[Snow]

Originally Posted by fiona84

Hi everyone,

Those who know me on here know that I came back to church 'full force' last year after being only semi-active for a few years.

I a convert, a college student who converted when I was 13.

Yesterday at sacrament meeting we had a high council speaker and he made me really uncomfortable. He kept calling God/Heavenly Father just 'Father' and while that sounded odd to me, what really bothered me what how he kept referencing us becoming gods and goddesses in the afterlife.

I have always had a hard time with this doctrine. When he spoke, I felt awful. I felt uncomortable, like a jolt of annoyance shot through me. I saw a few people give eachother 'looks', as well.

To make it worse I had my nonmember, investigating husband with me who has no idea what any of that means.

I left in a bad mood after Relief Society. That doctrine is really a testimony killer for me. I just cannot believe that we will become gods and goddesses, it seems really blasphemus and counter to what is taught in the scriptures.

Are you aware that it was in fact a pervasive teaching/belief in the ancient Christian Church? The teaching was ubiquitous and summarized by the quote: "God became man so that man might become a god." (St. Athanasius)

I think you are simply wrong about being contrary to the scriptures. The LDS understanding may not be explicitly stated in the scriptures but it certainly isn't contradicted and is strong implied by a multitude of verses.

I hate having these doubts about god-hood, and I have prayed and prayed but I cannot feel the spirit when praying about this.

To make it worse I always think of Pres. Hinkley saying "I don't know that we teach that" when asked about the godhood doctrine on Larry King. It seems like even he was uncomfortable with that!

I sincerely would like some help with this. What do you guys think? When was this first taught and how can it be compatable with us believing in God and Christ? Maybe some history will make me feel better?

ETA: When do members first get taught this? I never heard a thing about it until I was past YW, and that bothers me. It certainly wasn't mentioned when I got the discussions and the whole 'secrecy' about it makes me dislike it even more.

You are misstating what President Hinckley said. He wasn't responding to whether we, like the ancient Church, believe in deification. He was responding to a question about whether God was once a man and his answer was absolutely correct. As a member of 40 years, I've have never been taught that by the Church. I am aware of the origin of the thought and aware of the speculation but simply put, we don't teach it.

I have no idea what you are talking about... "secrecy." I can think of lots of complex theology that isn't served up to investigators on a platter but the Church has massive amount of scholarship, lesson material, inspirational writings and talks on the matter. If you need resources, Let me know and I point you in the direction.