What is the Resurrection? Does God have a physical body?

To my mind, all Christians believe in a resurrection. That is, that Christ overcame death and was resurrected three days after his death and because of this we, too, will be resurrected.

Job is the first reference we have in the Bible asking the question “If a man die, shall he live again” (Job 14:14) , to which he later obtained an answer:  “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 19:25-26).

Being resurrected is different than being raised from the dead. Lazarus, for example, was raised from the dead–his spirit came back into his mortal body, whereas a resurrection means to become immortal, with a glorified body of flesh and bone. As we learn in the Bible and the Book of Mormon we will be resurrected to our physical bodies: “The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame” (Alma 40:23).

The New Testament gives ample evidence that Jesus rose with His physical body: He ate fish and honey (Luke 24:42–43); He said He had flesh and bones (Luke 24:39); the people touched Him (Luke 24:39–40; John 20:25–29). One of the most fundamental doctrines taught by the Twelve was that Jesus was risen from the tomb, with His glorified, resurrected body. The Resurrection of Jesus is the most glorious of all messages to mankind. As our Lord has said, “Because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19).

Again, learning about His–and our–resurrection: “I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption” (Alma 11:45).

One thing that does seem controversial, however, is that God has a resurrected body of flesh and bones and looks like us. But why is this in doubt? I’ve just reviewed multiple scriptures that testify of it. We also know from scripture we were made in His image: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: … So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen 1:26-27). Paul taught that in the Resurrection this will continue: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philip 3:20-21).

We also know we are literal children of God. As Paul teaches, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Acts 17:28-29). Don’t children look like their parents? We know after our Lord was resurrected He looked like us. Furthermore, we know our spirits are in the likeness of the physical body as demonstrated in Genesis 2:5, and 1 Ne 11:11: “… for I spake unto him as a man speaketh; yet nevertheless, I knew that it was the Spirit of the Lord; and he spake unto me as a man speaketh with another.”

If our God does not have a body, as some Christians claim, what was the point of the Resurrection? Why would we be resurrected into gloried physical bodies like Christ was, only to shed it later? For those who believe we will only be spirits after this life, where is the justification for this, because it’s nowhere in the Bible. Did Jesus some how shed his physical body after reassuring his Apostles and hundreds of others that he has a perfect physical body that looks like us? There is no evidence of that at all. On the contrary, we are taught clearly that “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us” (D&C 130:22).

To assume that somehow it’s better to only be a spirit than have a physical body is to cheapen and deny the significance of what our Savior did. One of the reasons we came to earth was to obtain a physical body!

I testify the Resurrection that Christ underwent and the resurrection that will occur for each of us is not temporary or fleeting, but permanent. God has a perfect, glorious immortal body and we will receive perfect bodies that will be immortal as well.

What evidence is there that the Book of Mormon is true?

This is the third and final post regarding the Book of Mormon. This will focus on evidences as well as the arguments of skeptics, who claim it must be a fraud, wrought by the devil.

Joseph Smith was initially permitted to show the plates to three individuals. These three men were Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and David Whitmer. Here is a link to their full testimony, whereas I will quote here only in part:

And we… testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true.

Later he was allowed to show the plates to eight other individuals, who added their witness. Click here for the full testimony. I include their words in part:

… Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken.

Each of these men stood by their testimonies to the day of their death. This is the evidence of witnesses. His wife Emma, a school teacher, gave her testimony as well. “My belief is that the Book of Mormon is of divine authenticity. I have not the slightest doubt of it.” After Joseph Smith had translated the plates and the witnesses had seen them, Joseph did not need them any longer. The angel Moroni appeared, and Joseph gave the gold plates back to him.

There are some questions as to the truthfulness of the claims of the Prophet Joseph. This is understandable, as it is an incredible claim. God appeared to a kid? New scriptures? The plates were returned to an angel? Surely not so, Joseph just wrote it himself. Here’s the deal: either the Book of Mormon is true or it isn’t. If the Book of Mormon is true then it is evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and the New Testament Church of Christ has been restored to the earth, with priesthood authority directly from heaven. I’ve written an article on what all has been restored. For argument’s sake, let us explore the possibility that he (or any man) wrote it.

How did Joseph Smith, 23 at the time, create a book with hundreds of unique names and places, as well as detailed stories and events? Critics propose he was a creative genius who relied upon numerous books and other local resources to create the historical content of the Book of Mormon. However, there is not a solitary witness who claims to have seen Joseph with any of these alleged resources before the translation began. Besides, how did Joseph read all of these alleged resources, winnow out the irrelevant, keep the intricate facts straight as to who was in what place and when, and then dictate it by perfect memory? His wife Emma has said “If he had had anything of the kind he could not have concealed it from me.” He must not only have been a creative genius but also have had a photographic memory of prodigious proportions.

