TAO Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I get that. I wonder tho, if you do in fact do any particular thing specifically for purposes of becoming a god, or does this never really cross your mind? I'm also now wondering if it is even possible, in God's eyes, to do both - that is, say, pay your tithe both to honor Christ and to become a god?I have found that it rarely crosses my mind... or at least, 'becoming a God' doesn't...However, wanting to be in a celestial mairrage, and have an eternal family comes up a bit more often, and wanting to be in the presence of God the Father and Christ also comes up quite often in my mind. And the way I can accomplish those things I desire so much... it's simply by doing my best to emulate and follow Christ, to the full of my ability =). Really... there is nothing more required, other than to do all you can do to follow Christ's commands =D.Being a God I think, is not really wonderful as it is... it's being able to be in the presence of your Father and Christ... and being able to have an eternal family whom you can serve forever that really matters to me. I think 'being a God' is often viewed as gaining glory through title, when I think it is glory gained through service and action; I believe it is much more than just being, it is doing =D !
mercyngrace Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Thanks for the tip. Only 3046 posts to go. Respectfully,BalzerThis is where the "Three Word Story" thread in the Social Hall comes in handy. LOL
CV75 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I wonder tho, if you do in fact do any particular thing specifically for purposes of becoming a god, or does this never really cross your mind?When one's will is entwined with His, and that person becomes one with Him in purpose, and His gift of exaltation is granted, the condition can be legitimately described as becoming a god. Others may have a different definition of what a god is, but this oneness is what Jesus prayed for (John 17). Living the Gospel each day leads God's children to become gods, no matter how often the Holy Spirit might inspire them to reflect upon this promise or this particular vision of their future. The Holy Ghost will inspire the faithful to think about whatever they need to in order to become one with God, so what crosses their minds may differ from person to person.
nicolasconnault Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 This is where the "Three Word Story" thread in the Social Hall comes in handy. LOL Wow, I never thought of that! That really shouldn't count!
nicolasconnault Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I get that. I wonder tho, if you do in fact do any particular thing specifically for purposes of becoming a god, or does this never really cross your mind? I'm also now wondering if it is even possible, in God's eyes, to do both - that is, say, pay your tithe both to honor Christ and to become a god? I appreciate what other posters have replied on my behalf, and I largely agree with them. Here's my direct answer:I never, ever think about "becoming a god". Ever. I have thought about it musingly as a child and as a teenager, when my mind was filled with fantasies of superheroes and pantheonic deities from AD&D. As an adult, however, all I think about is becoming like God because I understand more and more what He is like. I understand more and more his love, his patience, his kindness, his wisdom, his goodness etc. I want to become like that. Never do I wonder what it would be like to wield godly power, create worlds or dish out wrath upon the unbelievers (assuming this is the type of thing you have in mind). I want to become like Him because I love Him. I also want to please Him because I love Him. Being "a god" is meaningless to me unless it means becoming one with my Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and as many of my brothers and sisters as possible.
Mellybug Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 In obeying any particular commandment, becoming 'a god' never crosses my mind. I rarely even think about it, except in a round-about way when contemplating heaven and eternity. To your specific question re: the word of wisdom as an example----> No. I can honestly say I have never ONCE thought about becoming 'a god' when obeying the WoW. My thoughts are simply that I obey because I love My Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ and I *promised* to obey them and I have been given so much in this life that the least I can do is live up to my end of that promise. I entered into a covenant, essentially, that I would not do certain things, and so I don't, out of respect and love. I get very few things 'perfect' in this life and in this, at least in the abstaining parts, I have so far achieved perfection. So, that checks of another tiny little aspect of obeying the Lord when he commanded us to be ye therefore perfect......
