Mormons are you polytheistic?

Question

First and foremost, this is not meant to be insulting but a genuine inquiry. If you are or are not polytheistic it does not mean I think any less of you or your religion. I like a lot of Mormons and find the religion fascinating.

So here goes, from what I have read from various articles on the net from LDS.

1. Heavenly Father is God.
2. Jesus is God.
3. The Holy Spirit is God.

This combined with the belief that all three are seperate personages united in purpose.

Now even President Gordon B. Hinckley expressed that he worships Jesus.

I have even seen dispute, some mormons say they do worship Jesus, others say they don't. If you worship to separate personages even if they are united in purpose doesn't that make you polytheistic.

This question is not meant as a place to bash Mormons, please be respectful.

Answer 1

In the last General Conference one of the Apostles gave a talk that I think answers your question very well.
The section of his talk that directly addresses your question follows, however the entire talk is very informative and I think could answer your question much better than this extract from it.

"To whom was Jesus pleading so fervently all those years, including in such anguished cries as “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” and “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me”? To acknowledge the scriptural evidence that otherwise perfectly united members of the Godhead are nevertheless separate and distinct beings is not to be guilty of polytheism; it is, rather, part of the great revelation Jesus came to deliver concerning the nature of divine beings. Perhaps the Apostle Paul said it best: “Christ Jesus . . . being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.”

A link to the text and audio versions of this talk is contained in my sources. The last link is to the page that contains links to the entire conference.

Answer 2

Mormons believe in "the Godhead" which consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. We believe that they are individuals rather than accepting the ambiguity of traditional Trinity. We worship the Father through the mediation of the Son. We believe that their oneness is in mind and purpose rather than in physicality. That makes a little more sense when the apostles and couples are commanded to be one in the same way. does that make us polytheistic? Depends on the definition.

Answer 3

Actually, we in some fashions can be called henotheists (the belief of many gods but the worship and devotion to only ONE).

Check out the wikipedia article on henotheism. It talks about the relationship of it in Ancient Judaism & Christianity (also in Mormonism).

Answer 4

Different Jesus? Brother of Satan? Where do you get this stuff? No offense meant to the person who suggested this, but isn't that just an easy way of devaluing a religion you don't agree with? I'm not LDS and, in fact, have a lot of issues with the origin of the religion, but they embrace the same Jesus and denying that is just that: denial. You may not agree with the Mormon faith, but the people that try to say that some believers in Jesus are blessed and others are believing in some faux-Jesus irk me.

JWs, Mormons, and Catholics ARE CHRISTIANS!!!

Thank you... have a nice day.
...om...om...om...

Answer 5

Actually, that's the standard concept of the trinity.
If Mormons are polytheistic, I think it would be in regards to their belief that men can become gods of their own worlds.

Answer 6

no

We pray to one God -- God the Father in the Name of His Divine Son Jesus Christ.

We Worship God the Father.

The Worship of one God is monotheism.

acknowledging there are other gods and not worshiping them -- is not polytheism.

Answer 7

I have talked with Muslims who say all Xians are polytheistic.

Answer 8

they have a different Jesus

their Jesus is Satan's brother ( which if Jesus is the Father Mosiah !6:15 that makes Satan their Uncle)

go to latterdaysaints.com and read the words of past "prophets" and leaders. disturbing