“And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord, I beheld a large and spacious field. And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.” -1 Nephi 2:48-49 RAV, 8:9-10 OPV
Before we go any further into Teshuvah, we need to go over some more advanced information. We’re going to dive into the Mormon Kabbalah’s Tree of Life, and the elements, and introduce some of the Sephirot. While the Godhead or Trinity, however one sees Him or Them, are all one in purpose, They are still divided as to Their roles and how we understand Them. We need to understand these differences before we move any further.
The Tree of Life
The Tree of Life in Mormon Kabbalah is set up slightly differently from the traditional Kabbalah. The traditional Tree of Life has the Sephirot Keter at the top, followed by Binah (understanding) on the left, and Chokhmah (wisdom) on the right. Between them 
we find Da’at (knowledge). However, in Mormon Kabbalah we have Da’at on the left and Chokhmah on the right. Why? Because when we combine Knowledge with Wisdom we gain Understanding. Thus, Binah rests between them, and is, in a way, interchangeable with Keter.
Da’at, the left eye, represents God the Father (Avinu), and Chokhmah, the right eye, represents God the Mother (Shekinah). These being Gods, sealed for all time and eternity, are one in Binah, Understanding. With Knowledge we know good from evil. With Wisdom we know that the light is greater than the darkness. Only together can we have Understanding. Genurah, the left hand, is the Spirit of God resting under Da’at. On the right hand of God is Chesed, birthed below Chokhmah. This is God’s Mercy, Jesus Christ. All together these four are the One True God.
One God or Many?
Jerónimo Cósida, The Holy Trinity, fresco, c. 1570.
To the trinitarian, these are but a way of viewing the same one Deity. God is taking on the form of four beings, God the Father being both male and female. Keter cannot be understood and is thus represented by these to help human relate to the great mystery. To the polytheist these can be two, three, four, or even a council of separate Beings that work and act as one. Thus, Keter is the unification of these beings as they unite in purpose. Either way, Binah is our understanding of this or these beings.
In Mormon Kabbalah both of these ideas of God are “true,” in that we all see deity in the manor God reveals himself to us. One may be a trinitarian or a polytheist. As we grow in Grace, God can reveal Himself in many ways. The Sephirot, Hebrew for “emanation” are windows that let the light of the Creator shine upon us. They changing our perception so we may see the world through these aspects of God’s eyes. Through them we can better see the world as it truly is.
The Elements
Just as these four Sephirot represent the Four Christian Gods, or ideas of God, they also represent the elements and cardinal directions. Together, these form the Liahona, the director given to Lehi to guide his people to their promised land.
Da’at: Knowledge~Air~East~Avinu אבינוּ (God the Father)
Chokhmah:~Wisdom~Earth~North~Shekinah שכינה (God the Mother/Queen of Heaven)
Chesed:~Mercy~Water~West~YHVH יהוה (Jesus Christ)
Gevurah:~Judgement~Fire~South~Michael מיכאל (Holy Ghost)
As we continue to learn in Mormon Kabbalah, this information will open our eyes to a deeper understanding of one’s self, God, the scriptures, and all of creation. As one enters the priesthood, attends temple, gains endowments, and more, the eyes of our understanding will continue to open. This is because we have been washed clean in Water (Chesed) and Fire (Gevurah) and we can recieve Knowledge (Da’at) and Wisdom (Chokhmah). Together, these bless us with Understanding (Binah).
“And Chokhmah and Da’at shall be the faithfulness of thy times, and safeguard of salvation: the fear of Yahveh is his treasure.” -Isaiah 33:6
8 comments
I like this website so much, bookmarked.
I’ve never look at God this way, but it actually makes a lot of sense! This has been a really wonderful post. Thanks for providing this information, I can tell you’re a deep thinker and have been going over this for a very long time.
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the challenges. It was truly informative. Your site is extremely helpful. I feel closer to God having spent some time here. I’m going to have to do some real praying and thinking now. Thank you for sharing!
First of all I would like to say superb blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing. I have had trouble clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out. I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or tips? Thank you!
That’s an excellent question. We recommend prayer and meditation. You can read about prayer here: http://cjccf.org/pray/ and mediation here: http://cjccf.org/mormon-meditation/
Hope that helps!
Does the Book of Mormon mention the Queen ?
2 Nephi 31:
21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.
Alma 11:
44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but everything shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.
Mormon 7:
7 And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.
The Testimony of Three Witnesses
And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.
Oliver Cowdery
David Whitmer
Martin Harris
1 Nephi 13: 41 And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; wherefore they both shall be established in one; for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth.
Doctrine and Covenants 20 :
28 Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen.
One is not required to believe in Heavenly Mother to be a Mormon. Those that do generally quote the following passages.
She is real:
Genesis 1:27: So the Gods (Elohim) created humankind in their image, in the image of the Gods they created them; male and female they created them.
She cares for us:
Isaiah 66:12–13 As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
We do not worship her:
Jeremiah 7:18The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
An example of her in the Book of Mormon:
1 Nephi 3:46a-53 RAV, 11:8a-13b: ¶ And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me, Look! And I looked and beheld a tree; and it was like unto the tree which my father had seen; and the beauty thereof was far beyond, yea, exceeding of all beauty; and the whiteness thereof did exceed the whiteness of the driven snow.
¶ And it came to pass after I had seen the tree, I said unto the Spirit, I behold thou hast shown unto me the tree which is precious above all. And he said unto me, What desirest thou? And I said unto him, To know the interpretation thereof. For I spake unto him as a man speaketh; for I beheld that he was in the form of a man; yet, nevertheless, I knew that it was the Spirit of the Lord; and he spake unto me as a man speaketh with another.
¶ And it came to pass that he said unto me, Look! And I looked as if to look upon him, and I saw him not; for he had gone from before my presence. And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white.
Hope that helps, God bless!
The tree of beauty represents Heavenly Mother?