The Father's Name... Is it?

[Ankh]

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

I have a question for you here who are more knowledgable in Mormon doctrine.

I know that the LDS church teaches that the pre-mortal Son was Jehovah the God of the Old Testament. In Christian circles "Jehovah" is usually understood to apply only to the Father, which I understand now causes much misunderstanding when reading the O.T.

My question is... can "Jehovah" (YHVH) be applied to BOTH Father and son? Where can I find in the Old Testament scriptures relating "Jehovah" to the Father? Or does the Father have another name... I'm reading possibly "Ahman?"

All comments are appreciated

Ankh.

[MaidservantX]

It may be that we don't know God's real name. All we have are the things that men call Him in their languages and in their weakness.

[puf_the_majic_dragon]

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

I have a question for you here who are more knowledgable in Mormon doctrine.

I know that the LDS church teaches that the pre-mortal Son was Jehovah the God of the Old Testament. In Christian circles "Jehovah" is usually understood to apply only to the Father, which I understand now causes much misunderstanding when reading the O.T.

My question is... can "Jehovah" (YHVH) be applied to BOTH Father and son? Where can I find in the Old Testament scriptures relating "Jehovah" to the Father? Or does the Father have another name... I'm reading possibly "Ahman?"

All comments are appreciated

Ankh.

" Or does the Father have another name... I'm reading possibly "Ahman?" "

If you read the D&C.... Bingo or so says my Institute teacher...

In the original Hebrew OT (The Tanakh) there are generally two appellations for God, Elohim and Yahweh. Elohim is understood to mean God the Father, while Yahweh is God the Son. Since Elohim is (most likely) the plural form of El, it could be reasonable to conclude that Elohim would apply to the Godhead as a whole as well. However when I've heard general authorities speak on the subject, Elohim usually refers to the Father, and Jehovah (Yahweh) refers to the Son later called Christ.

:edit:

I found the D&C section my Institute teacher referred to - section 78. Christ refers to himself as "Son Ahman", which I can only assume is a Hebrew word form because it's not something you generally see in English. Whether it means "Son OF Ahman" or "Son CALLED Ahman" is not something I can answer authoritatively.

A search on LDS.org for "Ahman" brings up Hymn 266 which seems to refer to Ahman as synonymous with Christ.

The same search also links to an article in the Ensign by Jeffrey R. Holland:

"The life of Christ is a precious jewel that flashes in the flame of the sunlight and blinds our eyes with its rays. The prophets have, in reverence and holy appreciation, sought to speak of it, to praise him for the love and glory he displays. Some of the titles we hear often—Savior, Redeemer, Messiah; others we recognize less well—Dayspring, Ahman, Bishop of our Souls."

Link: LDS.org - Ensign Article - “Whom Say Ye That I Am?â€

Well, it seems my institute teacher is wrong ... Ahman means Christ.

[Traveler]

In the ancient order of Kingdoms the Suzerain would have many names. The name to which a person addressed the Suzerain would indicate that person’s rank within the kingdom. Because of the fall of man – man was exiled from that kingdom where G-d is the supreme Suzerain and therefore can only address G-d through a mediator who is sent by the Suzerain. The title we are given by the one and only true mediator is the title of Father in Heaven.

We will not know the true name of the Father until we are reestablished to our rightful place in the Kingdom of G-d as resurrected, glorified, free citizens of that society.

The Traveler

[kona0197]

Last time I checked one spells God just like I just did. Why leave out the o?

[Vanhin]

And to top it all off, Jehovah often speaks as if he were the Father. Which is perfectly fine, since he is our Mediator, and the Father has commited all things into the hand of the Son (John 3:36-35). Because everything was created by Jehovah, under the direction of Elohim, he is also called the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning (Helaman 14:12).

Vanhin

[Traveler]

Last time I checked one spells God just like I just did. Why leave out the o?

You might like to reference one of the thousands of ancient scripture text. Completing a literal reference to G-d is unique to our modern era.

The Traveler

[WillowTheWhisp]

Children usually call their parents "Mum and Dad" or "Mother and Father" so perhaps it isn't so strange that we do not have a personal name for our Heavenly Father. In the Temple he is referred to as Elohim.

[Hemidakota]

If the Father's name is 'Elohim' and the Savior's name is 'Jehovah', then who is this title 'Christ' blong too?

[WillowTheWhisp]

The Saviour has many titles such as Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Mighty King etc. Christ is a title, like Messiah, but the earthly name he was known by to family and friends was Jesus bar Joseph, to others he was known as Jesus of Nazareth because he came from Nazareth.

