Father and Son

                    For this Freedom Friday I thought that I would write an article defending freedom of religion.  As there are two men known as "Mormons" currently running for the office of President of the United States, their religion has been much in the news.  As a member of the same church, I take this opportunity to write a few of our beliefs about Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

                    I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - known by some people as the Mormon Church.  The name "Mormon" was a derogatory name when first given to people who believe in the Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Christ, and it may still be used in derision.  We do not resent that name, but we prefer to be known as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or simply as Latter-day Saints.  As you can see from the name of our Church, we believe in Jesus Christ.  We believe that He stands at the head of our Church and leads it in these last days.  Thus the name:  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

                    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints considers four sacred books to be scripture:  Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.  There are many quotes from these books in this article.

                    Members of other Christian churches sometimes claim that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a cult because our beliefs about Jesus Christ are different from theirs.  I am not quite sure what kind of Jesus Christ they believe in, but we believe that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are glorified resurrected Beings and the Holy Ghost is a Spirit.  We believe that "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us." (See Doctrine and Covenants 130:22.)

                    In a letter listing the main beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote the following statement known as the first Article of Faith:  "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."  (See Pearl of Great Price, Articles of Faith.) 

                    This belief comes directly from an event that Joseph Smith experienced.  The Prophet Joseph wrote that he went into the woods to pray on a "beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty.  It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt … to pray vocally.

                    "After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God….

                    "… I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

                    "… When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air.  One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other - This is My Beloved Son.  Hear Him!"  (See Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith-History 1:14-17.)

                    Everyone who studies the Bible, particularly the New Testament, should not be surprised to know that Joseph saw two Individuals - the Father and the Son.  Let me share just a few scriptures with you to explain other reasons why we believe that the Father and the Son are separate and distinct Beings.

                    Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that this earth was created by Jesus Christ (Jehovah) and Michael (Adam) under the direction of God the Father.  The first chapter in the Bible describes the creation.  Near the end of the chapter, we read:  "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:

                    "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (See Genesis 1:26-27."

                    God had to have a body with an image for man to be created like it!  Numerous prophets and others in the Old Testament saw God.  "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" (Genesis 5:24).  "These are the generations of Noah:  Noah was a just man and perfect [complete, whole, having integrity] in his generations, and Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6:9).  "Thus I, Abraham, talked with the Lord face to face, as one man talketh with another" (Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 3:11).  "And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" (Genesis 32:30).  "And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me" (Genesis 48:3).  "Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:  And they saw the God of Israel" (Exodus 24:9-10). "And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend" (Exodus 33:11).  Since the God of the Old Testament was Jehovah (or Jesus Christ), these prophets would have seen the pre-mortal Christ because He had not yet been born to Mary.

                    Another man saw the pre-mortal Christ, a man known as the brother of Jared in the Book of Mormon.  The brother of Jared saw the finger of God when it touched some stones and became afraid.  "I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared lest he should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood.

                    "And the Lord said unto him:  Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood….

                    "And the Lord said unto him:  Believest thou the words which I shall speak?

                    "And he answered:  Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.

                    "And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said:  Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you."  (See Ether 3:8-14.)

                    There appears to be little doubt that a Man known as Jesus Christ came to earth to receive a body.  He was born of Mary and protected by his stepfather Joseph.  A description of Jesus as a youth is found in the New Testament:  "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."  (See Luke 2:52.)  Jesus Christ is considered to be the Son of God and the Savior and Redeemer of the world by Christians; he is considered to be a great Prophet by Jews and Muslims. 

                    When Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized in the Jordan River, John was hesitant to do so because he knew that Jesus was greater than he.  Nevertheless, John performed the baptism.

                    "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

                    "But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

                    "And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now:  for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.  Then he suffered [baptized] him.

                    "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God [the Holy Ghost] descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

                    "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Italics added.)  (See Matthew 3:13-17; see also Mark 1:9-11 and Luke 3:21-22.)

                    The account in John is a little longer.  "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

                    "This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me:  for he was before me.

                    "And I knew him not:  but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

                    "And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit [Holy Ghost] descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

                    "And I knew him not:  but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

                    "And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."  (See John 1:29-34.)

                    I have some questions of those who do not believe that the Godhead consists of three separate Beings with one, united purpose:  If Jesus Christ was standing in the water with John the Baptist, who was it that descended like a dove and who spoke from heaven claiming that Jesus was His Son?  How can there be a Son without a Father?

                    There is another experience in Acts 7:55-56 that describes the Father and the Son as two separate, distinct Individuals.  Stephen, one of the seven men chosen to help the Apostles, was on trial for teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  At the end of the trial, the elders "gnashed on him with their teeth" - whatever that means.  The next verse says:  "But he [meaning Stephen] being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

                    "And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."

