Unlike most of my articles, this one is not political; it is strictly religious and personal.

I am incredibly pleased to announce that my third book, The Lineage of the Gods, is now available in paperback and ebook through Kindle Direct Publishing. If you have ever pondered man’s true origin, wondered what our real relationship with God is, or mused about your personal spiritual potential, you will find this book fascinating and beneficial.

The Lineage of the Gods reveals man’s true origin and explains his Parent-child relationship with Heavenly Father. It also tackles some of the biggest challenges to a correct understanding of who we are, where we come from, and where we are going; namely, godless Darwinism and the pagan conception of self-deification. The goal of this book is to convince you that you are a son or daughter of God – one of His literal offspring. Or as I wrote in the introduction:

“This book is designed to peel back the layers to give you a taste of your true identity, God’s real nature and Plan for your life, and a sense of your awesome potential as a son or daughter of the Eternal Father. It is also my aim to bear fervent testimony of Jesus Christ. He is our Savior and Redeemer, the King of kings and Lord of lords. I love Him and the Father who sent Him to atone for the sins of the world. I love my Eternal Father and Mother, and my Brother and Savior Jesus Christ. I offer this book, however imperfect it may be, as a witness to the truth that I know in my heart and which I have learned through the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.”

This work relies upon three sources: 1) The words, teachings, and declarations of modern prophets and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 2) the holy scriptures; and 3) my own personal testimony. I bear witness that I know for myself, independent of any other person, that man is the offspring of God, that God is the literal Father of our spirits, that we lived with Him before coming to this earth, and that, if we obey the laws established by Him and taught by Jesus Christ, we can one day return to our Heavenly Home and progress to become like our Eternal Father.

Though most modern Christians sadly reject this glorious idea, the Bible copiously teaches the doctrine that we are the children of God. The Psalmist wrote: “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High” (Psalms 82:6). This verse plainly testifies that we are the “children” of God and that, as such, we have the potential to become like Him as any child has the potential to become like his father. The Messiah confirmed the truth of this statement when He repeated this ancient teaching during His mortal ministry (John 10:30-36).

Additionally, John testified that we are “the sons of God” and that when we eventually see God, we will realize we are “like him” (1 John 3:1-2). The Apostle Paul testified to the Greeks who were struggling to come to terms with an “Unknown God” that:

“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device” (Acts 17:28-29).

Paul was not speaking in jest. He meant it when he said that we are the “offspring of God.” Because we are His children, he instructs, we must not image vain things about God such as the idea that He is made of gold or that He is a cosmic essence or that He is undefinable and unknowable. Rather, He is our Father and to know Him and our Savior constitutes eternal life (John 17:3). My book teaches ways that we can better know God.

Another time, Paul wrote: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). This apostle wanted us to realize that through obedience to Gospel law, we can, as children of God, become heirs of Him alongside our Elder Brother Jesus Christ. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).

Additional scriptural references to our familial relationship with God could be cited, but these are enough to give you a taste of the truth that has been hid for so long. The fact is that we are the literal children of God. What an incredible truth! Is anything more invigorating and inspiring to know that we are sons and daughters of the Being who rules the cosmos and that we can become like Him through the redemption of Jesus Christ? I submit that this is the most powerful and transformative knowledge in the universe.

I take the title of my book, The Lineage of the Gods, from a profound quotation made by an apostle of the Lord named Elder Delbert Stapley. Elder Stapley once witnessed:

“Regardless of man’s claims to the contrary, God is still God; Christ is His son – His Only Begotten Son in the flesh. He is in the express image of His Father’s person, and is our Redeemer, Savior, Lord, and King. The scriptures teach us that we are descended from the lineage of the Gods; therefore, we are created in their likeness and image, in both spirit and body, and we are endowed with like character traits, qualities, and powers. We are not the product of evolution from some lower organism of life as man speculates and would have us believe.”

We did not slowly evolve from scum and slime; we descended from our Heavenly Home above! We have a royal pedigree. We carry God’s DNA in the molecules of our souls. We are members of His family and lineage. Can you comprehend the power of this idea? No idea is more capable of producing spiritual courage, moral fortitude, and zeal for righteousness than to know that the God we worship is none other than our Father and that He has provided a way, through our Brother Jesus Christ, to return to Him and become like Him.

