I don't know how to title this question

[yorkiebeebs]

I know that the LDS Church doesn't believe in the Trinity. My question is..

Do you believe that they are all three God?

God the Father

God the Son

God the Holy Spirit

Does this question make sense? I guess I don't know how to phrase it.

[Vanhin]

I know that the LDS Church doesn't believe in the Trinity. My question is..

Do you believe that they are all three God?

God the Father

God the Son

God the Holy Spirit

Does this question make sense? I guess I don't know how to phrase it.

Yes

Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen. (D&C 20:28)

From our Guide to the Scriptures

There are three separate persons in the Godhead: God, the Eternal Father; his Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost. We believe in each of them (A of F 1: 1). From latter-day revelation we learn that the Father and the Son have tangible bodies of flesh and bone and that the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit, without flesh and bone (D&C 130: 22-23). These three persons are one in perfect unity and harmony of purpose and doctrine (John 17: 21-23; 2 Ne. 31: 21; 3 Ne. 11: 27, 36). (see Guide to the Scriptures: God, Godhead)

Regards,

Vanhin

Edited August 20, 2010 by Vanhin

[Vanhin]

That said, might as well throw the rest of the GS entry out here. It pretty clearly spells it out complete with scripture references.

God the Father: It is generally the Father, or Elohim, who is referred to by the title God. He is called the Father because he is the father of our spirits (Mal. 2: 10; Num. 16: 22; 27: 16; Matt. 6: 9; Eph. 4: 6; Heb. 12: 9). God the Father is the supreme ruler of the universe. He is all powerful (Gen. 18: 14; Alma 26: 35; D&C 19: 1-3), all knowing (Matt. 6: 8; 2 Ne. 2: 24), and everywhere present through his Spirit (Ps. 139: 7-12; D&C 88: 7-13, 41). Mankind has a special relationship to God that sets man apart from all other created things: men and women are God’s spirit children (Ps. 82: 6; 1 Jn. 3: 1-3; D&C 20: 17-18).

There are few recorded instances of God the Father appearing to or speaking to man. The scriptures say that he spoke to Adam and Eve (Moses 4: 14-31) and introduced Jesus Christ on several occasions (Matt. 3: 17; 17: 5; John 12: 28-29; 3 Ne. 11: 3-7). He appeared to Stephen (Acts 7: 55-56) and Joseph Smith (JS-H 1: 17). Later he appeared to both Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon (D&C 76: 20, 23). To those who love God and purify themselves before him, God sometimes grants the privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves that he is God (Matt. 5: 8; 3 Ne. 12: 8; D&C 76: 116-118; 93: 1).

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mark 15: 34. These men are the servants of the most high God, Acts 16: 17. We are the offspring of God, Acts 17: 28-29. Thou shalt offer thy sacraments unto the Most High, D&C 59: 10-12. Enoch beheld the spirits that God had created, Moses 6: 36. Man of Holiness is his name, Moses 6: 57.

God the Son: The God known as Jehovah is the Son, Jesus Christ (Isa. 12: 2; 43: 11; 49: 26; 1 Cor. 10: 1-4; 1 Tim. 1: 1; Rev. 1: 8; 2 Ne. 22: 2). Jesus works under the direction of the Father and is in complete harmony with him. All mankind are his brothers and sisters, for he is the eldest of the spirit children of Elohim. Some scripture references refer to him by the word God. For example, the scripture says that “God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1: 1), but it was actually Jesus who was the Creator under the direction of God the Father (John 1: 1-3, 10, 14; Heb. 1: 1-2).

The Lord identified himself as I AM, Ex. 3: 13-16. I am the Lord [Jehovah], and beside me there is no savior, Isa. 43: 11 (Isa. 45: 23). I am the light of the world, John 8: 12. Before Abraham was, I am, John 8: 58. The Lord shall minister among men in a tabernacle of clay, Mosiah 3: 5-10. Abinadi explained how Christ is the Father and the Son, Mosiah 15: 1-4 (Ether 3: 14). The Lord appeared to the brother of Jared, Ether 3. Listen to the words of Christ your Lord and your God, Moro. 8: 8. Jehovah is the judge of the quick and the dead, Moro. 10: 34. Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, D&C 76: 20, 23. The Lord Jehovah appeared in the Kirtland Temple, D&C 110: 1-4. Jehovah spoke to Abraham, Abr. 1: 16-19. Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith, JS-H 1: 17.