MorningStar Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I don't know any Mormons who think about becoming a god and certainly not as a motivation for anything, except when they are joking, such as, "When I have my own planet, I'm going to make broccoli taste like chocolate!" Our focus is to return to Heavenly Father and be with our families forever. I don't think the church is man centered. A man can't be exalted without being sealed to his wife and vice versa.
stemelbow Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I have heard the LDS church referred to by non-members as being centered on man, as opposed, I suppose, to being centered on Christ. Given that Mormons believe that they will one day become gods - and spend their lives endeavoring to achieve that goal - is it then fair to say that the LDS church is indeed centered on man? If this is not fair, why not?Respectfully,BalzerIts only fair if all other religions I've learned about are also considered man-centered. Why? because just as LDS live their religion to acheive the goals outlined by that religion, all others do the same. Why else is religion religion if it is not to guide people to live a certain way most to all offering promised blessings to the faithful. If that is the case, then calling any particular religion man-centered is redundant. Of course if this is merely a "Christian" specific complaint--meaning LDS is man-centered while all other Christians, or any other particular Christian group is not--seems hypocritical. With that explanation, I think its obvious my answer would be no.love ya tons,stem
Calm Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Nice! But is it fair? Even if you truly believe that it is what God wants you to do, if you spend your entire life doing all the right stuff - go on a mission, marry in the temple, pay your tithe, don't drink/smoke, etc. - in order to become a godI I suspect if that is the only reason you do these things, your job application isn't going to be accepted anytime soon.Now those who are honestly trying to do God's Will to align their lives with him, to become one with God...Well, since they are always pointed toward God as their destination, then I would say for them the gospel is very much God-centered. And since this is what I believe our Church actually teaches us is our purpose, though some may become fixated on some side issues, I believe the Church is very much God-centered as well.
Calm Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I get that. I wonder tho, if you do in fact do any particular thing specifically for purposes of becoming a god, or does this never really cross your mind? I'm also now wondering if it is even possible, in God's eyes, to do both - that is, say, pay your tithe both to honor Christ and to become a god? While I may think about the idea from time to time, usually when someone on the board brings it up, the idea never enters into my calculation of why I do something. There are much more immediate reasons that draw my attention.
NauvooSaint Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Perhaps part of the misconception of other churches is the overall LDS focus on temple work & exaltation. There seems to be an element of working to 'earn'. ie: levels of priesthood, worthiness, get your endowments, etc. Other churches don't tend to try to work to 'earn' salvation.Another possible issue is the elevating of Joseph Smith, Jr. The LDS church has a tendency to bring up his name quite often & I'd be a little surprised if Joseph's name wasn't brought up a few times on a typical Sunday during the various meetings. I think it's great that the LDS church has made a strong attempt to place artwork w/Christ throughout their buildings. I was the supervisor of a traveling project crew that cleaned carpet in LDS church buildings throughout Iowa & parts of MN & IL.On the flip side, this attempt can also raise a red flag for some people as a bit extreme...almost like the LDS church is trying to convince people they're truly christians worshipping the "same" Jesus Christ as other churches. One of my co-workers actually brought this point up. The LDS concepts dealing with Jesus' conception, brotherhood with Lucifer, etc. contributed to the non-christian view of the LDS by other churches. The LDS concept of plurality of gods, heavenly parents, spirit children, eternal living...could be viewed as mankind creating God in man's image & earthly lifestyle, instead of letting God be God.Hopefully this has helped give a little different insight how others may view the Mormon church.
clairc829 Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 A child initially does what is right thus "obeys" because he is TOLD TO. As a child grows he becomes an adult and chooses to do right not simply because he is told to, but because he WANTS to, and doing right has become a part of HIM.This is great, when I went to ASU the other grad students just didn't get it either. They would say you can't do " " and list whatever they thought I couldn't do I would always reply I can do whatever I want to I choose not to do those things.Living the gospel not only becomes part of you it makes you a better you.
