What is God, The Great I AM
A Revelation of the Divine Creator

By Philip Stevenson

With unending support, encouragement and insight from my
beloved wife and partner, Rebecca Stevenson

In Loving Memory of John Griffin
March 8, 1947 - September 16, 2017

Introduction

Most active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would agree that we worship a "Who" rather than a "What." Yet, a careful examination of scripture reveals something profound: God Himself repeatedly tells us otherwise. Consider these words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman:

John 4
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship.

While some might dismiss this as a potential translation error, the Lord reinforced this same statement in modern revelation through Joseph Smith. In 1833, thirteen years after Joseph Smith's First Vision, the Lord gave a remarkable revelation in Kirtland, Ohio. This revelation, now section 93 of the Doctrine and Covenants, begins with the definitive statement "Verily, thus saith the Lord" and contains this striking declaration:

D&C 93
19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.

Think carefully about the implications of this statement. The Lord is telling Joseph Smith—who had experienced the First Vision thirteen years earlier—that he did not “understand and know” and still needed to learn "what you worship." Even more remarkably, in another revelation, the Lord told Joseph and vicariously the church:

D&C 88
49 The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him.

These revelations present us with a fascinating paradox. How could Joseph Smith, who had experienced the First Vision, still not comprehend, understand and know what he worshipped. It seems that the First Vision experience would have clarified these points amply and yet the Lord repeatedly tells Joseph that he still needs to learn and will one day comprehend what he worships? How could he not yet comprehend God? The answer lies in understanding the nature of divine communication and the critical distinction between visions and visitations.

Understanding Divine Communication

To resolve this paradox, we must first understand two of the ways God communicates with His children and how they are fundamentally different. Visitations and visions are two very different and distinct types of divine manifestations. Understanding the differences between these is crucial for correctly interpreting these divine experiences.

Visitations

A visitation is the physical appearance of a divine or supernatural being. It has these key characteristics:

It is literal and physical, not symbolic
It can be heard and observed by all present, regardless of their spiritual progress or insight
It operates within the natural or physical world

Examples of visitations in scripture include:

The angels who visited Lot (they were seen by the wicked, physically entered his house, and physically intervened)
The resurrected Christ (who could be touched and ate with His disciples)

Visions

A vision, by contrast, has very different characteristics:

It is a symbolic, multi-sensory experience that occurs within one's mind or spiritual eyes
It is often interactive but uses profound symbolism to teach concepts and reveal truths
It is not literal and should never be interpreted literally
Everything in a vision is symbolic and rich with hidden meaning
When we interpret a vision literally, we know we have missed its deeper meaning

Examples of visions include:

Lehi's Dream (tree of life, rod of iron, etc.)
Joseph of Egypt's dreams (sheaves of wheat, sun/moon/stars)
Pharaoh's dreams (interpreted by Joseph)
Nebuchadnezzar's dream (interpreted by Daniel)

Joseph Smith himself had multiple visions, including:

Vision of the celestial kingdom (D&C 137)
- Saw his deceased brother Alvin in the Celestial kingdom
- Also saw his parents who were still alive in the Celestial kingdom with Alvin
- Saw symbolic representations like the blazing throne and streets of gold

Most significantly for our discussion, the First Vision itself was explicitly identified by Joseph Smith as a vision, not a visitation. In the Wentworth letter, Joseph stated plainly that he was "enwrapped in a heavenly vision." At the end of the vision, Joseph recounted, “When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven.” (JSH 1:20) This distinction becomes crucial as we examine what this vision was meant to teach us about the nature of God, and why years after having had the vision, God tells Joseph that he does not comprehend, know or understand what he worships.

The First Vision Reconsidered

One of the most powerful symbols from the First Vision appears in the Wentworth letter account, where Joseph provides the following description.

“I was enwrapped in a heavenly vision and saw two glorious personages who exactly resembled each other in features and likeness, surrounded with a brilliant light which eclipsed the sun at noon-day.” – Joseph Smith, The Wentworth Letter.

Remember our fundamental principle: when we interpret a vision literally, we know we have missed its meaning. Let's examine both a literal and symbolic interpretation of this key element:

The Literal Interpretation

If we interpret this symbol literally, we would conclude that God the Father and Jesus Christ look physically identical, like identical twins. While identical twins share DNA and appearance, they often have different personalities, talents, and characteristics. The University of Utah’s Genetic Science Learning Center says,

“Identical twins have exactly the same DNA, but they are not exactly alike. Each twin has his or her own personality, talents, likes, and dislikes. There are even diseases that appear in one twin but not the other, including arthritis, diabetes, autism, schizophrenia, cancer, and many others.”

Taking the vision as literal, we would assume that they physically look exactly alike, but like twins, they are very different in those parts that really count, like their goals, desires, morality, and interests.

I’m reminded of the movie, “Oh, God! You Devil” when actor George Burns played the role of both God and the devil, showing what you look like on the outside doesn’t have anything to do with who you are on the inside.

Additionally, this interpretation would suggest that God is definitively a "Who" - a specific personage with a specific form. Joseph Smith interpreted his first vision literally and based on this interpretation, he thought he comprehended, understood, and knew the God he worshiped. This is why 13 years later, in revelation, the Lord told Joseph he did not yet possess that knowledge.

The Symbolic Interpretation

When we look at the symbolism of these two figures who "exactly resembled each other in features and likeness," we see a profound truth: the Son and the Father exactly resemble each other in Goals, Intents, Desires, Thoughts, Will, Purpose, and Morality. The vision teaches us that they are so perfectly aligned that speaking to one is like speaking to the other. This aligns perfectly with scripture but doesn't definitively answer whether God is a "Who" or a "What."

This distinction becomes crucial when we consider the Lord's words to Joseph in D&C 93:19. Thirteen years after the First Vision, the Lord still needed to teach Joseph "what you worship." If the First Vision had been a literal visitation showing God's physical form, Joseph would have already known what he worshipped. But if it was a symbolic vision teaching about divine unity and nature, then there was still more for Joseph to learn about what God truly is.

Excellent to this point. Exactly what I would say. And some things people pass over for sure.

The Lord's Testimony: You Have Already Seen Me (God)

Even more intriguing than Joseph's need to learn "what you worship" is a remarkable revelation the Lord gave through him - one that suggests something profound about our everyday experience of God. In Doctrine and Covenants 88, the Lord makes an extraordinary declaration that challenges our understanding of God by repeatedly and emphatically telling us that we have already “seen God” without comprehending Him.

D&C 88
45 The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God.
46 Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may understand?
47 Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.
48 I say unto you, he hath seen him; nevertheless, he who came unto his own was not comprehended.
49 The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him.
50 Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound.

Consider the implications of what the Lord is saying. He declares - not once, but repeatedly - that anyone who has seen the earth, sun, moon, stars, or even the least part of these has seen God. Yet He immediately acknowledges that though we have seen Him, we haven't comprehended what we've seen.

This revelation suggests something remarkable about our understanding of God - something so profound that the Lord promises a future day when we will finally comprehend Him. On that day, we will understand and know:

That we have already seen God
Why He calls Himself "I AM"
That He is in us
That we are in Him
That this relationship is essential to our very existence

These declarations hint at a view of God that extends far beyond our usual understanding. They suggest that our daily experience - every sunrise we've witnessed, every star we've gazed upon, every blade of grass we've noticed - has been an encounter with God that we haven't yet recognized.

This understanding began to unfold for me through two remarkable experiences. The first was meeting a humble man named John Griffin, whose conversion and near death story opened my eyes to possibilities I had never considered. The second was a vision I received as a missionary, almost immediately after hearing John’s story, that completely transformed my understanding of what, not who, God is.

To understand this deeper truth about God's nature, let me take you back 26 years to when I served as a full-time missionary in the Ireland Dublin Mission, and I’ll share with you a remarkable story that illuminates this mystery in an unexpected way. This is the conversion story of John Griffin, whose unique experiences helped build our faith and provided the impetus for my own incredible vision of God.

The Conversion of John Griffin

Over 25 years ago I was serving a mission in Ireland. One of the members who was always available to go on splits with us was named John Griffin. He was one of my favorite most memorable contacts and he worked with us several times a week.

