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Sunday, December 30, 2018

Is "the Father" Jesus Christ? 1 Nephi 14:17

Is "the Father" Jesus Christ? 1 Nephi 14:17

This verse describes how when wrath of God is poured out upon the great and abominable church (i.e. any church/institution which is not led by Jesus Christ) "the work of the Father shall commence in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to his people who are of the house of Israel."

Who makes the covenants?

The covenant is with "God", and I believe this is with God the Father. See Mosiah 5:8.

If we read this verse with the understanding that "the Father" is God the Father, then it becomes apparent that the plan of salvation is planned, designed, implemented, and controlled by Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ is described as the Father in many places in the scriptures. He is the Father of our salvation. He is also literally the creator of the physical earth.

If we read this verse with the understanding that "the Father" is Jesus Christ, then it also makes some sense because Jesus Christ's atonement is the way that Heavenly Father's covenants are fulfilled. His atonement can be described as his work. Jesus Christ covenanted with us in the pre-mortal existence that he would come down and be our savior. Without his participation in the plan, it would not work at all.

A covenant is a sacred agreement between God and a person (or a group of people). The conditions are set by God. It is a two-way promise: if we keep our end, we are promised blessings.

The covenants God has made with the house of Israel are all throughout the ancient scriptures, especially the Old Testament. They are a major theme of the scriptures.

The TLDR version is that God promises to gather his people when they accept him and keep his commandments, and that through the house of Israel all the children of the earth will be blessed.

Answer:
In this verse and context "the Father" most likely refers to Heavenly Father, because he is the one who makes the covenants. Inasmuch as Jesus Christ is the way that our covenants with God the Father are fulfilled, it is not wrong to consider him as the Father of our salvation.


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