Deborah Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 Perhaps part of the misconception of other churches is the overall LDS focus on temple work & exaltation. There seems to be an element of working to 'earn'. ie: levels of priesthood, worthiness, get your endowments, etc. Other churches don't tend to try to work to 'earn' salvation.Temple work is a sacrifice made for others. One goes through the temple for himself only once and after that it's always for someone else. I don't go to the temple to "earn" anything but for the peace it brings and the the feeling of being closer to Christ and yes as a service for those who can't do the work for themselves. Another possible issue is the elevating of Joseph Smith, Jr. The LDS church has a tendency to bring up his name quite often & I'd be a little surprised if Joseph's name wasn't brought up a few times on a typical Sunday during the various meetings.I rarely hear Joseph's name brought up unless it is part of a lesson. Christ is the center of church meetings and always has been. I think it's great that the LDS church has made a strong attempt to place artwork w/Christ throughout their buildings.I'm glad you think it's great but as long as I've been a member, which is a long time, artwork of Christ has been part of the decor. It is sad there are so many misconceptions about LDS and why the do what they do but I think it is rather childish to think that they have motives different from anyone else who claims to follow Christ simply because they feel more is expected. Luke 12:48 "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
Garden Girl Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 As an adult, however, all I think about is becoming like God because I understand more and more what He is like. I understand more and more his love, his patience, his kindness, his wisdom, his goodness etc. I want to become like that. I want to become like Him because I love Him. I also want to please Him because I love Him. Being "a god" is meaningless to me unless it means becoming one with my Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and as many of my brothers and sisters as possible.I wanted to quote some other posters also, but my "multiquote" doesn't seem to be working right... but Nicolas' comments above are similar to what I want... my motivation if you will... as I really don't think about becoming a God, but more of following the example of the Savior... of keeping my covenants as to the type of life I lead... and one day being able to return to my Heavenly Father and Savior. If I can do this, I will be happy, and whatever blessings come to me ... well, they will come to me...GG
volgadon Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 As far as the gospel centers on man's, fall, need for a saviour, and future salvation, then yes, we are man-centered. We are, after all, part of mankind, and we want to be saved. The whole thing is kind of silly otherwise. Why did Christ come if not to save man? This does not diminish his role.
Lightbearer Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 I have heard the LDS church referred to by non-members as being centered on man, as opposed, I suppose, to being centered on Christ. Given that Mormons believe that they will one day become gods - and spend their lives endeavoring to achieve that goal - is it then fair to say that the LDS church is indeed centered on man? If this is not fair, why not?Respectfully,BalzerIs not God centered on man? I mean after all He made us in His image:(Genesis 1:26-28) "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." So it seems from the very beginning that God intended the creation, and His commandments were about "man" and his development instead of just our praising Him. In fact His "work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Without the understanding that we are the children of God, His offspring, then it is not possible to understand that the Gospel is about the salvation and exaltation of mankind. As taught here:(John 3:14-17) "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." The nature of the Gospel is that of receiving the love of God and becoming holy as He is holy, that is the purpose. Becoming a God is the results of becoming one with God, it is not something you tick off like a "to do list" it is a process of becoming as He is it could be summed up as follows:(1 John 3:1-3) "BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." So the answer to your question is obvious of course God's greatest concern is for the salvation and exaltation of mankind, because He loves us His children. And our greatest concern is to become like Him because we love Him and want to be one with Him.
mnn727 Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 You know, the funny thing is that in 18 years in the Church now (I was an adult convert) I think someone has mentioned our goal as being godhood maybe twice, yet its one thing than anti-Mormoms center in on.Its just not something we: think about, talk about or dwell on.
Vance Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 One of the problems is that they don't understand what it means to be a god. To be a god means to be perfectly obedient to eternal laws. They think that to be a god, means you can do what ever you want, whether it is right or wrong, and no one can stop you. So they only (want to) see bad motives in the process, not wanting to understand the perfect obedience involved.
