God in Mormonism - Early Latter Day Saint Concepts

Early Latter Day Saint Concepts

Most early Latter Day Saints came from a Protestant background, believing in the doctrine of Trinity that had been developed during the early centuries of Christianity. Before about 1835, Mormon theological teachings were similar to that established view. However, Smith's teachings regarding the nature of the Godhead developed during his lifetime, becoming most fully elaborated in the few years prior to his murder in 1844. Beginning as an unelaborated description of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as being "One", Smith taught that the Father and the Son were distinct personal members of the Godhead as early as 1832 (See D&C 76:12-24). Smith's public teachings later described the Father and Son as possessing distinct physical bodies, being one together with the Holy Ghost, not in material substance, but instead united in spirit, glory, and purpose–a view sometimes called social trinitarianism.

Read more about this topic:  God In Mormonism

Famous quotes containing the words early, day, saint and/or concepts:

    “Probably more than youngsters at any age, early adolescents expect the adults they care about to demonstrate the virtues they want demonstrated. They also tend to expect adults they admire to be absolutely perfect. When adults disappoint them, they can be critical and intolerant.”
    —The Lions Clubs International and the Quest Nation. The Surprising Years, I, ch.4 (1985)

    “It’s always the generals with the bloodiest records who are the first to shout what a hell it is. And it’s always the war widows who lead the Memorial Day parades.”
    —Paddy Chayefsky (1923–1981)

    “Alone, alone, all, all alone,
    Alone on a wide wide sea!
    And never a saint took pity on
    My soul in agony.”
    —Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834)

    “Germany collapsed as a result of having engaged in a struggle for empire with the concepts of provincial politics.”
    —Albert Camus (1913–1960)