theplains
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Was it September 11 of 1836 or 1837 that was the appointed time for the redemption of Zion? "But, in case the excitement continues to be allayed, and peace prevails, use every effort to prevail on the churches to gather to those regions and locate themselves, to be in readiness to move into Jackson county in two years from the eleventh of September next, which is the appointed time for the redemption of Zion. If—verily I say unto you—if the Church with one united effort perform their duties; if they do this, the work shall be complete—if they do not this in all humility, making preparation from this time forth, like Joseph in Egypt, laying up store against the time of famine, every man having his tent, his horses, his chariots, his armory, his cattle, his family, and his whole substance in readiness against the time when it shall be said: 'To your tents, O Israel! Let not this be noised abroad; let every heart beat in silence, and every mouth be shut. Now, my beloved brethren, you will learn by this we have a great work to do, and but little time to do it in; and if we do not exert ourselves to the utmost in gathering up the strength of the Lord's house that this thing may be accomplished, behold there remaineth a scourge for the Church, even that they shall be driven from city to city, and but few shall remain to receive an inheritance; if those things are not kept, there remaineth a scourge also; therefore, be wise this once, O ye children of Zion! and give heed to my counsel, saith the Lord" (History of the Church, Volume 2, chapter 10, August 16, 1834).
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The curse in Alma 3:6-10 and 2 Nephi 5:20-24 could be viewed as punishment.
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From the Letter to Oliver Cowdery, published in the Messenger and Advocate (April 1836), recorded in the Joseph Smith Papers. "It is my privilege then, to name certain passages from the bible, and examine the teachings of the ancients upon this matter, as the fact is uncontrovertable, that the first mention we have of slavery is found in the holy bible, pronounced by a man who was perfect in his generation and walked with God. And so far from that prediction's being averse from the mind of God it remains as a lasting monument of the decree of Jehovah, to the shame and confusion of all who have cried out against the South, in consequence of their holding the sons of Ham in servitude!"10 "Trace the history of the world from this notable event down to this day, and you will find the fulfilment of this singular prophecy. What could have been the design of the Almighty in this wonderful occurrence is not for me to say; but I can say, that the curse is not yet taken off the sons of Canaan, neither will be until it is affected by as great power as caused it to come;13 and the people who interfere the least with the decrees and purposes of God in this matter, will come under the least condemnation before him; and those who are determined to pursue a course which shows an opposition and a feverish restlessness against the designs of the Lord, will learn, when perhaps it is too late for their own good, that God can do his own work without the aid of those who are not dictated by his counsel". Sources: [10]The notion that black slaves descended from the sons of Ham, who were cursed by Ham's father, Noah, had been a part of some Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions for centuries, and nineteenth-century slaveholders often cited the biblical story as a justification for the practice of slavery in the United States. (Haynes, Noah's Curse, 7–8; Goldenberg, Curse of Ham, 168–177.) [13]The two other authors of anti-abolitionist articles in the April 1836 Messenger and Advocate expressed similar sentiments. (See Warren Parrish, "For the Messenger and Advocate"; and "The Abolitionists," LDS Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1836, 2:295–296, 301.) Joseph Smith would later call for their emancipation. See "General Smith's Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States". "Petition also, ye goodly inhabitants of the slave states, your legislators to abolish slavery by the year 1850, or now, and save the abolitionist from reproach and ruin, infamy and shame. Pray Congress to pay every man a reasonable price for his slaves out of the surplus revenue arising from the sale of public lands, and from the deduction of pay from the members of Congress".
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How does the Book of Mormon contain the fulness of the gospel? The second death will have power on all who are not in the first resurrection (Revelation 20:1-6).
