Because Shalom was Vandalized

Journal of Discourses 10:114; “It is not fully comprehended why it was necessary that Jesus Christ should leave the heavens, his Father’s abode and presence, and come upon the earth to offer himself up a sacrifice; that he should, according to the Scripture saying, “Take away sin by the sacrifice of himself;” why this should be, why it was necessary that his blood should be shed is an apparent mystery. It is true that we are told that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins; but why this? Why should such a law exist?…Jesus Christ is spoken of in the Scriptures as “The Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.” What sins of the world did he take away? We are told that it is the sin which Adam committed. We do not know much about Adam nor what he did; but we know that this sacrifice took place and that we are in the position we now occupy, and we are ready to believe…it was the will of God…” – John Taylor, Salt Lake City, February 22, 1863

Luke 2:11; “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Isaiah 53:5; “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

I wish I was articulate enough to have come up with the title for our dilemma today, but I’m not!  I borrowed the phrase from part of my pastor’s sermon when he preached on the shepherds who were visited by the angels while out in the field. 

When I saw Mr. Taylor’s speech I knew immediately that I wanted to incorporate what my pastor said into my response for today’s posting. 

Whether he was asking the questions he did rhetorically, or as another way to slam God and the Bible, I can’t say. Either way, it’s noteworthy to point out that by and large Mormons don’t believe they’re sinners in need of God’s intervention. 

They believe everyone needs to work for his/her individual salvation and Jesus’ atonement was purposed for Adam’s sin alone, not all of mankind. 

They reject biblical dogma man is born with a sin nature and will slip a biblical verse into their agenda to make it look Christian. Don’t be fooled my friends, the devil is sneaking around looking for people he can devour – 1 Peter 5:8. 

The bottom line is this – 

Shalom was vandalized and God put on human flesh to come down here and rescue us. Peace, He said, is what He leaves with us (John 14:27), not confusion, nor broken promises as the Mormons have accused Him of. 

It’s all very simple when you think of it. Peace was broken so Jesus came to fix it for us.