November 14, 2005

  • From a letter dated November 7, 2005:






    I've come to realize that of all the Christian churches I've come across, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints puts the most positive perspective on what it means to be a human being.  It's teachings on the nature of man include a divine origin, a present sense of ability, and a divine potential for all.  These teachings affirm the stance that people are essentially good.

     

    I must qualify this stance by statements in the Book of Mormon, which is included in Latter-day Saint scripture.  The Book of Mormon uses statements like "all are fallen and are lost" (Alma 34:9) and "the natural man is an enemy to God" (Mosiah 3:19) to convey man's utter dependance on the Savior Jesus Christ and the lowness of the untamed carnal body.  These statements are not used, however, to belittle people or the goodness and divinity of individuals.

     

    The Church teaches that all people are composed of two parts: spirit and body.  When used together, a spirit and body working in harmony, that person is reaching perfection, or completion.  It is the body that works against its spirit and the spirit that has no body that are considered incomplete and even inferior.  This is why Latter-day Saints put so much emphasis on self-control and living good lives.  They teach that our spirits are good, and have been good since the beginning according to LDS theology.

     

    Mormons teach that all people existed before they were born.  In the beginning we all lived with God as spirits.  He was literally our Father, but we were different because He had a tangible body and we did not.  He provided a way for us to leave His presense, receive a body in His image, and return to Him.  That way included personal experiences and above all the Redeemer to help us overcome the obstacles that would stand in our way.  We chose before we were born to be a part of that plan.  The purpose of our existance was therefore established before even our mortal births.

     

    This teaching introduces two basic principles that assert the upmost worth of individuals.  One.  We are all of divine origin as literal spirit sons and daughters of God.  Two.  Birth makes us more like God, not less like God.  Our bodies are qualities that make us closer to and more like our loving Father in Heaven.  The Bible's clear declaration that "God created man in his own image" (Genesis 1:27) becomes in the Latter-day Saint perspective a literal, beautiful declaration of the divine worth of mankind.

     

    In addition to a greatness that stems from our pre-birth identities, the Latter-day Saints ascribe a power to the present self of all people.  It is called "free agency," and it is one of the most significant gifts of God.  This quality is described through instructions God gave LDS prophet Joseph Smith, "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things . . . Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will . . . For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. . ." (Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-28).  Latter-day Saints view our individual free wills as evidence of the power, significance, and worth of all mankind.

     

    Therefore, when Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit in the garden, they were excercising their own will and free agency.  Because of that, they alone are responsible for their actions.  As Joseph Smith said, "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression" (Article of Faith 2).  The Church rejects the notion of "original sin" completely.  The Church teaches that children are born innocent rather than guilty of Adam's fall.  This departure from the traditional Christian world is further evidence that of all the Christian churches, it is this LDS church that views mankind as having more inherant goodness than any other.

     

    Through Earthly life, we do tarnish our innocence by our own individual actions, but our inherant goodness is not spoiled.  We are not left in that lost and fallen state.  Because God provided the Savior Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son in the flesh, we are able to overcome both death and sin (separation from God).  Granted, we are utterly dependant on the Redeemer Jesus Christ and the Father who sent Him, but through His atoning blood we can overcome our weaknesses and return to God as glorified and perfected beings.  He has given us enabling powers of divine potential, (repentance for example).

     

    Latter-day Saints take the promises the Lord gave in both the Bible and Latter-day Revelation very literally.  When the Bible says, "we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ . . ." (Romans 8:16-17) we marvel at that inheritance and trust that the faithful will become like God.  No other church has been willing to make such statements about the potential of mankind.  Though to some it may seem blasphemous, the Latter-day Saints boldly declare that man can progress until he has inherited the divine qualities of his Heavenly Father.  It is God's hope and joy to watch us, His children, become like He is.

     

    Such a marvelous potential inherant in all of us is fulfilled as we overcome our weaknesses through the "merits, mercy, and grace" of Jesus Christ (2 Nephi 2:8).  It is fulfilled by the forgiveness that follows repentance.  It is fulfilled through self-control as we become more complete beings.

     

    These doctrines are not meant to glorify man in the same way we glorify and worship God.  They are meant to help all people realize their potential and divine worth.  Though all churches value people and encourage all men to improve, only the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints views mankind with so many inherant qualities of goodness and divinity.  Realizing this makes me so much more grateful to be a member of this church.  I am privaleged for a time to be a missionary.  Sharing with others the divine worth of souls I have come to experience in this Church brings me more joy than I ever dreamed it could.

     

    What do you think?  Does this appeal to you?  Cause I'm curious.  Write to me and tell me what you think.

     

    Elder Daniel Embree

    California Arcadia Mission

    170 W. Duarte Rd.

    Arcadia CA 91007