In the church, we
occasionally hear quotes that refer to cornerstones, keystones, and
capstones. It may help us
understand those quotes' full meaning if we learn more about these stones and their
function in building.
Cornerstones
According to Wikipedia, the
cornerstone is “the first stone set in the construction of a masonry
foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this
stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure”(1). Cornerstones today have a ceremonial
role (and are the last stones put in place), rather than a functional role, but in history they were vital reference
points. The cornerstone was
hewn to have true right angles, perfect perpendiculars, and perfect
horizontals, so that if the rest of the stones were put in place with reference
to it, it was impossible to make a mistake (2).
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| http://www.istockreseller.com/cornerstone-stock-illustration-22121992 |
As we learn this, we begin
to understand Paul's words about Christ:
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Eph 2:20)
Knowing
the function of the cornerstone as an important standard makes Paul’s words
that much more powerful. They
convey how Christ is the perfect example to pattern ourselves after and if we
build our lives with strict reference to Him, it is impossible for us to err.
We
also understand better what is meant by this scripture:
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. (Psalms 118:22-23)
We see that it prophesies
that Christ would become the cornerstone even after being rejected by the Jews
(or anyone else for that matter).
Keystones
We are a little more
familiar with the function of the keystone. It is a wedge-shaped stone that goes at the top of an arch
and locks all the stones into position so that they are able to bear
weight. It makes the arch
self-supporting.
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| http://iriguchiukuleles.com/ukuleles-2/the-keystone-ukulele-our-signature-ukulele/ |
Joseph Smith said, “I told
the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct book on earth, and
the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by
its precepts, than by any other book” (3).
President Ezra Taft Benson
mentioned three ways the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. “It is the keystone in our witness of
Christ. It is the keystone of our
doctrine. It is the keystone of
testimony” (4).
The Book of Mormon is a
keystone in that it bolsters the witness of Christ that is in the Bible. (If you have seen how Christ’s divine
Sonship, His crucifixion, and His resurrection is questioned today based only
upon the Bible, you know why the Book of Mormon’s witness is needed.) The Book of Mormon also confounds false
doctrine, lays down contentions, and establishes peace (see 2 Nephi 3:12).
Capstones
Capstones (usually referred
to as “coping” today), are used to cover the courses of a masonry work and shed
water (5) so that the stones below remain strong over time in changing
weather. They are the
most exposed element and are meant to be highly durable.
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| https://www.ldsces.org/manuals/doctrine-and-covenants-and-church-history-seminary-student-study-guide/dc-ssg-1-vi.asp |
President Ezra Taft Benson
said, “The Book of Mormon is the ‘keystone’ of our religion, and the Doctrine
and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval
on both the keystone and the capstone” (6).
Consider how many doctrines
in the D&C protect us from the storms of life to which we would otherwise
be fully exposed:
·
The doctrine of
modern prophets
·
The doctrine of
receiving and recognizing revelation
·
The doctrine of
church organization
·
The doctrine of
sacred ordinances
·
The doctrine of
the worth of souls
·
The doctrines of
Zion and gathering
·
The doctrine of
the priesthood
·
The doctrine of
temples
·
The doctrine of
celestial, terrestrial, and telestial glory
·
The doctrines of
stewardship and consecration
·
The doctrine of
health in the Word of Wisdom
·
The doctrines of
celestial marriage
·
The doctrine of
salvation for the dead
Cornerstones, keystones, and
capstones all have important qualities and we can see how they make great
teaching analogies for conveying the importance of Christ’s example, how a
second witness gives a religion cohesive strength, and how modern revelation on
doctrine can protect us against present destructive forces.
Notes
(1)
Wikipedia,
“cornerstone,” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerstone,
accessed March 14, 2013.
(2)
“Cornerstones: A
tradition of dedication that makes sense today,” http://www.nvmasons.org/cornerst.html
(3)
Book of Mormon
Introduction
(4)
Ensign, Nov 1986, p5-7.
(5)
Worknik, capstone. http://www.wordnik.com/words/capstone
(6)
Ensign,
May 1987, p83
3 comments:
When you were talking about the cornerstone and Paul talked about how we are build on the foundation of apostles and prophets Jesus Christ being the cornerstone, it made me think also how guiding off of the perfect right angles of Christ the cornerstone is the only way that prophets and apostles are able to then prophecy of and teach us to square the gospel corners correctly in our own lives. So the prophets guide off of Christ and we guide off of Christ through the words of prophets.
Good point, Tatiana. And it is nice that we have both the words of Christ and the words of the prophets.
By the way, I found more on "keystone of our religion" here:
http://sundayschoolapologetics.blogspot.com/2011/12/lesson-1-keystone-of-our-religion-and.html
Thank you for your explanation. It was exactly what I needed. I have been in the church forever and I didn't really understand the difference between them all so thank you.
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