bdl

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Laban
Son of Bethuel, grandson of Nahor, grandnephew of Abraham, brother of Rebekah, and father of Leah and Rachel. His branch of family remained at Haran when Abraham moved on into Canaan. The dealings between the two branches are described in Gen. 24; Gen. 27: 43 - 31: 55. Jacob lived with him and served him for 20 years. There was a good deal of mutual deception, each trying to outdo the other; but the final parting among the mountains of Gilead was a friendly one.

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Lachish
A city of the Amorites, between Hebron and the coast (Josh. 10: 3, 5, 23, 31-35; Josh. 12: 11); afterwards included in Judah (Josh. 15: 39); fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chr. 11: 9); here Amaziah was killed (2 Kgs. 14: 19; 2 Chr. 25: 27). It was captured by Sennacherib (2 Chr. 32: 9; 2 Kgs. 18: 17), and the siege is depicted on an Assyrian monument still in existence. After the Return Lachish was again occupied by Jews (Neh. 11: 30).

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Lamb of God
A name for the Savior used by John the Baptist and others (John 1: 29). It has reference to Jesus being a sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Cf. 1 Cor. 5: 7; 1 Pet. 1: 19.

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Lamech
(1) Fifth in descent from Cain (Gen. 4: 18-24).

(2) Father of Noah (Gen. 5: 25-31 ; 1 Chr. 1: 3 ; Luke 3: 36 ; D&C 107: 51 ; Moses 8: 5-11 ).

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Lamentations, Book of
Or, Dirges over the fall of Jerusalem and the nation. Written by Jeremiah. The poems are acrostic, chs. 1, 2, 4 having each 22 verses beginning with the successive letters of the alphabet; ch. 3 has 66 verses, every three beginning each with one letter; ch. 5 is not alphabetical. This beautiful little book is very instructive, e.g., in regard to the scenes in the city, and the feelings of the people, ch. 4; the deep impression made by the destruction of the holy city and temple by Jehovah’s own hand (Lam. 1: 21; Lam. 2: 1-11; Lam. 3: 42-44); the feeling of sin awakened by it and the deep sense of national humiliation. The date of the book must be some years after the fall of the city, of which the writer was an eye-witness.

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Lamp
In Palestine generally made in the form of a shallow saucer, filled with oil in which a wick floated, and having a small handle on one side by which it was carried.

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Laodicea
A town in the Roman province of Asia, in the valley of the Lycus, near Colossae and Hierapolis. In Col. 4: 16 there is a reference to a letter written by Paul to the Church in Laodicea. Other references to Laodicea are found in Col. 2: 1; Col. 4: 13, 15; Rev. 1: 11; Rev. 3: 14. This last passage shows that the special danger of the church there was its lukewarmness.

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Laver
A vessel containing water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before offering sacrifice. In the tabernacle it stood between the altar and the door (Ex. 30: 17-21). In Solomon’s temple, besides the molten sea, there were ten lavers on wheels, with bases (1 Kgs. 7: 27-39), used for washing the animals that were to be sacrificed (2 Chr. 4: 6).

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Law of Moses
The name assigned to the whole collection of written laws given through Moses to the house of Israel, as a replacement of the higher law that they had failed to obey. The law of Moses consisted of many ceremonies, rituals,and symbols, to remind the people frequently of their duties and responsibilities. It included a law of carnal commandments and performances, added to the basic laws of the gospel. Faith, repentance, baptism in water, and remission of sins were part of the law, as were also the Ten Commandments. Although inferior to the fulness of the gospel, there were many provisions in the law of Moses of high ethical and moral value that were equal to the divine laws of any dispensation. The law of carnal commandments and much of the ceremonial law was fulfilled at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The law functioned under the Aaronic Priesthood and was a preparatory gospel to bring its adherents to Christ. See JST Ex. 34: 1-2; Rom. 3: 20; Gal. 3: 19, 24; Eph. 2: 14-16; Heb. 7: 11, 18-19; Heb. 9: 7-14; 2 Ne. 25: 24-30; Mosiah 12: 27 to 13: 32; 3 Ne. 9: 17; 3 Ne. 15: 1-8; D&C 84: 23-27.