John was an older gentleman, about in his late 50s. He had a slightly weathered and worn look to him supporting his unassuming and unsophisticated personality. He was poor and lived on a fixed income. His I remember him always wearing an old worn sports jacket, usually brown, white button up shirt and matching trousers. His clothes were always old and well used with ample cat hair on them. His only companion was his beloved house cat. Most of his teeth were visibly rotten or missing since he couldn’t afford proper dental care.

His hair was buzz cut short and mostly grey with some dark brown mixed in. His long grey sideburns hugged his round soft face. He didn’t have a car, so he walked everywhere he went or occasionally got a ride from a local member.

John was quiet until he got to know and open up to you. He was always extremely humble, sincere, genuine, honest and definitely kind without an enemy in the world. He had a “water personality” with a matching face. He wasn’t fat, but slightly overweight and he moved slowly, compared with two young missionaries. Overall, he was a very sweet and soft soul.

As a missionary I’d often ask members how they gained their testimony and why they joined the church. I loved to hear their various conversion stories. One day, while walking to an appointment with John, I asked him to share his conversion story with us. He responded, saying something to the effect of, “I'd be happy to share it with you, but it’s a rather long story, far too long to tell you on the way to an appointment. But, if you are really interested in hearing it, you can tell me when you can come over for lunch and I’ll share it while we eat.” Then he added, “I promise it’s a good story and I think you’ll really enjoy hearing it.”

So, a short time later we scheduled lunch with John at his place. We ate outside, probably because I was allergic to his cat and likely because cleaning was not his forte. He was prepared for us when we arrived and he quickly pulled out a beautiful, extremely fancy electric guitar and handed it to my companion to examine and play. My companion, Elder Freeman, not yet knowing its history, was really excited about it and began quietly playing cords. It wasn’t plugged in, and I had no idea how well he could play guitar, but he looked as if he knew something about guitars.

John began his story…

When I was a teenager, I was walking through town. Something in the window of one of the shops caught my eye. It was a brand-new electric guitar. I had never seen one before nor had anyone I knew. I went in and listened to the sound and was immediately mesmerized. I had to have it, so right there I bought it, took it home and began learning to play it.

In a short time, I became very, very good at it. By the time I finished high school, I was one of the best electric guitar players in the area, partly because it was a new instrument. My name got out and before I knew it was a session musician for various recording studios. I was being paid to play the electric guitar for various groups. I even got to play that guitar you’re holding for a small unknown band called the Beatles that eventually became very famous.

I was making money hand over fist and I had more money than I could have dreamed of. But I figured that this couldn’t possibly last forever and decided that I needed a college education. So, I signed up for night school at the college and began taking classes.

It was there that I met her. She was a fellow student in one of my classes and the most beautiful and fascinating woman I had ever seen. We quickly fell in love and eventually decided to get married. She was the love of my life and all I wanted was to spend the rest of my life with her.

Her father was a pastor over several small congregations in Switzerland and the plan was for him to marry us. She went home to prepare for the marriage and I was planning on joining her later. A week before the wedding she and her father had visited some of his congregations in the Alps. On their way home, there was an accident and they went off a cliff. Both her and her father died. I was still going to Switzerland, but instead of marrying her, I was going to her funeral. (He began to cry at this point and pulled out his handkerchief to wipe his eyes and blow his nose.)

I remember getting the phone call informing me of her death, but everything after that is patchy. I was in such shock and heartbreak that I don’t even know how I got to the funeral. I remember being at the funeral but not much else. Somehow, I got home and I remember getting to my front door and realizing that she was gone.

I don’t remember this, but my friends told me later that they came by several times and knocked on my door, but I didn’t answer. For two weeks, I didn’t show up for school or work or make contact with my friends. They came to my house and broke the door open. They found the house a mess and smelled. They found me sitting in my bed, not responsive. I hadn’t had food or water for some time, and they could tell I hadn’t left the bed even to go to the bathroom for some time. They called an ambulance which rushed me to the emergency room. I was alive, but barely. And I didn’t move and wasn’t responsive. I was dying of a broken heart.

I reached the hospital and the doctors began working on me. They gave me an IV and were trying to get my blood pressure up, but everything they did seemed to make things worse. While they were working on me, my heart flatlined and I died. I found myself standing in the air in my emergency room watching while they struggled to bring me back. They were moving in slow motion, or I was moving fast, and I felt much smaller than my physical body. While the doctors were working on me, two people approached me and introduced themselves to me. The one speaking said, “Hello John, my name is William Garland Griffin and this is Joseph Smith.” I recognized the first person who was my namesake. His name had been passed down to the oldest son for five generations and I was the last to receive it and the last that would receive it. I had never met nor heard of this Joseph Smith guy and had no idea who he was.

They then proceeded to teach and show me things, all sorts of things. It felt like many hours. They taught me the gospel; they taught me the plan of progression and taught me about past and future events. They also gave me what I called predictions. These predictions were world events that would happen up until the year 2023. There was one major prediction for each year.

When they finished teaching me, I asked, “Ok, so what happens now?” They told me that I was going to be sent back and that I needed to find the correct church and that when I found this church I would talk to a prophet and deliver a message. I asked, “How will I find the correct church?” They told me, “You will recognize the church because they will talk to you like we have about some of the things we have taught you.”

When I finally came to, I was laying on a gurney in the hall with a white sheet over my face. They had declared me dead and I learned later that I had been dead for about thirty minutes. Two doctors were standing next to me having a discussion. I decided that I needed to get their attention, but I was too weak to move. I summoned all of my strength and pushed my arm off the bed. It fell lifeless out from under the sheet. One of the doctors saw it and put my arm back up on the bed under the sheet and then they continued talking thinking that it was a natural reflex.

It was almost too much to do again, but I knew that I needed to push my arm off the bed again. I somehow managed to do it again and the doctor stopped talking, pulled the sheet back and saw me move my eyes to look at him. They immediately rushed me back into the room and stabilized me.

I stayed in the hospital for around a month, regaining my strength and being rehabilitated. Once released, I made it my life’s mission to find the correct church. I visited every church I could find. I didn’t know how to investigate churches, but quickly learned that if I said the wrong things’ I would get yelled at and run out of the church. It was most unpleasant. I didn’t like being yelled at, being told I was blaspheming and the lot. So, I learned to keep my mouth shut and listen more than speak. I went to every church I could find and none of them taught anything remotely like what I had learned.

While I was investigating churches, I was cleaning out some old boxes from my attic and came across a telegram sent to my relatives several generations back. It said, “He’s dead. He’s dead. The Prophet Joseph Smith is dead. They finally killed him…” I noticed the name because it was the same name as the unknown man I had met.

Every week for years I visited different churches and finally came to the conclusion that the church didn’t exist, or if it did exist it wasn’t near me. So, I gave up actively looking.

I didn’t have a TV, but I enjoyed listening to cricket on the radio. Every now and then I would hear one of the predictions being reported on the news interrupting my cricket matches. I don’t know why they told me the predictions;, it wasn’t like I could do anything about them, but they confirmed the experience I had.

Years later, I moved from England to Ireland. I was living in Ireland for some time when someone knocked on the door. I answered the door and found two sister missionaries who said, “We’re missionaries for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we would like to share a message with you.” I said, “Alright, come on in.” Then they explained that they couldn’t come in because I lived alone and I said, “Then why’d you bother knock’n my door?” (John smiled. Clearly the rule made more sense to him now.)

They set up a meeting with me at one of the member’s houses and a few days later we met for the first time. They told me about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and the Plan of Salvation, and all that. Over several weeks I took all six discussions. And while there wasn’t anything wrong with what they were saying, I wasn’t convinced. It was really basic and it wasn’t like what I was told in my experience.

So, I kept meeting with the member and the sister missionaries and they invited me to be baptized several times and to give up my coffee and tobacco, but I still wasn’t convinced. I live on a fixed budget. Every year coffee and tobacco would go on sale and I would save up my money and buy a whole year’s supply at once. Then I would store it and use it the whole year. I had just purchased my year’s supply and wasn’t about to give it up unless I intended to join the church.

Well, after a while, the sister missionaries told me that they wanted to practice giving the discussions and asked if I would be willing to go through them again. I agreed and we went through the six discussions again. I still wasn’t convinced any more than I had been the first-time round. And I decided it wasn’t fair to these nice sister missionaries to keep string’n em along. I decided to break my own rule and ask them a few questions so that I would know for absolute certain whether or not this was the church.

