"What is the Lamp"

Continuing the discussion of the oil and the lamp – what is the lamp? What is the vessel which we need to carry our oil or water? It’s the mortal body – it contains the water which in turn gives us each life in a mortal sense of the word. Without a mortal body we would need no water – i.e. the Savior appeared to the Apostles and all others after the resurrection with a body of flesh and bone and without blood! When Captain Cook was killed in the Pacific Islands it was because when he fell and cut himself he bled and the legends and oral lore (and written records) allowed those living there to know the Great God did not bleed – indeed as he’d done with other he’d allowed them to touch him and place their hands in the holes of the nails and the spear thrust in his side. One can then see the relationship in the parable of the ten virgins* and to our day – the oil = water; the lamp (or vessel) = body! However what then gives the light – we know that the lamp’s purpose was to provide light – even today a lamp will provide light with a bulb and a source of energy. Therefore where or what gives off our light if it be not the soul. This spirit which we knew in the preexistence and covered with the clay of mortality – we call our lamp.

Cased within we’ve what we always have been and will be – we either can put forth light or we cannot. Light is most often referenced to truth and intelligence – the ability to lift others to further life giving knowledge – and to allow us to see clearly the Iron Rod and hold fast to it. Our lamp is trimmed or not by our obedience – and is most often dimmed by poor maintenance or poor choices. The better the choice – the more obedient – the fullness of our light will shine forth – so that all can see and we cannot then hide under a basket or out of sight. Often times the light our lamp produces is found offensive to those who cannot tolerate hard Gospel truths – and thus our lamps get struck and bent and hurt – but yet our light will only go out of us upon our death and at the bar of judgment if we’re true and faithful in all things and endure to the end. Never-the-less we’ve the choice – the same as the virgins – we can keep our lamps lit and full of oil (water) and perform as Father would have us do – or we cannot. Many feel they can do both – be unspotted from the world – yet be part and parcel of the worldly – walking on both roads. What is failed to be understood when on the worldly road we burn our fuel and dim our light – our need for water increases beyond our ability of our resources to provide. Our food storage and especially our water storage get put off for another day and then another. We replace the food storage with other ‘things’ with manmade excuses to fit our needs and then when the bridegroom calls we go to the market place while the wise go to the Lord. Man cannot ever give us what the Lord can – it may seem appealing and that he can satisfy our needs – but it’s only for the moment. The water in our storage and the food in our storage is for more than the moment – and when at some time when we’re in isolations due to Chemical or Biological Warfare or some other means – when the marketplace is closed off – and the home is our only place to be – we then will know with sureness of being obedient to the Lord or to the wiles of men.

The lamp tells many of where we are – but only on the outside – on the surface – most of us do not have the lamps of the movie stars or those who pander to the artificial – yet they will be more of the parents who’ve raised children – borne children – worked hard and endured the persecutions of men who desire our souls for their master and their dominion – while we’ve resisted. When we’ve had so many hurricane warnings – some choose to stay in their homes which are in flood zones because they’ve heard the warnings before – and cannot be found after the storm no one will be saying to them “I told you so!” all that will be said is amen! What story our lamp tells is best read by our loved ones and the Lord. Some of us are dumpy (smile) but yet hopefully we’ve bright shining lights – and that all may be as the five wise virgins – caring for the lamp – having storage as we’ve been directed and commanded – in the movie “Mountain of the Lord” young Michael is being told by the Prophet what they’re going to do in regards to the railroad – and he’s contesting a bit – when his friend and mentor – gently rebukes him, “Michael this is a Prophet of God and this is what we’re going to do!” Can we sustain a Prophet of God and not be found in full obedience – I think not – and only if we are will our lamp put forth wonderful light then – now and forever! c/ork


“What is the Lamp?”

cji
11/01/08

What is the vessel
what protects each
wherein is this life
called mortality;

Where is the soul
where found light
showing forth truth
showing forth each;

Found the body now
mortal and frail to be
in service somehow
our lamp/vessel to be!
Copyright © 2008 – cji