As man is god once was

[Dusty52]

We all know the scripture
When did this happen? how did it happen
Was there another war in heaven etc?
I don't understand how this could be but this is an important gospel principle

[Blessed]

Previous round of creation. In other words, at least to my understanding, we are talking in another universe prior to the Big Bang in our own universe.

[ParticleMan]

We all know the scripture
When did this happen? how did it happen
Was there another war in heaven etc?
I don't understand how this could be but this is an important gospel principle

The quote in reference was by Lorenzo Snow; so scripture, yes, but not Standard Works scripture.

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1982/02/i-ha ... l-doctrine

Previous round of creation. In other words, at least to my understanding, we are talking in another universe prior to the Big Bang in our own universe.

A previous "eternity," as McConkie phrased it.

And the notions of other universes and other hypotheses are matters upon which nothing has as yet been revealed, so let's not muddy the waters with them.


But what can add to the discussion is what Brigham received from Joseph, which Brigham periodically taught on for about 25 years. "Understanding Adam-God Teachings" by Drew Briney is currently the best resource for this. But this is a can of worms that has been opened elsewhere.

[Alaris]

We all know the scripture
When did this happen? how did it happen
Was there another war in heaven etc?
I don't understand how this could be but this is an important gospel principle

Here's a good read for you:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1971/04/the- ... g=eng&_r=1

From the King Follet Sermon:

The scriptures inform us that Jesus said, as the Father hath power in himself, even so hath the Son power—to do what? Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious—in a manner to lay down his body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it up again. Do you believe it? If you do not believe it you do not believe the Bible. The scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it. Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you ... ~ Joseph Smith

D&C 93 is a good read as well to get a glimpse of this process:

11 And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.

12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;

13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;

14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.

15 And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son.

16 And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;

17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.

18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.

19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.

20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.

21 And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;

22 And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn.


There is one path to Godhood - the same path as all Gods have taken before is the path we take.

[Robin Hood]

Personally, I have never really believed this.
I think the person we pray to is The Father, not simply a Father. He is not merely a really high God, but the Most High God. He is the self-existent one.

[inho]

I just recently listened to Hugo Olaiz' presentation in 2008 Sunstone Symposiun ("Are We Still Gods in Embryo? The Mormon Doctrine of Human Deification"). Although the topic was human deification, the other part of Snow's couplet came up too (if not in the actual presentation, then in the discussion afterwards). Hugo pointed out that even though we speak a lot of about becoming like God, we are much more uncomfortable with God once being like a man.

This blog post at bycommonconsent.com by Blair Hodges says it nicely: Did President Hinckley downplay deification? Hodges quotes from interviews with President Hinckley:

Q: Just another related question that comes up is the statements in the King Follet discourse by the Prophet.

A: Yeah.

Q: … about that, God the Father was once a man as we were. This is something that Christian writers are always addressing. Is this the teaching of the church today, that God the Father was once a man like we are?

A: I don’t know that we teach it. I don’t know that we emphasize it. I haven’t heard it discussed for a long time in public discourse. I don’t know. I don’t know all the circumstances under which that statement was made. I understand the philosophical background behind it. But I don’t know a lot about it and I don’t know that others know a lot about it.

(Time, 2001)

Q: There are some significant differences in your beliefs. For instance, don’t Mormons believe that God was once a man?

A: I wouldn’t say that. There was a little couplet coined, “As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.” Now that’s more of a couplet than anything else. That gets into some pretty deep theology that we don’t know very much about.

Q: So you’re saying the church is still struggling to understand this?

A: Well, as God is, man may become. We believe in eternal progression. Very strongly. We believe that the glory of God is intelligence and whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the Resurrection. Knowledge, learning, is an eternal thing. And for that reason, we stress education. We’re trying to do all we can to make of our people the ablest, best, brightest people that we can.

(San Francisco Chronicle, 1997)

[ElizaRSkousen]

Personally, I have never really believed this.
I think the person we pray to is The Father, not simply a Father. He is not merely a really high God, but the Most High God. He is the self-existent one.