It was a Saturday evening when I showed up at the member’s house with the sister missionaries. I completely expected to be yelled at and kicked out just like before. I explained to the sister missionaries that I had a few questions for them and built up the courage to ask.

I asked my first question and the sister missionaries looked at each other, both starting to wonder if I had gotten hold of some anti-Mormon literature. The one sister responded saying, “Yes, John, we do believe that. But we don’t talk about that outside of the temple. We learn about that in the temple.”

Her reaction surprised me. It wasn’t what I was expecting. So, I asked another question, “Do you believe there could be more than one God, perhaps even millions of them?” The sisters were even more concerned and were now certain that I had gotten hold of some anti-Mormon literature.

Again, the sister responded, “Yes, John, we do believe that there are many Gods. We believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. We also believe that there could be many, many other gods. This is a topic that we don’t usually discuss with investigators but we can learn about as we progress and grow in the gospel.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I couldn’t believe that they hadn’t yelled at me or thrown me out. I was in shock, but needed to ask my last question. I said, “Do you believe that we could progress and one day become one of these gods?”

The sisters paused and looked at each other again, clearly concerned. The one sister took a deep breath and responded, “Yes, John, we believe that we are children of God and as his children we can one day become like him.” As the words were spoken, the spirit came on me and bore witness to me. I knew that this is the church I had been looking for! I found it! I finally found it!

Without saying another word, I stood up and walked out the door. I was in utter shock and it felt like I floated all the way home, (approximately 1.5 km). When I got home, I went straight to bed and the spirit worked on me all night long. It felt like dents were being knocked out of my brain from the time I laid down till I got up.

Now, I left those poor sister missionaries at the member’s house without saying a word. They thought for sure they would never see me again, and they were really upset about that. So, when I showed up at church the next morning, they were clearly shocked. I walked up to them and said, “I should like to be baptized at your next available opportunity, and if you’d please stop by my house after church I have something to give you.” They couldn’t believe it.

After church they knocked on my door. I answered it handing them a large black trash bag, (with his hands he indicated approximately a 40-45 gallon sized bag), full of coffee and tobacco and said, “I won’t be needing this anymore. You may do with it as you please.” They took the bag and we set a baptismal date on the following weekend.

After I was baptized, I was attending the gospel essentials class. I figured now that I was a new member, everyone else already knew what I had been taught in my experience. So, my first lesson as a new member was about the millennium. The teacher asked, “What do we know will happen in the millennium?” Several people raised their hands with comments. One person said, “There will be a thousand years of peace.” Another person said, “The lamb and the lion will lie down together.” I raised my hand and to the teacher’s dismay, I said, “Jesus Christ will return with his wife and they…” Before I could finish my sentence, I could tell by the teacher’s look that I had said something wrong. It didn’t take me long to realize that I should keep my mouth shut. So, I don’t make any comments anymore, I just sit and listen.

And that is how I was converted to the church…

My First Vision – What is God

I was amazed by his story. I was absolutely convinced that it was true, since I could feel the Spirit but also recognized some of the obscure doctrinal references like Jesus being married. I had so many questions, but I was wise enough to know that I didn’t know what to ask. So, I asked, “John, you’ve been a member of the church for about a year now. What is something that you know or learned that you don’t think most members of the church know?”

John responded, “Well, there is one thing that kind of bugs me. It’s the First Vision… It couldn’t have possibly have happened the way people talk about it. Everyone seems to think that Joseph Smith was actually talking to God in a grove of trees. That doesn’t make any sense at all. It must have been a vision or something. I mean, how could God actually fit into a tiny grove of trees? And, even if he did, how would Joseph Smith have recognized him and talked to him. How would they even communicate so that Joseph could understand Him. It would be like if you appeared to a cell on your big toe and said, ‘Hello, how are you doing?’ It just doesn’t make any sense at all.”

I listened as John spoke but I couldn’t make sense of anything he was saying. He was speaking English and I recognized his words, but it made as much sense to me as if he were speaking Greek. Not wanting to appear like I didn’t understand him, I just nodded my head in agreement while inside I was as lost as a person could be.

About then, my companion pointed out that we had a ways to walk, so needed to leave for our next appointment. I agreed and we thanked John for lunch, as we quickly packed up and left.

As we walked, my brain was grinding on what John said. I fully believed him, but couldn’t comprehend what he was saying. John was clearly saying that Joseph couldn’t have seen God the Father in the First Vision. And his reasons for it not being possible didn’t make any sense to me. I could not fathom this God whom John was talking about.

My companion and I were walking across a grass/weed field as I was pondering the question, What is God? Unexpectedly I shot straight up in the air looking down at my companion and I walking in the field, frozen in place. I went up through the sky until I could see the entire earth, then proceeded at lightning speed to fly out of our solar system, then moving even faster as I flew out of our galaxy. I could see the planets, moons and stars as I flew past them.

When I left our galaxy, I could see countless other galaxies each was a different distance away and I was moving faster than the speed of light past them. I passed galaxy after galaxy and was awed by how many there were. They were countless.

Eventually, I came to an area of space that was strangely empty and void. There were no galaxies in the void and nothing near me to see. I turned around and saw the countless galaxies behind me getting further and further away. It was as if there were an invisible wall holding the galaxies back so that they did not pass into the void.

As I got further away, the galaxies got smaller and smaller until they each looked like dots of light. Every direction I looked, up, down, left and right I could see these dots of light held back from the void by this invisible wall. As I continued to move further out, the dots of light and the space between the dots got smaller and smaller so that it appeared like the dots were moving closer and closer together.

All at once, I was amazed to see that as the dots came together so that I could no longer see space between them, they formed into a colossal man and I had come out of his left arm near the shoulder. I was standing in the air several feet from the man. I looked around from my new view point and saw that the man was standing near a counter in what looked like a kitchen inside a house. I could see door ways, in the walls and noticed that he was standing on a decorated floor.

I turned around and saw that there were several other individuals the same size as the man from whose arm I had emerged. They were standing around talking, as if they were at a small party. I became aware that they were standing on a massive planet and that if I were to go outside, I would see plants and animals and a sky full of stars.

At this moment, the spirit said to me, “I could take you up again and again and you would never find the end of matter and space where God did not exist.” I understood that the spirit was saying that God filled this massive world and that if I followed the same path up through the stars of this massive world and into the void beyond the stars, again and again, I could spend my entire life looking and never find a place where God did not exist.

Immediately after receiving and comprehending this message, I shot back toward the man’s left shoulder at lightning speed, watching as the image once again separated into tiny dots of light that separated from each other the closer I got. I flew out of the void back through the invisible wall into the dense space filled with countless galaxies, exactly opposite of the way I had come. I flew past the countless galaxies back into our own galaxy and straight back toward the earth. I came down through the sky and saw myself closing in on the field where my companion and I were walking.

I fully expected to return to myself and was surprised to see that instead of stopping at my own body, I went into it much like I went into the arm of the giant man, except that I entered myself from above. My perspective shrank so that I could see that I flew into a cell, into a cell organ and still further down until I could see the molecules and atoms making up the cell organ. I flew through these atoms much like I had the stars until I came to a specific atom which I entered like a solar system. I flew into the atom toward an electron which was circling the atom like a planet circles a star. I continued down onto the electron at which point I became aware of strange and unfamiliar creatures living on the electron as if it were their planet. I was aware that there were different types of life coexisting on that electron. As I observed this scene and attempted to comprehend it, the spirit spoke to me saying, “I could take you down further and further and you would never find the beginning where God does not exist.” I understood that no matter how small I became or where I looked in that infinitely tiny level, I could not find a place where God did not exist.

As soon as I was able to comprehend and recognize the message, I found myself next to my companion, back in the field, walking toward our next appointment. The entire vision happened in less time than it took to complete a single step at our fast pace. I only knew it was a vision because my companion had no awareness of where I had been, and I had seen myself walking in the field next to him. I was so present in the vision that I had lost all awareness of my physical reality and senses and thought I was actually flying through space.

I was so excited that I began to jump up and down shouting, “I get it! I get it! Oh my gosh, I get it!”

