Mormons/LDS: If gods are resurrected men who have been exalted, how did the Holy Ghost become a God?

Question

Gods are exalted, resurrected men:
http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b3bc55cbf541229058520974e44916a0/?vgnextoid=ba805f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=f6ca97a7c1d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1
http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=4efd1f26d596b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/132

The Holy Ghost is a god:
http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.3933737ad2ff28132eb22a86942826a0/?vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=e2462f2324d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____

"I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods. If this is in accordance with the New Testament, lo and behold! we have three Gods anyhow, and they are plural; and who can contradict it?
-Joseph Smith, HC 6:274


The Holy Ghost is an unborn spirit:
"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us."
-D&C 130:22

Edit:
Drizzt, then why did Joseph Smith say they were "three personages and three gods?" Was he mistaken?

Manaia: Thanks for the input. You said the HG isn't a God. Joseph said that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are three Gods. Who is right?

Answer 1

You answered your question in the information you linked to.

The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead - not God. The members of the Godhead are distinct beings with distinct roles, they are one in purpose and doctrine. They are perfectly united in bringing to pass Heavenly Father's divine plan of salvation.

*****

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones. He is often referred to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, or the Comforter.

Roles of the Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost works in perfect unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, fulfilling several roles to help us live righteously and receive the blessings of the gospel.

He "witnesses of the Father and the Son" (2 Nephi 31:18) and reveals and teaches "the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5). We can receive a sure testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ only by the power of the Holy Ghost. His communication to our spirit carries far more certainty than any communication we can receive through our natural senses.

As we strive to stay on the path that leads to eternal life, the Holy Ghost can guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger.

Through Him, we can receive gifts of the Spirit for our benefit and for the benefit of those we love and serve (see D&C 46:9–11).

He is the Comforter (John 14:26). As the soothing voice of a loving parent can quiet a crying child, the whisperings of the Spirit can calm our fears, hush the nagging worries of our life, and comfort us when we grieve. The Holy Ghost can fill us "with hope and perfect love" and "teach [us] the peaceable things of the kingdom" (Moroni 8:26; D&C 36:2).

Through His power, we are sanctified as we repent, receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, and remain true to our covenants (see Mosiah 5:1–6; 3 Nephi 27:20; Moses 6:64–68).

He is the Holy Spirit of Promise (see Ephesians 1:13; D&C 132:7, 18–19, 26). In this capacity, He confirms that the priesthood ordinances we have received and the covenants we have made are acceptable to God. This approval depends on our continued faithfulness.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

All honest seekers of the truth can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, leading them to Jesus Christ and His gospel. However, the fulness of the blessings given through the Holy Ghost are available only to those who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy.

After a person is baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders lay their hands on the person's head and, in a sacred priesthood ordinance, confirm him or her a member of the Church. As part of this ordinance, called confirmation, the person is given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is different from the influence of the Holy Ghost. Before baptism, a person can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost from time to time and through that influence can receive a testimony of the truth. After receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, a person has the right to the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead if he or she keeps the commandments.

Answer 2

Very Very Good Question.

Probably the first on this site that I deem worthy to be answered.

I would suggest that the quote you have cited contains a clerical error, or written so an individual of basic belief can understand. It was not written to be a legal document subject to scrutiny in a court of public opinion as you are using this forum for.

As I am at work I cannot drag out scriptures to quote.

In lamans terms, The Holy Ghost is a Member of the Godhead. He, IS NOT a God, as he has no body. But as he is one of the most valiant of spirits, one of the most just of the intelligences, He has been assigned by his virtueous conduct in the pre-exsistance to carry out that specific calling.

It is also our "LDS" Belief, that the individual who right this moment is the Holy Ghost, will be required to take on a Human Body of his own, and have a Human Experience...

Who then will be the Holy Ghost and take his place?

That question can be answered like this.

A new person will be called into that position.

Much like when the a Bishop or Stake President is released after so many years of service, He is replaced by another member of the ward or stake who is worthy and able to accept that call.

Does that suit the court of public opinion well enough?

I can quote sources, but I don't have them in front of me for specifics and I don't want to look stupid misquoting scriptures etc...

UPDATE:
The Holy Ghost can be considered a God. He does not need a body and this is how and why.

"The Great I AM otherwise known as The Great Jehovah of the Old Testiment is Jesus the Christ. Though his rightousness in the pre-motal estate, He had already achieved the level of Godhood (A designation of Priesthood Office not the Namesake of a Personage) before taking on a body of flesh and bone."

