Why do LDS members call God "Heavenly Father" so much?

Question

I am a protestant and believe He is our Heavenly Father, but I've noticed LDS members call Him this a lot. It seems significant to LDS theology and Mormons. Is it? Why?

Thanks for all of the helpful answers! In response to one of them, I don't think I insinuated anything was wrong with the phrase. As I said, He *IS* my Heavenly Father.

Answer 1

They think that he is their father in the most literal sense, that he actually sired them.

They also believe that their "heavenly father" had a father himself, and a grandfather, and a great-grandfather, etc. The Mormon god is not eternal in the same sense as the orthodox Christian God.

Even more, they think that they can become gods just like "heavenly father". "As we now are, god once was. As god now is, man may become." They still fall for satan's first lie:
"you will be like God" (Genesis 3:5).

Answer 2

I am LDS and I frequently refer to God as Heavenly Father because it is a more intimate and personal name. As such, it better expresses the close relationship that I feel that I have with him, rather than referring to him as some distant, mysterious, unknown being. This is particularly true in my personal prayers. It is more common to refer to him as God when discussing doctrinal points as opposed to when you are addressing him directly.

Just my opinion.

Answer 3

I am LDS
Perhaps you ask ten different professors of religion on the street who God is and chances are you will get 10 different answers.
Ask an eight year old girl or boy brought up in the LDS faith and they will tell you He is my Heavenly Father.
For our basic beliefs see www.mormon.org

Answer 4

Yeah, it's theologically based.

Mormons believe that god and his heavenly wives make spirit babies. These babies need "houses" to live in, on earth, which is why mormons are anti-birth control - need to give all those babies a chance to have a turn on earth.

In addition, one day, according to them, we can become gods. As Jos. Smith said "As man is, god was. As god is, man may become."

And that's a good question! It's an interesting thing for you to have noticed.

Answer 5

We believe God the Father is our Heavenly Father. We believe he is the Father of our spirits, he literally created our spirits, with a wife....that probably sounds odd, but we believe in procreation after the resurrection. Since we believe he was once as we are now, it makes sense that we believe he can procreate life STILL also. He is God after all...
Sometimes we also might call Him that to differentiate between He and Jesus Christ. I do not think of Christ as "God" more as "Lord" I guess...that doesn't mean I don't believe Christ IS a god, because I believe He is and Lord of this earth. Hopefully that made sense?? When I personally think of "God" I think of God the Father. When I think of "Lord" I think of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Answer 6

we are warned with reference to the arriving of fake prophets yet this is approximately it. i don't recognize the place to procure the theory King Noah became a prophet from yet i ought to allow you recognize which you have been grossly misinformed. we are no longer advised that God won't permit a prophet be incorrect we are only advised that God won't permit a prophet get so a approaches off purpose that he will lead anyone off beam. we are advised that till now that could desire to take place then God will get rid of them out of their place. as quickly as you're referred to as as a prophet you're a prophet for something of your existence, so if a prophet might get to the factor the place he could desire to steer the human beings off beam, God will get rid of him from this existence.

Answer 7

I don't see anything wrong with the expression.