Question
Hi Gramps,
After doing some research, I found out that the Pharisees believed in the Transmigration of Souls, a belief similar to that of reincarnation. What are your thoughts on this, and how do you interpret this verse? Thank you!
Jared
Answer
Jared,
As we ponder John 9:2, our minds should reflect upon other verses of scripture that we can weave together to obtain a better understanding of the meaning of this verse. For example, should we link John 9:2 with Hebrews 9:27 our understanding of the meaning of this verse should be broadened.
Hebrew 9:27 informs us that we live once, we die once, we are resurrected once, and then we receive our final judgement once; as such, then what were the disciples of Jesus Christ meaning when they ask “did this man sin that he was born blind”? This question implies that the disciples knew our moral agency existed previous to our birth. LDS doctrine specifically teaches, and instructs, that the disciples question was in connection with our pre-mortal existence as taught by Christ, himself (Jesus The Christ 25 | Jesus Christ).
As we connect, weave together, other verses of scripture the doctrine of judgement and salvation is furthered clarified when we read the words of Alma (source) explaining to us that our mortality is raised to immortality, and our corruption into incorruption either to a state of never ending happiness or misery; thus, reiterating the doctrine, “we live once, we die once, and we are resurrected once.” We are not reincarnated.
The more we study, the more we begin to understand also that there was a period of 400 years that the Jews did not have an authorized prophet to lead and guide the House of Israel. They did not have a person who would be able to correct false doctrines creeping into the faith. Notice how often in the New Testament the apostles are correcting some form of false doctrine creeping into correct principles and truths. The disciples of Jesus Christ believing a man/woman who was born handicapped sinned in our pre-mortal existence and the Pharisees believing in transmigration of souls are evidence of what happens when God’s children are not being lead by an authorized servant of our Father in heaven. This should witness to us also how important it is for us to “hold tight” to the rod of iron and hearken to our latter-day prophets and apostles.
Gramps
