Deep Questions Seemingly Unanswerable

[Kralik]

1. The simple answer to this question would be yes.
The longer answer would involve quoting Bible passages stating we are "heirs of God, and joint-heirs of Christ", that in my Church we believe in a pre-existence (that we lived with God and Jesus Christ before we came to this Earth), and during this time a plan (often referred to as the plan of happiness, salvation or redemption) was given to us. Those who fully accepted Christ and did all that was expected would receive "all that the Father" has. Even that answer barely explains it all, but I hope it shows the point of why we believe that.

You've probably guessed that I would disagree, but I would like to know the Mormon church's interpretation of passages such as Isaiah 44:6-8 (in KJV since I believe that is what you prefer):

"6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 7 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. 8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God?; I know not any." (emphasis mine)

In fact, this theme is restated and occurs in many different wordings throughout Isaiah (43:11, 45:5-6, 45:21...) as well as elsewhere in Scripture. I have heard that LDS believe in the plurality of Elohim, but what is your understanding of a passage that, in my opinion, is so clear-cut as this?

[MR. Lurtzy]

Interesting...

[sickofpalantirs]

wow...what a spammer...
Kraliks brings up good points TheJord
all I can add is, i've bene to the mormon temple and it looks cool

[TheJord]

Isaiah! Good stuff to quote.

But first can you answer some questions that will help me answer you.

Who do you believe Jehovah is?
Is he the same person (or being, however you refer to Him) as God?
What is Jesus Christ relationship to God?

If you dont mind answering them first, then I can go ahead with what you believe to give you an answer.

Which temple did you see SoP? Washington DC is pretty cool, or San Diego.

[Gil-Estel]

are they for us all to answer? Or just Kralik?

[TheJord]

I guess anyone can answer them. Might as well encourage some opinion sharing.

[Gil-Estel]

Ok. I believe Jehovah is God. That is, when you agree that Jehovah comes from Jahweh, I am who I am, the name God presented when Moses was summoned to confront the Pharao and was send out to free the Jews.
So yeah, I believe Jehovah is God. I believe there is only 1 God. God who created heaven and earth, and us humans to have a relationship with. And I do believe that Jesus is His Son, but that He is God as well. At least, that is what I read in the gospel of John, chapter 1.

[sickofpalantirs]

I visited salt lake city

[TheJord]

Yeah that one is amazing, especially all the time and effort it took to build

[sickofpalantirs]

I like the big reflecty pool thingey
one question...you often here about the big battle thingey in new york or whatever that there should be archaeological evidence from it and isn't or something...basically do mormons believe there was some huge battle in present-day new york?

[Gate Troll]

Hey theJord, what translation of the Bible do Mormons use?  Just wondering.

[TheJord]

@ SoP - You are referring to the final battle in the Book of Mormon, where the once righteous people are utterly destroyed by the wicked nation. Where this final battle took place is up for debate, but as the plates containing the record of the battle (and the rest of the Book of Mormon) were found in New York state, it may have taken place near there. I dont think my Church states specifically where the battle took place

@ GT - We use the KJV, the King James Version. I have read a few others, including the Jehovah's Witness edition.

[FM]

Would King James have any relation with St. James?

[Gate Troll]

Would King James have any relation with St. James?

No, the reason it is called that is because King James I authorized the translation of the Bible into English
and the result was called the King James Bible.

[Kralik]

Who do you believe Jehovah is?
Is he the same person (or being, however you refer to Him) as God?
What is Jesus Christ relationship to God?

Well, I would like to hear your response without it playing off of mine, but here's a quick summary:

I believe that Jehovah, YHWH, Adonai, Elohim, and so on are all names for the same being: God, the Creator of all that exists (other than Himself, of course). The universe, the skies, the earth, the seas, angelic beings, humans, animals... you name it. This is the God of Abraham who revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3).

Jesus identifies Himself as one with the Father (John 10:30) and I AM (John 8:58). It is precisely because He claimed to be God that the Pharisees were enraged enough to want to kill Him (John 10:33 and 8:59). He also has control over the weather (for example, Matt. 8:23-27), something which belongs to God (see Job 38-41). He is even audacious enough to claim the authority to forgive sins, and He does (Mark 2:1-12... who can forgive sins but God alone?) Paul describes Christ as being "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15) and actively involved in Creation itself (Col. 1:15-20). Perhaps the best summary of who Jesus is is in John 1:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.