Help with Ether 3:14

[KitCarson]

I'm a recent convert. While reading the story of the brother of Jared in the Book of Ether, I found a confusing verse:

Ether 3:14 says "Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son."

What did Jesus mean when He said He was the Father AND the Son? Can somebody help me out with an explanation?

[HiJolly]

There are several verses throughout the Book of Mormon where this is said. It's when we accept the Gospel and are baptized that we become the children of Christ - He becomes our spiritual father, and we His children.

HJ

[KitCarson]

I never heard anything like that.

All I've been taught is that Heavenly Father is our literal Father and the Son (Jesus Christ/Jehovah) is literally our older brother.

One scripture (can't remember where right now) indicated that Jesus is called our "Father" since he was the Creator of all things; i.e. the Father of our earth and all that is in it.

What is the reasoning behind baptism making us a child of Jesus Christ? Is it a spritual child, literal child, figurative child? Can you explain more?

[mordorbund]

The Father and the Son: A Doctrinal Exposition by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

First, we are literally spirit children of God the Father. Beyond that, there are three ways Jesus is referred to as the Father:

• Creator.

  Under the direction of his Father, Jesus created the heavens and the earth.

• Adoption.

  Through the ways described by HiJolly.

• Divine Investiture of Authority.

  This is fancy talk meaning that Jesus can represent his Father, even to the point of speaking for him.

Examples of each are in the article.