Crown Forging 101

Crown Forging 101

I call this watercolor, "Forging Crowns" 

After the experience that I share below, I decided I wanted to paint a crown.  This is the only painting I have done so far that I haven't looked at something else to try to paint.  So this is what I came up with and it means so much to me, for several reasons... first off, because of the whole REASON I even became interested in the topic of "crowns" in the first place, and second,  THAT reason, that experience,

launched a whole new journey for me spiritually.                                                    

I feel that the Lord was finally able to get through to me in a way that He could teach me HOW to actually ENJOY learning from the scriptures.  If you have read my 1st post, you'll know what a struggle I used to have in reading/learning.  But now it was like the Lord was personally guiding me to a new horizon!                   

After the following experience I had an intense desire to study what the scriptures had to say about crowns and it was as if He was pointing out certain things about each verse which spoke deeply to me, leading me to seek deeper insights through footnotes, related Conference talks and understanding through the Holy Ghost.  

I had known that the scriptures are layered and that we can learn something new every time we read the same verses, but until then I had never personally experienced learning in this way. Now it was as if the words were parting and inviting me in!  I found myself studying for hours at a time, even at Christmas-time- when time, for me (and most people) is at a premium...it was THAT engaging for me!  

Another reason this painting holds so much meaning for me is because of the things I learned in my studies.  It was as if I saw this life experience in a whole new light and I now had a desire to forge my own crown.  I wanted to be a "jewel" in His (Christ's) hand.  I wanted to "become" even as my Heavenly Mother has "become" and  I started to see what doing so would require of me.  I truly wanted to be "wheat" and not a "tare".  I decided to design my crown around that theme as a symbol to remind me of the righteous life required to gain a crown of Glory.  It is a crown I hope to attain some day!  

         Below is my experience and the study and impressions that followed:   

        While in my morning prayers one day in early December 2018, I had a rare impression come. (I say rare because I hadn't often had that clear or that specific of an impression of what to pray for)   Before I go on, I want to express that this experience is very precious to me and I hope you will receive it with reverence and with an open mind...

        So, to continue.... The prompting came to ask what my Heavenly Mother was like.  I thought that was very unusual because I had never really given much thought to that topic before, but I as I had been (and still am) trying to hear and heed promptings better, I decided to do so.  At first no impression came... I wondered if my mind was playing tricks on me.  But then, I had a distinct impression to go to my computer and start typing.... This was all new to me.  But, again, trying to be obedient, I followed this lead...& this is what came to me:

Q.  What is Heavenly Mother like?

A.  She is magnificent beyond belief.  She is radiant beyond description. The whole of true charity within her exudes from every part of her being.    She wears a crown so exquisite, there are not mortal words…it seems to be a very part of her as if it were an appendage, no, her very being, that through the ages she has shaped, forged and polished, setting each precious stone through the purging, aligning, perfecting process with her own Savior until at last it burst forth from within. Her inexpressible glory clothes her in a magnificent, radiant robe of purest white, flawless and flowing, perfected and pure.  She is simply a being no Telestial language can describe. 

Study: Crowns

 Crown- (churchofjesuschrist.org definition)-  “A circular ornament worn on the head by rulers. It can be a symbol of celestial power, dominion, and godhood. Those who endure to the end by keeping all of God’s commandments will receive a crown of eternal life. “ 

        ~This would suggest that Eternal Life is, in itself, a “crown”.  The answer I received above describes this so beautifully!

Matthew 27: 29 - And when they had plaited (woven) a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!      

         ~I had originally overlooked this scripture, but a dear friend of mine brought it to my attention and I almost cried!  How could I fail to see this, the most quintessential verse of scripture relating to Crowns??  This crown…this wreath of thorns, crafted to be the ultimate insult, in reality became one of the greatest symbols of Christ’s true mission and Divinity: King of Kings, Lord of Lord’s, lover of our souls. This crown, there to mock, was instead for those who would see, an emblem of the exquisite gift that He alone could give. His willingness to condescend below all things, to pay the ultimate price so that we don’t have to… Because He willingly wore this crown, we can, one day too, wear the Crown of Glory He now wears!  For this I am eternally Grateful!!!

Doctrine and Covenants 81:6 -And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father.      

        ~Throughout my life, I have heard many variations of the phrase “enduring to the end” with it so often being implied that we just have to grit our teeth and push through to the bitter end.  Being “faithful until the end” seems to imply so much more than that. As I ponder this phrase, I think of all the scriptures that encourage us to be cheerful and have joy despite the tribulations we may be going through… That idea seems to be a complete oxymoron and used to be so incomprehensible to me…that I could have joy DURING my trials.

