Encircled

My nephew asked an interesting question on Facebook. I'm going to answer it here.

Addi – I too have been intrigued by the physical symbol of the Atonement in the phrase “encircled in the arms of his love”. I started tagging the word “encircle” in my scriptures a few years ago. I thought I had gathered more than I actually have.

The first one is 2 Nephi 1:15 “ But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.” What a beautiful visual.

2 Nephi 4:33 “O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.”

Alma 11:6 talks about being encircled with Satan's chains, that he might chain you down to everlasting destruction, according to the power of his captivity. Not exactly the same as being encircled in the Savior's love.

Alma 14:6 Zeezrom is encircled about by the pains of hell – his guilt.

Alma 26:15 Ammon glories in the Lord and talks about being “encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love”

Alma 34:16 “. . . mercy . . . encircles them in the arms of safety . . .”

Alma 36:18 Alma is telling Helaman of his miraculous conversion experience as he was crying out to Jesus, whom he had been taught about as a child “O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.” Again, not the same as being encircled with love.

Mormon 5:11 doesn't exactly say encircled, but Mormon is lamenting the demise of the Nephites and says of us in our day - “. . . they will sorrow that this people had not repented that they might have been clasped in the arms of Jesus.”

3 Nephi 19:14 “And behold, they were encircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record. . .”

Helaman 13:37 “Behold, we are surrounded by demons, yea, we are encircled about by the angels of him who hath sought to destroy our souls. Behold, our iniquities are great. O Lord, canst thou not turn away.” Again, being encircled by the adversary and not the Savior.

Alma 5:7 “Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.”

Doctrine and Covenants 6:20 “Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.”

I did an electronic search on LDS.org in the scriptures. Only one or two of these came from that. It was strictly “encircle” in the search. It is an interesting visual and one I like to ponder. Thanks for the question. It was fun to spend a few minutes on it this morning. I love your blog! Keep it up. Love, Aunt Connie