This is a short note that came up as a result of my deep dive into gold and treasure in the scriptures (see part 5 here) about the Hebrew word for brimstone 'gophrith' (גָּפְרִית) which appears 7 times in the Old Testament. I did not know this, but the word is directly related to 'gopher' cypress wood, the same material Noah was commanded to use in building the ark (see Genesis 6:14). As discussed in previous posts (see here for example) the ark is a symbol of covenants, which can carry us safely through the chaos of mortality.
'Gophrith' doesn't refer to the wood of the cypress tree, however, it refers to the resin, which is highly flammable. I find that quite interesting. I see a connection to the plan of salvation. Those who inherit the telestial kingdom must suffer the pain for their own sins, having rejected the vicarious sacrifice offered to them by Jesus Christ (see Doctrine & Covenants 76:84, 104-106). They "received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant" (Doctrine & Covenants 76:101).
Thus, having rejected the saving and exalting power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ (symbolized by the ark), they get the resin instead. The suffering they will endure will meet the demands of justice, and they will thereafter inherit a kingdom of glory -- a kingdom whose glory "surpasses all understanding" (Doctrine & Covenants 76:89).
The sons of perdition experience endless torment and do not inherit a kingdom of glory. Their "worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched, which is their torment— And the end thereof, neither the place thereof, nor their torment, no man knows; Neither was it revealed, neither is, neither will be revealed unto man, except to them who are made partakers thereof" (see Doctrine & Covenants 76:44-46).If we look at all the instances of "brimstone" in the scriptures (which I may do in a future post), we see that it symbolizes the fate of these wicked individuals. The fire and brimstone of the Sodom and Gomorrah can be seen as the symbolic fate of those who reject the prophets and ripen in wickedness.
It is very interesting to be how these symbols fit together, and how some of the deeper meanings are embedded within the Hebrew language itself.
