THE DEDICATED SON

 

The Saviour is the epitome of the most perfect, obedient, and admirable son there could ever exist. We very seldom focus on this. When we speak and think of Him it is in most cases about His role as our Saviour.

There is an important role however, that the Christ fulfilled perfectly upon this earth and continues to do so as He guides His Church. It is the authority given Him by the Father to speak and act in the first person of the Godhead, as though he were the Father. This is called ‘divine investiture of authority’.  (“The Father and the Son: A Doctrinal Exposition by the First Presidency”, in Talmage, Articles of Faith, pp 465-73)

The scriptures prove this to the letter. Often it can be confusing to read: “Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ” and shortly thereafter to come across a reference to “mine Only Begotten Son” (D&C 29:1, 41-46).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie explains it this way: “Since Christ is one with the Father in all of the attributes of perfection, and since he exercises power and authority of the Father, it follows that everything He says or does is and would be exactly and precisely what the Father would say and do under the same circumstances” (Mormon Doctrine, p 130)

Think about this for a moment. Does this not testify of the incredible closeness the Saviour has with the Father, to know His every wish, His every thought, His every intent??? And most of all, does this not tell us that the Saviour’s whole purpose is to redeem the Father’s children and to bring Him glory? (Moses 4:2).

During His visit to the Americas, I counted the Saviour made 163 references to the Father. Fifteen of them were references of His obedience to Him (3 Nephi 15:14-16,18,19; 16:3,10,16; 17:2, 18:14,27; 20:10,14,46).

“To come to earth with such a responsibility, to stand in place of Elohim – speaking as He would speak, judging and serving, loving and warning, forbearing and forgiving as He would do – this is a duty of such staggering proportions that you and I cannot comprehend such a thing. But in the loyalty and determination that would be characteristic of a divine child, Jesus could comprehend it, and He did it.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, The Grandeur of God, October 2003 General Conference)

 

I stood in the shadow of Your heart today

And saw obedience to the Father there;

I saw the Son You are and more

I saw the God that I adore

I stand in awe…..

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Artist Unknown)