One of the major questions the early Church in Palestine had to decide was about the obligation of Christians to the ceremonial law of Moses. The matter was partially solved by the conference held in Jerusalem, as recorded in Acts 15 and Gal. 2 . The Jewish Christians in particular had difficulty giving up the ritual of the law of Moses. The Nephites, on the other hand, seemed to have had much less of a problem doing so (see 3 Ne. 15: 1-5 ).

The law as given through Moses was a good law, although adapted to a lower spiritual capacity than is required for obedience to the gospel in its fulness. However, the Jewish leaders had added many unauthorized provisions, ceremonies, and prohibitions to the original law, until it became extremely burdensome. These innovations were known as the “traditions of the elders.” By N.T. times among the Jews the law had become so altered it had lost much of its spiritual meaning almost to the point that the law was worshipped more than the Lord. It is this form of the law that is so harshly spoken against by Jesus and by Paul (see Matt. 15: 1-9 ; Mark 7: 1-13 ; Gal. 2: 16-21 ). There is no evidence that the law of Moses had become as altered among the Nephites as among the Jews, and this may partially explain why the Nephites had less trouble in giving it up when the Savior came.

See also Aaronic Priesthood ; Commandments ; John the Baptist .

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Lawyer
In the N.T. equivalent to “scribe,” i.e., one who was by profession a student and teacher of the law, including the written law of the Pentateuch, and also “the traditions of the elders” (Matt. 22: 35; Luke 10: 25; cf. Mark 12: 28).

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Laying on of hands
A procedure used from the earliest times in the manner of blessing, conferring the Holy Ghost, and ordaining to the priesthood. See Gen. 48: 14, 17; Num. 27: 18, 23; Deut. 34: 9; Matt. 9: 18; Mark 10: 13, 16; Luke 4: 40; Acts 6: 6; Acts 8: 14-17; Acts 9: 12, 17; Acts 13: 3; Acts 19: 1-7; Acts 28: 8; 1 Tim. 4: 14; 1 Tim. 5: 22; 2 Tim. 1: 6; Heb. 6: 2; James 5: 14-16; Alma 6: 1; Moro. 2; D&C 20: 41, 58, 68, 70; D&C 36: 1-2; A of F 5. Such procedure is in accord with the revealed will of the Lord, and is not a mere formality. In latter-day revelation the laying on of hands is discussed by the Lord as follows: “I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit . . .” (D&C 36: 2).

The laying on of hands also formed part of the ritual of sacrifice under the law of Moses (Ex. 29: 10, 15, 19 ; Lev. 1: 4 ; Lev. 3: 2, 8, 13 ; Lev. 4: 4 ; Lev. 8: 14 ).

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Lazarus
Helped Of God.

(1) Of Bethany, brother of Martha and Mary (John 11: 1-44; John 12: 1-2, 9-11); raised by Jesus from the dead.

(2) Of the parable (Luke 16: 19-25 ); the meaning of the name may have suggested its use here.

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Leah
Weary.

Eldest daughter of Laban. She became Jacob’s wife through a trick of Laban’s, who passed her off as his daughter Rachel; being veiled, the mistake was not discovered till after the marriage had taken place (Gen. 29). She became the mother of six sons and one daughter (Gen. 29: 30-32; Gen. 30: 17-21; see also Gen. 31: 4, 14, 33; Gen. 33: 1-2, 7; Gen. 35: 23, 26; Gen. 49: 31).

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Leasing
A lie, falsehood, or deceitful act (Ps. 4: 2; Ps. 5: 6).

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Leaven
Anything that in cooking produces fermentation, a lump of old dough being generally used. No leaven was allowed during the Passover feast (Ex. 12: 15, 19; Ex. 13: 7; Deut. 16: 4), or in offerings made to God with fire (Ex. 29: 2; Lev. 2: 11; Lev. 7: 12; Num. 6: 15). It was probably forbidden because there was associated with it the idea of corruption. In the N.T. it was a rule symbolical of sin (Matt. 16: 6; Mark 8: 15; Luke 12: 1; 1 Cor. 5: 7; Gal. 5: 9); but in Matt. 13: 33 it is compared to the inward growth and influence of the kingdom of heaven (church) upon the earth.

