Questions about “Godhead”

[hideki]

This is an automatic translation.
I'm Japanese and I don't understand English completely, so please help me.

On page 228 of Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie says:
Three glorified, exalted, and perfected personages comprise the Godhead or supreme presidency of the
universe. (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 1-55.)

Does "exalted" mean "exaltation"?
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... n?lang=eng

I read Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 1-55.
It says that Heavenly Father is an exalted man.
Jesus Christ is said to have been resurrected and made perfect.

Was the “Holy Ghost” in “Godhead” exalted?
Or did McConkie say that all "Godheads" are being exalted because the Holy Ghost will be exalted in a future glorified resurrection body?

[A Disciple]

I don't have the answer to your question but I found this article: https://www.thechurchnews.com/1995/1/14 ... ne-witness

The explanation of the "sign of the Dove" is profound - that per Joseph Smith, "The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove." The LDS recognition of the Holy Ghost as a distinct personage is consistent with its view of the Godhead, that The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost are distinct persons.

In Doctrines of Salvation 1:38, President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: "The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a Spirit, in the form of a man. The Father and the Son are personages of tabernacle; they have bodies of flesh and bones. The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit, and has a spirit body only. (See D&C 130:22-23.) His mission is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of all truth." (See 2 Ne. 31:18; Moroni 10:5.)

[Thinker]

…Does "exalted" mean "exaltation"?..

Was the “Holy Ghost” in “Godhead” exalted?
Or did McConkie say that all "Godheads" are being exalted because the Holy Ghost will be exalted in a future glorified resurrection body?

Godhead:
Heavenly Father
Heavenly Mother (Dove/Astarte/Sophia)
Son/Sun

Jacob wrestling his incorrect ideas of God led to him being renamed Is Ra El.
Isis - Goddess
Ra - Sun god /Son
El - Elohim (supreme God)


exalted:
1. elevated in rank, character, or status.
2. Lofty; sublime; noble.
3. In a state of extreme happiness
4. Exaggerated; inflated

God is the highest, most exalted GOoD. The more we strive for the highest GOoD, the more exhaled we are. Remember, “the kingdom of God is within you” - where else would YOU experience God?

[SJR3t2]

I don't agree with McConkie on this subject but I do agree that "exalted" mean "exaltation".

But as I see it the Holy Spirit is an IT not a HE.

IT
2 Nephi (LDS 33:2) (RLDS 15:2) But behold, there are many that HARDEN their HEARTS against the HOLY SPIRIT, that IT hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
***
2 Nephi (LDS 31:8-9) (RLDS 13:10-11)
8 Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the HOLY GHOST DESCENDED upon him in the form of a DOVE. 9 And again, IT showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he [Jesus] having set the example before them.
2 Nephi (LDS 32:5) (RLDS 14:6) For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and RECEIVE the HOLY GHOST, IT will SHOW unto you all things what ye SHOULD DO.
Alma (LDS 34:38) (RLDS 16:237-238) That ye CONTEND no more against the HOLY GHOST, but that ye RECEIVE IT, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.
Alma (LDS 39:6) (RLDS 19:8-9) For behold, if ye DENY the HOLY GHOST when IT once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny IT, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness.
Moroni (LDS 2:2) (RLDS 2:2) And he called them by name, saying: Ye shall call on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have power that to him upon whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall GIVE the HOLY GHOST; and in my name shall ye give IT, for thus do mine apostles.
https://seekingyhwh.org/2019/06/09/the- ... -the-same/

[Telavian]

Everyone has a different understanding of the Godhead here it seems.
I personally think of God as a single entity, with Jesus as a physical manifestation of that entity, and the Holy Ghost as a force that permeates all of creation.

However if 100 people answer this post you will likely get 100 different answers.

These are my articles on the subject or if spoken english is easier for you then I have the same videos on my YT channel "Uncorrelated Mormonism".
https://uncorrelatedmormonism.com/what- ... oly-ghost/
https://uncorrelatedmormonism.com/the-character-of-god/
https://uncorrelatedmormonism.com/the-name-of-god/

[AgeOfAquarius]

I used to agree with Mckonkie and Joseph Fielding Smith, but I no longer do. I will make a post with links and some commentary but I need to gather that info. I ask you to consider reading and studying the Lectures on Faith. They used to be in the D&C until a committee in 1921 removed them without a vote from the members.