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It seems I am not able to answer the question to your satisfaction. The Latter-day Saints teach some things about Christ which are not coming from either the Book of Mormon or the Bible. For example, he is taught to be the first spirit child of a heavenly mother who became a God prior to coming to earth in a mortal body. Different religions have their own versions of Christ. In Islam, he's only a prophet. In the Watchtower, he is Michael the Archangel. Do you believe these people are saved because they believe some things about him but reject other important things, and what is your authority for saying yes or no? I can find nothing in the King Follett Discourse which shows that Heavenly Father became God "in the sense" of him having spirit children with one or more of his wives. Do you? If yes, then provide something to support that belief. I did read your reply on 05/26/2025 but it basically is summarized in your statement "we always need to consider the context of what is said in a revelation or in a particular sermon", but it did not address what I was seeking. Don't conflate the "God became God when he became our Parent" argument with Joseph Smith saying "We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see". I already provided LDS teachings, beyond the King Follett Discourse, which show Heavenly Father was not always God and he was not always a Heavenly Father. And I agree with you - none of these teachings are supported by scripture. They are not new; they go back decades. Here are 10 of them. None of them are portrayed as speculation. I don't believe any of them represent the truth. While you may not classify them as "official doctrine", let me know which number(s) you believe are speculative (and why?), true, or false. 1] "Through a continual course of progression, our Heavenly Father has received exaltation and glory; and He points us out the same path” (Religion 430-431 - Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual). 2] "His work and His glory, He told us, is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” He has already achieved godhood. Now His only objective is to help us—to enable us to return to Him and be like Him and live His kind of life eternally" ("But If Not ...", By Elder Dennis E. Simmons Of the Seventy, April 2004 General Conference). 3] “Less well understood, however, is the fact that God is an exalted man who once lived on an earth and underwent experiences of mortality . The Prophet Joseph Smith refers to this as "the great secret." (Times and Seasons 5:613, August 15 1844). See also Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345.) The progression of our Father in heaven to godhood, or exaltation, was strictly in accordance with eternal principles” (Achieving a Celestial Marriage Student Manual). 4] "Long before our God began his creations, he dwelt on a mortal world like ours, one of the creations that his Father had created for him and his brethren. He, with many of his brethren, was obedient to the principles of the eternal gospel. One among these, it is presumed, was a savior for them, and through him they obtained a resurrection and an exaltation on an eternal, celestial world.[8] Then they gained the power and godhood of their Father and were made heirs of all that he had, continuing his works and creating worlds of their own for their own posterity—the same as their Father had done before, and his Father, and his Father, and on and on" (1971 New Era, People on Other Worlds). [8] Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, vol. 14, p. 71. 5] "Man is a soul, that is, a dual being, a spirit person clothed in a tangible body of flesh and bones. God is a perfected, saved soul enjoying eternal life. He is both immortal and exalted to the highest glory. He is enjoying that blessed condition which men may attain to by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel" (How Men Are Saved, President Marion G. Romney, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, October 1974 General Conference). 6] "The Prophet explained that “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens”; that “he was once a man like us; Along with these concepts is the concept of divine parents, including an exalted Mother who stands beside God the Father. From revelations given to Joseph Smith (see D&C 131–32) and from his own comments about them, plus subsequent statements from later prophets,[30] we know that spirit bodies are procreated by resurrected, exalted couples who have “a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.” (D&C 132:19.) Spirits are “begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father.[31] (January 1989 Ensign). [30] See Teachings, pp. 300–301; “Origin of Man,” pp. 203, 205; Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56), 2:68–69. [31] “Origin of Man,” p. 205. 7] Indeed, the formal pronouncement of the Church, issued by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve, states: ‘So far as the stages of eternal progression and attainment have been made known through divine revelation, we are to understand that only resurrected and glorified beings can become parents of spirit offspring.’ (Man: His Origin and Destiny, p. 129.)” (Mormon Doctrine, 517). Preparing for an Eternal Marriage, Religion 234 Building an Eternal Marriage, Religion 235 8] "Men and women cannot be exalted without each other. Just as we have a Father in Heaven, we have a Mother in Heaven" (Essays, Mother in Heaven). 9] "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, basing its belief on divine revelation, ancient and modern, proclaims man to be the direct and lineal offspring of Deity. God Himself is an exalted man, perfected, enthroned, and supreme" (February 2002 Ensign). 10] "These spirit beings, the offspring of exalted parents, were men and women, appearing in all respects as mortal persons do, excepting only that their spirit bodies were made of a more pure and refined substance than the elements from which mortal bodies are made" (Religion 430-431 - Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual). Then we have all these teachings from "Gospel Principles" which reveal other things about the LDS heavenly parents. Here are 6 of them. None of them are portrayed as speculation. I don't believe any of them represent the truth. While you may not classify them as "official doctrine", let me know which number(s) you believe are speculative (and why?), true, or false. 1] "If we passed our tests, we would receive the fulness of joy that our heavenly parents have received". (See D&C 93:30–34.) My takeaway: heavenly parents received a fulness of joy. 2] "We would have a resurrected body; we would have all power in heaven and on earth; we would become heavenly parents and have spirit children just as he does (see D&C 132:19–20). My takeaway: we would also have a resurrected body like Heavenly Father. 