Friday, September 26, 2008

Description of Jesus Christ

I'm not sure where I got this handout, but I found it in a study bible I sometimes use. The handout is entitled "DESCRIPTION OF JESUS CHRIST" Given to Antoine R. Ivins by Oscar W. McConkie

This is what it says:

The following is engraved on a copper plate, which was found in an antique vase of white marble, during excavation in the city of Azuilla, in the kingdom of Naples, in the year 1825. It was discovered by the Commission of Arts attached to the French armies. At the excavation of Naples it was found enclosed in a box of ebony in the sacristry of Courtroom. Mr. Drennon, of the Commission of Arts, caused a model to be made of the plate. At the sale of his collection of curiosities, it was bought by Lord Howard for 5,844 francs, about $1,215.

Letter from Publius Lentulus to the Senate of Rome, concerning Jesus Christ. It being the usual custom of Roman Governors to advise the senate and people of such material things as happen in their respective provinces in the days of the Emperor Tiberius Caesar, he wrote the following epistle to the Senate concerning our Savior:

"Conscript Fathers: There has appeared amongst us, in these days, a man of great virtue named Jesus Christ, who is yet living amongst us, and of the people is accepted as a prophet of truth, but his disciples call him the Son of God. A man of stature somewhat tall and comely, with a very reverent countenance, such as the beholder may both love and fear. His hair of the color of filbert, full ripe, and lain to his ears, but thence downward it is more orient, curling and waving about his shoulders. In the midst of his head is a seam, or partition, of his hair, after the manner of the Nazerites. His forehead is plain and very delicate. His face without spot or wrinkle, beautiful with a lovely red. His nose and mouth so formed that nothing can be reprehended. His beard thickish, in color like his hair, and forked. His look innocent and mature. His eyes clear and quick. In reproving he is terrible, in admonishing courteous and fair-spoken, pleasant in conversation, mixed with gravity. It cannot be remembered that any have ever seen him laugh, but many have seen him weep. In proportion of body most excellent. His hands and arms most delectable to behold. In speaking very temperate, modest, and wise. A man of singular beauty, surpassing the children of men."
A Google search of the words "copper plate azuilla" directs to a book with this description.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Reverence Invites Revelation

While reading blogs this morning, I read one author's account of his early morning. At the top of his post, he wrote a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, "Let us be silent, that we may hear the whispers of the gods."

The author then related his early morning routine of getting up early in the morning and hearing the sound of silence. He read a bit in the quiet and then went on a jog ... all in silence. He then gave some tips how to get that quiet time into your daily routine. You can read the whole post here.

Anyway ... the quote from Emerson rings true. I seemed to remember a talk about reverence and revelation. So I did a search on LDS.org and found a talk by President Packer entitled "Reverence Invites Revelation" (Ensign, Nov 1991, 21)

In his talk he said, "Inspiration comes more easily in peaceful settings. Such words as quiet, still, peaceable, Comforter abound in the scriptures: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10; italics added.) And the promise, “You shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom.” (D&C 36:2; italics added.)

Elijah felt a great wind, an earthquake, a fire. The Lord was not in any of them; then came “a still small voice.” (1 Kgs. 19:12.)

Helaman said of that voice of revelation, “It was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul.” (Hel. 5:30.)

It was Nephi who reminded his brothers that an angel “hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words.” (1 Ne. 17:45; italics added.)

The talk is very good and I encourage you to take some time to read it.