Believe it or not, the Old Testament refers to ‘Gods’ as well. In Genesis, when God says, “Let US create man in our own image” the Hebrew word used for God is Elohim - a plural. Hence, ‘let US...” This has been suggested as God’s self-referential acknowledgement of His triune nature - being Father,Son and Holy Spirit.
While I strongly disagree with Mormomism, we should not be so hasty to point out fault with something that exists in our Bible too.
The Trinity is one God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit- Three in One.
Let us is the first teaching of the trinity, which Christians believe is 3 persons in One eternal God ..unlike Mormons we do not believe it was separate gods.. John 1 clears that up..
Is it OK to point out that mormon men believe they can become gods providing they pass the temple recommend test and take part in masonic rites and covenants in their temples and Christ's Grace is insufficient but they must "do all that they can do"???
re: “Believe it or not, the Old Testament refers to ‘Gods’ as well. In Genesis, when God says, “Let US create man in our own image” the Hebrew word used for God is Elohim - a plural. Hence, ‘let US...” This has been suggested as God’s self-referential acknowledgement of His triune nature - being Father,Son and Holy Spirit. While I strongly disagree with Mormomism, we should not be so hasty to point out fault with something that exists in our Bible too.”
You are quite right that the noun for God in some Testament passages is literally, “gods”, however, the article following the plural noun is always singular. This is why Christian theologians believe that these references to God using a plural noun followed by a singular article may be indeed a forshadowing of the doctrine of the Trinity - which you also mention.
I just thought mentioning the singular article should be noted. It is also interesting that the Book of Mormon also teaches the Trinity. I don’t have the passages right in front of me, but possibly with a computer search of the Book of Mormon, you could find references to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as One. In fact, many of the current Mormon doctrines of God being an exalted man, no existence of Hell, etc. are not taught at all in the Book of Mormon.
A little book written by a gentleman named John L. Smith called “Witnessing to Mormons” or “How to Witness to Mormons” documents all these passages in the Book of Mormon that teach overtly Christian doctrines of salvation, the Trinity, existence of Hell, etc.
His approach is to use the Book of Mormon (along with the Bible) to demonstrate to Mormons how their current beliefs are in opposition to the Book of Mormon. This happened because Joseph Smith bascially incorpoated 75 percent of the New Testament into his “Book of Mormon”. Therefore, some real Christian doctrines are still in the Book of Mormon.
I don’t know if this book is still available, but I got a copy from the Tanners (who also wrote a very fascinating book called “Mormonism, Shadow or Reality?”).
The plurality of Elohim is in reference to the God head of God the Father The Holy Spirit and Jesus. It is not in reference to multiple gods making mankind.
It isn’t suggested. It is a fact.
Genesis 1:1 says in the literal Hebrew, “In the beginning, the Gods created...” The term is Elohiym, the plural of Eloah or God.