Another great man of God, President Ezra Taft Benson, taught us of our pre-earth origin and testified of how intimately acquainted we really are with God. He stated:

“We once knew well our Elder Brother and His and our Father in Heaven. We rejoiced at the prospects of earth life that could make it possible for us to have a fulness of joy. We could hardly wait to demonstrate to our Father and our Brother, the Lord, how much we loved them and how we would be obedient to them in spite of the earthly opposition of the evil one.

“Now we are here. Our memories are veiled. We are showing God and ourselves what we can do. Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar His face is to us.

“God loves us. He is watching us. He wants us to succeed. We will know some day that He has not left one thing undone for the eternal welfare of each of us. If we only knew it, heavenly hosts are pulling for us—friends in heaven that we cannot now remember who yearn for our victory. This is our day to show what we can do—what life and sacrifice we can daily, hourly, instantly make for God. If we give our all, we will get His all from the greatest of all.”

Though for wise reasons we do not remember our past existence in God’s presence, we have been given glimpses through the holy prophets. Jeremiah, for instance, was told that before he was born, God foreordained him as a prophet (Jeremiah 1:5). John testified that we were present during the War in Heaven before Lucifer was cast down to this earth and that we all sided with Michael in that struggle (Revelation 12:3-9). Job recalled that the sons of God shouted for joy in Heaven when they were informed that they would be given the privilege of coming to earth to be tested (Job 38:7).

In addition to canonized scripture, modern prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have showered us with additional insights into our pre-mortal origin, the purpose in mortality, and the glorious homecoming that waits us when we walk into the afterlife. As President Benson said, nothing will surprise us more than how familiar we are with God and how well we know Him. Yet, if we believe the Bible’s witness that we are His children, we should have the anticipation of this joyous homecoming burning in our souls without anyone else needing to tell us what to feel.

Satan, that being who was cast out of the Father’s presence for rebellion against His Plan of Salvation, is attempting to destroy mankind. He does this through blinding us to the truth of our Heavenly heritage. He muddies the waters and clouds our understanding with falsehoods. He desperately does not want us to realize the fact that we are the offspring of God and, as such, have greater power than he does. He wants us to be miserable like him and therefore lies to us and says our ancestors were apes or some lower species rather than the very God of the universe!

Lucifer knows that this knowledge – the knowledge of man’s true origin and relationship with Deity – would revolutionize the world if it were widely known and taught in its purity. Consequently, he has spent millennia suppressing this idea and spreading demeaning lies about our true nature and God’s true nature as a Holy Man.

In this book, I have tried my best to bear witness of the truth that we are sons and daughters of God. I want everyone to feel as inspired as I feel to know my true origin and potential. I have attempted to shine a light through the hazy darkness to help illuminate the understanding of my fellow brothers and sisters. All people can benefit from this rich knowledge. The truth of man’s origin really is the great secret to living a fulfilling, contented, inspired life as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I urge everyone who has ever wondered where he or she came from, why they are here on earth, and why they should bother to turn their hearts to God, to get a copy of my book and study its contents prayerfully. The Lineage of the Gods will answer numerous questions and clarify many points in the scriptures. In 100,000 words spread over 6 chapters, I have diligently attempted to synthesize the truth into an accessible, edifying format for learning. Those who love the word of God will appreciate my attempt to instruct and teach these principles of power that have meant so much to me.

I end by sharing my testimony that Heavenly Father knows you and loves you because you are His unique son or daughter. Though you do not remember it now, you once lived with Him in paradise before coming to earth to be tested. If you remember your thrilling lineage and rely upon the grace of your Elder Brother Jesus Christ, you can return to God and continue to progress for eternity. I know that Jesus is the Savior of mankind and that His Gospel helps us live the abundant life. It is my goal to spread the truth – and in this case, the truth is that you are descended from the lineage of God!

To purchase The Lineage of the Gods in paperback, click this link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1728937884/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1539910606&sr=1-1&keywords=zack+strong+the+lineage+of+the+gods

To purchase the book in ebook format, click here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JWL86CR/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1539910606&sr=1-2&keywords=zack+strong+the+lineage+of+the+gods

Zack Strong,

October 18, 2018.