I am a scripture loving, book writing, baby snuggling, garden growing, faith-centered disciple, wife, mother, daughter, and sister.
I believe words have the power to change the future and heal the past.
I loved this, especially learning about a woman I knew so little about. Your point about our modern society separating sex and procreation is so spot on. You specifically mention men being influenced by pornography and separating sex from procreation, and even righteous men being influenced in this way because it is so pervasive. I'm sure that you would agree that women are also affected by this pornographic culture that we live in. So often it is women themselves that allow their bodies to be objectified and they use their bodies and sexuality to gain power and even sell products. I think even righteous women in the church are deceived into separating sexuality from procreation when they buy into worldly practices like lingerie, boudoir photography, and physically altering their bodies to achieve a more sexually appealing figure. Women and men have an equal responsibility to protect and preserve the sacred nature of our sexuality. Thanks again for a wonderful, thought-provoking article.
Yes you are so right! This is something that women are guilty of as well. I'll talk more about it in one of my next posts (I have three more till I'm done) and do thanks for pointing it out!
What a fascinating article, Heather! I love learning about these ancient cultures – it really opens my eyes to so many insights. Our modern day, Western way of doing things is not the best way, or only way to live life. And yet, even within seemingly vast differences of culture, we can find women and men who touch our hearts and who could be our friends. I love it!
I loved this. I am going through the Old Testament and always wonder about Tamar. I've never heard of cult prostitution. It's seems like an oxymoron to me, they donate what they earn from their "services" to the temple. Where would I read more about that? I would like to work it out in my mind.
So just to clarify the temple wasn't the Jewish temple, but probably a temple associated with goddess worship or another type of idol worship. Diana Webb talks a little bit more about in her book Forgotten Women of God. But it is interesting that when Hirah, Judah's friend, tries to find Tamar he doesn't use the word "zona" the word for harlot I Hebrew but rather "qedesh" which means a "temple prostitute" which was supposedly a bit more respectable. I also think that Women's Rights in the Old Testament by James Baker talks about this as well, but it use to be all online and now it isn't. Though you still might be able to find it in the library.
Wow. I just learned more in 10 minutes than I have all week. Thank you for this. It is nearly 5am and my baby is so wiggly inside I couldn't sleep. I have 2 weeks left of pregnancy and it has been so interesting to be pregnant while reading your thoughts and research. Thank you for everything you put into this amazing blog!
Fascinating. I'd read this story a while back, but not understood most of it. And I certainly hadn't put it together that Tamar is one of the Lord's foremothers. Thank you for yet another great post!
Wow, what a cool story. I agree; it must have been hard for Tamar to know the trickery, etc. was the right way to pursue this in order for the Savior to eventually be born. I think it's comparable to the Nephi and Laban scenario, where it was hard for Nephi to understand how killing Laban would be OK, but God had a plan to bless the lives of infinite generations and this was a necessary step.
I loved this, especially learning about a woman I knew so little about. Your point about our modern society separating sex and procreation is so spot on. You specifically mention men being influenced by pornography and separating sex from procreation, and even righteous men being influenced in this way because it is so pervasive. I'm sure that you would agree that women are also affected by this pornographic culture that we live in. So often it is women themselves that allow their bodies to be objectified and they use their bodies and sexuality to gain power and even sell products. I think even righteous women in the church are deceived into separating sexuality from procreation when they buy into worldly practices like lingerie, boudoir photography, and physically altering their bodies to achieve a more sexually appealing figure. Women and men have an equal responsibility to protect and preserve the sacred nature of our sexuality.
Thanks again for a wonderful, thought-provoking article.
Yes you are so right! This is something that women are guilty of as well. I'll talk more about it in one of my next posts (I have three more till I'm done) and do thanks for pointing it out!
What a fascinating article, Heather! I love learning about these ancient cultures – it really opens my eyes to so many insights. Our modern day, Western way of doing things is not the best way, or only way to live life. And yet, even within seemingly vast differences of culture, we can find women and men who touch our hearts and who could be our friends. I love it!
I loved this. I am going through the Old Testament and always wonder about Tamar. I've never heard of cult prostitution. It's seems like an oxymoron to me, they donate what they earn from their "services" to the temple. Where would I read more about that? I would like to work it out in my mind.
So just to clarify the temple wasn't the Jewish temple, but probably a temple associated with goddess worship or another type of idol worship. Diana Webb talks a little bit more about in her book Forgotten Women of God. But it is interesting that when Hirah, Judah's friend, tries to find Tamar he doesn't use the word "zona" the word for harlot I Hebrew but rather "qedesh" which means a "temple prostitute" which was supposedly a bit more respectable. I also think that Women's Rights in the Old Testament by James Baker talks about this as well, but it use to be all online and now it isn't. Though you still might be able to find it in the library.
Thank you.
Wow. I just learned more in 10 minutes than I have all week. Thank you for this. It is nearly 5am and my baby is so wiggly inside I couldn't sleep. I have 2 weeks left of pregnancy and it has been so interesting to be pregnant while reading your thoughts and research. Thank you for everything you put into this amazing blog!
This was fabulous. Thanks for sharing it.
Fascinating. I'd read this story a while back, but not understood most of it. And I certainly hadn't put it together that Tamar is one of the Lord's foremothers. Thank you for yet another great post!
Wow, what a cool story. I agree; it must have been hard for Tamar to know the trickery, etc. was the right way to pursue this in order for the Savior to eventually be born. I think it's comparable to the Nephi and Laban scenario, where it was hard for Nephi to understand how killing Laban would be OK, but God had a plan to bless the lives of infinite generations and this was a necessary step.
What an incredible lesson. Thank you for showing us how to see this story from Tamar's point of view. I learned so much.