Many critics
of LDS theology abuse Heb 13:8 as a “proof-text” against our theology. For a
discussion of this and other passages, see
Moroni
8:18, Psalm 90:2, and the Latter-day Saint Understanding of Deity (cf. Resources
for "We Agree with Moroni 8:18" day (18 August))
In reality,
this text is speaking of the immutability of the gospel, and that, while the
preachers change, the preaching must remain the same; it is not a commentary on
the ontological nature of the person of Jesus.
As one
Traditionalist Roman Catholic commentator put it:
“yesterday, and today: and the same forever”: Gr: εχθες
και σημερον ο αυτος και εις τους αιωνας,
which is appropriate at this point since the quotes from vrs. 5-6
come from the Old Testament and show how God (Jesus in the Second Person of the
Trinity) never forsook his faithful people but was always with them, helping
them out of perilous situations (e.g., Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, et al); and
he is doing so now in the Church, and he will certainly do so “unto the ages” (“forever”)
to come. God has not changed. He always acts the same no matter what time in
history it is. The problem is that the Christians want things done immediately,
but God always takes his time and does his bidding when it is most appropriate.
(Robert A. Sungenis, The Epistles to the
Ephesians and Hebrews [Catholic Apologetics Study Bible VIII; State Line,
Pa.: Catholic Apologetics International Publishing, Inc., 2019], 138 n. 450)
