What think ye of Christ? A Thread What do members of the C…

I would also like to put to bed statements about our beliefs that are untrue. "I wish I was in a suitable place to tell it, and that I had the trump of an archangel," but 280 characters and a hope that this is shared a little will have to suffice.

Why is it that I feel so compelled to set out what we as Latter-day Saints believe about Christ? Paul tells us always to have an answer ready, but for me this goes even deeper. Jesus Christ is my personal savior. He redeemed ME from death and hell. How can I not testify of Him?

Can I stand by while falsehoods and half truths are spread about the feeling we as a people have for Jesus Christ, our Lord and master? I cannot any longer. All are free to disagree, and believe we are in error-but I must do my part to ensure that we state our beliefs plainly.

In doing so I would like to share not just my own feelings on the matter, but scripture and doctrine so that you may know, to my best ability to convey it, what we as a people believe about Jesus Christ.

"The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." JS

In discussing this topic I would like to begin by addressing a word of wisdom (not one about hot drinks) that we as a church have at times not followed well.
"Don’t climb to the extreme branches of the [doctrinal] tree, for there is danger of falling: cling close to the trunk."

There are statements by some early and even late leaders of the church which were simply wrong. They are not our doctrine, and should not be presented as if they are. Speaking of teachings about race, Bruce R. McConkie said:

A fundamental belief of the church is that "we believe that [God] will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."
Leaders in our church have in the past speculated on ideas about this and that, but our doctrine is what we as members adhere to.

So what is it we do believe about Christ?

We believe He is God, and we DO worship Him:

Jesus Christ, under the direction of the Father, is the creator of all things:

He is the great I Am, Jehovah or Yahweh, of the Old Testament:

He was with the Father from the Beginning:

He was ordained from the foundation of the world to be the Holy Messiah, his role in God's plan determined before creation:

His coming and eventual return have been prophesied by every true prophet, ancient and modern:

He is the Only Begotten of the Father, the Son of God:

He is our King, our Leader, our Master, our Advocate, our Deliverer, our Exemplar, our Good Shepherd, our Judge, our Lord, our Mediator, our Messenger of the Covenant, our Rock, our Comforter, the head of the church, and so much more:

He is the Lamb of God:

He was lifted upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world:

Further, he suffered for our sins, our sicknesses, our weaknesses, and our infirmities - so that he would know how to succor us. Because of that suffering, he understands us, and has perfect compassion for us:

In Gethsemane, he labored under the weight of the sins of the world. As oil pressed from the olive, the weight of our sins pressed down on Him, causing blood to come like sweat from every pore:

For some, this is a bridge too far. They cannot believe that Christ atoned for us in this way. To them I say, that's fine, I cannot, and do not want, to force anyone to believe as I do.

But I sincerely believe Christ did this for us - and if he did - those who reject that are rejecting the most difficult part of the suffering Christ had to endure on our behalf.

And if I'm wrong, will Christ punish me for believing He suffered more than He did?

I cannot believe so, for I believe in a God of mercy, who loves us enough to have grace for our weaknesses and incorrect understandings of who He is.

I can hear the clamoring already in the back. There are those who will say that I haven't accurately represented what 'Mormons' really believe about Christ.
Maybe I haven't. I cannot speak for every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

BUT - I offer a simple challenge.

Find me a Latter-day Saint who disagrees with my representation of Christ.

This will handicap you I know. You'll be limited to living people who can speak for themselves, and who aren't subject to having their words interpreted by people after their death - but I remind you of where we began -

We believe in continuing revelation, and what members of the church in the past may have believed does not constrain members of the church now. We are a living church, and we believe that God continues to reveal to our understanding line upon line, precept upon precept -

and that even today, our understanding of who Christ is, and how we gain access to His power continues to be refined as a church.

Said Brigham Young:

Jesus commands us to be perfect. Who can say they've achieved this on their own? We rely on Christ's grace, and trust in His power and promises that He is able to accomplish such a miracle. I can't believe that it happens all at once. Who could claim such to be their experience?

