God is Our Eternal Heavenly Father

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon) 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? Review the points below to understand major Mormon beliefs about Heavenly Father.

God is Our Heavenly Father

Before we were born on earth we lived with Heavenly Father as spirits. He is the father of our spirits and we are his children. He is also the father of our bodies. 

God is a Member of the Godhead

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, although they are different entities.

This belief is at odds with what most Christians believe about the Trinity. This LDS belief is anchored in modern revelation. The Father and Son appeared to Joseph Smith as separate entities.

God Has a Body of Flesh and Bones

Our bodies were created in his image. This means our bodies look like His. He has a perfected, eternal body of flesh and bones. He does not have a body with blood. Blood resides in mortal bodies that have not been resurrected.

After being resurrected, Jesus' body is flesh and bones also. The Holy Ghost does not have a body. It is through the Holy Ghost that Heavenly Father's influence can be felt. This allows Him to be everywhere.

God is Perfect and He Loves Us

Heavenly Father is perfect. As a perfect being, He has commanded us to become like Him. He loves every one of us. His love for us is perfect as well. Learning to love with a perfect love is one of the responsibilities of mortality.

God Created All Things

God created all things on this earth through Jesus Christ. Jesus created everything under Heavenly Father's guidance and supervision.

Heavenly Father is the ruler of the universe and all things in it. He has other worlds He has created. The universe of all His creations is vast.

God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent

• Heavenly Father is omnipotent: This means He is all powerful.
• Heavenly Father is omniscient: This means He knows everything, past, present and future.
• Heavenly Father is omnipresent: This means that through the power of his Spirit, the Holy Ghost, He can be everywhere.

God Can Be Seen

Heavenly Father can be seen. In fact, He has been seen many times. Generally, when He appears, it is only to His prophets. In most instances, His voice is heard:

• He spoke to Adam and Eve on this earth.
• He introduced Jesus Christ: John 12:28-29, 3 Nephi 11:3-7, Acts 7:55-56
• He appeared with Jesus and introduced Him to Joseph Smith.
• He appeared to both Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon.

A person without sin, who is pure in heart, can see God. To see God a person must be transfigured: changed by the Spirit to a state of glory.

Other Names Of God

Many names are used to refer to Heavenly Father. Here are a few:

• 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.

Updated by Krista Cook.