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| The Dome of the Rock is a Moslem Mosque The "Wailing Wall" is a location Jews go to say daily prayers This location is considered to be hallowed ground for Christians as well. Tradition says: 1. It is the location of Mount Moriah, which is where Abraham was about to offer up his son Isaac to the Lord. 2. David offered sacrifice to the Lord for his sins on a threshing floor which is located on the same ground. 3. This is also the location where David’s son Solomon had a great temple built. 4. Ezekiel saw in a vision, during the Latter-Days, a temple would be built on the sacred ground. |
As I have been studying the scriptures I have a few doctrinal questions for you.
1 Nephi 13:42 says something about the first shall be last and the last shall be first. So naturally I took that to mean Christ would come to the Americas first during the second coming because he came to them last during his earthly ministry. But I thought he was going to descend on the dome of the rock? Or no? I can’t remember what the dome of the rock is.
1 Nephi 13:42 says something about the first shall be last and the last shall be first. So naturally I took that to mean Christ would come to the Americas first during the second coming because he came to them last during his earthly ministry. But I thought he was going to descend on the dome of the rock? Or no? I can’t remember what the dome of the rock is.
Dear Elder,
1 Nephi 13:42 is talking about how the gospel would be spread to the Jews and the Gentiles. Initially the gospel was given to the Jews first and after Christ’s crucifixion, the apostles started preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. Now in the latter days, the Gentiles are being given the gospel first and the Jews will be getting it second.
You are confusing the prophecy concerning Christ’s visit to Jerusalem after the great battle that will take place there. Christ will save the city from destruction. The Jews will see the nail prints in the Savior’s hands and realize it is Jesus of Nazareth. The prophecy states that at this point the Jews will be converted as a whole, but by this time many Gentiles will have already joined the church so the last shall be first.
1 Nephi 13:42 “And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.”
Doctrine and Covenant Section 90: 8 “That thereby they may be perfected in their ministry for the salvation of Zion, and of the nations of Israel, and of the Gentiles, as many as will believe;
9 That through your administration they may receive the word, and through their administration the word may go forth unto the ends of the earth, unto the Gentiles first, and then, behold, and lo, they shall turn unto the Jews.”
So Elder Hackleman, now I will address your second question. Christ will not descend on the Dome of the Rock, he will go to the Mount of Olives. At this point many great prophecies will be fulfilled including an earthquake causing the hillside to be divided in two providing a place for the Jews to escape from captivity brought on by the great seize of the city during the great battle.
A history lesson might help you understand the Dome of the Rock a little better. The Dome of the Rock is a Moslem Mosque. It is important to Muslim’s. It is also easy to see how important the location is to the Jews as witnessed by the many who visit the Wailing Wall each day. Tradition says the Wailing Wall is the last remaining piece of Solomon’s great temple. The Jews go there often to pray and they put written prayers into crevices in the rock wall.
The third group, who also believe this ground, is holy and sacred are the Christians. Tradition says:
1. It is the location of Mount Moriah, which is where Abraham was about to offer up his son Isaac to the Lord.
2. David offered sacrifice to the Lord for his sins on a threshing floor which is located on the same ground.
3. This is also the location where David’s son Solomon had a great temple built.
4. Ezekiel saw in a vision for the latter days-a temple would be built on the sacred ground.
The following two quotes were taken from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Institute Manuel.
Ezekiel 37:26–28. A Latter-day Temple in Jerusalem
Ezekiel prophesied in 37:26–28 about a holy sanctuary or temple that would be part of the great reunification of Israel. Soon after this vision, Ezekiel received a detailed vision of what the new temple in Jerusalem would be like (see Ezekiel 40–48). President Joseph Fielding Smith said:“Ezekiel predicted the building of a temple in Jerusalem which will be used for ordinance work after the gathering of Israel from their long dispersion and when they are cleansed from their transgressions”(Doctrines of Salvation, 2:244).
Ezekiel 47:1–12. Waters Issue from the Temple
The Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed: “Judah must return, Jerusalem must be rebuilt, and the temple, and water come out from under the temple, and the waters of the Dead Sea be healed. It will take some time to rebuild the walls of the city and the temple, and all this must be done before the Son of Man will make His appearance.” (Teachings,p. 286.)
