Do you believe that Jesus Christ is our brother and that Mary is our mother? Isn't that contrary to what the Bible teaches?

Anonymous, 11/1/2009

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Webmaster from La Jolla, California:




Let me answer your second question first. No Mormon believes that Mary is our mother. We respect Mary as the mother of God the Son, Jesus Christ, but we do not consider her to be our own spiritual mother.

Your first question, whether or not Mormons consider Jesus Christ to be their brother, is a bit more complicated. Mormons believe Jesus Christ when He said, as it is written in the Bible, that He is the divine Son of God. We also believe that God is the Creator of all of humanity. In this sense, God is our Father too. This is why Mormons often refer to Him as "Heavenly Father." Because God is both the Father of Jesus Christ (God the Son) and the Father all mankind, Jesus Christ is in some sense our elder brother.

However, to refer to Jesus Christ as our brother without further explanation is misleading. It is true that He is in some sense our brother, but He is much more than our brother. While we are all the children of God, Christ is the divine Child of God. Together with the Father, Christ is the Creator. He is the Savior and Redeemer, He through whom salvation is made possible. In an important sense, Jesus is also our spiritual father, because He the head of our church, the foundation of our belief, and the object of our worship. Hope this answer helps!

Would you like a free copy of the Finding Faith in Christ DVD?

Manaen:


I agree with your answer that God is the Father of both us and of Jesus Christ, hence he and we are in that way siblings. Further context of how we see Christ as more than an equal sibling is found in the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 15: 10-12, particulary v. 12

"For these are they whose sins he has borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed? "

The writer explains here that because Christ gives us life -- in that he would die for us (and so bring us back to physical life) and redeem us from our sins (bringing us back to spiritual life) -- in that sense we are his progeny and he is our father. For me, this clearly sets him above us and shows that we do not claim to be equal with him as our brother as we are with each other.
Webmaster from La Jolla:




I liked you answer, Manaen. While I don't mention it much because I believe in picking my battles judiciously, it bothers me a bit when I hear people refer to Christ as our "elder brother." It's like calling Disney Land a playground. While technically acurate, perhaps, it totally fails to captures the real signficance. We're taking about God the Son, here! :)

My wife the Bible nerd uncovered an interesting verse in Hebrews: "It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect trough sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, 'I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, and the midst of the congregation I will praise you.'" (Hebrews 2:10-12, NRSV)

Here's another relevant scripture:

"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of bone: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." (Hebrews 2:10-12)

As these scriptures demonstrate, Christ Himself called Himself our brother. As you explained, that in no way diminishes His divinity and Messiahship. Thanks again for your answer!

Richard from Orem:


Yes, in some sense Jesus Christ is our spiritual brother, and no, Mary is not my mother. What does the Bible teach us about Mary being our mother? The scriptures say of Christ "But behold, the spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: cry unto this people, saying—repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the son of God cometh upon the face of the earth. And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen 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."
Pamela Dean from Clarenville:



LDS position: "Every person who was ever born on earth was our spirit brother or sister in heaven. The first spirit born to our heavenly parents was Jesus Christ (see Discourses of brigham young, P. 26 and “Chapter 2: Our Heavenly Family,” Gospel principles, 11).

Compare this statement with the following references.

Biblical references to Jesus being a physical brother with siblings: Matthew 1: 25; Matthew 12: 46-49; Matthew 13: 55; Mark 3: 31-35; Mark 6: 3; John 2: 12; John 7: 3; John 7: 5; John 7: 10; John 20: 17; Acts 1: 14; Galatians 1: 19. These verses clearly indicate that Jesus had (half) siblings who had an earthly father.

Biblical references to Jesus being a spiritual brother to others who love God: Matthew 12: 50; Matthew 28: 10; Mark 3: 35; Luke 8: 20-21; 1 Corinthians 9: 5; Galatians 4: 12; Hebrews 2: 12. These verses clearly indicate that Jesus felt spiritually connected to others who lived righteously and served God.

Biblical references to Jesus being a literal brother of humankind: Matthew 23: 8-9; John 20: 17; Romans 8: 29; Hebrews 2: 10-11. These verses show that Jesus believed that we share the same Heavenly Father.

Understanding the true nature of the trifold brotherhood we share with Christ is essential to our beliefs as latter-day saints.
Pamela Dean from Clarenville:



And just for fun, there are several Christian hymns and carols that attest to Jesus being our brother. Here are some of them:

The Friendly Beasts - "Jesus, our brother, kind and good... "

Jesus, Good above all Others - "... In a stable born our brother... "

Silent Night in the original German - "Und als bruder huldvoll umschloss Jesus die volker der welt" or "... Jesus as brother embraced all the peoples of earth"

Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine - "We will heed our brother, born of mary. "

Webmaster: Extremely interesting, Pamela! For some reason I thought Mormons were unique among modern Christians in believing that Christ is in some sense our brother, aside from being our Savior and Head. I was obviously mistaken! By the way, I think the song "The Friendly Beasts" is adorable. :)
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