Is it true that Mormons believe Father God is an exalted man from another planet like earth?

Question

I just saw an interesting question. Do Mormons really believe that?

Answer 1

Hi friend. Be wary of some of the silly answers you've received to this question. You should be extremely careful when trying to learn about Mormons from others. There are many who hate the Mormons and spread lies, distortions, and conspiracy theories about them. Others think they understand Mormon doctrine because of "what they've heard," but are actually misinformed. If someone ever cites an anti-Mormon site like carm.org as proof of what Mormons "believe," you automatically know they can't be taken seriously.

The idea that "God was once a man" is not well established in Mormonism. Mormons, like many other Christian denominations (specifically the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic branches of Christianity), do believe in "theosis," the idea that man can progress to become more like God. Historically, this concept (which was had among the earliest Christians) has led some Mormons to speculate that if Man can become like God, perhaps God was once a man. Perhaps He too had a creator, a "Father."

While this idea is interesting, it is not well-established in Mormon theology. I would classify it as "a theological question," not an official "Mormon doctrine." Gordon B. Hinckley, the current president of the LDS Church, has been asked this very question on several occasions. Here are some of his responses (verbatim or reported):

"There was a little couplet coined, 'As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.' Now that's more of a couplet than anything else. That gets into some pretty deep theology that we don't know very much about...Well, as God is, man may become. We believe in eternal progression. Very strongly. We believe that the glory of God is intelligence and whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the Resurrection."

"President Gordon Hinckley says the concept of God having been a man is not stressed any longer, but he does believe that human beings can become [more like God] in the afterlife."

"On whether his church still holds that God the Father was once a man, he sounded uncertain. ‘I don't know that we teach it. I don't know that we emphasize it...I understand the philosophical background behind it, but I don't know a lot about it, and I don't think others know a lot about it."

That having been said, I'm sure you can find Mormons who do believe God was once a man. I personally am skeptical. It's not something that is often spoken of in Church; I think I've only heard the concept mentioned a few times in Church during the entire 27 years I've been a member.

To hear two Mormon theologians with differing opinions debate this topic, visit http://mormonmisc.podbean.com/2007/08/27/theology-with-blake-ostler/

To learn more about Mormonism, visit my site at http://www.allaboutmormons.com

Answer 2

Great question. However they (the mormons) have changed what they believe so many times in the last 150 years it is hard to keep up. They use to believe God hated people of black skin. That was the curse of Cain and that you were on the devils side in your pre-human life.

They use to believe that a person doesn't have a soul until after age 8.

They use to believe in polygamy

Joseph Smith said only his direct decendents would be the leaders of the church...then he appointed Brigham young...

They have over 30 secret temple ceromonies some of which use to be unbelievable.



They've changed the book of mormon several times. They only accept the bible when it agrees with there teaching...if it disagree's then they say it was interputed correctly.

However they don't use Joseph Smiths re-interpetation of the King James bible.

Look into the history of the church and not just from ex-mormons...look at what they put out...go into old newspapers go to it all...for if it is true then there should be nothing to hide.

You will find that the Mormons are one of the most secretive religions on earth. (next to scientology...but all you need there is a boat load of cash to find out what they do)

I can go to almost any other "christian" church to a wedding or a service and I'm not banned...any temple ground wedding you can't attend. Any of the Babtism of the dead, Marriage of the dead or any number of their hidden ceromonies you can't attend.

Oh and here is a belief I'm not sure they still talk about...Ask how did Mary become pregnent?

Answer 3

Yes Ellohim is the God who lives on the planet closest to the star called Kolob. His 2 eldest sons Jesus, and Satan were sent to Earth to try to earn their Godhood. Jesus succeeded and so did Joseph Smith. That is a Mormon belief.

many Mormons will not know this because they have not progressed in the teachings as far as others.

Answer 4

As a LDS Mormon, we believe God is an "Exalted man" a perfected being.

As taught by Christ himself, we should progress to be perfect like our Father in heaven, like unto a child becoming like his parent.

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
(New Testament | Matthew 5:48)

Whether or not he was from "another planet like Earth" is not in our doctrine, so we do not speculate.

For those who stated that they seem to know more about our doctrines than we who practice it is quite a laugh.

Answer 5

The LDS faith (Mormon's) believe that we are children of god and created in his image. There is no doctrine that says God comes from another planet, but a belief there are other "worlds with out end". See www.lds.org for more info. :)

Answer 6

mormons also believe that there wives will still be there wives in heaven they teach that marriage is eternal which is in contradiction to what Jesus said, when Jesus was asked the question about the brothers who died and took on the deceased brothers wife, who's wife will she be in heaven? and Jesus replied neither for there is no marriage in heaven. .....when I picked the mormons up on this point they said they have the authority of peter where Jesus told peter that which he binds on earth shall be bound in heaven, (this is the same verse that the popes claim so they can get away with things like changing the sabbath).......So they think they can pretty much change the whole bible and get away with it. Jesus warned about false prophets speaking perverse things and I think Josef Smith takes the cake.

Answer 7

And to add to budleit2's correct response, their doctrine believes that you, if you live a good Mormon life, will become to some other planet as Jesus is to this planet, i.e., God of the planet able to rule and reign and create a world of your own making; you along with your goddes wife and having spirit children.

Answer 8

I've never heard that, sounds like a joke or some cult. Maybe someone of the Mormon faith can be more enlightening.

Answer 9

Yes we do. As man is God once was, as God is man may become.

Answer 10

I can't believe they are taught that Jesus and satan are brothers. satan came up with a dozy of a lie on that one. He always wanted to be god and I think this is a close that he will ever get! Just telling lies about it.