Clouds

Fluffy, floating,white, wispy clouds. Today on my walk home from campus, I noticed that the clouds were touching the mountains. Later, as I was walking up to the Provo Temple, I again noticed that the clouds were descending into the valley below. This caused me to consider, what do clouds symbolize? After some thought, I came up with two possible interpretations.

Provo Utah Temple

1. Clouds are a symbol of protection. Think of what clouds do on a sunny day; they serve as a shield from the sun, both for our eyes and our skin. At other times, clouds engulf or surround something as if it were a protective barrier. 

2. Clouds are a symbol of divine guidance. This is very clear in light of the book of Exodus. After the children of Israel fled Egypt, God led them in a "pillar of a cloud" (Exodus 13:21-22). When Moses went up to the Mount Sinai to speak with God, the mountain was covered in a cloud (Exodus 24:15-16). Finally, upon its completion the Tabernacle--a holy place where God could come--was covered by a cloud (Exodus 40:35-36). When clouds touch earth, this reminds me that God speaks to us today, just as He did in times past. 

Certainly there are other things that clouds can symbolize. Take a minute to think about it. I'd love to hear what other interpretations you come up with!