Israelite Sanctuaries A History of Interpretations Religious Education

Israelite Sanctuaries A History of Interpretations Religious Education Student Symposium James L. Carroll 2006

James E Talmage on the Endowment: “Includes a recital of the most prominent events of the creative period…

James E Talmage on the Endowment: “…the condition of our first parents in the Garden of Eden, their disobedience and consequent expulsion from that blissful abode…

James E Talmage on the Endowment: “… [and] their condition in the lone and dreary world when doomed to live by labor and sweat. ” (Elder James E. Talmage, “The House of the Lord” p. 83)

Several Questions: Are the ancient Israelite temple traditions connected with the Creation and the Fall?

Several Questions: Are the ancient Israelite temple traditions connected with the Creation and the Fall? – Do modern scholars see this connection?

Several Questions: Are the ancient Israelite temple traditions connected with the Creation and the Fall? – Do modern scholars see this connection? How did Joseph Smith know about this connection?

Several Questions: Are the ancient Israelite temple traditions connected with the Creation and the Fall? – Do modern scholars see this connection? How did Joseph Smith know about this connection? – Were there any published materials on this connection that Joseph Could have read?

Our Goals: 1. To survey some of the modern scholar’s theories regarding the Israelite Temples and the Garden of Eden. 2. To determine whether their theories are valid and have sufficient evidence. 3. To follow their footnotes back in time and (if possible) to determine when these theories became common. 4. To determine whether Joseph Smith could have known about these theories.

Temple Theories: Jubilees 3: 19, (161140 BC. ) – "the Garden of Eden is the Holy of Holies, and the dwelling of the Lord. "

Jubilees Theory Problems: Jubilees is late (161 -140 BC. ) Holy of Holies is a depiction of Heaven in the Egyptian Version. Ark is a representation of the Throne of God dwells in heaven, not in the Garden of Eden which he “goes down” to visit. – Garden = Terrestrial – Heaven = Celestial

Temple Theories: Jubilees 3: 19, (161 -140 BC. ) Lawrence E. Stager, "Jerusalem as Eden" (May/June 2000)

Temple Theories: Jubilees 3: 19, (161 -140 BC. ) Donald Parry "Garden of Eden, Prototype Sanctuary" (1994) Gordon J. Wenham "Sanctuary Symbolism in the Garden of Eden Story" (1994). Lawrence E. Stager, "Jerusalem as Eden" (May/June 2000)

Parry/Wenham Proposition: The Garden of Eden is a temple. The Temple reflects the Garden of Eden

Parry/Wenham Proposition:

The tree of life was located both in the garden and in the temple. 2. Both the garden and the temple were associated with sacred waters. 3. Eastward orientations played a role in the garden story and in subsequent Israelite temples. 4. The cosmic mountain was symbolically affiliated with the garden and temple. 5. The account of the earth’s creation is closely connected with the Garden of Eden account and the temple. 6. Cherubim, or heavenly beings, function as guardians of the garden and the temple. 7. Revelation was an essential part of the garden and the temple. 8. Sacrifice is closely associated with the account of the garden and is found in subsequent temple systems. 9. Similar religious language existed in both the garden and temple. 10. Sacred vestments were associated with Adam and Even in the garden and with the priesthood in the Jerusalem temple. 11. Abundance was associated with the garden and the temple. 1.

Revised Parry/Wenham Proposition: The Temple is associated with – the Creation (Before Eden) – The Fall (At Eden) – The Atonement (After Eden)

Temple Theories: Jubilees 3: 19, (161 -140 BC. ) Earnest L. Martin, "The Temple Symbolism in Genesis" (1977) Donald Parry "Garden of Eden, Prototype Sanctuary" (1994) Gordon J. Wenham "Sanctuary Symbolism in the Garden of Eden Story" (1994). Lawrence E. Stager, "Jerusalem as Eden" (May/June 2000)

Martin Proposition

LDS Additions “Altar of Cain and Able” – Can also be the Altar of Adam and Eve (Moses 5: 5 -7) Laver – Lines up with the Baptism of Adam and Eve (Moses 6: 64 -66) Land of Eden: – Adam-Ondi-Ahman

Problems with the Martin Proposition: Holy of Holies is a depiction of Heaven In Jewish Tradition: – Aaran’s Rod ≠ Tree of Life – Pot of Mana ≠ Fruit of the Tree of Life – Menorah – Showbread = Tree of Life = Fruit of the Tree of Life

Temple Theories: Jubilees 3: 19, (161 -140 BC. ) Martin, Earnest L. "The Temple Symbolism in Genesis" (1977) The LDS Old Testament Student Manual (1980) Donald Parry "Garden of Eden, Prototype Sanctuary" (1994) Gordon J. Wenham "Sanctuary Symbolism in the Garden of Eden Story" (1994). Lawrence E. Stager, "Jerusalem as Eden" (May/June 2000)

CES Proposition:

CES Proposition: Heaven = Celestial Garden of Eden = Terrestrial Current Earth = Telestial

Holy Place as the Garden of Eden:

Tree/Fruit of the Tree of Life/Knowledge

Hypostyle Hall

ATI Sol Temple interior

Plan of Salvation

Creation/Fall/Atonement “…the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement—are inseparably woven together to form one plan of salvation. No one of them stands alone…” (Bruce R. Mc. Conkie, June Ensign, 1982)

Carroll Proposition (2004)

Carroll Proposition Holy of Holies Holy Place Courtyard

Conclusions: There is sufficient evidence that Joseph’s connection between the Garden and the Temple accurately reflects an ancient tradition. The most likely interpretation is that: – – – The Holy of Holies represented Heaven. The Holy Place represented the Garden of Eden. The Courtyard represented the “Land of Eden” (Adam -Ondi-Ahman). – The profane space outside the temple represented the “land of Nod. ” These theories almost all postdate Joseph Smith significantly. Any understanding of this information that Joseph Smith had must have been received by revelation.