Mormons, officially known as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe that Jesus Christ is divine and is God, but they understand His relationship with God the Father and the Holy Ghost differently than traditional Trinitarian Christianity.
The Divinity of Jesus Christ in Mormon Belief
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold Jesus Christ as central to their faith and worship Him as their Lord and Savior. They believe:
- Jesus is the Son of God: Like most Christians, Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God, meaning He inherited divine attributes from His Father.
- Jesus is the Creator: They believe Jesus Christ, under the direction of God the Father, was the Creator of the world and everything in it.
- Jesus is God: In their theology, Jesus is indeed a God—a divine, perfected, and exalted being. He is worshipped and revered as God.
The Unique Understanding of the Godhead
A key distinction in Mormon theology is the belief in the nature of the Godhead. While they believe Jesus is God, they do not adhere to the traditional Trinitarian doctrine that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three persons in one substance. Instead, Mormons teach that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two distinct beings. They are separate, individual, perfected beings united in purpose, love, and doctrine, but not in person or substance.
The Godhead, for Mormons, consists of three separate and distinct personages:
- God the Father (Elohim): The supreme ruler and father of all spirits.
- Jesus Christ (Jehovah): The literal Son of God, the Redeemer, and the Creator.
- The Holy Ghost: A personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones, who testifies of the Father and the Son.
These three divine beings work in perfect unity, operating with one mind and purpose.
Comparing Beliefs: Mormon Godhead vs. Traditional Trinity
To clarify the nuance, the table below highlights the differing perspectives on the nature of God:
| Aspect | Traditional Christian Trinity View | Mormon View (The Godhead) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Deity | One God in three co-equal, co-eternal persons | Three distinct, separate, perfected beings |
| Father, Son, Holy Ghost | One divine essence, one substance | United in purpose, love, and doctrine; separate in personage |
| Jesus's Identity | God the Son, fully God (same substance as Father) | Son of God, a divine being, a God, distinct from Father |
In essence, Mormons unequivocally believe Jesus is God and central to salvation, but their understanding of His relationship as a distinct, separate being from God the Father sets their Christology apart from many other Christian faiths.
