12 TRIBES REPRESENTED Respectfully
HIGH PRIEST BREASTPLATE
 
CUFF LINKS
Measures 7/8" wide
 
This is a great item and/or conversation piece for any member of the church. This is a high quality item. The colors of the stones respectfully represent the 12 tribes of isreal. For more information on the exact colors and placement of stones read below. Item comes new and never used.
 
 

16 Stones were Associated with the Sacred Vestments of the Temple High Priest: Found on the clothing of the high priest were 2 shoulder stones, (2 witnesses), 12 semi-precious Breastplate stones, and the Urim and Thummim, (2 Stones set in a Bow), which housed the sacred 'Urim & Thummim' directly over the heart of the High Priest.

2 Shoulder Stones: (Exodus 2:24-25) Two shoulder stones, (2 witnesses), were part of the sacred vestments of the High Priest in the Old Testament. One stone was found on each of 2 shoulder straps which held the 12 stone Breastplate over the chest of the High Priest. Both of these shoulder straps held one onyx stone encased in a frame of gold. Each of these 2 stones had engraved upon it 6 of the 12 names of the Tribes of Israel. Hebrew tradition holds that the oldest 6 sons were on the right shoulder. The names were seen only from above, the vantage point of God, continually exhibiting the names of the Children of Israel before Him. )

The 2 Stones of the Urim & Thummim: (Exodus 28:15) The Breastplate of Judgement was placed directly over the heart of the High Priest. It consisted of 2 separate, folded peices of cloth, both about 9 inches in length, and sewn at the bottom. Each of these 2 pouch like containers were woven using blue, purple, and scalet dyed wool, (the same sacred colors mentioned 24 times in Exodus and used thoughout much of the ancient Tabernacle), mixed with gold threads, (like the High Priest's Apron). The outer 'pouch' held 12 arranged stones, and the inner most pouch, (directly over the heart), held the 2 stones of the Urim and Thummim, ('lights and perfections'). The Urim and Thummim was an ancient seer or 'seeing' device used in receiving revelation and for interpreting sacred writings from another language. (Exodus 28:30 / Also Ether 3:21-28, Abraham 3:1, 4, Mosiah 8:13-18, & Alma 37:21-23) These 2 ancient seer stones were probably much like those used by the Prophet Joseph Smtih in the translation of the Book of Mormon, and for the receipt of revelation, much of which ended up in the Doctrine and Covenants. This sacred device consisted of two crystal-like stones set in a figure 8 shaped silver bow which were looked into, (somewhat like glasses), and with the assistance of the spirit of God, enabled a chosen seer to 'see' with spiritual eyes those things the Lord desired the 'seer' to behold and receive. 

The 12 Stones of the High Priest's Breastplate: (Exodus 28:29-30) 12 different semi-precious stones, (representing the 12 Tribes of Israel), were encased in a gold framework, and were arranged to also cover the 'heart' of the High Priest on the other, outer half of the folded cloth. Each stone had engraved upon it the names of one of the 12 Tribes of Israel. Collectively, these served as a 'memorial before the Lord' when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle, (Exodus 28:29). The Lord may have sat face to face with Moses in the Holy of Holies, perhaps viewing these stones. From above, The Lord may also have viewed these same names on the shoulders of the High Priest, (Exodus 37: 7-11). Twisted chains of pure gold, blue cords, and gold rings were all used to fasten the Breastplate to the High Priest's Apron and the shoulderpieces..

What do the 12 Stones on the Breast Plate Symbolize?
Tribe / Gemstone / Color / Scripture Source Describing the Tribe & its Row, (Exodus 28: 17-20):

1. Reuben / Sardius / Red / Genesis 30:14

2. Simeon / Topaz / Green / Genesis 34:25

3. Levi / Carbuncle / 1/3 white - 1/3 black - 1/3 red / Deut. 33:8

4. Judah / Emerald / Colors of Heavens / Genesis 49:9

5. Issachar / Sapphire / Black / 1 Chron. 12:33 & Genesis 49:14

6. Zebulon / Diamond / White / Genesis 49:13

7. Dan / Ligure / Blue / Genesis 49:17

8. Gad / Agate / Black & White / Genesis 49:19 & Deut. 33:20

9. Naftali / Amethyst / Clarified Red Wine / genesis 49:21

10. Asher / Beryl / Fiery Red / Deut. 33:24

11. Joseph: Ephraim & Manasseh Together / Onyx / Jet Black / Genesis 49:22 & 37:7

Ephraim / - / - / Bull / Deut. 33:17

Manasseh / - / - / Deut 33:17

12. Benjamin / Jasper / All 12 Colors / Genesis 49:27 

How is this Clothing Associated with the Temple? In sacred matters, earthly things, including Temples and all that are connected with them, are often replicas of those same things in Heaven. It should then come as no surprise that the High Priest's clothing mirrored the Temple itself. The square or cube shaped breastplate and its 12 stones have relationship to the cube shaped Holy of Holies of the Old Testament Tabernacle, as well as to the New Jerusalem Temple and the Temple in Heaven as described by John the Revelator. The Celestial City of Zion or Temple in Heaven is described in the Book of Revelations as square shaped with 12 gates, each of the 4 gates utilizing 3 names from the 12 Tribes. The city's decor features 12 precious stones and pure gold like that of the Breastplate, (Revelation 21:9-21). The Breastplate resting over the heart of the High Priest may symbolize Zion as a place where the pure in heart dwell, (D&C 97:21). 
 
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