The Book of the Law, also known as Liber AL vel Legis, is the text central to philosophical / religious practice called Thelema founded by Aleister Crowley.
Crowley penned the book in three sessions between 12 noon and 1 pm on April 8, 9 and 10, 1904 in Cairo, resulting in three distinct chapters. He reports writing the book by dictation from a voice that seemed to come from over his shoulder and called itself Aiwass (or Aiwaz). He also reports having the impression or picture of a speaker in the corner behind him, looking "transparent as a veil of gauze," but otherwise like a tall, dark man with his eyes veiled (so as not to destroy what he looked upon). At the time, he says, he considered the figure "an 'angel' such as he had often seen in visions, a being purely astral. He was later to change this view substantially.
Crowley also makes it very clear that it was not “automatic writing,” but that the experience was exactly like an actual voice speaking to him. This is evidenced by several errors that the scribe actually had to enquire about. He does admit to the possibility that Aiwass was a manifestation of his own subconscious. But even were this so, he claimed that the message imparted by Aiwass was so beyond human experience or knowledge that it necessitated a praeternatural intelligence that only a higher order of being could possess.
Interpretation of this book is considered a matter for the individual, and openly promoting personal ideas about its meaning is strongly discouraged. Although Crowley expressed the desire to see the Law of Thelema promulgated in all areas of society, success in this endevour is to be based on others willfully following the the good example of Thelemites rather than by evangelization or direct attempts to convert others. "Success is thy proof: argue not; convert not; talk not over much!" (AL III:42)
Years later, Crowley added The Comment, and signed it as Anhk F N Khonsu (meaning: 'He Lives in Khonsu'—an historical priest who lived in Thebes in the 26th dynasty). It advises the reader against the 'study' of the book and that discussion of its contents are forbidden. Most modern Thelemites ignore the warnings regarding the study of Liber Legis, while the practice of keeping opinions about the book the onesself has become a hallmark of that culture. The result is the idea that interpretation of this often cryptic book is a responsibility for the reader alone.
Portions of the manuscript Book of the Law of the Lord are in the rare collections of Brigham Young University, Southern Methodist University, and Yale University.
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, to whom this Book of the Law of the Lord shall come, that James J. Strang has the plates of the ancient Book of the Law of the Lord given to Moses, from which he translated this law, and has shown them to us.
The Elders shall instruct the people in the Law and the gospel on the Sabbath day, and in their assemblies: they shall visit the sick, the poor, and the needy: they shall comfort mourners, and all who are distressed, and counsel those who know not right.
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