Mormons, also known as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do worship God. However, their conception of God differs in some key ways from what mainstream Christians believe about God. This article will examine Mormon beliefs about God and compare them to mainstream Christian views to help readers understand where the two faiths align and differ on this central theological question.
Who is God According to Mormons?
Mormons believe God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate divine beings who together constitute the Godhead. Each member of the Godhead is a distinct personage, but they are perfectly united in purpose. Mormons reject the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity, which holds that God is three persons in one being.
According to Mormon theology, God the Father is the supreme being in whom humans live and move and have their being. He is the father of all human spirits. God the Father has a body of flesh and bone, as tangible as man’s. However, his body is immortal, perfected, and has a glory beyond description. Mormons do not believe God the Father constantly fills the immensity of space or is everywhere present in His physical body. Nevertheless, through the Light of Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost, He can be operationally present in people’s lives.
Jesus Christ is believed to be the firstborn spirit child of God the Father. He is Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Messiah of the New Testament. Mormons believe Jesus Christ was the only begotten Son of God in the flesh. He is the savior and redeemer of the world. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, suffered for the sins of humanity in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, died, and was resurrected on the third day. Mormons believe Jesus Christ ascended back to heaven, but He will one day return to reign during the Millennium.
The Holy Ghost is regarded as the third member of the Godhead. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit who testifies of truth, comforts, and sanctifies those who seek God’s will. The influence of the Holy Ghost can be felt throughout the world, but His presence can only dwell in those who live righteously and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost through priesthood authority.
How Do Mormon Beliefs About God Differ From Mainstream Christianity?
There are several key differences between Mormon beliefs about God and the beliefs of mainstream Christian faiths such as Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism:
- Mormons reject the doctrine of the Trinity and view the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three distinct beings rather than three persons in one God. Mainstream Christianity teaches that God is three coequal and coeternal persons in one indivisible substance.
- Mormons believe God the Father has a physical, immortal, and perfected body of flesh and bone. Mainstream Christians believe God is spirit with no physical body.
- Mormons do not accept the traditional Christian ideas that God created the universe from nothing (ex nihilo) or that He is present everywhere in His divinity (omnipresence). Mainstream Christians teach God’s omnipresence and that He created the universe ex nihilo.
- Mormons teach that God the Father was once a man who progressed to become an exalted God. Mainstream Christians reject this doctrine and maintain that God has always existed as God from all eternity.
- Mormons believe humans can become exalted like God and become gods ruling over their own creations. Mainstream Christianity teaches there is and always will be only one supreme God.
In essence, Mormons hold a more limited view of God’s abilities and divine nature than mainstream Christianity. The Mormon concept of God has been described both as anthropomorphic, ascribing human characteristics to God, and henotheistic, worshipping only one God while accepting the possible existence of other gods.
Do Mormons Worship Only God the Father?
While God the Father is supreme in the Mormon conception of the Godhead, Mormons direct their worship to God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Mormons pray to each member of the Godhead at various times, depending on the circumstance. For example, they often end prayers by saying “In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
Mormons believe each member of the Godhead plays a distinct role in humans’ eternal salvation and exaltation. God the Father is the object of their worship and the one to whom they strive to become like. Jesus Christ’s atonement makes salvation possible, while the Holy Ghost sanctifies believers as they strive to follow Christ. So while God the Father is supreme, Mormons worship all three divine beings in the Godhead.
Do Mormons Believe They Will Become Gods?
Yes, Mormons believe righteous human beings have the potential to become exalted like God the Father and become gods over their own creations. This doctrine is called eternal progression or exaltation. It is based on a key Mormon scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants:
Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them. (D&C 132:20)
This doctrine states people can become joint-heirs with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17) and become gods like their Heavenly Father if they keep God’s commandments. They can eventually rule over their own universes. Not all Mormons attain this state since one must meet the high requirements of righteousness and obedience to God’s laws.
Mainstream Christian denominations unanimously reject the Mormon doctrine that people can become gods as heretical. They interpret statements such as Romans 8:17 to mean believers will inherit God’s blessings and spiritual riches, not that they will become gods. For mainstream Christians, there is and always will be only one supreme God over all.
Do Mormons Believe They Will One Day Get Their Own Planet?
