Quote:
Originally Posted by prisonchaplain
Each of the three persons is God, and there is only one God, because they are one in essence. There cannot be three gods, because we join Jews and Muslims in taking Dueteronomy 6:4 quite literally--Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Not one for us, or for our world, but ONE.
I'm not sure if you are missing something so much as adding too much. "How can God be one and yet three distinct persons?" That is your basic question. Your prophet gave you an answer: the unity is one of purpose only.
We trinitarians say, "No...God is one essential being." So, how can that be--three persons, one being? It just is. Perhaps Joseph Smith's answer is more satisfying, because it's easier to wrap the mind around. However, trinitarians believe ourselves to be absolute monotheists. So . . . we simply accept what we see in Scripture, and leave the "how it works" to God. After all, it's his nature.
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When I first read about the Trinity, I had thought that the Trinity and Godhead concepts were very close, if not essentially the same thing. If essence or nature equivocates to purpose, function, testimony, etc. then it is the same concept.
P.S. I tried to thank you for replying, but got a note that my account doesn't have that access or that it has been de-activated. THANKS for your response!