By Seventy James L. Noland

A Great and Marvelous Work

Who is God?

One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long, long way and no longer needed Jesus Christ or God the Father. So they chose one of the scientists to go to the Lord and tell Him, “We no longer have any need for you, please, just leave us alone”.

The scientist walked up to the Lord and said, “Lord, we’ve decided that we no longer need you or your father. We’re now at the point that we can clone people and do many mighty miraculous things on are own, so just go and leave us alone.

The Lord listened patiently and kindly to the man and after the scientist was done talking, He said, “Very well, how about this, let’s say we have a man making contest.” To which the scientist replied, “OK, that’s great!”

But the Lord added, “Now, we’re going to do things just as my Father and I did in the very beginning with Adam and Eve.” “OK?”

The scientist said, “Sure, no problem” and he got his shovel and dug up a pile of dirt.

You must get your own dirt!

And the Lord said, “No, no, no…

The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion;

Yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form, doth witness that there is a Supreme Creator: and yet do ye go about, leading away the hearts of this people, testifying unto them there is no God? And yet will ye deny against all these witnesses?

[Alma 16:54-55]

Is there a God? Does He exist today?

All things denote there is a God!

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

neither let the mighty man glory in his might,

let not the rich man glory in his riches;

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

[Jeremiah 9:23-24]

God is.

God is Trinity.  

This means that God is three persons, not three gods.  

Technically, the doctrine of the Trinity states that in the one God is the person of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  

Each is not the same person as the other; yet, there are not three gods but one.  

This is similar in analogy to the nature of time.  Time is past, present, and future.  The past is not the same as the present, which is not the same as the future.  But, there are not three times.  There is only one thing called time.

The reason the word "person" is used in describing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is because each exhibits attributes of personhood -- not in a body of flesh and bones, but in personality. 

In other words, each has a will, loves, speaks, is aware of others, communicates with others, etc.  These are attributes of personhood and we see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit each demonstrate these qualities.

Behold this body, which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear unto thee to be in the spirit, will I appear unto my people in the flesh. [Ether 1:81]

Did Joseph Smith see God?

I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun; which descended gradually until it fell upon me (The (The Holy Spirit)Holy Spirit). It (He)(He) no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light light rested upon me I saw two personages (The Father and the (The Father and the Son)Son) (whose brightness and glory defy all description) standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name, and said, (pointing to the other,) 'This is my beloved Son, hear him.'

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it; and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.

And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day; for there shall be no night there.

And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.

And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

[Revelation 21:23-27]

We shall in this lecture speak of the Godhead; we mean the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. [Lectures on Faith 5:1c]

The Father being a personage of spirit, glory, and power, possessing all perfection and fullness. The Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, a personage of tabernacle, made or fashioned like unto man, or being in the form and likeness of man - or rather, man was formed after his likeness and in his image.

[Lectures on Faith 5:2c-d]

And he being the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a fullness of the glory of the Father - possessing the same mind with the Father; which Mind is which Mind is the Holy Spiritthe Holy Spirit, that bears record of the Father and the Son; and these three are one, or in other words, these three constitute the great, matchless, governing, and supreme power over all things; by whom all things were created and made, that were created and made: and these three constitute the Godhead and are one: the Father and the Son possessing the same mindpossessing the same mind, the same wisdom, glory, power, and fullness; [Lectures on Faith 5:2j-m]

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

[1 Corinthians 2:9-10]

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

[1 Corinthians 2:12]

But we have the mind of Christ. [1 Corinthians 2:16]