God the Holy Ghost: The Holy Ghost is also a God and is called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit, and the Spirit of God, among other similar names and titles. With the aid of the Holy Ghost, man can know the will of God the Father and know that Jesus is the Christ (1 Cor. 12: 3).

The Holy Ghost will teach you what you should say, Luke 12: 12. The Holy Ghost is the Comforter, John 14: 26 (John 16: 7-15). Jesus gave commandments to the Apostles through the Holy Ghost, Acts 1: 2. The Holy Ghost bears witness of God and Christ, Acts 5: 29-32 (1 Cor. 12: 3). The Holy Ghost also is a witness to us, Heb. 10: 10-17. By the power of the Holy Ghost you may know the truth of all things, Moro. 10: 5. The Holy Ghost is the spirit of revelation, D&C 8: 2-3 (D&C 68: 4). (Guide to the Scriptures: God, Godhead)

Regards,

Vanhin

[hordak]

I look at it like government, because God is not a name, it's more of a position IMO.

The President is government

The Congress is government

The Supreme Court is government.

And together they are government

Similarly (and these are the over simplified views of hordak and may not represent the views of the lds church)

President/ God the father: over see the plan

Congress/Jesus: do the work implementing the plan

Supreme Court/ Holy Ghost: tell the people how the rule apply to them.

[Maya]

Vanhin you could not post what you posted here in Mormonismi in Finnish????

If not may I translate it there and put it on S24 too??

[Vanhin]

Vanhin you could not post what you posted here in Mormonismi in Finnish????

If not may I translate it there and put it on S24 too??

I'm actually going to start posting there soon. But here's the entire entry... in Finnish.

Jumala, jumaluus

Katso myös Herra; Iankaikkinen elämä; Ihminen: Ihmisestä voi tulla taivaallisen Isän kaltainen; Isä, taivaallinen; Jeesus Kristus; Korotus; Pyhä Henki.

Jumaluuteen kuuluu kolme erillistä persoonaa: Jumala, iankaikkinen Isä; hänen Poikansa Jeesus Kristus ja Pyhä Henki. Me uskomme heistä jokaiseen (UK 1). Myöhempien aikojen ilmoituksesta tiedämme, että Isällä ja Pojalla on käsin kosketeltava liha- ja luuruumis ja että Pyhä Henki on henkipersoona vailla lihaa ja luuta (OL 130:22–23). Nämä kolme persoonaa ovat yhtä tarkoituksen ja opin täydellisessä ykseydessä ja sopusoinnussa (Joh. 17:21–23; 2. Nefi 31:21; 3. Nefi 11:27, 36).

Isä Jumala: Sanalla Jumala tarkoitetaan yleensä Isää eli Elohimia. Häntä kutsutaan Isäksi, koska hän on meidän henkiemme Isä (Mal. 2:10; 4. Moos. 16:22; 27:16; Matt. 6:9; Ef. 4:6; Hepr. 12:9). Isä Jumala on maailmankaikkeuden korkein hallitsija. Hän on kaikkivaltias (1. Moos. 18:14; Alma 26:35; OL 19:1–3), kaikkitietävä (Matt. 6:8; 2. Nefi 2:24) ja läsnä kaikkialla Henkensä kautta (Ps. 139:7–12; OL 88:7–13, 41). Ihmiskunnalla on Jumalaan erityinen suhde, jonka ansiosta ihminen on eri asemassa kuin koko muu luomakunta: ihmiset ovat Jumalan henkilapsia (Ps. 82:6; 1. Joh. 3:1–3; OL 20:17–18).

Merkintöjä Isän Jumalan ihmiselle ilmestymisestä tai puhumisesta on vain vähän. Pyhien kirjoitusten mukaan hän puhui Aadamille ja Eevalle (Moos. 4:14–31) ja esitteli Jeesuksen Kristuksen muutaman kerran (Matt. 3:17; 17:5; Joh. 12:28–29; 3. Nefi 11:3–7). Hän ilmestyi Stefanokselle (Ap. t. 7:55–56) ja Joseph Smithille (JS—H 17). Myöhemmin hän ilmestyi sekä Joseph Smithille että Sidney Rigdonille (OL 76:20, 23). Niille, jotka rakastavat Jumalaa ja puhdistavat itsensä hänen edessään, hän suo toisinaan etuoikeuden nähdä ja tietää omakohtaisesti, että hän on Jumala (Matt. 5:8; 3. Nefi 12:8; OL 76:116–118; 93:1).

