In this installment I shall address the Mormon belief that Jesus is not to be worshiped in the same exact manner that God the Father is worshiped.

MORMONISM PROHIBITS PRAYING TO JESUS

Beth T. Spackman, seminary teacher, Midnapore, Alberta. 

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave specific instructions about whom we should pray to: “Our Father which art in heaven.” (See Matt. 6:5–13.) He gave similar instructions to the Nephites. (See 3 Ne. 13:5–13.) The Father’s name is hallowed. It is to him that we should pray, asking that his will be done. During his ministry, both in the Old World and in the New, Jesus, our exemplar, always prayed to the Father.

In the pattern of prayer given to the Nephites, the direction was to “pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus.” (See 3 Ne. 19:6–8; see also 3 Ne. 18:19, 21.) Jesus is our Mediator with the Father, and all we do in our attempts to approach the Father must be done in his name. (See 1 Tim. 2:5.)

In 3 Nephi 19:16–30, however, we read that, when Jesus was in their immediate presence, his disciples prayed directly to him. Perhaps the key to this unusual behavior is found in verse 22, where Jesus explains that “they pray unto me because I am with them.” (Italics added.) Jesus made this comment while praying to the Father for the welfare of his disciples.

Apparently, on that occasion, while he was in their presence, praying to him was acceptable. After he left them, however, the Nephites continued the pattern of praying to the Father in Jesus’ name, as we are directed to do also. (See 3 Ne. 20:30–31; 3 Ne. 27:2, 28–29.)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie clearly explained what our relationship with each member of the Godhead should be, pointing out that some misguided members of the Church may “begin to pray directly to Christ because of some special friendship they feel has been developed” with him. This is wrong, said Elder McConkie. We should pray directly to the Father, and he will answer our prayers as he sees fit. Elder McConkie also pointed out that we should maintain an attitude of reverence for all the members of the Godhead. (See “Our Relationship with the Lord,” in Brigham Young University 1981–82 Fireside and Devotional Speeches, Provo: Brigham Young University, 1982, pp. 97–103.)

Likewise, we do not pray to the Holy Ghost, even though we may pray for specific gifts of the Holy Ghost—such as the gifts of tongues, comfort, knowledge, or remembrance. We should always pray to the Father. He is the Director, the Supreme Being, the Ultimate Power.

As we contemplate our relationship with Christ and our prayers to the Father, it may be helpful for us to think about our premortal life. The Father’s plan was presented for our sustaining vote. Lucifer wanted the power and glory for himself, but Christ, in his wisdom and humility, realized that the honor and glory should go to the Father. Thus, the Savior has consistently instructed, “When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven.” (Luke 11:2.) (Is it proper to pray to Jesus Christ?; bold emphasis mine)

WHAT DOES THE HOLY BIBLE TEACH?

Contrary to the Mormon assertion, the inspired Scriptures proclaim that Christ is to be worshiped in the fullest sense imaginable, since he is God in the absolute sense being co-equal to the Father in essence, glory and majesty.

THE FATHER DEMANDS THAT JESUS BE GIVEN THE EXACT SAME HONOR

Our risen Lord himself made this precise point:

“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, EVEN AS they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” John 5:22-23

God commands everyone to grant Christ the exact honor he himself receives, obviously because the Son is essentially one with the Father.

This explains why the Father not only demands that all creation glorifies his unique beloved Son,

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

Rendering unto the risen Christ the same worship which Jehovah shall receive from all his creatures,

“I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” Isaiah 45:23

But also allows us to appreciate why the Father himself honors and glorifies the Son in the same way that the Son honors and glorifies him:

“And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth… Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.” John 8:54-55

“Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.” John 13:31-32

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: as thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” John 17:1-2

“The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” Acts 3:13-15

In fact, the Father has been glorifying his Son by sharing his own divine glory with his Beloved from before the creation of the world:

“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was… Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:5, 24

The Son’s essential equality with God is further seen from his being a joint Object of the churches’ repeated prayers and invocations, and the joint Source of all the spiritual riches and blessings granted to believers:

“to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace FROM God our Father, AND the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:7

“grace be unto you, and peace, FROM God our Father, AND from the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:3  

“grace be to you and peace FROM God our Father, AND from the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:2

“grace be to you and peace FROM God the Father, AND from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” Galatians 1:3-4

“grace be to you, and peace, FROM God our Father, AND from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:2

“Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, FROM God the Father AND the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

“Written from Rome unto the Ephesians by Tychicus.” Ephesians 6:23-64

“grace be unto you, and peace, FROM God our Father, AND from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2

“to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, FROM God our Father AND the Lord Jesus Christ.” Colossians 1:2

“unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, FROM God our Father AND Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Timothy 1:2

“to Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, FROM God the Father AND Christ Jesus our Lord.” 2 Timothy 1:2

“Now God himself and our Father, AND our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end HE may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, AND God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

“Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, FROM God the Father, AND FROM the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.” 2 John 1:3

As if this wasn’t remarkable enough, there are places where Jesus alone is invoked!

“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

“The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timotheus.” 1 Corinthians 16:22-24

“Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

“Unto the Galatians written from Rome.” Galatians 6:18

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

“It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.” Philippians 4:23

“The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

“The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.” 2 Timothy 4:22

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

“The first epistle unto the Thessalonians was written from Athens.” 1 Thessalonians 5:28

“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

“The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.” 2 Thessalonians 4:16-18

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Revelation 22:20-21

To top it off, we even have Trinitarian invocations to boot!

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

“The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, FROM him which is, and which was, and which is to come; AND FROM the seven Spirits which are before his throne; AND FROM Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.” Revelation 1:4-5

And since Jesus is essentially coequal with the Father it comes as no surprise that the Spirit shows John a vision in which every creature in all of creation honors the Son in the same exact manner that they honor the Father:   

“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And EVERY CREATURE which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and ALL THAT ARE IN THEM, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, AND UNTO THE LAMB for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:8-14

To say that this is an astonishing vision would be a wild understatement!

The fact that Christ is distinguished from every created being in existence, and the fact that the entire creation grants him the very same worship which the Father himself receives, and for the exact same duration, conclusively proves that Jesus is no mere creature. Rather, God’s Son is the uncreated Lord of all creation.  

This will now bring me to the next part of my response: THE BIBLICAL GOD VERSUS THE MORMON GODS PT. 2B.

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