3] "Because we are made in his image (see Moses 6:9), we know that God has a body that looks like ours. His eternal spirit is housed in a tangible body of flesh and bones (see D&C 130:22). God's body, however, is perfected and glorified, with a glory beyond all description". My takeaway: the body of Heavenly Father was perfected. 4] "Our Heavenly Father is a real person with a tangible, perfected body of flesh and bones". My takeaway: the body of Heavenly Father was perfected. 5] "We learned that if we placed our faith in him, obeying his word and following his example, we would be exalted and become like our heavenly parents. We would receive a fulness of joy". My takeaway: the LDS Heavenly Mother and Father received their fulness of joy. This is associated with exaltation, becoming a God. This is the LDS plan of salvation, following the example set by heavenly parents. 6] "We can be exalted as God is and receive a fulness of joy. We can, at some future time, increase our family by having spirit children". My takeaway: exaltation brings a fulness of joy. We can receive it, as our heavenly parents also received it. But Mosiah 15:2-3 says Jesus is the Father "because he was conceived by the power of God" and is the Son "because of the flesh". What conception makes Jesus the Father? Isn't Jesus the Son before the flesh? I wish the LDS Church would jettison a lot of what it currently teaches in seminary manuals and what it has taught in past general conferences, magazines, and books. We can't do much with all the ways Joseph added and removed from the Bible. They are either true or false. The list is quite extensive. We need to examine all teachings, whether they are classified as official doctrine or not. The earliest origin about the existence of a heavenly mother comes from Joseph Smith. It is mentioned in an Ensign article ("The Lord as a Role Model for Men and Women"). "Building upon the foundation laid by Joseph Smith, subsequent prophets taught that God was not single, but married; that there is a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother; and that we were made in their image: male and female children" (See James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965–75, 4:203, 205.) The so-called foundation laid by Joseph Smith would eventually become official doctrine in "The Family: Proclamation to the World" on September 23, 1995. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng I found some teachings on what is considered doctrine. "What God teaches is called doctrine. God supplies doctrine for His children by way of commandments and instructions that will bless them and bring them happiness. Just as He did in Old Testament times, God continues to reveal doctrine through prophet" (What is Doctrine?). I suppose the instruction that "we should not shop, hunt, fish, attend sports events, or participate in similar activities on that day [the Sabbath]" would be one of these doctrines. But I understand some things come with a caveat: At the same time it should be remembered that not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. It is commonly understood in the Church that a statement made by one leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, not meant to be official or binding for the whole Church" (April 2012 General Conference). It may not constitute doctrine, but is it true or false? Then we have this other admonition: "True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find" (November 2012 General Conference). "Gospel Principles" comes to mind. These principles are regarded as LDS truth, right? Then another: "We feast on the word of God in the scriptures and study the words of the living prophets. Because we need the Holy Ghost, we must be cautious and careful not to go beyond teaching true doctrine. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth" (May 1999 Ensign). The words of the dead and living prophets are found in many places. Obviously you don't want to feast on false words. If "Gospel Principles", other publications of the LDS Church, and General Conference talks do not contain true doctrine, then one is found in violation. There's also an article entitled "What is Mormon Doctrine?" on FAIRLDS. It focuses more on "official doctrine" and mentions that the LDS leaders are fallible. So they can teach errors and lead members astray. It doesn't touch on the subject of "unofficial doctrine". So I routinely reference publications like "Gospel Doctrine", "Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual", or "Gospel Principles". The first two, I would say, are regarded as teaching the truth as understood by the LDS Church. After all, why would it teach something it believed was false or speculation? Also, why teach a bunch of things, put it in a book with the term "doctrine" in the title and then say one shouldn't view the contents as doctrine? Then we have "Doctrines of Salvation". Do you see what I mean? Then add "Gospel Principles". Are the principles true or false? I would say the LDS Church believes them to be true. Then we have speeches at General Conference. Why convey it to the crowd if you don't believe what you are saying is the truth? Do we lump it all in the "it's not official doctrine so it's not true" pile? Of course not. If I were a Latter-day Saint, I would be expecting to be hearing the truth instead of being led astray. I assume you feel the same way about what you hear and what you read, past present and future from the LDS Church. Thank you for providing the other verses about Jesus (God) taking on human flesh (Mosiah 3:5-9, 2 Nephi 9:5, 2 Nephi 9:20-22). In Alma 11, this salvation (eternal life; ie. exaltation) does not apply to the two lower divisions of the celestial kingdom, and the telestial/terrestrial inhabitants. Mosiah provides an explanation for those who are redeemed. "And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection. They are raised to dwell with God who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has broken the bands of death. And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord. And little children also have eternal life. But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection. Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lord redeem such; for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot deny justice when it has its claim" (Mosiah 15:22-27). It's explained in a more shorter form with John 3:16 ("For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life", ESV). This would mean that all who fail to reach exaltation will perish.
