Reestablishing Severed Roots in Messianic Judaism

by Dean Mansfield

"To bring about ZION requires a grafting back into the Hebrew Root."

The following is a back-up copy from the eGroups archive

From: DJ Mansfield  <jitschak70@h...>
Date: Fri Nov 17, 2000 1:59am
Subject: Re: [Two_Sticks] Excommunication of Sterling D. Allan from the Mormon Church

Sterling wrote:

I pulled together an index of various items relating to the subject
of excommunication in general and regarding my case in particular.
I would like to include a few other people's story if any of you
would be interested in submitting yours.

TITLE
Regarding My Excommunication

URL
http://www.greaterthings.com/Bio/Excommunication/

DESCRIPTION
Circumstances of expulsion explained, Alphabetics Bible Code shows
the LDS verdict to be in prophetic contradiction and not upheld by
God.

Sterling
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Shalom Sterling,

   I read your story once before when we first encountered each
other in this discussion group. And I just read it again. I really
sympathize with you and the ordeal of your excommunication.

   We all have to learn in our own way.  After I was excommunicated
I underwent similar things as you describe and also came to the
conclusion that to be bitter or angry would accomplish nothing at
all.

   The thing that strikes me about your current situation is the
cruelty of being still very much attached to the LDS church and
people, and even relying upon them as part of your support system,
but being a pariah among them.  One can endure that up to a point,
but then one is eventually forced see that most likely there is not
going to be a reconciliation--at least not in this short life-span.
The LDS are going to go on as they are for an indefinite period,
with no real change unless there is something catastrophic to
cause change.  Whatever that might turn out to be, well, it is
beyond us and out of our hands.

   So, one can either be "submissive to the Brethren," which I
think was very wise advice at the time it was given; or one can
eventually find another way and find other like-minded people
who are also searching--who see from a similar light or vantage
point.  I think you are trying to make contact with these "others"
with your web site and participation in these discussion groups.

   But I would like to suggest something to you and to any who may
find themselves in this same kind of situation.  One of the dangers
of going out on one's own and challenging the "system" that is in
place, is that we may lose our "grounding." Mormonism is culturally
strongly grounded.  The pioneer experience helped to mitigate the
excesses of the Nauvoo and early Utah periods.  A new thing had
come forth and there was danger of unleashing spiritual forces that
can be harmful and extremely deceptive.  Everything that is "in
place" in Mormonism, I personally believe, is for a good reason.
The Temple ceremonies and the dogmas, which I often criticize,
help to "immunize" the LDS from spiritual forces that are very
deceptive and often destructive.  As a result--because of the
power of the revelation they received (The Book of Mormon)--they
instinctively shy away from anything that threatens their ground-
ing and stability.  They are carrying a great burden with the new
revelation (The Book of Mormon).  The "over-beliefs" and the strict
way, often authoritarian way, that they have of doing things is a
result of this burden and the negative forces that could be un-
leashed on them if they aren't careful.

   So, they are very careful.  The problem is, when anyone goes
spiritually or intellectually into an area that they sense could
be dangerous due to the spiritual forces that could be unleashed,
they take drastic measures.  They often overdo it.  But that is
their habit going back to pioneer days when they did experience
many things and had to put a lid on it.  Polygamy was a nice
compromise and solution to worse things that had been going on,
for example.

   One doesn't learn about the spiritual dynamics involved in this
unless one studies Judaism and Kabbalah.  And if one is going to go
off away from one's grounding, one must soon find a new kind of
grounding or one could find oneself going down all kinds of strange
paths as led by the "Shedim."  The antidote, I believe, is to be
found in the Torah of Moses, to live a Torah-observant life.  If
one is an Israelite, of whatever tribe, it is the only way.  The
Mormon belief and practice is only a stop-gap measure.  It is a
kind of improvised solution based on the best inspiration and
knowledge available to the LDS at the time they were experiencing
the "overflow of vision" that accompanied the birth of the Book
of Mormon.  They are satisfied with this system.  It has worked
for them.  But it is Gentile and still not truly tamed.  The Book
of Mormon comes forth "by way of the Gentile."

   What I am getting at is, we need to become "Messianic Jews" or
like Jews who have come to recognize Jesus as Messiah, with the
added knowledge of the Book of Mormon.  James Trimm was really onto
something in his "Rabbi Yosef" role.  He just got a little carried
away, I think, and then the role got out of hand because he was
playing a part to illustrate a point.  But the point didn't carry
because it seemed he was "tricking" everyone with his role.  (Yet
even Father Jacob played a role one time to receive the birthright
blessing.  And "Jacob," of course, is "James" in Greek!  Ha!)  So,
what I am suggesting, for myself as well, is the establishment of
Assemblies of Messiah based on Torah-observance, with the sacrament
of the last supper in lieu of the Law of Offerings of Moses.  The
Book of Mormon supplies the method of ordaining Cohens (priests)
and Rabbis (teachers) and how to administer Tevilah (Immersion) and
the Kiddush (sanctification of bread and wine). The rest of the laws
are still in tact and serve as the grounding for our spirituality
so that me may advance to the point where we eventually see the
LORD "Peney al Peney" ("Face to Face").

   Thus the way to apply your great love of the scriptures, which
is a sign of being an Israelite, is to study and learn Torah
with all the study aides the Jewish people have made available
through the ages, i.e., Gemara & Mishnah (Talmud) and Midrashic
literature, as well as Zohar and esoteric (Kabbalistic) literature.
These things will only give one a greater appreciation for the
Book of Mormon and for Yeshua the Messiah.

   When I became a Jew I soon underwent a lot of criticism from
friends.  One day I just blurted out, "Well, which do you prefer?
The religion OF Jesus or a religion ABOUT Jesus?"  "What do you
mean?" they asked.  "What was the religion OF Jesus?" I asked.
"Was it not Judaism?  And the religion ABOUT Jesus was the Gentile
Church, no?"  (I found out shortly thereafter that I was not the
first to use this argument.)

   To bring about ZION requires a grafting back into the Hebrew
Root.  There are many who have sensed this among Christian
Evangelicals.  So there is now the "Hebrew Roots Movement."
And I suggest that this is what all of us former LDS and
Christians do who want to bring about ZION:  Begin to Establish
Messianic Assemblies of Yeshua, be Torah-observant, and follow
the example of order taught in the Book of Mormon.  And leave the
LDS who want to stay as they are--leave them to God's care and
blessing.  They are part of His Divine Plan, and have done a
great service for us all.   Anyway, these are my present views,
Sterling, and I think you would really enjoy learning Hebrew and
reading the scriptures in the holy tongue.  Dean.