“The Broiled Fish”
Reader, Please remember that this a record of my experience, perception,
feelings and words.
You are responsible to find the truth for you. Only prayerfully
consider what is here to see if it is reasonable to your discerning spirit
and supports your purest knowledge of our Lord's compassionate nature,
peace and love!
Sept. 22 1993
Dearest Family, Brethren, Sisters
and Friends:
Today, for me, while
conversing with my dear teaching fellow and friend, “Mr Teeples”, the final
piece of the scriptural puzzle in the written picture of the Lords Profile
came into place:
The Dead Sea Scrolls and
newly translated writ now in the hands of our scholars, do add for us finer
detail, as those righteous men of old speak more from the dust! Protected
from man's fouled hands in those caves, are blessed words, which piece
by piece are adding clarity to the examples and counsels long ago given!
In the “Evangile des
douze” writ, documented by Dear Dr Nibley, the incident of the feeding
of the 5000 is profoundly recorded. (see Nibley; The
Prophetic Book of Mormon, 1996, pages 415 --
423)
While at the edge of
the Sea of Galilee the Lord “feeds” 5000 with 5 loafs and 2 “fishes”. Here
beautiful understanding begins its form, as in one paragraph 5 loaves and
2 “fishes” become 7 loaves; and is repeated three times (as 7) as though
with firm intent; to let hear those who would hear; hear this plain, yet
precious detail, exposing the compassionate soul of The Son of God, the
Creator and Savior of all that lives!
No act of death or
violence was part of His important instructive event as the Lord provided
fill for those thousands made hungry for
His kindly feast.
So what was it that
the Lord broke and blessed and fed to the 5000? The Hebrew traditions have
held that answer, but both we and they have failed to see?
That “5” and “2” become
“7”, is made plausible with understanding that the Hebrews’ sour dough
breads (an art they learned as slave bakers to the Egyptians) came in two
traditional forms: the round family loaf; and --
most important for our understanding --
the festive, more finely worked oblong and top scored loaf! --
with ovaled shape and fin-like vents cut in its top; it resembled a familiar
form; --
hence was baked of old --
that special loaf of heavenly bread called --
the “Fish”!
Then as I mentioned,
to this gentle brother, Brother Teeples, that in my heart I now knew the
compassionate nature of my Lord; and that in His unfailing love for all
life, He would not, nor could not, eat a literal piece of broiled fish!
-- but would only
have eaten, in absolute kindness, a piece of bread!:
In that moment, in
an emotional and overwhelming spiritual witness: verification of this added
understanding was passed in simple words cued by those righteous spirits
standing about us in that moment;
through this sensitive and goodly
man, my friend, Brother Teeples,
plain and precious wisdom was passed
in his words as he stated:
“Do you know, Brother Rodgers,
that in the French language (of latin root) the expression “broiled” is
used to mean toast!”
In an instant we broke
into joyous tears, as we felt all heavenly hosts around us, and Mother
Earth baring us both, shout that wondrous shout of their so long awaited
joy, as this humble brother fitted the final piece of the Lord sweet picture
into place!
Welling with tears,
now understanding those records past: I knew the Lord’s love always was
of celestial order!
Could the Lord play
party to the suffering and death to any life,
even that of a precious fish? --
No! He is the Savior to all life, --
He could not, nor
would not!
Would that resurrected
Being later have defiled His pure celestial body with anything gotten by
violence and blood and death,
before His own apostles?
-- No!
His apostles were now
charged to be "fishers of men!"
-- not the innocent
creatures of the sea!
-- and so should
we!
So what was the “meat”
(in Hebrew: 'meal', i.e. food) that the Lord ask of them, that glorious
day two thousand years ago, yet so misunderstood today??!
-- Twas bit
a piece of Hebrew toast’ -- a slice of that specially shaped heavenly sour
dough loaf, that, so long ago, those Hebrew disciples, with reverenced
affection, knew so well, as:
-- “The fish”!
Overwhelmed with the sweet
spirit of truth, and overcome in this shower of joyful tears, sensed, and
experienced also by Brother Teeples, were we; as this final piece fell
into place!
So! Did Christ bring
harm to any living thing?
-- Cherishing all
life as its maker, the answer is now confirmed: No!
As the Savior --
He could not!
-- would not!
-- and so, did not!
-- harm any life!
--
great or small!
Not even His precious fish!
And neither should we!
Bro. Thomas L Rodgers (Recorded
immediately afterward: Wed Sep.22, 93 10:48pm)