Answer 3

There are three separate persons in the Godhead: God, the Eternal Father; his Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost. We believe in each of them, as shown in the Articles of Faith 1. From latter-day scripture (D&C 130: 22 The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.
23 A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may descend upon him and not tarry with him.) we learn that the Father and the Son have tangible bodies, similar to ours, but different, and that the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit. Obviously, there may be a difference in the way the term 'God' works in accordance to the duties required.

Answer 4

I have had a few thoughts on this. These are my own opinions and do not reflect any doctrine or teachings of the Church.

When Michael aided in the creation of the world, I consider him a God. (And it sounded like Pres Young did too) Jehovah, who we believe is also Jesus Christ, was also a God before he was born. A God (god) can be a person/being/entity that participates in creation or other "godly" functions, even if he/she does not have all godly attributes.

I have a theory that is probably wrong, but it makes sense to me. There's two parts to it. First, the Holy Ghost isn't a specific spirit, but a title that a spirit holds. As mentioned earlier, Michael participated in the creation. I believe that he was the third member of the godhead at that time. When he received a body, some other spirit took that position, maybe Enoch. When Enoch was born, it was filled by someone else, and so on.

The second part is that the Holy Ghost also has some form of "priesthood" held by other spirits, commonly known as "guardian angels" Spirit bodies, like physical bodies, can only be at one place at a time. How can the Holy Ghost be felt by someone in Shanghai and San Diego at the same time? There are multiple spirits acting under the direction of the Holy Ghost with His authority and power, just like those of us with physical bodies can perform ordinances in the name of Jesus Christ through the priesthood.

I know, it probably all sounds crazy and is probably false doctrine, but that is how it makes sense to me.

Edit: D&C 132:37 tells us that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are gods, also.

Edit2: HighFlyDanger - I like the new avatar

Answer 5

Good question. Good answers. This is one that I will have to ponder over. As far as the contradiction about being an exalted person to be a God, I would have to say this is not correct. This is one of those logic questions where the word 'only' is implied, but not applicable. A god is a resurrected man and/or a spirit and/or a man in the flesh.

Jesus was a God before he was born. He was a God in mortality. He was a God as a spirit between death and resurrection. He was an example of exaltation after the resurrection.

Exaltation is a path that is open to the rest of us.

Answer 6

You have already been given some wonderful answers and I too would like to give my own opinion/belief. This also is not church doctrine, because really, all that we believe is that the Holy Ghost is a spirit personage of a man, he is a member of the Godhead and works directly with God, the Father to bring about His Kingdom on the earth through us.
I view it this way: The Holy Ghost must have some sort of "god" status or he would not be a member of the Godhead. He is not the same "god-like" status as is our Heavenly Father, nor is Christ the same "god" status as our Heavenly Father - He is the Supreme Creator.
Also, remember that "resurrected man" doesn't necessarily equal a "god" because not all resurrected men are going to be gods. I believe that godhood, each level of it which I believe there are levels, must be attained through obedience, endurance, covenant, commitment, and lots and lots of time.
That is my opinion.

Answer 7

The Holy Ghost is a member of the God head consisting of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. While Christ and Heavenly Father are ressurected beings we are taught that the Holy Ghost is not the same as They are. I do not pretend to fully understand this or other parts of my gospel and if I never find the answer to this or other questions in my mortal life I can always ask Heavenly Father or Jesus in the after life. As soon as I find out I'll let you know! :)

Answer 8

Since the Holy Ghost is part of the Godhead then it is considered a God. Though it might not have a body, it still has much power. The Spirit was the means of how God talk to prophets, Christ himself said that a sin against the Holy Ghost, was a unpardonable sin, which means there is much respect for the Spirit. The Spirit was and is so important in the works of God.

I think it is a God, simply because of it's importance and power, it is like God himself but in spirit form.

Answer 9

The Holy Ghost is not a God. A God is, as you said, a resurrected being. The Holy Ghost has no body, and so cannot be resurrected. It is a manifestation of our Father's love and will. He can only be in one place at one time, because he has a form, but His influence can be everywhere. Only God and Jesus are gods right now.


EDIT: they are gods in the sense that they are not man, and have more power than man. But the HG is not a God in the same sense as Heavenly Father is a God. Just like Jesus Christ is not a full God yet, but he is an exalted being, and basically equal to God. Well, that last part is my own opinion based off of what I have learned. I would think that Christ is not a full God yet, because He is still following the plan of our Heavenly Father, and does not have his own children and worlds. Then he, and all of us hopefully, will be full-fledged Gods.

Answer 10

Here is a wonderful paradox. The BOM (they tell us "the most correct book on the face of the earth") says the Holy Ghost was God in the beginning. The Bible says the same and the LDS church disagrees with both.