55: PENTECOST

This Sunday, May 27, 2012 is the day that many will be observing Pentecost.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,

and it filled all the house where they were sitting."

Acts 2:1-3

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"And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove,

and it abode upon him."

John 1:32

The Day of Pentecost is historically and symbolicallly related to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which commemorates God giving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai fifty days after the exodus. It is 50 days after the Feast of the Passover.  It is also the day commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection.

This day is also called the feast of the harvest and lasted for a single day, which was a day of holy convocation. Special sacrifices were made and freewill offerings.

In modern times in the Kirkland Temple we also learn about a Pentecost:

 Joseph wrote, “The Savior made his appearance to some, while angels ministered to others, and it was a Pentecost and an endowment indeed, long to be remembered, for the sound shall go forth from this place into all the world, and occurrences of this day shall be handed down upon the pages of sacred history, to all generations.” (History of the Church, 2:427–33.)
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 A friend of mine sent me the following in an email today..

"Pentecost is about "redemption" - the release of slaves and debt, a release from the sin that is Babylon....but also a renewal, a start over period for the sons and daughters of God in this dark world....a warning and last chance reminder. Christ is the great power behind this redemption - for all of us.
He provides liberty for the all the captives, here and in spirit prison (D&C 138)."