BoM as metaphor

[mfbukowski]

1 hour ago, Maidservant said:

Symbolism is the main delivery of godly knowledge and understanding.  Symbolism leads the student of God through unlimited ascents of information and wisdom, from the foundation of the same device (i.e. story).  The device (hardware) doesn't change, but whenever one returns to the device after integrating the last lesson in their being, then new things are heard/read/learned (software).  Two different people will understand the same device differently depending on where they are at in their progression.  It doesn't mean the device is "true", "untrue", "fact", "fiction", "real", "metaphor".  It means the device is operating as it was meant to.

The fiction/non-fiction category set is, I think, a relatively modern development of our language/conceptualization.

Symbolism is not fiction, and fiction is not symbolism.  There may be something to said in the same vicinity of both, but they do not overlay and correspond conceptually point-to-point.

Neither is symbolism exactly metaphor and vice versa.  Neither is symbolism exactly myth and vice versa.  Metaphor, myth, fiction all may have conceptual points related to symbolism, but again, they do not match point-to-point.

The Book of Mormon IS a work of symbolism.

This is aside from any consideration that it is (in the main) historical (or not, as the case may be).

They are not mutually exclusive. 

I am also brought to mind on the theory of archetype.  While archetypes are symbolic, they play out very much in real time with real people.  Similarly, symbolism cannot be divorced from living our real human lives.  And living our real lives in real time cannot be divorced from symbolism(s), archetypes, patterns.

Among other things, The Book of Mormon is a code book.  It has more than one code in it.

It is a code book for the human heart.

It is a code book for encountering and responding to God.

It is a code book for how to encounter and respond to enemies (and there are quite a few options given).

There are other codes, but that's a start.

My opinion: I find it highly likely that the Book of Mormon was originally written by exactly who it says i.e. Mormon abridging records.  OR at the very least dispensed by God as he deemed.  i.e. if anyone made it up whole cloth, I would lay that at God's feet, not Joseph's. (I am satisfied that Joseph Smith did not write the Book of Mormon as it does not match his other writing samples.)

I also find it impossible to conclude (for myself) that the Book of Mormon whether by sections or taken as a whole is anything other than a book of symbolism.

Yummy stuff.  Gobble gobble. 

[Robert F. Smith]

17 hours ago, stemelbow said:

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As I suggested I personally can't imagine being exalted and looking back with any amount of justification when, it appears through our teaching, the vast majority of people will end up in a lesser state for eternity.  It will bring me sadness and pain.  And if my closest loved ones are somehow left out and yet I am graced with exaltation that pain will be that much more.  After all, it's not that any of us earn our eternal blessings.

CFR that "the vast majority of people will end up in a lesser state for eternity."  What are the stats which the prophets have given us?

[stemelbow]

6 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

CFR that "the vast majority of people will end up in a lesser state for eternity."  What are the stats which the prophets have given us?

I don't know if that's the case.  I should have worded that differently for sure.  It's what I've been told by various leaders and teachers over the years. It seems to be what scripture indicates whenever the topic is discussed.  Things like, "many are called but few are chosen" seem to suggest that many more will find themselves in lesser kingdoms compared to the highest glory. 

 

Section 76 is interesting as it discusses those found in Terrestrial:

Quote

 

And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament.

 Behold, these are they who died without law;

 

Nobody dies without any law.  It seems like law may mean outside of covenant.  I've heard plenty argue that that means those who don't accept the gospel in this life will most likely find themselves in the Terrestrial world.  Because of that type of thinking I guess I've been led to think, we're pretty sure that the Celestial will be very few in comparison.  But it may all be wrong, I suppose.  I grant it's possible we've been wrong about it all along.