Can we have a friendly conversation about the LDS church? [Spirituality & Religion]

This is in NO means asked to attack anyone and their religion, It is simply to try to understand and be led to the truth

*ANY RUDE OR ATTACKING COMMENTS ON EITHER SIDE WILL BE DELETED! As believers, we are called to share the gospel and the truth. I would like to have a genuine and friendly discussion on the church of the LDS.

I have had the opportunity as a Christian to witness and have unperson conversations with a couple of mormon missionaries as they share with me what they believe, however, I have noticed some inaccuracies that align with the teachings of the Bible.

My first question and topic of discussion is Why do LDS believe that Jesus was a mere prophet and "a" god, but not God?

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sweetiepoo · 36-40, F

This is just an excerpt from going further.net:

Some say Jesus Christ was just a man, or maybe a great teacher. But He was and is much more than that. The Bible says Jesus is unique in both His person and His purpose. He wasn’t just some spiritual individual during His time on earth; He was both God’s Son (John 3:16) and God Himself—God in human flesh (I Timothy 3:16). Yes, He was fully man, but He was also fully God (Colossians 2:9).

The claims

Jesus claimed to be God. It might be hard to understand how this could be true, but it’s important to remember that God is much bigger and more powerful than we can comprehend. We do know that Jesus said He existed before Abraham (John 8:58). He claimed that He and His Father are one (John 10:30), and that He is equal with the Father (John 5:17-18).

Not only did He claim to be God, but He also claimed to have the power of God. He said He has the authority to judge the nations (Matthew 25:31-46). He claims the authority to raise people from the dead (John 5:25-29) and to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7)—things only God can do (I Samuel 2:6; Isaiah 43:25).

MartinTheFirst · 26-30, M

@sweetiepoo

and that He is equal with the Father (John 5:17-18).

John 14:28 You heard that I said to you, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I am.

Jesus never claimed to be equal to Jehovah the Father, however the people seized him on the belief that Jesus claimed that he was an equal with the Father.

Philippians 2:5 Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God.

sweetiepoo · 36-40, F

@MartinTheFirst So with that verse you have to look at the surrounding scriptures:

Philippians 2:5-11

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When Jesus was born, he didn't come as a King on a horse so to speak, but as a poor servant.

MartinTheFirst · 26-30, M

@sweetiepoo Exactly, Jesus did not put himself in the place of God Jehovah. He humbled himself, since everything that was his had been given to him by the Father. Jehovah has made him king over everything beneath him.