Sunday, September 1, 2019

A connection between "filthiness" and "nakedness" in Mormon 9?

Continuing from this recent post, there is a possible connection between "filthiness" and "nakedness" in the form of the Hebrew root "ervah" which refers both to nakedness and uncleanness.


4 Behold, I say unto you that ye would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God, under a consciousness of your filthiness before him, than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell.
5 For behold, when ye shall be brought to see your nakedness before God, and also the glory of God, and the holiness of Jesus Christ, it will kindle a flame of unquenchable fire upon you.
The phrases in bold seem to be connected, then, and presented in contrast to the "glory of God" and "the holiness of Jesus Christ" which obvious symbols of being "clothed" and "clean."

In italics above, note the mention of a flame of unquenchable fire that is kindled in those who are brought to a knowledge of their filthiness and nakedness before God.  This seems to be a clear reference to the teaching of King Benjamin in Mosiah 3:


24 And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil.
25 And if they be evil they are consigned to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them to shrink from the presence of the Lord into a state of misery and endless torment...
27 And their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever.