Jesus Christ
Mormons know that Jesus Christ is the literal only begotten son of God, the Father. His Father was God and His mother was Mary, a mortal woman. This unique combination allowed Jesus to do what no other person could do. He had the humanness to live the life of a mortal on earth, but the divine heritage that allowed Him to survive the atonement and to live a sinless life.
Although much of the world wants to deny the divinity of Christ, Mormons know He is divine. He came to earth on behalf of all of us, to first live a perfect life, setting an example of righteous living and extraordinary service, and then to atone for our sins. The atonement was the purpose of His earthly life. He retired to the Garden of Gethsemane and there took on Himself every sin ever committed by people and every sin that would be committed. This was an extraordinarily painful experience, and one He could have stopped at any time, but didn’t because He loves us and He’d promised us He’d do this for us.
Soon after this powerful gift, Jesus Christ allowed Himself to be placed on the cross and killed. Then He rose again from the dead. He gave this life freely-it couldn’t be taken from Him against His will. Because of this sequence of events-the atonement, the death on the cross, and the resurrection, we can also rise from the dead and live forever. The gift of living forever is ours, no matter what choices we make during our lives. It is an unconditional gift.
Even greater than this unconditional gift however, is the gift of the ability to live with God forever. None of us, on our own, could have overcome the grave. None of us could live a perfect life or atone for our own sins. Because of the Savior’s gift, we can be forgiven for our sins, and if we work to discipline ourselves, we can become worthy to be in God’s presence.
Jesus continues to be a part of our lives today. When we pray, we pray to God through Jesus. He is our mediator and advocate with the Father. Someday, He will return to earth again and rule the earth. It is Jesus who will judge us at the end of our days, and advocate for us to God.
Jesus Christ is central to the gospel practiced by the Mormons. His name is in the very center of the church’s real name: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His name is in the church’s name because it is His church. As His name is in the center of the church’s name, it is also in the center of the Church’s teachings. The Book of Mormon says:
Good Shepherd – Del Parson
“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” 2 Nephi 25:26
The Savior and His ministry are mentioned far more times in the Book of Mormon than it is in the Bible. The Book of Mormon’s purpose is to testify of the Savior and to share with the world a miraculous moment in the Savior’s life, foretold, but not told in the Bible.
From the smallest child, singing, “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus” to the adult carefully studying the New Testament, Mormons are keeping Jesus in their hearts.
Be sure to visit the image galleries to see some interpretations of the Savior’s life by LDS artists.
May 23rd, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Question of all questions-
Luke 9:20
“He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
John 1:1 states “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Then further confirmation- ” John 1:14 states “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
But in the Mormon version of the Bible it states in John 1:1
“In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God”
Then Vs 14 “And the same word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Bottom line- Is Jesus GOD or is he not?
Reply
Rameumptom Reply:
May 24th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Thanks for your question. The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible was an effort by Joseph Smith to clarify certain difficult or incorrect passages in the Bible. There are some traditional scholars, who in discussing the first chapter of John point out that the Greek points out a difference between the Word being “a God” and the Father being “the God.”
We do believe that Jesus is God, and the Son of God. Heavenly Father has imbued upon his Son all of his own attributes and powers. While Father created our spirits (Hebrews 12:9), under Father’s direction, Jesus created the world (Heb 1:2). Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith” (Heb 12:2).
Along with the Father and the Holy Ghost, Jesus is a member of the Godhead/Trinity. As such, each of the three are physically distinct beings, but one Godhead and one in thought, purpose and action.
We are thankful that Jesus IS God, and works under Heavenly Father’s direction to save us. We can only come unto the Father through Jesus, who is our Savior, Redeemer, and God the Son.
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