Donald W. Parry - Symbols and Shadows: Unlocking a Deeper Understanding of the Atonement

Symbols and shadows : unlocking a deeper understanding of the atonement / Donald W. Parry and Jay A. Parry.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-60641-129-2 (hardbound : alk. paper)

1. Atonement. 2. Symbolism. 3. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsDoctrines. 4. Mormon ChurchDoctrines. I. Parry, Jay A. II. Title.

BX8643.A85P38 2009

234'.3dc22 2009012112

Printed in the United States of America

Sheridan Books, Chelsea, MI

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Introduction

The Atonement, Hinge Point of Gods Plan

The atonement of Jesus Christ is the hinge point of all eternity. Because of it the Fathers plan is able to come to fruition even when we, his children, wander from the true path.

Without the atonement, we would come to earth, sin, dieand suffer endless woe, becoming angels to the devil and devils ourselves.

With the atonement, if we come unto Christ and partake of those great things he offers us, we can repent of our sins and be purified and renewed, and when we rise in the resurrection, we will rise to glory.

Without the atonement, the Fathers plan would come to naught, and the earth would be wasted.

With the atonement, we can become as he is, and the plan continues in an endless cycle of love and power from eternity to eternity.

These truths have been part of the gospel message from the beginning. Adam received a witness of the Redeemer from an angelic messenger, as well as from the voice of God himself. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah all knew about the essential nature of the atonement of Christ, as did such Book of Mormon witnesses as Lehi, Nephi, Benjamin, Alma, Helaman, Mormon, and Moroni.

In our day, as part of the restoration of all things, we have a sure knowledge of the atonement of Christ. We understand that the Savior and the atonement he performed are the central core of all we are and all we believe. Joseph Smith, the prophet of the Restoration, taught this clearly: The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.

The atonement of the Master is the central point of world history, added President Marion G. Romney. Without it the whole purpose for the creation of earth and our living upon it would fail.

In characteristically bold language, Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, All things center in, revolve around, are anchored to, and are built upon the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

To these prophetic witnesses could be added countless additional testimonies of apostles and prophets and local leaders, teachers, and members of the Church who have stood at pulpits and sat in living rooms bearing testimony that Jesus is the Christ and that without his atonement all is lostand that with his atonement all is possible.

But there is another form of witness the Lord has given us, one that reaches far beyond the written or spoken word.

A Thousand Symbols, Shadows, and Witnesses of the Atonement

Because of the absolute centrality of Jesus Christ and his atonement to Gods perfect plan, our Heavenly Father has given us a great... cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1) of his Sons atonementa thousand witnesses, ten thousand witnesses, or more. These symbols, shadows, and witnesses are all around usin the skies, on the earth, and in the earth.

The Lord through his prophets used a great number of symbols, types, and shadows to provide insight into the atonement. The prophets drew on the natural world, including things in the heavens, geographical sites, and the plant and animal kingdom; everyday clothing and sacred vestments; civil and religious positions; building and architectural components; common women and men, as well as prophets, priests, and kings; ordinances, both ancient and modern; historical events; cities; such ordinary things as colors, liquids, numbers, and foods; and many other things. In addition, all parts of the law of Mosesevery particletestified of Jesus and his sacrifice, including the temple rituals, the system of sacrifices, and the annual feasts and festivals. And, of course, the scriptures are filled with overt, direct testimonies, inspired words about the atoning work of the Word.

Almost in the very beginning, Father Adam learned directly from the Savior that all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth,... all things bear record of me (Moses 6:63; emphasis added).

Nephi learned the same truth: All things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him [Christ] (2 Ne. 11:4; emphasis added; see also Alma 34:14).

And President John Taylor wrote, There were so many types, shadows and forms of which [Jesus] was the great prototype.

Why are the types and symbols of the atonement ever present? Because the Father wanted to manifest his Sons atonement clearly and time and again to his children who seek to know him. But whether or not Gods children are aware of these types and shadows, the atonements impact is yet ever present. Hugh Nibley compared it to gravity or the speed of light, calling it one of the grand constants in nature. It is omnipresent [and] unalterable.... Like gravity, though we are rarely aware of it, it is at work every moment of our lives, and to ignore it can be fatal.

The many witnesses of the atonement are woven together like the threads in a tapestry. Here is the thread of physical objects that symbolize Christs offering; here is the thread of witnesses in the earth and stars; here is the thread of righteous individuals whose very lives predicted Jesus sufferings and sacrifice. Also in the pattern are threads representing the law of Moses, the modern ordinances, parables that reveal Christs divine redemption, symbols from the animal kingdom, and much, much more. And the tapestry as a whole? It depicts the story of God who became man, condescending to descend to an earth of pain and trouble and taking upon himself the sins and sicknesses of his people.

This book attempts to isolate some of these threads:

Part 1 focuses on types and shadows of the atonement.

Part 2 looks at witnesses and fulfillment of the atonement in Christs mortal life and sacrifice.

Part 3 testifies of the infinite atonement and the blessings of grace.

Because of the interweaving of the threads, individual symbols often appear in more than one context in the overall tapestry. To a limited degree, this is reflected in the present volume. For example, the symbol of living water, which flows from the Savior, is noted (often briefly) in discussions on symbolisms found in the natural world, the sacrament, and the incidents on the cross. Each mention, however, appears in a different context and provides a new insight into that marvelous symbol. As we see and better understand the threads of the tapestry, the overall picture comes more clearly into focus, and our hearts become filled with praise and gratitude for the goodness and mercy of our God.