As part of a discussion group, i have been reading robert wrights the evolution of god. It was always his purpose to progress to exaltation. Together, this enables them to progress in their eternal progression. And thus the flesh becoming subject to the spirit, or the son to the father, being one god. Mormonism, eternal progression, the eucharist truth matters. Mormons explicitly deny that the atonement is the basis for salvation. Ive grown up with a lot of these concepts and principles phrased in religious terminology. As quoted above, the book of mormon states that without god we would not even exist 2 nephi 2. If you have both the discourse and the book of mormon on hand, read these passages to the missionary. I think christians see eternal progression with bigger potential and glory than mormons realize. It is my intention rather to take the mormon claim at face value and see whether the mormon scriptures, as represented by the case study of 2 nephi 2 in the book of mormon, pass the tests of logical and biblical consistency that should be expected of any new revelation. According to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the mormons, the law of eternal progression is the teaching that men move from being spirit. The lord has declared that the book of mormon contains the fulness of the gospel of jesus christ doctrine and covenants 20. It should be realized that god is not progressing in knowledge, truth, virtue, wisdom, or any of the attributes of godliness.
The bible has stood alone for many yearsbut in the last daysits becoming evident why the bible needs the book of mormon. Over the years, ive been thinking about eternal progression and ive developed some ideas but not the typical plan of salvation. Perhaps the most embarrassing thing to the mormon church concerning the doctrine of baptism for the dead is the book of mormon itself. Aug 23, 2015 this video is about the mormon law of eternal progression and explains how it is impossible when applied to the very first god. Some of the brethren have held the view that it was possible in the course of progression to advance from one glory to another, invoking the principle of eternal progression. Eternal progression and the foreknowledge of god byu studies. The main doctrine on which all their teachings rest is eternal progression.
Exaltation is believed to be what god desires for all humankind. The book of mormon specifically contradicts the belief that god was a man and he became a god. The book of mormon is a crucial book of scripture full of instruction necessary for our eternal progression. According to mormon theology, everyone was at first intelligences. Jun 09, 2009 conclusion 1premise 4 therefore, the mormon view cannot be true, for it is impossible given premises 1, 2, and 3 for eternal progression to entail that a being of limited knowledge gains knowledge until his knowledge is infinite. The scripture does not say unchangeable in his being. Mcconkie,the book of mormon student manual religion 121 and 122, 1989, p. It embodies many concepts taught by joseph smith, especially in his king follett discourse. We examine and express the rich spiritual, intellectual, social, and artistic qualities of mormon history and contemporary life. The church teaches that through exaltation believers may become jointheirs with jesus. When smith organized his church in 1830, eternal progression was not in his theological repertoire, at least not in any explicit form. The bible is by definition a collection of books written by various authors that were not necessarily eye witnesses to the events that took place in it. Ask a mormon lesbian ask a mormon lesbian podcast book of mormon ces charity dr. Mormon leaders tell us no mormon teachings in the book of mormon.
Nov 29, 2018 there are many good people in mormonism but throughout the years i have received very judgmental and hateful comments from them. God shows moses a vision depicting some of his vast creations including a vast number of worlds created for other people, a sampling of what god created in the past and what he will continue to do forever. Training and witnessing materials watchman fellowship, inc. Not even the book of mormon has any reference to it, as i understand. Jun 11, 2009 if this is true, then is it really necessary for anyone to personally experience sin or the negative sphere of opposites for eternal progression. Jul 12, 2017 considering the mormon belief in eternal progression on top of all this, its only natural to believe that the bible is not the only authority on gospel truths, and we may yet be blessed with more books of scripture beyond the bible, book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and pearl of great price. The brethren direct me to say that the church has never announced a definite doctrine upon this point. The first step to understanding modern channeled christian cosmology or eternal progression is to have at least a general understanding of the earths progression or orbit within the galaxy. Our eternal progression depends on how we use this gift.
