What does it mean to be an only begotten? If we are the children of a Heavenly Father arent we begotten by him aswell? We will be reading about the only begotten and what it means to become an only begotten tonight. Im broadcasting tonight at 9pm Utah time. To listen in call 619-924-0710 or listen at tobtr/s/6792527. #BlogTalkRadio to read along click >>> https://m.facebook/notes/mark-lichtenwalter/how-many-only-begottens-are-their/10154465200320344/ The Only Begotten as a Title Among the many titles given to Jesus was the Only Begotten. It is, in a spiritual sense, a misnomer because Jesus was not the only child begotten of the Father, since we are all begotten sons and daughters of the Father. So this term should be considered as another title or office. To better understand the title of Only Begotten, another title must be comprehended in conjunction with it--that of the Firstborn. The firstborn child of the Father is the eldest. Therefore, upon him rests most of the authority, jurisdiction, and responsibility. Among the Hebrews the firstborn or eldest son often carried the position of the father or head of the house. Because Jesus was referred to as the Only Begotten, it did not mean that He had no brothers or sisters--because He did. Rather it was a term indicating that there were no equals. It is a designation similar to that of the Firstborn, which Ungers dictionary explains in the figurative sense: The expression firstborn stands for that which is most excellent. Thus Jesus Christ is the firstborn of every creature. (Heb. 12:23) The firstborn of the poor (Isa. 14:30) means the poorest of the poor. (Ungers Bible Dictionary, p. 367) So the term begotten may have different meanings to correspond to the context in which it is used, referring to specific authority, privileges, and responsibilities. Josephus, the noted Jewish historian, described the Only Begotten as the most beloved, the choicest, and the eldest. In the work of creation, the translation would be more fitting as unique because of such a vast enterprise being more distinctive than any other. The title of Only Begotten sometimes refers to God, the Father--as he was a choice son of his father as Christ is to Him. There is no father that was not first a son, and no son without a father. There are two positive statements in the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon indicating that the Father is an Only Begotten. It is interesting to compare these two passages with later editions, which were probably changed by those who supposed it was an error: [92]. . . that I know that Jesus Christ shall come; yea, the Son of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. (1830 ed., Alma, p. 236) . . . thus they become High Priests forever, after the order of the Son of the only begotten of the Father, which is without beginning of days or end of years, . . . (1830 ed., Alma, p. 259) Now, in later editions, we read-- . . . that I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. (Alma 5:48) Thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of days or end of years, ... (Alma 13:9) What a difference in the meaning of these passages when the little word of is left out! Originally the scriptures said that Jesus was the Son of the Only Begotten--who had to be the Father. It doesnt seem to be a slip of the tongue, or pen, because it is mentioned twice. Undoubtedly, our Father in heaven was a choice son to his Father, and probably obtained the title of Only Begotten. In any case, it is important to understand that this term Only Begotten can apply to more than one individual, even at the same time. In this capacity and terminology, an Only Begotten becomes a creator of worlds without number. In this case, it does not apply to Jesus Christ as a creator, but rather to the Father, who was an Only Begotten of His Father, and through the power of this office he becomes a Creator. The day will come when Jesus will be crowned as a [93] God, become an Only Begotten in the full sense of the word, and receive the power to create a world. Thus, every world is created by an Only Begotten of his Father. He, in turn, becomes a father to all the children on that created earth. More frequently, in our lives, the title of Only Begotten refers to Jesus Christ, our Elder Brother. Since He was not the only son begotten of His Father (we are all the begotten sons and daughters of God), this cannot be applied in a literal sense. Rather, it represented a position of honor--one that demanded respect and authority from all the other children. The oldest son, if faithful, is the Saviour of the family. (Unpub. Revel., p. 369) Brigham Young said that Jesus was the Firstborn Son and that Lucifer was the second son of our Father in Heaven: When the Father appointed Jesus Christ the first born to come and redeem the earth, there was contention got up. The second brother, Lucifer, the Son of the morning, he wanted the honor to come and redeem the earth. But Christ was the appointed one. It was his right by appointment and birthright. (Wilford Woodruff Journals 4:45-46) As the eldest brother, He acts in place of the Father when the Father is not present. When Jesus is called the Only Begotten, it is when He is functioning in that position and office of trust. Both God and Jesus have instructed all men to pray unto the Father because we are His children. Jesus said, Pray after this manner, `Our Father in heaven. Yet whenever the Father introduced Jesus, He called Him His Only Begotten. The entire human race was begotten of the Father, and thats why we call him our Father in heaven. [94]Then what difference is there between Jesus Christ and the rest of mankind? Brigham Young again explains: The Apostles and Prophets, when speaking of our relationship to God, say that we are flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone; God is our Father and Jesus Christ is our Elder Brother. (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 25) When the time came that his First-born, the Savior, should come into the world and take a tabernacle, the Father came himself and favored that Spirit with a tabernacle instead of letting any other man do it. The Savior was begotten by the Father and His Spirit, by the same Being who is the Father of our spirits, and that is all the organic