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Lebanon
A long range of limestone hills in the extreme north of Palestine, rising to a height of eight or nine thousand feet. It is still a land of forests, though the grove of cedar trees have almost disappeared. Running parallel is the Anti-Libanus range, less lofty than Lebanon, but including Hermon (9400 feet).

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Lees
Sediment, dregs, as in the wine-making process (Isa. 25: 6; Jer. 48: 11; Zeph. 1: 12; cf. D&C 58: 8).

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Legion
The chief subdivision of the Roman army, containing about 6,000 infantry, with a contingent cavalry.

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Lehi
Jawbone.

A place in Judah, near the Philistine border, the scene of one of Samson’s exploits (Judg. 15: 9).

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Leper
Leprosy is a terrible form of skin disease, still common in dry climates, and highly contagious. Lepers were forbidden by the law to enter any walled city. If a stranger approached, the leper was obliged to cry “unclean.” The disease was regarded as a living death, indicated by bare head, rent clothes, and covered lip. For the regulations concerning the treatment of lepers, see Lev. 13 and Lev. 14.

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Leprosy
An infectious, contagious disease repeatedly spoken of in the O.T. and the N.T. Many notables were at some time afflicted with it, including Moses (Ex. 4: 6-7), his sister Miriam (Num. 12: 10), Naaman (2 Kgs. 5), and King Uzziah (2 Chr. 26: 19-21). In these cases leprosy was given as a sign, a warning, or a punishment. There were apparently several types of leprosy, and the word is used in the Bible to designate other sicknesses or diseases. For example, clothing and walls were said to be leprous when they had patches of mildew or some fungous growth, as in Lev. 13: 47-59; Lev. 14: 33-37. Instances of Jesus curing leprosy are recorded in Matt. 8: 2-4; Mark 1: 40-45; Luke 5: 12-15; Luke 17: 11-15.

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Let
To prevent, hinder, impede, or restrain (Isa. 43: 13; Rom. 1: 13; 2 Thes. 2: 7; cf. Ex. 5: 4). To allow or leave someone to do something (Matt. 8: 22; Matt. 13: 30; Matt. 27: 49; Luke 9: 60).

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Levi
Joined.

(1) Third son of Jacob by Leah (Gen. 29: 34; Gen. 35: 23); his sons (Gen. 46: 11; Ex. 6: 16, 19; Num. 3: 17); his slaughter of the Shechemites (Gen. 34: 25-30); Jacob’s curse on (Gen. 49: 5). See also Levites.

(2) Son of Melchi (Luke 3: 24 ).

(3) Son of Simeon (Luke 3: 29 ).

(4) = Matthew (Mark 2: 14 ; Luke 5: 27, 29 ).

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Leviathan
Any great sea or land monster, e.g., the crocodile, either as an actual creature (Job 41: 10, or as symbolic of a nation (Ps. 74: 14); a large serpent (Isa. 27: 1).

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Levirate Marriage
The custom of a widow marrying her deceased husband’s brother or sometimes a near heir. The word has nothing to do with the name Levi or the biblical Levites, but is so called because of the Latin levir, meaning husband’s brother, connected with the English suffix ate, thus constituting levirate. This system of marriage is designated in Deut. 25: 5-10 (cf. Gen. 38: 8), is spoken of in Matt. 22: 23 ff.; it also forms a major aspect of the story of Ruth (Ruth 4: 1-12).