Jumalani, Jumalani, miksi hylkäsit minut? Mark. 15:34. Nämä miehet ovat Korkeimman Jumalan palvelijoita, Ap. t. 16:17. Me olemme Jumalan sukua, Ap. t. 17:28–29. Sinun tulee antaa sakramenttisi uhriksi Korkeimmalle, OL 59:10–12. Henok näki Jumalan luomat henget, Moos. 6:36. Pyhyyden Ihminen on hänen nimensä, Moos. 6:57.

Poika Jumala: Nimellä Jehova eli Jahve eli Herra tunnettu Jumala on Poika, Jeesus Kristus (Jes. 12:2; 43:11; 49:26; 1. Kor. 10:1–4; 1. Tim. 1:1; Ilm. 1:8; 2. Nefi 22:2). Jeesus toimii Isän johdolla ja on täydellisessä sopusoinnussa hänen kanssaan. Kaikki ihmiset ovat hänen veljiään ja sisariaan, sillä hän on vanhin Elohimin henkilapsista. Joissakin pyhien kirjoitusten kohdissa hänestä käytetään sanaa Jumala. Pyhissä kirjoituksissa sanotaan esimerkiksi, että “Jumala loi taivaan ja maan” (1. Moos. 1:1), mutta Luojana oli itse asiassa Jeesus Isän Jumalan johdolla (Joh. 1:1–3, 10, 14; Hepr. 1:1–2).

Herra sanoo olevansa Minä Olen, 2. Moos. 3:13–16. Minä yksin olen Herra [Jehova], ei ole muuta pelastajaa kuin minä, Jes. 43:11 (Jes. 45:23). Minä olen maailman valo, Joh. 8:12. Jo ennen kuin Abraham syntyi — minä olin, Joh. 8:58. Herra palvelee ihmisten keskuudessa tomumajassa, Moosia 3:5–10. Abinadi selitti, kuinka Kristus on Isä ja Poika, Moosia 15:1–4 (Et. 3:14). Herra ilmestyi Jeredin veljelle, Et. 3. Kuuntele Kristuksen, Herrasi ja Jumalasi, sanoja, Moroni 8:8. Jehova on sekä elävien että kuolleiden Tuomari, Moroni 10:34. Jeesus ilmestyi Joseph Smithille ja Sidney Rigdonille, OL 76:20, 23. Herra Jehova ilmestyi Kirtlandin temppelissä, OL 110:1–4. Jehova puhui Abrahamille, Abr. 1:16–19. Jeesus ilmestyi Joseph Smithille, JS—H 17.

Pyhä Henki Jumala: Myös Pyhä Henki on Jumala, jota kutsutaan muiden samankaltaisten nimien ohella Hengeksi ja Jumalan Hengeksi. Pyhän Hengen avulla ihminen voi tuntea Isän Jumalan tahdon ja tietää, että Jeesus on Kristus (1. Kor. 12:3).

Pyhä Henki neuvoo, mitä teidän on sanottava, Luuk. 12:12. Pyhä Henki on Puolustaja, Joh. 14:26 (Joh. 16:7–15). Jeesus antoi apostoleille käskyjä Pyhän Hengen voimalla, Ap. t. 1:2. Pyhä Henki todistaa Jumalasta ja Kristuksesta, Ap. t. 5:29–32 (1. Kor. 12:3). Myös Pyhä Henki todistaa meille, Hepr. 10:10–17. Pyhän Hengen voimalla te voitte tietää totuuden kaikesta, Moroni 10:5. Pyhä Henki on ilmoituksen henki, OL 8:2–3 (OL 68:4). (Asiahakemisto: Jumala, jumaluus)

The Guide to the Scriptures in Finnish -> Pyhien kirjoitusten opas

Vanhin

Edited August 20, 2010 by Vanhin

[Traveler]

I know that the LDS Church doesn't believe in the Trinity. My question is..

Do you believe that they are all three God?

God the Father

God the Son

God the Holy Spirit

Does this question make sense? I guess I don't know how to phrase it.

According to the First Article of Faith - "We believe in G-d the Eternal Father and in his son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost." We believe that it is proper to refer to any member of the G-dhead – Father, Son or Holy Ghost as G-d.

