By SARA BRUECK
The often-asked question, do Latter-day Saints worship a different Christ?, was the inspiration behind a talk given by Robert L. Millet, dean of religious education, given Jan. 8, at the symposium, “Christ, Savior, Son of God. Millet answered yes and no.
Students and community members met together Saturday morning, the last day of the symposium to learn how the LDS perspectives of Christ correspond with those of other Christian religions. The symposium was sponsored by the BYU Religion Department.
Millet, the keynote speaker, spoke on “A Different Jesus? The Christ of the Restoration.”
“We meet to celebrate the name, person, powers and historical significance of one, Jesus Christ,” Millet said. “There are few questions more relevant in our day than the question, ‘What think ye of Christ?'”
Millet’s lecture focused on what the Latter-day Saint people believe about Christ, how they are different from other Christian religions and what they can contribute to the world.
Millet said the challenge of Latter-day Saint people is “hauntingly reminiscent” of the challenges faced by Peter, James, John and Paul in the days of early Christianity.
Millet said the question many LDS people must face is whether or not we worship the same Jesus worshiped by Catholics and Protestants.
Millet said the LDS people accept everything in the Bible that testifies of the divine birth and goodness of Christ. However, they also rejoice in additional information they receive from latter-day prophets.
“We feel to say to a drifting world there is more truth to be known, more power to be exercised.”
According to Millet, this belief in additional information about Christ is the reason many Christians feel the LDS people do not worship the same Christ they do.
Millet’s lecture was aimed to help the audience to clarify LDS views and perspectives while explaining why they are seen as different.
“I always do wonder what others’ perspective is of us,” said Crystal Richards, an open major from Rock Springs, Wyo. Richards believes the lecture will better enable her to explain her beliefs.
“I like being able to help explain specifics of our viewpoints and find a common foundation,” she said.
