"And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf."
Exodus 32:35
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(This is an update to a previous post about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing with the celebrity guest entertainer and singer, Katherine Jenkins.) Exodus 32:35
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Since the demand for Mormon Tabernacle special performances is so high, tickets are distributed through a lottery system. In case you were not one of the “lucky ones”… I am posting one of the segments of last weeks performance. In addition to singing popular songs, Katherine Jenkins with her partner Mark Ballas performed their dance routine from the popular television show, “Dancing with the Stars”. Here is the link for you to watch.
The couple performed the Paso Doble which is a Spanish dance where traditionally the man is characterized as the matador (bullfighter) and the lady as his cape/or the bull in the drama of a Spanish bullfight. It was a crowd pleaser as you can tell by the applause. I don’t want to read too much into it.. but I think there is some symbolism.
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There are many places that I consider to be a holy place on this earth. Places like Mt. Sinai where God spoke to the prophet Moses, places like the sacred grove where the Father and the Son came to the Prophet Joseph Smith. I consider the point where heaven meets earth as sacred. Twice a year, men who are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators speak to us from pulpit in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake. Many would consider that place to be a “sacred” place where they believe the mind and the will of God is revealed to us through these men. You can go on a tour of the Conference Center; however, the visitors are not allowed to come close to the pulpit.
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Now for the reason for this post. When Moses came down to speak the mind and will of God to the Israelites, he found them dancing and worshipping a “golden calf” (which was actually a small bull.) We know that King David danced in praising the Lord....so the dancing of the Israelites is actually a wonderful form of worship. However, the dancing to worship a false idol is not pleasing to the Lord.. While waiting upon the Lord the Israelites were dancing in worshipping a bull. The bull is an ancient symbol for the power of God.
I couldn’t help but think how ironic that this symbolic bull dance that spectators watched for pleasure would be performed on the very spot where messages are delivered by the Men who “sit in Moses seat”. It is at least interesting to see some similiarites between us, "the chosen people of the Lord" today and the ancient Israelites.
Sidenote: Funny how I came across this today of one of our most famous Mormons in very opportune photoshoot.
