Blasphemy or Biblical?

[_gdemetz]

One of the main reasons, if not the main reason, that the chuch has been verbally attacked is our belief that a man may become a god. The enemies of the chuch have said that this is not Biblical and that it is blasphemy. However, I contend that it is a Biblical teaching. Psalms 82:6 clearly and simply states: "Ye are gods and all of you are the children of the most high." Christ used this scripture to defend Himself against this very charge of blasphemy as recorded in John 10:33: "Isn't it written in your law, I said, ye are gods." Also, to show that this means much more than simply being an immortal being, Christ states, as recorded in Revelation 3:21: "To him that overcometh willI grant to sit with me in my throne even as I overcame and am sat down with my Father in His throne."

[_Drifting]

The reason for people criticising the Church on this is because it tries to hide what it explicitly teaches.

Here is the deception.

Do Latter-day Saints believe they can become “gods”?
Latter-day Saints believe that God wants us to become like Him. But this teaching is often misrepresented by those who caricature the faith. The Latter-day Saint belief is no different than the biblical teaching, which states, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17). Through following Christ's teachings, Latter-day Saints believe all people can become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4).

Do Latter-day Saints believe that they will “get their own planet”?
No. This idea is not taught in Latter-day Saint scripture, nor is it a doctrine of the Church. This misunderstanding stems from speculative comments unreflective of scriptural doctrine. Mormons believe that we are all sons and daughters of God and that all of us have the potential to grow during and after this life to become like our Heavenly Father (see Romans 8:16-17). The Church does not and has never purported to fully understand the specifics of Christ’s statement that “in my Father’s house are many mansions” (John 14:2).

And here is what the Church actually teaches...

Blessings of Exaltation
• What are some blessings that will be given to those who are exalted?
Our Heavenly Father is perfect, and He glories in the fact that it is possible for His children to become like Him. His work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ will receive special blessings. The Lord has promised, “All things are theirs” (D&C 76:59). These are some of the blessings given to exalted people:

1. They will live eternally in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see D&C 76:62).
2. They will become gods (see D&C 132:20–23).
3. They will be united eternally with their righteous family members and will be able to have eternal increase.
4. They will receive a fulness of joy.
5. They will have everything that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have—all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge (see D&C 132:19–20). President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: “The Father has promised through the Son that all that he has shall be given to those who are obedient to His commandments. They shall increase in knowledge, wisdom, and power, going from grace to grace, until the fulness of the perfect day shall burst upon them” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 2:36; italics in original).

[_Themis]

The reason for people criticising the Church on this is because it tries to hide what it explicitly teaches.

Some of that criticism is coming from members of the church.

[_bcspace]

Not many here argue against the Church because of Theosis. It's mostly ex and disaffected mos. Very few EV's.

[_Samantabhadra]

Not many here argue against the Church because of Theosis. It's mostly ex and disaffected mos. Very few EV's.

Theosis is not the same as the heretical blasphemy taught by BY and others. Authentic Christianity insists on a distinction between being joined with God on the one hand and becoming a god on the other. Using the word "theosis" does not mean that what you mean when you say "theosis" is what actual Christians mean when they say "theosis."

[_Buffalo]

One of the main reasons, if not the main reason, that the chuch has been verbally attacked is our belief that a man may become a god. The enemies of the chuch have said that this is not Biblical and that it is blasphemy. However, I contend that it is a Biblical teaching. Psalms 82:6 clearly and simply states: "Ye are gods and all of you are the children of the most high." Christ used this scripture to defend Himself against this very charge of blasphemy as recorded in John 10:33: "Isn't it written in your law, I said, ye are gods." Also, to show that this means much more than simply being an immortal being, Christ states, as recorded in Revelation 3:21: "To him that overcometh willI grant to sit with me in my throne even as I overcame and am sat down with my Father in His throne."

The church tries to pretend it doesn't believe it anymore. They must be ashamed of the doctrine.

[_subgenius]

The reason for people criticising the Church on this is because it tries to hide what it explicitly teaches.

Here is the deception.

exactly what is the deception?

[_subgenius]

The church tries to pretend it doesn't believe it anymore. They must be ashamed of the doctrine.

by hiding it in chapter 47 of Gospel Principles?
is that a sort of "hiding in plain sight" strategy?

[_Themis]

The church tries to pretend it doesn't believe it anymore. They must be ashamed of the doctrine.

by hiding it in chapter 47 of Gospel Principles?
is that a sort of "hiding in plain sight" strategy?

Stop playing dumb. You know perfectly well people are talking about sites like Mormonism 101.

[_gdemetz]

Yea, it is definitely a teaching of the church, and I have to admit that I myself sometimes get irritated by those in the church who seem hesitant to "tell it like it is" in their efforts to polish the image of the church, as if some of those observing would not be intelligent enough to see right through what they are trying to do!