were white, and exceedingly fair & beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain." -1Nephi 13:15

"And he caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, & exceedingly fair & delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them." -2Nephi 5:21

"And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression & their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, & Joseph, & Sam, who were just & holy men."-Alma 3:6

And see what "mischief" has come of having white images of a Middle-Eastern Jesus as well as Book of Mormon scriptures associating righteousness with fair skin...

"Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?" - Psalms 94:20

"Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, & that write grievousness which they have prescribed." - Isaiah 10:1

"See that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged." -Moroni 7:18

Edited July 20, 2011 by HeatherAnn

[Jeff K.]

MolaRamSudaRam,

I didn't write, "Thou shalt not make unto thee ANY graven image, or any likeness of any thing..."

No but you took it out of context, made it a false commandment and then impressed others that yours is the only interpretation. You call that "standing up for what's right"? I call it pride and hubris.

Edited July 20, 2011 by Jeff K.

[Jeff K.]

If you think this is straining at a gnat, take it up with God or Jesus (or the authors that quoted them)...

Do you mean the authors that also wrote....

■ Exodus 25:18-20 (http://lds.org/scrip...?lang=eng#18-20) : God commands that gold Cherubim be made to cover the mercy seat in the tabernacle. (Exodus 37:7-9 (http://lds.org/scrip...-9?lang=eng#7-9) says that Moses made the image.)

■Exodus 25:33 (http://lds.org/scrip....33?lang=eng#33) : God commands that the tabernacle bowls be almond-shaped with flowers. (Exodus 37:19 (http://lds.org/scrip....19?lang=eng#19) says that Moses made the image.)

■Exodus 26:1 (http://lds.org/scrip...26.1?lang=eng#1) : God commands that Cherubim be fashioned on the Tabernacle curtains. (Exodus 36:8 (http://lds.org/scrip.../36.8?lang=eng# says that Moses made the image.)

■Exodus 26:31 (http://lds.org/scrip....31?lang=eng#31) : God commands that Cherubim be on the vail of the temple. (Exodus 36:35 (http://lds.org/scrip....35?lang=eng#35) says that Moses made the image.)

■Exodus 28:33 (http://lds.org/scrip....33?lang=eng#33) : God commands that pomegranates be sewn onto the hem of the high priest's robe. (Exodus 39:24-26 (http://lds.org/scrip...?lang=eng#24-26) says that Moses made the image.)

You have yet to reconcile your inconsistencies with the scriptures and the prophets. I would call that straining a gnat.