My wife and I have been observing the mission field of the highly, technological city of Cary, North Carolina. It is quite a mix. Hindus. Buddhists. Etc.
I am really enjoying the time of fellowship and sessions with the brothers and sisters of College Park Baptist Church in Cary, North Carolina and this year’s missions conference, Courage in the Gospel. Pastor Matt Walker has me intrigued about the American church planting network through Arch Ministries.
The weather has been beautiful. This afternoon, we will be watching Duke’s football team probably get stomped by Georgia Tech.
Noticing the Raleigh North Carolina LDS Temple, I feel right at home as a Southern Idahoan. I read Gordon B. Hinckley’s prayer of dedication. He certainly makes a strong case for Elohim as Father in contrast to the Only Begotten Son. But cannot Jesus be Almighty Elohim? Are LDS allowed to worship the Lord Jesus Christ in such fashion?
Secondly, I did not know LDS bookstores existed with this name, Line Upon Line. Why is it that in the Bible belt, the LDS bookstores are Line Upon Line; and in Mormon country, the bookstores are Deseret or Seagull? This seems to be a smooth example of LDS cultural contextualization.
[As as a sidenote, if I have some time, maybe I will go talk to Bart Ehrman over at Chapel Hill and tell him what he needs to correct in his bibliology and his view on the supreme glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a lady in the church family of Park College who received a religion degree at Chapel Hill. She said Bart was arrogant as a professor. Do you think he will listen to an Idaho spud like me? 🙂 ]
Jesus in Idaho Falls 
Imagine my thoughts today when I read how the modern LDS prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley is saying Almighty Elohim is the Father.
And then I just read the thread following this post . . .
http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/11/08/does-elohim-include-heavenly-mother/
One more thing that reminds me of my home culture . . .
my wife and I are staying at the Courtyard Marriott.
Todd,
I just read this “promise” on your blog:
“…I do promise you this, Lord-willing. I will seriously study the exchange between David Bokovoy and Michael S. Heiser (The FARMS Review, V. 1, No. 1, 2007, pp. 221-323) and post my musings about it.”
Did you ever do this?
Whether we worship Jesus probably depends on what you mean by “worship.”
I don’t pray to Jesus, if that’s what you mean. I pray to the Father in the name of Jesus.
Mike, thanks for the good reminder. I have still to keep this promise.
Seth, I am in the latter part of Acts tomorrow for the morning preaching session of this conference, Courage in the Gospel. But paging back to Acts 7 and the famous line by Stephen pointed out by LDS friends, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”
Look down several verses where Stephen prays, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
This NT prayer is intriguing. Why didn’t he speak directly to the Father.