LDS, is this representative of your beliefs?

Question

(I don't know much about LDS doctrine and that's why I'm asking, please don't think this is an attack.)

"Mormons believe in eternal progression and that they may someday become gods."
-From the December 17th issue of Newsweek

The article also said that in addition to tobacco and alcohol, the LDS church expects its follows to abstain from coffee and tea.

Is this true? Is it a universal thing among the LDS church, or are there sub-denominations that believe different things? Do you personally believe in eternal progression?

Also, is the reason coffee is prohibited because it contains caffeine? Can you drink decaf?

Thanks.

Thanks guys, these answers are great, and I really appreciate how non-defensive you are!

Answer 1

Yes, the belief of eternal progression is pretty much universal among LDS, although there may be some people who don't fully understand it or accept it, yet.

It's not just a believe that LDS can have eternal progression though. We believe that all humans are children of God (literally) and have the same potential, if we follow our Heavenly Father's commandments and example, as shown by Jesus Christ and the prophets.

Yes, I do personally believe in this doctrine, with all my heart. There is nothing I want more than to live up to my divine potential, and make my Heavenly Father very happy.

ADDED: Regarding the Word of Wisdom... that is the point... to exercise wisdom. There are many substances in this world that may be harmful to everyone or harmful to certain individuals. We are also encouraged to use herbs for our health, in a "wise" manner. We are not prohibited from taking prescription or OTC drugs, but are counseled to seek to understand all things about this world we live in, and the people in it, so we can make better decisions.

One of the most important teachings we follow is to always follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and to seek this inspiration to guide every choice we make, and every action we take. While adhereing to the no tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol rule, I also use the best learning I can find and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to choose which foods will be safest and best for my family and myself.

Answer 2

I haven't read any of the other answers, but I'll give you my two cents for what it's worth.

Yes, we do. This is not to say that we believe that all mankind will become as God is, or that all Mormons will become as God is, or that those who do become gods will become greater than God. We believe in the doctrine of eternal progression. This means that we believe that all mankind, Mormon or not will be resurrected and will spend eternity in a place that is perfectly suited to them and that will allow them to be happy and not anxious or miserable. We believe that through out eternity all will continue to grow and learn. Some will EVENTUALLY grow and learn enough to become like God is now. They will be given the responsibility to create worlds and spirit children just as God has done here. However, because God is already "ahead" of them they will not ever catch up to God, let alone surpass Him, so there's no reason to think that we believe that we will ever become better than God (as some think we believe).

Yes. Coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, tattoos, more than one earring and no other piercings are all forbidden. We are to dress modestly, and follow the teachings of the scriptures as we understand them.

There are splinter groups, but generally they either hold to ways that were given up long ago (like plural marriage) or they went in a different direction entirely (like women holding the priesthood so as to perpetuate what they consider the line of authority). They are not considered Mormons by the mainstream Church (aka, the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints), nor do they consider themselves Mormons (because almost everyone else considers the mainstream church Mormons, and they don't want to be confused with us).
The LDS church is pretty unique in many things among them that the entire 13 million of us study the same Sunday School lesson every Sunday (or at least within one lesson of each other) What is done by one is done by all. Yes, I do believe in eternal progression.

While there are many theories as to why coffee is prohibited, doctrinally speaking we don't know why it is prohibited, it just is and out of obediance we don't. I know of some people who drink herbal tea because they say it's not the tea that was spoken of in the scriptures, but it doesn't specify what type of tea, just tea. That's where there's a little grey area and we are advised to do what we think best. I don't know of anyone who feels it's ok to drink decaf coffee or decaf tea. I think most people who have pondered this counsel have decided that it's an obedience thing concerning tea and coffee. I myself don't have a problem drinking soda's that have caffeine, although I know of several who do, and will only drink Sprite or 7-Up. Some just stear clear of all sodas.

Answer 3

Hi friend. It is somewhat misleading for non-Mormons to say Mormons believe they can become "gods" without offering further explaination. Like many other Christian denominations (specifically the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic branches of Christianity), Mormons do believe in "theosis," the idea that man can progress to become more like God. Historically, this concept was had among the earliest Christians.

Mormons believe in the Bible, which teaches: "To him that overcometh will I [Christ] grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." So we believe that we can become like God through the power of Christ, but not that we will ever be greater than God. We will always worship God the Father and Christ the Son. To use traditional Christian terminology (and not terminology that only Mormons understand), it would probably be more accurate to say that Mormons believe they can become angels in the next life (although that phrasing doesn't exactly capture Mormon belief either, and is explicitly inaccurate if one uses the Mormon definition of "angel"). It is not true that Mormons believe men and women can progress to become equal to God. We will always worship God.

allaboutmormons . com

Answer 4

Just wanted to let you know, that Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, who we sustain as a living and true prophet of God, came right out in the last General Conference meeting in October and said that the concept of being "eternally barefoot and pregnant" was false, even if people keep quoting it in a clever way.
Something I have learned recently is that caffeinated sodas inhibit the production of progesterone, which is another reason women should avoid them. I will drink them once in a while, though.
Have a happy day, and I send you a gummy bear.

Answer 5

It never ceases to amaze me how strikingly similar the mormon doctrine of eternal progression was to the early teachings of the Christian Fathers....

