BETHEL - House of Elohim

When Jacob first journeyed to his uncle's home, he had a vision of a ladder to heaven.  He erected a stone on the site and christened it with wine and oil.  He called the site Beth-El, meaning House (Beth) of God (Elohim).  Now, he has returned home to his original home and reconciled with his brother, Esau.  Then he received a commandment from the Lord, instructing him to go to Bethel and introduce his family at God's house.

To Latter-day Saints, Jacob's preparing his family to visit God's house can be compared to the preparations members must make to enter the Holy Temples of God's House.

One thing the Lord requested that Jacob do was to get rid of any pagan god images or even jewelry of such images among any who lived in his camp.  Some of his wives and servants had taken the household gods of Laban. This must have seemed like a huge sacrifice to Jacob's family, although God was adamant and, therefore, Jacob was adamant in His behalf.  The pagan items were buried deep beneath a large tree. (See Genesis 35)

Jacob had them wash themselves and their clothing to be as purified as possible to enter God's house.  Moses would later instruct the Children of Israel to do the same thing prior to meeting God (See Exodus)

God appeared to Jacob again. . . and blessed him. He said unto him, Thy name is Jacob (Usurper); thy name shall not be called any more Jacob but Israel shall be thy name.  (Genesis 35: 9-10)

Just as God changed Abram's name to Abraham, so, too, did he change Israel's name to a name that reflected his position as one who allows God to prevail in his life. The God renewed the Covenant with Israel:

• Be fruitful and multiply; kings shall come from thy lineage.

• Promise of Land given to Abraham passes to Israel
• Reiterated the laws of Obedience and Sacrifice;

And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked to him, even a pilar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon and poured oil thereon.