This thread is an offshoot of this thread: KJV Only...which one!
Here I'm going to explain how member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (nicknamed "Mormons") like myself believe in 1 God.
This is meant to be purely respectful & informative, explaining me explaining my/my denomination's beliefs. I do request: that if you're not interested in actually listening/dialogue, then please move on. Let's not waste your or my time. I'm not interested in being told "well you need to repent of all this stuff Walter Martian told me you believe you mindless cultist!!".
Anyway, on with it:
The Father, Son, and Spirit are 3 different persons. 1, 2, 3. For example, Christ isn't talking to Himself during the Lord's Prayer, He's praying the the Father. Both LDS Christians & Creedal Christians believe this.
These 3 persons are 1 God. Both LDS Christians & Creedal Christians believe this. We all are monotheist. It's impossible for a person to decide to honor the Father but not the Son- they are one. It's impossible to follow the Spirit but being going against the Father's will -- that doesn't even make sense. Versus in polytheism (Ancient Greek pantheon for example) you can follow Zues and go against Poseidon.
Scriptures: In addition to all of the Bible scriptures on this I'm sure we can both quote, here's some other verses LDS Christians believe to be scripture on the matter. Click on the links if you want to see context.
Now differences: LDS Christians believe the Father, Son, and Spirit are 1 God through a shared purpose, will, goodness, glory, mercy, justice, power, etc. Creedal Christians believe that too. But the Athanasian Creed adds to this by including how the Father/Son/Spirit are one through a shared substance, with later phrasing of things like being vs person. LDS Christians do not believe this. That's the difference.
Importance: this 3 persons in 1 is an important thing to understand when talking with LDS Christians. If "Bob" is talking to an LDS Christian incorrectly calls it "polytheism", then the message the LDS Christian hears is "Bob believes that Christ & the Father are the same person". Which is very incorrect (that's modulism/oneness). I spend LOTS of time working with LDS Christian whom have been (mistakenly) taught be Creedal Christians believe in modulism.[/QUOTE]
Here I'm going to explain how member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (nicknamed "Mormons") like myself believe in 1 God.
This is meant to be purely respectful & informative, explaining me explaining my/my denomination's beliefs. I do request: that if you're not interested in actually listening/dialogue, then please move on. Let's not waste your or my time. I'm not interested in being told "well you need to repent of all this stuff Walter Martian told me you believe you mindless cultist!!".
Anyway, on with it:
The Father, Son, and Spirit are 3 different persons. 1, 2, 3. For example, Christ isn't talking to Himself during the Lord's Prayer, He's praying the the Father. Both LDS Christians & Creedal Christians believe this.
These 3 persons are 1 God. Both LDS Christians & Creedal Christians believe this. We all are monotheist. It's impossible for a person to decide to honor the Father but not the Son- they are one. It's impossible to follow the Spirit but being going against the Father's will -- that doesn't even make sense. Versus in polytheism (Ancient Greek pantheon for example) you can follow Zues and go against Poseidon.
Scriptures: In addition to all of the Bible scriptures on this I'm sure we can both quote, here's some other verses LDS Christians believe to be scripture on the matter. Click on the links if you want to see context.
- That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, D&C 35:2.
- they are one God, Mosiah 15:4 (3 Ne. 11:36; D&C 20:28).
- arraigned before the bar of Christ … and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, Alma 11:44.
- sing … unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, Morm. 7:7.
- grace of God the Father … Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, Ether 12:41.
- We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, A of F 1:1.
Now differences: LDS Christians believe the Father, Son, and Spirit are 1 God through a shared purpose, will, goodness, glory, mercy, justice, power, etc. Creedal Christians believe that too. But the Athanasian Creed adds to this by including how the Father/Son/Spirit are one through a shared substance, with later phrasing of things like being vs person. LDS Christians do not believe this. That's the difference.
Importance: this 3 persons in 1 is an important thing to understand when talking with LDS Christians. If "Bob" is talking to an LDS Christian incorrectly calls it "polytheism", then the message the LDS Christian hears is "Bob believes that Christ & the Father are the same person". Which is very incorrect (that's modulism/oneness). I spend LOTS of time working with LDS Christian whom have been (mistakenly) taught be Creedal Christians believe in modulism.[/QUOTE]