From Romans, by Paul, "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 JESUS CHRIST, if so be that we suffer with Him, that we might also be glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us."
John taught the same.
We simply believe that they meant what they said. Jesus Christ wants us to become as perect as the Father, and through the grace of His atonement, we can, and ultimately be joint heirs of the Father with Christ, whom the scriptures clearly teach in the New Testament, inherited all that the Father hath.
There will be no scolding...I have served in Bishoprics myself and bearing this testimony is not viewed badly, or "wrong" in the least.
Anyhow, it is clear that we differ on this...but it has no bearing on my salvation through Christ Jesus and Him crucified and resurrected. That is the essential doctrine...and the scriptures also clearly teach that no man can confess Christ Jesus and Him crucified except moved upon by the Holy Ghost. I so testify of Him to you, tjd1454, now.
Others may judge between us for themselves, but I am grateful that Christ will judge me and my heart, because He knows of my acceptance of His wonderous gift.
God bless you for your own acceptance of Christ and the good you do in bringing others to Him. I will continue to go about trying my best to do the same.
I appreciate your courteous reply. I assure you that I have nothing against Mormons on a personal level. I do appreciate the fact that many Mormons understand conservative principles and vote accordingly.
I must say that we are dealing with weighty theological differences here regarding the very nature of God, Christ, and Salvation. By way of full disclosure, I have an earned Ph.D. in theology and have taught and written on theological subjects, and in former years did a fair amount of research regarding the LDS church. While in graduate school I worked with an organization dedicated to sharing with those of the Mormon faith. In times past I engaged in quite a bit of "door to door" and street evangelism, as well as having served for a decade in overseas missions.
The LDS interpretation of the passages you quote is radically different from any orthodox Christian Church. I.e., references to "be ye perfect" and "joint heirs" do not mean that we will become gods/divine. Indeed, a created being is of a wholly different order than the Godhead. Quite simply, as created beings we are finite and limited, and thus we cannot become Gods.
As you are well aware, there is a biblical account of an attempt of a very high created being attempting to usurp God's throne. That attempt ended in failure, and could never have succeeded. I find it troubling that the teachings of the LDS church should resemble the vain attempt of Lucifer in Isaiah 14/Ezekiel, and the Serpent - the enemy of God - in the Garden, who promised: "You shall be as gods..."
The promise of divinity has been at the root of human religion since time immemorial, and stands in stark contrast to Judeo-Christian monotheism.
It seems to me that you are forsaking 2000 years of Christian history and reflection for one Joseph Smith. (Let's not get into the personal "witness" thing, as that cuts both ways). One day each of us will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, and I believe that on that Day there will not be one iota of a doubt that we are unworthy men kneeling before the Eternal God, and all pretense of anything else will have dissipated as a mist before the burning sun. All the best.