Many people wonder what Latter-day Saints believe about the
nature of God. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son,
Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. (Article of Faith #1).
We believe that He has a body of flesh and bone. We were created in His image.
Moses 1:39 says, "For behold, this is
my work and my glory—to bring to pass
the immortality and eternal life of
man." We believe that we came to Earth as part of God's plan for us. He
has promised us salvation, if we but prove our worthiness here on Earth.
So how
did we get from Heaven to Earth?
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| The Plan of Salvation |
Under the direction of God, Christ created the Earth. Adam
and Eve were chosen to be the first to come down to Earth’; There they lived I a
state of innocence. After being tempted by the devil, they ate of the fruit of
the tree of which they were told not to. They transgressed against the laws of
God. They were cast out of the garden of Eden. However, because they
transgressed, we were then able to come to Earth. (2 Nephi 2). While they were punished
for their own sins, “We believe that men
will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.”
(Article of Faith #2)
Was the
fall of Adam of Eve a flaw?
No, We know that God knows the end from the beginning.
From the very start, Christ was chosen to come to Earth as our Savior. God knew
that we would make mistakes. God loves His children. Christ was chosen to set
us an example of the things we must do to return to God again. He was sent to
bring salvation to all those who have faith in Him, and who choose to follow
Him in deed.
One of my favorite scriptures about Christ is found in
John 3:16-17. It says, “For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not
his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through
him might be saved.”
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| Jesus Christ |
Christ
died for us, so those who are believed are saved?
“We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all
mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
(Article of faith #3) Christ was sent to atone for all of us. Some may wonder, “Why is keeping the commandments
important to our salvation.? Christ died to save us.” It is important to keep the commandments
because it shows that we love the Savior. John 14:15 says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Through the grace of God, we know the things which we must do to gain eternal salvation
(living with God eternally). In the Bible it also says that faith without works
is dead. (James 2:20)
We must abide by the principles of the gospel of Jesus
Christ to be saved. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes “that
the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission
of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Article
of Faith #4)
We must obey God, and do
the things which He has commanded. Those our only the first four steps to a
lifelong commitment to God and to The Gospel of Jesus Christ. The truth is
restored on Earth. Learn more at Mormon.org.
What does the Book of Mormon say of Christ’s
Atonement?
In the Book of Mormon it
says, “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. 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.”
Christ suffered not only for our sins, but for
our pains and sorrows as well. If we will
turn to Him, He will give us peace. How grateful I am for the knowledge of my
Savior. He lives. God sent His son, Jesus Christ to bless us and to help us. God
sends the Holy Ghost to guide us to make the decisions God wants us to make. He
testifies of the truth of God’s plan for us.