[AgeOfAquarius]

lecturesonfaith.com

The Godhead
Lecture Fifth
1 In our former lectures we treated of the being, character, perfections and attributes of God. What we mean by perfections, is, the perfections which belong to all the attributes of his nature. We shall, in this lecture speak of the Godhead: we mean the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

2 There are two personages who constitute the great, matchless, governing and supreme power over all things—by whom all things were created and made, that are created and made, whether visible or invisible: whether in heaven, on earth, or in the earth, under the earth, or throughout the immensity of space—They are the Father and the Son: The Father being a personage of spirit, glory and power: possessing all perfection and fulness: The Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, a personage of tabernacle, made, or fashioned like unto man, or being in the form and likeness of man, or, rather, man was formed after his likeness, and in his image;—he is also the express image and likeness of the personage of the Father: possessing all the fulness of the Father, or, the same fulness with the Father; being begotten of him, and was ordained from before the foundation of the world to be a propitiation for the sins of all those who should believe on his name, and is called the Son because of the flesh—and descended in suffering below that which man can suffer, or, in other words, suffered greater sufferings, and was exposed to more powerful contradictions than any man can be. But notwithstanding all this, he kept the law of God, and remained without sin: Showing thereby that it is in the power of man to keep the law and remain also without sin. And also, that by him a righteous judgment might come upon all flesh, and that all who walk not in the law of God, may justly be condemned by the law, and have no excuse for their sins. And he being the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a fulness of the glory of the Father—possessing the same mind with the Father, which mind is the Holy Spirit, that bears record of the Father and the Son, and these three are one, or in other words, these three constitute the great, matchless, governing and supreme power over all things: by whom all things were created and made, that were created and made: and these three constitute the Godhead, and are one: The Father and the Son possessing the same mind, the same wisdom, glory, power and fulness: Filling all in all—the Son being filled with the fulness of the Mind, glory and power, or, in other words, the Spirit, glory and power of the Father—possessing all knowledge and glory, and the same kingdom: sitting at the right hand of power, in the express image and likeness of the Father—a Mediator for man—being filled with the fulness of the Mind of the Father, or, in other words, the Spirit of the Father: which Spirit is shed forth upon all who believe on his name and keep his commandments: and all those who keep his commandments shall grow up from grace to grace, and become heirs of the heavenly kingdom, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; possessing the same mind, being transformed into the same image or likeness, even the express image of him who fills all in all: being filled with the fulness of his glory, and become one in him, even as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one.

3 From the foregoing account of the Godhead, which is given in his revelations, the Saints have a sure foundation laid for the exercise of faith unto life and salvation, through the atonement and mediation of Jesus Christ, by whose blood they have a forgiveness of sins, and also, a sure reward laid up for them in heaven, even that of partaking of the fulness of the Father and the Son, through the Spirit. As the Son partakes of the fulness of the Father through the Spirit, so the saints are, by the same Spirit, to be partakers of the same fulness, to enjoy the same glory; for as the Father and the Son are one, so in like manner the saints are to be one in them, through the love of the Father, the mediation of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit; they are to be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

Questions and Answers on the Foregoing Principles
Question 1: Of what do the foregoing lectures treat?
Of the being, perfections and attributes of the Deity. (5:1)

Question 2: What are we to understand by the perfections of the Deity?
The perfections which belong to his attributes.

Question 3: How many personages are there in the Godhead?
Two: the Father and the Son. (5:1)

Question 4: How do you prove that there are two personages in the Godhead?
By the Scriptures. Genesis 1:26: (Also 2:6): And the Lord God said unto the Only Begotten, who was with him from the beginning, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: — and it was done. Genesis 3:22: And the Lord God said unto the Only Begotten, Behold, the man is become as one of us: to know good and evil. John 17:5: And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (5:12)

Question 5: What is the Father?
He is a personage of glory and of power. (5:2)

Question 6: How do you prove that the Father is a personage of glory and of power?
Isaiah 60:19: The Sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. 1 Chronicles 29:11: Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory. Psalms 29:3: The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thunders. Psalms 79:9: Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name. Romans 1:23: And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible men.

Secondly, of power. 1 Chronicles 29:11: Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power, and the glory. Jeremiah 32:17: Ah! Lord God, behold thou hast made the earth and the heavens by thy great power, and stretched-out arm; and there is nothing too hard for thee. Deuteronomy 4:37: And because he loved thy fathers therefore he chose their seed after them, and [brought] them out in his sight with his mighty power. 2 Samuel 22:33: God is my strength and power. Job 26, commencing with the 7 verse, to the end of the chapter. He stretches out the north over the empty place, and hangs the earth upon nothing. He binds up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. He holds back the face of his throne, and spreads his cloud upon it. He has compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. The pillars of heaven tremble, and are astonished at his reproof. He divides the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smites through the proud. By his Spirit he has garnished the heavens; his hand has formed the crooked serpent. Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? But the thunder of his power who can understand?

Question 7: What is the Son?
First, he is a personage of tabernacle. (5:2)

Question 8: How do you prove it?
John 14:9-11: Jesus says unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? He that has seen me has seen the Father; and how do you say then, Show us the Father? Do you not believe, that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me.

