Is the LDS version of "God" worth your worshipping?

[Markk]

Mormon God didn't become God without fully understanding all laws, and doesn't violate any of them. That God works toward the greatest welfare possible for each human being, taking all those laws into consideration.

To clarify, according to the Melk. PH teaching manual “Gospel Through The Ages” (Hunter)…paraphrasing…I believe it is safe to say that “no God, can become a God” unless they master all the eternal laws, by the power of the eternal law of the priesthood. Understanding is one thing, but fulfilling is another. The Articles of faith reflect this…that man “may” be saved, by full obedience to the “laws of the Gospel”…and of course “true salvation” to the saint is exaltation, eternal life, and Godhood.

If you were raised in the church you are basically haunted by the the “W” word…which is being found “worthy.” And full worthiness, or in simple LDS terms…“eternal life” means full obedience to th eternal laws of the gospel.

It is not, in my opinion, violating the eternal laws, but mastering them. All Mormons violate them, but by obedience to these eternal laws, one can be “Exalted!!!!” “ Teach me, guide me, walk be side me, help me find the way,and teach me all that I must know….”

I’ll leave you with this quote from the said teaching manual, on “how God became a God”… which by the way…DCP told me years ago that he had never heard of this doctrine or manual, until his in-laws gave him a copy of it…which shows the ignorance of maybe the most recognized LDS “apologist” of our generations, given this manual was written under the supervision of the likes of GA’s and future prophets like Talmage, JFS, Widstoe, Ezra Taft Benson, and others…

HOW HE BECAME GOD Yet, if we accept the great law of eternal progression, we must accept the fact that there was a time when Deity was much less powerful than He is today. Then how did He become glorified and exalted and attain His present status of Godhood? In the first place, aeons ago God undoubtedly took advantage of every opportunity to learn the laws of truth and as He became acquainted with each new verity He righteously obeyed it. From day to day He exerted His will vigorously, and as a result became thoroughly acquainted with the forces lying about Him. As he gained more knowledge through persistent effort and continuous industry, as well as through absolute obedience, His understanding of the universal laws continued to become more complete. Thus He grew in experience and continued to grow until He attained the status of Godhood. In other words, He became God by absolute obedience to all the eternal laws of the Gospel—by conforming His actions to all truth, and thereby became the author of eternal truth. Therefore, the road that the Eternal Father followed to Godhood was one of living at all times a dynamic, industrious, and completely righteous life. There is no other way to exaltation.


Remember how most of us here were offended by the “God Makers?” ….Before we came out of the cult…say what you will about whether or not Decker embellished and was overly dramatic in the book…his premise was spot on. Mormonism id a faith that makes God a man, and man a God…equal in nature, being and power….and “the church” through th e power of the PH and the temple…can make you a God!!!!

[KevinSim]

Mormon God didn't become God without fully understanding all laws

Is that official doctrine?

Markk seems to think it is; see his posts. I can't think of any particular scripture that says God understands all eternal laws, or any official pronouncement (other than what Markk listed), but I'm pretty sure it's what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

Is that official doctrine?

Markk seems to think it is; see his posts. I can't think of any particular scripture that says God understands all eternal laws, or any official pronouncement (other than what Markk listed), but I'm pretty sure it's what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches.

2 Nephi states your god knows all things.

- Doc

[KevinSim]

Mormon God didn't become God without fully understanding all laws, and doesn't violate any of them. That God works toward the greatest welfare possible for each human being, taking all those laws into consideration.

Are you a transhumanist? This sounds like their general theological stance.

What exactly is the theological stance of transhumanism? I did a Google search on "transhuman" and read the resulting article; I didn't see anything theological there at all.

[KevinSim]

Markk seems to think it is; see his posts. I can't think of any particular scripture that says God understands all eternal laws, or any official pronouncement (other than what Markk listed), but I'm pretty sure it's what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches.

2 Nephi states your god knows all things.

There you go, DoubtingThomas; Doc has answered your question; 2 Nephi shows it is official doctrine.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

2 Nephi states your god knows all things.

There you go, DoubtingThomas; Doc has answered your question; 2 Nephi shows it is official doctrine.

It’s well established LDS doctrine. A cursory Google search would make that clear.

- Doc

[Markk]

Is that official doctrine?

Markk seems to think it is; see his posts. I can't think of any particular scripture that says God understands all eternal laws, or any official pronouncement (other than what Markk listed), but I'm pretty sure it's what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches.

Gospel Through The Ages is not the only source for this teaching, I would start with a deep dive into section 132 and a few other sections, the KFS, and to a certain degree BY’s Adam God teachings. There is also a little know now days , but very good source on eternal law by JFS jr…call Religous Truths Defined.

Honestly the Articles of faith is a very good starting point…when it reads “ may be save, by obedience to the laws an ordinances of the gospel”. It does not read man kind is already saved…in that all mankind receive “unconditional” salvation by the atonement…but the salvation the 3rd AoF is speaking of, is a “conditional” salvation, or exaltation or eternal life, not to be confused with “everlasting life. A good source for conditional and unconditional salvation, or eternal life vs everlasting life is Doctrines of Salvation by JFS.


