Valo wrote: ↑Sun Apr 21, 2024 3:24 am
Question: Would a sealed ship that had a bowl or dish like shape with a white lit stone inside used as a guiding light be a suitable symbol for how the Tuatha de Danaan vessel is understood to mean?
Chatgpt: Yes, that imagery could certainly be a symbolic representation of the vessel associated with the Tuatha de Danaan. The sealed ship with a bowl or dish shape containing a white lit stone inside serves as a powerful metaphor for guidance, enlightenment, and protection. The white lit stone could symbolize wisdom, spiritual illumination, or a connection to the divine, while the ship itself represents a journey or passage to other realms. This interpretation captures the mystical and transformative nature often attributed to the vessel in Irish mythology.
CONTEXT (Wikipedia Description of Ether Book of Mormon)
Jared and his people were among the many scattered peoples from the destruction of the Tower of Babel. The brother of Jared is described as "a large and mighty man ... highly favored of the Lord",[7] and seems to have been the spiritual leader of the group. He was given a vision of the history of the world, and inscribed prophecies, which were "sealed up" until the Lord decides to reveal them. The Lord told the brother of Jared to build unpowered submarines, termed "barges" or "vessels", to cross the ocean to the promised land. The barges could circulate fresh air because of openings in the top and bottom of the vessel.[8] The hole in the top could be "stopped up" when the waves crashed over the vessel to prevent scuttling. The hole in the bottom is assumed to have been constructed as a sort of moon pool with the lip above the waterline so it would not flood the vessel. This would also allow wave action and the buoying of the vessel to pump fresh air in and out of the vessel when the upper opening was uncapped.[9]
Because the vessels could not sustain fire or windows for light, the brother of Jared went to a mountain and prayed for help. God touched several molten stones and made them shine. Because of the brother of Jared's great faith, he saw the finger of God. He then saw and spoke with Jehovah. The people launched the vessels and traveled through great storms. After 344 days, they arrived at the Americas. Jared and his brother led the people to successfully establish a righteous nation.
Ether 6
2] For it came to pass after the Lord had prepared the stones which the brother of Jared had carried up into the mount, the brother of Jared came down out of the mount, and he did put forth the stones into the vessels which were prepared, one in each end thereof; and behold, they did give light unto the vessels.
[3] And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.
[4] And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them -- and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God.
[5] And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.
[6] And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.
[7] And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.
[8] And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.
[9] And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.
In the book of Ether instruction is given for building barges to take the Jaredites to the land that is choice above all other lands. I stipulate that the choice land is where God is. I stipulate that God did not live on this earth. I stipulate that the special barges built were for space travel and that all the ocean and wind effects are metaphors for the dangers of space travel. Please analyze the construction of the barge like ships for the suitability of space travel as opposed to traveling on the ocean. " 16 And the Lord said: Go to work and build, after the manner of abarges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work, and also his brethren, and built barges after the manner which they had built, according to the binstructions of the Lord. And they were small, and they were light upon the water, even like unto the lightness of a fowl upon the water.
17 And they were built after a manner that they were exceedingly atight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish.
18 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me, and I have made the barges according as thou hast directed me.
19 And behold, O Lord, in them there is no light; whither shall we steer? And also we shall perish, for in them we cannot breathe, save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish.
20 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: Behold, thou shalt make a hole in the top, and also in the bottom; and when thou shalt suffer for air thou shalt unstop the hole and receive air. And if it be so that the water come in upon thee, behold, ye shall stop the hole, that ye may not perish in the flood.
21 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did so, according as the Lord had commanded.
22 And he cried again unto the Lord saying: O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light in them. Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?
23 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have awindows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire.
24 For behold, ye shall be as a awhale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the bwinds have gone forth cout of my mouth, and also the drains and the floods have I sent forth.
25 And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?"
ChatGPT
Your interpretation of the Jaredite barges as metaphorical representations of spacecraft for space travel is intriguing. Let's analyze the characteristics of the barges described in the Book of Ether in the context of your interpretation:
Size and Weight: The barges were small and light upon the water, akin to the lightness of a fowl. In the context of space travel, this could suggest a design optimized for maneuverability and efficiency in traversing the vastness of space, where excessive weight could be a hindrance.
Watertight Construction: The barges were exceedingly tight, designed to hold water like unto a dish. In space, maintaining a sealed environment is crucial for survival, protecting against the vacuum of space. The tight construction could symbolize the need for airtight seals to preserve the life-supporting atmosphere within the spacecraft.
Ventilation: The Lord instructed the brother of Jared to create holes in the top and bottom of the barges for air exchange. In the context of space travel, this could represent the need for a controlled ventilation system to regulate oxygen levels and remove carbon dioxide, ensuring the occupants have a breathable atmosphere.
Light: The absence of light in the barges posed a challenge for the Jaredites. The Lord provided a solution by asking what they desired for light. In a spacecraft, windows might not be feasible due to the risk of damage, but alternative light sources, such as artificial lighting systems or advanced display technologies, could provide illumination for the occupants.
Protection from the Elements: The Lord assured the Jaredites that despite the challenges they would face, he would protect them from the waves and winds. In the context of space travel, this could symbolize the need for spacecraft to withstand the harsh conditions of space, including radiation, micrometeoroids, and extreme temperatures.
Overall, when viewed through the lens of space travel, the construction and features of the Jaredite barges align with the requirements for spacecraft designed to transport passengers safely through the inhospitable environment of space. This interpretation adds another layer of depth to the narrative, highlighting the timeless relevance and adaptability of the scriptures to different contexts and interpretations.
I bet that you didn't see that one coming?