Stephen's Martyrdom

The martyrdom of Stephen,  Review and Herald Publ. Assoc.

For my New Testament class, our professor asked each student to decide on a semester-long project that will help us to grow closer to the scriptures.  I've decided to make my semester-long project memorizing a scripture from the second half of the New Testament and writing a blog post about it.  Isn't that delightful?  I fully admit that this is not the most attractive video I've ever made.  But!  But, it's for a good cause.  

 

Even if few people read this, I do feel like I'm putting my heart out there a little bit, so bear with me, if you don't mind.  I've decided to use Acts 7:55-56 for my first scripture, which talks about the stoning of Stephen, an early saint of the Christian church, and also sheds light on the nature of the Godhead.  The video about it is proof of my memorizing it.  I've also written a poem at the end of this post which will hopefully be for your enjoyment!   

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave a talk on the Mormon belief about the Godhead that differs with other Christian churches.  I am a Mormon and I think what he has to say is inspired by the Holy Ghost.  This is a part of his talk, the rest of which can be found at a link at the bottom of the quote.  

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"We extend to all the same respect for their doctrine that we are asking for ours. (That, too, is an article of our faith.) But if one says we are not Christians because we do not hold a fourth- or fifth-century view of the Godhead, then what of those first Christian Saints, many of whom were eyewitnesses of the living Christ, who did not hold such a view either?

We declare it is self-evident from the scriptures that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are separate persons, three divine beings, noting such unequivocal illustrations as the Savior’s great Intercessory Prayer just mentioned, His baptism at the hands of John, the experience on the Mount of Transfiguration, and the martyrdom of Stephen—to name just four."  The rest of his talk can be found here.

I believe that that's true, that God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are one in purpose and in how They love us, but that they are separate beings.  What do you think?

Homecoming
by Rachel

The Lord and the Savior showed themselves to Stephen,
who could not deny what he saw, and fell
asleep.

The men who heard him--his indictments
cut to the heart--
ran him from the city,
threw their cloaks at the feet of pre-conversion Saul,
so as better to stone him with.

Lord, lay not this sin to their charge,
and Stephen fell asleep.
The man who told them things that cut
to the heart,
asked the Lord whom he saw
not to lay this sin to their charge.

The Lord and His Son,
two beings, two bodies,
and Stephen was filled with the Holy Ghost before
he fell asleep.

Did They come to welcome him home?