So there are MANY references to swords in the OT and a few in the NT. There are even a few in the modern Endowment. Many of us are under covenant in relation to swords. Yet, few of us probably give it more than a mere thought. I know that I have not until I was doing Washings and Anointings and my mind fixated on the actual covenant wording and how it affects me.
I was reading yet another account of a spiritual encounter where evil was present and the device (representative of Priesthood) was used to thwart the intentions of the evil. Very powerful here when combined with the rest of the narrative:
"A man came through the door. He was tall enough to have to stoop to enter. His eyes were very protruding and rather wild looking, his fingernails were thick and long. He presented a rather unkempt appearance and wore no clothing at all. . . . There suddenly appeared in [Smith’s] right hand a light which had the size and appearance of a dagger. . . . A voice said, “This is your priesthood.” He commanded the person in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to depart. . . . Immediately when the light appeared the person stopped and on being commanded to leave, he backed out the door" ("Experiences with Cain,” n.d., MSS 5273, Archives, Family and Church History Department, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City (hereafter LDS Church Archives).
If we consider what was used to control access to the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, we know there is purpose to this stuff. There is great power of a very high order in the Tree of Life (see my previous articles on how the Staff of Moses was created from one of it's branches, which was handed down until it arrived in the hands of Brigham Young to locate the building site of the SLC temple.
Anyone in possession or in control of the Tree of Life would have power at least of a Terrestrial Order, or possibly higher. So God sent cherubim (cherubs) with flaming swords to protect the way to it so that neither evil nor anyone with possible initial good intent would run amok with it, just as happened with the "Watchers" who abused their elevated (Terrestrial) state and created some serious problems here on earth (which led to the Great Flood - probably a pre-calculated event as the earth was in need of refreshing/baptism during it's fallen existence).
Each Priesthood holder has a sword that you are probably not even aware of, as it is a spiritual object. I am not sure about the Matriarchs, in this context. I believe that it is the man's role to wield that sword (in righteousness) just as it is the sole responsibility of the women to bear/nurture the offspring of a union. This sword is forged (length, hardness and ornateness, etc) over eons of time as it is wielded in righteousness to destroy or expunge evil. It would be on par with the Urim and Thumim, in that we each crafted our own pre-mortally. The more we used/use it (exercise our Priesthood, or open our mouths in the defense of what is good and right - as it did start out s a war of words), the more ornate and useful it becomes. Picture a sword of a great warrior that is gilded and made more ornate to celebrate successful battles. This (according to my visionary friends), is what we each possess. As we conquer evil, our dominion increases.
The longer and more ornate our garb (representative of our Priesthoods) and our sword, the more attractive the male becomes to a discerning woman in the eternities. We are truly shackled, from that perspective, in this life (while choosing partners), as we have to rely on the five physical senses. When that is all manifested, it will be much easier to pick out the gems and discard the posers such as satan, or those who have tricked their way into positions, etc.
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