The Mormon Christian sect, formally known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), presents a theological framework that diverges significantly from orthodox Christianity and the truth of the Bible. Central to their doctrine is the concept of “God” as a created being who was once a man, subject to progression, and subordinate to a higher deity often referred to as “the God of God.” This teaching is rooted in the King Follett Discourse, where Joseph Smith declared, “God himself was once as we are now and is an exalted man” (History of the Church, Vol. 6, Ch. 14), the ideology is further encapsulated in statements such as that of Lorenzo Snow, a former LDS prophet, who famously taught: "As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be." This belief implies that God is neither eternal nor self-existent but is instead part of a lineage of gods, each progressing in divinity.
Mormon scriptures like the Doctrine and Covenants and teachings from The Pearl of Great Price reinforce this view. For instance, in Abraham 4:1-3, creation is described in terms of “Gods” organizing the world, further suggesting a multiplicity of deities. This directly conflicts with the core tenet of biblical Christianity: the absolute and uncreated nature of the one true God.
This erroneous teaching seeks to attack the following fundamental features of the God of the Bible;
1. The Singularity of God: which is the Biblical stand that, although there is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, they are not 3 gods, but one. They are co-eternal, co-equal, and co-powerful, yet distinct personalities.
2. The Eternal-status of God: which is the Biblical stand that God was not made like we human beings. He has been before the start of time and He will continue to be when time is no more.
3. God as Self-Sufficient: which is the Biblical stand that God is enough to be God all by Himself, not needing any other superior being to make him or sustain Him.
The Biblical Position: God is Eternal and Self-Existent
The Bible consistently affirms the eternality and self-existence of God. He is not a created being, nor does He have a superior deity. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture portrays God as the unchanging, eternal Creator.
1. Old Testament Evidence
Deuteronomy 6:4 declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD."
Isaiah 43:10 states, "Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me."
Isaiah 44:6 adds, "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."
These passages emphasize the singularity, eternal existence, and unrivaled supremacy of God. There is no hint of God being part of a divine lineage or having a superior deity.
2. New Testament Evidence
Matthew 28:19 states, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Take note of the word “name” which is in singular, not plural, affirming the singularity, not plurality, of the Trinity.
John 1:1-3 proclaims, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."
Colossians 1:16-17 affirms, "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, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist."
Revelation 22:13 reiterates, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
The New Testament aligns seamlessly with the Old Testament, asserting that God—and specifically Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh—is eternal and self-existent.
Christian Apologetics Responses to Mormon Theology
Christian apologists have long addressed the errors within Mormon theology. Dr. James White, in his book Letters to a Mormon Elder, writes: “The Mormon concept of God reduces the Almighty Creator to a mere creature in a long line of gods, thus denying His ultimate sovereignty and uniqueness.” Similarly, Walter Martin, in The Kingdom of the Cults, critiques Mormonism for its polytheistic implications and departure from biblical monotheism.
C.S. Lewis, though not directly addressing Mormonism, highlights the uniqueness of God in Mere Christianity: “The God of Christianity claims not only to be the ultimate reality but the ground of all existence, utterly independent of anything else.” Such insights underscore the incompatibility of Mormon doctrine with biblical teaching.
The Authority of Scripture and the Role of the Holy Spirit
As believers, our faith must be anchored in the unchanging Word of God, comprised of the 66 books of the Old and New Testament. 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
In a world filled with various sects and ideologies, the Bible remains the sole infallible guide for faith and practice. Coupled with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it provides clarity and discernment, guarding us against false teachings. We must reject all demonic additions seeking to destroy the purity and uniqueness of the Christian faith. The Lord our God is one and He is God all by Himself.
The doctrine of “the God of God”, as espoused by Mormon theology, is a deviation from biblical truth. God is not a created being, nor is He subordinate to any other deity. He is the eternal, self-existent Creator of all things, as revealed in His Word.
Let us, therefore, remain steadfast in the truth of Scripture, relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance. As Hebrews 13:8 declares, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." May we anchor our faith not in the shifting sands of human doctrine but in the unchanging Word of God.
Mercy and Peace be with you today
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