Kingship and Coronation

The "coronation" as outlined below is taken from the research oftwo "non-LDS" authors and  scholars.  Irstam is found in Jewish Folklore, by Raphael Patai, and is the research of sixty two coronation ceremonies  found in Africa.  Irstam is found in the left column.  A. M. Hocart's monumental work: Kingship, studies the coronations found around the world. Keep in mind that Irstam and Hocart are not LDS and have not been influenced in their research by the beliefs and doctrines of the church. The  "Hocart" list below (found on the right) contain the elements most common among the different cultures. 

All things testify of Christ,  This coronation ceremony was patterned after the endowment of the faithful patriarchs anciently.  When two of the descendants of Ham that could not have the "rites" and "rights" of the priesthood, used this endowment to proclaim themselves a son of god on earth.  The real endowment contains the ordinances of the "firstborn" to make the righteous "firstborns" unto god that mankind might become "heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ"   prepared to "receive all that the Father hath."

Nimrod who settled the Mesopotamian valley, and the son of Egyptus, the first pharaoh settled the Nile valley, (the two cradles of civilization)  used the ordinances of the endowment to make themselves king, creating a civilization and government that was no longer dependant on the divine guidance of a theocracy and the priesthood of God.  Thus Babylon, and Egypt become the symbols of spiritual wickedness and worldliness.

 

# Porter Irstam: Hocart:
1.  The coronation must symbolize (1) the Death of the God, (2) the Resurrection and Ascension, and  (3)the Enthronement. These are the fundamental meanings of Facsimiles 1, 2, and 3. of Abraham (1) Ceremonies that symbolized the king’s death and rebirth. A. The theory is that the King (1) dies; (2) is reborn, (3) as a god.
2.  Must have an invitation or Recommend. Psms. 15, and 24.  "who may ascend the hill of the Lord". (19) Not all were allowed to be present at the most important ceremonies. C. (1) Persons not admissible to the sacrifice, are not allowed to know anything; (2) an armed guard prevents prying eyes.
3.  Must wear the robes and clothing of the Gods.  The witnesses are  the Angels and Gods. (23) Those taking part dressed themselves as gods. X. Those taking part in the rites are dressed up as gods.
Y. Which may be those of animals.
4. Must be ready to proceed both intellectually and spiritually.  (4) Entrance dialogue and proclamation. B. By way of preparation he fasts and practices other austerities.
5. Must descend below all things in order to rise above all things.  (22) The king was made the butt of the people H. The people indulge at one point in obscenities, or buffoonery.
6.  The battle of good against evil, light and darkness, death and resurrection, Christ and Satan. (5) Ritual fight. E. The King must fight a ritual combat
       (1) by arms, (2) by ceremony, (3) come out victorious.
7.   The death of the God was often portrayed by a human sacrifice during the ritual fight. (24). Human sacrifices.  
8.   There can be no competition for the throne.

(25). The king’s brothers were killed.

  
9. The Substitute King was often the human sacrifice, as he takes the place of the real king.  (26). Substitute king  
10. The king (god) must go into the world of the dead for three days.  The time of chaos before the recreation when darkness reigned upon the face of the deep.  (6) The King went into retirement for a certain period. (3 days) D. A kind of Sabbath is observed; The people are silent and lie quiet as at a death.
11. During the three days there is no light, no creation before the resurrection.

 (17) Fires were extinguished and rekindled

  
12.   The king must be cleansed from evil to come forth in the resurrection as the anointed king and god. (8) The king was washed or baptized

J. He is baptized with water,
13.  The anointing is an ordinance of the resurrection as those parts of the body anointed are to function proper and perfect (12) The king was anointed with oil. K. He is anointed with oil,
             L. When a human victim is killed,
14.. Robes are changed to show the progression to king and god.  (2) The king was dressed in special robes. I. The king is invested with special garments.
15.   Every new life, or station requires a new name to signify the new creation and new creature.  In exaltation you receive a new name that only the recipient knows. (3) The king received a new name.

U. He receives a new name.
16.   The ritual and sacral meal. Life comes from death, sustenance and nourishment to both body and spirit comes from the sacrifice, death and resurrection of the God.

(7) Communion, a sacrament

 G. He receives communion
17. The scepter, or "wa'as" scepter signifies the authority and power to rule and reign as king and the son of God on earth.  (14) The king received certain regalia. Q. He receives other regalia such as a sword, a scepter, and a ring.
18.  Part of the ritual dress to "trod upon the footstool of god" having your feet shod with the gospel. (13) The king put on shoes.

P. He puts on shoes.
19. The covenant making process must take place accompanied with the oath formulary, as with Abraham.   (11) Admonitions and promises. F. The king is (1) admonished to rule justly and (2) promises to do so.
20.   The throne is the "mercy seat" where justice and judgment are rendered. the throne is the primordial mound, the center of creation.

(15) The king sat on the throne.

 R. Sits upon a throne.
21.   The crown signifies the acceptance of the king from the gods, and the masses.  It is an earthly, and heavenly crown. (16) The king was crowned.

O. The king is crowned.
22.   The king cannot be crowned without a queen. ascension and exaltation can only come to the righteous pair. (27) The queen was crowned at the same time as the king.
 V. The Queen is consecrated with the King.
              W. So are the vassals or officials .
23. The rising sun on the primordial mound. A new day, and a new creation as light fills the earth.

 (9) The king mounted a hill.

 S. He takes three ceremonial steps in imitation of the rising sun.
24.   Only the king can plant, prune, harvest and dispense the fruit from the tree of life. (10) The king planted his life tree.  
25.   With the new king comes the new creation, as all creation sings the creation hymn (poema).  The heavens and the earth rejoice. (21) Festivities were held. N. A feast is given.
26.   Sparsonies are given to the masses signifying that all life and health, prosperity, and fertility is dispensed by the king and god, as the multitudes scramble for the blessings (18) The king scattered beans, etc. among the people. M. The people rejoice with noise and acclamations.
27.   As Abraham traveled around his god given inheritance so the king must see and accept his kingdom as the kingdom accepts him. (20) After the coronation the king traveled around his domain and received homage. T. He goes the round of his dominion, and receives the homage of the vassals.
28. Commencement is progression traveling up the scale or latter of exaltation, being found true and faithful in one level and then progressing to the next.   Z. The king may be consecrated several times, going up each time in the scale of kingship.