paulpatter Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Given that Mormons believe that they will one day become gods - and spend their lives endeavoring to achieve that goal - is it then fair to say that the LDS church is indeed centered on man? If this is not fair, why not? Latter-day Saints who are genuinely dedicated to becoming gods center their lives not on man, but on Jesus Christ, their exemplar. The path to godhood runs through Him and no one else. Every ordinance performed in the LDS Church employs the name of Jesus Christ--from child blessings. . .to baptism. . .to bestowal of the priesthoods and ordaining to offices therein. . .to administering to the sick. . . to opening and closing meetings with prayer. . .to temple ordinances, including marriage. . .to funeral eulogies. . .to family home evening and family prayer. . .to family prayer before a casket is closed. . .to beginning a meal and ending a fast. . .to partaking of the sacrament. . .to setting members apart for callings. . .to ward house and temple dedications. . .to patriarchal blessings. I have probably overlooked a few, but for anyone to suggest that the LDS Church is centered on man is to exhibit a shocking degree of ignorance. I don't mean to be harsh or uncharitable--just making a straightforward statement of fact. Respectfully, Balzer
Pahoran Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Since we have both a Heavenly Father and Mother, but we are restricted from even talking about Mother, we can infer that women's destiny in exaltation is eternal silence. It is only Men that are recognized in the after world. You can't get any more man-centered than that.Fighting... the temptation... to feed... the troll...Regards,Pahoran
Balzer Posted January 24, 2011 Author Posted January 24, 2011 Its only fair if all other religions I've learned about are also considered man-centered. Why? because just as LDS live their religion to acheive the goals outlined by that religion, all others do the same. Why else is religion religion if it is not to guide people to live a certain way most to all offering promised blessings to the faithful. If that is the case, then calling any particular religion man-centered is redundant. Of course if this is merely a "Christian" specific complaint--meaning LDS is man-centered while all other Christians, or any other particular Christian group is not--seems hypocritical. With that explanation, I think its obvious my answer would be no.love ya tons,stemActually it's not hypocritical, and your post helps make a good - if unintended - point. The difference is in how it is we believe we are saved. If we believe we are saved solely by way of our faith in Christ, and by no other means, it would be difficult to call us "man-centered" in our faith. I guess we could still be considered man-centered in that we might hold that belief in order to be saved, but, our actions here on earth, (works), and none of them, would have any impact at all on our salvation and therefore nothing we might do or not do would be for us, it would all be for Him.The interesting thing is that I have been told here, many times, that the LDS faithful do not believe they are saved by their works. I have been told that they are saved solely by their faith in Christ, just like any other Christian, but they gain exaltation by their works. So, it would appear that in terms of salvation the LDS church is not indeed man-centered. However, their works would have to be considered man-centered, wouldn't they, given they serve no purpose other than to gain someone exaltation to godhood? I do understand that some here have said that their exaltation brings glory to God, and in that respect, they're right, their works would be fairly considered God-centered, just not solely God-centered.Btw, my question was in no way a complaint. And even if you didn't really mean it, I love you too. Respectfully,Balzer
John Larsen Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 Fighting... the temptation... to feed... the troll...Regards,PahoranGood. Keeping silent. I'm glad you're in touch with your (Mormon) feminine side.
Vance Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 If we believe we are saved solely by way of our faith in Christ, and by no other means, it would be difficult to call us "man-centered" in our faith.So, when standing before the Judgment bar of Christ, what evidence do you plan to present to support your claim to having faith?Does a simple verbal statement claiming such suffice?
Balzer Posted January 24, 2011 Author Posted January 24, 2011 One of the problems is that they don't understand what it means to be a god. To be a god means to be perfectly obedient to eternal laws. They think that to be a god, means you can do what ever you want, whether it is right or wrong, and no one can stop you. So they only (want to) see bad motives in the process, not wanting to understand the perfect obedience involved.Although I can't begin to understand what it means to be a god, I can't agree that non-LDS think it means what you say they think it means. For me it has always only meant that you might be a god who has the power of creation just exactly like God does. I never even considered that you, as a god, might do anything wrong with your godhood, or that you might have anything but good motives.Respectfully,Balzer
Tango Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 I will be completely honest: The concept of becoming a god is not something I think about on a daily, or even weekly basis. On a daily basis, however, I do constantly think of my savior, and think of what I can do to emulate His character and nature, and how I can submit myself to His will, trusting in His assistance as long as that remains my desire.If this is true for you then how often do you actaully teach/talk about Christ in Church? I would say rarely. It is the current Prophet, and the apostles, and the founderJoseph Smith and the constantant reminder that you are not perfect that is YOUR daily bread in the LDS church. Be honest with yourself and admit Christ and the Mormon church are mutually exclusive.
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