In the early 1900s, some discussion arose among Church members about the roles of God the Father and Jesus Christ. The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued a combined statement in 1916 to clarify the meaning of certain scriptures where Jesus Christ, or Jehovah, is designated as the Father. This was distributed through the Improvement Era and other Church publications. However, today, this statement is largely forgotten.

It is especially notable for its use of the teachings of Abinadi in the Book of Mormon to teach the doctrine of the Godhead. This in an era where the Book of Mormon was not used as widely by the general church membership as it is today. The clarification on this teaching is needed just as much today, as it was then.

In this episode of the Rare Possessions Podcast, host Nick Galieti and BMC archivist Jared Riddick discuss this fascinating piece of Church History, what could have caused it, and what it can mean to us. Following this discussion, Nick Galieti narrates the statement.

Listen here via SoundCloud, or with iTunes, Google Play, or Stitcher. If you would like to read the statement, check it out on our Archive.