Key to the Science of TheologyPratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Religion
Key to the Science of Theology
Pratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Latter Day Saint churches; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines
An immortal man, possessing a perfect organization of spirit, flesh,
and bones, and perfected in his attributes, in all the fulness of
celestial glory, is called _a God_.
An immortal man, in progress of perfection, or quickened with a lesser
degree of glory, is called _an angel_.
An immortal spirit of man, not united with a fleshly tabernacle, is
called a spirit.
An immortal man, clothed with a mortal tabernacle, is called a man.
It may then consistently enough be said, that there are, in a
subordinate sense, a plurality of Gods, or rather of the sons of God;
although there is one Supreme Head, who is over all, and through all,
and in all His sons, by the power of His Spirit.
Jesus Christ and his Father are two persons, in the same sense as John
and Peter are two persons. Each of them has an organized, individual
tabernacle, embodied in material form, and composed of material
substance, in the likeness of man, and possessing every organ, limb,
and physical part that man possesses.
There is no more mystery connected with their oneness, than there is
in the oneness of Enoch and Elijah, or of Paul and Silas.
Their oneness consists of a oneness of spirit, intelligence,
attributes, knowledge, or power.
If Enoch, Elijah, Abraham, Peter, Paul, and millions of others ever
attain to the immortal life, and their fleshly tabernacles be
quickened by a fulness of celestial life and light, intelligence and
power, then it can be said of them, _they are one, as the Father and
Son are one_.
It could then be said of each of them, in him dwells all the fulness
of the powers and attributes of the Eternal God, or, in other words,
he possesses endless life, together with all intelligence, knowledge,
light, and power. He therefore has the same mind as all the others--is
in communication and in perfect union with each and all of them.
All these are Gods, or sons of God--they are the Kings, Princes,
Priests, and Nobles of Eternity. But over them all there is a
Presidency or Grand Head, who is the Father of all. And next unto him
is Jesus Christ, the eldest born, and first heir of all the realms of
light.
Every person knows, by reflection, that intelligence may be imparted
without diminishing the store possessed by the giver. Therefore it
follows, that millions of individual beings may each receive all the
attributes of eternal life, and light, and power.
Again it follows, that in the use of this power, by consent and
authority of the head, any one of these Gods may create, organize,
people, govern, control, exalt, glorify and enjoy worlds on worlds,
and the inhabitants thereof; or, in other words, each of them can find
room in the infinitude of space, and unoccupied chaotic elements in
the boundless storehouse of eternal riches, with which to erect for
himself thrones, principalities, and powers, over which to reign in
still increasing might, majesty and dominion, for ever and ever.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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