[Hemidakota]

However, this title has signaficant meaning since it is required [example] to cast out devils and end prayers with this title vice the two I already mentioned. Reminds me the title - President xxxxxx. Though, a title but invested with authority.

[puf_the_majic_dragon]

If the Father's name is 'Elohim' and the Savior's name is 'Jehovah', then who is this title 'Christ' blong too?

Elohim is (most probably) a plural form of the word Eloah, which indicates deity and would be the equivalent of the English word "God", a title indicating deity and lordship. Elohim's etymology most likely derives from the Canaanite word El which is a word indicating Godship. In many cases the plural word Elohim is used with singular Hebrew grammar. Etymologists see this as a morphological change from the Canaanite usage where Elohim represented the entire Canaanite pantheon, of which El was the head honcho. In LDS terms the plurality of Elohim in conjunction with the singular grammar may make it a reference to the entire godhead, rather than just one member of it.

Jehovah is a poor anglicization of the Iehovah printed in the German Guttenburg Bible, which is a transliteration (through a couple other languages) of the Hebrew YHVH (YHWH) which we believe is pronounced Yahweh, and would be a derivitive of the Hebrew verb "to be" in the first person, thus its rendering in Exodus as "I Am". This is a title symbolizing self-existence or existence by volition, godship by choice.

Christ is the English transliteration of the Greek word khristos which means "The Anointed" and it would be the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word "Messiah" (Mašíaḥ) which means "The Anointed" with a singular number: "The Anointed One". This comes from the Hebrew significance of anointing the first born son of a family with consecrated oil and placing upon him the blessing and inheritance of the family's property (and responsibility). Likewise YHWH was the first-born spirit child of Heavenly Father and also the first (and only) child born of HF in the flesh. He inherits the kingdom of God as well as responsbility of this world.

Jesus is an anglicization of the Greek Iēsous which is a transliteration fo the Hebrew "Yehoshua" (which we commonly hear today as "Joshua") or the Aramaic Yeshua which means "YHVH rescues". This also would be more of a title than a name, signifying the atonement which Yahweh came to Earth to perform. The title is a reference to Christ's purpose rather than a name, which more generally refers to one's origin.

I spend way too much time reading wikipedia...

[Hemidakota]

Not what I was looking for....even my name means Crown and really doesn't mean anything. Perhaps I need to illustrate that the Wiki god is not always correct. This is why I simply don't read it. lol

Now, there is a point of the name or title of those or Him is given this name.

[WillowTheWhisp]

I'm afraid I don't understand what you are getting at. Could you try to explain some more?

[Hemidakota]

Go back to #11. Casting out is the key.

Others: yes, that is Savior’s real name. Disregard what is said by our claimed linguist. He will use both names, but one is a title when in official state.

[puf_the_majic_dragon]

Not what I was looking for....even my name means Crown and really doesn't mean anything. Perhaps I need to illustrate that the Wiki god is not always correct. This is why I simply don't read it. lol

Now, there is a point of the name or title of those or Him is given this name.

Oh, you were trying to make a point? Well then to answer that I'll quote the Matrix god (rather than the Wiki god).

"Old men don't bother making points; there's no point."

And by the way, I never really cared much for your points :) You always take so long getting to them like you think you're Socrates.

MY point, if I had one, was to illustrate that while the titles (or names) with which we refer to the Father and the Son may not be their original pre-existence "names" ( what's a name other than a label? What's in a name? A rose is a .... nevermind ) they still carry significance that can add greatly to our understanding of their roles in our lives and in the Gospel. In any case, the "names" by which we will most commonly refer to them are "Father in Heaven" or sometimes "Elohim", and "Jesus Christ".

Others: yes, that is Savior’s real name. Disregard what is said by our claimed linguist. He will use both names, but one is a title when in official state.

"Claimed linguist"? I hope you don't mean me, I never claimed to be anything... Except a poet, I claimed to be a poet once. A friend at church called me a wordsmith. I liked that title and decided to keep it. It made me happy.

[Hemidakota]

Puff, I wasn't referring to you [linguist].

Now, your self-esteem is showing. The point is finding those who are of the CFB. They will now what I am referring too. If the truth is staring you in the face, do not embrace it? Perhaps not. However, don't worry. Move on.

Oh! That is the Father's real name. [usage of proper names] Follow the prophets, they will not lead you astray [names are exact].

Now, if we can figure out what is Heavenly Mother's name [humor].

[puf_the_majic_dragon]

Puff, I wasn't referring to you [linguist].

Oh good, I feel better now :) I've been up for way too long, I'm gonna hit the sack. See ya'll on the flip side.

[Hemidakota]

Take care...