Today two questions were asked that I think could start the conversation in an interesting direction.
1.) This class member is from the tribe of Manasseh. He is wondering if his mission is different than the tribe of Ephraim, and if so, how?
2.) We spoke today of Jacob's words in Jacob chapter 1:19 about his efforts to preach to his people so the blood would not be on his garments. This class member has been thinking about the significance of blood--what are the connections between the sacrifices, the atoning blood, and that when resurrected, our bodies will have no blood. Has anyone studied this in depth? Please comment!
2 comments:
Manasseh was the eldest son of Joseph and Asenath. When Jacob blessed him, he was promised that his posterity would become a great people. Part of this promise describes his descendants as a "fruitful bough" would "run over the wall" of a "well" or cross the oceans. When Moses blessed the tribes of Israel he promised that the descendants of Manasseh along with Ephraim's would push or gather the people together to the ends of the earth (Deut. 33:17). It also fulfills latter day prophecy as well(see D&C 58:44-45). It's interesting to note that Lehi and his family are descendants of Joseph through Manasseh. Hence the stick of Joseph, aka stick of Mannaseh (Ezekiel 37:15-20) as we know today as the Book of Mormon. The promises extended to Ephraim are also extended to Manasseh. The tribe of Manasseh also falls under the Abrahamic covenant which states "shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed". As members of the church, no matter which tribe, we are committed to bring about these promises and together the "tribes" work hand in hand to fulfill the great work of the Lord.
The shedding of blood is symbolic. the shedding of man's blood brings about physical death. On the other hand, the shedding of the Savior's blood brings about spiritual life. Paul preached that "almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." (Heb. 9:22)Such a truth was taught since ancient times. Moses declared, "It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul" (Lev. 17:11) It is the blood of the Savior that "cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7) The Savior's blood acts as the cleansing agent by which our "garments are made white" (1 Nephi 12:10) We even learn that the land of America was "redeemed" by "the shedding of blood" (D&C 101:80). Thus, somehow, blood acts as a cleansing, redeeming agent. How it is done we do not know. John Taylor taught: "Why it was necessary that his blood should be shed is an apparent mystery. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins; but why this? Why shoul such a law exist? It is left with us as a matter of faith." Joseph Fielding Smith came to the same conclusion: "Just how the shedding of the Savior's blood atoned for a fall...is not completely explained by our Heavenly Father."
As for Manasseh. As Moses blessed the tribes of Israel he promised that the descendants of Manasseh, along with Ephraim's, would "push" or gather "the people together to the ends of the earth" (Deut. 33:17). So it would seem that we are all responsible for missionary work to bring about the gathering.
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