What is the Book of Revelation really all about? It’s about redemption and restoration. It’s about God fulfilling all of his promises which he has made to His children down through the ages - that they will not be forgotten, but be restored and made to sit at the right hand of the Father, through Christ and his atoning sacrifice.
Such is the story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses.
This time, our story begins with a Hero, not a Heroine. In some tales, he’s a farmer, in others, a soldier returning from war. Whatever his origins, he is considered by most to be a fool.
I just find it interesting that in most fairy tales, the heroine is persevering and brave, while the Hero is young, a dreamer and considered a fool. And he is often the youngest of three brothers. There’s one of those cleansing numbers and a number signifying completeness.
Ooo, I just realized why it’s the third son, or third brother. The term, “completeness” is our clue. Christ is, of course, the only perfect person to have lived on the earth. When you look at the Bible dictionary for perfect, it says, “Whole, complete.” And the Savior completed his mission by rising from the tomb on the third day. He was perfect, whole, complete.
But why is he considered a fool? Well, aren’t you a fool for believing in something you cannot see, taste, touch, hear or smell? The Savior during his lifetime was considered a fool by many because of what he taught and how he lived. So whether our Hero is a Christ figure, or everyman, he is a fool because he aspires to marry a princess or find some betterment in his life.
At any rate, our young Hero, who lives in a land far, far away, wants more from life than what he has. He sets off on a journey to find and fulfill his dreams. Now some would consider that foolish.
Along the way he meets a mysterious woman. She is either very beautiful, or an ugly old hag. This again is the “Fairy Godmother” type of person, the hand of providence, who helps the young fool. In one story, he is kind to the old hag where others are rude, and so, to thank him, she gives him a cloak that makes him invisible when he wears it, and points him to the castle where his dreams will come true if he has his wits about him, for the king has a problem. The king has twelve daughters - twelve princesses. Every night he locks them into a bedroom. Every morning, their shoes are worn from dancing and must be replaced. The King has sent out a proclamation stating that anyone who can find out why the Princesses shoes are being worn out may have one of his daughters to wife.
To marry a princess! What a noble aspiration for a mere farmer of soldier. But, armed with the invisibility cloak, a hope and a dream, the young fool makes for the Castle.
Twelve Dancing Princesses. There’s that number twelve again. In Hebrew it means perfect order. We have twelve months of the year. We use twelve to parcel things with, like eggs and rolls. Twelve times twelve is 144,000, the number of those who will stand on mount Zion. It’s also how many sons were born to Jacob/Israel.
Who are these twelve dancing princesses? I believe they represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The second coming of the Lord is to be marked by many signs, the most significant of which is the gathering of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. God made a covenant with Abraham that his seed would be remembered, and God keeps his promises. The Savior’s ministry during his mortal mission was strictly to the House of Israel. It wasn’t until after His ascension into heaven the ministry was allowed to go to all the world. Israel is very important to Heavenly Father and it’s gathering and restoration is what this little tale is all about.
Our Hero makes his way to the castle and in time is able to present himself to the king as one who can solve the problem of the worn out slippers. There is a great risk in this, for everyone who had come before, had disappeared, never to be seen again, or had slept through the night, waking up none the wiser and a great failure.
But our Hero is well prepared. He goes to his chamber which is next door to that of the princesses room. He does not drink anything they give him. He feigns sleep. Then, when they are all dressed, wearing their new slippers, he dons his invisibility cloak and follows them through a secret passage that opens up in their room and leads down into a mysterious realm beneath their feet.
There, our young Hero will find many surprises - and someone to love and be loved by.
Next week: Part 2
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Cinderella and the Emerging Church, Part 3
I’m a bit late this week. It’s been really busy at work and outside of work, but the going’s on of my personal life is not what this is blog is all about. It’s about discussing topics I find of great interest, and I find the relationship between our Western Fairy Tales and the book of Revelations to be of high interest.
We left off last week with Cinderella at the ball. She turns out to be the toast of the party. The prince dances with no one but her - and everyone else is green with jealousy. After all, she’s beautiful, charming, of good report and praiseworthy. She’s everything all the other maidens in the realm wish they were - primarily - with the prince.
It’s been interesting to watch the progress of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as she has grown from a humble American frontier church to a global influence. Her welfare program and humanitarian aid efforts have received international attention and acclaim. Her wealth and growth are envied, while other churches stumble and decline. Her origins and doctrine are marveled over, at the same time as they are criticized. It’s been called a cult, non-Christian, even un-American.