Secondly, and being a personage of tabernacle, was made or fashioned like unto man, or being in the form and likeness of man. (5:2)

Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man, and, being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Hebrews 2:14,16: Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels: but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Thirdly, he is also in the likeness of the personage of the Father. (5:2)

Hebrews 1:1-3: God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past to the fathers, by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who, being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person. Again, Philippians 2:5-6: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

Question 9: Was it by the Father and the son that all things were created and made, that were created and made?
It was. Colossians 1:15-17. Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature; 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, principalities or powers; all things were created by him and for him; and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Hebrews 1:2: [God] Has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.

Question 10: Does he possess the fulness of the Father?
He does. Colossians 1:19: For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. [2:9]: For in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Ephesians 1:23: Which is his [Christ's] body, the fulness of him that fills all in all.

Question 11: Why was he called the Son?
Because of the flesh. Luke 1:33: That holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God — Matthew 3:16-17: And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straitway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him: and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Question 12: Was he ordained of the Father, from before the foundation of the world, to be a propitiation for the sins of all those who should believe on his name?
He was. 1 Peter 1:18-20: For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation, received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifested in these last times for you. Revelation 13:8: And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, [the beast] whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 1 Corinthians 2:7: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden mystery, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.

Question 13: Do the Father and the Son possess the same mind?
They do. John 5:30: I [Christ] can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father who sent me. John 6:38: For I [Christ] came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. John 10:30: I [Christ] and my Father are one.

Question 14: What is this mind?
The Holy Spirit. John 15:26: But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me. [Christ] Galatians 4:6: And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.

Question 15: Do the Father, Son and Holy Spirit constitute the Godhead?
They do. (5:2) Let the student commit this paragraph to memory.

Question 16: Does the believer in Christ Jesus, through the gift of the Spirit, become one with the Father and the Son, as the Father and the Son are one?
They do. John 17:20-21: Neither pray I for these (the apostles) alone, but for them also who shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Question 17: Does the foregoing account of the Godhead lay a sure foundation for the exercise of faith in him unto life and salvation?
It does.

Question 18: How do you prove it?
By the third paragraph of this lecture. Let the student commit this also.

Home & Introduction
To the Members
PREFACE
Faith Defined
LECTURE FIRST
The Object of Faith
LECTURE SECOND
The Character of God
LECTURE THIRD
The Attributes of God
LECTURE FOURTH
The Godhead
LECTURE FIFTH
The Law of Sacrifice
LECTURE SIXTH
The Effects of Faith
LECTURE SEVENTH
LecturesOnFaith.com is a project that is entirely owned, and maintained by oneClimbs.com. LecturesOnFaith.com is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Official information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be found at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

©2023 oneClimbs.com, All Rights Reserved.

[AgeOfAquarius]

https://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/tra ... orrell.htm

This talk is fairly good. There is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit....

[AgeOfAquarius]

I'm trying to pull together some good sources for you to study and pray about. Just taking me time. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F-ijmD ... p=drivesdk

The King Follett discourse is really meaty and good. Basically wanted to bring up that God (the Father) was once like we are now. He ascended and became a God and continued up further. As Christ told His disciples, He earned His exaltation and will take His Father's place and His Father would move up. That's why His body is further refined and why it's described in Lectures on Faith. (My understanding at the moment)

[Shawn Henry]

please help me.

Let the Book of Mormon help you. That's why it came forth. It teaches that Jesus is both the Father and the Son.

Remember when Zeezrom asked Amulek if Jesus is the "very Eternal Father" and Amulek responded, "Yea, he is the very Eternal Father".

Read the Book of Mormon scriptures in this link. viewtopic.php?p=1394501&hilit

[TheChristian]

Whom was it that hung apon the Cross for our sins?

If it was "Jesus of Nazerath", then worship Him with all of ones heart, mind and strength!

[MikeMaillet]

Telavian is right about so many different opinions. Up until recently I had never considered that the Holy Ghost was anything other than another personage. I grew up going to Catholic church and even when I was younger I thought the same thing. It is only recently and through this forum that I have come to realize that there are so many other interesting opinions.

The book Mormon Doctrine used to be on every Mormon book shelf, including mine. I tossed it out years ago.

For me, exalted means what it says in the dictionary and I don't regard it to mean some sort of special cosmic event unless it is the moment we are allowed to reveal the name our Lord has given us. We would then be referred to by a name that is unique and not by a collective name such as Adam wherein our given names are given to us by our earthly parents. I'm known as Mike and there a gazillion of those. In the meantime our only access to Father in Heaven is through the "name" of Jesus Christ and that is what many of us call Him. He has many earthly names and one day we will learn what Father in Heaven calls Him. Anyways, I digress.

