September 11 — The Church News is celebrating Quentin L. Cook’s 85th birthday by highlighting some of his memorable quotes from the past year. Here is one that caught my attention.
“He is our Exemplar — our Advocate with the Father — and He accomplished everything necessary for us to return to the Father’s and the Son’s presence. We would be wise to follow Jesus Christ and receive the gifts that He has provided.”
The wording of this quote is very puzzling to me. I’m not sure what he means by “exemplar”. I searched for the word on Bible Hub, and it doesn’t appear in the Bible. Another thing that bothered me was the phrase saying that Jesus “accomplished everything necessary,” which sounds very condescending to me. Given the fact that Mormonism doesn’t rely on his work on the cross nor his sacrifice alone for salvation, why would he say this?
The work Jesus did on the cross wasn’t the bare minimum needed for us to receive salvation, as it sounds like he’s suggesting. He paid the price of our sins in full. We don’t have to do works to make up for what Jesus’ shed blood didn’t cover. Mr. Cook’s comment doesn’t show the proper respect and reverence that Jesus deserves.
1 Peter 2:21-24 tells us –
For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps,
22 He who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
23 and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 and He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed
I’m thankful for what He did on the cross for me. I don’t have to worry if I’ve done enough.
In Christ,
Melissa Grimes
Reference
Church News, Quentin L. Cook’s 85th Birthday, 9 Quotes From This Past Year
[…] Is Jesus our Exemplar? – Melissa Grimes […]
Exemplar sounds very condescending as well…by calling Him Lord and Savior it would take away from their works based system, or “Plan of Happiness”.
Charlie Kirk will be missed. He was a voice of reason for the younger generation. 💔
Exemplar is yet another term you see in Masonry. It’s code talk for their lies.
And yes, Charlie Kirk will definitely be missed. Praying for his wife and two young children.
I just read Tyler Robinson…the kid who allegedly killed, Charlie Kirk is LDS. My head just exploded.🤯
It’s all very sad. 🙁
[…] the “atoning son”, “who gave Himself as sacred ransom”. I wrote something not long ago when Elder Quentin L. Cook referred to him as our […]