difference between Jesus Christ and you and me. (Ibid., p. 50) Father Adams oldest son (Jesus the Saviour) who is the heir of the family, is father Adams first begotten in the spirit world, who according to the flesh is the only begotten as it is written. (Tchgs. of B.Y., p. 118) We often call the gospel the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as though He were the originator of it. But how can this be when the gospel is as old as the eternities and has been accepted and implemented by all the Gods? But the Firstborn of the Father (or Only Begotten) presented that plan in our Pre-Existent state, just the same as had been done for other worlds, and He offered to be the Redeemer according to the requirements of that gospel. Then the devil came forth and presented his plan (or gospel), claiming that he would save everyone, just as every devil had done for other worlds. And these two plans will continue to be presented for other worlds in the future. [95]So the devil coveted and eagerly sought to achieve this honored title of Only Begotten--not just in the Pre-Existence, but he is still trying to assume that position: And now, when Moses had said these words, Satan cried with a loud voice, and rent upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the Only Begotten, worship me. (Moses 1:19) Why did he want to be called the Only Begotten if it did not have more meaning than just the numerical position of birth? It was because the term represented an acting position of God the Father, and Satan wanted that position so he could be worshipped as God! Here then is the meaning of the Only Begotten--a title and position so high that it was nearly identical to that of God. The Difference Between Earths and Worlds In order to comprehend the role of an Only Begotten as a Creator, it is important to clarify the difference between an earth and a world. This helps in understanding such confusing scriptures as: And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten. (Moses 1:33) At first God said, I created them, and then by the Son I created them. It is plain to see that both the Father and the Son have assumed the title of Creator; but exactly what did each create? To understand the role of the Only Begotten in the creation, it is necessary to recall the meaning of to create worlds. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, The word [96] created should be formed, or organized. (TPJS, p. 181) Then follows the key: The word worlds can have two meanings: one is the world of organized physical matter; the other is a world of people. An example of this is when the disciples of Jesus came to him and asked, ... what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Matt. 24:3) They did not mean the destruction of the physical world, or earth; they meant the end of human society. The Prophet Joseph defines world in this way, too, by interpreting the parable of the wheat and the tares, and the end of the world: But He, knowing all things, says, Not so. As much as to say, your views are not correct; the Church is in its infancy, and if you take this rash step you will destroy the wheat, or the Church, with the tares; therefore it is better to let them grow together until the harvest, or the end of the world, which means the destruction of the wicked .... (TPJS, p. 98) And again-- Now men cannot have any possible grounds to say that this is figurative, or that it does not mean what it says: for He is now explaining what he had previously spoken in parables; and according to this language, the end of the world is the destruction of the wicked, the harvest and the end of the world have an allusion directly to the human family in the last days, instead of the earth, as many have imagined . . . . (TPJS, pp. 100-101) In the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith there are 30 references to the world meaning mankind and only two where world referred to the earth. The world is consistently spoken of in connection with mankind rather than the physical earth; therefore, it seems that the scriptures should be interpreted in this light as well. [97]Another example from the scriptures comes from the writings of John: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17) The world here refers to mankind, not the physical land and elements of the earth. Certainly the earth is not going to believe on the Only Begotten to be saved, but the world, or mankind, will do the believing. The Only Begotten Son is the one who organizes mankind before they come to an earth. And it is the Only Begotten, or Firstborn Son, of every earth, without number, that is the organizer of all the children pertaining to it--so they might have redemption and be saved. The Only Begotten Son does not necessarily mean Jesus Christ. It can apply to Jesus as the only begotten in the flesh by the Father; or, in the figurative or illustrative sense, it can apply to numerous sons--as every world has an Only Begotten who is its creator. That same world will have a chosen son who is the Only Begotten in the flesh. Another viable interpretation of the Only Begotten is revealed in the Pearl of Great Price, where we learn more about this office by which worlds without number are created. Moses gives this account: And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou has fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as well. (Moses 5:9) [98]Here, the Holy Ghost is claiming that office and power by which worlds are created. Parley P. Pratt stated that this holy spirit is the agent or executive, by which God organizes and puts in motion all worlds .... (Key to Theology, p. 46) Thus the Father may order the creation of worlds, His choice Son may help to organize them, but it is the Holy Ghost that is the power and the force that pulls them together. The Holy Ghost, in that instance, would be the Only Begotten of the Father. By now we have seen how Jesus became an Only Begotten, the Holy Ghost is an Only Begotten, the Father Himself was an Only Begotten, and all mankind are begotten of the Father. Thus, the term Only Begotten is obviously a title referring to a particular position, not the name of just one individual. Jesus was the only begotten in the flesh, but not the only begotten son. He is a special and chosen son who gained