Are Mormons Christian? Are God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost distinct, separate, immortal beings? This lesson, activity and fun recipe, answers these questions, while strengthening your family's testimonies of the Godhead.
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SCRIPTURE
3 Nephi 11:32
32. And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the
Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father
commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.
VIDEO
Watch chapters 4-5 from the animated Complete Learning System, Jesus, The Son of God DVD or CLICK FOR CLIP
LESSON SUMMARY
For younger children, it may be helpful to summarize the following ideas:
The members of the Godhead all work together to help us obtain eternal life. Although they work together as one, they have separate roles.
What did Jesus mean when He said that He was about His Father’s business? (Discuss ideas.
Emphasize that Jesus was not speaking of Joseph’s business, but of the business of His literal
Father, God the Father.)
We know from reading the scriptures that even at a young age Jesus knew that his role on earth, as a member of the Godhead, was to carry out His Father’s plan. Jesus came to earth not only to atone for our sins, but also to teach us how to we can return to live with our Heavenly Father.
How can we know for ourselves that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God?
(Discuss ideas.)
Why was Jesus the only person on earth who could atone for our sins? (Discuss ideas.)
Jesus is the only person on earth to be born of a mortal mother and an immortal father. That is why he is called the Only Begotten Son. From his mother he inherited mortality. Like us, He felt hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, and death, but because He inherited divine powers from his Father, no one could take His life from him unless He willingly let them. He had power to lay down His life and power to take up his body again after dying.
What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one” (3 Nephi 11:27)?
Joseph Smith testified that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are separate beings, “I saw two
Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Mitch 1:17.)
Why is it important for each of us to know for ourselves (have a testimony) that God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate personages who are one in purpose and that God and Jesus have bodies of flesh and bone? (Discuss ideas.)
STORY
"Following Jesus Christ's Example"
“Did you have fun at Sophie’s house after school?” Mother asked Lauren.
“Oh, yes! We made cookies, played dress-up and watched a movie,” Lauren answered with excitement. “And you’ll never guess what the movie was.”
“Hmmm. Was it Beauty and the Beast?” Mother guessed. Lauren giggled and shook her head “no.”
“Sleeping Beauty? Snow White? Cinderella? ...”
Lauren giggled and shook her head, “no”, with each guess.
“I’ll give you a hint,” she said. “It’s starts with a J,” Lauren hinted.
“J, huh?” Mother said thinking. “Oh, I know! You watched Jungle Book.”
“Not even close,” Lauren squealed. “I told you, you’d never guess.”
“You’re right. I give up,” Mother conceded. “What did you watch?”
“Jesus, The Son of God.” Lauren answered. “Sophie has all the Animated Stories from the New Testament videos, just like me.”
“Why does that surprise you?” Mother asked.
“Well, Sophie’s a Mormon and Billy says I shouldn’t play with her because Mormons aren’t Christians,” Lauren explained.
“And do you think that, too?”
“I like playing with Sophie. She’s really, really nice.”
“Do you think that Sophie’s not a Christian?”
Lauren thought for a moment. “To be a Christian means that you believe in Jesus Christ. Right?
“That’s right! And Does Sophie believe in Jesus Christ?”
“I know she does, ’cause when we were watching, Jesus, The Son of God, she said that she loved Jesus and she knew that He really is the Son of God.”
“True Christians not only believe in Jesus Christ, they also try to be like Him by following His teachings and example,” Mother explained.
Lauren thought for a moment. “One of the things Jesus taught is to ‘Love one another.’”
“And how do we show love that we love one another?” Mother continued.
Lauren thought for a moment. “One of the things Jesus taught is to ‘Love one another.’”
“And how do we show love that we love one another?” Mother continued.
“By being kind to each other,” Lauren answered.
“So who do you think is following Jesus Christ’s example–Billy or Sophie?”
“Sophie. She’s kind to everyone. Even, Billy!” Lauren exclaimed.
Mother gave Lauren a tight hug. “I hope you’re kind to everyone, too,” she said.
“Mom, Sophie asked if I could go to church with her on Sunday. Can I?” Lauren asked.