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Levites
Descendants of Levi. The work of ministering in the sanctuary was assigned to this tribe. The Levites are sometimes spoken of as distinct from the priests (1 Kgs. 8: 4; Ezra 2: 70; John 1: 19); sometimes as though all Levites were also priests, “the priests, the Levites” (Deut. 18: 1; Josh. 3: 3). The work of the Levites was to assist the priests (Num. 3: 5-10; Num. 18: 1-7). They acted as musicians (1 Chr. 6: 16, 31; 1 Chr. 15: 16; Neh. 11: 17, 22); slaughtered the sacrifices (2 Chr. 29: 34; 2 Chr. 35: 11; Ezra 6: 20); and generally assisted in the temple (Neh. 11: 16, 19). The Levites were themselves offered as a wave-offering on behalf of the children of Israel (Num. 8: 11-15); they thus became God’s peculiar property, given to him in place of the firstborn (Num. 8: 16). They were not consecrated, but cleansed for their office (Num. 8: 7-16). They had no inheritance in Canaan (Num. 18: 23-24); but they had the tithe (Num. 18: 21), 48 cities (Num. 35: 6), and a claim on the alms of the people at feast times (Deut. 12: 18-19; Deut. 14: 27, 29).

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Leviticus
Contains the following

(1) The sacrificial ordinances (chs. 1 - 7)

(a) the burnt offering (Lev. 1: 1-17 );

(b) the meat offering (Lev. 2: 1-16 );

(c) the peace offering (Lev. 3: 1-17 );

(d) the sin offering (Lev. 4: 1 - 5: 13);

(e) the guilt-offering (Lev. 5: 14 - 6: 7); and

(f) various sacrifices for the priests (Lev. 6: 8 - 7: 38).

(2) The ritual observed in the consecration of priests, together with an account of the deaths of Nadab and Abihu because they offered strange fire (chs. 8 - 10).

(3) Laws relating to ceremonial uncleanness (chs. 13 - 15).

(4) The ritual of the Day of Atonement (ch. 16).

(5) The law of holiness (chs. 17 - 26), containing a systematic code of laws dealing with religious and social observances. Ch. 27 is supplementary, dealing with vows and the redemption of “devoted” things.

The book of Leviticus represents the priestly religious life of Israel. Its dominant thought is the presence of a holy God in the midst of a holy people dwelling in a holy land. Its object is to teach religious truth to the minds of men through the medium of a stately ritual, sacrifices representing the need of atonement and communion, the consecration of the priesthood teaching the need of the consecration of the life of every worshipper who would draw nigh to God, and the law of clean and unclean teaching that God requires the sanctification of the whole man, body as well as spirit.

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Libertines
Freedmen.

Probably descendants of Jewish prisoners taken to Rome after the capture of Jerusalem by Pompey, who had gained their freedom. They had a synagogue in Jerusalem and are mentioned among the opponents of Stephen (Acts 6: 9).

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Libya
The district west of Egypt and bordering on the Mediterranean; formerly called Put or Phut (Ezek. 30: 5; Ezek. 38: 5; Acts 2: 10).

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Light of Christ
The phrase “light of Christ” does not appear in the Bible, although the principles that apply to it are frequently mentioned therein. The precise phrase is found in Alma 28: 14, Moro. 7: 18, and D&C 88: 7. Biblical phrases that are sometimes synonymous to the term “light of Christ” are “spirit of the Lord” and “light of life” (see, for example, John 1: 4; John 8: 12). The “spirit of the Lord,” however, sometimes is used with reference to the Holy Ghost, and so must not be taken in every case as having reference to the light of Christ.

The light of Christ is just what the words imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ. For instance, Christ is “the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (D&C 93: 2 ; John 1: 9 ). The light of Christ fills the “immensity of space” and is the means by which Christ is able to be “in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things.” It “giveth life to all things” and is “the law by which all things are governed.” It is also “the light that quickeneth” man’s understanding (see D&C 88: 6-13, 41 ). In this manner, the light of Christ is related to man’s conscience and tells him right from wrong (cf. Moro. 7: 12-19 ).

The light of Christ should not be confused with the personage of the Holy Ghost, for the light of Christ is not a personage at all. Its influence is preliminary to and preparatory to one’s receiving the Holy Ghost. The light of Christ will lead the honest soul who “hearkeneth to the voice” to find the true gospel and the true Church and thereby receive the Holy Ghost (see D&C 84: 46-48 ). Additional references are Alma 19: 6 ; Alma 26: 3 ; D&C 20: 27 .

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Linus
A Christian at Rome, friend of Paul and Timothy (2 Tim. 4: 21). Irenaeus and Eusebius speak of him as bishop of Rome, A.D. 68-80.