      But, difficult life experiences are teaching me that it is indeed possible and that we can have joy amidst trial by “resting in the Lord”. So what does it mean to “rest in the Lord”? To me, it means focusing on Him and the peace He offers through the enabling power of His Atonement. It is ”yoking with Him”. Growing up it seemed like that idea, that visual, was taught a lot… but I never really understood HOW to actually do that…maybe it was because my brain thinks in literal terms and it was hard for me to understand that  Jesus Christ is truly, literally there for us and not just a vague being somewhere out in the universe.  

        As I type this, I realize I had been a lot like Thomas where “seeing is believing” (John 20:29).  It took the biggest trial (to that point) in my life to really understand the HOW… At that time of difficulty, I came across an article by Elder David A. Bednar in the April 2012 Ensign entitled The  Atonement and the Journey of Mortality  This article literally changed my life and was the beginning of my coming to understand what it really means to rely on the Lord.  Now, although not perfect in this, I can say, that I am finally able to see past the need for physical evidence and move into the spiritual realm of His ability to succor us. 

Proverbs 4:9 -She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.  

        –When I first read this I thought maybe it was talking about a faithful wife.   I decided to read the verses before and after to understand its’ context.   These are the verses just before:

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

    -Nowhere in the chapter can I tell that it is talking about a woman.  I believe “her, she” is wisdom. (reminds me of the beautiful book- the Shack)  When you read it in that context that makes perfect sense.  We gain this wisdom from not only the study of scripture and learning from good people and good books & most especially from personal revelation, but also from life experience. 

What has been some of my greatest teachers?  FAILURE!.  I am beginning to understand that failure (or our mistakes) shouldn’t be looked at with shame and contempt (except to the extent to bring us to repentance) EVERY experience can be for our ultimate good IF we gain wisdom from it. I think this is what “Exalt her” means in vs. 8 above…. “Exalt her”(be grateful for wisdom gained in any which way and let it boost us to the next rung of the ladder and while we’re at it let it become a setting for a beautiful gem in our crown! :)). Forgiveness of self is required here as is BELIEF that we are worthy of Christ's Atonement.  The chapter before this verse ends with this equally illuminating one...

Proverbs 3:35 - The wise shall inherit glory (a crown): but shame shall be the promotion of fools. 

 –If we  gain only “shame”(whether self-inflicted or received {and believed} from others) from our mistakes, we will never be promoted from being fools.

Proverbs 16:31 -The hoary head (gray hair of old age) is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. 

        -This scripture is one of my favorites I came across in this study! Probably because I am starting to get more than a few “silver” highlights myself, haha… but it gives me a whole new perspective on graying hair!  It should be celebrated and revered as a sign of maturescence; a life of experience; the fruits being wisdom, especially if developed in righteousness.  I love other cultures who respect and seek to learn from the wisdom of their “elders”.  Unfortunately, in our culture, youthfulness or trying to appear youthful is celebrated and sought after more than the wisdom of the aged, although I find the trend of young people dying their hair “platinum” to be very interesting!  Maybe deep down their spirits understand this??

Doctrine and Covenants 25:15 Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive. And except thou do this, where I am you cannot come. 

 ~What does it really mean to keep the commandments? Do I ever really go through them, one by one, to see? How about the Higher Law?  This is one of the things I have covenanted to keep and until Pres. Nelson counseled us to keep our covenants and “examine your life meticulously and regularly”  I realized I wasn’t really keeping parts of that Higher Law and maybe even some of the lower laws (do I really love ALL my neighbors…& who IS my neighbor??)  I realized I have MUCH still to improve upon. What gives me hope is that it is not the destination where we must be found. To be found on THE PATH to that destination, is the only requirement.  It is all about the journey!  Thank Heaven’s for that!

Doctrine and Covenants 124:17,55,95 – 17 And for his love he shall be great, for he shall be mine if he do this, saith the Lord. I have seen the work which he hath done, which I accept if he continue, and will crown him with blessings and great glory. 55- And again, verily I say unto you, I command you again to build a house to my name, even in this place, that you may prove yourselves unto me that ye are faithful in all things whatsoever I command you, that I may bless you, and crown you with honor, immortality, and eternal life.  95- …who shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned with the same blessing, and glory, and honor, and priesthood, and gifts of the priesthood,…

            ~In vs, 55, they are again commanded to build a temple, this time in Nauvoo.  This must have seemed like an impossible task. Having already sacrificed so very much to build the Kirtland Temple, despite being destitute, only to be driven out.  I’m sure that was more than difficult.  But, they trusted in the Lord and He did indeed provide the way. I need to remember this! When what I am asked to do seems impossible, I need only remember that NOTHING is impossible with the Lord. Stay in Charity, stay in Faith to do that which He asks and He will “crown us with honor, immortality, and eternal life.”

