A Significant Difference

I know, I know. Yesterday, I said that I wasn't going to write any more. Today, I started thinking about something and the difference it makes. I have to say something. In fact, the reason I didn't just take my blog down yesterday is because I realize this journey has ebbs and flows. What I write about today has personal relevance - but it isn't a personal experience of the nature I've decided to maintain only in my heart. So, here goes . . . .

I have thought a lot about - but only referred to it minimally - the concept that Mormonism adds too much "fluff" to what is Sacred and that the end result is a dilution of a seeker's experience of God. Recently, I've had personal experience with one of the most significant differences between Mormon teachings and direct communion with God.

It is Jesus.

According to Mormon Doctrine, Jesus is the "Firstborn" of all of "Heavenly Father's Spirit Children." As the story goes, God and his wife created a whole mess of children in spiritual form and then God created an earth to send his spirit children to the earth so their spiritual bodies could be housed in flesh and they could work out their salvation (and become Gods themselves, if they are successful).

Orthodox Christianity teaches that at the moment of conception, the human being is created: body and soul. Before that moment, the "spirit" doesn't exist. So, when Christ becomes God Incarnate in Mary's womb, HE becomes the Only Son of God.

Often, Mormons refer to Jesus as "Our Elder Brother." I find it interesting that my experience of Jesus has been so much more profound with the understanding that He is not my older brother, but the Only Begotten Son of God. Our Lord.

Again, a theme I've pointed to before. In our human way of being, a brother is fallible. A family-like relationship with God (in my outspoken opinion) makes for a too casual view of God.

If Jesus is Holy and the only relationship I have with Him is that by God's Grace, He took on the form of flesh to teach me that I can approach God by following Him, it changes things. At least, for me. As a Mormon, my thoughts about and approach to God were much more arrogant. Much more.

But then again, that is what was taught to me. After all, isn't it arrogant to disregard the Church Fathers who preserved the wisdom and rituals of Christ's Church as He established it in favor of saying that Christ's church had disappeared so you (I won't say who - J.S.) can create your own church and call it Christ's?

Isn't it arrogant to say that the Bible was incorrectly interpreted so you, J.S., can re-interpret at will? (Say nothing of the ancient writings of the Fathers who lived during and shortly after Jesus' mortal reign.)

Interesting, the ancient church has been very resistant to change. Orthodoxy requires the consent of the whole church following an ecumenical counsel. The Orthodox church has only recognized 7. But, you (J.S.) set up a system that changes regularly.

Also interesting - J.S. says that the Bible is correct only if translated appropriately. He used the idea that it had too many interpretations and that he gave the correct interpretation. Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

But I digress. I no longer see myself as Christ's little sister. I no longer look at God as my Heavenly Father.

I have no special mission to fulfill because of my "Divine Heritage."

Pure and simple, I am God's creation but the only import of that is that the Divine Spark in me that was implanted at my birth draws me to Him.