"Yea, I say, the Word of God became a man so that you might learn from a man how to become a god."(Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Greeks 1)

"God became man that man become God."
(Athanasius, Incarnation of the Word of God 54: 3)

"The Word was made flesh in order that we might be enabled to be made gods."
(Athanasius, Against the Arians 1: 39)

"Just as the Lord, putting on the body, became a man, so also we men are both deified through his flesh, and henceforth inherit everlasting life."
(Athanasius, Against the Arians 3: 34)

"If the Word became a man, it was so men may become gods."
(Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5)

"Do we cast blame on him [God] because we were not made gods from the beginning, but were at first created merely as men, and then later as gods? Although God has adopted this course out of his pure benevolence, that no one may charge him with discrimination or stinginess, he declares, 'I have said, ye are gods; and all of you are sons of the Most High.' . . . For it was necessary at first that nature be exhibited, then after that what was mortal would be conquered and swallowed up in immortality."
(Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4: 38)

Answer 6

It is true that we can not drink coffee or tea, but it is not because it contains caffine, but because of the other detremental substances that it contains.

As far as eternal progression:

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that human beings can grow and progress spiritually until, through the mercy and grace of Christ, they inherit and possess all that the Father has—they can become gods. This doctrine is generally referred to as deification, and was a part of mainstream Christian orthodoxy for centuries before Joseph Smith and other modern prophets taught it. Although Latter-day Saints believe in the ultimate deification of men and women, they do not believe that human beings will ever be independent of God, or that they will ever cease to be subordinate to God. They believe that to become as God means to overcome the world through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Thus the faithful become heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ and will inherit all things just as Christ inherits all things. In order to inherit all things, those who receive eternal life will look like God, receive the inheritance of God, receive the glory of God, be one with God, sit upon the throne of God, and exercise the power and rule of God. As such, they will be called gods, a term that does not reduce or limit the sovereignty of God our Father.

Answer 7

Caffeine is indeed one of the reasons. The main reason is that we believe God spoke in revelation that those types of "strong drinks" are not good for you. It was afterwords that the ingredient of caffeine was noticed and the adverse health effects it can cause. Made us Mormons feel that God knew what he was talking about back in 1833.

We believe in eternal progression, and that we can become heirs of the kingdom of Christ, and receive of all of his blessings. (See Romans 8:17) That can entail a godlike position of being the head of an eternal family in the next life.

Answer 8

We do believe in eternal progression. Seems to be the opposite of eternal damnation. We believe that we can have all that the Father has to give us, that we can be joint heirs with Christ.

Coffee and tea have more harmful elements than just caffeine. The word of wisdom is over 170 years old. We didn't even know about the harms of tobacco and alcohol then. The word of wisdom teaches us to abstain from things that are harmful or that can become a crutch. It also councils us on eating well. People are still free to make up their own minds though.

Answer 9

Yes, that is representative of our beliefs. LDS doctrine teaches that we can progress and grow eternally, and that we can become like our Heavenly Father. In fact, in the Bible, Jesus commanded us to do so ("Be ye perfect, even as your Father in Heaven").

Yes, we also abstain from tobacco, alcohol, and coffee/tea. This teaching is commonly referred to as "The Word of Wisdom".

I don't know exactly why coffee is prohibited. It is probably a combination of the caffeine, tanic acid, and scorching temperature.

For more information about our basic beliefs, check out the church's official website at www.lds.org

Answer 10

yes this is true. No caffiene.

I know a little bit about LDS doctrine; but you're best bet is to ask one of them if you don't know; there are a few nice ones.
Like, Mumof4.

as for the eternal progression into godhood, most LDS i've heard state it's more a matter of becomming more like God (as in the concept of how Christians believe from going from 'glory to glory') and changing who we are and the things we do, to walk in obedience to God.
But it is not the same principle; but what the Mormons say, and what the doctrine says, are contradictory.
That is why i had asked Questions on LDS doctrine, so that i could be clear on what the actual beliefs were.

But all of that that is said about becoming 'more like God' sounds like Christian doctrine (i know my doctrine!) but then, certain quotes are a little confusing: suchas:

"As man is, God once was, and as God is, man may become." In parallel to the doctrine that there are gods over various planets, and god was once a man, who became a god. (an exalted man) THIS is what is confusing, as that is not Christian doctrine. Man becomes 'glorified' but not a physical god, in accordance to the doctrines of Christian churches.

Also, "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man... I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form... like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man... He was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on earth." Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol 6 p 305

So what is said in reply in regards to the question you asked, does not match what the actual doctrines are. The answer is Yes.

But, unfortunately, I like you asked a harmless question or two, as well as answered some, so that i could understand a bit more about the teaching; sadly, i started getting hate mail, and had all of my Q&A unnecessarily reported until my account got suspended. I'm taking a risk even answering this Q as i JUST got my account back. *sighs* In any case, the answer is Yes, they do not consume caffiene (most of them anyways) and yes, they believe in eternal progression into godhood.

Aside from the few mean ones i've encounterd on y!a, most mormons are nice people. I hope this helps! As i do not expect my answer to be around very long. There's a price on my head by some of the report-bots, the same ones that sent me hate mail for respectfully voicing my opinion. *sighs*
♥

*edit* Avatar_defender: That is not correct. No where in the Bible does it state that "those who receive the Word of God become gods" There is only one God and we are not Him.
Could you please tell me what scripture verses from the Bible you are referencing in saying that statement? The Bible has 66 books, 1189 chapters, 41,173 verses and i can promise you - no where in it does it say that if we receive the Word of God we are gods. I can assure you. So, please? respectfully, WHAT scrpiture verse are you reffering to? I would like to look it up. Thanks :)

*edit* notorious: that's blasphemy!! No one sits upon the Throne of God, but God himself!!! We go to heaven, and yes there are scriptures regarding 'ruling and reigning' but we NEVER become God Himself, or any kind of being with "god-like powers". That's blasphemy; No one is God, but God himself! Scripturally, that's what satan wanted, to "sit on the throne of God" and that is why he was cast out of heaven.

*edit* thumbsup for Mumof4