| Response |
Yes, I believe that Mary is the mother of Jesus. The word "saint" carries a
different connotation in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than it does in
other religions. We know from reading the scriptures, that Paul and Peter
referred to the members of the Church as "saints." The glorification of
individuals over the past seventeen hundred years as saints is a
tradition of certain faiths. I think, however, that Mary, who is
the physical mother of Jesus Christ in the flesh was a woman of great character and
virtue, an uncommon individual who undoubtedly had great personal gifts
and abilities, who was, as said by the angel Gabriel, a person
"chosen" by God, our Father, and, therefore, a very unusual individual.
She, no doubt, would stand as the perfect example of womanhood in all of
its glory, splendor and beauty.
The teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the
subject of a Heavenly Mother is that all men and women are the spirit
children of an eternal father. If there is an eternal father, it
follows there is an eternal mother. Even though God is exalted and
glorified, he could not be a father unless a women of like glory,
perfection, and holiness was associated with him as a mother. The
begetting of children makes a man a father, and a woman a mother,
whether we are dealing with men in a mortal or immortal state.
This doctrine that there is a mother in Heaven. was affirmed in
plainness by he prophet of the Church in the early 1900s. He
specifically said, "Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of Heavenly
Parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father.
Man is the offspring of celestial parentage and all men and women are in
the likeness of their Heavenly Father and Mother, and are literally the
sons and daughters of deity."
I hope this is helpful to you.
Donny
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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