We Believe: Godhead

Article of Faith #1:  We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

The first article of faith addresses the most important principle of the gospel, the Godhead and our relationship with God.

We believe that God is our Heavenly Father, literally the father of our spirits.  He has a glorified and perfected body of flesh and bones and that we are created in His image (see D&C 130:22, Gen. 1:27).  He sent us here to Earth so  that we could learn and become more like Him.  Our Heavenly Father has an infinite amount of love for each of us and weeps when we weep and rejoices when we are glad.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten son of our Heavenly Father; that "by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God (D&C 76:24)."  We believe that Jesus Christ came to earth, established His church, and taught the gospel. That He willingly took upon Himself our sins, pains, and afflictions, gave His life upon the cross for all of us, and rose the third day conquering death.  He is our Advocate with the Father and our closest Friend.

We believe that the Holy Ghost, unlike the Father and the Son, is a personage of Spirit and does not have a body of flesh and bones (see D&C 130:22).  His mission is to testify of truth and help us draw nearer unto our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  He is the Comforter (see John 14:26), a protector, a guide, and the Testator (see Moroni 10:5-7). 

Though separate individuals, our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are all united in one purpose, that is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39)."  It amazes me to think that the three greatest beings in the universe care about each one of us individually and want us to be happy.  I am grateful for the knowledge of the Godhead and Their role and influence in my life.

*picture taken from Doctrine and Covenants seminary study guide, pg. 106