If you go to to fairmormon wiki page and inquire into eternal progression into kingdoms the answer is more or less, there is no official church position on this, but it probably isnt true. Where in the book of mormon does it talk about eternal. The messages presented from the 1991 sperry symposium expound these teachings with insights and inspiration pertaining to these messages. Mormons still believe the practice of polygamy was commanded by. Citations on eternal progression mormonism research ministry. The eternal progression argument against mormonism abstract this paper argues that mormon cosmology plus the mormon view of the origin of human persons results in an undercutting defeater for mormonism. The book of mormon is supposed to contain the fullness of the everlasting gospel see pearl of great price, p. Exaltation or eternal life is a belief among members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church that mankind can return to live in gods presence and continue as families. The term is clear in what it means people are eternally progressing. The book of mormon has drawn criticism from many christians because it is accepted in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as legitimate scripture, despite other denominations insistence that the bible is the only valid of word of god. In fact, the only reference is in the book of abraham. Those same prophets also teach about the relationship between the.
Moreover, if, as mormon theology says, it was necessary for someone to personally experience sin so that others might benefit vicariously, then which unfortunate humans must bear this responsibility. From the lds perspective, the book of mormon is an ancient book and therefore should reflect an ancient theology, not joseph smiths own theology. Mormon prophets have continuously taught the sublime truth that god the eternal father was once a mortal man who passed through a school of earth life similar to that through which we are now passing. The mission of the sunstone education foundation is to sponsor open forums of mormon thought and experience. Like baptism for the dead, celestial marriage, three degrees of glory, that god the father was a man, plurality of gods,tempory hell,preexistence of spirits, eternal progression, eternal intelligence, priesthood needed to act for god, plural marriage, polygamy, word of wisdom,secret handshakes etc. The book of moses informs us that the great work of the father is in creating. The lds church teaches the plan of salvation as a linear progression pre earth life mortal life probation death resurrection assigned to a kingdom and thats it. Sheldon greaves eor faith faith crisis feminism feminist gay general conference gospel doctrine heavenly mother historical jesus homosexuality institute jesus jesus christ joseph smith laura root lgbt lgbtq love modesty mormon mormonism mother in heaven new. No footnotes, personal notes, or other related content available. First, the bible and the book of mormon for that matter, describe heavenly father as eternal and the same yesterday, today and forever. Oct 22, 2014 mormonisms doctrine of eternal progression this is the foundational teaching that affects virtually all other mormon beliefs. Eternal progression is the basic doctrine on which all mormon teachings rest. This led to me to wonder when exactly joseph smith came to understand the doctrine of eternal progression along with identifying that there was a. Matt slick is the president and founder of the christian apologetics and research ministry.
God, christ, man, the angels and the demons all shared the same origins and possessed the same potential. Book of mormon prophets used the word state over fifty times in specific reference to our progression through the plan of salvation. All beings of which we know humans and angels were all born as spirits to heavenly father and his wife, heavenly mother. Combined with the audio cd, this teaching set shows some of the more than 4,000 changes and. Questions for mormons on the godhead presenting the biblical god and the trinity. It does not teach anything about a preexistence of man, eternal progression or polygamy. Eternal progression and the evolution of god mormon matters.
Eternal progression heavenly fathers plan of happiness heavenly mother and the preexistence the mormon belief of becoming gods mormonism and future polygamy states. The book of moses informs us that the great work of the father is in creating worlds and peopling them, and there is no end to my works, neither to my words, he says, for behold, this is my work and my gloryto bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, and in this is his progression. And i dont remember doama ever saying there were no mormon teachings in the book of mormon. The church teaches that through exaltation believers may. May 28, 2014 book of mormon chronology timeline of jaredites may 28, 2014 1 comment in scriptural science, works in progress by mormonbox timeline chronology for the jaredite culture from the book of ether in the book of mormon.
We prepare for eternal life by daily learning, improving, and building the kingdom of god. In fact, the primary basis for it in mormon thought is the king follett discourse, one of joseph smiths last sermons. The best evidence of this is the book of mormon, published in 1830. Visit book of mormon central at follow us on facebook 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. Only one god has ever existed amongst the dead sea scrolls was a complete copy of the book of isaiah, written in the square form of the letter. Jul 18, 2011 eternal progression, degrees of glory, and the resurrection. Eternal progression, degrees of glory, and the resurrection. Book of mormon teaches that jesus brought death and destruction with the cross and that his death on the cross meant wrath and destruction for historical cities like mocum, onihum, etc.
