Certainly, if someone from another Christian religion became interested in my church, I wouldnt start by convincing them they dont believe in Christ! It seems that most Mormons associate the idea of Trinity with false doctrine, and substitute any reference to it with the term "Godhead.". I dont expect to convince you but hopefully you can now better understand the doctrine of the Trinity even as I have been trying to better understand LDS doctrine. The full name of the so-called Mormon Church is The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints. When I was baptized, I was baptized In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. On Sundays, we remember the Lords Last Supper by partaking of the sacrament. Mormon Beliefs About Truth : "Apostasy and Restoration" If so, Ive been there. So, how can anyone say Mormons are not Christian when we perfectly fit the very definition of the word? All rights reserved. Some even say he is dead, which he might as well be if their descriptions identify his being. Actually, your early definition is not bad for a short six-word statement. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son: another of the Holy Ghost. More than 30 years ago, LDS apostle Bruce R. McConkie was adamant that Mormons do not worship Christ. Heavenly Father instituted the "plan of salvation," which allows individuals to live in His presence and with their families for eternity. Non LDS Christians believe God the father to be the old testament God/Person of Jehova. Mormons do not believe in the Holy Trinity. One God but three different persons of a single deity acting together simultaneously with different roles. According to Mormonism, there are potentially many thousands of gods besides these. Guest blogger Mette Harrison says otherwise. Finally, Jesus was to fulfill his early missions and take on a fleshly form. I turned to the Book of Mormon and stated that Mormons don't even believe in what the Book of Mormon teaches about Jesus. It is a curious organization. The term does not refer to the Trinity as such, but simply to the Divine Nature that is unique to God (although we know from Scripture that all three divine persons possess the nature of Deity in full). Actually, we believe that God is spirit (John 4:24), (although God the Son has two natures, divine and human, another mystery and is outside the scope of this comment). Do Mormons [] Gordon B. Hinckley, Liahona, Mar. A main tenetof modern Christianity is the beliefand acceptance of the triune Godhead called the trinity where God the father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy spirit are three in one. The Trinity of traditional Christianity is referred to as the Godhead by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One essence. Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrines of the Restoration, p. 58-59. As the religion scholar Gerald R. McDermott notes, "At the end of his life, in his King Follett funeral sermon (1844), Joseph Smith prophesied against the Trinity, saying that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate Gods." (3 - McDermott, "Is Mormonism Christian?) I'm just curious in Mormon doctrine and would appreciate an answer. That runs counter to my objective in teaching the gospel. I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ all my life, served a two-year full-time mission for the church, and participate in my local congregation of the church in St George, Utah. ), it would be saying that Jesus was the Father, and thats modalism/Sebellianism. This view of the Godhead is based on ancient and modern revelation, and Mormons' belief in the personal appearance of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith in 1820. He wants his followers to become unified in purpose. Very close to other Christian denomination understandings. Christians . Christians believe in the Holy Bible. Discussion Questions for The Virtue of Virtue: A Sermon. This site is written by Jim Harmer and other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who make every effort to provide accurate and faithful information, but this is not an official church publication. The Trinity consists of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spiri. I spent the next months contemplating my life. To me, its sad when good people get angry with each other when discussing the Prince of Peace. No biblical text ever hints that there is another God who is Jehovahs father; in fact, the Bible flatly contradicts such an idea: Before Me there was no God [El, the most generic word for God] formed, And there will be none after Me. However, we believe They are three separate beings unlike the traditional concept of the Trinity. He simply says that God stood before him and spoke to him. 43:13; 66:1; Jer. However, we testify that these three members of the Godhead are three separate and distinct beings. Copyright 2022 the thirst for truth. For Christians, Jesus is believed to have been born to the Virgin Mary, whereas Mormons believe that Jesus had a natural birth. The Trinity is the teaching that the supreme being is one God in three Divine persons. Though the details of this theology differ between religions, the basic statement of three divine persons acting together as a godhead is something Mormons agree with. 1998, 2-7 It is that perfect unity between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost that binds these three into the oneness of the divine Godhead. Jesus Christ - Christus Statue by midiman via . So, he rebelledand a spiritual war ensued. 