            ~I think sometimes we think “blessings” mean only an increase in temporal things.  But anything that brings us an increase in ANYTHING good, including knowledge, testimony, wisdom, etc is a “blessing” and sometimes those things are only gained through trial, suffering, and learning from our mistakes. I need to remember that ALL things give us experience and are for our highest good IF we let them be, and therefore can be counted as blessings.

Doctrine and Covenants 75:5 And thus, if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life.

~The “crown here is described almost with the same wording as above. What a beautiful “crown” that will be to those who are faithful!  And then there is the promise to be “laden with many sheaves,”.  The reward for a faithful life is to gain “all that the father hath”. That certainly will be many sheaves! 

Doctrine and Covenants 52:43 But, behold, I, the Lord, will hasten the city in its time, and will crown the faithful with joy and with rejoicing.

            ~I have never thought of it this way but “joy and rejoicing” IS like a spiritual crown.  The aura or  “glow” of a joyful person could definitely be considered crown-like and is sometimes almost visible!

1 Thessalonians 2:19- For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?     

        -Crown of rejoicing….that phrase here again… Being worthy to endure His presence will certainly bring about the utmost rejoicing! The “Crown” or reward for our “living” for Christ is Eternal joy and rejoicing!

           Leviticus 21:12 -Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the Lord. 

-This is an interesting verse… it reminds me of the Initiatory ordinance in our temples. This seems to me to suggest that when we live up to our covenants and truly internalize them- allowing them to change our very being, both body and spirit, the blessings pronounced in the Initiatory ordinance will one day become a reality and will be like a crown upon our heads making us Kings & Queens, Priests & Priestesses.  (I think it is also interesting that the oil is poured on the crown of the head or the Crown Chakra- (which is our energetic connection to heaven ie: Divine intelligence)

1 Peter 5:4 -And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.  

        –I love that after He comes, the given Crown of Glory “fadeth not away”.  But, in the here and now, it can fade away.  We can gain knowledge, wisdom, testimony, etc, but if we slacken and fail to put on our armor (Scripture study, prayer,etc) AND reinforce it/strengthen it EVERY day, it will lessen or weaken until it is nonexistent.  “Crown forging” is a DAILY process until at that great and last day, it will become a very part of us and lift us up to Him to “fade not away”.

Isaiah 62:33 -Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.  

        –I had to look up what diadem means.  It is a jeweled crown or headband worn as a symbol of sovereignty-which means supreme power or authority.  This verse tells me that our Heavenly Father doesn’t want to keep this “supreme power or authority” to Himself, He wants us to have and be what He is.  We are in His hands and He is shaping us into Royal, Eternal beings.  That shaping/refining is often painful. Am I willing to endure that refining process and to see it for what it is?

  

Doctrine and Covenants 59:2-4   -2 …and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them.

3 Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel; for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall bring forth in its strength.

4 And they shall also be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time—they that are faithful and diligent before me.  

        –I think this is very interesting too… I can easily understand being crowned with blessings, but then it goes on to say- AND with commandments”… I never thought of commandments as being something we can be crowned with but I guess it is the keeping of the commandments that forges our crowns(as in the scripture above), so that makes sense. & then it goes on to say AND with revelations… Yes! Revelation from on high is a beautiful crown builder too! What greater thing can we have than personal revelation that guides us back to our Heavenly Parents, to become as they are!

Revelation 2:10 -Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 

        - Suffering trials & tribulation is an important part of our mortal experience, don’t be afraid of what man can do, only look to Christ! Focus on JOY as did He, Paul, Hebrew 12:2  and so many others.

Doctrine and Covenants 78:15 -That you may come up unto the crown prepared for you…

        -“Come up unto".  Yes, it is a coming up! A climbing to greater & greater spiritual heights through the Atonement of Jesus Christ until at last we will be crowned with all that the Father hath!

 John 1:12  -Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

 -Even temptation, is purposeful… that we may prove that we “love Him” (Christ) more than what we are being tempted with… “sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!”.  The adversary plays a key role and it is why he is allowed to tempt and afflict us. We should see it for what it is and be grateful for opposition, for without it we could not progress and “come up unto the crown” as it says in the scripture above and be “found unto praise and honour and glory”). 

A previous verse,  John 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;…  Ah… how to change the mindset?? Gratitude is SO KEY…  to be able to see the traps of the adversary for what they truly are: avenues that bring us to the Lord whether through repentance or through praying for strength against the tempter…either way, we end up closer to the Lord and that should be counted as “joyful”!

