The Christ of Mormonism

'WELCOME' by Del Parson
http://www.delparson.com/

Who is Jesus Christ?
He is the Son of God, the Only Begotten in the flesh.  He dwelt with God before the world was made, and was chosen then to be the Christ of all mankind:

Abraham 3:27
27. And the Lord said:  Whom shall I send?  And one answered like unto the Son of Man:  Here am I, send me.  And another answered and said:  Here am I, send me.  And the Lord said:  I will send the first.

He created the earth:

John 1:3
3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In the Old Testament he was known as Jehovah, the great I AM.  The people of the New Testament knew him as the Christ, the Redeemer and Messiah.  During the Meridian of time he came to earth and "went about doing good." (Acts 10:38.)  In the last days of his life he atoned for all men in Gethsemane, and soon after died at Golgotha (also known as Calvary) on the cross:

Alma 7:11-12
11. And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

After three days he was resurrected from the tomb:

1 Corinthians 15:20
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

He implemented the sacrament among his followers for them to always remember his sacrifice for them.  In the latter-days, early nineteenth century, he returned to earth to restore his church:

Joseph Smith-History 1:17-19
17. ...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!
18. My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join...
19. I was answered that I must join none of them...

His church was restored - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" (Ephesians 2:20).

One future day he will return to the earth yet again, this time the King of Kings, in all his glory, as the Son of God.

---

More on Mormonism - http://mormontopics.org/eng/christ
See also 'The Living Christ' - http://jesuschrist.lds.org/
Any Questions? - http://mormon.org/chat

Mormon Music: Elder Czubak's 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing'

Greetings readers!

This post is a little different than my others.  The song below was recorded and performed by myself and is now presented here to you.  The song is "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," and is a personal favorite of mine.

As I may have mentioned before, click the following link to learn more about Mormonism: http://mormontopics.org/eng/christ

You can also view more of my videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/teaguerchubak/videos
And, should you have any questions concerning The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ask a missionary here: http://mormon.org/chat?cid=sgo-csm-tc

History of Mormonism Hymns - Lead, Kindly Light

My past post was on the history of Mormonism hymns, more particularly The Spirit of God.  As this post is my 50th and must be special, I will continue on with a history of Mormonism hymns and share the story of my favorite hymn - #97 Lead, Kindly Light.

The Story Behind the Hymn:
John Henry Newman was the man behind the words now know as hymn #97.  In a General Conference address in October 2000, Virginia U. Jensen shared Newman's story as follows:

"As a young priest traveling in Italy in 1833, Englishman John Henry Newman encountered emotional and physical darkness when illness detained him there for several weeks.  He became deeply discouraged, and a nurse who saw his tears asked what troubled him.  All he could reply was that he was sure God had work for him to do in England.  Aching to return home, he finally found passage on a small boat.
"Not long after the ship set sail, thick fog descended and obscured the hazardous cliffs surrounding them.  Trapped for a week in the damp, gray darkness, the ship unable to travel forward or back, Newman pled for his Savior's help as he penned the words we now know as the hymn 'Lead, Kindly Light.'"
- Virginia U. Jensen, Lead Kindly Light -

Words of the Hymn:
Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom; lead thou me on!  The night is dark and I am far from home; lead thou me on!  Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene - one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou shouldst lead me on.  I loved to choose and see my path; but now, lead thou me on!  I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, pride ruled my will.  Remember not past years.
So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on over moor and fen, over crag and torrent, till the night is gone.  And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Scriptures Behind the Hymn:
There are many scriptures that could be used as an example to show what is being said in this song, but I'll select only a few.  First and foremost comes to mind John 8:12:

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:  he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Shown in both the scripture and the hymn is the statement that Christ is our light.  When we follow him we are not lost.  A second scripture I'll use is found in the Book of Mormon.  This scripture speaks on Christ's power to disperse the darkness of sin and mistakes.  Not physical darkness but spiritual and metaphorical darkness.

"He knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness - yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God-" (Alma 19:6)

These are just a couple of the many scriptures that could be used to show Christ as our guiding light.  Just as the song says, so long Christ's power hath blest me, and sure it still will lead me on.  And he will do the same for everyone, even those that feel like they've gone too far from the light.  As was said in the post 'A Joyful Lesson From Alma Jr.,' the end result can always be the same:  Our souls can be filled with joy as exceeding as was our pain.  The light of Christ can reach anyone, and then we can live in the light.

---

Lead, Kindly Light sheet music: Hymn #97 sheet music
Any questions concerning Mormonism?  Ask a missionary!

History of Mormonism Hymns - The Spirit of God

When people consider the history of Mormonism what is often thought of is the first vision, restoration of the priesthood, formation of the church, or the Book of Mormon, etc.  But there is much more!  In the English hymn book there are hundreds of hymns, each one with its own history.  These can also be considered an important part of the history of Mormonism.

W. W. Phelps (William Wines Phelps) wrote the words to fourteen of the hymns in the current hymn book of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  One of the earliest and most notorious of his hymns is The Spirit of God (Hymn #2).