But that only accounts for the historical content. How did Joseph (or anyone else) produce a book that radiates with the Spirit, and where did he get such profound doctrine, much of which clarifies or contradicts the Christian beliefs of his time? For example, the Book of Mormon teaches, contrary to most Christian beliefs, that the Fall of Adam was a positive step forward (2 Ne 2:17-27). It also reveals the covenants made at baptism, which are not addressed in the Bible.

Where did he get the stunning sermon on faith in Alma 32? Or King Benjamin’s sermon on the Savior’s Atonement, perhaps the most remarkable sermon on this subject in all scripture? Or the allegory of the olive tree with all its complexity and doctrinal richness?

If Joseph were not a prophet, the critics must make the argument that he was also a theological genius. But if that were the case, one might ask: why was Joseph the only one in the 1,800 years following Christ’s ministry to produce such a breadth of unique and clarifying doctrines? It’s because it was revelation, not brilliance, that was the source of this book.

Even if Joseph was a creative and theological genius, with a photographic memory, none of that makes him a good writer. How did he interweave scores of names, places, and events into a harmonious whole without inconsistencies? How did he pen detailed war strategies, compose eloquent sermons, coin phrases that are memorized, quoted, and placed on refrigerators by millions of people, such as, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” or “Adam fell that men might be. Men are that they might have joy”. These are messages with a heartbeat—messages that live and breathe and inspire. To suggest that Joseph Smith at age 23, or any other man, possessed the skills necessary to write this monumental work in a single draft in approximately 65 working days is simply counter to the realities of life.

His own wife Emma stated, “Joseph Smith [as a young man] could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter; let alone dictate a book like the Book of Mormon.” His parents were poor farmers. They could only afford three years of formal schooling for him, roughly equivalent to a 3rd grade education.

Joseph claimed that the Book of Mormon was written on golden plates. This claim received unrelenting criticism in his day—for “everyone” knew that ancient histories were written on papyrus or parchment until years later, when metal plates with ancient writings were discovered. They also claimed the use of cement, as described in the Book of Mormon, was beyond the technical expertise of these early Americans—until cement structures were found in ancient America. The Book of Mormon mentions steel as having existed in 600 BC, which again everyone knew hadn’t been discovered yet, until in the 20th century scholars learned it was developed by the 7th century BC “at the very latest.” How do the critics now account for these and similar unlikely discoveries?

Critics believe the Book of Mormon must be some kind of Satanic hoax. But how does that make sense? In direct opposition to this assertion, this book has inspired millions to reject Satan and to live more Christ-like lives. As our Savior said when he was accused of using the power of Satan to cast out devils, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?” (Matt 12:24-28). The power of our adversary can never draw people closer to God. This is the ultimate evidence of its effects: people who read it draw closer to Christ.

Elder Tad Callister (from whom much of this article is drawn) talks of a friend’s experience with the Book of Mormon:  “Initially, I wanted the Book of Mormon to be proven to me historically, geographically, linguistically, and culturally. But when I changed my focus to what it teaches about the gospel of Jesus Christ and His saving mission, I began to gain a testimony of its truthfulness.” If one will take the time to humbly read and ponder the Book of Mormon, as did his friend, and give ear to the sweet fruits of the Spirit, then he or she will eventually receive the desired witness.

Finally, I add my witness. I have spent decades studying the Book of Mormon and the Bible in their entirety. I feel the Spirit when I read one book like the other, and my intellect loves the harmony of the doctrine between the two. Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you would like to know more, head over to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist

Where did the Book of Mormon come from?

This is my second post about the necessity of the Book of Mormon. Here I will talk about how the Book of Mormon came forth. Everything about the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth begins with a 14-yr old boy named Joseph.

Joseph Smith Jr was born in 1820, and raised primarily in New York state. When he was 14, there was a religious revival occurring through much of the country, and he was exposed to it. He was confused by some of the contradictory doctrine taught by various preachers, all of whom disagreed with doctrine taught by the other denominations. In his own words, “the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.” He wanted to be baptized but couldn’t decide which church to join. One night he read James 1:5, which states: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

This had a powerful effect on young Joseph. “I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I had, I would never know.” Not long after that he went into the woods close to his farm to pray. I will quote from his account:

After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go… I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my own heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me… as to bind my tongue that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

… But exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy… at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction… I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it feel upon me

… It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other–This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

God the Father and his only begotten Son appeared to Joseph. He was told by Jesus Christ not to join any of the churches, as they were all incorrect, that ‘they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.’ He again forbade the young Joseph to join with any of them, and Joseph reports that other things were said of which we do not know.

Following this was a period of intense persecution for him, as every one of the religious sects united against him, as well as his own friends. He wrote later, “It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy… should be thought of a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling.” To continue:

However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision… I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true;… I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.