Maxwell, all these things shall give thee experience salt lake city. Why the bible needs the book of mormon greg trimble. According to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the mormons, the law of eternal progression is the teaching that men move from being spirit children of god in the preexistence to gaining physical bodies here on earth, and finally after death, people enter into one of the three levels of heaven. In other words, if we obey god and receive every blessing he has in store for us, we will increase in happiness and glory forever, just as he does. Philosophical problems with the mormon concept of god. The mormon law of eternal progression by matt slick according to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the mormons, the law of eternal progression is the teaching that men move from being spirit children of god in the preexistence to gaining physical bodies here on earth, and finally after death, people enter into one of the three levels of heaven. Mar 22, 2009 it does not teach anything about a preexistence of man, eternal progression or polygamy. Men becoming gods law of eternal progression 4mormon. But the book of mormon says he is unchangeable in his being. Premise 5 the mormon doctrine of eternal progression is entailed by the mormon concept of god. My dear sir, you are going way off the reservation. The manual in this teaching set contains photocopies of select pages from the original 1830 book of mormon with copies of the same passages from recent editions. This article takes an interdisciplinary approach toward a mormon theology of work.
Endowed with agency and subject to eternal laws, man began his progression and advancement in preexistence, his ultimate goal being to attain a state of glory, honor, and exaltation like the father of spirits. The book of mormon tells us that it is possible for god to cease to be god if he doesnt obey certain rules like sending people to hell so we must assume that hes still toting bales for a higher authority. During his earth life he gains a mortal body, receives. Mormon leaders tell us no mormon teachings in the book of. Eternal progression the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. God and man in the book of mormon 1829 we begin with the book of mormon, most of which joseph smith dictated in 1829.
Emphatic statements have been made by church authorities regarding the nature of eternal progression. Adams, lisa ramsey the principle of eternal progression cannot be precisely defined or comprehended, yet it is fundamental to the lds worldview. In one sense, eternal progression refers to everything that people learn and experience by their choices as they. And they are one god, yea, the very eternal father of heaven and of earth. The approach is modeled after plantingas evolutionary argument against naturalism. In doing so, we will see that the lds doctrine is contrary to the teaching of the book of mormon as well as joseph smiths earliest doctrinal. Youd be helped to listen to james white on the mormon doctrine of eternal progression that the elements and spirit intelligences are eternal and that within that cosmology some beings progress to become gods to populate their own worlds and give an increase to the glory of the god above them in the chain. Aaron aaron, descendants of aaronic priesthood abarim abase abate abba. However, these principles are universal and most people understand them already to one degree or another. The problem of achieving omniscience by eternal progression.
My group isnt anywhere near finished the heart of the book focuses on the three. Tag archive for men becoming gods law of eternal progression. We are all aware that you think that there are many things wrong with the book of mormon. Where in the book of mormon does it talk about eternal marriage. Moroni, the last of the nephite prophethistorians, sealed up the abridged records of. If heavenly father went through a process of exaltation himself, that leads to the conclusion that he himself had a god, and a creator. Eternal progression effects everything in mormon theology, from who god is, how he got there, and how he passes these opportunities on to his spirit children. Mormons may say, he is unchangeable in his purpose. The phrase eternal progression first occurs in the discourses of brigham young. Do mormons believe that there is there progression. Gordon hinckley, richard mouw, and eternal progression. The book of mormon teaches that godand specifically the fatheris spirit. Traditional mormonism has followed orson pratts model of eternal progression, which holds that when we achieve full godhood we will cap out in knowledge and power, having become equal with god in all divinity, subsequently only progressing in the worlds and progeny under us.