The hymn The Spirit of God is a message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter-days.  Contained in its lyrics are many lines from scripture, such as the following from the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer, found now in the Doctrine and Covenants (one of Mormonism's standard works):

"And also this church, to put upon it thy name.  And help us by the power of thy Spirit, that we may mingle our voices with those bright, shining seraphs around thy throne, with acclamations of praise, singing Hosanna to God and the Lamb!  And let these, thine anointed ones, be clothed with salvation, and thy saints shout aloud for joy.  Amen, and Amen." (D&C 109:79-80)

At the closing of the Kirtland, Ohio temple dedication this hymn was sung by the congregation, and it has been sung at temple dedications ever since that day.

Lyrics of the Hymn:

The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!  The latter-day glory begins to come forth; the visions and blessings of old are returning.  And angels are coming to visit the earth.

We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!  Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!

The Lord is extending the Saints' understanding, restoring their judges and all as at first.  The knowledge and power of God are expanding; the veil over the earth is beginning to burst.

We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!  Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!

We'll call in our solemn assemblies in spirit, to spread forth the kingdom of heaven abraod, that we through our faith may begin to inherit the visions and blessings and glories of God.

We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!  Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!

How blessed the day when the lamb and the lion shall lie down together without any ire, and Ephraim be crowned with his blessing in Zion, as Jesus descends with his chariot of fire!

We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!  Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!

If you'd like to learn more about Mormonism you can chat with a missionary:
http://mormon.org/chat?cid=sgo-csm-tc
Learn more about W.W. Phelps and The Spirit of God:
http://www.mormonchannel.org/history-of-hymns/22

Born of Water and of the Spirit - Mormonism Baptism

In the Meridian of time a man named Nicodemus shared an interesting conversation with Christ.  Jesus told the man of the Pharisees that "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  Confused concerning how to be born again he asked, and received the response, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:1-5)

We all know that Christ was not speaking of a second physical birth, as Nicodemus supposed he was, but rather he was speaking of a spiritual birth - baptism and conversion.  Man must be born of water and of the Spirit.  Mormonism, like most other Christian denominations and sects, believe in baptism and conversion.

This birth of water is being baptized by immersion in similitude of Christ.  The water is a representation of the grave and we are to be lowered fully under the water in representation of death and brought back out in representation of Christ's resurrection.

After understanding the purpose of baptism, as a representation of Christ and through it showing our willingness to be like him, and being baptized, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is then confirmed a member by the laying on of hands.  In this confirmation the person is given the "gift of the Holy Ghost." (Articles of Faith 1:4)

This gift of the Holy Ghost allows the person the opportunity to have the companionship of the Spirit, so long as that person lives worthy of that companionship.

---

Would you like to know more about Mormonism or baptism? Ask a missionary here.

Mormonism: Immortality and Eternal Life (Moses 1:39)

Many of you may know this, but for those of you who do not, I will explain.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) has more book of scripture than just the Holy Bible.  It is not uncommon for religions to have multiple books of scripture.  Mormonism has four scriptural books:  The Holy Bible (containing both the Old and New Testaments), the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.  The passage I wish to expound upon today is taken from the Pearl of Great Price.

In the Book of Moses, in the Pearl of Great Price, chapter one verse thirty nine, it reads:

"For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

There are many ways one could branch out from this, but I wish to do so this way:  First I will explain immortality and second eternal life.  There is a difference between the two, and in connection with the above quoted verse it is important to understand.  Here we go.

Immortality
As the word describes, immortality is to be immortal, to live forever.  Mankind is now mortal (as is discussed in detail here and here).  But through the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ mankind will one day become immortal through the resurrection (discussed a bit more in detail here and here).  In this way the first half of the previously quoted verse has come into being.  God's work of bringing about immortality has been fulfilled.

Eternal Life
Second comes eternal life.  Eternal Life is a degree greater than immortality.  Immortality is to live forever and eternal life is to liver forever with God, in the Celestial Kingdom.  Only those that have lived worthily to receive this will have eternal life.  (Discussed more here.)

---

If you have questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormonism, Jesus Christ, or any other church topic chat with a missionary here.

"A Family Is Forever" - Mormonism and It's Temples

Among the many posts and articles I have written is one simply entitled "Temples," about the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Temples are central to marriage.  It is the goal for all members to make it to the temple.  There is even a children's song which begins:  I love to see the temple, I'm going there some day.

Why does Mormonism consider temples to be such great buildings?  Again I'll take the words from the children's song:

"For the temple is a holy place where we are sealed together.  As a child of God, I've learned this truth:  A family is forever."

The Family is what the gospel of Christ is all about.  All people are the children of God, the Father.  There is nothing He wants more than for us to live again in His kingdom.  Likewise, on a smaller scale, everyone on earth has a family.  The relationship of this earthly family is just as important as our spiritual family.  The gospel includes the opportunity for our families to be together forever, even after death.

Inside the temple couples are sealed together not just "till death do us part" but for eternity.  Also in this sacred setting inside the temple families can be sealed together for eternity.

There are other wonderful things that happen inside the temple, but this is one of them.

"A family is forever."

---

Interested in More?
 - Mormonism: http://mormontopics.org/eng/christ
 - Temples (the article mentioned above): http://www.squidoo.com/those-crazy-mormons-temples
 - Ask a missionary here if you have further questions: http://mormon.org/chat?cid=sgo-csm-tc