The Trinity
D&C 130:22-23; “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. 23 A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may descend upon him and not tarry with him.”
Instructions given in Ramus, IL on April 2, 1834. History of the Church 5:323-325.
We’ve listed this as an example of how the god Smith taught about evolved over the years. Before the Church was officially started Smith wrote and taught about the Trinitarian nature of God that we find in the Bible. Examples of this can be found in the Book of Mormon in numerous places. Mormon 7:7, 2 Nephi 31:21, etc. are just a few examples. Also see D&C 20:28.
Ironically (or maybe not) just weeks before Smith’s death he told people in the King Follett Discourse that he’d always taught on the plurality of gods (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 370) and clearly, this is not the truth.
It is the truth, if you actually bothered to use some reasoning in understanding what he taught and what the Book of Mormon teaches. However, you prefer to see things through your colored lenses, and thus never seem to really understand anything.
People who resort to that type of comment, have run out of things to say. So how about explaining the inconsistancy in Smiths teachings? Did he ever say these? Forget the reasoning, it’s black and white…first he said the one way then he said the other way. So which is it?
I was always taught growing up in Mormonism that the Holy Ghost is that “still small voice” that directs you in decisions between right and wrong. So if the Holy Spirit doesn’t indwell and “tarry” a follower of Christ (as the above statement and Mormon Doctrine both teach) then what is the deal? Is it like in the cartoons when there is a decision to be made between right and wrong and all of a sudden “POOF” an angel pops up on one shoulder and a demon on the other?
The Holy Ghost indwells the believers… Otherwise why would Paul tell us that our bodies are the “temple of the Holy Ghost”?
(and by the way, can we just get off of the old King James version in describing the “Holy Spirit”? I mean Jesus said that “God is Spirit and we must worship Him in spirit and truth”… He didn’t say, “God is Ghost…”)
Fine. I will enlighten the ignorant.
Mormon 7: 7
“to sing ceaseless praises with the echoirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God”
Notice that there are three individuals listed here. They are called one God, but they are three individuals.
So, the question is, what is meant by the term God? In this it is not a reference to a being, but to a title of authority. They are one God, or one authoritative counsel that rules in heaven.
2 Nephi 31: 21
“the only and true doctrine of the eFather, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is fone God, without end. Amen.”
Same meaning here.
Joseph Smith, from the beginning, always taught that the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost were three separate and distinct beings, but that they all held the title of God, or made up the one ruling counsel of heaven. So, when he declared that the he had always taught a plurality of gods, he was being completely honest, as that is exactly what he had done.
CAMDEN
The above quote does not say that the Holy Spirit does not dwell in us. It actually states that he does, which is why he is still spirit, so that he is able to. However, it also clarifies that he doesn’t have to, and even if he does at one point he can withdraw from the person.
It is much like saying that I could come to your house, but I don’t have to stay there if I am not comfortable.
Let me clue you in on something Shem.
I allow you to post on MY blog to show the general public just how rude and arrogant Mormon people can be. You’re a great representative of that. I do not allow you or others – Mormon or otherwise – to post here just for a chance to be arrogant about how smart you may or may not be.
If you have a difference of opinion that’s your prerogative, but this blog is not a platform to call people names. I’ve told you before I don’t want to babysit. If you can’t behave – you’re blocked from here.
If/when you want to act like an adult e-mail me and I’ll consider your request to come back.
Michelle
“The Holy Ghost in person may visit men, and will visit those who are worthy, and bear witness to their spirit of God and Christ, but may not tarry with them”. (Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie – Page 753).
“The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He can be in only one place at one time, and he does not and cannot transform himself into any other form or image than that of the Man whom he is”.
(Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie – Page 359)
“Three separate personages; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost comprise the Godhead. As each of these persons is a God, it is evident, from this standpoint alone, that a plurality of Gods exists. To us, speaking in the proper finite sense, these three are the only Gods we worship. But in addition there is an infinite number of holy personages, drawn from worlds without number, who have passed on to exaltation and are thus gods”. (Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie – Page 576-577).