What cannot be denied is her growth and unified, consistent organization. Every congregation is structured and executed exactly the same, whether you are in Utah or in France or in India. Every piece of property is well taken care of, even in the poorest of countries. Those who are truly converted to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are a dedicated, honest, prospering people who serve in various capacities in their local congregations and pay their tithing. This is not the largest Church institution in the world, but no one can deny her great and continued success.
And the Book of Mormon, the keystone of this religion, has yet to be proven a fraud. In fact, it would be like trying to disprove the book of Revelation itself. How do you disprove a work of faith? You don’t. You can only put it to the test and learn through personal revelation whether or not it is true.
And that brings us to Cinderella’s glass slippers.
The clock strikes midnight on the final night of the ball. The day is over and Cinderella flees to avoid everyone seeing her turn back into a scullery maid. But as she flees, she leaves one of her shoes behind, one of the famous glass slippers.
I find it interesting, that when the prince searches the realm for the maiden whom he truly loves, it is with the understanding this shoe will fit only that person. Well, I wear a size five and a half shoe. Small and dainty to be sure, but other women have small feet as well. So what is it about this small, and dainty glass shoe that it will fit only Cinderella?
I thought long and hard about that glass shoe. If the story of Cinderella is the same as our woman forced to flee into the wilderness, our Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, then she is the true Church of Jesus Christ. What separates the true Church from all other churches is - revelation.
We know the Urim and Thumim, the ancient stones mentioned in the Bible and elsewhere, are seer stones, clear like glass, and belong to the prophets of God. Where there is a true prophet, there is true revelation from God, true doctrine, true organization - truth itself. This is the glass slipper. It is clear. Nothing can be hid, but only revealed.
Why does the slipper fit only Cinderella? Because she is the true bride of the prince, the Church of Christ which he originally founded, with prophets and apostles and true priesthood power. She receives revelation from God on how to conduct her affairs, making her beautiful beyond all others.
The party doesn’t last forever. As Cinderella was persecuted before she attended the ball, she will be persecuted again. This is already happening. The participation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the events of Proposition Eight in California and how the Church was vilified by certain groups is a clear indication of what is to come.
But fear not, the prince will come and claim his bride and all opposition will be swept aside. Together they will rule and reign for a thousand years in peace and prosperity. There will be a period of dissent at the end of that thousand year rule, and then the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll and a new beginning of Celestial glory will fill this earth.
And they lived happily ever after.
So says the Revelation.
Next week: The Twelve Dancing Princesses: Restoration and the Wedding Supper of the Lord.
We left off last week with Cinderella at the ball. She turns out to be the toast of the party. The prince dances with no one but her - and everyone else is green with jealousy. After all, she’s beautiful, charming, of good report and praiseworthy. She’s everything all the other maidens in the realm wish they were - primarily - with the prince.
It’s been interesting to watch the progress of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as she has grown from a humble American frontier church to a global influence. Her welfare program and humanitarian aid efforts have received international attention and acclaim. Her wealth and growth are envied, while other churches stumble and decline. Her origins and doctrine are marveled over, at the same time as they are criticized. It’s been called a cult, non-Christian, even un-American.
What cannot be denied is her growth and unified, consistent organization. Every congregation is structured and executed exactly the same, whether you are in Utah or in France or in India. Every piece of property is well taken care of, even in the poorest of countries. Those who are truly converted to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are a dedicated, honest, prospering people who serve in various capacities in their local congregations and pay their tithing. This is not the largest Church institution in the world, but no one can deny her great and continued success.
And the Book of Mormon, the keystone of this religion, has yet to be proven a fraud. In fact, it would be like trying to disprove the book of Revelation itself. How do you disprove a work of faith? You don’t. You can only put it to the test and learn through personal revelation whether or not it is true.
And that brings us to Cinderella’s glass slippers.
The clock strikes midnight on the final night of the ball. The day is over and Cinderella flees to avoid everyone seeing her turn back into a scullery maid. But as she flees, she leaves one of her shoes behind, one of the famous glass slippers.
I find it interesting, that when the prince searches the realm for the maiden whom he truly loves, it is with the understanding this shoe will fit only that person. Well, I wear a size five and a half shoe. Small and dainty to be sure, but other women have small feet as well. So what is it about this small, and dainty glass shoe that it will fit only Cinderella?