the right and privilege of that title. Every world (or populated earth) must have its Savior, or Only Begotten, to be redeemed. Brigham Young said: . . . the Oldest Son has always had the privilege of being Ordained, Appointed and Called to be the Heir of the family, if he does not rebel against the Father, and he is the Saviour of the family. Every world that has been created, has been created upon the same principle. (Teachings of Brigham Young 3:353) And from Moses: . .. and mine Only Begotten is and shall be the Savior, for he is full of grace and truth; but there is no God beside me, . . . (Moses 1:6) So the oldest son is selected and ordained to receive the title and heirship of the family. As such, he is an Only Begotten or Chosen son. [99]When the Lord speaks of worlds, He usually means the earths with mankind upon them. Worlds without number have I created, He says, meaning earths filled with his children. He can be implying here that He organized physical earths and put His children upon them, and then by the Son (Only Begotten) I created them (the children pertaining to that earth). The Eldest Son organizes them by means of the Gospel plan. In this way, then, both the Father and the Son rightfully bear the titles of Only Begotten and Creator. They both took part in the work of creating--each performing a certain work in the creation that the other did not do. Hopefully, this chapter has shed further light on the distinct role of each. Worlds Without Number From all these above statements, it is easy to see how confusion can result, and false premises can render false conclusions. For instance, Bruce R. McConkie wrote: As far as man is concerned, all things center in Christ. He is the Firstborn of the Father. By obedience and devotion to the truth, he attained that pinnacle of intelligence which ranked him as a God, as the Lord Omnipotent, while yet in his pre-existent state. As such he became, under the Father, the Creator of this earth and of worlds without number; and he was then chosen to work out the infinite and eternal atonement, to come to this particular earth as the literal Son of the Father, and to put the whole plan of redemption, salvation, and exaltation in operation. (Mormon Doctrine, McConkie, p. 129) From this it appears, then, that all these worlds without number had no Savior or Redeemer until Jesus was THEN chosen to work out the infinite and eternal atonement, to come to THIS PARTICULAR EARTH .... [100] However, this is not what Brigham Young taught when he said, ... every earth has its redeemer, and every earth has its tempter. (JD 14:7) So how could it be that Jesus had anything to do with creating or redeeming worlds without number? We know that whatever the Son has done, and is doing, is under the direction, the will, and the power of the Father. But when Jesus has been appointed to do certain works, He is also assisted by others. Acting as our Elder Brother, Jesus created or organized councils, a church, dispensations, and leaders of Priesthood. He, as the Only Begotten, was really organizing mankind to prepare them for their turn on earth and to receive the Gospel and be saved by His atonement. He declared, As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. (John 17:18) But it was the Father who created us all as God told Moses: And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them. (Moses 2:27) These terms or titles are ancient descriptions with very important meanings. They are illustrations to teach that a father is a son and sons become fathers. It is a doctrine of Mormonism that, God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. (TPJS, p. 345) God was once a man, and as a son, he proved himself worthy to become a Father. And in those eternal worlds, there never was a Father without a Son or a Son without a Father. There are countless Only Begotten and Firstborn Sons, and by them were worlds without number created. * * * In summary, then, it seems reasonable to assume that God the Father created (organized) the earth and the tangible elements therein, and created the spirits to populate this earth. Then Jesus Christ, acting in the role and position of the Only Begotten, created (organized) that world or the population that inhabit this earth [101] Chapter 10 BEGOTTEN SONS AND DAUGHTERS This chapter will show (1) that all are begotten sons and daughters of the Father, (2) that some become begotten of the Son, and (3) even a few become begotten of the devil. The difference between natural and adopted will also be discussed. All Begotten of the Father The origin of man is by birth--first a spiritual birth, then a physical one. All mankind are the begotten sons and daughters of a heavenly Father. This is taught in the scriptures and by the leading authorities of the Church. Talking about His spiritual offspring, God asked Job, Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth . . . and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:4,7) Peter makes this implication in his writings: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us.... (I Peter 1:3) Paul the Apostle understood this spiritual birth, and he also wrote about it: Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (Heb. 12:9) Joseph Smith also wrote in the Doctrine and Covenants: [102]That by him (the Only Begotten), and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. (D & C 76:24) In 1909 the First Presidency of the Church issued a statement confirming this: All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity.... Man as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in a temporal body to undergo an experience in mortality. (The Origin of Man, Jos. F. Smith, John R. Winder, Anthon H. Lund, The Improvement Era 13:78, 80, Nov. 1909) George Q. Cannon explains that we are all literal descendants of God, as was Jesus: My brethren and sisters, it is a glorious truth that has been taught to us, that we are literally the children of God, that we are his literal descendants, as Jesus was literally descended from Him, and that He is our Father as much as our earthly parent is our father, and we can go to Him with a feeling of nearness, knowing this, understanding it by the revelations which God has given to us. (JD 25:155) Since all mankind are begotten of the Father, what