I want to make sure I understand Mormon doctrine correctly. Mormons believe in a trinity of three Gods that are physically distinct and separate but perfectly unified in purpose, functioning as one. From this point of view they are monotheists, though their view of the trinity differs from that of orthodox Christians that believe that one God inhabits in three persons. It’s not necessarily Mormon doctrine that God was once a man, but Mormons do believe that through Christ’s grace men can progress to become more like God, but they will never ursurp the power of God. In Mormon temples, Christian ceremonies are performed for the dead like baptism. These ceremonies a not secret, but very sacred. Polygamy is still practiced, but only by apostate Mormons. Did I get that right? You sure don’t seem like a cult to me, despite what some say.
One Response to “I want to make sure I understand Mormon doctrine correctly. …”
Fernando Duarte
2011-08-01 08:35:28
Hi Jose. I'm happy you wrote asking for clarification.
1) You have correctly described the Mormon view of the Trinity. However, your definition of the orthodox Trinity seems more like modalism that true trinitarianism. According to the Athanasian Creed, widely accepted by most Christian denominations, "...we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal." Orthodox Christianity in fact also teaches that God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Ghost are simultaneously three and one.
2) Your understanding of the Mormon view of thesis/exaltation seems to be correct. Some Mormons do use the term "Gods," but they use this term in the Old-Testament sense (Hebrew: 'elohiym, see Psalms 82:6), meaning beings invested with some divine attributes or angels. The Church does not teach that men will ever be greater than God.
3) Your understanding of the Mormon temple ceremonies is correct.
4) No Mormons practice polygamy. The groups that practice polygamy, some of which call themselves "Mormon," are in fact not merely apostate Mormons. They are not members of our Church. Most of them have never been members of our Church. They belong to another denomination entirely.
1) You have correctly described the Mormon view of the Trinity. However, your definition of the orthodox Trinity seems more like modalism that true trinitarianism. According to the Athanasian Creed, widely accepted by most Christian denominations, "...we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal." Orthodox Christianity in fact also teaches that God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Ghost are simultaneously three and one.
2) Your understanding of the Mormon view of thesis/exaltation seems to be correct. Some Mormons do use the term "Gods," but they use this term in the Old-Testament sense (Hebrew: 'elohiym, see Psalms 82:6), meaning beings invested with some divine attributes or angels. The Church does not teach that men will ever be greater than God.
3) Your understanding of the Mormon temple ceremonies is correct.
4) No Mormons practice polygamy. The groups that practice polygamy, some of which call themselves "Mormon," are in fact not merely apostate Mormons. They are not members of our Church. Most of them have never been members of our Church. They belong to another denomination entirely.