I thought long and hard about that glass shoe. If the story of Cinderella is the same as our woman forced to flee into the wilderness, our Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, then she is the true Church of Jesus Christ. What separates the true Church from all other churches is - revelation.
We know the Urim and Thumim, the ancient stones mentioned in the Bible and elsewhere, are seer stones, clear like glass, and belong to the prophets of God. Where there is a true prophet, there is true revelation from God, true doctrine, true organization - truth itself. This is the glass slipper. It is clear. Nothing can be hid, but only revealed.
Why does the slipper fit only Cinderella? Because she is the true bride of the prince, the Church of Christ which he originally founded, with prophets and apostles and true priesthood power. She receives revelation from God on how to conduct her affairs, making her beautiful beyond all others.
The party doesn’t last forever. As Cinderella was persecuted before she attended the ball, she will be persecuted again. This is already happening. The participation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the events of Proposition Eight in California and how the Church was vilified by certain groups is a clear indication of what is to come.
But fear not, the prince will come and claim his bride and all opposition will be swept aside. Together they will rule and reign for a thousand years in peace and prosperity. There will be a period of dissent at the end of that thousand year rule, and then the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll and a new beginning of Celestial glory will fill this earth.
And they lived happily ever after.
So says the Revelation.
Next week: The Twelve Dancing Princesses: Restoration and the Wedding Supper of the Lord.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Cinderella and the Emerging Church, Part 2
The Prince is Having a Ball!
We left off last week defining all the roles of our players, now let’s get on with the story.
In many of the older versions, there isn’t just one ball, but 2 or even 3 balls. In some, the prince is looking for a wife, in others, no purpose is mentioned at all. One fact remains true - only the maidens of the kingdom are invited to attend - that includes our two step-sisters - and our heroine. Here we are taught that our Prince of Peace, our Savior, extends the invitation to come unto him to all the world.
When the invitation comes to the Cinderella household, there is a flurry of activity. In our version from Best Loved Fairy Tales, Cinderella continues to serve. She helps the step-sisters make their dresses and she even does up their hair in high fashion and tells them how wonderful they look. However, because Cinderella has no fine dress of her own she makes no plans to attend. It isn’t until everyone has left the household that Cinderella collapses in tears and casts her wish to the heavens. She wants to go to the ball too.
Being of the LDS Faith, I’m really not all that familiar with the concept of Godparents, except that they are a trusted friend of the family whom parents select to watch over their children. It’s not just an honor, it’s a responsibility. The Godparent is to step in and care for the child, watch over and even raise the child should anything happen to the parents.
The Godmother who comes to Cinderella’s aid is no ordinary Godparent. She is a “Fairy” Godmother. Remember, our word Fairy comes from “fae” or “fey” or “faith” (see my very first blog). This is no ordinary woman. She has the power to raise Cinderella out of the ashes, out of obscurity and put her on the world stage.
Again and again in scripture, when the people of God find themselves enslaved because of their wickedness, finally recognize their wrong and turn back to Christ, they find themselves unable to be free without His help. This is the role of the Fairy Godmother - Divine Intervention. Only God can rescue. Only God can deliver. What He does for us turns out to be so miraculous no one can dispute the work of His Almighty hand. The Fairy Godmother works a miracle so mighty that to this day it has little girls twirling in their dresses tapping all they own with star tipped wands. Mice become horsemen, frogs become footmen, a pumpkin is a fine carriage and ragged clothing become beautiful new garments.
I wish I could remember where I read this version of Cinderella, but it was a version with three balls. On the first night, the Fairy Godmother gives Cinderella a gown that glitters like the stars. On the second night, there is a gown that is silver like the moon. At the third ball, Cinderella wears a dress golden as the sun. Well, that sounded awfully familiar to me.
Stars - Telestial Kingdom
Moon - Terrestrial Kingdom
Sun - Celestial Kingdom.
In the Best Loved Fairy Tales, the Fairy Godmother makes Cinderella a dress that incorporates all three attributes. It is gold and silver and glitters with jewels.
Most important, Cinderella is given a pair of glass slippers. Now, I’m sure glass slippers to dance in at a ball must be excruciating to the feet if this were a mortal story, but this is a sacred story and those glass slippers will define and identify Cinderella as the true bride of the Prince!