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Lo-ammi
Not my people.

A figurative name given by Hosea to his second son to denote God’s rejection of Israel (Hosea 1: 9).

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Lo-ruhamah
Uncompassioned.

Symbolical name given by Hosea to his daughter (Hosea 1: 6, 8).

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Locusts
Large flying insects, moving in large numbers and destroying all vegetation. There are some ten different kinds, frequently referred to in the O.T. They were sometimes used for food (Lev. 11: 21-22; Matt. 3: 4), being cooked in various ways and having somewhat the taste of shrimp.

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Lord
See Christ; Christ, Names of; Jehovah.

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Lord of Hosts
Or Lord of Sabaoth.

See Sabaoth .

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Lord’s Day
Occurs in the Bible only in Rev. 1: 10. The first day of the week is meant, being the day of our Lord’s resurrection and also the day on which the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. References to its weekly observance are found in 1 Cor. 16: 1-2; Acts 20: 7; and in many early Christian writers. It was never confounded with the Sabbath, but carefully distinguished from it (e.g., Col. 2: 16). The term is used also in D&C 59: 9-13.

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Lord’s Prayer
So called because it was taught by our Lord to his disciples. Matthew (Matt. 6: 9-13) includes it in the Sermon on the Mount, while Luke (Luke 11: 1-5) tells us that it was given by our Lord in answer to a request from one of his disciples. There are some small differences in the form in which the two disciples have recorded the prayer; these may be accounted for by supposing that they themselves did not always use exactly the same words in saying the prayer. A slightly different rendition is found in 3 Ne. 13: 9-13; and further variations are to be seen in JST Matt. 6: 9-15.

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Lord’s Supper
The last meal Jesus ate with the Twelve before his arrest and crucifixion (John 13: 2-4; John 21: 20; 1 Cor. 11: 20).

See also Communion .

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Lost Books
The so-called lost books of the Bible are those documents that are mentioned in the Bible in such a way that it is evident they are considered authentic and valuable, but that are not found in the Bible today. Sometimes called missing scripture, they consist of at least the following: book of the Wars of the Lord (Num. 21: 14); book of Jasher (Josh. 10: 13; 2 Sam. 1: 18); book of the acts of Solomon (1 Kgs. 11: 41); book of Samuel the seer (1 Chr. 29: 29); book of Gad the seer (1 Chr. 29: 29); book of Nathan the prophet (1 Chr. 29: 29; 2 Chr. 9: 29); prophecy of Ahijah (2 Chr. 9: 29); visions of Iddo the seer (2 Chr. 9: 29; 2 Chr. 12: 15; 2 Chr. 13: 22); book of Shemaiah (2 Chr. 12: 15); book of Jehu (2 Chr. 20: 34); sayings of the seers (2 Chr. 33: 19); an epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, earlier than our present 1 Corinthians (1 Cor. 5: 9); possibly an earlier epistle to the Ephesians (Eph. 3: 3); an epistle to the Church at Laodicea (Col. 4: 16); and some prophecies of Enoch, known to Jude (Jude 1: 14). To these rather clear references to inspired writings other than our current Bible may be added another list that has allusions to writings that may or may not be contained within our present text, but may perhaps be known by a different title; for example, the book of the covenant (Ex. 24: 7), which may or may not be included in the current book of Exodus; the manner of the kingdom, written by Samuel (1 Sam. 10: 25); the rest of the acts of Uzziah written by Isaiah (2 Chr. 26: 22).

The foregoing items attest to the fact that our present Bible does not contain all of the word of the Lord that he gave to his people in former times, and remind us that the Bible, in its present form, is rather incomplete.

Matthew’s reference to a prophecy that Jesus would be a Nazarene (Matt. 2: 23 ) is interesting when it is considered that our present O.T. seems to have no statement as such. There is a possibility, however, that Matthew alluded to Isaiah 11: 1 , which prophesies of the Messiah as a Branch from the root of Jesse, the father of David. The Hebrew word for branch in this case is netzer, the source word of Nazarene and Nazareth. Additional references to the Branch as the Savior and Messiah are found in Jer. 23: 5 ; Jer. 33: 15 ; Zech. 3: 8 ; Zech. 6: 12 ; these use a synonymous Hebrew word for branch, tzemakh.