A fuller account of this vision is given here. Joseph continued living his life until the age of 17. On Sept 21st 1823, he was praying and supplicating God for forgiveness of his sins, and also that he might know his state and standing before Him. While praying, an angel appeared before him, standing in the air, wearing only “a loose robe of the most exquisite whiteness.” He described the angel as “glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning.” He announced himself as Moroni, a messenger sent from God. He said that God had a work for Joseph to do. He continued that there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of the continent as well as the source from when they sprang. He also told Joseph “the fullness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants.”

The angel Moroni quoted Malachi 3 and 4, as well as Isaiah chapter 11, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. He also quoted Acts 3:22-23 and Joel 2:28-32, saying this was not yet fulfilled but was soon to be. During this angelic visit Joseph was told that when he received the plates (which was to be a few years hence) that he should not show them to anyone, only to those he would be commanded to, or he would be destroyed. He was then given a vision of the place on a hill in the region, where the plates were deposited. Moroni then departed, but reappeared twice more that night, and repeated his message each time. The next day he was commanded to tell his father of the angel’s appearances, who told him it was of God and to go and do as commanded by the messenger.

He went to the hill, used a lever to remove a large stone, and beneath it lay the plates deposited in a stone box, held together with “some sort of cement.” He attempted to take them out but was forbidden, saying the time had not yet come, and that he should return in one year’s time. He did so for the next four years until 1827, when he received the plates and the interpreters which had been prepared for him to translate the writings. Despite numerous attempts of others to find and take the plates from him, he continued translating until he was finished. That translation was published in 1830 as The Book of Mormon. Again, for those who wish a fuller account, click here.

We claim that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and he acted and taught as a result of revelation from God. In my next and concluding post, I will address the questions of what happened to the gold plates afterwards, statements of witnesses who were allowed to view the plates, as well as answer some questions that others have asked in the past about Joseph and his account of events.

Why do we need the Book of Mormon? Isn’t the Bible enough?

Some years ago I posted on social media about the Book of Mormon, and a cousin of mine asked why we need it when we have the Bible? That’s what this post is about. I hope it is helpful, and will provide a way for the reader to understand what it is, how necessary it is, and that it contains the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament there was only one true religion. In Ephesians we are taught there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” so why isn’t there just one Christian church, like in the Bible? It’s because different churches interpret the Bible differently. I think folks these days think it perfectly fine that there are multiple Christian faiths that believe contradictory doctrine, but the Lord never intended that. For example, our Lord did not teach that baptism both is and is not necessary! I’ve written an article on why baptism is necessary, though some denominations question it. This is a major reason why both the Bible and Book of Mormon are needed. The need for the other does not diminish either one of them. As a previous prophet once taught, “When used together, the Bible and Book of Mormon confound false doctrines.”

So why is it important for the world to have both the Bible and the Book of Mormon? The most succinct answer is found in one verse:  “And the angel spake unto me saying:  these last records which thou hast seen among the Gentiles [The Book of Mormon], shall establish the truth of the first [the Bible], which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved” (1 Ne 13:40).

The Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ and confirms the truths found in the Holy Bible. In fact nearly 4,000 of the total 6,000+ verses refer to Jesus Christ. Far from undermining the Bible, the Book of Mormon supports its testimony of Jesus Christ.

What exactly is the Book of Mormon? After the Savior’s Crucifixion and Resurrection He came to the people of ancient America, where He taught His gospel. He organized His Church and asked His disciples to keep a record of His ministry among them. That record is what we know as the Book of Mormon. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. Its major writers–Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, Moroni–and its translator, Joseph Smith, were all eyewitnesses of the Lord. It is the instrument through which scattered Israel will be gathered (Isa 11:11-12; 28:2,7; 54:7; 1 Ne 15:18; 3 Ne 21:1; D&C 110:11-12). It is also true, as attested by the Lord Himself. In other words, we believe it is scripture.

What is in the Book of Mormon? On one level it’s a record of God’s dealings with his people on the American continents, as the Bible is a record of God’s dealings with his people in the Eastern Hemisphere. More than that, it contains inspired teachings of prophets and is the Word of God. It provides the fullest and most authoritative understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to be found anywhere. It teaches what it really means to be born again. From the Book of Mormon we learn about the gathering of scattered Israel. We know why we are here on earth.

The Book of Mormon fulfills biblical prophecies including:  that “other sheep” shall hear His voice (John 10:16); that God will do “a marvelous work and a wonder” speaking “out of the dust” (Isa 29:4, 14); and the stick of Judah–the Bible–and the stick of Joseph–the Book of Mormon–will become one (Ezek 37:15-19). The entire 29th chapter of Isaiah is about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon both illuminates the teachings of the Master and exposes the tactics of the adversary. It teaches true doctrine to dispel false religious traditions–such as the erroneous practice of performing infant baptisms. The Book of Mormon shatters the false beliefs that happiness can be found in wickedness and that individual goodness is all that is required to return to the presence of God–ordinances and covenants (such as baptism) are needed. It abolishes forever the false concepts that revelation ended with the Bible and that the heavens are sealed today.

