Some sister missionaries came to my house to discuss salvation and their church. As we sat on some patio chairs we talked about a variety of topics. Are we equally made in God's image? If God looks like a man, then I am made more in the image of God because I am a man. The Book of Mormon does not support this notion. How can both men and women be made in the image of God? I began explaining that I could greet Sister B. in three ways. I could say greetings Sister B. the soul, greetings Sister B. the body and greetings Sister B. the spirit. That would be a awkward greeting but it would be technically correct. Obviously we only greet people as one person - greetings Sister B! We are a triune being. We are three things, body, soul and spirit, and yet we are one being. We are made in the image of God by being a triune, 3-in1, entity. God is God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. We reflect him as a trinity. We are made in His image in this way. So men and women are equally made in image of God since both are triune beings. I think Sister B. liked this explanation. 2 Nephi 31:21 says, "...And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen." Some folks add words to the verse and say "one in purpose". This changes the meaning of the verse. The verse simply says, "...one God, without end...." and it means one triune God.
We have to take time to listen to all three and work in harmony. Our body might say, more candy would be great! Our mind/soul might say that would not be a healthy choice. Our spirit might say, this is a good time to pray. We have to compromise and work together. Perhaps this is why people are so complicated. Our spirit and soul may be doing well but our body may be sick. Our body and spirit may be doing well while our soul is in anguish over the loss of someone we love. Our body and soul may be doing well while our spirit yearns to be closer to God.
1 John 4:16 says God is love. Moroni 8:18 says that God is an unchangeable being from everasting to everylasting. How could God have been love before the creation of time, man and angels? The Son loved the Father and the Father loved the Son and the Holy Spirit was working in harmony with that love.
God, in his infinite wisdom, decided to make men and women, in His image as triune beings. God is good and wise and powerful! Praise his name!
Did Nephi preach the Trinity?
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