But in regards to What is Official Doctrine…good luck. Mormonism is designed to change and evolve…Joseph Smith made sure of that with the concept of continuing revelation, either by the brethren or personal.

The source I quoted from in my last post is sanctioned and championed by at least two prophets and several apostles…so it is a pretty hard road to say it is not a official teaching.

From the forward…

“ THE GOSPEL THROUGH THE AGES MILTON R. HUNTER
of the First Council of the Seventy Written and published under the direction of the General Priesthood Committee of the Council of the Twelve of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Deseret Book Company
Salt Lake City, Utah”

“
ELDER JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH President of the Council of the Twelve The Gospel Through the Ages will prove to be a timely, instructive and stimulating book. Students of the Gospel will find it invaluable as a reference book. In fact, every home might well consider it a valuable addition to the family library for the use of young and old.

ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON Secretary of Agriculture, U.S.A. The Gospel Through the Ages is based upon the doctrine, unique to Mormonism, that the Gospel was revealed to Adam, the first man. The author proceeds to show how that man, yielding to the temptations of the evil one, soon corrupted the simple doctrines of the Gospel, and that this explains the fragments of truth found in nearly all religions. Such departure from the original and later revelations led to a succession of apostasies from and restorations of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, culminating in the last restoration in these days. In developing this historical truth, nearly every gospel principle is passed in review. It is a fascinating theme, unusually well organized and written by Dr. Hunter, a member of the First Council of the Seventy, and a notable historical scholar. . . . This book will . . . find a permanent place in every Latter-day Saint's library, for gospel information and reference.

ELDER JOHN A. WIDTSOE Improvement Era (January, 1946, p. 48) The careful study of The Gospel Through the Ages will afford enduring satisfaction and welcome aid to the Priesthood members who are ministers of Jesus Christ. The bearers of the message of peace will be fortified with a fuller understanding of what they teach and affirm in the spirit of power and love. . . . This ably written and comprehensive treatise will help the preachers of righteousness . . . in making proclamation of the Restored Gospel. .

ELDER CHARLES A. CALLIS This book, The Gospel Through the Ages, is a historical and careful survey of the plan of salvation as it has been known in the different periods of human history from days of Adam to the present time. Dr. Hunter's book has all the interest and appeal of high literary and scholarly merit . . . “

[Rivendale]

Are you a transhumanist? This sounds like their general theological stance.

What exactly is the theological stance of transhumanism? I did a Google search on "transhuman" and read the resulting article; I didn't see anything theological there at all.

Here is a link that explains Mormon Transhumanism. https://transfigurism.org/Mormon-transh ... ffirmation

[Markk]

2 Nephi states your god knows all things.

There you go, DoubtingThomas; Doc has answered your question; 2 Nephi shows it is official doctrine.

Like in all things Mormon...this is debatable on how it would be interpreted by the brethren and in turn the folks...clear as mud.

One position is that Yes, God knows all things...which off the top of my head was pushed really hard by JFS and Talmage, if my memory is correct. The other position was that God is always increasing in knowledge, and therefore " God can only know, what is known and or knowable." DCP held that position in one of our exchanges on the old boards, who knows what position those guys hold to these days.

It puts the Mopologist between a rock and a hard space when they debate a Calvinist, in that the reformed position is that God knows all things including who will receive Him and who will not...while LDS doctrine and thought relies deeply on free agency and choice, which would mean that if HF knows all things, he knowable sends his children to an earth, fully knowing he will never see most of them again. LDS doctrine is more than clear only those that are exalted and receive eternal life will be in his presence again...all others will be assigned a lower estate eternally separated from him, and I guess HM.

From the time Joseph Smith started Mormonism, up until the death of BY, the nature and being of the Mormon God was a mess, and all over the place. The folks after BY's death were really confused, especially after his Adam God teachings. Was Elohim God of this world, or was Jehovah? Who was the God of the Old Testament...who was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel), Elohim or Jehovah?

It was such a mess Talmage invented a new concept called "Divine Investiture," ...which basically is a get out of jail card free for any previous confusing doctrines of God that evolved from Joseph Smith and BY, especially between the father and the son.

Keep in mind the Book of Mormon teaches a Triune form of God with a hint of modalism. The lectures of faith and the Book of Mormon teach God is spirit, the KFS teaches God is just like a man and was once a man...as did Snow and others...then BY taught Adam God, which really confused the folks. We have to also understand the early converts were once protestants for the most part and thought of God from a triune perspective, as the Book of Mormon teaches...so Talmage did the best he could to make sense of the LDS nature of God.

But in all honestly, the nature of God does not matter to the average saint, in that the true God of Mormonism is not really a God, or HF...it is "the Church." History is clear their God can change, and that if worthy they can be just like him... what is really the true and only God is "the church," God can change, doctrines can change, dead prophets can be wrong, the Standard Works can be off, but as long as "the Church" survives all is good in Zion.

So, to reel my point in, it does not matter what the Book of Mormon reads, or what Joseph Smith, BY, Nelson or any other GA teach... what matters is that "the church survives." "Official Doctrine" must, and always will, compliment and ensure "the survival of the church."

[Gadianton]

I have to say, Markk, that was a pretty good answer.