The First Vision of Joseph Smith
Introduction
Purpose and Reason for these Essays
The overall objective of this study is to provide a reasonable defense for the principle doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against modern criticism, misunderstandings, and ill-founded conjectures plaguing modern Christian thought as pertaining to Mormon Theology on the nature and personhood of the Eternal Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
In our society today, there is more information that one can access instantly. Through modern technology, there are varieties of venues where people are discussing the doctrines, history, and people of the Latter-day Saint Christian faith. M. Russell Ballard admonished that because of the new advent and evolution of technologies, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are to participate in the discussions pertaining to the doctrines of the Church. Whenever and however possible, answer the questions that we may come across while we utilize the Internet. Share our own understanding as to how we grow from our own personal scripture study, witnessing of the Restored Gospel Message, or defend the doctrines of the Church by recognizing and correcting any misconceptions critics may post as to what they interpret as to what the doctrines of the Church are.
There are conversations going on about the Church constantly. Those conversations will continue whether or not we choose to participate in them. But we cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches. While some conversations have audiences in the thousands or even millions, most are much, much smaller. But all conversations have an impact on those who participate in them. Perceptions of the Church are established one conversation at a time.[1]
Therefore, these essays will focus on the First Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint Faith and the Separateness and Distinctiveness of the Godhead as properly understood from scripture as well as modern day revelation. Thus, the doctrine of Mormonism understands that the Godhead is not a mystical Trinitarian form. This is because scripture defines a unique distinctiveness and separateness between the person of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is against the traditional “Orthodox” Christian view of the Trinity (while not directly spoken of in the Old and New Testament). This latter doctrine, as properly understood, states that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three “persons” who are of the same essence and being. Yet, is the One True God. Thus, there is a conflict of doctrine, and only one stands as bearing a truthful witness as to what Holy Writ reveals while the other is heretical and has no place within the confines of the Biblical Text.
Natural Theology and the Worship of the Divine
Humanity has always possessed a deep sense of reverence toward the divine. In this sense, man has a “natural” disposition to worship and “…his soul is unsatisfied until he finds a Deity.” (Talmage, 1976):
There is a filial passion within every tribe, every individual, yearns for some object of reverence. … When men through transgression fell into darkness concerning the true and living God, they established for themselves other deities, and so arose the abominations of idolatry. Yet, even the most revolting of these practices testify to the existence of a God by demonstrating man’s hereditary passion for worship.[2]
Furthermore, historical perception is evidence to the nature and wellspring ideals of humanity having a sense of reverence toward what they conceive to be Divine. In fact, all ancient cultures centered their reverence and worship on the Divine. Whether this belief incorporated a monotheistic, pantheistic, henotheistic, or a polytheistic belief system, this innate desire to worship is without argument. In fact, Talmage says it this way: “History…and authentic tradition…give evidence of the actuality of Deity and of close and personal dealings between God and man in the early epochs of human existence.”[3] It is in the sense that the consensus of religious worship, devotion, and belief is a natural aspect of any given civilization. Furthermore, Talmage explains that human reason operates “upon observation of nature”[4] in that through the testimony of the natural world around us, there is a strong declaration as to the reality of God’s existence. Talmage is not alone in this assertion:
… Natural Theology is meant that kind of about God, which starts from principles, the truth of which can be known to us by the light of our natural reason left to itself, that is, to its innate capacity of perceiving and judging the facts as well of common as of scientific experience, and of drawing conclusions from these facts according to principles that either are self-evident or have previously been proved. If this reasoning is carried on systematically, it results … in a system of truths about God, the First Cause of all things…[5]
This is based upon the interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans: Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead…[6] And, because of this naturalistic theism, there are varieties of religious belief systems that have evolved throughout the course of human history:
In the language of one of the savage races mentioned in this volume, the word religion means the sacred tree. Although innocent of allegory, yet, as in many other regards, in this definition…religion is, as it were a tree. Its roots lie deep in the darkness of primeval earth; its growth must precede its sheltering foliage; and its unripened fruits are not pleasant. Yet, watered by a living spring, it has risen out of a soil black and even gruesome, since blood too has fertilized it, but risen nevertheless it has, slowly exalting itself heavenward; and under it sits nearly all mankind.[7]
Therefore, it is not a question as to whether or not God exists – which atheism attempts to deny today – but a question as to what scripture reveals to mankind as pertaining to the nature and attributes of God. In this sense, we rely upon what has already been reveled about God through Scripture, tradition, and divine revelation.
Again, referring to Talmage, we read how “revelation gives to man his surest knowledge of God,”[8] and the best form of revelation one could receive about the nature of God is contained within the Old and New Testaments. Here, then, there are two compelling doctrines that we shall examine and compare to scripture. The first doctrine we will examine is that of the Holy Trinity of God espoused by modern Evangelical, Roman Catholicism, and subsequent Protestant faiths. The second doctrine is that of modern day revelation and the principle doctrine of the Latter-day Saint Christian faith, in light of Scriptural authority.
[1] Ballard, M. Russell. “Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet.” Ensign July 2008: 58-63. 17 July 2009
[2] Talmage, James E. 1976. “God and the Holy Trinity: Existence of God” in A Study of the Articles of Faith: Being a Consideration of the Principle Doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 42nd edition ed. Spencer W. Kimball, Trustee-in-trust , pp. 29-30. Winchester, MA: University Press. Filial is defined as relating to, or befitting a son or daughter; or, having or assuming the relation of a child or offspring {filial. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved July 13, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filial}. Thus, Talmage usage of this word coincides with Ancient Religious beliefs that parallel one another as humanity being the “off-springs” of a Divine Being.
[3] Ibid., “God and the Holy Trinity: History and Tradition,”
[4] Ibid., “God and the Holy Trinity: Human Reason”, p. 32
[5] Boedder, Bernard S.J. 1915. “Natural Theology: Introduction” in Natural Theology 3rd edition; Paternoser Row, London and New York, NY United States; Longmans, Green and Company. – Google Books http://books.google.com/books?id=6jtHAAAAIAAJ&dq=Natural%20Theology&lr=&pg=PA1 accessed July 13, 2009
[6] Romans 1:19-20, King James Version, LDS Edition
[7] Hopkins, Washburn E. Ph.D., LL.D, Professor of Sanskrit and Comparative Philology, Yale University. 1918. “Preface” in The History of Religions, New York; the Macmillian Company – Google Books http://books.google.com/books?id=l7sVAAAAYAAJ&ots=Se1f-6H1Ag&dq=history%20of%20religions&pg=PP17 Accessed July 13, 2009.
[8] Talmage, James E. 1976. “God and the Holy Trinity: Revelation” in A Study of the Articles of Faith: Being a Consideration of the Principle Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 42nd edition ed. Spencer W. Kimball, Trustee-in-trust, p. 36. Winchester, MA: University Press.
