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LEHI - Revelation 2:17 and D&C 130:10-11 talks about a white stone which is the Urim and Thummim. Can you tell me what you know about this stone? And, could you give me quotations from leaders of the church about it?
JOEL -
Revelation 2: 16-17:
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
The D&C scriptures say:
10 Then the white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17, will become a Urim and Thummim to each individual who receives one, whereby things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known;
11 And a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it. The new name is the key word. (D&C 130:10-11)
Besides what the above scriptures say I have never heard of any General authority offer much further explanation of this white stone. All we know is that it is a type of urim and thummim or seer stone (perhaps like the white seer stone Joseph Smith had) for each individual who overcomes sin (Revelation 2:17) and enters the celestial kingdom. The white stone engraved with the correct word or name symbolizes one's personal, private key that not only reveals things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms but is also the key or "key word" that allows one to pass the gatekeeper at the portal and enter into the celestial kingdom. What all this actually means and if the stone is an actual physical object or only a figurative term is a bit of a mystery that church leaders have chosen not to talk much about; perhaps it simply hasn't been revealed yet.
Elder Melvin J Ballard said:
"The revelations referred to inform us that whosoever enters the celestial kingdom shall receive a white stone, a Urim and Thummim of greatest purity. Through the gift and power of God it will enable the possessor to read the universe and obtain knowledge from all kingdoms, not only the one in which we dwell, so that we will comprehend all heights and all depths." (Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin J. Ballard)
Elder Alvin R. Dyer said:
The manifestations, powers, instruction, and the wisdom of the eternities that will be available to those who receive the "white stone," with greatly expanded powers of personal perception and potential to make use of it, is beyond the comprehension of the finite mind. This is why the Lord has said that only they who receive it will be able to comprehend and understand. (Who Am I, 1966)
Sister Chieko N. Okazaki (who was first counselor in the General Relief Society) said:
"We're not in the celestial kingdom yet, and I don't know whether the white stone is literal or figurative, but I think that this is the Lord's way of reminding us about the importance of the names we choose to take upon us—to choose names of honor and valor, names that we can bear proudly and pass on unsullied to our children. (SANCTUARY by Chieko N. Okazaki)
Besides our own personal name other names we take upon us are the one we receive in the temple ordinances and of course the name of Christ we take upon ourselves at baptism. Most likely the "new name" is the one we receive in the temple ordinances. The "new name" symbolizes a new existence or a new life.
Mostly I think we are going to have to wait and see what this white stone actually is when the time comes to enter heaven.
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