Why all three?
Why are we baptized in the name of all three members of the Godhead?
One possible answer relates to how we are to become like them:
Because we are to become one as they are one--we are to join them in their divine nature. In John 17:11, 21-24, the Father and Son's oneness is given as a model for us, their intention being that we participate with them in some way.
(John 17:11.)
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
(John 17:21-24)
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
I find that the closer you read the Book of Mormon, the more you will be rewarded. I see a progression of ideas from the baptismal prayer, to the oneness of the Godhead, to our need to be one, in the Savior's instructions in 3rd Nephi. Consider the progression of ideas laid out in 3 Nephi 11: [For the sake of saving space here I have not pasted in all the scriptures involved, but it is worthwhile to look at all these verses carefully.]
11:25 the baptismal prayer, mentioning all the members of the Godhead
11:27 "after this manner shall ye baptize . . . for behold . . ." (Jesus is going to explain why): Then follows a discussion of oneness of the Godhead, in the context of explaining why people are to be baptized in the name of all three. So there is a direct link between the baptismal prayer and the fact that the Godhead is one. Then the train of thought continues:
11:28-30 warning not to contend (not to destroy oneness among people).
11:29 the devil is the "father" of contention, contrasting the Father who enables our becoming one.
11:32, 35-36 more about the oneness of the Godhead.
11:37-38 repent, be baptized and become as a little child: the process is to begin.
If this line of thinking is right, then a major purpose of this life is that we learn to become one (which also relates to being full of charity). How, then, would a constant remembrance of one's baptismal covenant, and whose name it was done in, affect how seriously we work at becoming one at home (and in other applicable situations) and finding a way to overcome contention?
What do you think?
I think the three different members of the Godhead represent three different things- the Father is justice, the Son is mercy, and the Holy Ghost is our direct connection with them, we need all three elements in our lives- mercy, justice and connection (charity) with others. They are so completely of one mind that they would never contend with each other. There is something Godly about not contending, and maybe a lot of that has to do with the kind of people we are when we contend. We are not like God when we do- and our minds are expanded by him in understanding each other so we can see we don't have to contend.
ReplyDeleteAlso, someone said something the other day that I thought was interesting- we go to the temple to save people, and by being worthy and having work to do in the temple, we are saved because we have to keep going. Becoming unified as God's family saves us.
I think it's interesting... I know that marriage ceremonies (traditional, orthodox Christian) also use "in the name of the father, the son, and the holy ghost" as well. I think it's something very ancient, that we perhaps don't understand the full meaning of.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when (speculative, heretical me) I wondered if Heavenly Mother was the Holy Ghost, but there are plenty of scripture references that debunk that theory. :)
OVerall, I like Natalie's answer a lot, and it has given me some good things to ponder. Thanks, Natalie.
Natalie, your comment, "our minds are expanded by him in understanding each other so we can see we don't have to contend," gets me thinking about the state of our fallen world, which seems to indeed have contention as a fundamental reality. Science has noted that life develops and marches on in the context of "survival of the fittest." It's interesting that the Lord's plan for us is to achieve a higher order of oneness, and you point out that the Lord helps us do that--"our minds are expanded." An interesting idea.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I find interesting your synthesis of justice, mercy and love as a parallel of the oneness of the Godhead.
Recently when I was reading 3 Nephi (as mentioned in the original post) I was struck by how the discussion of oneness was of the Godhead was combined with a discussion of contention in conatrast--and all of this in context of the baptismal covenant which is to bring us out of this worldliness, and we receive the Holy Ghost which enables us to actually achieve the things we try so hard to do ("our minds are expanded").
Nosurfgirl, I think it's definitely interesting that marriage ceremonies are in the name of all three, considering one of the fundamental charges in a marriage to be one. And this challenge is, in my view, extremely valuable to the parties of the marriage--to become one with someone who is just plain different in some ways. It causes us to have to break down some of our own natures to achieve this unitity and complementarity. An amazing act of Creation, in my view--paralleled by the literal act of creation of a child coming into the family who is a combination of the two parents. All of this is interesting to me from the viewpoint of trying to grasp the Lord's plan and the nature of eternal reality, etc., as well as from simply the view point of the logic of it all (that exercise, itself, appeals to me, too).
Also, your idea about the Holy Ghost is discussed from time to time by different people--for example, some old Gnostic texts have the Holy Spirit as female, etc. I have read some interesting things on that whole subject. However, as you point out, we take our doctrinal direction from modern day prophets who are called for this purpose, and they haven't guided us in this direction, so I am content to treat it as a curiosity if it comes up somewhere, but to search doctrine in the direction of the prophets, etc.
However, it does bring up a more general issue--that of the relation between male and female, which is fundamental issue of eternal reality, as far as I'm concerned. It would be interesting to explore it more at some point, though it does stir up strong reactions from people.
I often wondered on my mission when I told people that our church was set up exactly like the church of old-- 12 apostles and a prophet-- why it wasn't exactly the same. We have two extra people: the two counselors of the presidency. I know Peter, James, and John were supposed to fill that role, but there are still only 12 apostles/prophets, not 14. The other day I realized that maybe it was because the Godhead was really running the church, and that counted as the first presidency while Christ was alive. Maybe a small thing, but it seemed like a little puzzle piece that fit in for me.
ReplyDeleteThose are a lot of really interesting ideas being discussed. I like the juxtaposition of unity and contention in 3rd Nephi 11; hadn't really thought of it in that light before.
And continuing with your reply-comment Dad, it is interesting that our country seems to flourish the best in a competitive (contentious?) environment (capitalism). Once the competition goes away, our fallen world cannot handle it and eventually socialism leads to disaster, doesn't it? Interesting to think about.
Merrily,
ReplyDeletelol. Depends on who you talk to.
Certainly there have been examples of communism failing or leading to disaster etc, but I'm not sure we have any true examples of socialism. Not even the UK, Canada etc are really fully socialist. Or even really a small fraction socialist, aside from some of their government programs.
The 12 apostles/1st presidency thing is an interesting idea. It makes me think of threes... three members of the godhead, 3 in a presidency, 3 in a sealing ordinance (the couple and God, making the covenant and being sealed).
WOW, thanks for all the insights.
ReplyDelete