Why do people say Mormons don't believe Jesus is God?

Question

I have heard the statement "Mormons don't believe Jesus is God" several times, yet in the Book of Mormon it says otherwise.

Helaman 8:22-23 ...yea they (the prophets) have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day which is to come. And behold, he is God, and he is with them, and he did manifest himself unto them, that they were redeemed by him; and they gave unto him glory, because of that which is to come.

2 Nephi 11:7 For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.

If people continue to say this is it false witness, or is it due to ignorance, or is there another reason?

Answer 1

We know some intriguing details about Christ - that He once was man (or like man, though Only Begotten Son of God), that He was divine, that He died and resurrected and sits on His throne with the Father, with whom He is one. One can speculate on analogies between Christ and the Father, but we know essentially nothing about the "history" of God the Father except that He is eternal. Lorenzo Snow, a President of the Church, once said "As man now is, God once was: as God now is, man may be." This controversial passage is clearly applicable to Christ, a God who became mortal for a time and yet was still and is still God. His work made it possible for us to become as He is, in a limited sense, for we can receive glorious resurrected bodies (Phil. 3:21; 1 Cor. 15:40-45), we can become "joint-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:14-18), we can "put on the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4-10), and we can become "like him" (1 John 3:2). Indeed, Christ even went so far at to say, "Ye are gods" (John 10:34), in reference to the divine potential of human beings. While He and the Father are the one true God, whom we will always worship, He does want us to become more like the Father (Matt. 5:48) and that possibility is there because of Christ. Thus, thinking of Christ and our relationship to Him, what Lorenzo Snow said is accurate. However, it appears that Lorenzo Snow's quote also applies to the Father, indicating that He also experienced a period of mortality, but we know nothing specific. But before you let the idea of "God once being like man" offend you, remember that it is explicitly true about Christ Himself. If Christ were the same being as God the Father, then it would also be true of the Father as well, so non-LDS critics who accept the doctrine of the Trinity shouldn't get so upset. Of course, we believe that God and Christ are separate individuals, one in purpose, heart, and mind. But, in the spirit of pure speculation, let me ask if it is possible that Christ, during His mission on the earth, was doing that which He had seen the Father do? In John 5:19, Christ said "The Son can do nothing, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." Some people have speculated on what is meant by John 5:19 and on what Lorenzo Snow meant, but we do not know and I get very nervous when people pretend they know. Certainly there are many difficult and foolish questions which can be asked in this arena. The important point is that God, Christ, and man are of the same "species," and that man has divine potential to become more like Christ and the Father (e.g., see Romans 8:14-18; 2 Peter 1:4-10; 1 John 3:2). This concept was understood by the early Christians, as I show at "http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_theosis.shtml".

Knowing who Christ is makes me very suspicious of anyone who says that we will become EXACTLY like Him. The Bible teaches that we can become "joint heirs" (Rom. 8:14-18) and can become "like him" (I John 3:2) and indeed, need to become like him (Matt. 5:48) and be one with him (John 17:21-23). Stronger still, Paul in Philippians 2: 5-7 seems to urge us to pursue that goal, not through puffery, but through humble service:

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant...."
However, I sense a world of difference between the "small g" gods that Christ mentioned (John 10:34) in speaking of the potential of humans (my view) and God the Eternal Father, who is the one and only everlasting God (see also I Cor. 8:5,6). The reference to humans as potential "gods" is clearly meant in a limited sense, but the word God uses nevertheless is "gods." Obviously, we know too little to explain anything in depth about the next life and about "the glory that shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). We are like microbes looking up through the microscope and speculating about the Scientist who observes us. We are children, following after our very wise and mature Father, knowing little more than a young child does of the things of God. This we know: the glory is to the Father (and Christ) forever. May we return to their presence.

Further comments:
In Latter-day Saint theology, we are here on this earth as part of a divine process that can - if we follow Christ and fully accept his grace - allow us to do the following (quoting passages from the King James version of the Bible):

To become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, being glorified together (Romans 8:14-18)
As sons (and daughters) of God, to inherit all things that the Father has (Revelation 21:7)
To become one with Christ, as Christ is one with the Father (John 17:20-23)
To sit with Christ on His throne (Rev. 3:21)
To receive a glorified, immortal body like the body that Christ has (Philip. 3:21)
To partake of the divine nature and be given all things pertaining to life and godliness, receiving glory (2 Peter 1:3-4)
To be made - in some way - like Christ when He returns (1 John 3:2)
To be made kings and priests unto God and his Father (Rev. 1:6)
As spirit children of God, to become partakers of his holiness (Heb. 12:9-10)
To be exalted by God (1 Peter 5:6)
To become perfect, even as our Father in Heaven is perfect (Matt. 5:48)

Answer 2

Well I wouldn't state it as a certain truth but I did think they thought God an Jesus were not the same. Thanks for that insight. There are plenty of people from different religions who don't know about others so they just seem to guess. Some people don't even know about their own religions. For example, people think Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe in Jesus, I know they do because that's what the JWs I knew taught me. It's not just confined to religion either.
I think in this case, people might say it is false witness but it still doesn't mean the mormons don't believe it. Many are just ignorant. They like to think their way is right so they don't bother learning about others. I have learnt about several religions(not everything of course) and that is why I base my beliefs on Wicca.

