Back to Understanding Mormonism
Why This Matters
Mormonism teaches a view of God that differs in important ways from historic Christian belief. While Latter-day Saints speak of God the Father as loving and personal, LDS doctrine also includes teachings about God’s origin and physical nature. This page provides an overview of how Mormonism describes God and how that understanding compares with traditional Christian theology.
Core Doctrinal Distinctives
- God the Father was once a man
- God has a physical body of flesh and bones
- God progressed to godhood
- Humans may become like God
- God is one of many divine beings
- The Godhead consists of three separate beings
Similar Words, Different Meanings
Terms such as God, Father, and divine may appear familiar across belief systems, but their meanings can differ significantly. In LDS teaching, God is understood as an exalted being who shares the same essential nature as humanity, though in a more advanced or perfected form.
A Question to Reflect On
How might differing beliefs about God’s nature influence how we understand worship, authority, and our relationship with Him?