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The Bible is the authority. Is the Jesus of the Jehovah's Witnesses (aka Michael the Archangel) a different Jesus than the what the LDS Church teaches? Do you believe putting your faith in Michael saves you? Didn't he "become God" in relation to us when we supposedly became his offspring, long before this plan of salvation was explained to us? Joseph Smith taught, "it is necessary we should understand the character and being of God and how He came to be so; for I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see". But this is not "becoming God in relation to us". If you can find it expressed in the King Follett discourse, then let me know. I think you are putting your own opinion of what it means to "become God" into his discourse. It's like the phrase "become like God" is substituted for "become a God". Do you also believe "exaltation" only applies to a resurrected, glorified being after he has his first spirit child through eternal increase? I just provide them. It's up to you to determine if they are false teachings, which lead people astray. By the way, they were considered official when spoken, although they were not canonized. This concept is also present in the April 1989 General Conference. "There are some of our members who practice selective obedience. A prophet is not one who displays a smorgasbord of truth from which we are free to pick and choose. However, some members become critical and suggest the prophet should change the menu. A prophet doesn't take a poll to see which way the wind of public opinion is blowing. He reveals the will of the Lord to us" (Ensign, May 1989). I think Mosiah 15:1–4 and 1 Nephi 11:18, 21 are the only places in the Book of Mormon which teaches that Jesus is God incarnate. Alma 11:39 and Ether 3:14 mention that Jesus is also the Father. From the Bible, we have it more clearly stated: John 1:1, 14 ("the Word was God ... the Word was made flesh"). Colossians 2:9 ("In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily"). Philippians 2:6–7 ("Jesus was in the form of God and took upon him the form of a servant"). Hebrews 1:8 ("Of the Son: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever"). Titus 2:13 ("the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"). 1 Timothy 3:16 ("God was manifest in the flesh"). Isaiah 9:6 ("the coming Messiah called Mighty God").
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Jehovah's Witnesses teach Jesus is Michael the Archangel. Would you consider that a different Jesus? I don't consider their salvation by faith in that Jesus as valid. God is the ultimate authority but I state it as my opinion. What does the term "Eternal God" in reference to Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon's Title page mean to you? Are you affirming your belief that Jesus has not always been God? I provided LDS sources which teach that the LDS Heavenly Father became a God and that he had a Father before him. Would you provide any scriptures or LDS teachings that you regard as being true which shows he did not become a God and did not have a Father before him? Jesus is God incarnate.
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Change makes a difference. Differing key details of a person means people can be mistaken for someone else. Example 1: John: Did you hear what happened to Josh? Helen: Yes. It's too bad that he lost the game. John: What do you mean? Helen: He threw an interception and the game ended. John: What are you talking about? Josh doesn't play football for the Buffalo Bills. Helen: Sorry, I thought you were talking about Josh Allen. Example 2: Christian: I believe in Jesus in my salvation. Muslim: Me too. He was a great prophet. We follow his teachings for salvation. Christian: From the Bible? Muslim: From the Quran. Christian: He was God incarnate. Muslim: That's not the Jesus we believe in. He was sent by God but he was not God. Christian: You believe in a different Jesus for your salvation. The LDS teachings which indicate Jesus became a God do not nullify the other LDS teachings that Jesus is currently a God. It's a different Jesus. Jehovah's Witnesses teach Jesus is Michael the Archangel. Would believing in a false Jesus disqualify their salvation even though they believed he atoned for their sins? There are many held beliefs today that the Bible does not specifically label false teachings. The Bible affirms Jesus Christ's eternal divinity—His existence as God from all eternity, without beginning or change—in multiple passages that describe Him as the pre-existent Word, the Creator, the exact representation of God, and directly addressed as God. Key texts include John 1:1-3, Hebrews 1:8, and Colossians 1:15-20. God is from everlasting (Psalm 41:13, Psalm 90:2, Psalm 103:17, Isaiah 40:28). There is only one God (Isaiah 43:10, Isaiah 44:6). LDS canon contains no teaching which indicates Jesus or Heavenly Father became a God. But it is widespread in LDS Church teachings.
