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THE GOD OF MORMONISM (Part 2)

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THE ONLY GOD

‘Thus all men who ascend to the glorious status of Godhood can do so only by one method – by obedience to all the principles and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ… No prophet of record gave more complete and forceful explanations of the doctrine that men can become Gods than did the America Prophet, and, furthermore, he definitely pointed the course which men must follow.’[1]

In part 1 we saw that Mormons believe God was once a man who, through following laws and principles, achieved Godhood. This God, Heavenly Father so called by the Mormons, is the God of this planet but, according to Mormonism, there are countless other Gods and planets out-there. Thus, the desire and hope for Mormon men is that they too may be found worthy and attain Godhood.

‘…the Spirit of God fell upon me to a marked extent, and the Lord revealed to me, just as plainly as the sun at noon-day, this principle, which I put in a couplet: ‘As man now is, God once was; As God now is, man may be’[2]

This is Mormon doctrine, but not biblical doctrine.  The Bible does make mention that we can be as God, but this comes from the one Jesus called the ‘father of lies’:

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  Genesis 3:5

It is Satan who would have us believe that we can be a God, but the Bible doesn’t teach this. Rather it speaks of one true God, the only God, the one who is eternally God.

Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. 

Isaiah 44:6-8

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.   James 2:19

THE TRANSCENDENT GOD

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!  Psalm 113:5-6

The Bible speaks of God as the Creator distinct from, and far above, His creation. He is unequalled, unmatched, and unparalleled. He is supreme. He is God. We are not!

Mormons on the other hand are taught that the God that they worship was just a glorified sinful man, in no way distinct from His creation.  How can one worship such a God?

In a discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus revealed the true nature of God:  

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24).

Joseph Smith, obviously knowing more than Jesus, flatly denies that God is a Spirit:

‘That which is without body or parts is nothing. There is no God in heaven but that God who has flesh and bones’.[3]

This is not the God of the Bible.

 THE ALL POWERFUL AND EVER-PRESENT GOD

Finally, the God of Mormonism is neither omnipotent, omniscient, nor omnipresent.

‘God is increasing in knowledge. If there was a point where man in his progression could not proceed any further, the very idea would throw a gloom over every intelligent and reflecting mind. God Himself is increasing and progressing in knowledge, power, and dominion, and will do so, worlds without end.’[4]

A God that is still learning, a God that is still increasing and progressing is not all powerful and all knowing. Yet the Bible declares there is none like God – He is a God who knows and purposes all things.

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.  Psalm 139:6

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will… Ephesians 1:11

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.          Colossians 1:16-17

The God revealed in the Bible has nothing to learn. He has no need to progress, He is and always has been omnipotent and omniscient. The Bible also speaks of God’s omnipresence, this is yet something else denied by Mormon leaders. Brigham Young said:

‘Some would have us believe that God is present everywhere. It is not so. He is no more every where present in person than the Father and Son are one in person’.[5]

Again, the leaders of Mormonism go against the clear and unambiguous teachings of the Bible.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? 1 Kings 8:27

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.  Jeremiah 23:23-24

Conclusion

Is the God of Mormonism the same God revealed in the Bible? Do Mormons and bible believing Christians worship the same God? The answer is clearly no. Lord open the eyes of the Mormons to see their need of you.

See part one here

 

[1] Milton R. Hunter, The Gospel Through the Ages, p.115

[2] The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow p.2

[3] Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2000) p.42

 

[4] The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, p.3

[5] Teachings of the Presidents: Brigham Young. p29


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