It is a strange arrangement, because Mormons typically think of the three degrees of glory when they hear this constellation of symbols and would normally think the star stones should be at the bottom, and above those the moon stones and above all the sun stones.
I had posted my thought that it had to do with Jesus being the bright and morning star, and the arrangement of stones symbolizing the morning star coming up in the east with the sun and moon coming up behind.
(I thought I had read this somewhere.)
Perusing chapter 12 of the Book of the Revelation the other night, I recalled that the symbols most likely have to do with the woman described there as a "great wonder in heaven," with the moon under her feet, clothed with the sun, and a crown of stars on her head.
I think this is the more likely derivation of the Nauvoo temple stone order, with moon stones on bottom (on which the woman stood), sun stones above them (with which she was clothed), and stars above all (with which she was crowned).
If this is correct, it raises an interesting question as to why the Nauvoo Temple would should be so symbolized as to represent the woman in Revelation.
It may have something to do with Joseph Smith's interpretation of the woman as the church of God, which was driven into the wilderness.
And yet I find it interesting that Joseph should see the temple as a woman.
Any thoughts?
All the Best!
--Consiglieri
Revelation 12:
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.