                    Following this testimony, Stephen was taken out and stoned to death.  Stephen died while calling upon God:  "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

                    "And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.  And when he had said this, he fell asleep [died]."  (See Acts 7:59-60.)  It is very obvious that some people did not like Stephen's testimony that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two separate and distinct Beings! 

The New Testament contains many testimonies that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected on the third day.  There were others besides Stephen who saw the resurrected Jesus Christ.  In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul testified:  "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

"And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

"And that he was seen of Cephas [Peter], then of the twelve:

"After that, he was seen of above [more] that five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep [died].

"After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

 "And last of all he was seen of me also…." (See 1 Corinthians 15:4-8.)

"The resurrection consists in the uniting of a spirit body with a body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided."  (See Bible Dictionary, p. 761.)  Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected, and, because of His victory over death, resurrection will come to all mankind.  Since resurrection is the "uniting of a spirit body with a body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided," we know that Jesus Christ is a resurrected Being with a body of flesh and bones.

In modern days Joseph Smith testified that he saw Jesus Christ standing on the right hand of God the Father in answer to his prayer in the early spring of 1820.  In addition, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon testified that they saw Jesus Christ on February 16, 1832:  "Of whom we bear record; and the record which we bear is the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Son, whom we saw and with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision….

"And now after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony last of all, which we give of him:  That he lives!

"For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father -

"That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters of God."  (See Doctrine and Covenants 76:14, 22-24.)

I have used scriptures from the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price to provide testimonies of Jesus Christ having a body - a glorified, resurrected body of flesh and bone - separate from the body of the Father.  Since Christ has a body of His own, we can know that the Father also has a body.  It would only be fair for the Holy Ghost to also receive a body of flesh and bone after He has completed His work as a Spirit because having a body is one of the purposes why Heavenly Father sent His spirit children to earth and one of the greatest blessings God gives to His children. 

I have not seen Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ, but I have felt the presence of the Holy Ghost with me many times.  The Holy Ghost has testified to me that the scriptures about the Father and the Son are true.  For this reason I know that They live!

NOTE:  For reasons why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a cult, see my article about this subject, dated October 11, 2011.  

Cult or Not

                    As there are two men known as "Mormons" currently running for the office of President of the United States, their religion has been much in the news.  Most news items are respectful to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but bigotry recently raised its ugly head.

                    Robert Jeffress, the lead pastor at First Baptist Church in Dallas and a supporter of Texas Governor Rick Perry, has been much in the news in recent days.  He told reporters at a Perry event on Friday, October 7, 2011, that Mormonism is a "cult" and that Mitt Romney was not a Christian.  Perry was apparently in Iowa at the time, and he tried to steer clear of this simmering problem by discussing Social Security.  On Saturday, October 8, 2011, Republican presidential hopeful Romney denounced this type of "poisonous language" being used against religious faiths.

                    CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper interviewed Robert Jeffress soon after he made the above referenced statement.  You can watch the interview and read an article about it by Frances Martel here .  In this interview, Cooper asked the anti-Mormon pastor to explain his previous statement.  "Cooper opened up with a broad question asking [Jeffress] to elaborate on what [he] considered a `cult,' and [Jeffress] explained quickly that he considered it a `theological cult as opposed to a sociological cult' because it was founded by a human being - Joseph Smith - and not a divine leader, as well as because they consider the Book of Mormon a new revelation that follows the New Testament.  `They have never been considered a part of historical Christianity,' he concluded, adding that `a lot of people say [they] are Christians, and they are not.'"

                    On Monday, October 10, 2011, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded to media calls about the comments of Robert Jeffress.  The official statement of the Church is as follows:  "We really don't want to comment on a statement made at a political event, but those who want to understand the centrality of Christ to our faith can learn more about us and what we believe by going to mormon.org."

                    Also on October 10, 2011, John Mark Reynolds posted an article for the Washington Post entitled "Why Evangelicals Must Stand Up to Anti-Mormon Bigotry."   It is a very interesting article about how we should choose our next President of the United States and why we should not choose a President because of his or her religion.  I particularly liked the statement:  "Evangelical Christianity does not place all power in the state and so rejects messianic leaders.  We want a president, not a prophet in office.  A Mormon cannot be my priest, but he can be my political leader."

                    Frances Martel interviewed Mike Huckabee, a prominent evangelical whose "faith made up a significant part of his political identity" in his GOP bid for the White House in 2008.  This interview took place several weeks prior to the current situation but Huckabee's statement is significant.  Huckabee "appreciated Texas Gov. Rick Perry's openness with his faith….  I want to know what a candidate believes … arguing that electing a religious candidate is not the problem but the greater risk is to elect someone who is not honest.'"