For me the Holy Ghost is the Second Comforter, the Light of the Gentiles and a unique individual. I believe that he will be the one leading us to Christ via the latter-day exodus to the New Jerusalem. I believe that he is the Iron Rod in the parable of the Tree of Life in the Book of Mormon and the One Mighty and Strong who will rule Babylon with a "rod of iron". In the book The Ascension of Isaiah we read about an angel who is sent from the high heaven to retrieve Isaiah and bring him up to the high heaven through the various degrees of glory. Interestingly, the angel who came to get Isaiah would not reveal his name to him. Isaiah is brought up to the high heaven and meets the Lord, our Saviour. This is described below starting at verse 27. In verse 36, Isaiah is instructed to worship the angel that is with Christ, keeping in mind that only Gods get to be worshipped. Also, the word Righteous means more than just being good in the scriptures. The Righteous are the ones who follow "Righteousness" the person, the right hand of the Lord, the Holy Ghost, the ruler in Zion under Christ our Lord.

Chapter 9

27. And I saw a certain One standing, whose glory surpassed that of all, and His glory was great and wonderful.

28. And after I had seen Him, all the righteous whom I had seen and also the angels whom I had seen came to Him. And Adam and Abel and Seth and all the righteous first drew near and worshipped Him, and they all praised Him with one voice, and I myself also gave praise with them, and my giving of praise was as theirs.

29. And then all the angels drew nigh and worshipped and gave praise.

30. And I was (again) transformed and became like an angel.

31. And thereupon the angel who conducted me said to me: "Worship this One," and I worshipped and praised.

32. And the angel said unto me: "This is the Lord of all the praise-givings which thou hast seen."

33. And whilst he was still speaking, I saw another Glorious One who was like Him, and the righteous drew nigh and worshipped and praised, and I praised together with them. But my glory was not transformed into accordance with their form.

34. And thereupon the angels drew near and worshipped Him.

35. And I saw the Lord and the second angel, and they were standing.

36. And the second whom I saw was on he left of my Lord. And I asked: "Who is this?" and he said unto me: "Worship Him, for He is the angel of the Holy Spirit, who speaketh in thee and the rest of the righteous."

37. And I saw the great glory, the eyes of my spirit being open, and I could not thereupon see, nor yet could the angel who was with me, nor all the angels whom I had seen worshipping my Lord.

38. But I saw the righteous beholding with great power the glory of that One.

39. And my Lord drew nigh to me and the angel of the Spirit and He said: "See how it is given to thee to see God, and on thy account power is given to the angel who is with thee."

40. And I saw how my Lord and the angel of the Spirit worshipped, and they both together praised God.

41. And thereupon all the righteous drew near and worshipped.

42. And the angels drew near and worshipped and all the angels praised.

The Ascension of Isaiah is a quick read and I highly recommend it, especially if you have received your temple endowment. I have a hard copy but it can be read here for free: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/t ... nsion.html

Mike

[hideki]

This is an automatic translation.
Shank you all.
I respect and appreciate your kindness.
It is my fault that I do not fully understand English.

I think I understand "Godhead" in the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
'Godhead' is a group of three beings, united in thought.
At the top is Heavenly Father.
Heavenly Father is God exalted from man to Heavenly Father.
Exaltation means to be fully God with a glorified resurrection body.

Jehovah is the firstborn of Heavenly Father.
As a member of the "Godhead," Jehovah is perfect and divine in His role.
Jehovah was born as a baby in a physical body on our earth.
Jehovah is Jesus Christ, Creator, Redeemer, Savior, and Judge.
Jesus Christ resurrected and became fully God with a glorified resurrection body.

The Holy Ghost is our brother.
As a member of the "Godhead," the Holy Ghost is perfect and divine in His role.
The Holy Ghost fulfills His role in the spirit body alone.
The Holy Ghost will eventually gain a resurrection body. And He will become the perfect God with a glorified resurrection body.

I am sorry.
I found the answer to my question.

On page 228 of Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie states
Three glorified, exalted, and perfected personages comprise the Godhead or supreme presidency of the
universe. (Doctrine of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 1-55).

There is a translation of this text into Japanese.
Mormon Doctrine" was translated into Japanese and sold in Japan.
The Japanese translation of the Japanese version of the book translates as follows.

The three full of glory, exalted, and completed Persons constitute the Divine Society, the supreme presidency of the universe.

exalted
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... n?lang=eng

Sorry, everyone.
Perhaps the Japanese version of the book was poorly translated.
In the Japanese translation, it is expressed as if the Holy Ghost is also now resurrected and completed, just like Heavenly Father.

[Shawn Henry]

Some just cling to their traditions.