| Response |
It's been a challenge for me not to allow personal feelings to overcome my response based upon some very strange statements you made in it. One of them was: "If you believe that we should live the gospel of Jesus, why does the life of Jesus Christ stand in stark contrast with LDS theology?"
This question suggests that you really don't understand LDS theology. If you've read the Book of
Mormon, you would know that it stands as a second witness of the mission and divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As a
matter of fact, the book is even called "The Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ." We love and revere him as
the only begotten Son of God in the flesh. He is our Savior and it is because of his atoning sacrifice that we will all be resurrected
and have the opportunity for eternal life with Him and our Heavenly Father. We talk of Christ, we preach of Christ, and we invite
everyone to come unto Christ and be perfected in him.
I have to tell you that if that doctrine is in conflict with the life of Christ, I'd like to
know what we're missing.
You continued by stating, "Jesus also taught no other part of the world. According to the Book of
Mormon, we believe that the Resurrected Christ did appear to those on the American continent, fulfilling his own words in the Bible
when he said,
"Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also must I bring, and they will hear my voice; and there shall be
one fold and one shepherd" (see John 10:16. I would also reference you to the Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi chapters 15 & 16 as well as
the D&C 10:59)
You went on to say,
"The foremost aim of Christ's ministry was to
glorify his father and sanctify his name." You referenced John 6:9 and John
17:6.
You continued with "The same is true with Jesus true disciples,
that they view their own salvation as of secondary importance. Jesus
taught the word of God (the Bible) and freely quoted from it and lived
it."
Well, this is exactly what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints teaches except for one thing. Jesus did not teach from the Bible.
It wasn't even printed in book form until 900 AD, when the Catholic
Church compiled it into biblical text. The writings of the apostles and the
prophets were originally on Papyrus scrolls or brass plates. When
Jesus quoted scriptures, he quoted directly from those ancient writings,
which were handed down through the centuries.
Another thing you said was "Jesus never claimed to be the all mighty
God and in fact he corrected those who tried to bow at his feet and told
them that this was wrong. That they should worship only his Father and
they must not pray to or worship any other Gods."
We absolutely agree with this. Christ said, "Then answered
Jesus and said unto them, Verily, Verily, I say unto you the Son can do
nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do. For what things that
he soever doeth these also does the son likewise. For the Father loveth
the son and sheweth him all things that himself doeth." (See John
5:19-20).
Beginning with verse 21 and going on through verse 31 we read a
similar testimony of Christ's divinity and his deference to the Father.
You stated that Jesus also taught us not to be part of the world and
told his disciples not to be part of it." You referenced John 17:16 and
interpreted it to mean that Christ was not involved in the world of
politics and he would not allow his people to make him king or get involved
in things that would take away from his work of preaching the kingdom
of God and what it would do for mankind. To clarify, John 17 is that
great prayer offered by Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane on the evening
before his crucifixion. Verse 16 cannot be clearly understood without
beginning at verse 5, where we see that Christ is specifically praying
for his eleven apostles, (Judas had already abdicated his position with
the twelve). Every verse from 5-19 are specific requests for the
blessing of the eleven as they go forth unto the world to preach the gospel.
They had specific callings by the Savior. Their responsibility was to
go into the world and testify of Christ to all men and women every!
where. They had no time for employment, or municipal position, but they
had a singular charge of dedicating their lives to building Christ's
kingdom. All of that is included in verse 20-23, when Christ prays for
you and me and for all of the hundreds of millions of those who will ever
hear and believe on the words of Christ and his apostles. He prays that
we have a oneness in our purpose, just as the apostles had a oneness in
their purpose.
You have used the 16th verse of that chapter to suggest that somehow
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are making a
mistake and going against Christ's work when they get involved in
politics, because they somehow do not then teach people about God's kingdom
and make it known to everybody.
I must caution you, to read scripture in its full context and not out of context. I have to ask the question, why are you reaching for a
way to criticize members of this church, as though members of our church were the only people involved in politics? There are fewer
members of this church in politics, (although there are many great and qualified people that are) than belong to all other religions. If
we are wrong to be involved in politics, aren't they wrong as well according to your assessment of what they are doing? My
perspective on the other hand, is that it's fortunate to have so many honorable men and women involved in local, national and
international politics, who, regardless of their religious persuasions, are worthy examples of living Christ-centered lives. I'm sure
many will agree that there is corruption in many aspects of the world, including politics, but I also think that there is an offsetting
leveling influence that is found in the lives of many good politicians who love Christ and who's righteous and worthy examples are a
sustaining influence in the lives of everyone throughout the world.
To come and know truth, is to first become meek and humble,
teachable and submissive; not argumentative or fault finding. Everyone has a right to their own opinions, of course, but to me, the
spirit of your email and the assumptions you make are not correct. I hope that this is helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
See related multimedia presentations
|
