The thing I think you are missing, Reaganut, is that something like the marriage at Cana being Jesus’ own wedding is not what the LDS Church teaches. Someone may have said it once — offered it as an opinion — but it’s just speculation. Its not in our scriptures and I have never heard it taught in any church meeting in the many years I’ve been a member.
What’s central to our belief is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Saviour and that we are called to love, serve and follow Him.
My faith is focused on Christ — with out Him I have no faith and no hope.
Best regards,
Normandy
What’s central to our belief is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
______________________________
What’s also central to your belief is that Lucifer is equally the Son of God
As Ricky would say, "Lucy! You got some 'splainin' to do!"
In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.
1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.
I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.
Ezra Taft Benson
(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)
LDS Apostle Orson Hyde:
We will turn over to the account of the marriage in Cana of Galilee…
Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana of Galilee, and he told them what to do.
Now there was actually a marriage; and if Jesus was not the bridegroom on that occasion, please tell me who was. If any man can show this, and prove that it was not the Savior of the world, then I will acknowledge I am in error. We say it was Jesus Christ who was married, to be brought into the relation whereby he could see his seed, before he was crucified. (Journal of Discourses 2:82. “A lecture by President Orson Hyde, delivered at the General Conference, in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, October 6, 1854.”)
LDS Apostle Orson Pratt taught:
One thing is certain, that there were several holy women that greatly loved Jesus–such as Mary, and Martha her sister, and Mary Magdalene;…now it would be very natural for a husband in the resurrection to appear first to his own dear wives, and afterwards show himself to his other friends. If all the acts of Jesus were written, we no doubt should learn that these beloved women were his wives. (The Seer, Washington D.C. edition, October 1853, page 159)
We have also proved most clearly that the Son followed the example of his Father, and became the great Bridegroom to whom kings’ daughters and many honorable Wives were to be married. We have also proved that both God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ inherit their wives in eternity as well as in time; ..And then it would be so shocking to the modesty of the very pious ladies of Christendom to see Abraham and his wives, Jacob and his wives, Jesus and his honorable wives. all eating occasionally at the same table… (The Seer, Washington D.C. edition, November 1853, page 172)
The grand reason of the burst of public sentiment in anathemas upon Christ and his disciples, casing his crucifixion, was evidently based on polygamy,. . .a belief in the doctrine of plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus, and his followers. “ (Journal of Discourses, Vol 1. ppl 345-346)
The LDS Jesus was a Polygamist
In Mormon theology Jesus is not the eternal God second Person of a Triune Being but rather He is “a God,” one of the Gods in the Godhead (for this world). Of course, this teaching: more than one true God, is polytheism to be sure, and hence anti-biblical (cf. Duet. 4:35; 6:4; Isa. 43:10; 44:6, 8).
It should be noted that in LDS theology, to become a “God” the worthy male (NOT females) must first live as a “mortal” on earth and pass through the same ordeals and testing of his second estate on earth, the same as all the Gods have done before him (including the God the Father and Jesus). The first estate for humans was in Heaven as “spirit children” of Elohim (God the Father) and one of His wives). Also, to become a God, Mormons tell us that the worthy male must be married (i.e., sealed for eternity). What is problematic for the Mormon to explain though, is that according to LDS doctrine, Jesus was a God before He came to earth.1 How was Jesus able to beat the LDS system?
Was is true, Mormon missionaries know to carefully avoid their churches teaching that Jesus was a polygamous. He was married to Mary, Martha, and the other Mary. Moreover, Mormons say that Jesus had children by them as well. I will quote from only the General Authorities of the LDS Church whereby removing myself from mere opinion and speculation.
LDS Apostle, Orson Hyde:
Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana of Galilee...We say it was Jesus Christ who was married, to be brought into relation whereby he could see his seed [children] before he was crucified (Journal of Discourses, 2:82; emphasis added)
There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and on a careful reading of that transaction, it will be discovered that non less a person that Jesus Christ was married on that occasion. If he was never married, his intimacy with Mary and Martha an the other Mary also whom Jesus loved, must have been highly unbecoming and improper to say the best of it (Journal of Discourses, 4:259; emphasis added)
LDS Apostle, (and to become the LDS President) Wilford Woodruff:
In the Church councils, it was spoken of: “Joseph F. Smith. . . . He spoke upon the marriage in Cana of Galilee. He thought Jesus was the bridegroom and Mary and Martha the brides (Journal of Wilford Woodruff, July 22, 1883)
LDS Apostle, Jedediah Grant:
The grand reason of the burst of public sentiment in anathemas upon Christ and his disciples, causing his crucifixion, was evidently based upon polygamy, according to the testimony of the philosophers who rose in that age. A belief in doctrine of a plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus and his followers. We might almost think they were Mormons (Journal of Discourses, 1:346; emphasis added)
LDS Apostle, (and prolific writer on LDS doctrine) Orson Pratt:
One thing is certain, that there were several holy women that great loved Jesus, such as Mary and Martha her sister, and Mary Magdalene; and Jesus greatly loved them and associated with the much; and when he arose from the dead, instead of first showing himself to his chosen witnesses, the Apostles, He appeared first to these women, or at least to one of them—namely, Mary Magdalene. Now, it would be very natural for a husband in the resurrection to appear first to his own dear wives, and afterwards show himself to his other friends. If all the acts of Jesus were written, we no doubt should learn that these beloved women were his wives (The Seer, 159).
The thing you are missing Normandy is that the one who was used of God to write most of the New Testament was an "apostle" (Paul) -- and John wrote five books -- and he was also an "apostle."
If an "apostle" offers up a public teaching that is not true (false), then the church body sanctioning that so-called "apostle" has an OBLIGATION to correct false statements so that when people come across them, they are NOT misled!
You strike me as a responsible person. But your cavalier approach to...
...Mormon once-taught, twice-taught, and often-taught concepts...
...concepts that have been jettisoned & are now scattered all over the Mormon landscape...
...reminds me of a babysitter who would let crawling babies wander around junkyards.
...And this stands out in sharp contrast to any air of responsibility -- that you would "Amen" such an approach to spiritual babysitting!
You just don't seemingly "care" as to what spiritual babes & toddlers might "own" as their own because Mormon leaders taught it and didn't retract it; and the Mormon church hasn't retracted it, either.
The tithes of so many Mormons has gone toward the constant support of junkyard theology!
Not missing anything, as evidence posted upthread Jesus’ marraige at Cana was taught and most LDS I know still believe it, I also know many who have a ‘testimony’ of it. I heard it all the time when I was LDS, so I’m not buying your story that it is only ‘opinion’ and not taught.
Also, you are incorrect on the central message of Mormonism, it doesn’t focus on Christ at all, it focuses on Joseph Smith, the Apostasy, the ‘restoration’ and the BoM and Priesthood. Christ is a footnote in most services. BTW, the whole ‘son of God’ thing? Try being honest. Jesus is the ‘son of God’ IN A LITERAL PHYSICAL SENSE (GOD HAD SEX WITH MARY and I can cite that), and that he isn’t God he is only ONE of an infinite number of Gods. He isn’t even the only Savior, each planet gets their own. God the Father had a different ‘savior’ when He was once a man.
Your faith is focused on a FALSE CHRIST, not the Christ of the Bible, not even close.