1998, 2-9; or Ensign, Mar. At the end of the Book of Mormon, which is a book of scripture from the ancient Americas that Joseph translated, there is a promise that states if a person will read the book and ask God if it is true, having real intent and a sincere heart, God . We believe God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are separate and distinct individuals just like you and I are separate individuals; however, that Christ, God, and the Spirit are part of a godhead and are entirely united in their perfection and purpose. Mormons most commonly use the term "Godhead" to refer to the Trinity. Here is the Mormon's belief on the Trinity.."Godhead": "Unlike Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christianity, Mormonism does not include belief in a Trinity, in which the one God consists of three persons. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost happened to become Gods before the rest of us and are now members, under God the Father, of the Godhead. The Comma was not inspired; it was added by overzealous Latin scribes who believed in the Trinity. This has led people in the direction of saying that Mormons (a nickname based on the Book of Mormon) believe in a different Jesus than is found in the New Testament. I've built and exited several brands and companies, and now I focus much of my time on sharing my faith. Joseph did pray, and received a miraculous vision a visitation actually. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/tg/trinity?lang=eng, https://www.christianity.com/god/trinity/god-in-three-persons-a-doctrine-we-barely-understand-11634405.html. When Jesus Christ suffered for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed to God saying, Abba, father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt. He again prayed to God while on the cross: MyGod, my God, why hast thouforsakenme? (Matthew 27:46). Mormons also claim that the doctrine of the Trinity originated from Christianity in its Great Apostasy, as a false doctrine that was not faithful to the Bible. Do Mormons believe in Jesus? Thus, giving Mormons strong belief in their understanding in the nature of God the son. Again, its difficult for me to read the Bible and honestly come to the conclusion that God, Christ, and the Spirit are the same person. Therefore, they feel a responsibility to make the message of the restoration of Christ's Church available to all who will hear." FARMS Do Mormons believe in the Trinity? Trinitarianism believes that the Bible teaches there is only one God who has eternally existed. No monotheistic religionsnot Islam, not Judaism, and certainly not Christianityhave ever taught this. In reality, the LDS Churchs understanding of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is dramatically different from the historic Christian belief. We have no record of any other event to equal it. Such as the Father is, such is the Son: and such is the Holy Ghost. In verse 4 Jesus speaks of the mission which his Father sent him to perform saying, I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. While there seems to be some evidence of it in the Book of Mormon, I dont think either of us believes in modalism. Erasmus omitted it from his first printed Greek text because he said no Greek text contained it. Although the Book of Mormon in 1830 affirmed that "there is one God " (1 Nephi 13:41), Mormonism later developed the belief of many gods ( Book of Abraham 4:3). Who was Christ praying to so earnestly? There is abundant evidence that early Christians did not hold that belief. What do Mormons believe . In the previous installment of this series, I described the Mormon view of God the Father. Like all Christians, Latter-day Saints believe in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and believe that salvation comes only through Him. The major difference between Mormon understand of God, is that he was once like us, a regular man. All three were simultaneously present. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one: the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty. Thank you for a thoughtful and respectful comment. It also sheds light on the idea that we, as Jesus' followers, are to take his name upon us. According to Mormonism, Jesus is a created being, the first spirit to be born of the Father ( Mormon Doctrine, p.129) and a celestial mother ( Mormon Doctrine, p.516). I think you and I agree that God (theos) in the second clause (the Word was with the God) refers to the Father, as theos usually does in John, but not alwayssee 20:28: My Lord and my God! The question is, how is theos used in the last clause? Thank you for taking the time to read this. They say he is one-god-in-three, and three-gods-in-one who neither hears, nor sees, nor speaks. They differ from most Christians, however, in not being. The Mormon Trinity. I am not a Mormon nor a scholar in their believes. Tom Wheeler - Artist. Joseph could see Him and could hear Him. Why are so many people interested in convincing me that I dont believe in Christ? Lo and behold, he was given a very late manuscript with the ink barely dry, and he kept his word, and thats how the Comma eventually made it to the KJV. No. However, we don't believe in the traditional concept of the Trinity. I finally determined to ask God. Not the Father, but God, just as the Father is God by nature. They have the same goals, the same desires, the same perfections, and the same qualities. What is the Mormon view of Jesus? He saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description (JS history 1:17). However, Mormon doctrine denies the Trinity, teaching that the Father, Son, and Spirit do not comprise one GodAccording to Mormonism, Jesus is a created being, the first spirit to be born of the Father and a celestial Before continuing, it needs to be very clear I am not a member of the LDS Church or affiliatedin any way. The Holy Ghost is a spirit, and does not have a body of flesh and bones like God the Father and Jesus Christ do. You are suggesting that we believe it is definite, i.e., the Word was the God, but we dont believe that. What Do Latter-day Saints Believe about the Godhead?, Rejoice in Our Knowledge of the Godhead, Mormon