IIn the third chapter of Genesis, Inspired Version, we have another of n the third chapter of Genesis, Inspired Version, we have another of those very plain things restored for us in our scripture. The ultimate those very plain things restored for us in our scripture. The ultimate salvation of man was under consideration. Satan appeared before the salvation of man was under consideration. Satan appeared before the Father and said, "Behold I, send me, I will be thy Son, and I will redeem Father and said, "Behold I, send me, I will be thy Son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost ... wherefore, give me thine all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost ... wherefore, give me thine honor." Another person appeared before the Father, of whom it is written, honor." Another person appeared before the Father, of whom it is written, "But behold, my beloved Son, which was my beloved and chosen from "But behold, my beloved Son, which was my beloved and chosen from the beginning, said unto me; Father, thy will be done, and the glory be the beginning, said unto me; Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine for ever". thine for ever". (Genesis 3:1–4) (Genesis 3:1–4)

HHere we have the word of God that His Only Begotten Son talked with ere we have the word of God that His Only Begotten Son talked with Him as to another person and volunteered to do the will of the Father, Him as to another person and volunteered to do the will of the Father, not demanding glory for Himself. The Father rejected Satan because not demanding glory for Himself. The Father rejected Satan because Satan planned to "take away man's agency" and become the first great Satan planned to "take away man's agency" and become the first great dictator, saving men whether they wished to be saved or not. God, the dictator, saving men whether they wished to be saved or not. God, the Father, chose Christ, the Son, to come to earth with a persuasive gospel. Father, chose Christ, the Son, to come to earth with a persuasive gospel. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son.""For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son."

TThus we find the Father and the Son, two distinct personages, planning hus we find the Father and the Son, two distinct personages, planning together with each other the creation and salvation of man.together with each other the creation and salvation of man.

God and Christ are Two Separate PersonsGod and Christ are Two Separate PersonsBy Patriarch Elbert A. SmithBy Patriarch Elbert A. Smith

And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; [Sec 36:2h]

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one;

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

[John 17:20-23]

And now behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

[2 Nephi 13:32]

…Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one eternal God,

[Alma 8:104]

… which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen.

[Sec 17:5h]

Behold, verily, verily I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine. And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me;

And I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me, and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me;

And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.

[3 Nephi 5:32-34]

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [John 14:16-17]

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost , whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

[John 14:26]

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me;

[John 15:26]

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it rested upon each of them. And they were all filled with all filled with the Holy Ghostthe Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the SpiritSpirit gave them utterance. [Acts 2:2-4]

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy; [Acts 2:16-18]

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost; and by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things.

And whatsoever thing is good, is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is. And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you, that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same to-day and to-morrow, and for ever. And again I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. [Moroni 10:4-8]

Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth; and truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come; and whatsoever is more or less than this, is the spirit of that wicked one, who was a liar from the beginning.

The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth.

And John bore record of me, saying, He received a fullness of truth; yea, even of all truth, and no man receiveth a fullness unless he keepeth his commandments.

[Sec 90:4b-d]

He that keepeth his commandments, receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth, and knoweth all things. [Sec 90:4e]

And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them. For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom; and to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; and to another exceeding great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit.

And again, to another, that he may work mighty miracles; and again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things; and again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits; and again, to another, all kinds of tongues; and again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues. And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will. And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.

[Moroni 10:9-13]

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water, and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.

[John 3:5-6]

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive; for the Holy Ghost was promised unto them who believe, after that Jesus was glorified.)

[John 7:39]

…and I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom;

[Sec 35:1b]

Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children, saying, that by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death; and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so become of dust a living soul;

[Genesis 6:61]

Even so ye must be born again, into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye may be sanctified from all sin; and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come; even immortal glory. [Genesis 6:62]

For, by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified; and by the blood ye are sanctified.

[Genesis 6:63] [Genesis 6:63]

And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water; and thus he was baptized. [Genesis 6:67]

And the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man.

And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying, Thou art baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost; this is the record of the Father and the Son, from henceforth and forever; [Genesis 6:68-69]

And lo, he heard a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him.

[Matthew 3:45-46]

And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and John saw, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Jesus.

How do you know if you have the “Gift of the Holy Ghost”?

But behold I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you, That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; [3 Nephi 5:90-91]