Over forty years ago I first learned of the New Jerusalem in seminary. For some reason my interest was instant, and I wanted to know everything I could find out about that promised city. My heart just swelled with longing to be there — to be part of that future righteous gathering of saints. I thought my heart would burst when I read Moses 7:62-64 " . . . and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem. And the Lord said unto Enoch; Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other; And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest."
At that time in my young life I longed for such peace, because my home-life was filled with contention and strife. I longed to love and be loved. How I longed to be there when the holy city of Enoch comes down from heaven and is joined with the New Jerusalem and for a thousand years the Lord will reign and peace will be on the earth! To be in a place where children will grow up without sin unto salvation and there will be no poor among us. Every few years this desire just starts to well up in my heart, and it's here again this year! About thirty years ago I heard the phrase "Next Year In Jerusalem" and immediately I adopted it. When we moved from Denver twenty-two years ago I longed to go east to Missouri, but I had to turn my face to the west. After we'd moved, for several years until it became faded and curled, I had a note on my bathroom mirror that said, "Next Year In Jerusalem!"
After reading scriptures in the temple last Friday, that phrase started playing in my head again, and I got the most unreasonable, but strong desire to know what it is in Hebrew. I researched and found the Hebrew phrase: Le shanah haba-a b,Yerushalayim or Next Year in Jerusalem. At the Jews yearly passover feast, they fill their glasses with wine, with one for the prophet Elijah with his empty chair, and for the last two millennia, at the end of the feast they raise their glasses and repeat together "Next year in Jerusalem!" All during their long dispersion in the world they spoke these words with the passionate longing to go back home to their holy city. Now that Jews are once again in Jerusalem, they speak these words with longing for the prophet Elijah and their Messiah to come! It's with that same longing that I added "hadash" or "new" to the phrase and lately it's been like a mantra to me — Le shanah haba-a b, hadash Yerushalayim, as I give thanks that the prophet Elijah has already come and as I long for the Savior Jesus Christ to come again!
And so I pray — "Next Year In New Jerusalem!"
Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteIn my gospel study for the past several weeks, I too have been overwhelmingly compelled to study PEACE. I have pondered and pondered over the concept of peace as it relates to individuals, families, communites -- and yes, nations. Fourth Nephi has yielded an abundance of thought-proking answers for me -- the fruits of a "New Jerusalem" type society --- the Nephite Utopia. Question for you: do you think unity brings peace or does peace begat unity? Another question: "and there was no contention among them" is repeated throughout that chapter. Does that mean no one ever said something thoughtless? or gave cause for offense? Or does it mean that the people were careful not to do such things -- however, when it did happen they dealt generously with one another. I think it must be the latter. I LOVE THIS POST my friend! Much to consider.
Mona what thought provoking comments! Thank you! I too LOVE the story of the Nephite Utopia after the Savior’s visit. On the question of unity— I think unity is a VERY powerful thing. But, people can be unified for good or bad. When even a minority of people unite in a wicked cause, they can bring about much suffering. And the Lord has told us that when the majority of people are wicked their society is ripe for destruction! (Alma 10:19) The question: “does unity bring peace or does peace begat unity”is a good one. I think this verse in Mosiah 18:21“And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.” teaches us that there can be NO peace without this kind of unity— the kind made possible first by a love of God. In Matthew 22:37-40 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” So based on this I would have to say that first, the Lord’s kind of unity based on love, brings peace— but I would also have to say, that peace then begats MORE unity! Like a beautiful wedding ring symbolizing eternity, with no beginning and no end! Or like an engine that never runs out of fuel because all of it’s parts feed each other continually— one perfect round. As for no contention, I have to agree with you on that one— the scripture did not say they had no disagreements. I think they just solved them with love and understanding, knowing each others hearts were pure, instead of with prideful contention!
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