My companion who didn’t put much stock in John’s story had no idea of the amazing experience I just had or why I would be so excited. He responded saying something like, “I don’t think there’s anything to get. John is probably just crazy.” I didn’t feel inclined to tell him about my experience and we continued walking, while I contemplated everything I had just seen and heard.

Interpreting the Vision

At this point, I was not aware of any of the many scripture references that describe the God I saw in the vision. Without the vision, I could not have understood these references and so would not have comprehended what they were saying about God. So, before we look at the scriptures, let’s first make sure that we discuss and understand the meaning of the vision.

This vision, like all visions, was symbolic. I didn’t realize this at first and for a time I thought that the vision was intending to tell me that we live somewhere in the left shoulder of some colossal sized man. Like Joseph Smith, I was trying to interpret the symbols of my vision literally.

Visions are given in symbolic imagery, and that imagery is specific to the understanding of the person having the vision. These symbols are used to communicate meaning that cannot be easily understood or explained otherwise. (See 2 Nephi 31:3, D&C 1:24) For example, if I actually saw the shape of our universe, which is created from countless galaxies, I would not have recognized it as a living thing or an intelligent creation of God. Because it is organized into something that I could not comprehend, I was given a symbol that I could comprehend and understand so that the important points of the message could be communicated to me.

The vision was given to answer my question, “What is God?” Everything in the vision was aimed at helping me to understand the answer to this question. The answer was both profoundly deep and yet simple and obvious.

We tend to look at the world from our own point of view, rarely considering other points of view, especially those viewpoints that are farther removed from ours. What I saw was level upon level of organization and every level of organization recognized and worshiped the same God, who is their Father in heaven.

Everything I saw in the vision was God. He was in and through all things. All things were made of God and by God and I could not ascend high enough to find the end of God, where God did not exist. Nor could I descend low enough to find the beginning of God where God did not exist. God was in all and through all from the smallest to the greatest such that to look upon the earth, sun, moon or stars or to see even the smallest part of these things was to literally see God.

As I began to understand the meaning of the vision, I realized that the vision revealed to me profound truths about God's nature. Truths that I had not previously been taught nor believed as a lifelong member of the LDS church. Yet more amazing, as I studied the scriptures, I found that these truths about what God is were found everywhere throughout the entire canon of scriptures - a testimony that spans the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and modern revelation through Joseph Smith, contained in the Doctrine and Covenants. The scriptures literally teach the meaning and interpretation of my vision. And now that I had had the vision, my mind and heart were open to see and understand what they were saying.

Before we examine what the scriptures tell us about God's nature, we must first understand something crucial: The original Book of Mormon, as translated by the gift and power of God through Joseph Smith, clearly identifies Jesus Christ as the Eternal Father of all things. This fundamental truth was later obscured by changes to the text that reflected Joseph's evolving understanding based on his literal interpretation of symbolic visions.

The 1830 Book of Mormon, in its original revealed form, consistently teaches that Jesus Christ is not only the Son, but is also the Eternal Father of heaven and earth. Consider these verses from the original text:

1 Nephi 11 (1830 edition)
18 And he said unto me, Behold, the virgin which thou seest is the mother of God, after the manner of the flesh.
…
21 And the angel said unto me, behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Eternal Father!

1 Nephi 13 (1830 edition)
40 These last records... shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Eternal Father and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto Him, or they cannot be saved.

Mosiah 16
15 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, which is the very Eternal Father. Amen.

Alma 11
38 Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father?
39 And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last;

Ether 3
14 Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.

The scriptures are clear that there is only one Father of all:

Ephesians 4
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Malachi 2
10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?

This one Father who is "above all, and through all, and in you all" is identified explicitly as Jesus Christ:

D&C 63
59 Behold, I am from above, and my power lieth beneath. I am over all, and in all, and through all, and search all things, and the day cometh that all things shall be subject unto me.
60 Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ.

The scriptures go into remarkable detail about how Jesus Christ exists in and through all creation:

This presence of Christ in all things is so complete that the very elements themselves are His dwelling place:

D&C 93
35 The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple.

Wisdom 12 [Apocrypha]
1 For thine incorruptible Spirit is in all things.

This understanding leads us to a profound realization: a being who exists within and through all things - who dwells within the sun, moon, stars, and earth, who is present in every particle and element - cannot be limited to a body of flesh and bones. Such a being must necessarily be a Great Spirit, capable of permeating and sustaining all creation.

God is a Great Spirit

Having established God's all-encompassing presence, we can now better understand why the scriptures consistently describe God as Spirit. This is not to diminish God's reality or power, but rather to express His fundamental nature as something far more profound than mere physical form. The concept of God as Spirit helps explain how He can be simultaneously present everywhere while remaining one unified being.

John 4
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

2 Corinthians 3
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

What is God? God is the Great Spirit who created the heavens and the earth and all things that in them are. The missionary Ammon taught King Lamoni about God explaining to the king that God is a Great Spirit.

Alma 18
24 And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and said unto him (King Lamoni): Believest thou that there is a God?
25 And he answered, and said unto him: I do not know what that meaneth.
26 And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit?
27 And he said, Yea.
28 And Ammon said: This is God. And Ammon said unto him again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all things which are in heaven and in the earth?

Later, in Alma 22, another missionary named Aaron teaches King Lamoni’s father about God telling him also that God is that Great Spirit who created all things.

Alma 22
9 And the king said: Is God that Great Spirit that brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem?
10 And Aaron said unto him: Yea, he is that Great Spirit, and he created all things both in heaven and in earth. Believest thou this?
11 And he said: Yea, I believe that the Great Spirit created all things, and I desire that ye should tell me concerning all these things, and I will believe thy words.

This understanding of God as the Great Spirit helps us comprehend one of the most profound mysteries of the gospel - how Jesus Christ is both the Father and the Son. The Great Spirit, which is God the Father, conceived and created a mortal tabernacle which He then filled with His own spirit and presence. Thus, Jesus Christ became both Father (the Great Spirit) and Son (Body of Flesh) - Father because of the fullness of the Great Spirit that dwelt in Him, and Son because of the mortal flesh He took upon Himself.

This dual nature is explained clearly by Abinadi:

Mosiah 15
1 And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.
2 And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father (The Great Spirit), being the Father and the Son—
3 The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son—
4 And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and earth.

This same teaching is repeated by Jesus Chirst the day before he was born. Since he had not yet been born, he identified himself as “ the Father” by claiming the Father was “me”. He also said that he would be the son because of his flesh.

3 Nephi 1
14 Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.

Jesus Himself confirmed this understanding in modern revelation:

D&C 93
3 And that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—
4 The Father because he, (the Great Spirit), gave me of his fulness, and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, and dwelt among the sons of men.

When we speak of Jesus Christ as the Son, we are referring to His human body of flesh, born of Mary, the Only Begotten of the Father - the physical tabernacle that walked in Galilee, suffered in Gethsemane, died upon the cross, and was resurrected. But when we speak of Christ as the Father, we are referring to the eternal, infinite Spirit that dwells in and through all things - the same Spirit that conceived His mortal body, that filled that body with divine fullness, and that continues to permeate and sustain all creation. The Lord describes himself to the Brother of Jared saying that he is both the Father and the Son.

Ether 3
14 Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.

We tend to think of Jesus Christ as the Son of God only, But before he was born, he explained that he was the Father.

Ether 4
12 And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world.

The prophet Isaiah prophesied of Christ’s birth also declaring that Jesus Christ was the eternal Father as did other prophets.

Isaiah 9
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Mosiah 16
15 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen.

Mosiah 7
27 And because he said unto them that Christ was the God, the Father of all things, and said that he should take upon him the image of man, and it should be the image after which man was created in the beginning; or in other words, he said that man was created after the image of God, and that God should come down among the children of men, and take upon him flesh and blood, and go forth upon the face of the earth

Previously, we showed that the Great Spirit created all things. We also know that Jesus Christ created all things. This means that Jesus Christ is the Great Spirit and because he created all things in heaven and earth, he is the Father of all things in heaven and earth.

Ether 4
7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.

Mosiah 3
8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

Helaman 14
12 And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.

This understanding resolves the apparent paradox of how Jesus can be both Father and Son. The physical form of Jesus Christ - His body of flesh and bone - is literally the Only Begotten Son of the Great Spirit. Yet the flesh, (the Son), was aligned with the Great Spirit, (The Father), so fully Christ that He could truthfully say "the Father and I are one.” The mortal tabernacle became a perfect vessel for the Father's Spirit, making Jesus Christ truly one with the Father.