This common misconception of Mormon doctrine was likely popularized in works of satire and fiction. While Mormons believe righteous couples will continue to have spirit children in the afterlife, there are no official church teachings about Mormons getting their own planets.
This idea possibly arose from speculative statements by some early church leaders and from the Mormon belief that worthy church members can eventually become like God the Father. But there has never been any doctrine stating every Mormon couple will rule their own planet occupied by their own posterity.
Mormons themselves often claim the idea they will get their own planet is more anti-Mormon rhetoric or fiction rather than doctrine. The church has clarified multiple times in official statements that it has never been doctrine, scripture, or taught in church that righteous couples get their own planet in eternity.
Do Mormons Believe They Can Become Higher Than God?
No, Mormons do not believe they can become higher or more powerful than God the Father or Jesus Christ. The highest possible exaltation Mormons can receive through living righteously is to become like God and be unified with Him in purpose. But Mormons teach that God the Father and Jesus Christ’s power and glory will always be supreme.
Mormons aim to become what is called “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). This refers to humans inheriting God’s spiritual riches and blessings through their special relationship as children of God. But Mormons do not believe anyone can attain a status above the most high God or replace Him in His role as supreme Creator and Ruler of the universe.
The Bible’s statement that people can become “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” has been misinterpreted by some as meaning Mormons seek to become higher than the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. But Mormons themselves repudiate this notion.
How Do Mormon Beliefs About Becoming Gods Affect Their Relationship with God?
Mormon beliefs about humans’ divine potential generally deepen members’ relationship with and worship of God the Father. Since God is the literal father of human spirits, Mormons seek to become more like Him by following Christ’s example. This fosters devotion and obedience to God’s commandments.
The possibility of becoming joint-heirs with Christ motivates Mormons to align their will more fully with God’s will. Their worship of God stems from wanting to draw nearer to Him and to ultimately receive the fullness of His glory. Mormons’ goal of deification or exaltation comes through Christ and is contingent on relying fully upon God’s grace and power.
So for Mormons, their worship of God flows directly from their belief in humans’ divine potential. Their desire and striving to become more like their Heavenly Father increases their commitment to serving Him and following in Christ’s footsteps.
What is the Mormon Temple Ceremony?
The Mormon temple ceremony, also called the endowment, is a ritual Mormons participate in inside temples. Participants make covenants with God and receive guidance on how to return to His presence. The entire ceremony revolves around worshipping God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
Some key components of the temple endowment ceremony include:
- Making covenants to obey God, sacrifice, serve others, and gain knowledge
- Receiving symbolic instruction on how to return to God’s presence
- Being clothed in temple garments representing Christ’s righteousness
- Exchanging names and signs/tokens as evidence of faithfulness
- Hearing teachings on the creation, fall, and atonement
This temple ritual brings participants closer to God. Mormons believe this ceremony provides the highest blessings available only in God’s temple. Overall, this ceremony focuses on worshipping God and following Christ.
Temple Garments
As part of the endowment ceremony, Mormons are clothed in temple garments representing robes of righteousness. These garments consist of a top piece and lower piece of white clothing similar to plain undershirts and shorts. After receiving their garments, Mormons are instructed to wear these garments throughout their lives as a reminder of their covenants.
New Name
In the temple endowment, Mormons symbolically receive a new name. This represents their new, godly identity as they embark on their spiritual journey back to live with Heavenly Father. Mormons typically only know their own new name and keep it confidential.
Signs and Tokens
During the endowment, Mormons participate in signs and tokens associated with promises made to God. These symbolic gestures and handshakes represent the sacred covenants participants are committing to in the temple. Mormons do not divulge the specific details of these signs and tokens outside the temple.
Conclusion
In summary, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Their unique doctrines about God having a physical body and human beings having potential to become exalted through Christ’s atonement differ from mainstream Christian views. However, Mormons are deeply devoted to worshipping God through prayer, study, temple worship, and striving to follow God’s commandments.
While differences about God’s nature and humans’ divine potential exist, Mormons and other Christians share many common beliefs about God’s centrality. Both affirm God’s supremacy and seek to align their will with His divine purposes. Mormons’ goal of becoming joint-heirs with Christ reflects their longing to draw closer to God and receive the full blessings He desires for His children.
