- Registrado
- 2 de Jun, 2020
It isn't a tenet or a doctrine. While Joseph Smith said something to that effect in the King Follet sermon (King Follet was a friend of the prophet and this sermon was given at his funeral) We have three different accounts and none of them match exactly with one another. Our Church's relationship with the axiom is quite complicated and while it has been quoted since, it has always focused on the "becoming" aspect of it not the "As God once was" aspect. None of the extant copies recorded have been canonized and Joseph himself didn't comment on it much more before his martyrdom. Regardless I will attempt to address your question to the best of my ability.
Taken at face value your conclusions are still incorrect. If it is true the first part still doesn't change anything as far as our theology is concerned and the second part, that we can become like God, and indeed that were are referred to as gods by God is evidenced throughout the Old and New Testaments, most explicitly stated by Jesus Christ Himself in John 17.
God the Father in out theology is not the God of this planet alone; He is the God of the entire universe. If the first part is true insofar that in some other universe, created by some other God, he was once like us it still changes nothing for our faith. He is still our Father, and our God. We do not know, nor worship His father, or His God (if such a being exists) , we worship Him and Him alone in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Whether or not this is actually the case has and is still discussed on among the Saints even among the Apostleship. The question lies in whether or not Joseph was speaking prophetically or not. We do not view the Prophets as infallible and believe that they can and do devlop their own theories on doctrine. What constitutes official doctrine is decided by unanimous decision buy the First Presidency and the whole Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. No one apostle or Prophet can declare new doctrine. At the time the Prophet was a separate from the Quorum of the Twelve but Doctrine was still decided by unanimous decision by Joseph and the Quorum of the Twelve. As this was never brought by Joseph before the brethren, for lack of a better term, review, nor has it been since; It is not official doctrine.
My personal feelings, which have no impetus or power over anyone one else in the Church, is that God the Father is singular. What that means to me, is something I cannot fully grasp or explain, only that for me there is no other that I concern myself with, and that that is enough for me.
As for the second part Deification/Apotheosis, that is doctrinal. It is attested throughout all the scriptures, not just our canon. We take Christ at His word in John 17 and don't try to explain it a way. While we believe this means that we will create our own universes wear we continue His work and His glory, the only certain thing is that we will dwell with Him and become like Him. this is only possible through the infinite Atonement of Christ. We know that we cannot do it without Him and His sacrifice for us. While we will share in God's glory it remains His glory.
I can't think of more to say but will continue to answer any questions I perceive as being in good faith. Even if I suspect it's not in good faith I may also still respond but will leave that up to the direction of the Spirit (Holy Ghost).
Edit: Fixed tenant, to tenet
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