D&C 50
43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.

3 Nephi 11
27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.

Along this note, there are many scriptures that teach that the Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father. If the Father were a body of flesh and bones, this would not be possible. According to my vision, God the Father is in and through all things and also round about all things. This means that all things including us, are in the Father and the Father is in all things including us. It would be reasonable for us to repeat as Jesus did, “I am in the Father, and the Father is in me”.

There are two main differences between Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God and us. The first is that the Son gave up his will entirely to do the will of the Father which made him one with the father. The rest of humanity struggles to do this and Jesus prayed that someday we will be humble enough to be one with them.

John 17
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Second, we are also told that while we receive a portion of his spirit, Jesus received a fulness of the Spirit of God. This will be discussed in more detail later.

Understanding this dual nature of Christ leads us to a deeper appreciation of His omnipresence...

God's Omnipresence

To begin understanding the divine nature of God, we must first grasp the magnificent scope of His presence. The scriptures teach us that God's presence extends far beyond our limited human conception of space and location. Unlike physical beings confined to a single place at any moment, God's presence permeates all of existence in ways that transcend our ordinary understanding of reality.

Jeremiah 23
24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD (Jehovah). Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD (Jehovah).

1 Kings 8
27 But will God, (Elohim), indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

Psalm 139
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

Job 11
7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

Acts 17
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

This boundless presence of God throughout all creation hints at something profound about His fundamental nature. If God fills all of heaven and earth, containing all things while being contained by nothing, this suggests that His essence must be fundamentally different from the material substances we normally encounter. This leads us to a deeper truth about God's essential nature...

God Comprehends All Things

The concept of God's omnipresence leads us to an even more profound truth about His nature. In D&C 88, the Lord uses the word “comprehend”. This word has two meanings.

Comprehend - Verb

to grasp mentally or understand.
to include, to be comprised of, or to encompass

Both of these definitions are used in D&C 88. For example, the first definition is used to when the Lord says in verse 49 that we do not grasp mentally or understand God, but promises that day will come.

D&C 88
49 The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him.

And the second definition is used in verse 43 to say that the heavens includes, is comprised of and encompasses the earth and all the planets.

D&C 88
43 And their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heavens and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets.

When we understand both definitions and realize both definitions are used by the Lord in section 88, we then must use the context of the verse to determine which definition is being used. Consider verse 41 for example:

D&C 88
41 He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.

In this verse, the context makes it clear that the definition of "comprehend" being used is that He includes, is comprised of, and encompasses all things. God literally encompasses all things. Remember back to my vision of God in which I was shown stars and galaxies and when I reached the end of our universe, I was told that I had not yet nor ever could reach the end of God where He ceased to exist. God was larger and encompassed all things both great and small. This is why John Griffin said that God could not possibly fit in the little grove of trees where Joseph experienced his First Vision and why it would be like you talking to a little cell in your big toe.

Understanding this, we are able to look at and understand another repeated concept revealed in the scriptures which reinforces and solidifies the idea that God includes, encompasses, comprises or comprehends all of creation. The scriptures teach repeatedly that not only is God "in all things," "through all things," and "round about all things," but we are told most profoundly, all things are "of him." This leads us to a profound truth about creation itself - all things are not just made by God, but of God:

D&C 93
10 The worlds were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him.

D&C 76
24 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.

1 Corinthians 8
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

D&C 88
41 He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.

Romans 11
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever

2 Corinthians 5
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ , and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

The emphasis on all things being made "of him" is significant. Just as a wooden table is made of wood, or an iron statue is made of iron, the scriptures are telling us that all creation is literally made of God's substance. This is why the elements themselves are called His tabernacle:

D&C 93
35 The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple.

This means that if we have seen the earth, sun, moon or stars or any part of them, literally anything in creation, we have seen God. This truth helps us understand that God’s seemingly cryptic respond to Moses about God being the great I AM was not cryptic at all, rather it was the most literal and direct definition God could have given about Himself.

God Calls Himself “I Am That I Am”

When Moses asked God His name, God responded with what at first appears to be a cryptic answer:

Exodus 3
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

The phrase “I AM THAT I AM” is translated from the Hebrew words, "hāyâ 'ăšer hāyâ". These were God’s own words used to describe Himself. Here are the definitions of these words.

hāyâ = To be, to exist, be in existence
'ăšer = all that, that which
hāyâ = To be, to exist, be in existence

Thus, God was literally declaring:

I Am all that Exists
I Am that which Is

This is a profound declaration from God regarding His own nature. God is not simply declaring that He exists, rather He is declaring that He is existence itself, and that nothing exists except that which is by Him, through Him and of Him. This matches up exactly with my own vision of God and the scriptures already provided.

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 43 (Apocrypha)
27 We could say more but could never say enough; let the final word be: 'He is the all.'

The Secret Book of John (The Gnostic Texts)
It is not appropriate to think of the Father in terms of...place. For the Father is the one who encompasses all things while nothing encompasses the Father... The Father exists within them all and outside them all.

The Lord Jesus Christ repeatedly identifies Himself as this same "I AM":

John 8
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

This is particularly significant because the Jews immediately tried to stone Him for this statement, recognizing He was claiming to be the I AM who spoke to Moses.

D&C 29
1 Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I AM, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end...

D&C 38
1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I AM, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;
2 The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes;
3 I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me.

D&C 39
1 Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I AM, even Jesus Christ—

When we understand that God's substance - His Spirit - exists in and through all things, that all creation is made "of Him," we begin to grasp why He calls Himself I AM. He is not simply declaring His existence, but rather that He is existence itself. As D&C 88:41 tells us, "all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever."

Repeatedly throughout the scriptures, Jesus Christ refers to himself as “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end”. Consider what this means. What is He the beginning and the end of? In my vision, God was directly connected with creation and I was never able to find the beginning of God where creation started. Nor was I able to find the end of God where Creation ended. If God encompasses and includes all things, and is in and through all things as the scriptures repeatedly say, then God is in fact directly connected with creation such that nothing can exist without God being in and through it, and round about it. This means that God is both the beginning and the end of all that exists, and all things are present before him, both infinitely great as well as infinitely small.

This is perhaps why the Lord commanded saying, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.” What image could you possibly make that would accurately depict God?

Insight into the Atonement

Understanding that Jesus Christ is in and through all things provides profound insight into the nature of the atonement and our relationship with others. When Christ taught:

Matthew 25
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

He was not speaking metaphorically. Because Christ is literally in and through all things, any action we take toward another person is an action we take toward Christ Himself. When we serve others, we are literally serving Christ. When we hurt others, we are literally hurting Christ. This is not symbolic - it is a fundamental reality of our existence within Christ who is "in all, and through all" things.

This understanding gives new meaning to Christ's teaching:

Matthew 25
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Every person we encounter is literally filled with Christ's presence. When we look into another person's eyes, we are looking at Christ. When we reach out to help someone in need, our hands are touching Christ. When we speak words of kindness or cruelty, we are speaking directly to Christ.

This profound truth changes how we view every interaction. There is no such thing as an insignificant act of service or a minor transgression against another, because all such actions are done directly to Christ Himself. This understanding of Christ's omnipresence gives new depth to His commandment:

John 13
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

These principles are explored in greater detail in the book "The Atonement of Jesus Christ: Understanding the Mystery" by Elliaison, which shares Christ's own teachings about the atonement from His perspective. This deeper understanding of Christ's nature - that He is literally present in all things and all people - helps us comprehend why the atonement is infinite and eternal in its scope and application.

God’s Promise Fulfilled

Having explored the scriptures' teachings about God's nature, we are now prepared to understand one of the most remarkable revelations given through Joseph Smith. In Doctrine and Covenants 88, the Lord promises that a day would come when we would comprehend God. The Lord promised that when we came to comprehend God, we would also come to know the following five truths:

That we have already seen God
Why He calls Himself "I AM"
That He is in us
That we are in Him
That this relationship is essential to our very existence

With our deepened understanding of God's nature, let us examine these verses to see if they now make sense and if the Lord’s promises are fulfilled:

D&C 88
6 He, (Jesus Christ), that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.
8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;
9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;
10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.
11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;
…
41 He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.
…
45 The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God.
46 Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may understand?
47 Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.
48 I say unto you, he hath seen him; nevertheless, he who came unto his own was not comprehended.
49 The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him.
50 Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound.

