Mardi Magnifique..

2.13.08..Today Brother Welch’s class was held in the Near Eastern Artifacts wing of the Louvre. We began at the Code of Hammurabi tablet. I learned much about it I had never heard before! King Hammurabi was king of Babylon just before Lehi’s time. This was his record listing all the legal rights of the people. There are 282 sections, each beginning with the phrase “If a man.” Each part has a cause and effect statement. Looking at the “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” verse in the bible; it is almost certain that this is where it originates from. Yet the phrase “a free man” is not used in the Bible since God does not make class distinctions. All men are his children. One of the codes says, “if a man accuses another of a capitol offense, he has put at risk another man’s life. Therefore, he will be put to death himself if unable to prove his case.” The Code was truly fascinating. Enormous, as shown in the picture. I had a lot of questions as Brother Welch was teaching us about it: Where was it, since it was considered common knowledge to the people? Were all the people actually literate at that time?
Next, a girl Serena and I went on a walk to Luxembourg Garden. It was huge: not even possible to see one side from another. There were many French stereotypes to be seen: groups of old men playing boules, or checkers, couples on nearly every bench, marionette shows, etc…I look forward to going back in the springtime when it is in full bloom! All in all, it was a magnificent day!