The Babe is Not Immanuel? by Judy Robertson

As I reflect on Christmas just past, I'm glad I spent a lot of time being still and meditating on who Jesus is and what He means in my life. I sang many of the old carols that have within them the truths of God's Word. For example, Angels from the Realms of Glory, has this in the second verse, "...God with man is now residing." And in Hark! The Herald Angels Sing the second verse says; "Veiled in flesh the God-head see, Hail the incarnate Deity!" Both proclaim Jesus as our Immanuel, God with us. The amazing truth is that God came into the time and space of our world, became man in the form of the baby Jesus.

Jesus took on flesh, so that He could overcome the devil and provide the perfect sacrifice for our sin so that we could dwell with Him throughout eternity. 1 (Hebrews 2:14, 17)

So often I take this most wonderful of all truths for granted, celebrate the same way the whole world does and I don't make a distinction or a big deal of what I'm really celebrating. I get caught up in the mystique that is Christmas; baking, buying and wrapping presents, decorating the house, etc. etc. and don't take time to reflect on the event I'm spending so much time celebrating. Are you this way too?

Jesus is God incarnate or in the flesh. He is the "exact image of God," the Bible tells us. 2 (Hebrews 1:3) So because Jesus is God He is sinless and the only acceptable sacrifice for our sin. Our only way to heaven. 3 (Hebrews 9:26; 10:10; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 John 1:2)

There are some in our midst who teach that Jesus is not God incarnate but that He is only the first-born of many spirit children of "Heavenly Father." Hence the term or highly honored name of Immanuel cannot be used by the Latter-day-Saints who teach this. What kind of babe was born to Mary, then, according to LDS teaching?

He was the "first-born" of all "Heavenly Father's" spirit children. I was one, you were one. And Lucifer, too was a spirit-brother of Jesus. All men and women who ever lived or will live on earth are spirit children of "Heavenly Father." 4 (Gospel Principles pg.18 published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,1995 and Abraham 3:27 from the Pearl of Great Price)

Jesus, as taught in LDS theology was chosen by a Grand Council of gods in the pre-mortal life to be Savior of the world. 5 (Gospel Principles pg. 15) So this is not "The Word" of John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. This Biblical Jesus has always existed with God and "is God." Whereas the Jesus of Mormon theology came into being as a result of a physical relation with the virgin Mary. 6(Doctrines of Salvation, by Joseph Fielding Smith, Vol. 1, Pg. 18) So this Jesus cannot be in any sense, the Messiah or Immanuel.

Why is it so important to know this distinct difference? It's important because the Jesus of Mormonism is not the Biblical Jesus. He is another Jesus. 7 (Matthew 24:24; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4) And by believing the Mormon Jesus there is no salvation. For this Jesus is not God incarnate and the only One whose sacrifice made us fit for the Kingdom of God in heaven.

Our desire as Concerned Christians is to bring as many as possible into God's Kingdom. Rather than shouting this truth and trying strongman tactics, lets practice the admonition in 2 Timothy 2:24-26 which says: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Christmas is past but the New Year unfolds before us with all the hope that is in the gospel message. Let's be lights for those in our midst who dwell in darkness and shine the way to eternal life with Jesus forever.

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