With a warning to be sure and return at midnight, Cinderella goes off to the ball. She arrives late, but that just increases the interest in her as she makes a grand entrance. We are told that, right off, the Prince cannot keep his eyes off her and dances with her and only her. Whether it is one ball or three, the Prince dances with no-one else.
This is the part that makes Cinderella stand out from all other Fairy Tales. In all the other tales, as soon as the true bride is awakened, or discovered, or found, she is married to the prince right away and there is a great big celebration. But in Cinderella, there is a courtship first.
As I look at the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the emerging Church of Christ, I know that a wedding has not taken place yet. We have not yet experienced the Wedding Supper of the Lord. So where are we now as we expand across the globe with our thousands of Missionaries and grow with our millions of members? I believe we are dancing at the ball, being prepared to be the Bride, readied for the Groom.
But Midnight is about to strike.
We left off last week defining all the roles of our players, now let’s get on with the story.
In many of the older versions, there isn’t just one ball, but 2 or even 3 balls. In some, the prince is looking for a wife, in others, no purpose is mentioned at all. One fact remains true - only the maidens of the kingdom are invited to attend - that includes our two step-sisters - and our heroine. Here we are taught that our Prince of Peace, our Savior, extends the invitation to come unto him to all the world.
When the invitation comes to the Cinderella household, there is a flurry of activity. In our version from Best Loved Fairy Tales, Cinderella continues to serve. She helps the step-sisters make their dresses and she even does up their hair in high fashion and tells them how wonderful they look. However, because Cinderella has no fine dress of her own she makes no plans to attend. It isn’t until everyone has left the household that Cinderella collapses in tears and casts her wish to the heavens. She wants to go to the ball too.
Being of the LDS Faith, I’m really not all that familiar with the concept of Godparents, except that they are a trusted friend of the family whom parents select to watch over their children. It’s not just an honor, it’s a responsibility. The Godparent is to step in and care for the child, watch over and even raise the child should anything happen to the parents.
The Godmother who comes to Cinderella’s aid is no ordinary Godparent. She is a “Fairy” Godmother. Remember, our word Fairy comes from “fae” or “fey” or “faith” (see my very first blog). This is no ordinary woman. She has the power to raise Cinderella out of the ashes, out of obscurity and put her on the world stage.
Again and again in scripture, when the people of God find themselves enslaved because of their wickedness, finally recognize their wrong and turn back to Christ, they find themselves unable to be free without His help. This is the role of the Fairy Godmother - Divine Intervention. Only God can rescue. Only God can deliver. What He does for us turns out to be so miraculous no one can dispute the work of His Almighty hand. The Fairy Godmother works a miracle so mighty that to this day it has little girls twirling in their dresses tapping all they own with star tipped wands. Mice become horsemen, frogs become footmen, a pumpkin is a fine carriage and ragged clothing become beautiful new garments.
I wish I could remember where I read this version of Cinderella, but it was a version with three balls. On the first night, the Fairy Godmother gives Cinderella a gown that glitters like the stars. On the second night, there is a gown that is silver like the moon. At the third ball, Cinderella wears a dress golden as the sun. Well, that sounded awfully familiar to me.
Stars - Telestial Kingdom
Moon - Terrestrial Kingdom
Sun - Celestial Kingdom.
In the Best Loved Fairy Tales, the Fairy Godmother makes Cinderella a dress that incorporates all three attributes. It is gold and silver and glitters with jewels.
Most important, Cinderella is given a pair of glass slippers. Now, I’m sure glass slippers to dance in at a ball must be excruciating to the feet if this were a mortal story, but this is a sacred story and those glass slippers will define and identify Cinderella as the true bride of the Prince!
With a warning to be sure and return at midnight, Cinderella goes off to the ball. She arrives late, but that just increases the interest in her as she makes a grand entrance. We are told that, right off, the Prince cannot keep his eyes off her and dances with her and only her. Whether it is one ball or three, the Prince dances with no-one else.
This is the part that makes Cinderella stand out from all other Fairy Tales. In all the other tales, as soon as the true bride is awakened, or discovered, or found, she is married to the prince right away and there is a great big celebration. But in Cinderella, there is a courtship first.
As I look at the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the emerging Church of Christ, I know that a wedding has not taken place yet. We have not yet experienced the Wedding Supper of the Lord. So where are we now as we expand across the globe with our thousands of Missionaries and grow with our millions of members? I believe we are dancing at the ball, being prepared to be the Bride, readied for the Groom.
But Midnight is about to strike.
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