Truthseeker1

Hi Traveler? Thanks for the response. I have to admit, I am slightly puzzled by your last response. In previous posts (and in other reading), I have come to understand that the LDS Church teaches that Jesus Christ is not to be prayed to, while God the Father is, Jesus is not to be worshiped in the same way that God the Father is, God the Father called a counsel and Jesus was chosen as the redeemer. In other words, Mormon theology seems to strongly emphasize the distinct natures and beings of the God the Father and Jesus Christ (three God's one in purpose, but not one in being, I believe I have read somewhere). Here, though, in response to my question about the nature of God the Father, you say that Jesus has a physical, resurrected body and is not limited to a spiritual being. I think I am confused, but since Jesus Christ and God the Father are not one in substance (as the Nicene Creed professes), is that question of whether God has a physical body different than whether Jesus does? Sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum. Feel free to move if necessary! Also, I notice that some Mormons wont write "God" but instead prefer "G_D". Is it considered disrespectful to Mormons to write out God (similar to the Jews in the Old Testament?) Blessing, Mark

Thanks for the response. Of course, anyone says they are a Mormon (or a Catholic) can claim whatever they want. (A Catholic can claim to believe that Jesus did not really rise from the dead, but it's clear that is not what the Catholic Church teaches). I am not really interested in what "any Mormon" believes, but what is consistent with the teaching of the LDS Church (which is why I asked if there is an authoritative source, analogous to the catechism, for official LDS Church teaching). It sounds like you are saying that official LDS church teaching is that, while we don't know where this is or what this body is like, God the Father does have a body (with dimensions) and does physically reside somewhere in this universe (X Light-years from earth). Would that be a correct understanding? Thanks. Mark

Thanks! So, would it be permissible for a faithful Mormon to interpret these passages figuratively, and believe that God the Father does not actually have "dimensions" (i.e., mass, height, width), etc., and is not actually physically located within the universe (i.e., currently X light-years from earth) or is it official Church teaching that God the Father has a physical, corporeal body, and exists (resides?) in a particular place in space and time in this universe? This leads to a somewhat related question, in Catholicism, while not necessarily an exhaustive list of the Catholic Church's teachings on everything, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a fairly in depth summary of what the Catholic Church teaches. So, while there are many Catholics who says "I don't believe in ___ teaching of the Catholic church," there is at least agreement on what the Catholic Church teaches that they are disagreeing with. Is there something comparable for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? Is there an official book approved by the Church hierarchy outlining what the LDS Church believes? Thanks. God Bless, Mark

Vort, I don't mean to bombard you with questions all at once. But, this blog post got me wondering: Answering the Critics: Do Mormons believe that God lives on a planet called Kolob? Do Mormons believe that God is a physical being with a physical form that lives in a physical place in this particular universe? In other words (even if nobody know exactly where it is) is it true that God the father currently lives in our universe _____ light-years from earth, just as I live ______ miles away you? Thanks, again. Mark

Thanks for the clarification. I was not familiar with the previous prophet, Mormon. During which time period did he live (are there approximate dates)? Thanks that is helpful. If Jesus and the Holy Spirit are both God, why do you not pray to them? Other than Jesus and the Holy Spirit, are there are other beings that Mormons worship? Mary? Adam How does worshiping God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit fit within the Biblical command to have no other Gods before me? The Catholic answer would be that there are three persons and one God, so this does not violate it, but my understanding is that Mormons do not accept this formulation, but hold to three separate Gods (although, your answer, which I address below may indicate differently). How is worship of God the Father different than worship of Jesus? You say that it depends on what we mean by worship. What ways of worship would be inappropriate for Jesus and the Holy Spirit that are appropriate for God the Father? That was helpful, although I still am a little bit confused. Would say it is inaccurate to sa that there are multiple "Gods"? My (admittedly limited) understanding was that in Mormon theology there are multiple, distinct "Gods" and that each human being can become a "God," just as God the Father progressed and became a God. "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may be." In my understanding of Mormon theology, I am separate and distinct human being from you, and we are separate and distinct beings from God. Then, at some point if we enter into relationship with God and accept Jesus Christ as our savior, we too can attain "Godhood" and become Gods, while still maintaining that we are separate, distinct beings. It sounds, however, like you are saying that while in the human state, we are distinct and separate beings, but once we become like Gods (as God the Father did), then that distinction goes away. It sounds somewhat like some eastern religions where all of creation becomes part of one divine entity, and is no longer separate beings. I apologize for my crude attempt at trying to understand Mormon theology (and I accept that, trying to understand the nature of God is never going to be entirely complete). I am just trying to come to understand how, both in Mormon theology, and in daily Mormon spirituality, the relationship between man and God (Gods?) is understood. Thanks for your patient explanations! God Bless, Mark

Hi All, I have recently becoming interested in learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As a Catholic, I know that if you try to learn about Catholicism from non-Catholic sources, you will often get a skewed, biased perspective. So, I am genuinely in getting to know more about the Mormon faith from people who practice it (not who criticize it). Just a couple of questions so I can learn more (I apologize if this is easily answer elsewhere, and please point me to the appropriate articles). 1. This leads to my first (probably simple question), I feel like I am always confused (and always wrong) in how I refer to Mormon, LDS, Mormonism, etc. For me, I would say that I, as a Catholic, believe in Catholicism, and am a member of the Catholic Church (Latin Rite). What would be the equivalent appropriate terms for Mormonism? 2. Are Mormons (members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints?) supposed to worship Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit or just God the Father? 3. Is Jesus Christ a God? 4. Is the Holy Spirit a God? I think that is all for now. Thanks for your patience in explaining these questions. God Bless, Mark