The Lamb(s)

Interesting juxtapositions in the few verses listed in the Triple TG on Lamb. First, and most obvious, the comparison between Christ being taken as a lamb to the slaughter, as quoted from Isaiah in Mosiah--one of my favorite chapters in all the scriptures, compared to Joseph Smith being taken as a lamb to the slaughter, from the account of his martyrdom at the end of the Doctrine Covenants, adding definite credence to John Taylor's statement a little further on in the D&C that Joseph Smith deserves such a comparison when he said, "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world."

Secondly, another interesting juxtaposition lies in the fact that verses that describe the wolf and the lamb playing together are seated next to the verse that compares Joseph Smith's enemies to wolves prowling awaiting the lamb's blood. Additionally, this verse has added meaning juxtaposed to the above mentioned verses considering what the blood of the lamb signifies even more. With that in mind, I found it interesting that the word "like" was used rather than "as." So you can see what I'm referring to, the verse says, "thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb." Perhaps I'm taking it a little too far, but as an English major who was particularly interested in editing, the difference between like and as are rather apparent. "Like" shows a comparison between two nouns; "as" shows comparison between two clauses. In other words, this sentence would still be accurate to say, "as wolves..." because it separates two clauses. However, the chosen word was "like." Now, some might disagree, but I don't think the Lord minced with words. What's more I think the scriptures are more beautiful than just the truths they contain because of the eloquence in which they are expressed. So, now what does the difference between like and as signify in this context? This morning as I was reading, it seemed to be grammatically separating the blood of the lamb from the wolves. With this part of the clause remaining outside of the comparison, it is therefore part of the reality. Therefore, Joseph Smith is all the more compared to the Savior. Or perhaps you could say that in a way they were waiting for the blood of the Savior, either not realizing its significance, (what it signfied) or waiting for it in ways they did not realize. If you think about the other verses, where it is noted that the wolves and the lambs will play together, isn't it therefore apparent that the blood of the lamb atoned also for the wolves? making them whole again, as the lamb?