Answer 3

I believe the problem begins in the name Mormon. Mormons believe and up hold the Book of Mormon. This does not mean that they do not use or believe in the Bible. The more important question is how much. In the "Articles of Faith" state that Mormons have faith in the Bible only as far as it is Translated correctly. This is very dangerous. Who is decideing on the translation. Which part are they making decisions on. Is it the part about Adam, the part about marriage, or is it something that Jesus has said that has not been translated properly. So to say that one believes in Jesus but doesn't believe in the Bible is a little bit contradictory. Jesus says he is the "Light" of the world. We can see the creation of that "Light" in Gen. 1:3. So Jesus is throughout the Bible. Thus in saying that the Bible in not translated properly is very akin to saying that there are parts you do not believe. And because Jesus is throughout the entire bible one must be careful in what they choose to believe and not believe.

Answer 4

http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,791-1,00.html
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is Heavenly Father’s Only Begotten Son in the flesh. He is our Redeemer. Through Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father has provided a way for all people to become like Him and return to live with Him forever.
We love Christ. We worship Christ. He is our example and our Savior.



The Holy Ghost

Because God does not want us to be without His influence, He sends the Holy Ghost to comfort and help guide His children. The Holy Ghost—sometimes called the Holy Spirit—is the third member of the Godhead. His mission is to testify of the truth, comfort us, sanctify us, and bring all things to our remembrance (John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13).
The gift of the Holy Ghost

Almost everyone has felt the Holy Ghost at some time. But there is a difference between experiencing the occasional influence of the Holy Ghost and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Although the Holy Ghost may temporarily comfort someone or reveal truth to them, the gift of the Holy Ghost is reserved for those who have been baptized into Christ’s Church. This gift is the privilege of enjoying the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost conditional upon keeping the commandments.

How is this gift given? The gift of the Holy Ghost is given by someone having priesthood authority from God. It is given by the laying on of hands after a person is baptized. Whether or not we then receive this great gift depends on our keeping the commandments of God.



How do I recognize the Holy Ghost?

One way to recognize the Holy Ghost is by how you feel. The Holy Ghost brings feelings of warmth, reassurance, and peace. He can fill your soul with joy. He can enlighten your mind.
The Holy Ghost is often described as a still, small voice, telling you in your mind and heart what is right.

The Holy Ghost confirms the truth through feelings of peace and warm conviction.

What would you like to do next?



God, our Heavenly Father knows and loves each of us. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins and made it possible for each of us to return to God’s presence. The Holy Ghost tells us that these things are true. We hope you have explored some of our basic beliefs about the nature of God; however there is much more that we would like to share with you.

Although the Internet is a wonderful communication tool, the best way for us to share this additional information is in person. If you already know a member of the Church, we encourage you to talk directly with him or her. If you do not know a member, or are hesitant to discuss these things with someone you know, we would be happy to help you contact a local member of the Church to further discuss these things.

Answer 5

There is no companion book to the Bible.The Book of Morman is a false teaching. ie.It states that Jesus was the brother of Satan;that God himself was once simply an exalted man;God is not an eternal being and that he worked himself up to Godhood..Salvation is not possible except through the prophet of the Morman church,Joseph Smith.There is more but I think you get the picture

Answer 6

How can Jesus be God?
If God created Jesus
Jesus is the son of God
Like we are Gods Children so that would also make Jesus our Brother wouldn't it?
I hear so many people say that it just astounds me.

Love & Blessings
Milly

Answer 7

Mormons believe that if they rise high enough in their church, they will become gods themselves...or at least equals to God.
Also, (see link below) Mormons do not follow or believe in the historic Jesus Christ of the Bible, but rather in a difference Jesus

Answer 8

I do not think mormons believe Jesus is the Christ. I could be wrong.

Answer 9

the word Christ means 'anointed one'
Jesus was not Christ but he is called 'the Christ'
Jesus's name was probably closer to Yeshua and his proper name would have been Yeshua ben Joseph
Some Christians call Jesus 'the Christ', but Mormons do not

Answer 10

i'm no Mormon and i don't belive that jesus was a god

Answer 11

Ask them