In these verses, we find the fulfillment of every promise. We learn that we have indeed seen God - not in some abstract way, but in the most literal sense. Every time we have gazed upon the sun, moon, stars, or earth, we have witnessed God "moving in his majesty and power." We understand why He calls Himself "I AM" - because He is the very substance and power within all existence. We discover that He is truly in us - as the "true light" that gives life to us and enlightens our understanding and consciousness. We learn that we are in Him - existing within His all-encompassing being. And finally, we understand why this relationship is essential to our existence - "otherwise ye could not abound."

This revelation transforms our entire understanding of our relationship with God. We need not search the heavens for a distant deity, for we exist within Him, sustained by His light and power every moment. The greatest minds of history have pondered whether we can know if God exists - yet according to this revelation, we have been seeing Him our entire lives. Every sunrise we've witnessed, every starlit night we've experienced, every breath we've taken has been a direct encounter with God's being and power.

The majesty of this truth both humbles and exalts us. We are not separate from God, yet we maintain our distinct identity within His being. We are not merely creations of God, but expressions of His very substance. We do not merely observe God's works - we participate in His existence. This is the profound truth that the Lord promised we would one day comprehend, and in comprehending it, we find ourselves transformed by the grandeur of our relationship with the Divine.

Far from diminishing God's majesty, this understanding magnifies it beyond measure. The God we discover is greater than any graven image could capture, more intimate than any anthropomorphic conception could suggest, and more fundamental to existence than any philosophy has imagined. This is the God of scripture - not merely the greatest being in existence, but the very foundation of existence itself.

Understanding Christ as Both the Only Begotten Son and the Eternal Father

Before we explore this profound relationship between Father and Son, it is relevant to consider examples of how the Lord speaks about Himself in both the third and first person.

D&C 88 is a revelation from the Lord. This is announced in verse 1 which starts, "Verily, thus saith the Lord…" While we recognize the Lord is speaking, we also notice that he is speaking about himself in third person as if he were talking about someone else. Examples of this are easily recognized in verses 6-10 and 41 where the Lord says, "He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things,… he is in the sun… he is in the moon", etc. He continues to speak in third person throughout the section. In verses 45-50 He is still speaking in third person saying, "any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God… I say unto you, he hath seen him… the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him."

Then, suddenly in verse 50, and without notice, the Lord transitions from third person into first person speech to provide clarification that the Lord who is speaking was and is actually speaking of Himself, saying, "Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me." This reaffirms and provides a powerful witness that the Lord was speaking about himself in the previous verses. We would not expect the Lord to talk about himself in third person as if He were talking about someone else. But we are reminded, "my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8).

This pattern of divine communication helps us understand how God can reveal truths about Himself in ways that might initially seem to describe separate beings but are actually revealing different aspects or manifestations of the same divine reality. With this understanding, we can now explore one of the most profound mysteries of the gospel - how Jesus Christ can be both the Only Begotten Son and the Eternal Father.

This understanding helps us comprehend one of the most challenging aspects of Jesus Christ's nature - how He can be both the Only Begotten Son and the omnipresent Father of all creation. Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon were given a vision, (symbolic in nature, not literal), about the kingdoms of glory. They recorded what they saw saying,

D&C 76
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
24 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.

At first glance, this might seem paradoxical. How can Christ be both the begotten Son and the one by whom and of whom all things are created? The answer lies in understanding the relationship between Christ's physical tabernacle and the infinite Spirit that dwells within it. Abinadi explains this relationship:

Christ further illuminates this relationship in modern revelation:

D&C 93
3 And that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—
4 The Father because he gave me of his fulness, and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, and dwelt among the sons of men.

The fulness Jesus was given was the full access to the Spirit of God which “created Heaven and Earth and all things that in them are.” This will be discussed in more detail later.

When the apostles struggled to understand this relationship between Jesus and the Father, Jesus attempted to explain it to them directly:

John 14
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Even with this direct explanation, the apostles struggled to comprehend this relationship. Jesus further explained how completely dependent He was on the Father's power working through Him. And, he clearly explained that to see him was to see the Father pointing out that the Father was in him and he was in the Father. As Christ explained:

John 5
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth

Understanding this relationship between Christ's physical tabernacle, (the Son), and the infinite Spirit, (the Father), helps us comprehend certain events in a new light, like His baptism, where we see three manifestations of God.

Matthew 3
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

What's particularly significant is that this manifestation was a sign specifically promised to John to identify the Messiah. The baptismal account provides additional insight into the spiritual nature of divine manifestations. John the Baptist, though Jesus' own cousin, did not recognize Him as the Messiah until receiving a promised spiritual sign. As John testified:

John 1
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he, (God the Father), that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

This testimony reveals several crucial points. First, God had specifically promised John that he would recognize the Messiah through this particular sign. Second, despite being related to Jesus, John "knew him not" - indicating this recognition would come through spiritual rather than physical means.

When we examine the gospel accounts of the baptism, we find interesting nuances in the Greek text. In Matthew 3:16 and Mark 1:10, the subject of who "saw" the Spirit descending is ambiguous - it could refer to either Jesus or John, but no one else. Luke 3:21-22 describes the event without specifying who witnessed it. Only John's gospel explicitly identifies who saw the Spirit descend, and it does so in the context of it being a specific sign promised to John.

Significantly, others present at the baptism appear not to have witnessed these manifestations. Andrew, who was a disciple of John the Baptist, (before becoming an apostle of Jesus), and present during this time, did not recognize Jesus through witnessing the dove or hearing the voice. Instead, he followed Jesus only after hearing John testify to him that Jesus was the Messiah:

John 1
35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he, (John), saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him, (John), speak, and they followed Jesus.

This sign was not to all, but to John specifically. This also aligns with Paul's teaching about spiritual manifestations:

1 Corinthians 2
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The baptismal manifestations revealed this dual nature - the mortal tabernacle of flesh (the Son) filled with and empowered by the infinite Spirit (the Father). Rather than three separate beings, we see different expressions of the one God who fills the immensity of space while also dwelling in specific vessels for specific purposes.

This was a spiritual manifestation, perceived by John alone, who was spiritually prepared to witness it, just as not everyone at the Transfiguration saw Christ's glory, and not all those with Saul on the road to Damascus saw the Lord.

Understanding these manifestations as spiritual rather than physical helps us comprehend how they relate to God's nature as taught in scripture. Simply put, this was not a physical manifestation of God existing in three places at once. John saw and heard in symbolic vision these signs that revealed to him the Messiah. The voice from heaven, the descending dove, and Jesus in the flesh were spiritual manifestations of the same divine Spirit that exists in and through all things. This perfectly aligns with Abinadi's teaching:

The voice from heaven, the descending dove, and the mortal Jesus standing in the Jordan were all manifestations of the one God - the infinite Spirit expressing Himself in different forms while maintaining His essential unity. This aligns perfectly with Christ's declaration that He and the Father are one, and that the Father dwells in Him doing the works.

This understanding transforms how we view Christ's nature and ministry. His physical body was truly begotten, in fact the Only Begotten of the Father - a mortal tabernacle conceived by the power of the infinite Spirit. Yet that same Spirit dwelt within Him in its fulness, making Him truly both Father and Son - Father because of the infinite Spirit that filled Him and worked through Him, and Son because of the physical tabernacle that housed that Spirit.

Christ's physical form - His mortal tabernacle - was indeed begotten. The Great Spirit that exists in and through all things conceived this physical form, making that Spirit His Father. This relationship is further explained in modern revelation:

D&C 93
3 And that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—
4 The Father because he gave me of his fulness, and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, and dwelt among the sons of men.

When the Lord says the Father "gave me of his fulness," He is describing how the infinite Spirit empowered His mortal tabernacle. This fulness included the power to perform miracles, knowledge of all things, and abilities far beyond what flesh and bone alone could accomplish.

This "fulness" that the Father gave to Christ is crucial to understanding His nature. It included all the powers of the infinite Spirit dwelling within His mortal tabernacle. This is the same power by which God created all things before he was born in the flesh. Consider what Jesus said about the source of His works and words:

John 14
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

John 5
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth.

