LDS, Mormons, when the Bible states there are no other Gods before me, NOR after me?

1. just because you misrepresent or distort an idea does not make it doctrine to the LDS church.....nor does it make your distortion correct. not all LDS accept the ideas which suggest a regression of divine beings. LDS ideas on this are mostly speculative. BUT the concept of a divine council comes from the bible.

for example --- *the King James version (KJV) of Psalm 82:1 reads, "God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods." The Hebrew term rendered "congregation of the mighty" is la td[ (cedat 'el), which really means "the council of God." Another Hebrew term that means "council" is dws (s?d),4 which is often translated "secret" in KJV. Passages in which it should be read as "council" are Job 15:8;5 29:4; Psalm 25:14; and Proverbs 3:32. Indeed, in some passages, KJV translates it "assembly" (Psalm 111:1; Jeremiah 6:11; 15:17; Ezekiel 13:9), while in a few others KJV renders it "counsel" (Psalm 55:14; 83:3; 89:5-7; Proverbs 15:22; Jeremiah 23:18, 22), while in Psalm 64:2, KJV renders it "secret counsel."*

2. this is clearly meant to assert the supremacy, authority, and superiority of God over not only over false idols but over all else, including real gods. the main point is to encourage us to stop worshiping other divine beings or idols.

and it is God who says that we have potential to be like Him --- when telling of our creation, the bible says we are created in the image of God. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." and it says --- "I have said, ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." Jesus Christ Himself said we were gods: "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken." or do you propose that Christ just didn't know what He was talking about?

in LDS thought, even though we can be called gods, we are not on the same level as God the Father. we have potential......not equal to Him. and that potential can only be reached thru Christ.

3. see #1

4. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” and “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” (Ex. 20:3–4.)

I don't know --- 'if I keep shooting arrows @the same target'.....(wittgenstein) it should be self-evident that God is indicating that He is the authority.....

edit: @MM

the LDS acknowledge, revere and worship the Father as the true God, and Jesus as His Son, and the Holy Ghost - united as the Godhead.

the gods of Psalm 82.......you know what? here read this ---

http://www.fairlds.org/Bible/Reconsidering_Psalms_...

and as to 'one true God' --- I give you Origen

"Now it is possible that some may dislike what we have said representing the Father as the one true God, but admitting other beings besides the true God, who have become gods by having a share of God. They may fear that the glory of Him who surpasses all creation may be lowered to the level of those other beings called gods. They may fear that the glory of Him who surpasses all creation may be lowered to the lever of those other beings called gods...[However], as, then there are many gods, but to us there is but one God the Father, and many Lords, but to us there is one Lord, Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 8:5-6). "

personally I like what ernst benz said (he IS a non-LDS scholar)

"One can think what one wants of this doctrine of progressive deification, but one thing is certain: with this anthropology Joseph Smith is closer to the view of man held by the ancient Church than the precursors of the Augustinian doctrine of original sin."

so you may dislike this doctrine, but it is ancient, biblical, and true......

edit: you misrepresent the ideas and imply that it is LDS doctrine....that is distortion (defined as a misleading alteration). I did not name JS specifically - I mean that in a general sense --- most of what you claim as LDS 'doctrine' is distorted.

I know you've heard this before - but forgive my repetition - one more time.....prophets, apostles, and disciples are human, fallible, and subject to their own opinions and emotions (surprise - just like the rest of humanity). this however, DOES NOT diminish their capacity to speak in the name of the Lord on issues affecting our eternal salvation, and we are to pay heed to the words of the living prophet who has been called to guide the church [in our time], and rely upon scripture to help us understand and confirm these teachings.

so.....is every word ever taught by JS or any other prophet doctrine of the church? obviously no.

I agree that questions 1-4 have been answered. You asked a question using the bible as your source of reasoning. Scriptures have been shared on each topic and shown that the principals held by the LDS are biblical.

Now in regards to your additional question about Joseph Smith's teachings. Was the original question about the biblical teaches or Joseph Smith's teachings. Either way, I didn't read any of the other posters comments that said they "didn't" believe what Joseph Smith taught. What they are saying is that you don't understand what he taught. You have come to the conclusion that they manner in which you understand it is correct. Others are simply saying that the "way" you understand it is wrong.

