God, the Heavenly Father

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe in God and that He is our Heavenly Father. Our very first Article of Faith states, "We believe in God, the Eternal Father..." (Article of Faith 1). But what do we believe about God? Why is He our Heavenly Father? Who is God?

What We Believe About God:

1. God is Our Heavenly Father
   "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" (Hebrews 12:9)
   • Before we were born on earth we lived with him as spirits.
   • He is the father of our spirits and we are his children.
   • Our bodies were created in his image.
   
   
2. God is a Member of the Godhead
   (See D&C 130:22-23)
   • There are three separate beings that make up the Godhead: God (our Heavenly Father), Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost
   • The members of the Godhead are ONE in purpose
   
   
3. God Has a Body of Flesh and Bones
   "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s..." (D&C 130:22)
   • He has an eternal, perfect, physical body of flesh and bones.
   • He does not have blood like mankind.
   
   
4. God is Perfect and He Loves Us
   "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
   • He is a perfect being and we have been commanded to become like him.
   • He loves everyone of us.
   
   
5. God Created All Things
   "God, who created all things by Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 3:9)
   • Through Jesus Christ, he created all things.
   • He is the ruler of the universe and all things in it.
   
   
6. God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent
   "Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite." (Psalms 147:5)
   • He is all powerful.
   • He knows all things, past, present and future.
   • Through the power of his Spirit he can be everywhere.
   
   
7. God Can Be Seen
   "But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him." (Moses 1:11)
   • A person without sin can see God.
   • To see God a person must be transfigured: changed by the Spirit to a state of glory.
   
   
8. Other Names Of God:
   • Elohim/Eloheim
   • Creator
   • Supreme Governor
   • Supreme Being
   • Father of Mankind

I know that God is our Eternal, Heavenly Father. I know he loves us and that he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins if we choose to follow him and repent. I know that the above aspects about God are true and share them with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Poll: Do you believe in God?