THE FATHER The Ancient of Days Daniel 7:9,13 Father of the Son Matthew 7:21; Matthew 17:5; Mark 1:11; Mark 9:7; Luke 3:21-22; Luke 9:35; John 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:5 Loves the Son John 10:17; Helaman 2:112 Teaches, commands, and reveals to the Son John 5:19-20,26-29; John 12:49-50; John 14:31; John 17:4; 3 Nephi 5:32; 3 Nephi 7:15-17,26,42; 3 Nephi 8:59 Honors and glorifies the Son John 8:54; John 12:27-28; John 13:31-32; John 17:1,5; Acts 3:13 Sacrificed His Son Matthew 27:46; John 1:29; John 3:16-17; John 6:30-33; John 10:17-18; Acts 2:22-24; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; 1 John 4:10 Draws and brings men to Christ John 6:37,44,39,65; John 10:27-29; John 17:2,6-12,24 Greater than the Son John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Corinthians 15:28; Philippians 2:5-8 1
THE SO (CHRIST) o Gods formed before or after Christ Isaiah 43:10-11 Begotten of the Father Psalm 2:7; John 1:14; Hebrews 1:5-6; 1 John 4:9; Alma 3:83; Alma 7:40; Alma 9:73 The Son of God Daniel 3:25; Daniel 7:13; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15; Matthew 3:17; Matthew 14:33; Matthew 16:16; Matthew 25:34; Mark 1:1; Mark 3:11; Mark 5:7; Mark 15:39; Luke 1:35; Luke 4:41; Luke 22:70; John 1:49; John 5:17-18; Romans 1:1-4; Hebrews 1:5; 1 Nephi 3:62; Mosiah 8:29; Helaman 5:66; Ether 1:101 Christ existed before the creation, at the beginning with the Father Isaiah 43:13; John 1:1-2,15; John 8:56-58; John 17:5; Isaiah 48:16; Colossians 1:17; 1 John 1:1-3; Mosiah 1:97; Alma 8:95; Revelation 1:8,22,17; Alma 9:73; Helaman 2:112; Helaman 5:66; 3 Nephi 4:45; 3 Nephi 11:33 Created all things John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2,10; Mosiah 1:102; Revelation 3:14; Mosiah 5:44; Helaman 5:66; 3 Nephi 4:44; Mormon 4:70; Ether 1:101 Anointed and chosen by the Father Psalm 2:2; Isaiah 43:10; Matthew 12:18; Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; Hebrews 1:8-9; 3 Nephi 5:8 Sent by the Father Isaiah 48:16-17; Matthew 10:40; Mark 12:6; John 5:36-37,43; John 6:29,57; John 7:28-29; John 8:14-18,26-29,42; John 10:34-36; John 12:44-49; John 16:28; John 17:3; Galatians 4:4; 1 John 4:14; Ether 1:107 Receives authority from the Father Daniel 7:14; Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22; John 3:35; John 5:22,26-27; 1 Corinthians 15:27-28; Ephesians 1:20-22; Hebrews 2:7-8 Christ called God Isaiah 9:6; Luke 7:16; John 1:1; John 10:33-36; John 20:28; 3 Nephi 5:14 The God of Israel and the World 3 Nephi 5:15 2
Also called the Father Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 63:16; Isaiah 64:8; Mosiah 1:102; Mosiah 5:44-45; Mosiah 8:30-31,91; Alma 8:93-94; Helaman 5:66; 3 Nephi 1:14; Mormon 4:71; Ether 1:77,101,108 Father Resides in the Son (and Vice Versa) John 10:38; John 14:7-11; John 17:20-27; Colossians 2:9 One with the Father John 10:30; John 17:20-22; Mosiah 8:30-32; 3 Nephi 4:45; 3 Nephi 5:27; 3 Nephi 9:73; 3 Nephi 13:22 In the form/image of God Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4 God in the flesh John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Mosiah 1:97; Mosiah 5:44-45; Mosiah 8:28-29 Communicates with the Father Matthew 11:25-26; Mark 14:36; Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:46; Luke 23:34,46; John 17 Acknowledges superiority of the Father Matthew 19:17; Luke 18:19 Does the will of the Father Luke 2:49; John 5:30; John 6:38-40; John 8:29; Galatians 1:3-4; Mosiah 8:30; 3 Nephi 1:14; 3 Nephi 5:12 Sits at the right hand of the Father Psalm 110:1,5; Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62; Mark 16:19; Luke 22:69; John 20:17; Acts 2:32-35; Acts 5:30-31; Acts 7:55-56; Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3,13; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 3:22 3
HOLY GHOST / SPIRIT Referred to as he and him John 14:15-17,26; John 15:26; John 16:7-8,13-15; 1 Nephi 3:37-51 Can be grieved Ephesians 4:30 Sent the Son (the Father also sent the Son) Isaiah 48:16 Given/sent by the Father Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:31; Numbers 11:16-17; Luke 11:13; John 4:10,13-14; John 14:15-16,26; John 15:26; John 16:7; John 20:22; Acts 5:32; 1 John 3:24; 2 Nephi 13:15 Was given before Christ came in the flesh Genesis 41:38; Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:30-31; Numbers 11:16-17,25-29; Numbers 24:2; Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9; Judges 3:10; Judges 6:34; Judges 11:29; Judges 13:24-25; Judges 4:6,19; Judges 15:14; 1 Samuel 10:6,9-12; 1 Samuel 11:6; 