If you want a simple understanding of the LDS doctrines take a look at the Savior's life. He existed with out Heavenly Father before he came to this mortality. The bible is very clear on this. Jesus walked as a man and lived as a man. He died, resurrected and returned to live with our Heavenly Father again. The purpose for our Savior was so that we could return to live with our Heavenly Father again. Paul and others taught that we are co-heirs with Christ because of the Atonement. We can inherit that which the father has and truly be co-heirs. It's really that simple.

I know you don't pertain to any one denomination and organized religion doesn't agree with you. In that case...what is your point? Why are you trying to use the bible as a reference point against the LDS faith? If you don't believe in any singular religion you rely on your own interpretation of the scriptures. Perhaps you should read 2 Pet. 1: 20.

That crap is all theory. Technically, when you look at what mormons actually believe, they believe heaven isn't the end to learning and growing. What do you think you can become with eternity? You won't gain all knowledge when you get to heaven, because if you magically changed to gain a level of knowledge, you wouldn't be you. You'd be some preprogrammed being. Heaven to the mormons is about using eternity to continue to grow in perfection, without sin. So, while some of those ridiculous mormon prophets have pondered about what exactly you would become with eternity, it's not a ridiculous idea in itself, if you believe heaven lasts for an eternity. Think about it for a second. The mormons never say you're going to replace God or be higher than "Him". But obviously if you had eternity to use for growth, you'd definitely become more like him. And why limit the bounds of what you can and cannot do? If god designs it that way then so be it. The real question for mormons, is who the **** was the first god?

Like the Torah says: Here of Israel, the Lord our G-d, the Lord is one.

To me as a Jewish man, I feel that Christianity has corrupted that statement by the believe in Christ. Nowhere in the Bible (I refer to the Old Testament) does it say the messiah will be one man who will be the son of the Lord. Let alone return after being killed three days later. Therefore, Christians and Mormons both have it wrong and do not follow the laws of the Torah.

I however believe that no matter what religion you follow is the correct religion for you. This can be Christianity, Mormonism, or worship in the tree in front to your house. If you are content with your religion then it is a true religion.

Why tempt ye the Lord God? Sorry, but that's what you do every time you ask a question trying to confound, confuse and befuddle Mormons.

It should be known that the Hebrews were surrounded by all sorts of groups that believed in gods. It was totally easy for them to end up lost in worship of other gods and not devote worship to "God." God being a uniformed name for Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

I don't think I need to remind you that the word Elohim is plural in Hebrew. So when the term is given in the Bible in Hebrew quite literally means: gods.

So Joseph Smith utilized a term that isn't quite different within the framework of the Bible anyway.

Quite interesting that the ancient Semitic peoples used a plural term for God rather than a singular term. It's possible that they recognized the fact that their were other divine beings out there as well. but....

The Hebrews were told to only worship God and no one else.

It also mentions in Isaiah "formed" No God formed before or after. Define that as you will but as "God" is the Only one that will every be worshiped or ever will be considered in honor, in exaltation, reverence, or worship. And as LDS doctrine defines that all worthy human beings can be exalted doesn't mean that they will ever match up to the glory and power of God

1 Corinthians 8: 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

He did say in Heaven....not just on earth like the idols......those that are called Gods in heaven.....

Deep subject. I've heard this before but not had time to consider it in depth.

I've prayed about the LDS religion when I was investigating and got an answer from the Holy Spirit that it's true and I know I don't know all things so I will just go with the answer I got from the Holy Spirit. I will have an answer on this sometime in the future I am sure.

the first question:

think planet earth: from genesis to Millenium. Only Jesus is saviour.

after the millenium think Rev 3:21 and 21:7

things have never added up even in the Bible. there are two competing theories of the trinity and the Godhead, some people dont even use these words to describe the unity of God and call thier relationship a Tri-unity.

if you put the perspective of politics and satanic influence over history and bible translation you will find that the trinity doesnt exist int he scriptures. if you take the imagination of a single man and then make his words canon, then you come up with disqualifying scriptures that an entire world now beleives to be true, thats why things dont add up!