difference is there between them and the Only Begotten Son of God? Brigham Young explains: Jesus Christ, first-begotten of the Father, of all the rest of the children, and of all they possess, alone is the lawful heir. This is no mystery. (JD 6:307) [103] The Apostle Paul, writing to the Romans, implied that Jesus was our Elder Brother in this huge family unit: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom. 8:29) And in these latter days, the Lord revealed: I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn; . . . (D & C 93:21) Some Become Begotten of the Son There are also scriptures indicating another spiritual type of begetting for mankind--when they reach a point on this mortal earth that they are born again. In this birth, men are born again through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Under this canopy, Jesus becomes their Father. With this in mind, it is easier to understand such scriptures as: Now Zeezrom saith again unto him : Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father? And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last; and he shall come into the world to redeem his people....(Alma 11:38-40) This seems like a drastically contradictory statement if we take it literally. It is an utter impossibility for anyone to be both a son and a father of that son. A man can be a son and then a father, but not the father of himself. The scripture must have a different meaning of this father/son relationship. From the Book of Mormon comes another meaning: [104] Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have light, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall BECOME my sons and my daughters. (Ether 3:14) Believing on the name of Jesus Christ begins a rebirth by obedience to the Gospel. In baptism they take upon them the name of Jesus Christ--just as a woman in marriage takes the name of her husband. A bride promises to honor and obey her husband when she marries him. An individual promises to honor and obey Christ when he is baptized. In that ordinance he is born again as a spiritual rebirth. They are spiritually born to Christ as though he were their Father--thus spiritually begotten to Christ. This is clearly explained by King Benjamin: And now, because of the covenant which ye have made, ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters, for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you: for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and daughters. (Mosiah 5:7) Thus, all mortals on this earth are begotten sons and daughters of God the Father, but they become begotten of the Lord Jesus Christ only when their hearts are changed through faith, they believe on my name, and spiritually become His sons and daughters. In this way, Jesus becomes their father. [105] And Even Some Begotten of the Devil When Jesus told the Jews, Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do (John 8:44), he was not speaking of them in a literal meaning. These wicked people were begotten by adoption through wickedness to the devil in the same way others are begotten to Christ through righteousness. In the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus said, The good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one. (Matt. 13:38) This is explained also in another passage: He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (I John 3:8-10) Natural and Adopted Sons and Daughters Paul wrote some things hard to understand, and they had to be seriously studied--as in the following scripture containing some important insights: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; . . . (Rom. 8:14, 16-17) [106] Four concepts are presented in this passage: (1) we are the spiritual children of God; (2) we are also his sons if led by His spirit. (3) we are the heirs of God by virtue of being His children; and (4) Christ is our elder brother because we are joint-heirs with him. John takes up this spiritual birth with Christ by adding: Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (I John 5:1) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; . . . (John 1:12) The difference in the born again experience is also a difference in their moral life style. Christians are born to a new way of life. John also added: We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself , and that wicked one toucheth him not. (I John 5:18) The Prophet Joseph adds a little more to this by saying that being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances. (TPJS, p. 162) Paul the Apostle must have reasoned much the same way because he said, for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. (I Cor. 4:15) Jesus Himself complied to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel and also received this spiritual birth with His Father: So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. (Heb. 5:5) [107] Apparently being born again involves more than what the modern Christian ministers are preaching today. By compliance to the law and ordinances of the Gospel, mankind are adopted into the relationship of spiritually born sons and daughters of God by promise. In a revelation to Emma Smith, the Lord said, ... for verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom (D & C 25:1). These are promised a future place in His house or kingdom. In this sense they are different from those who have not accepted the Gospel. In a revelation to Hyrum Smith, the Lord said: Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world. l am the same who came unto mine own and mine own received me not; But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen. (D & C 11:28-30) Those who become sons in this sense are those who are to become one with Christ. Consider this revelation given through the Prophet Joseph in 1830: I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one. (D & C 35:2) And again-- I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life. (D & C 45:8) [108] There are double meanings to some of the scriptures and this is one of them. The Prophet Abinadi gives another double meaning to a scripture, referring to Christs seed in an adopted or figurative sense: And now I say unto you, who shall declare his
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 01:24:12 +0000
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