What do you picture the Godhead to be?

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

If we want to argue about the definition of "worship" that's another matter. In my opinion, we *honor* the Son, but as Jesus himself said, all glory is to the Father.

Which Father? Father Jehova (Jehova is Jesus himself, right? In which case you do worship Jesus, and also pray in his name). Or some other Father? Grandpa? Don't say Elohim. Elohim is a noun, not a proper name. But if Elohim is the Father, and so is Jehova the Father, who's on first? Who is "Heavenly Father?" Jehova or Elohim? It seems like there's an extra father in the mix here, and a father/son conflation. And Mormons have called the trinity absurd all these years.

[All-American]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Which Father? Father Jehova (Jehova is Jesus himself, right? In which case you do worship Jesus, and also pray in his name). Or some other Father? Grandpa? Don't say Elohim. Elohim is a noun, not a proper name. But if Elohim is the Father, and so is Jehova the Father, who's on first? Who is "Heavenly Father?" Jehova or Elohim? It seems like there's an extra father in the mix here, and a father/son conflation. And Mormons have called the trinity absurd all these years.

All Mormons here who are confused by anything except why on earth Seattle is still going off on this stuff, please raise your hand now.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by All-American

All Mormons here who are confused by anything except why on earth Seattle is still going off on this stuff, please raise your hand now.

You're right. I have no dog in this fight. But I'm just challenging folks to think a little more deeply about their theology. I too once was dismissive about the traditional trinity without appreciating how impossibly muddled and complex the issue is from any perspective.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Just because we believe that there may be more than one god, doesn't mean we worship more than one. ...
If anything, it is the Christians who are polytheistic...

Polytheism is the belief in more than one deity. Worship has nothing to do with it.

I can see an argument that Christianity is polytheistic. An argument that traditional Christianity is polytheistic while Mormonism is monotheistic, that I don't see.

[All-American]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

Polytheism is the belief in more than one deity. Worship has nothing to do with it.

I can see an argument that Christianity is polytheistic. An argument that traditional Christianity is polytheistic while Mormonism is monotheistic, that I don't see.

Mormons pray to one being, and one being alone. Catholics, on the other hand . . .

I wouldn't make the argument myself, by the way.

[ChinoCoug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Let me add, for those of you who are LDS and say that we worship both the Father and the Son.

Well, unlike the guys in Tallahassee Nights, we don't pray to Jesus.

And I don't think any of you would claim that we worship the Holy Ghost. So why would we worship just two out of the three members of the Godhead?

If we want to argue about the definition of "worship" that's another matter. In my opinion, we *honor* the Son, but as Jesus himself said, all glory is to the Father.

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/3_ne/11/17#17

I worship all three members of the Godhead.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by All-American

Mormons pray to one being, and one being alone. Catholics, on the other hand . . .

I wouldn't make the argument myself, by the way.

I'm not questioning who or what anyone prays to. I'm wondering how many gods are recognized.
Christianity recognizes some x number of Gods where 1<=x<=3
That's either monotheism or polytheism depending on where the x lands.

It was my impression that there are multiple gods within LDS theology, and regardless of whether all of them are worshipped, that's polytheism. Now, other than what you kind members have shared with me, I got all my information on LDS beliefs from the Baptist Student Union, so there's a possibility of inaccuracies.

[All-American]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

You're right. I have no dog in this fight. But I'm just challenging folks to think a little more deeply about their theology. I too once was dismissive about the traditional trinity without appreciating how impossibly muddled and complex the issue is from any perspective.

I don't have a problem with it. I find it neither impossibly muddled nor complex. If there's anybody who feels the need to have it explained, I'd be happy to give my understanding via boardmail.

I secretly suspect nobody really feels the need.

[ChinoCoug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

If we are to become gods, are we destined to suddenly become tripartite?

No. Some say we join the trinity. And keep referring to LDS non-Christians. I'm sure the Lord appreciates it.

[ChinoCoug]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

I'm not questioning who or what anyone prays to. I'm wondering how many gods are recognized.
Christianity recognizes some x number of Gods where 1<=x<=3
That's either monotheism or polytheism depending on where the x lands.

It was my impression that there are multiple gods within LDS theology, and regardless of whether all of them are worshipped, that's polytheism. Now, other than what you kind members have shared with me, I got all my information on LDS beliefs from the Baptist Student Union, so there's a possibility of inaccuracies.

Can one be considered a god if he is not worship-worthy? I believe so. If our concept of deification we can ever be worshipped.