Ah the Greek idea of God. A tradition that has stuck with christians for a long time but never made sense to me.

[Robin Hood]

Personally, I have never really believed this.
I think the person we pray to is The Father, not simply a Father. He is not merely a really high God, but the Most High God. He is the self-existent one.

Ah the Greek idea of God. A tradition that has stuck with christians for a long time but never made sense to me.

Not so.
There are others who have been exalted to godhood, including our father and "the only god with whom we have to do", Adam.
If we are exalted to godhood, our spirit children will not pray to us (just we don't pray to Adam), they will pray to the same being we pray to; God The Eternal Father.
So, although there are other gods, the Most High God is the first, and the one to whom is given all of the glory.

[The Airbender]

We all know the scripture
When did this happen? how did it happen
Was there another war in heaven etc?
I don't understand how this could be but this is an important gospel principle

I believe the "pre-mortal life" for those in the 2nd estate occurred during the millennium of another world. In other words, after Christ comes, the Millennial world will be the first estate for spirits who have been created and that will be the stage on which the "War in Heaven" will be fought. I believe that is what the battle after the Millennium is.

Those who have "passed" will become celestial beings, or in other words, Just Men Made Perfect. These are sent as messengers or servants to other worlds to minister there. After that, those who "pass" will be allowed to choose if they want to be saviors to a world. After they fulfill the same missions as Christ did on our world, they become Kings of worlds, like Adam. That is what I believe to be the truth. The spirit is the one who can confirm or deny.

After that, the next stage is to be King of kings, showing our sons how to be Adams. And after that stage, we become those who go in to go no more out, members of the Elohim.

[Durzan]

We all know the scripture
When did this happen? how did it happen
Was there another war in heaven etc?
I don't understand how this could be but this is an important gospel principle

An interesting question you raise, and one that I have asked several times before. I don't know much, but what I do know is that God was once a man like us, and that He once dwelled on an Earth under the watchful gaze of our Heavenly Grandpappy. Was it like ours? Who can say for sure? I don't know. Its possible it was very much like Earth, and that His Father's Kingdom was run in very much the same was as our Father's. But it is also possible that it wasn't, as strange and as alien a thought that may be for many Mormons. All I know is that God somehow became Exalted in this previous Eternity, or dare I say, even multiple eternities ago. Who knows exactly how long it takes for a man to become a God, or even if it can be measured in time as we know it? We don't really know about the details of this ancient and long forgotten Kingdom, and we likely will never know very much.

This is some deep stuff we've gotten into already by answering those questions. It is not a wise idea to go any further. Be careful when you ask these sorts of questions, my friend. There is a reason that the answers to the questions you asked and the questions I posed are not usually addressed in this life, and why they are part of the mysteries of God's Kingdom. They are not really directly pertinent to our salvation, yet they are still pertinent to our very existence and situation. They are hidden because the mind of a mortal is not truly prepared for what awaits. If you ponder these things, you will find that your world will forever be turned upside down and inside out. Same with your understanding of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, as well as the Gospel and Doctrines of the church. The answers are not all pleasant, and the sheer horror of some of them is not necessarily worth bearing. These mysteries can reveal a greater purpose and goal, but the price is great. Hope can come from them these ancient myths and tales, but it is a long and painful road that plunges you into the depths of despair first, and the road back up on the other side is long and steep. Only one with a strong soul and spirit, guided by the Holy Ghost, and willing to pass through this fire should dare seek these things beyond what I have prompted. That's all I will say on the subject. Do with it as you please.

[BruceRGilbert]

There is a "self-existent" One who is the Supreme Being. He is the "Singularity" that IS. With respect to the couplet mentioned - it pertains very well to the Savior. As man is, God once was and as God is, man may become. The Savior, in context, meets this criteria. He is a God. It is imperative to recognize that the term, "god" is a title that has been bantered around very casually and misapplied by ignorant man in many cases - especially in cases where phenomena misunderstood has been experienced.

As has been shared, elsewhere, without notation:

“A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God.”
(History of the Church, 5:588)

Revelation and the "Sign of the Dove" in its reception are always the key.