Conclusion 1premise 4 therefore, the mormon view cannot be true, for it is impossible given premises 1, 2, and 3 for eternal progression to entail that a being of limited knowledge gains knowledge until his knowledge is infinite. Book of mormon chronology timeline of jaredites mormon. If we are not eternally existent beings but rather creatures whom god brought into existence, it follows that we are not potential gods of the same kind or nature as the eternal god who made us. A vote of 12 women is required to revoke the authority of a man who has been sustained to officiate in baptism and the lords supper outside his own family. It is based on the proposition that there is no such thing as principle, power, wisdom, knowledge, life, position, or anything that can be imagined, that remains stationarythey must increase or decrease. Mormon claims answered, eternal progression mormon claims answered, three heavens or degrees of glory mormon claims answered, immortality and eternal life. Walker wright argues that adams earliest calling in the garden of eden to dress it and to keep it gen 2. You are attempting to prove that mormon leaders tell us no mormon teachings in the book of mormon by telling us all the things you think are wrong with the book of mormon. Mormons reject this logical defect with eternal progression. The book of mormon records the visit of jesus christ to people in the americas following his resurrection.
Im asking this tongue in cheek, of course, but this is a genuine consequence of actually thinking about the doctrine. Which book of mormon doctrinal mastery passage supports these statements of doctrine. The mission of the sunstone education foundation is to sponsor open forums of mormon thought and. Mormonism has followed orson pratts model of eternal progression, which holds. A comparative cosmology july 18, 2011 3 comments in insights sticky posts, works in progress by mormonbox introduction. Apr 15, 2016 in fact, the primary basis for it in mormon thought is the king follett discourse, one of joseph smiths last sermons. The book of mormon has drawn criticism from many christians because it is accepted in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as legitimate scripture, despite other denominations insistence that the bible is the only valid of word of god that will. They worship an exclusively mormon god who leads a married life, has a body of flesh and bone, and was once a mortal man. Peck at a mormon studies conference at utah valley university explained that mormons believe in eternal progression and that the universe was organized from preexisting matter, which are ideas also held by evolutionary biologists. The doctrine of eternal progression undercuts this earlier mormon doctrine of the unity of god. Eternal progression mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. In 2018, byu professor and evolutionary biologist steven l. Considering the mormon belief in eternal progression on top of all this, its only natural to believe that the bible is not the only authority on gospel truths, and we may yet be blessed with more books of scripture beyond the bible, book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and pearl of great price. In the book of alma, the god of the nephites is repeatedly identified or equated with the great spirit of the lamanites alma 18.
The cultural and historical implications of the salt lake city bombings cases. A twohundredyear era of peace followed that visit of christ. Eternal progression is a common phrase among members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints referring to the idea that there is no limit to our potential. The prayers found in the book of moroni, the last book of the book of mormon, should be used to bless the lords supper. Again, with no real explanation, the mormon doctrine teaches that this progression has been eternal and in this line came the man who became exalted as a god over this planet. If you question a mormon missionary, hell be familiar with the king follett discourse, and hell have a testimony about the truth of the doctrine of eternal progression. Gods plan of salvation answers lifes great questions, such as. By establishing these three pillars, god gave us the opportunity to continue through further states of being in our quest for eternal progression. Since mans progression is said to follow that of the earths evolution, an understanding of cosmology gives a framework for us to better. It is thoroughly understood, however, that a vast majority of the human family will never become gods, because to do so they must accept the true gospel, receive all of the ordinancesincluding celestial marriageand obey all of gods commandments. If you have both the discourse and the book of mormon on hand, read these passage to the missionary.
Eternal progression after death is fun speculation for. The faulty mormon lds law of eternal progression youtube. On this last point, the fact that the doctrine of eternal progression does not rest on the snow couplet alone is one reason why mouws repeated assertions about the snow couplet not being canonical are irrelevant. So it was the same version of isaiah that christ had used. Eternal progression provides for myriads of gods throughout the universe.
592 135 440 74 1426 631 233 368 1204 706 1312 379 494 1275 1336 885 272 1373 638 576 578 569 440 547 139 857 732 1134 399 1089 926 380 1377 247 367 167 917 1402 485 220 866 685 949 1243 93 953