The Book of Mormon expands and clarifies many of the plain and precious truths that were lost through centuries of time and numerous translations of the Bible. It affirms the individual identity of Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as well as the necessity of the Fall of Adam and the wisdom of Eve, that men might have joy.

Some have an objection to any other book of scriptures, citing verses such as Revelations 22:18: “… If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” There is now overwhelming consensus among biblical scholars that this verse applies only to the book of Revelations, not the Bible. They further acknowledge several New Testament books that were written after John’s Revelation, such as the book of Jude, the three Epistles of John, and probably the gospel of John itself. Virtually the same warning is given in Deuteronomy 4:2, but no one asserts that this applies to the entire Bible, as most of it hadn’t been written yet!

A simpler answer is that the whole Bible as we know it–one collection of texts bound in a single volume–did not exist when that verse was written. It was not until the 5th century that all the different Christian churches came to a basic agreement on Biblical canon. In reality there are no verses anywhere in the Bible that say it is the only Word of God, and there never will be more given.

Most of us do not know exactly how the Bible came about, how the individual writings were collected, collated and translated over the centuries. We do have an account of how the Book of Mormon came forth. This will be the topic of my next post. If you’d like somewhere to go to learn more about our beliefs, click here. Often the best way to see what a church is about is to visit it for worship on Sunday. If you want to know where a worship service is near you, click here to find a meetinghouse.

I’ll end with the words of the Lord Himself: “Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews? Know ye know that there are more nations than one? … Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also… And because I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.” (2 Ne 29:7-10)

I am indebted to elder L Tom Perry and president Russel M Nelson for the bulk of the information in this post.

Regarding the family: what matters most

These last two years have been for many a time of stress and even a time of crisis. Often crisis or transition reminds us of what matters most. In the routine of life we often take our families for granted. But in times of danger and need and change, there is no question that what we care about most is our families!

The church that I belong to, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, released a Proclamation on the Family back in 1995. I will not go over it in detail, but I will share a link at the end of this article for the full text. I do want to share a few of the most crucial points. The proclamation’s clear and simple language stands in stark contrast to the confused notions of a society that cannot seem to agree on a definition of family, let alone supply the help and support parents and families need. Let me share five brief statements from that proclamation:

• “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God”
• “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose”
• “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children”
• “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity”
• “The disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets”

The very last words of the proclamation proclaim the simple truth that the family is the fundamental unit of society.

Public opinion surveys around the world indicate that everyone generally consider the family as the highest priority, yet in recent years the broader culture seems to ignore or misdefine the family. Consider some of these changes:

• Many larger national and international institutions that used to support families now try to supplant and sabotage the very families they were created to serve
• In the name of “tolerance” the definition of family has been expanded beyond the recognition to that point that family can be anyone of any gender who live together with or without commitment or children or attention to consequence
• Materialism and selfishness delude many into thinking that families, especially children, are a burden or a financial millstone, rather than a sacred privilege that will teach them to become more like God

In spite of all this, most parents throughout the world continue to know both the importance and joy that are attached to natural families. The world needs to know what the Proclamation teaches, because the family is the basic unit of society, of the economy, of our culture, and of our government.

A modern prophet who lived at a time when the US was expanding west said “There can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from the home, and every effort made to sanctify and preserve its influence is uplifting to those who toil and sacrifice for its establishment.”

For those who may ask how we can protect and preserve and strengthen our families in a world pulling so hard in opposite directions? I offer three simple suggestions:

1. Be consistent in holding daily family prayer, and reserve time each week for family-centric activities
2. Teach the gospel and basic values in your home. Establish a love for reading scriptures together, make it a regular event. Be wise and do not involve children or yourselves in so many activities out of the home
3. Create meaningful family bonds that give children an identity stronger than they find with their peer group or at school or anywhere else. This can be done through family traditions for birthdays, holidays, dinnertime, and for Sundays. It can also be done through family policies and rules with natural and well-understood consequences
   1. One example of this is have a family economy where children have specific chores or household duties and receive praise or other rewards commensurate to how well they do

 

Let us not forget extended family as well. Remember the expression of love and encouragement from an extended family member will often provide the right influence and help a child at a critical time.

Again, it’s crucial to remember that all larger units of society depend on the smallest and most fundamental unit, the family. No matter who or what we are, we help ourselves when we help families.

Let us prioritize our families and remember that what matters most is what lasts longest, and our families can be for eternity. For those interested in reading the proclamation, click here for the full text. It’s only about a three minute read.

I am indebted to M. Russell Ballard of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the central ideas for this article.