[ElizaRSkousen]

I disagree. There is "the God" that WE worship, but I also think he has a God, and he has a God, and that there is no beginning to Gods.

I don't believe in the first cause

[The Airbender]

It is a spectrum. You start at the bottom, are raised by others until you get to the point that you can help raise others and at last arrive at the top yourself! I don't think we have any idea how high the top actually is, or how low the bottom, us being here somewhere in the middle.

[ElizaRSkousen]

We all know the scripture
When did this happen? how did it happen
Was there another war in heaven etc?
I don't understand how this could be but this is an important gospel principle

Here's a good read for you:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1971/04/the- ... g=eng&_r=1

From the King Follet Sermon:

The scriptures inform us that Jesus said, as the Father hath power in himself, even so hath the Son power—to do what? Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious—in a manner to lay down his body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it up again. Do you believe it? If you do not believe it you do not believe the Bible. The scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it. Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you ... ~ Joseph Smith

D&C 93 is a good read as well to get a glimpse of this process:

11 And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.

12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;

13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;

14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.

15 And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son.

16 And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;

17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.

18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.

19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.

20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.

21 And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;

22 And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn.


There is one path to Godhood - the same path as all Gods have taken before is the path we take.

Women too?

[Dusty52]

We all know the scripture
When did this happen? how did it happen
Was there another war in heaven etc?
I don't understand how this could be but this is an important gospel principle

Here's a good read for you:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1971/04/the- ... g=eng&_r=1

From the King Follet Sermon:

The scriptures inform us that Jesus said, as the Father hath power in himself, even so hath the Son power—to do what? Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious—in a manner to lay down his body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it up again. Do you believe it? If you do not believe it you do not believe the Bible. The scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it. Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you ... ~ Joseph Smith

D&C 93 is a good read as well to get a glimpse of this process:

11 And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.

12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;

13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;

14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.

15 And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son.

16 And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;

17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.

18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.

19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.

20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.

21 And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;

22 And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn.


There is one path to Godhood - the same path as all Gods have taken before is the path we take.

Women too?

I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional
I was just quoting scripture, which is indeed biased
I will try and remember in future that I acknowledge women as much as men

[ElizaRSkousen]

We all know the scripture
When did this happen? how did it happen
Was there another war in heaven etc?
I don't understand how this could be but this is an important gospel principle

Here's a good read for you:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1971/04/the- ... g=eng&_r=1

From the King Follet Sermon:

The scriptures inform us that Jesus said, as the Father hath power in himself, even so hath the Son power—to do what? Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious—in a manner to lay down his body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it up again. Do you believe it? If you do not believe it you do not believe the Bible. The scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it. Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you ... ~ Joseph Smith

D&C 93 is a good read as well to get a glimpse of this process:

11 And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.

12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;

13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;

14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.

15 And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son.

16 And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;

17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.

18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.

19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.

20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.

21 And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;

22 And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn.


There is one path to Godhood - the same path as all Gods have taken before is the path we take.

Women too?

I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional
I was just quoting scripture, which is indeed biased
I will try and remember in future that I acknowledge women as much as men

No I'm not mad im just asking if you think women also travel that path to become goddesses

I don't see why not!

[Alaris]

We all know the scripture
When did this happen? how did it happen
Was there another war in heaven etc?
I don't understand how this could be but this is an important gospel principle

Here's a good read for you:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1971/04/the- ... g=eng&_r=1

From the King Follet Sermon:

The scriptures inform us that Jesus said, as the Father hath power in himself, even so hath the Son power—to do what? Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious—in a manner to lay down his body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it up again. Do you believe it? If you do not believe it you do not believe the Bible. The scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it. Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you ... ~ Joseph Smith

D&C 93 is a good read as well to get a glimpse of this process:

11 And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.

12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;

13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;

14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.

15 And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son.

16 And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;

17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.

18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.

19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.

20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.

21 And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;

22 And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn.


There is one path to Godhood - the same path as all Gods have taken before is the path we take.

Women too?

I think you were asking me, though I belive I answered this in another thread and seem to recall your thanking my response.