Temples Currently Under Construction Infographic, Interfaith Project Included as Part of Episcopalian Convention, On Common Ground Methodists and Mormons Follow in the Masters Footsteps, Latter-day Saint Children and the Issue of Malnutrition on the Isle of Kiribati. He and his Father are perfectly unified. Id like to share my Evangelical beliefs on the Trinity because I feel you misunderstand us. No Mormons do NOT believe in the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. To qualify, a person would not only have . Mormonism's founder, Joseph Smith, clearly rejected the Trinity when he wrote, "Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are . Contrary to this, Christians historically have taught that no one . In verse 3 we read that it is life eternal to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Thus we see that Jesus is a being sent down to earth by God. Mormons reject the doctrine of the Trinity and in truth they are polytheistic. This will take you to my Artist website, where you can view a portfolio of my paintings. ThankYou for your testimony of Christ and . The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible. 20:3 ). He was transfigured because he came into the presence of the immortal God, who audibly spoke to announce Christ. After two months of bitter debate, they compromised on a definition which for generations has been the doctrinal statement among Christians concerning the Godhead. I longed to know more about God, his plan for me and my duty and responsibility towards Him and others. However, trusting in or worshiping more than one god is explicitly condemned throughout the Bible (e.g., Ex. Try as I might, I just couldnt assimilate it. Do Mormons Believe in the Trinity? I dont believe any human can fully comprehend this. Distinct persons but not separate deities, Separate personages with their own bodies, The Son (Jesus) alone became a physical man, The Father and the Son are two physical beings, Father, Son, and Spirit are co-eternally God, The Father became a God before the Son and the Holy Ghost (two of his many sons). In turn, Jehovah is distinguished from Elohim, which Mormons use as a name for God the Father. Joseph Smith, while studying the bible, was led to read a passage in James where the apostle exhorts those who lack wisdom to pray for enlightenment (James 1:5). I do believe in Christ and strive to follow him. These are perfected and resurrected bodies physical and tangible, but not in the same mortal and vulnerable state as our own bodies. Acts 7:55-56 Stephen sees Jesus Christ at the right hand of God the Father. by | Aug 25, 2011 | Basic Beliefs, God, Jesus Christ | 1 comment, Facebook Jesus is speaking not of being physically the same creature, but of unity. We do not believe this. We can properly understand the Holy Spirit only by understanding how he relates to the Father and the Son. John 1:1, however, is indeed a particularly important verse that points to the paradox (to the human mind) that led to the doctrine of the Trinity. God the Father has not always been God; rather, he progressed to become a God through a process of exaltationa process that he intends for us as well. Guidelines for use of articles | Site Map | Contact Us | My Account | Terms of service, The Bottom-Line Guide to Mormonism, Part 4, the doctrine of the Trinity is a biblically-based doctrine, the early churchs faithful reflection on Scripture, Jehovah and Elohim are two designations for the, 2022 Institute for Religious Research. I also own a popular Youtube channel and a private school. How can this be? Each of the three is in some way personally distinct from the others, but they are inseparably one God. From this experience the Latter-day Saints defend the idea that the Godhead is composed of three beings, separate and distinct. Lucifer contrastingly wanted the exact opposite and no free will on receivingsalvation and the glory for himself. Tags: GodGod The FatherGodHeadHoly SpiritJehovaJesus ChristLDSMormonMormonismTrinity, Your email address will not be published. They stood above him in the air, and one pointed to the other and said This is My Beloved Son. There was a time in my life when I didnt know if God lived. They do not . In actuality, the doctrine of the Trinity is a biblically-based doctrine that originated from the early churchs faithful reflection on Scripture. The dictionary says a Christian is a person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Jesus Christ and his teachings. When I was baptized, the person performing the baptism said I was baptized In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And, I believe in Christ. It seems to me to be a twisted and confusing rendering of what really is quite a beautiful and simple doctrine. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty. Beside Him, the resurrected Lord, a separate being, whom He introduced as His Beloved Son and with whom Joseph also spoke. The New Testament reveals that the Holy Spirit (also called the Spirit, the Spirit of truth, and so on) is a divine person, distinct from the Father and the Son, yet . In the King James Version of the Bible, the word Godhead always has this meaning (Acts 17:29; Rom. The second mention of the word Christian in the Bible is when Agrippa tells Paul almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Yet today, many Christians have taken to convince me that I am NOT Christian. It was not until the Nicaean Council three hundred years after Christ when the trinitarian theology was codified. This unity is spiritual rather than physical. Allowing, the Fathers plans of future happiness given to us. The Holy Trinity: "The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost" Gordon B. Hinckley, Liahona, Mar. They claim their founder learned this from an Egyptian papyrus.
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