A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsWidtsoe, John Andreas
Religion
A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Widtsoe, John Andreas
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines; Theology
**Plurality of Gods.** Since innumerable intelligent beings are
moving onward in development, there must be some in almost every
conceivable stage of development. If intelligent beings, far
transcending the understanding of man, be called Gods, there must be
many Gods. God, angel and similar terms denote merely intelligent
beings of varying degree of development. The thought, however, that
there is a plurality of gods and other beings of varying grades, is a
thought of fundamental truth, which may be applied in every-day life,
for it gives the assurance that it is possible for all, by self-effort
and by gradual steps, to attain the highest conceivable power.
A division of labor is necessary among men on earth, and it is only
reasonable that a similar division of labor may exist in all
intelligent systems. The conception of a community of men may be
applied to the community of heavenly beings. In the community of men,
different men have different duties; so, perhaps, on an exalted scale,
the gods are organized with a perfected division of labor.
**God, the Father.** God, the Father, the greatest God concerned in
our progression, is the supreme God. He is the Father of our spirits.
He is the being of highest intelligence with whom we deal. To our
senses and understanding he is as perfection. In his fulness he can
not be fathomed by the human mind, and it is, indeed, useless for man
to attempt to define in detail the great intelligent beings of the
universe. God, the Father, the supreme God, has gone through every
phase of the Great Plan, which we are working out. Therefore, he has
had our experiences or their equivalents, and understands from his own
experience the difficulties of our journey. His love for us is an
understanding love. Our earth troubles we may lay fully before him,
knowing that he understands how human hearts are touched by the
tribulations and the joys of life.
God, the Father, the supreme God of whom we have knowledge, is the
greatest intelligence in the infinite universe, since he is infinite
in all matters pertaining to us and transcends wholly our
understanding in his power and wisdom. We know no greater God than the
omniscient, omnipotent Father.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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