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Moses 7:30-31 - multiple cities like Enoch's?
theplains replied to marineland's topic in General Discussions
This reflects the LDS version of Jesus. He became a God. In our other thread, I provided sources teaching the belief, not taught as either speculation or opinion, that Heavenly Father was also once an eternal being who became a God. God the Father is the ultimate repository of all intelligence, "or, in other words, light and truth" (D&C 93:36); Jesus Christ, the Firstborn, who became a god in the premortal existence, the Father's steward over his creations, is the one source of light for us as individuals; and the Holy Ghost is the "gatekeeper," as it were, the dispenser of light to us according to worthiness and ability to receive it (Ensign, December 1975, "How to Receive Spiritual Gifts"). "By obedience and devotion to the truth he [Jesus] attained that pinnacle of intelligence which ranked him as a God, as the Lord Omnipotent, while yet in his pre-existent state" (Religion 430-431 - Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, chapter 4). "So far as the stages of eternal progression and attainment have been made known through divine revelation, we are to understand that only resurrected and glorified beings can become parents of spirit offspring. Only such exalted souls have reached maturity in the appointed course of eternal life; and the spirits born to them in the eternal worlds will pass in due sequence through the several stages or estates by which the glorified parents have attained exaltation" (April 2002 Ensign). "Christ, who is the firstborn in the Spirit of the children of God, was elevated to Godhood, and in the vision Abraham saw he describes him as being like unto God" (LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith, The Progress of Man, chapter 6, page 74). "Jesus was appointed to Godhood. In the Meridian of Time Christ came into the world, in fulfillment of the promise and appointment (LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith, The Progress of Man, chapter 43, pages 511-512). "When our Father in Heaven announced the need for a Savior, I believe all of us turned and looked at Jesus Christ, the Firstborn in the Spirit, the one who had progressed to the point of becoming like the Father [4]. I believe all of us knew it had to be Him, that none of the rest of us could do it, but that He could and that He would" ("Remembering in Whom We Have Trusted", By Elder Allen D. Haynie Of the Seventy, October 2015 General Conference). [4] See Lectures on Faith (1985), 59, 60. "What a glorious promise is held out to the children of God. … If Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father in the flesh, received not a fulness at first, and thereby was called the Son, but continued to receive grace for grace, adding grace unto grace until He received a fulness, it is clear that he that will walk in His footsteps, who will obey His precepts, and will adopt His plan for life and salvation, may receive grace for grace, may continue from grace to grace; may grow out of imperfection into perfection, and may receive here a little and there a little until he shall receive the fulness as the Son of God received a fulness; and thus become like Christ the Son of God, an heir of God, and joint heir with Jesus Christ" (Teachings of President of the Church, Joseph F. Smith, chapter 48). "How is the example of Christ’s development useful to us as we strive for our own development? Jesus’ example teaches the important truth that we cannot achieve a fulness in a single day. Just as Jesus received grace for grace until he had obtained a fulness, we must likewise receive line upon line, or grace for grace, a little at a time, until we ultimately receive a fulness. Such is his charge to us: “For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his [the Father’s] fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace” (D&C 93:20). As we progress, Luke’s testimony that Jesus grew intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially (see Luke 2:52) shows us how to remain balanced in our growth and progression" (Religion 430 and 431 - Doctrines of the Gospel Teacher Manual, chapter 4). "Jesus grew until He had a fulness of grace, truth, glory, and power. John saw that Jesus “received a fulness of the glory of the Father” (D&C 93:16). Verse 17 of section 93 says that “he received all power both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.” Verses 19 and 20 indicate that all people may grow to the point of receiving a fulness if they will follow the example of the Savior" In short, grace refers to the gifts and power of God by which we can be brought to perfection. To come to a fulness by moving from grace to grace means that as we obey the commandments, the Father gives us more and more power until we receive a fulness of power" (Religion 324 and 325 - Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual). -
Do you believe they are teaching Jesus became a God?