We are given time in this life for the change Christ makes in us to take root. He can make transformations in us in the blink of an eye - I've experienced it - but even after He transformed my nature I am not yet a perfect man. And yet, He perfects me if I do not cast Him out.

It is often said that because Latter-day Saints believe that Christ actually means it when he says we must do what He asks, that we believe in a false gospel where works merit our salvation.

And, in fairness, I'm aware that many members even today do not properly understand that aspect of grace. But what is our doctrine? An oft cited verse in the Book of Mormon is used to try to say we believe that our works save us:

I wonder how often they have read the rest of that chapter, where Nephi (living before Christ's birth) explains that they keep the law of Moses according to the commandments, but understand the deadness of the law, and that the right way is to believe in Christ.

Does any Christian dispute that we should worship Him with all our might, mind, strength, and whole soul?

Can we say without fear that no less than Christ Himself was the one who said that it is those who do the will of the Father are those who will enter heaven? Or can we, with James, say that dead faith cannot save, and that by works a man is justified, not just by faith alone?

Those works do not earn us a place in heaven. Our good deeds are not what merit us our place in heaven. But our effort to obey the Lord shows Him our faith, hope and humility in the matchless gift that He has given us to make our return to Him and our Heavenly Father possible.

Joseph Smith said it as well as anyone: "I do not want you to think that I am very righteous, there was one good man and his name was Jesus."

I really love a parable that comes from Brad Wilcox.

A mother wants her son to be able to learn the piano, and so she pays for his piano lessons. In exchange she asks for him to practice. Practice, practice, practice, she asks him again and again.

Now, does practice repay mom for the piano lessons? No. Does the child's practice pay the piano teacher? No. Mom pays the price, and gets nothing for herself in return (except perhaps an earful of off key notes).

Why then does she pay for the piano lessons?

Mom knows that practice will help the child grow and develop talents that will enrich the child's live, and will elevate in them an appreciation for the beauty and richness of that talent.

In like manner, we do not keep Christ's commandments to earn our salvation, or to repay Christ for His sacrifice for us. We can never repay Him. We can never merit salvation on our own. Christ is the ONLY means of salvation.

Why then does He ask us to keep His commandments?

Perhaps Christ knows that doing so cultivates in us the ability to develop a likeness to Him. His grace transforms us as we strive to do as He asks, into creatures who can recognize and grow to love what is beautiful and holy.

Think of when you first learned of Christ, and compare that with how you reverence Him now that you have learned more about Him. Think about how living His commandment to love your enemies has changed you.

Think about how you have learned to view others as you have sought to be kind, to suffer long, to envy not, to vaunt not yourself, to not easily be provoked, to avoid thinking evil, to rejoice not in iniquity - but in truth.

How has it changed you to bear all things, to believe all things, to hope for all things, and endure all things? Can any of us say we really do that?

Where do I find grace? I find grace in a God who commands us to be perfect, but is content when we 'seek so to do.'

He is merciful. He is mighty to save. He is perfect love, and in perfect love all doubt is cast out.

I’ve gone on too long already. If you’re still here I hope this has been helpful. If it hasn’t, I’m really sorry you’re still stuck here. 😂😂😂

I want to close by bearing you my witness that I know my redeemer lives. That He loves each one of us. He stands at the door and knocks - if we open to Him he WILL sup with us. If we choose to follow Him we can join Him on His throne. (Rev 3:20-21)

He is the bright and morning star, and the root and offspring of David. Whosoever will, let Him take of the water of life freely. Surely He comes quickly, in Jesus name, amen.

https://t.co/XDswRUp9QK

In defense of our Christianity: A thread

There is now, and has been since its beginning, a debate that rages about whether or not The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed Mormonism) is Christian. I feel the need to interject on why we are.
— Scott Adams (@PTSPentax) December 13, 2020