This question has been in my thoughts lately.

Here is another traditional LDS interpretation on John 5.  Let me share with you the essence of James Lee Gifford’s book, As Man Now Is . . . (Rexburg:  Ricks College Press, 1980).  Inside the front cover is a note personally penned by Lee.

If the words of this little book can be of help – I will be blessed – Read I John 3:2 & 3 as well – one of my favorites – . . . May the Lord bless you always and let your light so shine. 

Lee Gifford

1981

Here is the message of the book, complete with a full picture and quotes by the standard works and authorities on each page:

I am an intelligence clothed in a spirit body from my Heavenly Father and Mother who

cared for me, walked with me, loved me, gave me agency.

I exercised my agency, proved myself valiant and

received a mortal body as a blessing to further my growth and development. . . .

It looks like my earthly parents but it also looks like my Heavenly parents.

In the beginning it was pure and innocent in the sight of my Heavenly Father — But . . .

because Satan is here and because I must continue to exercise my agency I am capable of being tempted.

As I make wrong choices and follow the temptings of Satan and his hosts I become “carnal, sensous, and devilish” and lessen my light.

As I make correct choices and act obediently I reflect my true identity and my light shines brighter.

My choices are sometimes in direct disobedience

others are a result of “following the traditions of their Fathers” . . .

I have available a gift from my Heavenly Father, to help me distinguish the correct choices – the Gift of the Holy Ghost –

As I study and gain knowledge

from the scriptures, from the words of Latter-day Prophets and out of good books,

I gain further understanding of others,

further understanding of myself

and further understanding of my Father

I thus begin to realize my inheritance I am a child of God.

Not only do I look like Him but through obedience to his teachings I can grow up to be like Him and inherit all that He has.  Who am I really?  I am a child of God.

—-

And on the last page to support the last statement, there is a quote by Brigham Young, J.D. 2:304, June 3, 1855:

If men are faithful, the time will come when they will possess the power and the knowledge to obtain, organize, bring into existence, and own.  “What, of themselves, independent of their Creator?”  No.  But they and their Creator will always be one, they will always be of one heart and of one mind, working and operating together; for whatsoever the Father doeth so doeth the son, and so they continue throughout all their operations to all eternity.

For anybody who is studying John’s Gospel and especially John 5, this all is riddled with theological problems.  To come to this conclusion, you need to rewrite the book.