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Samuel 19:18-24; 2 Chronicles 15:1; 2 Chronicles 20:14; 2 Chronicles 24:20; Nehemiah 9:20,30; Psalm 51:10-12; Ezekiel 2:2; 1 Peter 1:10-11; 1 Nephi 1:6-7,11; 1 Nephi 5:152; 2 Nephi 1:51; Mosiah 9:38-45; Alma 16:116-117; Helaman 2:111 Dwells within individuals Genesis 41:38; Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:30-31; Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9; Psalm 51:10-12; Ezekiel 2:2; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 14:16-17,23; John 20:22; Acts 2:4; Acts 8:14-19; Acts 9:17; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Galatians 2:20; 2 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 1:10-11; 1 John 4:12-16; Revelation 3:20; 2 Nephi 1:51; Alma 12:112-113 We must receive the Spirit for everlasting life John 3:3-8; John 4:13-14; Romans 8:9-11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Alma 16:228-234; Given through the laying on of hands Acts 8:14-19; Acts 9:17; Acts 19:6; 2 Timothy 4:14; Moroni 2:1,2 Provides spiritual gifts Numbers 11:25-29; 1 Samuel 19:18-24; Nehemiah 9:30; Joel 2:28-29; Luke 1:67; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12:3-13; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 Nephi 1:82-83,169; 2 Nephi 14:1-3; 4
Alma 7:30-31; Moroni 10:8-12 Provides wisdom, understanding, instruction Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:30-31; Numbers 11:16-17; Deuteronomy 34:9; 1 Chronicles 28:12,19; John 14:26; John 16:13-14; Acts 13:2-4; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Galatians 5:13-26; 1 John 2:27; 1 Nephi 1:49; 1 Nephi 3:23-31; 1 Nephi 7:3-4; 2 Nephi 14:6; Alma 3:76-82; Alma 12:112-113; Moroni 7:14; Moroni 19:3-7 Gives power Acts 1:8; 1 Nephi 3:187; Alma 12:112-113 Instills God s love within us Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Timothy 1:7; Ether 1:105-106; Moroni 8:29 Convicts the world of sin and directs us to Christ John 16:8-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Galatians 5:13-26; 1 John 5:6 Intercedes on our behalf Romans 8:26-27 5
"Only Begotten" Hebrew and Greek definitions for the word begotten mean to be born or to bring forth children. Since Christ is the only begotten, he is an only child of His father. Jesus was the first beginning of the creation of God; Rev 3:14), and I believe the only Created being of the Father thereafter Christ taking over the creation through the power of Holy Spirit. (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: Col 1:15, 16 see also Chris s Godhead paper "Created all things") Beside ones physical birth or creation, one can also be "spiritually born" i.e. united to God becoming His children. For us, we are "spiritually born" at our baptism. (p. 224 Mos 3:8, 9 "called the children of Christ"... "born of him, and become his sons and daughters." For Jesus, the Heavenly Father said: "today I have begotten thee. This reference is given by several writers of the scriptures but it does not refer to the time when Christ was created. Referring to this passage, several early elders including Justin Martyr believed that the Father was talking about the time when Jesus was baptized. i.e. "the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting on Him:... This is my son, in whom I am well pleased." The other possibility for this Spiritual birth is at his resurrection after He completed His mission. This is the time that Paul seems to indicate (Acts 13:33). In either case, Jesus obeyed the commandments of His Father and therefore was spiritually begotten of Him. In like-manner, when we obey Jesus Christ and are baptized, then we are begotten of Jesus becoming His sons and daughters. At that time, He is our Spiritual Father as well as our Physical Father through birth and creation. The Father Both our Heavenly Father and His son are referred to as Father. The Heavenly Father began the creation therefore responsible for everything that exist today and He is also the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus acknowledges the superiority of His Father exceeding His sovereignty, righteousness and power and He will turn over the Kingdom to His father at the end of the millennial reign. As given above, for Jesus, there are at least two good reasons to refer to Him as our Father (physical and spiritual). Almost every references referring to Him as the Father does so because He was the creator of heaven and earth and all things therein including mankind. (see Chris s Godhead paper) There is one reference in the scriptures that is not as straight forward in why Jesus is called the Son and Father. In Mosiah the 8 th chapter (Mos 8:28-37), Abinadi says Jesus is the Son because of the flesh. To me, this means the same as the scriptures that say "today I have begotten thee. He was the Son because he was obedient to the will of the Father, going down to earth and completing His mission to die for the sins of mankind. He was spiritually born (begotten, becoming the Son, Spiritually) of His Father because of His obedience. Abinadi 6
