Joseph Smith's Doctrine of God

Summary

In this video, Dr. Owen Anderson explores Joseph Smith's view of God, as presented in LDS teachings. Smith's belief in God as a physical being with a body of flesh and bones contrasts sharply with traditional Christian theism, which sees God as spirit and omnipresent. The video delves into Smith's First Vision, where he learned that God the Father and Jesus Christ are distinct beings, both with tangible bodies. The doctrine of the Godhead, composed of three separate gods, challenges the Christian understanding of the Trinity, while affirming the eternal, material nature of both God and the universe.

Takeaways

• 😀 Joseph Smith believed that God is a physical being, distinct from traditional Christian views of God as spirit.
• 😀 Smith taught that God was once a man who became exalted to godhood, and He has a body of flesh and bones.
• 😀 According to Joseph Smith, if one were to see God, He would appear as a man with a physical form, similar to humans.
• 😀 Joseph Smith’s doctrine of God emphasizes material monism, where everything, including spirit, is made of matter.
• 😀 The concept of the Godhead in LDS theology consists of three distinct gods: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, differing from the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
• 😀 Smith introduced the idea that the Father and the Son are separate beings, which challenges the traditional Christian understanding of the unity of God.
• 😀 Joseph Smith's First Vision revealed that God and Jesus Christ are distinct physical beings, with the Father and the Son both having bodies.
• 😀 For Joseph Smith, the Bible was not sufficient to fully understand the nature of God; new revelations were needed, such as visions and special messages from God.
• 😀 The idea that God’s body is composed of eternal matter contrasts with traditional Christian views of God as immaterial and omnipresent.
• 😀 According to Joseph Smith, humans were created in the image of God, implying a shared physical form, and humans could ultimately achieve godhood through spiritual growth.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Dr. Owen Anderson's discussion?

Dr. Owen Anderson discusses Joseph Smith's view of God, focusing on the teachings from the 'Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith' book, and how Joseph Smith's understanding of God contrasts with traditional Christian theism.

How did Joseph Smith's early religious background influence his view of God?

Joseph Smith's early religious upbringing, marked by strict piety in his family, led him to question the nature of God and the truth of religious teachings, ultimately influencing his belief in a new revelation about God's character.

What role did Joseph Smith’s natural observations play in his theological views?

Joseph Smith used natural observations, such as the beauty and order of the world, to conclude that God exists. He viewed the natural world as evidence of a higher power and used this to argue for the existence of God.

What was Joseph Smith's understanding of God's nature based on the scriptures?

Joseph Smith believed that God is eternal, omnipotent, and omnipresent, and he saw God as the creator of all things. His theology aligned with traditional Christian theism in these aspects but evolved into a more materialistic view of God.

What prompted Joseph Smith to seek new revelation regarding God?

Joseph Smith sought new revelation because he believed that existing Christian doctrines, including those in the Bible, were insufficient to understand the true nature of God. He felt that new, special revelation was needed to restore lost truths about God.

What did Joseph Smith learn in his First Vision about God and Jesus Christ?

In his First Vision, Joseph Smith learned that God the Father and Jesus Christ are distinct individual beings, each with their own physical form, which contrasted with the traditional Christian understanding of the Trinity.

How does Joseph Smith's view of God differ from traditional Christian doctrine?

Joseph Smith’s view of God contrasts with traditional Christian doctrine by teaching that God has a physical body, similar to humans, and that God was once a man. This differs from the traditional Christian view of God as a spirit, omnipresent and infinite.

What is the significance of the idea that 'God was once as we are now' in Joseph Smith's theology?

The idea that 'God was once as we are now' suggests that God was once a mortal man who progressed to become a deity. This concept is central to Joseph Smith’s teachings about the potential for human beings to become like God through exaltation.

How does Joseph Smith address the relationship between God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?

Joseph Smith taught that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are distinct persons, each with different roles: the Father is the Creator, the Son is the Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost is the Testifier. This view contrasts with the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity, where they are considered one God in three persons.

What does Joseph Smith teach about the physicality of the Holy Ghost?

Joseph Smith taught that the Holy Ghost is a spirit without a body, in contrast to God the Father and Jesus Christ, who have physical bodies. This distinction addresses the issue of omnipresence, as the Holy Ghost, being a spirit, can dwell within individuals.