My question might be different from others you've entertained. I am the only person in my family to have joined the Church. As a faithful and learned priesthood holder, can you tell me why I am so sorely ridiculed and persecuted because I believe that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate entities, yet one in purpose, and that I do not believe in the Holy Trinity?

Some have told me I'm going to hell over this mere issue - a disbelief in the Holy Trinity. Why do other Christians who believe in the Holy Trinity also believe I'm going to hell? Why is this such an important issue to people of other religions?

The best answer scripturally to your question is found in the Bible. Naturally, there are other great scriptures that could be referred to in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, as well as in the Pearl of Great Price, but your family and friends aren’t going to accept those scriptures, so let’s just read from the Bible of Christianity what the Lord has said about the Godhead and the oneness thereof. Let’s start with Gen. 1:26. You’ll notice that the Lord says, "Let us make man in our own image…." The Lord is talking to someone, otherwise He would have said "Let me make man in my own image."

Look at Ex. 33:11. We see that God has a face. Turn to Matt. 3:16-17. If the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost are one individual being or essence, how should we think about the fact that our Savior Jesus Christ was on the earth, having just been baptized, the Holy Ghost descended from the heavens in the form of a dove (so that people could specifically see that promised sign), and that God our Heavenly Father spoke from the heavens in an audible voice that the people could hear? There will probably be some who will say, "Well, the baptism of Christ and those instances are just metaphors." If we claim to be Christians who believe in certain doctrine, how can we ever substantiate what we believe if we say that the words of the Lord are metaphorical only? Also, why are we then baptised literally and not metaphorically?

Next, turn to John 17:9-11. Here, we find the Savior praying for His eleven apostles (Judas had left them). As you can see, He’s asking that His Father make these apostles one, as He and the Father are. To think otherwise would suggest that He’s asking that the apostles be made one big conglomerate person. Just to substantiate that further, turn to John 17:20-22. Here, we find the Savior praying for all of us through the centuries who would ever read and believe on the words of the apostles. He’s asking that all of us be made one as "thou, Father, art in me and I in thee." Few scriptures are clearer than this, and surprisingly, this scripture is also used by other Christians to show that the Father and Son are one, not separate. By examining what the scripture is actually saying, we can see clearly that the oneness spoken of is oneness of purpose, not oneness of being.

There are additional scriptures to consider. Turn to Acts 7:54-56. As you can see, the heavens open, and Stephen, just before he is stoned to death, sees God our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ standing at His right side, to which he so testifies. If it were otherwise, he would have said, "I see the heavens open, and God only standing there." Finally, turn to Heb. 1:1-3. Notice in the second verse that there’s separateness of the Father and the Son; that is, our Heavenly Father spoke to the people through Jesus Christ at that time. He also was appointed heir of all things. (Why would He have to be appointed if He was already God the Father?) And in verse 3, again it is perfectly and clearly stated, that after Christ had finished His work on the earth and ascended to heaven, He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High. He did not become the Majesty on High, but rather, took His rightful place beside His Father. Does that not clarify separateness, rather than the oneness which much of the Christian world mistakenly believes?

I’m not sure I’d spend a whole lot of time arguing these points with anybody. Arguing never gets you anywhere. When you teach the gospel to define truth, it’s the spirit that converts the individual, not just logic. Until people have the great desire to know differently than what they have traditionally believed, they’re not going to believe even the clearest of scriptures such as we have just reviewed. But for its value, you are now able to share with people who have good hearts and are willing to hear why you believe what you do. I hope this is helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


See related multimedia presentations