Women: Orsonian Types of Christ

In a previous post, I discussed an idea suggested by Orson Pratt: physical bodies are the veil. In this post, I wish to continue discussing what I call Orsonian principles. But this publication focuses on a Messianic type. Pratt taught the following:

“As the embryo is immersed in the fluid element in the womb, and by this means derives from its mother the blood so essential to the natural life, so a man must be immersed in the fluid element of water, in order to derive the benefit of Christ’s blood so essential to spiritual life. As the embryo must first be immersed in water before it can receive the quickening of the human spirit, so a man must first be immersed in water before he has the promise of the quickening or life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.” (Orson Pratt’s Works, p.53, 1945 publication)

This quotation comes from a lengthy paragraph in Pratt’s work called The Kingdom of God. The primary focus of the essay is to lay out the case for authority and ordinances. Here, he was clearly emphasizing the need for baptism by immersion. However, there is more to be learned from the paragraph than the necessity of immersion. In my view, the symbolism is clear.

Several prophets have taught that all things given from God are in some way symbols or testaments of Christ. Speaking of Christ, Jacob said, “All things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.” (2 Nephi 11:4) In the same vein, the Lord himself taught, “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….” (Moses 6:63)

Is it not safe to assume human beings are part of the “all things” spoken of? I think it is. Then clearly men and women are, in their own way, types of Christ. Indeed, we must become like him to receive Celestial salvation. But more specifically, there is deep meaning in the process. The concept of birth is central to the process. Being immersed in water is the prerequisite; the water of the womb, and the water of the metaphorical grave. Life is perpetuated by blood; immersion is necessary to obtain the blood of mortality (from our mothers) and immortality (Christ’s blood). “For the life of the flesh is in the blood…it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11)

In this way, Women are types of Christ. Are they not?