(Note again, in the last verse, we see Jesus speaking of himself as the Son in third person.)

This fulness enabled Christ to perform works that no mere physical body could accomplish:

Transforming water into wine
Multiplying loaves and fishes
Healing all manner of diseases
Raising the dead
Commanding the elements

It also gave Him knowledge beyond physical limitations:

He knew Nathanael's character before meeting him (John 1:47-48)
He knew the Samaritan woman's private life history (John 4:17-18)
He perceived people's thoughts (Luke 5:22)
He knew future events in detail (Matthew 16:21)

This supernatural knowledge and power came because the Father - the Great Spirit - was dwelling in Him and doing the works. This knowledge came not through physical senses but through the fulness of the Spirit dwelling in Him. As He said:

John 8
28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

A physical body of flesh and bones cannot, by itself, transform water into wine, heal leprosy, or raise the dead. These miracles were performed by the power of the Spirit dwelling within Christ which is the same spirit that dwells in all and through all and is the power by which all things were created.

D&C 29
30 But remember that all my judgments are not given unto men; and as the words have gone forth out of my mouth even so shall they be fulfilled, that the first shall be last, and that the last shall be first in all things whatsoever I have created by the word of my power, which is the power of my Spirit.
31 For by the power of my Spirit created I them; yea, all things both spiritual and temporal.

Job 33
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Job 26
13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

Genesis 1
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Psalm 104
30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Let’s examine more fully what it means when Jesus said he was the Father because he, (the Father), gave me of his fulness”, (D&C 93:4).

The Fulness of God’s Spirit in Christ

While Jesus dwelt and ministered on the earth as the Son of God, the fulness of the Godhead dwelt within him.

Colossians 2
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

This understanding of Jesus Christ as the complete manifestation of God's Spirit in physical form helps explain a puzzling aspect of His ministry - why the Holy Ghost was not fully manifest until after Christ's ascension. Jesus Himself explained this necessity to His disciples:

John 16
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

To understand this, we must first recognize that Jesus received the complete fulness of God's Spirit, not just a portion:

John 3
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

D&C 93
4 The Father because he gave me of his fulness, and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, and dwelt among the sons of men.

Unlike prophets and disciples who received portions of the Spirit for specific purposes, Christ received the unmeasured, complete fulness of God's Spirit. His physical body became the tabernacle for the full manifestation of God's Spirit on earth.

This explains why the Holy Ghost could not be fully manifest during Christ's mortal ministry - the Spirit was already fully manifested in Christ's physical tabernacle. The Spirit's power and presence were concentrated in and operating through Christ's mortal form. As Jesus explained:

John 14
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Notice how Jesus seamlessly transitions from speaking about the Comforter to saying "I will come to you." This is because the Spirit that would come as the Comforter is the same Spirit that was fully manifest in Christ. In these verses, Jesus says this comforter is called “the spirit of truth” which currently “dwelleth with you” but in the future “shall be in you.” Jesus Christ is this Spirit of Truth.

D&C 93
8 Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation—
9 The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men.
10 The worlds were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him.
11 And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.

These two scripture references create a clear an undeniable connection showing that Jesus Christ is in fact “the Comforter” or “the Spirit of Truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh” and which Jesus promised, “shall be in you” and “may abide with you forever.” Because he is the Spirit of Truth, we can also undertand why he said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (See also D&C 50:17-20)

While Jesus, (the Spirit of Truth), remained fully embodied and manifest in the flesh, it could not be manifest fully in others.

John 16
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Only after His physical tabernacle was glorified could this Spirit be poured out upon all flesh, as occurred at Pentecost:

Acts 2
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This outpouring of the Spirit upon all flesh was prophesied by Joel:

Joel 2
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

This could only happen after Christ's glorification, as John explains:

John 7
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

During Christ's ministry, the Spirit was fully manifest in His physical tabernacle, working miracles, teaching truth, and revealing the Father's will. After His glorification, this same Spirit could be distributed among all believers, allowing them to participate in God's power and presence in a new way.

This understanding resolves many apparent contradictions and reveals the beautiful unity of the scriptures. Without this unity, we are left to question why Jesus Whether manifest fully in Christ's physical tabernacle or distributed among believers as the Holy Ghost, it is the same Spirit - the same God - operating in different ways to accomplish His purposes.

Understanding What We Worship

When the Lord promised to teach Joseph Smith and us "what you worship" (D&C 93:19), He was preparing us for a profound expansion of our understanding. This revelation transforms our concept of worship by revealing the true nature of the Divine we worship:

We worship not a distant being somewhere beyond creation, but the very Being whose substance composes reality itself. When we pray, we aren't sending our thoughts to some far-off location, but rather communing with the Divine Presence that is already within and around us - the very Presence in which "we live, and move, and have our being."

We worship the Light that illuminates our understanding, energizes our bodies, and gives life to all creation. This isn't metaphorical - it's the literal truth about the fundamental nature of existence. Every thought we think, every breath we take, every moment of consciousness we experience is enabled by this Divine Light that is God's own presence within us.

We worship the Power that holds atoms together, moves planets in their orbits, and keeps galaxies spinning in their cosmic dance. When we look at the sun, we aren't merely seeing an object created by God - we're seeing God's own power and presence manifested in a form we can perceive. Every star in the night sky is a testimony of His presence and power.

We worship the Intelligence that gives order to the universe through natural law, the Wisdom that established the foundations of existence, and the Love that sustains all things in their proper relationship. This is why no graven image could ever capture what we worship - how can you create an image of That which is the substance and source of all images?

Understanding "what we worship" revolutionizes our approach to worship itself. Instead of trying to reach out to a distant deity, we can awaken to the Divine Presence that has been with us all along. Instead of seeking God somewhere "out there," we can recognize His presence within every aspect of existence - including within ourselves. This doesn't make God less personal - it makes our relationship with Him more intimate than we ever imagined.

This understanding fulfills the Lord's promise to teach us "what you worship," revealing a God who is simultaneously more magnificent and more intimate than traditional religious concepts have suggested. We worship not merely a supreme being, but Being itself - not just a creator, but the very substance and power of creation. This is the profound truth that transforms not just our understanding, but our very experience of divine worship.

Conclusion

When we understand what the Lord has been trying to teach us about His nature, we find ourselves in a universe more wonderful, more sacred, and more filled with divine presence than we had imagined. We discover that we have always been seeing God, always been living in God, always been sustained by God's power and being.

This understanding fulfills the Lord's desire that we "understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship" (D&C 93:19). We worship not just a "Who" but a "What" - the infinite, eternal being who is all in all, through all, and in all.

This is why John Griffin's insight about the First Vision was so profound. This is why my vision of God as a missionary showed levels of reality extending infinitely in both directions. This is why the scriptures consistently testify of God as Spirit, as the I AM, as the fundamental reality in which we live and move and have our being.

In coming to this understanding, we fulfill the Lord's promise that we would comprehend Him, recognize that we have seen Him, and understand why He is called I AM. We find ourselves in a universe that is not just created by God, but is filled with God's presence, sustained by God's power, and made of God's very substance.

Undeniable Proof that Joseph Smith Was a Prophet

As we conclude our examination of God's nature, we must address a profound evidence of Joseph Smith's prophetic calling - one that emerges not from the consistency of his teachings with the revelations he received, but from their contradictions. This evidence provides compelling proof that the revelations recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants came from God and not from Joseph's own mind.

The Nature of True Revelation

By definition, revelation is the disclosure of new or previously unknown information. The Oxford dictionary defines revelation as:

A surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way
The divine or supernatural disclosure to humans of something relating to human existence or the world

If a purported revelation merely confirms what someone already believes and teaches, it cannot truly be called a revelation at all. True revelation challenges our existing understanding and often contradicts our current beliefs. This is why the Lord told Isaiah:

Isaiah 55
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Joseph's Understanding vs. Divine Revelation

Throughout his ministry, Joseph Smith consistently taught his understanding of God based primarily on his literal interpretation of the First Vision. In the King Follett Discourse, he declared:

"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by His power, was to make Himself visible,—I say, if you were to see Him today, you would see Him like a man in form—like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man."

This teaching became so established that it was even included in Section 130 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which was not a revelation from the Lord, but as the heading states, contains "Items of instruction given by Joseph Smith":

D&C 130
22 The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.

