What did the prophet Joseph Smith say there are “three persons” in the Trinity, and that these three persons constitute three distinct Gods? Isn’t this a kind of polytheism? Was Joseph Smith just expressing his own opinion? Even the Bible teaches that sometimes prophets have their own opinions. Are the LDS Trinitarian like the “mormons” of the community of Christ?
2 Responses to “What did the prophet Joseph Smith say there are “three pers…”
Leonardo Leal
2010-07-26 02:33:49
Hi Curious Protestant. Let me first make two points. First, you are right in thinking that prophets have their own opinions. Not everything a prophet says is doctrine. Second, just for your information, the Community of Christ does not use the term "Mormon" to describe itself. Like the LDS Church, the Community of Christ does belong to the Restorationalist branch of Christianity, but they are not properly called "Mormons."
Now let me answer your very complicated question! :) Mormons believe that God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings that work together in perfect harmony as one monotheistic unit, called the Godhead, or sometimes simply "God." We believe that these three beings are simultaneously three (three centers of consciousness/three physically separate beings) and one (perfectly unified in purpose), as is clearly taught in John 17:11.
As Elder Jeffry R. Holland once explained, "We believe these three divine persons constituting a single Godhead are united in purpose, in manner, in testimony, in mission. We believe Them to be filled with the same godly sense of mercy and love, justice and grace, patience, forgiveness, and redemption. I think it is accurate to say we believe They are one in every significant and eternal aspect imaginable except believing Them to be three persons combined in one substance "
Traditional "Trinitarian" Christians likewise believe that God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Ghost are in some sense simultaneously three and one. The Mormon view of God is no more polytheistic than that of traditional Christianity. In my opinion, both Mormons and non-Mormon Christians are monotheists. Others disagree; Muslims see us both as polytheists.
There are some differences between the Mormon view of the Godhead and the traditional Christian view of the Trinity. The Trinity was formally defined at post-Biblical counsels like the Council of Nicea. Mormons are not creedal Christians; we do not accept the post-Biblical creeds as theologically binding, except where those creeds agree with the Bible and/or modern revelation given to modern prophets and apostles.
Consequently, Mormons often deny that they are Trinitarian. By this they mean that they reject the Nicean definition of the Trinity, not that they reject the idea that God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Ghost are in some sense simultaneously three and one. In fact, the Mormon view of the Trinity is very similar to the idea of "social Trinity" described by the Catholic theologian Karl Rahner and the Protestant theologian Jürgen Moltmann.
In summary, Mormons are Trinitarian. If you ask them, however, they will often deny that they are Trinitarian, in part because many don't understand what "Trinity" really means, and in part because they want to emphasize their rejection of the Nicean definition of the Trinity. Hope this answer helps!
Doug
2010-08-02 06:29:24
The Godhead is composed of God the Father, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. They are 3 distinct persons, but are one in purpose. (Similar to how a husband and wife are distinctly seperate persons, but can be fully in agreement in their goals, views, and behavior.
Now let me answer your very complicated question! :) Mormons believe that God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings that work together in perfect harmony as one monotheistic unit, called the Godhead, or sometimes simply "God." We believe that these three beings are simultaneously three (three centers of consciousness/three physically separate beings) and one (perfectly unified in purpose), as is clearly taught in John 17:11.
As Elder Jeffry R. Holland once explained, "We believe these three divine persons constituting a single Godhead are united in purpose, in manner, in testimony, in mission. We believe Them to be filled with the same godly sense of mercy and love, justice and grace, patience, forgiveness, and redemption. I think it is accurate to say we believe They are one in every significant and eternal aspect imaginable except believing Them to be three persons combined in one substance "
Traditional "Trinitarian" Christians likewise believe that God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Ghost are in some sense simultaneously three and one. The Mormon view of God is no more polytheistic than that of traditional Christianity. In my opinion, both Mormons and non-Mormon Christians are monotheists. Others disagree; Muslims see us both as polytheists.
There are some differences between the Mormon view of the Godhead and the traditional Christian view of the Trinity. The Trinity was formally defined at post-Biblical counsels like the Council of Nicea. Mormons are not creedal Christians; we do not accept the post-Biblical creeds as theologically binding, except where those creeds agree with the Bible and/or modern revelation given to modern prophets and apostles.
Consequently, Mormons often deny that they are Trinitarian. By this they mean that they reject the Nicean definition of the Trinity, not that they reject the idea that God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Ghost are in some sense simultaneously three and one. In fact, the Mormon view of the Trinity is very similar to the idea of "social Trinity" described by the Catholic theologian Karl Rahner and the Protestant theologian Jürgen Moltmann.
In summary, Mormons are Trinitarian. If you ask them, however, they will often deny that they are Trinitarian, in part because many don't understand what "Trinity" really means, and in part because they want to emphasize their rejection of the Nicean definition of the Trinity. Hope this answer helps!