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Being formed into Gods of their own dominions
theplains replied to theplains's topic in General Discussions
I can understand that God the Father is the "head of the Gods" (maybe the 2 Gods being Jesus and the Holy Ghost), but not that he is the "heads of the Gods". Who are the "heads of the Gods"? The Joseph Smith Papers also mentioned "the perfection of the Gods". How was Heavenly Father perfected? That was in regards to my question "where did Heavenly Mother come from and how did she become a God?" So I assume that you believe Heavenly Father was a being who always existed as a God, who created a woman in his image without the involvement of a female Goddess to create her in her image. Then he, this God, married his creation, and made her into a God after he resurrected her? I'll give you examples from both "Gospel Principles" and supporting teachings from several other sources. "If we passed our tests, we would receive the fulness of joy that our heavenly parents have received". (See D&C 93:30–34.) Key teaching: heavenly parents received a fulness of joy. "We would have a resurrected body; we would have all power in heaven and on earth; we would become heavenly parents and have spirit children just as he does (see D&C 132:19–20). Key teaching: we would also have a resurrected body like Heavenly Father. "Because we are made in his image (see Moses 6:9), we know that God has a body that looks like ours. His eternal spirit is housed in a tangible body of flesh and bones (see D&C 130:22). God's body, however, is perfected and glorified, with a glory beyond all description". Key teaching: the body of Heavenly Father was perfected. "Our Heavenly Father is a real person with a tangible, perfected body of flesh and bones". Key teaching: the body of Heavenly Father was perfected. "We learned that if we placed our faith in him, obeying his word and following his example, we would be exalted and become like our heavenly parents. We would receive a fulness of joy". Key teaching: the LDS Heavenly Mother and Father received their fulness of joy. This is associate with exaltation, becoming a God. This is the LDS plan of salvation, following the example set by heavenly parents. "We can be exalted as God is and receive a fulness of joy. We can, at some future time, increase our family by having spirit children". Key teaching: exaltation brings a fulness of joy. We can receive it, as our heavenly parents also received it. "2. We can be exalted as God is and receive a fulness of joy". "4. They will receive a fulness of joy". Then we have similar connections with other teachings. "Man is a soul, that is, a dual being, a spirit person clothed in a tangible body of flesh and bones. God is a perfected, saved soul enjoying eternal life. He is both immortal and exalted to the highest glory. He is enjoying that blessed condition which men may attain to by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. The Almighty is not alone in his eternal glory. Myriads of saved souls enjoy his society. Family relationships prevail there; spirit offspring are born there; our spirits were born there". (President Marion G. Romney, Second Counselor in the First Presidency). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1974/10/how-men-are-saved?lang=eng Key teaching: Heavenly Father is a perfected, saved soul. "Less well understood, however, is the fact that God is an exalted man who once lived on an earth and underwent experiences of mortality . The Prophet Joseph Smith refers to this as "the great secret." (Times and Seasons 5:613, August 15 1844). See also Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345.) The progression of our Father in heaven to godhood, or exaltation, was strictly in accordance with eternal principles". (source: "Achieving a Celestial Marriage" manual). Key teaching: his progression to godhood. "Three glorified, exalted, and perfected personages comprise the Godhead or supreme presidency of the universe. . . . They are: God the Father; God the Son; God the Holy Ghost". "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, basing its belief on divine revelation, ancient and modern, proclaims man to be the direct and lineal offspring of Deity. God Himself is an exalted man, perfected, enthroned, and supreme. By His almighty power He organized the earth, and all that it contains, from spirit and element, which exist co-eternally with Himself". (Religion 430–431, Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual). Key teaching: Heavenly Father was perfected/exalted. "In the premortal existence, Heavenly Father prepared a plan to enable us to become like Him and receive a fulness of joy". ("True to the Faith", topic "Plan of Salvation"). "Because of this plan, we can be perfected through the Atonement, receive a fulness of joy, and live forever in the presence of God". ("True to the Faith", topic "Plan of Salvation"). (Book of Mormon Seminary Teacher Manual, 2012). Key teaching: being perfected is made possible through an atonement, an atonement for heavenly parents too. Key teaching: Heavenly Father was perfected/exalted. "If men and women are to enter into a fulness of joy it must needs be that the family relationship should continue throughout eternity". (October 1928 General Conference). "We are physically separated from God during life on earth, but He wants