                    Huckabee named several prominent members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and said "I'd vote for them in a heartbeat."  Since Huckabee is "one of the most prominent voices on the religious right," it was good for him to say that "being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" would not be a "disqualifier."

                    As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am grateful for the integrity shown by Cooper, Reynolds, and Huckabee in rejecting bigotry.  I am grateful for all our friends from other religions and walks of life.

                    Like Huckabee, I believe that it is important for all Americans to "know what a candidate believes."  I believe that we deserve honesty and integrity in our candidates in order that we might make clear choices when we enter the voting booths.  I also agree with Romney that we do not need poisonous comments such as those of Jeffress springing up or playing a role in the GOP race for the White House.  We must be united in seeking to find the right person to replace Barack Obama as President of the United States.

                    I would like to add some enlightenment to this discussion.  Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are often called "Mormons" because we believe in the Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  The name "Mormon" was a derogatory name when it was first given to the followers of Joseph Smith.  We do not resent being called Mormons, but we prefer to be called members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or simply Latter-day Saints.

                    I researched the meaning for the word "cult" and found the following definition:  "A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living communally under an authoritarian charismatic leader."  (See The American Heritage College Dictionary, p. 346.)

                    This definition does not describe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its members for several reasons.  To begin with, none of our leaders are authoritarian in any way.  In fact, they would quickly be moved out of their positions if they became authoritarian.  Although many of them are "charismatic" and have pleasing personalities, they lead with love and concern for the members.  In addition, members of our church do not live in communes.  We live in homes and apartments very similar to other people in our neighborhoods and communities.

                    Although many people may consider it to be extreme for anyone to live without coffee, tea, alcoholic drinks, tobacco in any form, or illegal drugs, most intelligent people can quickly understand that all of these substances are bad for our health and lead to other problems as well.  Some people may consider it extreme to dress or behave modestly or to honor the Sabbath.  Although people may consider my lifestyle to be extreme, I could also consider their behaviors to be extreme or unreasonable.

                    This brings us to the "false" part.  I researched the word "Christian" and found this definition:  "Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus" (p 256).  It seems to me that we should be considered as Christians because the name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many people consider members of our church to be "non-Christian" because our beliefs about Jesus Christ may be different from their own.  Other people consider us to be "non-Christian" because we have additional scriptures besides the Bible.  In fact, members of our church study four different books of scripture:  Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.  We believe that God speaks to all of His obedient children no matter where or when they live on earth.  We believe that He wants His children to write the words spoken to them in order to be able to refer back to them or to share them when so impressed.  In fact, having more than one book of scripture is very advantageous as each testifies of the truthfulness of the other books.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe and honor Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God and as Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.  We believe that Joseph Smith organized our church under the direction and with the authority of Jesus Christ.  We believe that Jesus Christ stands at the head of our church and leads it in these last days.  Thus the name:  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Now I will give some evidence that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cannot be a cult.  Cults tend to die out or prove to be untrue over a period of time.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began with a very small group of believers in New York in the year 1830.  It is now a worldwide church with over 14 million members, and it continues to grow.  The length of time - nearly 200 years - and the growth of the Church testify that it is not a cult.

  The Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Christ contains a record of Jesus Christ appearing to the inhabitants of the American continents after His resurrection and ascension into heaven.  He was introduced by Heavenly Father: "Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name - hear ye him."  (See 3 Nephi 11:7; italics added.)

  The following scripture found in the Book of Mormon was the answer to my own prayers when I was seeking the truth.  While Jesus Christ was ministering among the Nephites, his disciples on the American continent wanted to know the name by which their church should be known, and Christ answered their question.

"And they said unto him:  Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter. 

"And the Lord said unto them:  Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing?

"Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name?  For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;

"And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day.

"Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake.

"And how be it my church save it be called in my name?  For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.

"Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you;

"And if it so be that church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.

"But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.

"For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you."  (See 3 Nephi 27:3-12.)

Even though many people claim that the Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Christ to be false scripture, no one has been able to prove that it is untrue in nearly 200 years of attempts.  In fact, more and more people read it, ponder its teachings of Christ, ask God if it is true, and testify that God confirmed its truthfulness.

In modern days, the Lord again instructed that His church should bear His name.  When the pioneers were moving to the Great Salt Lake Valley, Jesus Christ instructed, "Let all the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and those who journey with them, be organized into companies, with a covenant and promise to keep all the commandments and statutes of the Lord…." 

I have not personally seen God, but I have felt His presence with me many times.  I feel His presence now as I type these words, and I felt His presence confirming to me that the Book of Mormon is true.  Because of the assurances of the Holy Ghost, I testify that Joseph Smith was and is a true prophet of God and that he translated the Book of Mormon through the mercy and power of God.  I also give my testimony that Joseph organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through the authority and power of Jesus Christ - who proclaimed this church to be "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually."  (See Doctrine and Covenants 1:30.)