In any case, of course I believe this. Women are ordained to such in the Holy Temple after all.

Like the wording in the sealing and in the temple endowment, the Godess is received unto the God who presides. This of course is politically incorrect, but like most pc nonsense, the design of political correctness is to defy truth and the building up of the kingdom of God.

Jesus showed Himself first to His Goddess, Mary Magdalene. And, as I said in other thread, I believe the woman in the revelation 12 sign may represent her along with the church.

What do goddesses do? Well we don't really know what Elohim do, other than preside over the Son's who effectuate their will. I suspect there is one heavenly mother per Son and eternal round, which allows for A God to receive more than one Goddess unto himself.

The reason polygamy may so rarely commanded, may be because it is reserved for those men who are approaching Godhood.

[ElizaRSkousen]

We all know the scripture
When did this happen? how did it happen
Was there another war in heaven etc?
I don't understand how this could be but this is an important gospel principle

Here's a good read for you:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1971/04/the- ... g=eng&_r=1

From the King Follet Sermon:

The scriptures inform us that Jesus said, as the Father hath power in himself, even so hath the Son power—to do what? Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious—in a manner to lay down his body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it up again. Do you believe it? If you do not believe it you do not believe the Bible. The scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it. Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you ... ~ Joseph Smith

D&C 93 is a good read as well to get a glimpse of this process:

11 And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.

12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;

13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;

14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.

15 And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son.

16 And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;

17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.

18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.

19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.

20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.

21 And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;

22 And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn.


There is one path to Godhood - the same path as all Gods have taken before is the path we take.

Women too?

I think you were asking me, though I belive I answered this in another thread and seem to recall your thanking my response.

In any case, of course I believe this. Women are ordained to such in the Holy Temple after all.

Like the wording in the sealing and in the temple endowment, the Godess is received unto the God who presides. This of course is politically incorrect, but like most pc nonsense, the design of political correctness is to defy truth and the building up of the kingdom of God.

Jesus showed Himself first to His Goddess, Mary Magdalene. And, as I said in other thread, I believe the woman in the revelation 12 sign may represent her along with the church.

What do goddesses do? Well we don't really know what Elohim do, other than preside over the Son's who effectuate their will. I suspect there is one heavenly mother per Son and eternal round, which allows for A God to receive more than one Goddess unto himself.

The reason polygamy may so rarely commanded, may be because it is reserved for those men who are approaching Godhood.

I thought so already, but wanted to see if you thought the same! That's one concept not many people have thought of. (But they probably don't think he was married either so, what do they know? )

[Jesef]

Gotta love Mormon mythology!

[iWriteStuff]

Gotta love Mormon mythology!

mythology (mĭ-thŏlˈə-jē)
n. A body or collection of myths belonging to a people and addressing their origin, history, deities, ancestors, and heroes.
n. A body of myths associated with an event, individual, or institution: "A new mythology, essential to the . . . American funeral rite, has grown up” ( Jessica Mitford).
n. The field of scholarship dealing with the systematic collection and study of myths.

as in

myth (mĭth)
n. A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society: the myth of Eros and Psyche; a creation myth.
n. Such stories considered as a group: the realm of myth.
n. A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal: a star whose fame turned her into a myth; the pioneer myth of suburbia.

Hard to tell whether you intended a /sarc after your comment.....

[Durzan]

Gotta love Mormon mythology!

mythology (mĭ-thŏlˈə-jē)
n. A body or collection of myths belonging to a people and addressing their origin, history, deities, ancestors, and heroes.
n. A body of myths associated with an event, individual, or institution: "A new mythology, essential to the . . . American funeral rite, has grown up” ( Jessica Mitford).
n. The field of scholarship dealing with the systematic collection and study of myths.

as in

myth (mĭth)
n. A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society: the myth of Eros and Psyche; a creation myth.
n. Such stories considered as a group: the realm of myth.
n. A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal: a star whose fame turned her into a myth; the pioneer myth of suburbia.

Hard to tell whether you intended a /sarc after your comment.....