The Book of Mormon makes reference to writings of O.T. times and connection that are not found in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or in any other known source. These writings are of Zenock, Zenos, and Neum (1 Ne. 19: 10 ; Alma 33: 3-17 ). An extensive prophecy by Joseph in Egypt (which is not in the Bible) is also apparent from 2 Ne. 3: 4-22 , and a prophecy of Jacob (not found in the Bible) is given in Alma 46: 24-26 . These writings were evidently contained on the plates of brass spoken of in the Book of Mormon (1 Ne. 5: 10-13 ).

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Lot
A covering.

Son of Haran, Abraham’s brother (Gen. 11: 27, 31; Gen. 12: 4-5; Gen. 13: 1, 5). He went with Abraham to Canaan; his life after his separation from Abraham is described in Gen. 13, 14, and 19. He was the ancestor of Moab and Ammon (Gen. 19: 37-18; Deut. 2: 9, 19). There are N.T. references to him in Luke 17: 29; 2 Pet. 2: 7. His wife’s fate is also referred to in Gen. 19: 26; Luke 17: 32.

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Lots, Casting of
There are many instances in scripture of the use of lots for the purpose of making a choice (e.g., Lev. 16: 8; Num. 26: 55; Num. 33: 54; Num. 34: 13; Josh. 7: 16-18; Josh. 13: 6; Judg. 20: 9; 1 Sam. 10: 20-21; 1 Sam. 14: 40-42; 1 Chr. 24: 5, 31; 1 Chr. 25: 8; 1 Chr. 26: 13-14; Acts 1: 26). Prov. 16: 33 expresses a feeling on the subject of the Lord’s hand in the matter.

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Lucifer
Literally the Shining One; also Lightbringer or Son of the Morning. Lucifer is also known as Satan or the devil. The name Lucifer appears only once in the Bible (Isa. 14: 12, but cf. Luke 10: 18). Apparently Lucifer is the name of the devil before his rebellion and fall. Latter-day revelation clarifies the fall of Lucifer and equates him with Satan (D&C 76: 25-38; cf. Rev. 12: 1-17; 2 Ne. 9: 8; D&C 29: 36-38; Moses 4: 1-4).

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Luke
Mentioned three times in the N.T. (Col. 4: 14; 2 Tim. 4: 11; Philem. 1: 24). He was also the writer of the third Gospel and of the Acts. In all passages in the latter book in which the first person plural is used (e.g., Acts 16: 10), we can assume that Luke was Paul’s fellow-traveler. He was born of gentile parents, and practiced medicine. He may have become a believer before our Lord’s ascension, but there is no evidence of this. The identification of him with one of the disciples to whom our Lord appeared on the way to Emmaus is picturesque but historically unsupported. The first information about him is when he joined Paul at Troas (Acts 16: 10); his medical knowledge would make him a welcome companion. He seems to have remained at Philippi for several years, as Paul found him there on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20: 6), and the two were together until their arrival in Rome. We learn from 2 Tim. 4: 11 that Luke was with Paul during his second Roman imprisonment. It is uncertain when or where the Gospel was written; it was specially intended for gentile readers. (See Gospels.) The Acts was a continuation of the Gospel, and deals mainly with the growth of the gentile churches. History tells us nothing of Luke’s later years, but tradition says he died a martyr. JST Luke 1: 1 attributes to Luke a high calling as a “messenger of Jesus Christ.”

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Luke, Gospel of
See Luke; also Gospels.

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Luz
Almond tree.

(1) The scene of Jacob’s dream, afterwards called Bethel (Gen. 28: 19; Gen. 35: 6; Gen. 48: 3).

(2) A city of the Hittites (Judg. 1: 26 ), its position entirely unknown.

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Lycaonia
A district of Asia Minor, where the cities of Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe are found (Acts 14: 6). The “speech of Lycaonia” (Acts 14: 11) was a dialect the people used, but they were also able to understand the Greek spoken by Paul and Barnabas.