1 Peter 1:6-7  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

        -Wow, So interesting too… The “trial of our faith being much more precious than gold”!  That refining fire: the trials, the temptations, the tribulation the suffering…. These things are designed to turn us to Christ that we “might be found unto praise and honour and glory” at His coming.  And then we will understand how these things are “more precious than Gold for they are the things that help transform us!! Paul is an exquisite example of this!

2 Timothy 4:8 -Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

- “love his appearing”…This is an interesting phrase!  Could this mean that we love it when he manifests new understanding of His doctrine and His gospel to us even if it means making hard changes in our lives, or like Jon Bytheway says,… do we hold our hand over our cup, so as to not allow any more knowledge in, saying, we have enough- knowing that more knowledge and understanding we gain, the more accountable we become? The Lord LOVES to stretch us and mold us and refine us through increased gospel understanding and life experience BECAUSE he wants us to become like He is. Do I LOVE His “appearing” in my life? If not, I probably won’t be loving life too much when He REALLY appears!

Titus 2:12-13 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Doctrine and Covenants 109:76 That our garments may be pure, that we may be clothed upon with robes of righteousness, with palms in our hands, and crowns of glory upon our heads, and reap eternal joy for all our sufferings.

Doctrine and Covenants 58:4  For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory…

 -Two more scriptures linking tribulation and crowns, etc. From the sounds of it, without our “sufferings & tribulation” we could not fully come to know the Lord or to be sufficiently tried to “reap eternal joy”, therefore we would be wise to develop gratitude for these things that forge our “Crowns”.

Doctrine and Covenants 101:15,65  -15 And all they who have given their lives for my name shall be crowned.   65 Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory, when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as his work shall be; 

 -“given their lives” doesn’t just mean dying for Christ’s sake, but also LIVING for Christ’s sake, everyday!  Are my daily actions, my decisions, my service centered in Christ? If so, each is a setting of precious stones in my crown. 

Doctrine and Covenants 106:8 -And I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand; and if he continue to be a faithful witness and a light unto the church I have prepared a crown for him in the mansions of my Father. Even so. Amen.  

        –I want daily Grace & assurance! I must remember always to be a “faithful witness and a light”…

Doctrine and Covenants 76:79  -These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God.     

        –Wow! What a warning! Am I valiant in the testimony of my Savior? What really does it mean to be valiant in this way?  How often do I share that testimony? I’m sure there are many levels of being valiant in my testimony, but I guess a good start would be to quit being such a chicken liver during Fast and Testimony mtg…hmmm.

Psalm 132:18 -His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

-This is also interesting to me… a “crown flourish[ing]” would suggest that it is developing or becoming greater!

Doctrine and Covenants 79:3 And inasmuch as he is faithful, I will crown him again with sheaves.

-With the definition below of being any collection of things bound together, this might be suggesting blessings so abundantly given it is like a great harvest, In order to contain it all, it needs to be gathered in sheaves.. If we gain this “crown”, we will be given all that the Father hath... Luke 6:38- “good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over…

Hunker.com says:   Sheaves" is the plural of the word "sheaf." The meaning of "sheaf" can be stalks of cut or harvested grain that have been bound together. It can also be defined as any collection of things that are held together with a band or tie; for example, you could say; "On the table there were sheaves of paper." Any composite object made of many things bundled or tied together could make a sheaf -- or if there are many of them, sheaves. The Bible often uses the word "sheaves;" for example in Genesis: "We were binding sheaves of corn out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered round mine and bowed down to it" (Genesis 37:7). Sheaves are often used in parables to represent other things or events, and therefore the word can have meanings beyond its literal definition. –

Revelation 3:11  …hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

This reminds me to hold fast to my testimony of the Gospel of Christ, that no man (or any voices in the world,) should deceive me away from truth.  This is the great test of this life.

Zechariah 9:16 And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his             land.

~This reminds me of 3 Nephi 24:17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.   –This imagery is beautiful too! The Lord “making up [His] Jewels”, those who love and serve him he esteems as precious “Jewels”& will “save them” & “spare them” in the last day.  I want to be a jewel in His sight!

     This experience has truly shifted something deep within me and I have felt Heaven healing a part of me through it all.  I know now that even when obedience to certain commandments or prophetic counsel seems fruitless or even pointless at times, if continued, God, in His perfect timing and wisdom, will indeed pour out His blessings upon us! We each have a unique and individual journey and His ever-patient aid in our crown-forging experiences will come to us just as perfectly individualized.  I am certain of this now. So, keep lifting your eyes to the ONE! Speaking of which, check out this awesome song!     https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/music?lang=eng#sort=collection&dir=desc&lang=eng&clang=eng&search=Lift+your+eyes

Blessings on your day, 

Nikki