goes on to say that Jesus is the Father because he was conceived by the power of the God. In my opinion, this means that Jesus, from heaven, sent His Holy Spirit down to physically impregnated Mary to be with child. (Alma 5:19) Not only is Christ the Father of us (see and we by Him 1 Cor 8:6), He in similar fashion is Father of His own earthly vessel and conception. It is at this time He would give up His place in Heaven entering into that earthy vessel to become the savior of the world. Christ s heavenly Father is also referred to in verse 30, subjected to the will of the Father and I believe also in verses 32, 34, 35 when Abinadi is talking about the will of the Heavenly Father. Abinadi uses non-typical reasons to explain why Jesus is the Son and Father nonetheless his statements are true and not out of Harmony with any other scripture. There are many, many verses in both the Bible and BoM that talk about two individual personages before, during and after Christ was made flesh. ( But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, Acts 7:55 and sitteth on His right hand Mi 9:28, and 3N 4:45, 5:12, 32, 33, 36-38, 63, 91-93 etc. Other examples of two separate personages include (3Nephi chs 4-13) showing separate will, bodies, thoughts, different levels of authority (2N13:15), separate voices from heaven (2N13:14, 15, 18, 19 26, 30, 32) and that talk to each other in heaven and from earth to heaven Christ humbled himself and was obedient to the will His Father (2N13:9). The list could go on and on. The Holy Spirit Since Christ was the only begotten, and he created all things that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible it follows that Jesus must have created the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Power that the Heavenly Father, Christ and angels use to accomplish the wills and speak the words of the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit does not speak His own words (John 16:13) and can take the form of a man (1N 3:50) or other forms (Dove, fire). As Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit as if he is a person and He walks, talks, hears, judges there is no reason to believe that He is not a separate personage with independent thought. (see The Trinity below) The Trinity Although one might be tempted to refer to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as Three Gods, the Father, Jesus Christ and scriptures, are careful not to do so. In no way do they want to appear anything other than totally unified in their purpose and mission. There is/they are ONE GOD or are ONE or ONE ETERNAL GOD Mal 2:10; Mark 12:37; Rom 3:30; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 4:6; 1 Tim 2:5; James 2:19; 1 John 5:7; 1N 3:197; 2N 13:32; Mos 8:31, 32; Alma 8:81, 89, 104; 10:38; 16:174; 3N 5:27, 38; 13:22; Mor 3:29 And shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. P342 Alma 8:104 7
And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying: Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen... that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one. 3N 5:25-27 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19 And now behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. 2N13:32 Verily, verily I say unto you, that this is my doctrine; and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me, believeth in the Father also; And unto him will the Father bear record of me; for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost; And thus will the Father bear record of me; and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost, are one. 3N 5:36-38 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 1 John 5:6-8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. John 14:8-11 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me. Isaiah 48:16 The Trinity speaks with in harmony and in truth, testifies of each other, we are judge by them, we are baptized and sealed in their name and we follow their doctrine. This is the one God, the Trinity. Dennis 8