Mormons believe that Jesus was literally the physical offspring of Mary and God.
They believe that Jesus is “the Only Begotten Son of the Father in the flesh,” meaning that He was the literal “offspring” of Father in Heaven and Mary. They are Jesus’ physical parents – one being his immortal Father and the other his mortal mother.
That becomes a little problematic, as it would change Mary’s status as a virgin.
Did God literally have intercourse with Mary to procreate Jesus as his son in the flesh?
That’s kind of a crude way of stating it but in, essence that is what the LDS leaders have taught.
In other words, Mormonism denies that Jesus was “begotten” by the Holy Ghost.
Prophet Brigham Young taught
“When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten Him in His own likeness. He was NOT begotten by the Holy Ghost. And who is the Father? He is the first of the human family…Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden, and who is our Father in Heaven. Now remember from this time forth and forever, that Jesus Christ was NOT begotten by the Holy Ghost.”
Journal of Discourses vol. 1, pp. 50-51
Considering how Mormonism teaches that every human born on earth is a literal child of God,the previous quote becomes even more disconcerting.
Mormon leaders have maintained that all humans, Mary included, are literally God’s spirit children, born in a preexistence via a sexual relationship between Heavenly Father and Mother in Heaven. If the LDS leaders are telling the truth when they say that God physically impregnated Mary, then I have to assume that the Jesus of Mormonism was created through an incestuous relationship.
What is a Christian’s viewpoint on Jesus’ conception?
As Christians we believe what the Bible teaches – that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, became a mortal by being conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary by the miraculous creative power of the Holy Spirit. This event is accurately recorded in two separate gospels.
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
Matthew 1:18
“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
Luke 1: 34-35
Either you believe what Mormon leaders teach, or you believe what God has spoken through His Word, the Bible. Both can’t be right.
A Mormon will say, “We believe in modern prophets – whatever our leaders teach is current light and knowledge on this doctrine.”
Does that current doctrine taught by LDS leaders override even the Book of Mormon?
“And behold, he shall be born of Mary at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chose vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.”
Alma 7: 10
The Book of Mormon is wrong about where Christ was born. But it is right about the role of the Holy Ghost.
I ask you – Who then is correct regarding Christ’s conception – Modern-day prophets, or the Book of Mormon prophets?
Once again, both can’t be right!
Prophet Joseph F. Smith was quoted, “Now, we are told in scriptures that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God in the flesh. Well, now for the benefit of the older ones, how are children begotten? I answer just as Jesus Christ was begotten of his father… Jesus is the only person who had our Heavenly Father as the father of his body.” Family Home Evening Manual, 1972, p. 125-126
Prophet Ezra Taft Benson wrote, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaims that Jesus Christ is the Son of God in the most literal sense. The body in which He performed His mission in the flesh WAS SIRED by that Holy Being we worship as God, our Eternal Father.” Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 7
Apostle James E. Talmage wrote, “Jesus Christ is the Son of Elohim both as spiritual and bodily offspring; that is, to say, Elohim is literally the Father of the spirit of Jesus Christ and, also of the body in which Jesus Christ performed His mission in the flesh.” A Study of the Articles of Faith p. 466