Jesus, Peter, & Paul never taught about the trinity. They were Jews and Jews don’t believe in 3 …

_______The bible says that " All the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him Bodily "__It's speaking of Jesus___

Father, Son, Holy Ghost, Alfa, Omega, Bread of Life, and so on... are TITLES, but look at Acts 4 : 12

to see the NAME we need to live and be baptized by !

____God is a spirit... and a spirit can't bleed, so the spirit made a body ( Jesus ) . __ Now Jesus is 100% God... and 100% man________As a man, Jesus hungered, as God Jesus feed the multitudes. As a man Jesus prayed, but as God Jesus answers prayers !!_________As a man Jesus cried out while on the cross " Father why hast thou forsaking me "___but as God, Jesus said " I will never leave you nor forsake you " _____As a man Jesus died... but as God, Jesus raised Himself from the grave. !!

___Isa. 9 : 6 tells us the son is the everlasting Father !___Jesus is the Father in creation ( creator ). Jesus is the Son in redemption, ( Saviour, ) and the Holy Ghost in regeneration, ( Indwelling Spirit ) __ ( Rom. 8 : 11 ). There is only ____One God ___

____ The bible tells us that " without the shedding of blood there can be no remissions of sins "...

___ *** Because God is everywhere at the same time He was able to stay in heaven and come to the earth at the same time, sacrifice Himself instead of us and still live !! ***

Don't follow those " repeat after me " stupid religions... find a bible-based church...

This is why we need to baptize in the name of Jesus Christ.

1. http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/theosis

Theosis has been around since early christianity

2. What The bible was saying in your verses that they are no other Gods than the God of Israel.

3. Joseph Smith was talking about the Godhead (the father, son and holy spirit) that was his definition of counsel of Gods

4 Joseph smith said that God had a father in one of his last sermons, but other than that we don't know anything about it. It wasn't a revelation, so it is speculation.

1. No, Mormonism does not teach that. God is God. We teach that he is the supreme and omnipotent Father. We also teach that He has a Son, Jesus Christ, whom according to John 1:1, was with God in the beginning. Jesus Christ helped create the earth as mentioned there.

2. God will never be replaced. He will always be our God and over us. The Bible teaches that we should be perfect, just like God. See Matthew 5:48

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

God expects us to become like him. Not to replace him, but to become like him. Why else would God give us this commandment? If this were impossible, why would God tell us to do something that were impossible? Seems rather cruel to command something that we could never attain....

Are you getting the point here? We can become godlike, and therefore can be many godlike beings; but we will never replace the one and only true God.

But just as God commands, so we can become perfect and godlike. Not God himself, but godlike in perfection. Its an expectation of us and it is in the Bible.

3. Joseph Smith was just referring to Biblical doctrine. Do you not know Genesis in the Bible? It clearly states that in the creation of the world, there were more than one being involved. Its in the Bible.

See Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Do you not notice that there is use the plural wording US and OUR? If God was alone in the beginning, why would the plural be used? It is because there would be a council of Gods, meaning more than one. That would be God the Father and the premortal Jesus Christ his Son. We also were there, in that grand council, as we "shouted for joy" when we heard God's plan to send us to earth and receive mortal bodies.

See Job 38:7

"When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? "

4. It all adds up and makes perfect sense. God is keenly aware of our experiences here on earth and it is all part of his plan for us. The plan that was established in the pre-mortal realm.

See 1 Peter 1:20

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.

I like what Missy said, short and to the point.

God is the Father, Jesus is His only begotten son. We love and revere our Father in Heaven and our Savior. I know I do, I know that my fellow Latter Day Saints profess to do the same. I do NOT worship or consider any other god, and as far as I know, my fellow Latter Day Saints don't either. (I pretty much don't know that there are any other gods in the universe except the Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus, so. . .there you go.)

It obvious that these two Gods are separate entities if you read all the dozens and dozens and dozens of scriptures in the New Testament where Jesus speaks of His Father as a separate person (talk about people trying to make things fit--you have to stretch it pretty far to ignore these scriptures.)

So what's the problem???????

(I know that I don't have one. . .)