By the way, in which of those quotes you provide does it say that we believe that each god will need another Jesus? Or did you make that part up?
Also, do you believe that Jesus Christ is God? Do you believe He came to earth as a mortal man, as we are? Do you believe He struggled through temptation, grief, pain like we do? Do you believe He died on the cross and was resurrected three days later a perfect being, God?
If so, then you believe exactly what Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and others taught.
The more I chat with Evangelical Protestants the more I see their hypocrisy in condemning The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wrongly I might add, for worshipping Joseph Smith.
They place Paul far ahead of Jesus when they study, quote, or give reverence.
For The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph was the first prophet of the restoration. Praise to the man.
But Jesus Christ is our King, and God the Father our Supreme Ruler and God.
When it comes to study and worship Jesus Christ is our Chief Cornerstone on which the Church is built.
He, and He alone is our atoning Savior.
Let’s separate the actual text from the sensationalism you’re trying to layer over it.
First, I didn't "discard" the manual quotes; I noted that your interpretation of them relies on a caricature. Notice that none of the manual chapters you cited contain phrases like "assembling universes" or "pumping out spirit children via sex." Those are your words, used to make a sacred concept look crude. The actual manuals use terms like exaltation, inheriting all things, and eternal increase.
Second, your definition of Eastern Orthodox theosis is correct—and it actually highlights my point. Early Christians understood that becoming a "partaker of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4) was a literal, staggering transformation. While Latter-day Saint theology takes a more literal view of God's parenthood than Eastern Orthodoxy does, both concepts completely reject the idea that human potential is strictly limited to remaining fallen, static creatures.
Third, since you asked for the context of C.S. Lewis, here it is from Mere Christianity (Book IV, Chapter 11):
"The command Be ye perfect is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command... The process will be long and in parts very painful; but that is what we are in for. Nothing less. He meant what He said. He said we were 'gods' and He is going to make good His words. If we let Him—for we can prevent Him, if we choose—He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine... The Christian over-simplification is that you just have to do your best and Christ will do the rest. The truth is that Christ does it all. We do nothing."
Finally, you claim my worldview defeats me because I won't "admit" to the doctrine. I fully admit to the doctrine: God is our literal Father, we are made in His image, and through the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ, His children can inherit everything He has. If a Father offering His children full joint-heirship with His Son sounds "silly" to you, your argument isn't with Latter-day Saints—it’s with the staggering scale of the New Testament's promises.
Not really. What lack is an ability to comprehend these statements in light of what we have in the Bible.
When you can weigh the full context of these statements against other teachings of the prophets snd apostles, and against the Bible, you will come to see the folly in your simplistic approach.
Hang in there.
I have been blocked…so here is what I would have closed the conversation with had he not blocked me…..
@eskon123
I am so sorry you have rejected the God who calls prophets. And I am sorry you seek for miracles (signs). Reject me and all that I believe, but do not put the teachings of Paul above those of Jesus Christ. Be at peace in Jesus Christ and I know he will soften your heart to hear Him.
I had never heard of this until today. I aksed AI for information and got a side by side comparison between Imitation and the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
The point of Imitation is not to become an imitation, but to imitate Christ so that one becomes more like Him.
👍👍👍
Dear @WhiteHouse, my name is Rodney Smith Jr., founder of Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service in Huntsville, Alabama. Through our 50 Yard Challenge, over 6,000 kids across the country have signed up to mow free lawns for the elderly, disabled, veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and single parents. With America celebrating its 250th birthday this year and me also being born on July 4th, I wanted to humbly ask if a few kids from our program and myself could travel to Washington, D.C. to help mow the White House lawn for this historic celebration.
More than anything, I want these kids to see how a simple act of service something as ordinary as mowing a lawn for someone in need can lead to extraordinary places. What better lesson in community service than showing them that helping others can take them all the way to our nation’s capital? I’d also love to bring my American flag-themed mower in hopes that the President might sign it, so I can later auction it off and donate 100% of the proceeds to a nonprofit supporting veterans. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to highlight the importance of service, patriotism, and the impact young people can have when they choose to make a difference. 🇺🇸
@judeokeyvlogs The lack of evidence is not evidence. The Great Commission requires baptism for all disciples (Matt. 28:19–20).
It would be incoherent for the apostles to command what they themselves had not obeyed.
🚨 New York Democrats just voted to erase "Mother" and "Father”.
Governor Kathy Hochul will be replacing "mother" with "gestating parent" and "father" with "non-gestating parent."
This isn't inclusion, it's insanity.
While New Yorkers battle sky-high taxes, crime, and failing schools, The state is obsessed with rewriting biology and the English language. Real parents don't need woke bureaucrats redefining them.
Reject this nonsense.
@tnsampson2 Have you been listening to Jeff Durbin? There is nothing in our doctrine that makes the claim you are espousing about becoming gods and each needing a separate Jesus. This is bizarre to me and sounds a lot like the tripe Jeff dishes out.
You are placing Paul and his teachings above those of the Savior.
That is a mistake.
Yes, Paul was an apostle, just as was Peter, James, John, Matthew, Luke, Joseph, Brigham, and Dallin.
We reverence their teachings.
But only Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God. Only Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. Only Jesus Christ can bring us back to eternal life with His Father.
None other can take His place.
Why, then, would we place anyone, or their teachings, ahead of those of Jesus Christ.
It is a mistake to do so.