Sons and Daughters of Jesus Christ
John 1:12
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name . . .
Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote:
“John tells us that the Lord Jesus, who came in time’s meridian unto His own, was rejected by them. ‘But as many as received him,’ as their Messiah and Savior, ‘to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name’ (John 1:12). Speaking of that same meridian day, the same Lord said in our day: ‘To as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons.’ Be it noted that true believers are not automatically born to a newness of life by the mere fact of belief alone. That belief and that acceptance of the Savior gives them power to become the sons of God. And in our day the divine word continues: ‘Even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my sons.’ And how are those who receive the Lord identified? By way of answer, He tells us: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel receiveth me; and he that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me’ (D&C 39:4–5). Those who have accepted the fulness of the everlasting gospel as it has come again in our day through the instrumentality of Joseph Smith have power to become the sons of God; those who reject this heaven-sent message of salvation reject that Lord whose message it is and remain outside the Lord’s family.”
(A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 284–85.)
