October 30, 2007

October 30th, 2007 Bryan Perry

Petra


When we awoke early in the morning after a not-so-good night sleep at the world renowned Petra Palace I don’t think any of us quite understood what we were about to get ourselves into. After picking up our water and other needful items like whips and cowboy hats, we took off down the road towards the entrance to the canyon.

We entered the Siq, and those of us who were familiar with any part of Southern Utah began to feel at home. The sandstone walls towering around us, the desert environs encompassing, and searing hot sun rising over the seemingly lifeless desertscape teases us of a land once known but now foreign to our feeble minds.

As we ventured through the canyon, the light from the fore boding sun was blocked by the cliffs on either side of us and we were engulfed in dark and hellish hues (see D&C) of souls searching for the light of day. Suddenly, the morning breaks and the shadows flee, lo the sight the treasury is unfurled. As we run out of the canyon and bask in the majesty of all its glory, we are reminded of a much younger Harrison Ford and less-wise Sean Connery and some Nazis in their quest for the Grail of grails, the Cup of cups, the Tangent of tangents, the Mug of mugs, the Chalis aka the Holy Grail (see also Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, 1984). Ancient lore holds that this Grail was the cup used at the Last Supper.

After a near death experience of donkey riding up to the monastery, and a not-so-satisfying lunch we begin to make the trek back out of this ancient Wonder of wonders, Architectural Masterpiece of architectural masterpieces, and Gem of gems. In conclusion, Petra was grand for all those who partook of its bountiful and Jordiscious (notice the play on words: Jordan + delicious=Jordiscious) pleasantries.

Old Testament

My experience in this Old Testament course has been one of great worth to me. As I have gone through, I have noticed more and more how all things point to Christ (Alma 30:33). Even the most abstract and seemingly uneventful stories can be found to contain some valuable symbolism into the life of the Savior and his glorious Gospel. The Law of Moses was designed to point or souls to Christ, and the more I understand it, the more I understand Him.