Witnessing in the Neighborhood
Mormonism
Notes LDS 5/30 and 6/6/23
The Mormon Church's view of the Preexistences
Premortality: Overview
Premortality refers to our life before we were born on this earth. In our pre-earth life, we lived in the presence of our Heavenly Father as His spirit children. We did not have a physical body.
In this premortal existence, we attended a council with Heavenly Father’s other spirit children. At that council, Heavenly Father presented His great plan of happiness (see Abraham 3:22–26).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/premortality?lang=eng
Jeremiah 1:5 King James Version
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Romans 4:17 King James Version
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Psalm 139:13-14 King James Version
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Isaiah 44:24 King James Version
24 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
Isaiah 49:5 King James Version
5 And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
Zechariah 12:1 King James Version
12 The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
John 3:13 King James Version
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 3:30-31 King James Version
30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
John 8:23-24 King James Version
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer+1%3A5%3BRom+4%3A17%3BJohn+3%3A13%2C30-31%3B8%3A23-24%3BZech+12%3A1%3BPsa+139%3A13-14%3BIsa+44%3A24%3B49%3A5&version=KJV
The Mormon Church’s view of immortality and eternal life
Gospel Topic: Doctrinal Study: Eternal Life: Online
Eternal life is the phrase used in scripture to define the quality of life that our Eternal Father lives. The Lord declared, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Immortality is to live forever as a resurrected being. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone will receive this gift. Eternal life, or exaltation, is to live in God’s presence and to continue as families (see Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4). Like immortality, this gift is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. However, to inherit eternal life requires our “obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” (Articles of Faith 1:3).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/eternal-life?lang=eng
True to the faith: Eternal Life Online
The Lord declared, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Immortality is to live forever as a resurrected being. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone will receive this gift. Eternal life, or exaltation, is to inherit a place in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, where we will live in God’s presence and continue as families (see D&C 131:1–4). Like immortality, this gift is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. However, it requires our “obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” (Articles of Faith 1:3).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/eternal-life?lang=eng
Exaltation: Online
What is exaltation?
Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.
If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, to live with our Heavenly Father in eternal families. Exaltation is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father can give His children (see D&C 14:7).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-47-exaltation?lang=eng
Gospel Principles: Chapter 47: Online
Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-47-exaltation?lang=eng
Doctrine and Covenants 14:7
7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/14?lang=eng&id=7#p7
Doctrine and Covenants 59:23
But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59?lang=eng&id=23#23
What does the Bible say about Eternal Life?
John 3:36 King James Version
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 5:24 King James Version
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
John 6:40, 47 King James Version
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 10:28-29 King James Version
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Romans 6:23 King James Version
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 5:9-13 King James Version
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
John 11:25-26 King James Version
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A36%3B+5%3A24%3B+6%3A40%2C+47%3B+10%3A28-29%3B+Rom+6%3A23%3B+1+John+5%3A9-13%3B+John+11%3A25-26&version=KJV
The Mormon view of the Godhead
History of the Church, Vol.6, Ch.23, Page 474, Online
I will preach on the plurality of Gods. I have selected this text for that express purpose. I wish to declare I have always and in all congregations when I have preached on the subject of the Deity, it has been the plurality of Gods. It has been preached by the Elders for fifteen years.
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?
https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-chapters/volume-6-chapter-23/
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, GODHEAD, Online
On June 16, 1844, in his last Sunday sermon before his martyrdom, Joseph Smith declared that "in all congregations" he had taught "the plurality of Gods" for fifteen years: "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" (TPJS, p. 370)
https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/EoM/id/3733
Journal of Discourses, Vol.6, page 3, Joseph Smith, April 6, 1844
God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted Man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens. That is the great secret. If the veil was rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who
upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible—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; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image, and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked, and conversed with him, as one man talks and communes with another.
https://jod.mrm.org/6/1
Journal of Discourses, Vol.6, page.4, Joseph Smith, April 6, 1844
Here, then, is eternal life--to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you,--namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one,--from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power.
https://jod.mrm.org/6/1
Isaiah 43:10
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/43?lang=eng&id=p10#p10
Isaiah 44:6 and 8
6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/44?lang=eng&id=p8#p8
8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/44?lang=eng&id=p6#p6
1 Corinthians 8:4-6
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-cor/8?lang=eng&id=p4-p6#p4
The Mormon Church's view of the Preexistences
Premortality: Overview
Premortality refers to our life before we were born on this earth. In our pre-earth life, we lived in the presence of our Heavenly Father as His spirit children. We did not have a physical body.
