Hi!
I’m a bit confused about something: I’ve been told that we have always been sons of God, since we were spiritually born of Him. But I read John 3:16 the other day and it says Jesus is the only Son of God. Could you explain this to me? Thanks!
Confused Brendan, from Australia,
Dear Confused,
The phrase “only begotten” refers to the only begotten in the flesh. Our Heavenly Father is the father of all the spirits of mankind, as Paul mentions.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (Hebrews 12:9)
The Savior was the first born of all the Father’s children,
And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn (D&C 93:21).
So the statement of John, and of Jacob and others, when they refer to the Only Begotten Son, are speaking of Jesus as the only begotten in the flesh, with Mary as his mother and God, the Eternal Father has his father.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son (Jacob 4:11).
Gramps