THE ROD OF AARON AND THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE

There are some fascinating artifacts that have been handed down through time.  One, Oliver Cowdery was briefly in possession of and it is referred to briefly in D&C 6 - and I would hazard a guess that Cowdery must have been a descendant of Aaron for having had such an integral role in bringing forth the Book of Mormon, receiving the Aaronic Priesthood from the last earthly authorized representative and many other reasons...).   Besides the usual Urim and Thummim, Liahona, etc we have the Rod of Aaron, which was used to provide the miracles that led to the Children of Israel to escape and be free of bondage.  Israel is about to go through another phase of bondage while two prophets (similar to Moses and Aaron) stay the advancing armies of nations who have afflicted them.  Meanwhile, those afflicting nations will partake of the plagues spoken of in Revelations for those 3.5 years as they lose their power and God's people become victorious in the land - just as Pharoah sought to afflict the ancient Israelites and was given plagues as a reward for his insolent behavior.  In part of this dual scenario, there will be a return to a Promised Land to build up a New Jerusalem after the land is swept clean of the trash which formerly inhabited it, just as Israel returned to her promised land so many years ago.  That will be Joseph (Ephraim/Manasseh) here in America in the modern scenario.

I was just reading in D&C 77 this morning and expect that those two prophets will be of Hebrew origin (most likely similar to Orson Hyde - of Jewish descent, but having the Holy Priesthood):

15 Q. What is to be understood by the two witnesses, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation?A. They are two prophets that are to be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration, and to prophesy to the Jews after they are gathered and have built the city of Jerusalem in the land of their fathers.

 I have to wonder if they will carry this Rod of Aaron (or Gift of Aaron) as they stay the telestial powers who have set about Jerusalem.  I think there will be more to their actions than simply faith, prayer and power in the Priesthood.  If the people of that background are to believe, it sure would help to have a little religious iconery to help the process along.

There is alot of background on this Rod of Aaron - it started out as a branch from the Tree of Life and has worked its way through all the Patriarchs and down to Jesus' day.   This passing along of things of a religious nature is very similar to the Garment of the Holy Priesthood which was fashioned by God after The Fall and that Adam wore; and the same one which Ham attempted to remove from Noah's body after he had passed out from a little too much vino after the Great Flood.  This Rod of Aaron was purported to be from an almond tree and could be in all three stages of the cycle at any given time: buds, blossom, flowers and fruit.

Jesus had a rod and this Rod (or a start from it when it budded) purportedly ended up in England via Joseph of Arimathea (rich uncle of Jesus).  Here is the story that I was reading earlier today:

       http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1337159/Glastonburys-2000-year-old-Holy-Thorn-Tree-hacked-vandals.html

And to tie this all together - Brigham Young had a rod (or some portion of it in the form of a cane) when he struck the ground and declared that the SL Temple would be built in that spot (please see my previous piece on how significant it is that it was built where it was - such that it will endure the great shaking which is coming):

  An interesting notation in Anthon H. Lund's Journal for July 5,1901 states:

"in the revelation to Oliver Cowdery in May 1829, Bro. [B. H.] Roberts said that the gift which the Lord says he has in his hand meant a stick which was like Aaron's Rod. It is said Bro. Phineas Young [brother-in-law of Oliver Cowdery and brother of Brigham Young] got it from him [Cowdery] and gave it to President Young who had it with him when he arrived in this [Salt Lake] valley and that it was with that stick that he pointed out where the Temple should be built."

 Folks - we are in for some interesting times directly ahead!  Wood you believe it??  I would!  Buckle up!!