This teaching stands alone in scripture as the only place describing God as having a body of flesh and bones. More significantly, it creates profound logical contradictions with the Lord's own revelations about His nature. Consider what the scriptures tell us about God's presence:

D&C 88
41 He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.

How can a being confined to a body of flesh and bones simultaneously exist inside the earth, sun, moon, and stars while also existing round about them? How can all things be made "of him" if he is limited to an human form? The logical impossibility becomes even more apparent when we consider other scriptures:

Jeremiah 23
24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I FILL heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

Most tellingly, Joseph's own reasoning in D&C 130:22 about why the Holy Ghost must be a spirit - "Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us" - argues against his conclusion about the Father's nature. For if a being must be spirit to dwell within something else, then Jesus Christ, who we are told repeatedly dwells in and through all things, must necessarily be a spirit. The Lord Himself declares:

Yet the revelations Joseph received painted a vastly different picture of God's nature. The Lord repeatedly told Joseph that he did not understand what he worshipped:

D&C 93
19 I (the Lord) give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.

The Lord even explicitly stated that Joseph did not comprehend God, while promising that one day he would:

D&C 88
49 The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him.
50 Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound.

Why Contradictions Prove Divine Origin

These contradictions between Joseph's teachings and the revelations he received provide compelling evidence that the revelations were truly from God, not from Joseph's own mind. Here’s why:

If Joseph were fabricating revelations, he would naturally make them support and reinforce his existing beliefs and teachings. No one invents divine messages that contradict their own strongly held and publicly taught beliefs and doctrines.
False prophets typically create revelations that bolster their authority and confirm their existing views. The contradictions we see in Joseph's case do the opposite - they contradict his personal teachings and views and show in word and deed that he did not fully understanding God's nature despite his prophetic calling.
The revelations that came through Joseph agree with Old and New Testament teachings from God about Himself and the teachings of other prophets about God. They consistently present a more profound and scripturally supported view of God's nature than Joseph's own teachings, suggesting a higher intelligence at work.
The pattern of revelation contradicting personal understanding is consistent throughout scripture. Moses had to learn that God's ways were higher than his ways. Jonah had to learn that God's mercy extended beyond his understanding. Peter had to learn through revelation that his understanding of God's plan for the Gentiles was incomplete. This represents a common pattern in which men’s beliefs and views, even when those men are prophets, are contradicted by God.

A Testimony of True Revelation

The fact that Joseph continued to receive and record revelations that contradicted his own understanding - even on fundamental topics like the nature of God - demonstrates his integrity as a prophet. He did not filter or modify the revelations to match his beliefs but recorded them faithfully even when they challenged his understanding. It is amazing that these passages remain unchanged and in tacked when other passages from the Book of Mormon for example were changed from the original words of the prophets who wrote them to align with Joseph’s comprehension of God and his son.

The changes made to the Book of Mormon between its 1830 edition and subsequent editions present an interesting exception to the integrity of scripture and acceptance of the original revelation. In the original 1830 edition, numerous passages directly identified Jesus Christ as "God the Eternal Father," but in later editions, these were modified to read "the Son of the Eternal Father" or similar variations. For example:

1 Nephi 11 (Current edition)
18 And he said unto me, Behold, the virgin which thou seest is the mother of the son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
…
21 And the angel said unto me, behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the son of the Eternal Father!

These changes appear to have been made to align the text with Joseph's understanding of God based on his literal interpretation of the First Vision. However, the original 1830 readings align perfectly with other unchanged Book of Mormon passages that remained intact, such as:

Mosiah 15
1 And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.
2 And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son—
3 The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son—
4 And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and earth.

These changes to the Book of Mormon text, while well-intentioned, appear to represent an attempt to reconcile the text with contemporary understanding rather than preserving the original revealed truth about Christ's nature as both Father and Son. The fact that the unchanged passages continue to teach this doctrine suggests that the original 1830 readings more accurately reflected the revealed truth about Christ's dual nature.

Despite such attempts to align sacred texts with current understanding, we must remember a fundamental truth about prophets - they are human beings, subject to the same weaknesses and limitations as all of us.

Understanding the Nature of Prophets

Prophets are not perfect, all-knowing, or infallible. The very fact that they receive revelation proves this - God reveals to them things they do not yet know or understand. Revelations are learning experiences given to fallible people, because fallible people are all God has to work with.

Consider the prophet Jonah. When commanded to warn Nineveh of impending destruction, he fled in direct disobedience to God. His hatred for the Assyrians was so deep that he preferred death to the possibility they might repent and be spared. Even after being swallowed by a great fish, spending three days in prayer, and finally delivering God's message, Jonah became angry when the people repented and God showed mercy. He valued a shade plant more than 120,000 souls.

Yet despite his lack of understanding, prejudice, disobedience, and hard-heartedness, Jonah was still God's prophet. Through him, an entire city was brought to repentance. His very flaws and struggles serve as evidence that God works through imperfect vessels to accomplish His perfect will.

Joseph Smith was similarly human. Like Jonah, there are aspects of his life and teachings that many find difficult to reconcile with their expectations of a prophet. His understanding of God's nature, formed largely from a literal interpretation of his First Vision, contradicted the very revelations he received from the Lord. The changes made to the Book of Mormon text and his teachings about God's physical nature show that he, like all of us, struggled to comprehend the full meaning of what the Lord revealed through him.

Yet it is precisely these contradictions between Joseph's personal understanding and the revelations he received that provide some of the strongest evidence of his prophetic calling. A man inventing revelation would ensure the fabricated revelations supported his existing beliefs. Instead, Joseph faithfully recorded revelations that challenged and even contradicted his own teachings. The Lord repeatedly told him that he did not yet comprehend God, yet Joseph continued to record and share these divine communications that we now see highlighted his own limited understanding.

Perhaps we should not be too quick to judge Joseph's struggle to comprehend these revelations about God's nature. After all, we as a church have had these same revelations for nearly two hundred years. The Lord's words in the Doctrine and Covenants have been openly available to us, clearly teaching that God is in and through all things, that the elements are His tabernacle, that all things are created of Him. Yet we, like Joseph, have often clung to the more comfortable and familiar view of God as an exalted man. If we, with two centuries to study and ponder these revelations, still struggle to comprehend what the Lord was trying to tell us about His nature, how can we expect Joseph to have immediately understood and accepted ideas so different from his existing beliefs? His very human struggle with these profound truths mirrors our own, reminding us that God's thoughts are indeed higher than our thoughts, and His ways higher than our ways.

Through Joseph Smith, the Lord revealed profound truths about His nature that we are only now beginning to comprehend. The doctrine that God is a Great Spirit who exists in and through all things, who is the very substance of which creation is made, who is both Father and Son, transcends human philosophy and exceeds what Joseph himself taught. Yet he recorded these revelations faithfully, preserving them for future generations who might be prepared to understand them.

Like Jonah, whose very resistance to God's will became part of teaching His mercy, Joseph's struggles to comprehend God's nature have helped illuminate the truth for us. The contrast between his personal teachings and the revelations he received helps us distinguish between the words of men and the word of God. Through Joseph's very human limitations, we can more clearly see the divine origin of the revelations he received.

This is the miracle and mercy of God's work with His children. He does not wait for perfect vessels - He takes us as we are, with all our flaws and limitations, and works through us to accomplish His purposes. Joseph Smith was a prophet not because he was perfect, but because God chose to reveal eternal truths through him. The grandeur of these revelations - their consistency with ancient scripture, their transcendence of human understanding, and yes, even their contradiction of Joseph's own teachings - testifies that they came from God.

Let us therefore approach the revelations Joseph received with hearts open to understanding, knowing that within them lie truths that even the prophet himself struggled to comprehend. Let us be grateful that God works through imperfect people, for this gives hope to all of us. And let us rejoice that through Joseph Smith, the Lord has revealed His nature more fully, showing us that He is indeed in all things, through all things, and the very substance of which all things are made, the Alpa and Omega. The Great I AM, All that which Exists.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

What is God, The Great I AM A Revelation of the Divine Creator

By Philip Stevenson

Introduction

Understanding Divine Communication

The First Vision Reconsidered

What is God, The Great I AM
A Revelation of the Divine Creator