Originally posted by Thundar
Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, [b]I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ?I am has sent me to you.?"John 8:57-58
"You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born,
I am!"
Revelations 22:13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
So Jesus is at the beginning and end as he represents God in the flesh, and refers to himself as being the great "I AM" that came before Abraham in John 8:58. It's difficult to grasp I know, but one must have faith in what he's saying to be true in order to be saved. Not having faith in him being God, is essentially calling him a liar and disregarding his sacrifice on the cross. [/B]
These verses still do not necessitate an "always" assumption, the beginning and end of what? Christ is the beginning and end our existence, he is the first and last thing necessary for proper belief, he is. It can be interpreted as "always", but such an interpretation is not necessarily accurate or true, and is not the interpretation I believe. I believe Christ is the God that speaks predominantly in the OT and NT. I believe that he and the Father are separate gods in the same manner that I am separate from other men. I believe that believing Christ is the Father is demeaning of his sacrifice.
Originally posted by Thundar
Moving away from the discussion for a bit, were you raised a Mormon or were you a convert?
I was born into an LDS family, my father is inactive (A member that does not participate in church functions, and disregards much of the advice given by the religion) and my mother is active.
Regardless of my upbringing, I have an extremely broad religious base. My family is particularly diverse in religious background though. I have close family in nearly all the major religions except Islam; Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, Born-again, non-denominational, Wiccans, and a couple of others. On top of this I have one or two very close friends in nearly every religion. I have studied with a Catholic priest, a Methodist Minister, a Baptist Minister, an Imam, and the local Buddhist leader to gain insight into their beliefs. I have completed four years of LDS Seminary, and six years of LDS Institute (University level religious studies) including world religion classes covering every religion.
I believe that all religious claims must be approached as though their beliefs may be more correct than one's current beliefs. As such, I spend a portion of my time studying and observing other beliefs, to do otherwise would be hypocritical for a person as a part of a strong proselyting religion such as the LDS church. I have studied in depth most religions.
I have, through my studies and experience decided that, imo, the LDS church is the only one to have a comparable structure to Biblical religion and good fruits.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.