Well I want to say that I really admired the mormons, but, there is one thing I dont like, or agreed with, and is the fact of a movie that two elders show me about Smith, where it said that he saw the Lord God, im sorry, but no man can see God and live, right? Thank you!
3 Responses to “Well I want to say that I really admired the mormons, but, t…”
Luciano Delgado
2009-06-29 00:11:52
In 1820, Joseph Smith had a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ. They instructed him to restore Christs ancient church in modern times.
Some mistakenly read scriptures like Exodus 33:20, John 1:18, and John 6:46 and suppose that human beings cannot see God. While Mormons certainly respect those whose ideas differ from our own, we feel that it is important to consider the Bible as a whole and not to cherry-pick isolated scriptures to support a pre-conceived notion.
In reality, there are many Bible passages that support the idea that human beings can see God. In Old-Testament times, Moses and others saw God (Exodus 24:9-11, 33:23). In fact, Moses even spoke to God face to face (Exodus 33:11). The New Testament also teaches that human beings can see God. Clearly many saw Jesus Christ, who is God the Son, both before and after His resurrection. Acts 7:55-56 describes Stephen's vision of God the Father as well.
How can scriptures like John 1:18 be harmonized with those like Acts 7:55-56? Does the Bible contradict itself? Perhaps, though Mormons see no contradiction. We believe that a mortal man cannot look upon God without perishing, unless God permits Himself to be seen through the power of His Holy Spirit (Moses 1:11). Interestingly, though Joseph Smith couldn't have known it, early Christians also held a similar view. As described in the Clementine Homilies, "For I maintain that the eyes of mortals cannot see the incorporeal form of the Father or son, because it is illumined by exceeding great light. For he who sees God cannot live. For the excess of light dissolves the flesh of him who sees; unless by the secret power of God the flesh be changed into the nature of light, so that it can see light."
In modern times, Joseph Smith saw God the Father and God the Son, much like Stephen did in Acts 7. Joseph's vision does not contradict Biblical teachings about the nature of God.
Richard
2009-06-21 00:13:15
In 1820, Joseph Smith had a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ. They instructed him to restore Christs ancient church in modern times.
In answer to your question I ask you a question. "No man can see God and live" yet it is given in the Bibletaht Moses spoke to God face to face and he survived... Also I give you this scripture found in Later-day work from God to Joseph Smith
18 And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God.
19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of Godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of Godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.
25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the holy priesthood also;
Answering your concern about Joseph Smith seeing God the Father and his son Jesus Christ; I know this is true by witness of the Holy Ghost who aparently was there also in the grove to shield Joseph Smith from the glory of the Father and the son.
Thank you, for asking a question.
Richard
2009-06-25 02:59:07
In 1820, Joseph Smith had a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ. They instructed him to restore Christs ancient church in modern times.
It's true that no man can see God and live, unless God allows the Holy Ghost (or Spirit if you prefere) to be there also. The Holy Ghost has the power to shield our mortal bodies from the glory that is God.
Joseph Smith saw God the Father who spoke to Joseph and instructed him to hear His Son, Christ. In one of the descriptions given by Joseph Smith as to the vision he was privileged to behold, Joseph himself stated that the light from the two heavenly beings was so marvelous that he expected to the leafs to catch fire and burn.
In reality, there are many Bible passages that support the idea that human beings can see God. In Old-Testament times, Moses and others saw God (Exodus 24:9-11, 33:23). In fact, Moses even spoke to God face to face (Exodus 33:11). The New Testament also teaches that human beings can see God. Clearly many saw Jesus Christ, who is God the Son, both before and after His resurrection. Acts 7:55-56 describes Stephen's vision of God the Father as well.
How can scriptures like John 1:18 be harmonized with those like Acts 7:55-56? Does the Bible contradict itself? Perhaps, though Mormons see no contradiction. We believe that a mortal man cannot look upon God without perishing, unless God permits Himself to be seen through the power of His Holy Spirit (Moses 1:11). Interestingly, though Joseph Smith couldn't have known it, early Christians also held a similar view. As described in the Clementine Homilies, "For I maintain that the eyes of mortals cannot see the incorporeal form of the Father or son, because it is illumined by exceeding great light. For he who sees God cannot live. For the excess of light dissolves the flesh of him who sees; unless by the secret power of God the flesh be changed into the nature of light, so that it can see light."
In modern times, Joseph Smith saw God the Father and God the Son, much like Stephen did in Acts 7. Joseph's vision does not contradict Biblical teachings about the nature of God.
18 And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God.
19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of Godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of Godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.
25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the holy priesthood also;
Answering your concern about Joseph Smith seeing God the Father and his son Jesus Christ; I know this is true by witness of the Holy Ghost who aparently was there also in the grove to shield Joseph Smith from the glory of the Father and the son.
Thank you, for asking a question.
Joseph Smith saw God the Father who spoke to Joseph and instructed him to hear His Son, Christ. In one of the descriptions given by Joseph Smith as to the vision he was privileged to behold, Joseph himself stated that the light from the two heavenly beings was so marvelous that he expected to the leafs to catch fire and burn.