In this premortal existence, we attended a council with Heavenly Father’s other spirit children. At that council, Heavenly Father presented His great plan of happiness (see Abraham 3:22–26).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/premortality?lang=eng
Jeremiah 1:5 King James Version
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Romans 4:17 King James Version
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Psalm 139:13-14 King James Version
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Isaiah 44:24 King James Version
24 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
Isaiah 49:5 King James Version
5 And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
Zechariah 12:1 King James Version
12 The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
John 3:13 King James Version
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 3:30-31 King James Version
30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
John 8:23-24 King James Version
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer+1%3A5%3BRom+4%3A17%3BJohn+3%3A13%2C30-31%3B8%3A23-24%3BZech+12%3A1%3BPsa+139%3A13-14%3BIsa+44%3A24%3B49%3A5&version=KJV
The Mormon Church’s view of immortality and eternal life
Gospel Topic: Doctrinal Study: Eternal Life: Online
Eternal life is the phrase used in scripture to define the quality of life that our Eternal Father lives. The Lord declared, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Immortality is to live forever as a resurrected being. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone will receive this gift. Eternal life, or exaltation, is to live in God’s presence and to continue as families (see Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4). Like immortality, this gift is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. However, to inherit eternal life requires our “obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” (Articles of Faith 1:3).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/eternal-life?lang=eng
True to the faith: Eternal Life Online
The Lord declared, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Immortality is to live forever as a resurrected being. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone will receive this gift. Eternal life, or exaltation, is to inherit a place in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, where we will live in God’s presence and continue as families (see D&C 131:1–4). Like immortality, this gift is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. However, it requires our “obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” (Articles of Faith 1:3).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/eternal-life?lang=eng
Exaltation: Online
What is exaltation?
Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.
If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, to live with our Heavenly Father in eternal families. Exaltation is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father can give His children (see D&C 14:7).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-47-exaltation?lang=eng
Gospel Principles: Chapter 47: Online
Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-47-exaltation?lang=eng
Doctrine and Covenants 14:7
7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/14?lang=eng&id=7#p7
Doctrine and Covenants 59:23
But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59?lang=eng&id=23#23
What does the Bible say about Eternal Life?
John 3:36 King James Version
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 5:24 King James Version
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
John 6:40, 47 King James Version
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 10:28-29 King James Version
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Romans 6:23 King James Version
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 5:9-13 King James Version
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
John 11:25-26 King James Version
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A36%3B+5%3A24%3B+6%3A40%2C+47%3B+10%3A28-29%3B+Rom+6%3A23%3B+1+John+5%3A9-13%3B+John+11%3A25-26&version=KJV
The Mormon view of the Godhead
History of the Church, Vol.6, Ch.23, Page 474, Online
I will preach on the plurality of Gods. I have selected this text for that express purpose. I wish to declare I have always and in all congregations when I have preached on the subject of the Deity, it has been the plurality of Gods. It has been preached by the Elders for fifteen years.
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?
https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-chapters/volume-6-chapter-23/
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, GODHEAD, Online
On June 16, 1844, in his last Sunday sermon before his martyrdom, Joseph Smith declared that "in all congregations" he had taught "the plurality of Gods" for fifteen years: "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" (TPJS, p. 370)
https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/EoM/id/3733
Journal of Discourses, Vol.6, page 3, Joseph Smith, April 6, 1844
God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted Man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens. That is the great secret. If the veil was rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who
upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible—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; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image, and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked, and conversed with him, as one man talks and communes with another.
https://jod.mrm.org/6/1
Journal of Discourses, Vol.6, page.4, Joseph Smith, April 6, 1844
Here, then, is eternal life--to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you,--namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one,--from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power.
https://jod.mrm.org/6/1
Isaiah 43:10
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/43?lang=eng&id=p10#p10
Isaiah 44:6 and 8
6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/44?lang=eng&id=p8#p8
8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/44?lang=eng&id=p6#p6
1 Corinthians 8:4-6
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-cor/8?lang=eng&id=p4-p6#p4