do mormons believe in the trinity?
A main tenet of modern Christianity is the belief and acceptance of the triune Godhead called the trinity where God the father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy spirit are three in one. One God but three different persons of a single deity acting together simultaneously with different roles. What about the Church of Jesus christ of latter-day saints?. what is their take on the trinity? Before continuing, it needs to be very clear I am not a member of the LDS Church or affiliated in any way. This is not an who’s right and wrong or a hit piece. This article will only be contrasting two different group’s beliefs on a religious concept.
The Godhead in Mormonism comprises a council of three distinct separate divine individual beings. United as one, working together in perfect harmony on the mission to help humanity.
Let us start with discussing the holy spirit. Both Mormons and non-Mormon Christians believe the holy spirit is in essence what the name entails a spirit, with no fleshly body nor visible to the naked eye. It is a divine omnipresent being that can potentially dwell within all people. Christians and Latter-day saints agree the Holy Spirit is the promised comforter to guide people. Mormons believe the gift of the holy ghost guides all baptized members of the faith, from the children to the President of the Church. Dwelling within giving followers a holy clairvoyance. A spiritual sixth sense to discern from right and wrong. of the three divine entities discussed in this post, the Holy Spirit were Mormon and traditional Christian belief come the closest in agreement.
Now on to the son, Jesus Christ. All of us are technically children of God, however, Christ is the firstborn and greatest of all. Jesus was appointed as our lord and savior by Elohim (God, the father). He and the father act in unison in their salvation mission. LDS teaches there was a council before humanity existed on earth that involved Jesus and Lucifer with contrasting visions on how people can obtain salvation for their souls. Jesus wanted us to have an agency to choose our own outcome. Lucifer contrastingly wanted the exact opposite and no free will on receiving salvation and the glory for himself. So, he rebelled and a spiritual war ensued. After being defeated, Lucifer became the devil, while his supporters turned into demons banished into hell never being able to have fleshly bodies for themselves. Thus making them antagonists against the savior Jesus.
“18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” (1 Peter 1:18-20)
Non LDS Christians believe God the father to be the old testament God/Person of Jehova. Mormons understand Jehova to be Christ himself. Relegated by God the father to be the God of the old testament. His role was to establish the law given to Moses and prophecies to later prophets. Mormons claim he explained this in the Gospel of John.
“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58)
The name “I AM” is a sacred name for Jehova. Thus, giving Mormons strong belief in their understanding in the nature of God the son. Finally, Jesus was to fulfill his early missions and take on a fleshly form. Live a righteous existence and sacrifice himself for our sins. Allowing, the Father’s plans of future happiness given to us. Jesus claimed himself to be the way, the truth, and the life, and no person come unto the Father, but by him. Very close to other Christian denomination understandings. For Mormons Christ is like a lighthouse beacon to guide followers to the Father.
God in according to LDS doctrine is the spiritual father of everybody on this planet. He has a body of flesh and bone that will never decay and is all knowing and powerful, separate being from Jesus. With a goal to help us find happiness in this life and the next. The major difference between Mormon understand of God, is that he was once like us, a regular man. Through righteous living he became exalted to God status. Us being flawed and sinful, The father mercifully sent his son to save us, in hopes of us reaching a status like him one day. Mormonism is essentially a spiritual meritocracy.
Here are links to find out more on both sides understanding of this subject. I am not a Mormon nor a scholar in their believes. Neither a Christian Scholar so there is a possibility for error in representing beliefs.