In essence we believe that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are three separate and distinct individuals and thus three separate and distinct individual G-ds. It is important to note here that in scripture in every instant there is a reference to "one" G-d; the ancient Hebrew word for one is "ehad" not "Yehad". To clarify - "Yehad" is the ancient Hebrew term for one unique individual sole. The term “ehad” is used to indicate unification in covenant of more than one individual. Example – In marriage a man and a woman become “one” (ehad) flesh. Just as it is wrong and improper to reference a marriage as one (yehad) it is also improper to refer to one G-d as yehad – in this the Trinity doctrine contradicts the scriptures and the intent of scripture.

Jews and Muslims that have language similar to ancient Hebrew have argued for hundreds of years that the essence of the Christian Trinity or G-dhead is polytheism. When this was first brought to light the early Christians not knowing how to deal with the argument held the first (and other) ecumenical councils to resolve the matter and from there invented the Trinity doctrine that did not exist before – in fact we learn from historical documents coming out of the ecumenical councils that the core reason for the Trinity Creed was specifically because the sacred scriptures failed to clarify the doctrine. In short stating that the opinion of the council trumped the Scriptures – proving to all that believe in the Trinity that the Bible is not complete or reliable for doctrine.

But now the question yorkiebeebs is to you: What do you know and believe concerning G-d?

The Traveler

[yorkiebeebs]

But now the question yorkiebeebs is to you: What do you know and believe concerning G-d?

The Traveler

I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As far as weather they are the Trinity or 3 separate Gods is a mystery, imho. Anyone who believes in the Trinity doesn't understand what that really means anyway in my opinion. I believe that they all God. I don't think we will ever truly understand these things while we are here earth.

It just seems that I'm always correcting friends who think they know what the LDS Church teaches and this afternoon my friend told me that Mormons don't believe that Jesus is divine and I wanted to get my facts straight.

I can't believe how misunderstood the LDS Church is. Almost everything that someone tells me is incorrect. I'm always amazed at how ignorant people are about the beliefs of the LDS Church.

[Vanhin]

Thanks yorkiebeebs!

[jayanna]

I'm so glad that you are searching for the truth of what we believe, and not just what might be 'sensational' gossip.

One of the apostles gave a really excellent talk on an Easter Sunday Conference. He is Jeffrey Holland. You should look it up on lds.org. It is titled "None Were With Him" It is one of my favorites ever.

I think of the Father and the Son being one in like the way my hubby and I are one. We are united, we share the same goals, we have different roles, which are both important. But we actually are two separate beings.

I know that Jesus prayed to His Father. If they are the same person, who was he praying to?

When Jesus was baptized, His Father said he was "Well pleased" in His Son. They are two separate people, one in purpose.

Whenever someone asks me about my church I simply tell them:

The church I belong to is the church of Jesus Christ. It is the same church that He organized in the New Testament. The members of the church in those days were referred to as 'saints'. That same church has been restored in these latter days. That is why we call ourselves the Latter-Day Saints.

Thanks, Yorkiebeebs! :)

[Vanhin]

That's a good one jayanna. Here it is on youtube if you prefer that format.

Vanhin

[Vanhin]

And this one is one I like too.

Vanhin

[Traveler]

I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As far as weather they are the Trinity or 3 separate Gods is a mystery, imho. Anyone who believes in the Trinity doesn't understand what that really means anyway in my opinion. I believe that they all God. I don't think we will ever truly understand these things while we are here earth.

It just seems that I'm always correcting friends who think they know what the LDS Church teaches and this afternoon my friend told me that Mormons don't believe that Jesus is divine and I wanted to get my facts straight.

I can't believe how misunderstood the LDS Church is. Almost everything that someone tells me is incorrect. I'm always amazed at how ignorant people are about the beliefs of the LDS Church.

Thank you for your response - Just for the record, I believe that the greatest heresy of false religion and the biggest lie spread among man is that G-d is difficult to know or understand. Such things are only difficult to those that reject his spirit and excuse his commandments for naught.

It amazes me that many claim to have a personal relationship with G-d in one breath and then in the next breath say that G-d is impossible to understand???

I think it is mankind and the various beliefs concerning G-d that is the great unexplainable mystery

The Traveler

Edited August 21, 2010 by Traveler