GUEST AUTHOR: Nonfiction Author B. Jay Gladwell

[Dorothy Thompson]

Author Day presents B. Jay Gladwell, author of the nonfiction book, WHAT'S WRONG WITH MORMONS, on Monday, August 4, 2008. Leave your questions for Jay in the comment section below and you’ll have a chance to win a free copy of his book!

B. Jay Gladwell is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Having served in several leadership positions in the Church on the local level, he currently serves as the Gospel Doctrine teacher in his ward. He received and MFA from the University of Miami in screen writing and has taught various writing and cinema classes on the university level in South Florida.

He and his wife have four grown children and live in Miami, Florida.

You can visit his website at www.whatswrongwithmormons.com or his blog at www.whats-wrong-with-mormons.blogspot.com.

About the Book:

What’s Wrong Wrong With Mormons? was written as a result of the falsehoods and misinformation that continues to be perpetuated by those who are less than honest. The author, B. Jay Gladwell, invites the reader to come and reason together. Using a conversational style, he discusses the basic doctrines of the restored Gospel, based on the teachings found in the Holy Bible and latter-day scriptures.

[B. Jay Gladwell]

Evidently, you posted your reply to Susan while I was replying to her.

As I told Susan, the answer is in the book, but since two have asked the question, I will take an excerpt from the book to answer the question.

--------------------

As there is opposition in all things, so Jesus Christ has his opposite in the devil, which literally means “slanderer.” The devil, Lucifer, was a spirit son of God. Like us, he had his agency—the freedom to choose good over evil—in the premortal existence. He chose evil. He chose to oppose Heavenly Father’s Plan and, by doing so, rebelled against God. There was a war in heaven, and a “third part of the stars [spirit children] of heaven” followed the devil and they were cast out of heaven and down to the newly formed earth. This war was a war of words and ideologies. It was a rebellion against God and His plan. Lucifer declared that he would redeem all men, but in doing so he would deny them their agency or the ability to choose good over evil. That war between the good and evil continues here on earth. “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth,” John the Revelator declared, “for the devil is come down unto you . . . to make war . . . [with those] which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (see Revelation 12:4–17).

As a result of their rebellion and having been cast out, Lucifer and those who followed him had forever forfeited the opportunity to be born into mortality and receive tangible bodies. For them, there was no hope of ever returning to live with their Father in heaven. They are spiritually dead.

Here on earth, Lucifer and his angels put into the minds of men (spirit speaking to spirit) the ideas of false worship (Revelation 13:4). Any form of worship other than that as set up by Christ, as Paul declared, is false worship: “The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of the devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils” (1 Corinthians 10:20–21).

* * *

We dwelt in God’s presence. We saw His face. We heard His voice. We knew Him as well then as we know our earthly fathers now. We are the offspring of God: “I have said, ‘Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High’” (Psalms 82:6).

That being true, it means that each of us—you and I—have a divine spark within us. We have that potential to become like Him (we’ll talk more about this shortly).

We’ve already seen that Jesus (Jehovah) dwelt with God before he was born. We also learned that Lucifer, the devil, “and a third part of the stars of heaven” who followed him, also dwelt with God. These stars were “the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he [God] hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day” (Jude 1:6). Angels are nothing more or less than those individuals who dwell in the presence of God. Too, we know that stars, those glowing pinpoints in the night sky, can’t and won’t follow anyone. The term is simply a metaphor used by the prophetic author for those angels—sons and daughters—that dwelt with God the Eternal Father. They failed to keep, or live up to, their first estate, which strongly implies there is more than one estate to keep. They were cast out of their habitation, or place of dwelling. Therefore, if they weren’t living with God at the time, then how else could they be cast out of His presence?

--------------------

That may or may not answer your question. If not, let me know.

Jay

[Cheryl C. Malandrinos]

I don't know if you're still around Jay, but I believe I understand what you're saying. Mormons must not believe in the Holy Trinity--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If I understand your explanation, the belief is that Jesus dwelt with God, but is not equal to God?

Thanks for being available for questions. Best of luck with your book. I hope your tour goes well.

Cheryl

[B. Jay Gladwell]

Hi, Cheryl--

Again, this is discussed in great detail in the book.

The Bible is very clear on the separate nature of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Jesus himself told Mary in the garden after his resurrection, "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” (John 20:17). Therefore, we learn from Christ that he acknowledges the difference between himself and God his Father and his God! As a result, this being the case, yes, God the Father is superior to Jesus in that He is Jesus' Father and Jesus' God. There are many other evidences in the Bible that support this, most coming from Jesus himself.

Thanks!

Jay

[B. Jay Gladwell]

Hi, Susan--

The relationship between Jesus and Lucifer are explained in great detail in the book (have you bought your copy yet?). Having been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one would presume you are familiar with the premortal existence and our relationship with Heavenly Father and with one another.

Regarding archangels, again, with your knowledge as a (former) member of the Church you already have the answers to these questions. In any case, as you are well aware, an agnel is nothing more or less than one who dwells in the presense of God, our Heavenly Father. The term "archangel" is the title given to the chief angel. Michael (Adam) is that chief angel and the only one so designated in the scriptures, as you properly pointed out in your question. Michael is next in line to Christ in heavenly authority.

According to the apostle Bruce R. McConkie (1915-1985), "The Hebrew celestial hierarchy, however, is said to consist of seven archangels. The names of two of these, Michael and Gabriel, are found in the Bible and in latter-day revelation. (Jude 9; Luke 1:5-38; D. & C. 128:21.) The name of a third, Raphael, is found in the apocryphal book of Tobias and in the Doctrine and Covenants. (Tob. 12: 15; D. & C. 128:21.) The names of the other four - Uriel, Raguel, Sariel, and Jerahmeel - are found in the so-called Book of Enoch, a noncanonical apocalyptic work. (Enoch 21.) Apocryphal sources give the names of the last three as Izidkiel, Hanael, and Kepharel.

"In reality, we know very little about the organization that exists among angelic beings; that a perfect, proper, and complex organization does exist is obvious, but the positions held by the various ministers in that celestial hierarchy have not been revealed in our day."

Thank for your question!

Jay

[Linda]

Hi Jay,
I am glad you are getting the word out about the book. There is a lot that can be learned when we do not polarize our faith systems.

[B. Jay Gladwell]

Hi, Linda--

Thank for dropping by and sharing those encouraging words. They are truly appreciated!

Jay