Why does the Lord use symbols and symbolism when He could just simply say it so we could understand the obvious? His symbolism is for all ages, all people, all languages, all times. He says it is plain to understand, we just have to learn His symbolic language.
When I was growing up, poetry was for sissies. No boy would ever read, much less write, a poem. But I did like the simple poems, ones I could understand, like the following:
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I can understand this
And so can you.
If it wasn’t that simple, it wasn’t worth reading. But I grew up, both physically, emotionally, and intellectually. I still like to read a comic book, but it isn’t my only type of reading. Neither is the simple poetic verse “Roses are red…” the only poetry I like. Do I struggle with other types of poetry? Yes, and I still like the sing-song style of the rhyming poetry the best. So what does this have to do with symbolism? Other than embarrassing me with my simple mind, it has a lot to do with symbolism.
The Lord uses just about everything for symbols and symbolic messages: poems, words, colors, numbers, clothing, our physical body parts, animals. Symbolism appears everywhere the hand of God is—especially in the scriptures and the temple. Why did the Savior speak in parables? Why is the temple full of symbolism?
Could it be He is saying, I am an author. I have a special gift. I have some wonderful insights, amazing experiences and penetrating knowledge for you, but I have to know if you are a special person? A person who would appreciate what I have because what I have is special. It is not to be trifled with. Therefore, like a parable, I will disguise my gift so only those who really want it will get it. I will tell you how to discover it but you will have to make the effort.
Everything points to Christ—everything! “And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me. (Moses 6:63.)