One of the fundamental differences between traditional Christianity and Mormonism is in our understandings of the pre-mortal existence of Jesus Christ. Catholics believe that, as God (but not God the Father), Jesus has eternally existed. Mormons on the other hand believe that Jesus was created/organized by the Father (and the Heavenly Mother), as we all were in our pre-mortal existence. Jesus was the first-born of these spirit children of the Father and Heavenly Mother. Now, Mormons may reply by saying that they also believe that Jesus has eternally existed, as we all have, as “intelligences”, but it is clear that they believe that Jesus is literally the first-born spirit child of the Father, and as such underwent some sort of “creation”/“organization” (“organize” is used since Mormons reject ex nihilo creation) process.
Mormons, how do you view the traditional Christian view of Jesus? Catholics, how do you view the Mormon view of Jesus? Which one is the most Biblical, and why?
I get the impression from your posts that you have done quite a lot of research into LDS beliefs and teachings, which is a good thing. I commend you for doing that. But that does not necessarily mean that you have a good grasp of them. Everything that is passed off as as Mormon doctrine in the literature that is produced by Mormons is not necessarily the genuine article. There has been a speculative streak in Mormon literature that although it is now discouraged, is not stopped, and ultimately the only way to be certain of true Mormon doctrine is to stay close to the standard works of the Church. My guess is that you have already read those, because you come over as someone well studied in Mormonism. But at the same time you seem to have read a few other things as well which, rather than enhance your understanding of Mormonism, tends to becloud it. My advice to you if you are seriously interested in understanding Mormonism is to study the standard works intensively, and not be too easily distracted by other kinds of literature.
But to answer your question, Mormon understanding of Jesus is actually pretty close to the Biblical one. The Bible teaches somewhat contradictory things about Jesus Christ. There are passages which suggest that He was created and had a beginning:
Colossians 1:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Revelations 3:
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.
While there are other passages which suggest that Jesus was God and eternal and always been God, (e.g. Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1; 8:58; Romans1:20). So which one is right? I think all of them are. There are many mysteries that we don’t know about. This must be one of those. In Mormon scripture exactly the same thing happens. There are passages which suggest that Jesus was eternally God and was not created, while there are others which suggest that He was. The main difference between the biblical passages and those in LDS scripture is that the latter teaches the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus Christ and His eternal nature more strongly, convincingly, and unequivocally than the Bible does. Here are some examples:
Book of Mormon, Title Page:
. . . And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations . . .
2 Nephi 26:
12 And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God
Mosiah 3:
5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.
And there are more, if you wanted to look for them. Nowhere in the Bible does it teach the divinity of Jesus Christ as the Book of Mormon and other LDS scriptures do. On the other hand, they teach the same things that Bible does about Jesus’ createdness or finiteness. here are a couple of examples:
Ether 3:
14 Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.
D&C 93:
21 And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;
22 And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn.
23 Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth;
So which doctrine is right? The answer is of course that all of them are right. We just don’t know enough about the mysteries of God to be able to understand all of the doctrines of the gospel. But the Bible and Mormon scripture teach the same thing. All of this talk about being born of “heavenly mother” etc. is speculation. That is not genuine Mormon doctrine. And I wouldn’t waste my time telling you all of this if I didn’t get the impression that you are a serious student.
