It saddens my heart that people are willing judge our relationship with Jesus without even talking to us. Instead, they rely on information from people who clearly have a chip on their shoulder about Mormonism.
Bruce R. McConkie wrote and spoke volumes about Christ. A few cherry-picked quotes won't change the fact that he knew and loved our Savior.
And, by the way, Mormons believe and teach that Christ was God before He was born on this earth, he was God while He was here and He's God now.
It’s not just a few quotes from McConkie that proves Mormonism teaches attributes about Jesus that are vastly different from the Biblical Jesus. Mormons can use the same name, “Jesus” all they want, but the teachings of Mormonism make it clear they are not talking about the Biblical Jesus.
They certainly do - they believe Christ was one of many Gods both before he was born, while he was on earth and now. He is simply the god we earthlings worship. ...or at least that was what I was taught during my 45 years in Mormonism.
There are numerous differences between the Biblical Jesus and the version of Jesus as taught by Mormons. The differences are so vast that one can’t logically conclude they are the same being being discussed. Here are just a few of the differences:
1. Jesus of the Bible is eternal and not created. Jesus of Mormonism was once a man that earned his Godhead and was the physical offspring of heavenly father and his goddess wife.
2. Jesus of the Bible is the Creator. Jesus of Mormonism is the spirit brother of Lucifer and mankind.
3. Jesus of the Bible is one person of the Triune God. Jesus of Mormonism is one of many gods.
4. Jesus of the Bible had no wives. Jesus of Mormonism had multiple wives.
5. Jesus of the Bible is worshipped as Almighty God. Jesus of Mormonism is not worshipped.
6. Jesus of the Bible offers salvation by His sacrifice on the cross by grace through faith. Jesus of Mormonism atoned for sin in the Garden of Gethsemane and the cross, but His sacrifice isn’t sufficient to cover all sins. One must be obedient and be declared temple worthy to obtain the highest level of paradise, according to Mormonism.
My mother researched Mormonism, along with several other religions/cults, and documented her findings, so I’m not basing my comment upon one FR post but upon what she found and what I have read myself. If Mr. McConkie believes that Jesus had to save Himself, he simply doesn’t understand Who Jesus is. What Jesus’ relationship with him is, I cannot judge.
It is a good thing that people are willing to listen to others outside of Mormonism, since the LDS are notorious for lying (or omitting) about their beliefs.
I was taught this doctrine and it didn’t just come from McConkie.
Howin the world can quoting Mormon documents constitute having a chip on your shoulder??
How can QUOTING what YOUR leaders say constitute having a chip on your shoulder??
this is why people don't trust mormons orem. You say mormons believe Jesus was God - that is not correct according to mormon doctrine. The mormon Jesus was A god, and that he was never eternally a 'god' but some how bypassed the standard progression path to obtain 'godhood' without first being tested on earth, marrying in a temple and progressing. This is something that 'heavenly father' never accomplished.
Mormons like to couch their terms in words familiar to Christians - thus you like to say "God" rather than a god, one of a plethora of gods. Honesty in doctrine is severely lacking.