Technically the term Mythology can be used to describe the stories and theology that surrounds a particular culture, even in modern day. Calling our beliefs Mormon Mythology is TECHNICALLY true if you look at it from that point of view... although since the word mythology has the connotation of it being untrue in today's society, then it could be considered offending.

[Contemplator]

There is a "self-existent" One who is the Supreme Being. He is the "Singularity" that IS. With respect to the couplet mentioned - it pertains very well to the Savior. As man is, God once was and as God is, man may become. The Savior, in context, meets this criteria. He is a God. It is imperative to recognize that the term, "god" is a title that has been bantered around very casually and misapplied by ignorant man in many cases - especially in cases where phenomena misunderstood has been experienced.

As has been shared, elsewhere, without notation:

“A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God.”
(History of the Church, 5:588)

Revelation and the "Sign of the Dove" in its reception are always the key.

From Mosiah 15:

1 And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.
2 And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son—
3 The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son—
4 And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth.

As BruceRGilbert pointed out, Jesus the Christ is very well described by the couplet. Perhaps we should explore that in order to better understand the nature of God.

[Michelle]

I don't see any problem here.

I believe that since all things are present before God and time is measured only unto man, that which we will be is who we already are and always were. That which we never will become, never was us either in the past, present or future.

So, even if God lived like we live now, because he was going to become God, he always was a God. If we live worthy to become like God, then we always were going to become God. (This doesn't remove agency, Satan was always going to become Satan, because he chose it, not because he was made to be Satan.)

A modern example, the leadership of the church likes to say all women are mothers, because we all have the potential for motherhood and if we live righteous will become mothers whether in this life or the next.

So, even though you may not have children yet, you are a mother if you live like one and will become one.

So, even though you may not be a God yet, you are a God if you live like one and will become one. When you become a God, you will do the things our God does: have Spirit children, create earths, give them physical bodies and teach them to become Gods as well.

[Crackers]

(Time, 2001)

Q: There are some significant differences in your beliefs. For instance, don’t Mormons believe that God was once a man?

A: I wouldn’t say that. There was a little couplet coined, “As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.” Now that’s more of a couplet than anything else. That gets into some pretty deep theology that we don’t know very much about.

Q: So you’re saying the church is still struggling to understand this?

A: Well, as God is, man may become. We believe in eternal progression. Very strongly. We believe that the glory of God is intelligence and whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the Resurrection. Knowledge, learning, is an eternal thing. And for that reason, we stress education. We’re trying to do all we can to make of our people the ablest, best, brightest people that we can.

(San Francisco Chronicle, 1997)

We should listen very carefully to what our current/recent PSRs teach with regard to eternal truths, as well as what they don't teach. Pres. Hinkley tried to share something with us here.

[Hie'ing to Kolob]

(Time, 2001)

Q: There are some significant differences in your beliefs. For instance, don’t Mormons believe that God was once a man?

A: I wouldn’t say that. There was a little couplet coined, “As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.” Now that’s more of a couplet than anything else. That gets into some pretty deep theology that we don’t know very much about.

Q: So you’re saying the church is still struggling to understand this?

A: Well, as God is, man may become. We believe in eternal progression. Very strongly. We believe that the glory of God is intelligence and whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the Resurrection. Knowledge, learning, is an eternal thing. And for that reason, we stress education. We’re trying to do all we can to make of our people the ablest, best, brightest people that we can.

(San Francisco Chronicle, 1997)

We should listen very carefully to what our current/recent PSRs teach with regard to eternal truths, as well as what they don't teach. Pres. Hinkley tried to share something with us here.

It's interesting to me how things get dismissed as "speaking as a man" "Just offering an opinion" etc., and how other things like "God was once a man" seemed to stick as truth. What does make sense to me is that any decent father wants his children to at least be as good as he is. I'd assume that God wants the same for us. Just like it talks about in Romans that we can be joint-hiers with Christ. To me, that means a perfect father will provide his sons and daughters with all that he has. I have a hard time believing that we would then be God as he is God. I also have a difficult time with the MLM style God subordinatation to a higher God. The idea of eternal progress has always felt to me like it diminishes the atonement of Christ.