Comments on: Becoming Saints before gods

By: Points of Interest 2/16 « Mind, Soul, and Body

Points of Interest 2/16 « Mind, Soul, and Body — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:02:44 +0000

[...] The Juvenile instructor has a illuminating post and discussion centered around a message from an Apostle over 100 years ago titled Becoming Saints before Gods. [...]

By: BHodges

BHodges — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:24:53 +0000

Indeed, the idea of becoming gods was often tied in, not just with families, but with a Zion community as a whole. Thinking of becoming Saints before becoming gods should evoke the recognition that “Saints” are a community. The eternal individual tied into a relationship with a family, and a community beyond that, where unity was a paramount feature. Great point, smb.

By: smb

smb — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:09:30 +0000

if you read them closely, the Smithian-era sources suggest this divinization was inextricably tied to the temple, and the temple itself was a heavily familialized ritual system. There were of course elements of simple perfectionism, but it was also a claim about what it meant to be part of a family.

So if you wanted to emphasize this piece (and I don’t personally think it’s wedded to any particular ideas about the meaning of gender), you don’t have to drop into sanctification vs. self-loathing. It can also be a statement about the power of our willed allegiances to each other.

By: ingrid

ingrid — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:41:26 +0000

Very interesting, yes, such a paradox. Maybe that’s why it’s so hard for some to grasp, so easy to reject. It doesn’t make sense on the surface.

By: BHodges

BHodges — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:39:19 +0000

I think it’s an interesting paradox; the inherent godhood vs. the corruption of the flesh. It can lead to self-righteousness on one hand to self-loathing on the other.

By: ingrid

ingrid — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:28:48 +0000

Yes, this belief can interfere with our probation if we don’t understand it, if we assume all we need to know and do to reach such a lofty goal can be accomplished within our 80 or so years of mortal life. Such false understanding can lead a man to think if he prays and attends church and sins as infrequently as possible, he is close to godhood. But since progression is eternal, and we are still so inexperienced and imperfect even having gone through mortality, the road ahead is long and goal not clost to appearing in sight. This is not to say we will never progress and become more and more like God, but the process is so gradual and as you reinforce, not done on our own.

On the other hand, the knowledge of the doctrine of eternal progression helps us greatly while during our probation. It helps us understand our Father, our earthly journey, and our own divine potential.

Great post BHodges, thank you!

By: David G.

David G. — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:20:35 +0000

Interesting post, Blair. I agree that it is very important to focus on righteousness in this life rather than neglecting it in favor of fantasizing about the next.