The waters issuing forth from under the temple and the healing of the Dead Sea may occur when the Lord Himself sets foot upon the Mount of Olives, causing this mountain to divide in two and create a large valley (see Zechariah 14:4; D&C 133:20–24; Enrichment I).
We believe the prophecy written in the Old Testament by Ezekiel will transpire. How that will come about is a mystery at this time. No true Christian would ever cause any harm to a sacred building owned by another religion. So how the prophecy of Ezekial will unfold and when it will happen is yet to be fulfilled.
I am glad to see you are studying deep doctrine and it is causing you to have questions. You are getting a few things mixed up a bit. I will try to help clear things up for you. The answers cannot be given without quite a bit of documentation, so I will do my best.
1 Nephi 13:42 is talking about how the gospel would be spread to the Jews and the Gentiles. Initially the gospel was given to the Jews first and after Christ’s crucifixion, the apostles started preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. Now in the latter days, the Gentiles are being given the gospel first and the Jews will be getting it second.
You are confusing the prophecy concerning Christ’s visit to Jerusalem after the great battle that will take place there. Christ will save the city from destruction. The Jews will see the nail prints in the Savior’s hands and realize it is Jesus of Nazareth. The prophecy states that at this point the Jews will be converted as a whole, but by this time many Gentiles will have already joined the church so the last shall be first.
1 Nephi 13:42 “And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.”
Doctrine and Covenant Section 90: 8 “That thereby they may be perfected in their ministry for the salvation of Zion, and of the nations of Israel, and of the Gentiles, as many as will believe;
9 That through your administration they may receive the word, and through their administration the word may go forth unto the ends of the earth, unto the Gentiles first, and then, behold, and lo, they shall turn unto the Jews.”
So Elder Hackleman, now I will address your second question. Christ will not descend on the Dome of the Rock, he will go to the Mount of Olives. At this point many great prophecies will be fulfilled including an earthquake causing the hillside to be divided in two providing a place for the Jews to escape from captivity brought on by the great seize of the city during the great battle.
A history lesson might help you understand the Dome of the Rock a little better. The Dome of the Rock is a Moslem Mosque. It is important to Muslim’s. It is also easy to see how important the location is to the Jews as witnessed by the many who visit the Wailing Wall each day. Tradition says the Wailing Wall is the last remaining piece of Solomon’s great temple. The Jews go there often to pray and they put written prayers into crevices in the rock wall.
The third group, who also believe this ground, is holy and sacred are the Christians. Tradition says:
1. It is the location of Mount Moriah, which is where Abraham was about to offer up his son Isaac to the Lord.
2. David offered sacrifice to the Lord for his sins on a threshing floor which is located on the same ground.
3. This is also the location where David’s son Solomon had a great temple built.
4. Ezekiel saw in a vision for the latter days-a temple would be built on the sacred ground.
The following two quotes were taken from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Institute Manuel.
Ezekiel 37:26–28. A Latter-day Temple in Jerusalem
Ezekiel prophesied in 37:26–28 about a holy sanctuary or temple that would be part of the great reunification of Israel. Soon after this vision, Ezekiel received a detailed vision of what the new temple in Jerusalem would be like (see Ezekiel 40–48). President Joseph Fielding Smith said:“Ezekiel predicted the building of a temple in Jerusalem which will be used for ordinance work after the gathering of Israel from their long dispersion and when they are cleansed from their transgressions”(Doctrines of Salvation, 2:244).
Ezekiel 47:1–12. Waters Issue from the Temple
The Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed: “Judah must return, Jerusalem must be rebuilt, and the temple, and water come out from under the temple, and the waters of the Dead Sea be healed. It will take some time to rebuild the walls of the city and the temple, and all this must be done before the Son of Man will make His appearance.” (Teachings,p. 286.)
The waters issuing forth from under the temple and the healing of the Dead Sea may occur when the Lord Himself sets foot upon the Mount of Olives, causing this mountain to divide in two and create a large valley (see Zechariah 14:4; D&C 133:20–24; Enrichment I).
We believe the prophecy written in the Old Testament by Ezekiel will transpire. How that will come about is a mystery at this time. No true Christian would ever cause any harm to a sacred building owned by another religion. So how the prophecy of Ezekial will unfold and when it will happen is yet to be fulfilled.
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