Mormon Belief in God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost
LDS View of the Godhead as Explained by the First Article of Faith
Feb 28, 2009
In 1842, Joseph Smith was asked by newspaper editor John Wentworth what Mormons believed. Smith’s written response summed up church doctrine in 13 points, which are now known collectively as the Articles of Faith.
First Article of Faith
The First Article of Faith establishes Mormons as Christians who believe in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It reads as follows:
- We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
Mormons Believe in God the Father
In the Old Testament, God is known as Elohim. Under his direction, all things were created. Mormons often call God “Heavenly Father.” They believe that God is more than just their creator, but the literal father of their spirits. Everyone lived with him in heaven before being born on earth.
Mormons pray to God and believe that he is loving, all-knowing, all-powerful, and omniscient. According to Mormon theology, God has a perfect, resurrected body. Our ultimate goal is to return to live with him in heaven and become like him.
Mormons Believe in Jesus Christ
Mormons regard Jesus Christ as the Savior. In the Old Testament he was known as Jehovah or the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Though we are all spirit children of God, Jesus is the firstborn of God’s spirit children. He is also the only begotten son of God in the physical body. Mormons accept all that is written about Christ’s birth and life in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon.
Christ did two things for us that we could not do for ourselves, which are collectively called the Atonement. He suffered for our sins making repentance and forgiveness possible; he also overcame death making resurrection possible. Christ has a glorified, resurrected body and is an essential figure in Mormon theology. Mormons look forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth.
Mormons Believe in the Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost is sometimes called the Holy Spirit or the Spirit. The Holy Ghost has many functions including guiding, directing, warning, comforting, prompting, and helping us to discern good and bad. The Holy Ghost speaks to people in many ways, including a good feeling in our hearts.
Those investigating the LDS church are asked to read the Book of Mormon and “ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true, and … he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 10:4). After baptism, people are eligible to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost as their constant companion through a priesthood ordinance.
Rather than a trinity, Mormons believe in a Godhead consisting of three separate beings—God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost. They are, of course, united in purpose and are all essential to the faith.
See the complete Articles of Faith series to read more about each of the thirteen declarations of Mormon belief.
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