I read yesterday
that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is no longer listed as
being a Christian denomination. Yes, that’s a red cape being shown during a
bullfight.
An article
from ABC4, in Salt Lake City, “The
Defense Department slashed its religious designations list from over 200
choices to only 31 — a major reduction in the number of religious affiliations
it officially recognizes.
In doing
so, the department reclassified The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, listing it outside the “Christian” category.”
I’m a
member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Much of what is
included in this brief essay were part of a talk I gave at a Sacrament Meeting
back on January 11, 2009.
Elder Causse’ explained in his General Conference talk, Even A Child Can Understand,
back in October of 2008:
“The Bible has probably been the subject of more interpretations and
philosophical debates than any other book. However, a child reading this book
for the first time will have at least as much, if not more, chance to
understand the doctrine as the majority of those doctors of the scriptures. The
Savior’s teachings are adapted to everyone. At eight years of age a child can
have sufficient understanding to enter the waters of baptism and make a
covenant with God with complete understanding.”
I didn’t join the Church until I was 28, having been baptized when I’d reached
a point in my life when I humbled myself and became teachable. The Gospel is
simple enough; even one as slow as I can, with the help of the Holy Spirit,
even I can understand it.
An individual from another faith was upset because of comments made in an
interview by Glenn Beck, radio talk show host and member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints. Apparently, Glenn’s answers had been posted on
Focus on the Family, a Christian web site. His responses did not set well with others
from different Christian denominations and the interview was pulled.
The reason for pulling the interview was later explained by Mary Wilson,
of Focus on the Family; Glenn, and members of the Mormon Church (We prefer to
be addressed as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints),
couldn’t be Christians because our understanding of the Godhead was different.
“To cite a specific and extremely important example, the Mormon church does not
subscribe to the doctrine of the Trinity as defined by the early Councils of
Nicaea and Chalcedon . In fact, it’s our understanding that LDS believe in
three *beings* as the godhead – three *separate beings* that are physically
separate and distinct individuals who together constitute the presiding council
of the heavens. But this is most definitely *not* the Christian view.
Christians down through the ages have always believed that the Scriptures bear
witness to *one* God who exists in *three* persons subsisting within a *single*
essence.”
I recorded a statement from the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church which
pretty much tosses the idea the idea that Christians have “always believed”, as
if there had never been heated discussion as to the meaning of scripture.
“To counter a widening rift within the church, Constantine convened a council
in Nicaea in A.D. 325. A creed reflecting the position of Alexander and
Athanasius was written and signed by a majority of the bishops. Nevertheless,
the two parties continued to battle each other. In A.D. 381, a second council
met in Constantinople. It adopted a revised and expanded form of the A.D. 325
creed, now known as the Nicene Creed.”
When I was younger, I would be asked to stand and recite the Nicene Creed with
the rest of the Presbyterian congregation. I found a reluctance to do so as I
couldn’t go along with the Presbyterian explanation of God being invisible,
vague and mysterious. I’d accepted the scriptural account in Genesis which
explained how man was made in the image of God; not some vaporous Being without
form.
The Youth Pastor told me that I didn’t need to know the particulars; I should
just leave it alone. I suppose that’s why I quit attending the Presbyterian church
when I was 14 years old. I was able to
find the “Mormon Missionaries” when I was 28 and about to start a family and
they answered questions which had bothered me for years.
Elder Causse’, through his remarks, reminded us the simple truths in the
scriptures are there for everyone, even those with limited understanding.
“What would a child understand from reading the story of the baptism of Jesus?
Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. The Holy Ghost
descended upon Him “in a bodily shape like a dove.” A voice was heard: “Thou
art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased”, Luke 3:22. The child would have a clear vision of what
the Godhead is: three distinct persons in complete unity—God the Father; His
Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost.”
I’d been challenged by a fairly good friend, a Lutheran, to explain why I, a
Mormon, should be considered a Christian. I wrote my thoughts on the council of
Nicene quite some time back and posted it on my blog.
The many sects of the Christian world would rather be led by a consensus gained
from biblical scholars and politicians rather than concede the possibility that
God would rather have His Holy Prophets in charge. It is not up to a committee
of Biblical scholars or theologians to determine the truth and meaning of
sacred writings or to determine a comprehensive set of beliefs; that is the
responsibility of each individual placed upon this earth.
Jesus was on the cross and he wasn’t talking to himself when these words
were recorded, , “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what
they do.”
The scriptures make it clear, Jesus was openly pleading with His Father, a
separate Being, “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father,
into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the
ghost.”
Many individuals of the Christian community are unable, or unwilling, to see
the plain and simple truths which have been supplied. Perhaps the more
important issue might be, why haven’t they asked to have the missionaries
explain the simple truths of the Gospel, why haven’t they joined the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?
I believe that Joseph Smith was the Prophet of God chosen to bring about the
restoration of the Gospel in the Fullness of Times, to hold all the keys of the
Priesthood so that the world would be prepared for the Second Coming of our
Savior, Jesus Christ. We have his testimony.
“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!”
Joseph Smith wrote a letter to a fellow named Wentworth expressing to him the basic
beliefs in such a way that even a child could understand them; we call them
the Articles of Faith. I’ve heard many accounts of young children being
able to hold a conversation with total strangers while at the same time
establishing, in plain language, these simple truths, to such an extent as to
amaze learned adults. The Holy Ghost is there to testify of these truths; the
child who understands the Gospel need only open his or her mouth.
The Father in Heaven to whom I pray has a body of flesh and bone and I am made
in His image. His Only Begotten, Jesus Christ, is my older brother and has
provided the means whereby I may return and live in the eternities with Them,
this truth is validated by the Holy Ghost; even a child can understand these
simple truths. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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