AC 9836 - The Ephod; AC 9841 - Two Onyx Stones

AC 9836 [2] - The Ephod

By the ephod was represented
the external of the Lord's spiritual kingdom,
and therefore by its shoulder pieces,
on which were placed the two onyx stones
with the names of the sons of Israel,
was represented the perpetual preservation
of good and truth;
and by the joining together of the ephod
on the shoulders,
and also before the breast and behind the back,
there was represented a complete unition.
From this it can be seen what is signified by . . .
the shoulderpieces and the engravings upon them;
namely, the preservation of good and truth forever
with all exertion and power;
thus the preservation of the heavens.
These stones with the names of the sons of Israel
were placed on the shoulderpieces of the ephod,
by which was represented
the external of the spiritual kingdom,
for the reason that
all preservation depends on the state of the ultimates,
for all the interior things cease there,
and form a plane there in which they may subsist.
Ultimates are like the soles and the feet,
on which the whole body stands,
and are also like the hands and the arms,
by means of which the body exerts its powers,
and into which the body transfers its forces.
It is also from this that the hands and the arms,
as well as the soles and the feet,
correspond to the ultimates of heaven.

AC 9841 - Two Onyx Stones

That these denote the memory,
is because there was engraved on them
the names of the sons of Israel,
and by "engraving on stones"
is signified the memory of things
that are to permanently remain;
as in the engraving or writing of the Law
on the tables of stone,
by which are signified things impressed
on the memory and life,
thus which are to remain permanently.
That "engraving" or "writing on stones"
has this signification,
is because truths have been impressed
on man's memory,
and also things which have the appearance of truth,
insomuch that it is even composed of these things;
and "stones" signify truths;
and when there is engraving on them,
they signify the memory where the truths are . . ..