every one of His children to find peace in this life and a fulness of joy in His presence after this life. He wants us to become like Him". "Our ultimate purpose is to prepare to return to God’s presence and receive a fulness of joy". "Those who have repented of their sins and received the ordinances of the gospel and kept the associated covenants will be cleansed by the Atonement of Christ. They will receive exaltation in the highest kingdom, also known as the celestial kingdom. They will live in God's presence, become like Him, and receive a fulness of joy. (Preach My Gospel) "We can obtain a fulness of joy only as we become like our Heavenly Father—which is a process that continues throughout this life and into the next". (Book of Mormon Seminary Teacher Manual, 2017). "I bear my witness that because of Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness, each of us can be perfected through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. With our families we can live with our Heavenly Father eternally and receive a fulness of joy. Of these things I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen". (October 2011 General Conference). "To be entrusted with the power to create life carries with it the greatest of joys and dangerous temptations. The gift of mortal life and the capacity to kindle other lives is a supernal blessing. Through the righteous exercise of this power, as in nothing else, we may come close to our Father in Heaven and experience a fulness of joy. This power is not an incidental part of the plan of happiness. It is the key—the very key". (October 2010 General Conference, Agency and the Plan of Salvation) In summary, the LDS Heavenly Father received his fulness of joy and he received a perfected body. He is a saved and perfected soul. He became a God. -
Being formed into Gods of their own dominions
theplains replied to theplains's topic in General Discussions
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4). "I am the LORD, and there is no other" (Isaiah 45:5). "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god" (Isaiah 44:6). "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Mark 12:29). "There is no God but one" (1 Corinthians 8:4). "One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:6). "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men" (1 Timothy 2:5). -
Being formed into Gods of their own dominions
theplains replied to theplains's topic in General Discussions
Saved Christians are not left lingering in darkness. "He rescued us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son". (Colossians 1:13). Taught again in 2 Corinthians 4. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ". We don't need to become Gods to have this light. -
Moses 7:30-31 - multiple cities like Enoch's?
theplains replied to marineland's topic in General Discussions
If God is a god (or if you prefer a God) and we are all the same kind of being as God is, then all spirit children were already deities (or if you prefer Deities) before coming to earth in physical bodies. Any spiritual teaching that lacks clear scriptural support shouldn't be promoted or taught. In LDS theology, the nature of angels equals the nature of Gods. As far as I know, there are no LDS teachings that angels are not spirit children of heavenly parents. If you explain what you mean by nature (composition, power, intelligence, etc), then maybe I can make some biblical comments. I believe Jesus created all things. This would include Satan, the seraphim, the cherubim, and the four beasts of revelation for example (Colossians 1:16). In religious (especially Christian) contexts, a doctrine is a teaching drawn from Scripture and articulated by the church to clarify what it believes about God, humanity, salvation, and reality. In this case, one could state that "Gospel Principles" contains doctrine. Speculation and opinion should not be taught regarding spiritual matters. For instance, Joseph Smith taught we could detect a false angel by the color of his hair. He did not say this as speculation or opinion. He taught it as reality. It has no scriptural support. https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/history-of-the-church-volume-4/volume-4-chapter-33 https://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v3n11.htm As for Paul, he was laying out the proper principle on how women should be adorned, not drawing attention to themselves. The same could be extended to males too. -
The quotes you provided are the LDS teachings to confirm Jesus is presently a God. I was referring to all the other LDS teachings which indicate that Jesus became a God. He [the LDS version of Christ] eternally existed as an uncreated intelligence, became the first spirit child of heavenly parents, and then progressed into becoming a God before his incarnation. The seminary manual says he was ranked as a God when he attained some pinnacle of intelligence. It's the same path as worthy Latter-day Saints hope to follow someday, becoming a God. But before that point in their lives arrives, they are considered to have eternally existed as uncreated intelligences, are taught to have become spirit children of heavenly parents, who then came to earth in a physical body. Caveat: some of these teachings are not explicitly classified as "official" doctrine but they are not classified as "speculation" or "opinion" either.
