Jesus Christ
An overview of Mormon Jesus Christ
Mormons regard Jesus Christ as the central figure of their faith, and the perfect example of how they should live their lives.
Jesus Christ is the second person of the Godhead and a separate being from God the Father and the Holy Ghost.
Mormons believe that:
- Jesus Christ is the first-born spirit child of God
- Jesus Christ assisted God the Father at the Creation
- He was known as Jehovah to the people of the Old Testament
- He was the literal, biological Son of God, and of Mary
- Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again on the third day
- Jesus Christ has a physical body
- He will return to earth and rule for 1000 years
- Complete salvation is only possible through the life, death, resurrection, doctrines and ordinances of Jesus Christ
They believe that after the resurrection, Jesus visited America, where he taught and performed miracles.
Premortal life
Jesus was the first spirit child of God the Father. He is the eldest brother of all the spirit children - and thus the eldest brother of all human beings.
Jesus created this and other worlds at the direction of God the Father. He did this to make possible the mortal state that is an essential stage in enabling spirit children to achieve eternal life.
Jesus was known to the people of the Old Testament as Jehovah. He became Jesus Christ when he was born on earth.
Life on Earth
Jesus was born on earth to Mary in Bethlehem, as related in the Bible. He lived his life on earth without sin, and in total obedience to God the Father.
Unlike Christians from the unrestored churches, Mormons do not believe that Jesus was "begotten by the Holy Ghost". They believe the father of Jesus was God the Father.
Postmortal life
Between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection Jesus' spirit spent time in the spirit world, where the disembodied spirits of the dead wait to be reunited with their bodies.
While he was there, Jesus ministered to the righteous spirits, and trained them to teach those spirits that were still handicapped by sin or ignorance. By doing this Jesus extended his ministry on earth into the afterlife.
With his resurrection Jesus began the resurrection of those righteous dead who had lived between the time of Adam and his own time.
Jesus now makes possible the bodily resurrection of all who have ever lived, or will ever live on earth.
Jesus in America
Mormons believe that the resurrected Jesus ministered to the Nephites in America. He appeared before a congregation in their temple, and allowed them to feel the wounds in his hands and feet.
He stayed with them for several days, teaching and healing.
He called and ordained twelve disciples, and gave the people various commandments and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Jesus Christ also appeared to Joseph Smith in New York State in 1820 in what is known as the First Vision. He appeared to Joseph Smith on several other occasions.
Jesus Christ has appeared to other Church leaders, for example in 1898 and in 1918.