One of the things I really like about LDS doctrine is the understanding that human beings are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. It’s a beautiful Biblical doctrine that has been lost or diluted among much of the Christian world. I’m glad it’s back!
Among the relevant Bible verses to ponder, one of my favorites is Psalm 82:6:
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High.
I also like Acts 17:28,29:
28 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.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
And then there is Hebrews 12:9, which refers to God as “the Father of our spirits,” and Job 38:7, which indicates that all the sons of God shouted for joy when the earth was created. Yes, we were already in existence then as spirit sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.
How marvelous to know that He is our Father, that we are not “wholly other,” as some theologians have declared, but that we are offspring of God with the latent potential to put on the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-10). No wonder Jesus quoted Psalm 82 in John 10:34-36, referring to the divine potential of man:
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken;
36 say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
So then, are there children of the devil too?
In terms of righteousness at least (see 1 John 3:10)
Two Mormon missionaries are walking down the street. They come across a priest of another religion. The priest (who’s having a bad day, so this should not be taken as a negative reflection of his religion) says to them “Ye sons of the devil!”.
The Mormon missionaries reply “Hello Father!”
Okay, so you’ve heard it before.
Doesn’t mean that I like it any less
lol
I had to think a minute to get what was funny about it, because I would call a priest Father. Maybe I still don’t get it.
I believe, don’t know, just believe, that the first step toward true discipleship and consecration is recognizing our divine birthright. I don’t usually talk so serious, but we as Mormons miss that point, I think.
We sing “I am a Child of God” but we think “only if I am good enough.” That is just so sad to me.