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Monday, September 5, 2011

Mosiah 5:7 - What does it mean to be the children of Christ? Are we not His brothers and sisters?

What does it mean to be the children of Christ? Aren't we his brothers and sisters?

In the scriptures, there are a lot of references to the people of Christ being "born of him" because of their conversion to Him (see 1 John 4:7, 5:1; Mosiah 27:25; Alma 5:14; D&C 5:16). When our hearts are changed to follow Christ, we are born again of Him; we are his "sons and daughters" spiritually. We are of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, named after the Son of God. The verse says that when people have made a covenant with God they are "spiritually begotten" by Him: "for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and daughters."

When we take the sacrament, we promise that we will take upon ourselves the name of Christ. Similarly, in our own families, we literally take upon ourselves the name of our parents. When we are spiritually born of God, we take upon ourselves His name.

Accompanied with taking the name of Christ is accepting the law of obedience. We promise to remember the atoning sacrifice of the Savior as well as keep His covenants.

In The Guide to the Scriptures on lds.org, "children of Christ" is defined as "Those who have accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ." We are identified with Christ and in His church. Following are some useful scriptures that support the idea of becoming children of Christ:
  • Believe in the light that ye may be the children of light (John 12:36)
  • Because of the covenant ye shall be called the children of Christ (Mosiah 5:7)
  • If ye will lay hold upon every good thing, ye certainly will be a child of Christ (Moroni 7:19)
  • As many as received me, gave I power to become my sons (D&C 39:4)
  • Fear not, little children, for you are mine (D&C 50:40–41)
  • Thou art one in me, a son of God (Moses 6:68)


Select this link to hear a free podcast on "Children of Christ." http://mormonchannel.org/programs/qa-episode-38?lang=eng


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