Topic:  Holy Trinity   

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: June 8, 2004

Moderator who originally posted this source: Deanna Atchley

Question:  My best friend is a mormon, and we recently got into a discussion about how I believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one. She then asked me 'Why would Jesus then pray to himself while he was on earth?' I had no idea what to say in response. Are there any versus that could help me to make her understand?

Answer: 

Hey!

FYI: We can definitely continue this conversation, but I'll be leaving for Peru on 6/12, so if there is a delay, that's why. Feel free to e-mail me or leave a follow-up question on the website.

Well, first of all, we regard Jesus as the son of God, right? So, God sent his only son to be sacrificed for our salvation. After his crucifixion, when Jesus visited the apostles, he sent the Holy Spirit to be with them. Pentecost just passed in our church year...that's what that's all about.

I found this article (see the link), which I feel is very straightforward. Amongst other insight, it offers a good example..."How can one God be in three persons? Again, the mystery is difficult to explain. Many images have been used to try to explain it. For example, the shamrock, though one flower, has three leaves."

Also consider the physical gesture of making the Sign of the Cross...it is our active reminder of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Does that help? I hope so. It's great that you and your best friend are able to have an open discussion about your faiths. My personal advice: always seek to learn more to be able to understand your faith, but also don't feel inadequate or pressured if you don't know an answer in such a situation. We all quest for true knowledge and understanding and the reality is, who really knows EVERYTHING but our Creator?

God bless,
Deanna