Mother thought for a moment. They had never taken Lauren to church of any kind. They believed in God and Jesus Christ, but the theology that they had been taught as children, that “the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three persons, but a single substance,” was incomprehensible to them. Instead they read the Bible as a family and watched the Animated Stories from the New Testament videos to teach Lauren about Jesus Christ.
“Maybe letting Lauren go to church with Sophie’s not such a bad idea. The Petersons seem like a real nice family,” Mother thought. “It’s okay with me, if it’s okay with your Dad,” Mother answered.
“Mom. Dad. Guess what I learned today?” Lauren called, when she came home from Primary. Lauren held up a card. “Listen to this. ‘The Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.’ This proves that Mormons, I mean, the real name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are Christians,” Lauren stated. “And you know what else I learned?”
Father and Mother smiled at their enthusiastic daughter. “What?” they said in unison.
“You were right, Mom. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have bodies. Joseph Smith saw them,” Lauren explained. “And look at this,” she said, holding up the braided yarn bracelet that dangled from her wrist. “Sophie’s teacher gave us each three separate strands of yarn and showed us how we could make them ‘one in purpose’. Just like God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are separate beings, but one in purpose.”
Cream together the shortening and butter, sugar, egg, almond extract, vanilla extract and food coloring until fluffy. In a separate bowl, mix flour and salt. Add dry mixture to creamed mixture. Chill for at least 1 hr.
Treat Time:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Give each family member 3 tsp. size balls of cookie dough. Roll each ball of dough in granulated sugar and then roll each into a 5 inch strip. Place the three separate strips side by side and lightly twist together to form a single rope. Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with granulated sugar.
2. Give each family member three pieces of yarn. Ask: Are these separate pieces of yarn or are they one? Explain: The three pieces of yarn are like God, the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. They are separate and individual, yet
they are alike.
3. Ask: Even though these pieces of yarn are separate, can they be one? (Discuss ideas.)
4. Use the Braiding Wheel to braid the three pieces of yarn together:
a. Place the three pieces of yarn together with ends even and then fold in half.
b. Take the folded end and tie it in a knot so that there are now six free ends.
c. Push the knot through the hole in the braiding wheel.
d. Thread the six strands down through the six of the slits in the wheel (one slit will remain open).
e. Braid by taking the third strand from the empty slit and placing it over two strands and into the empty slit. Continue in this manner, pulling the braided strands down through the hole.
f. When you reach the end, remove from braiding card and tie a knot in the end.
Now tie an additional knot 1/2 inch from the first knot. Then thread the single knot on the opposite end can between the six strands in the 1/2 space to form a
friendship bracelet.
5. Ask: Are there still three separate strands of yarn? Explain: Yes. There are still three separate strands of yarn, yet they have been made one, in purpose (to form a bracelet). This is the same with the Godhead. God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are separate, yet one in purpose: to help us obtain eternal life.
Preparation:
1. Glue artwork (one braiding wheel per person) to cardstock. Cut along black lines.
2. Cut three pieces of yarn, 18 inches long, per person.
What you need:
A copy of the “Separate, Yet One in Purpose” activity (artwork included with this lesson), scissors, glue, cardstock and yarn.
1. Watch chapter 7 from The Complete Learning System, Jesus, The Son of God DVD.
2. Read: 3 Nephi 11:32
“And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and
the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.”
3. The members of the Godhead all work together to help us obtain eternal life. Although they work together as one, they have separate roles.
What did Jesus mean when He said that He was about His Father’s business? (Discuss ideas. Emphasize that Jesus was not speaking of Joseph’s business, but of the business of His literal Father, God the Father.)
4. How can we know for ourselves that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God?
(Discuss ideas.)
5. What three personages make up the Godhead? (God the Eternal Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.)
6. How does our knowledge of the Godhead differ from other Christian faiths?
(Discuss ideas.)
9. Joseph Smith testified that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are separate beings, “I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith—History 1:17.)
10. Why is it important for each of us to know for ourselves (have a testimony) that God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate personages who are one in purpose and that God and Jesus have bodies of flesh and bone? (Discuss ideas.)
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