Is A Correct Idea Of God Essential?

In order for a person to have a saving faith in God, they must have a correct idea of his character. If we do not hold to a correct view of God according to his word, then we cannot exercise the kind of faith that leads to salvation. Can you imagine trusting your life to an airline pilot who did not have a correct understanding of how to fly the plane on which you were traveling? If the answer is no, then can you afford to trust your eternal salvation to anything less than the one true God of the scriptures? There are many attractive religious theories in the world today, but something that simply sounds good will not bring eternal life.

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12)

All persons have a specific personality that characterizes them, and various attributes that comprise their character. It is the same with God. He has a definite character, and specific attributes which make up his character. The Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants record the character and attributes of God which give us a clear picture of the One whom we should center our faith in.

When we think of the word eternal in relation to God, we think of no beginning nor end. He has always been God, and will continue to be God forever.

The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him (Psalm 103:17)

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. (Psalm 90:2)

Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. (Hebrews 1:10-12)

That ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you. But behold, ye are gone, and the Father, yea, the eternal Father of heaven. (Mormon 6:22, LDS; 3:23 RLDS)

By these things we know that there is a God in heaven who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth and all things which are in them, and that he created man male and female. (D + C 20:17 LDS; 17:4a RLDS)

God is merciful, gracious, and long suffering. He is merciful to his creation, in that he is kind and forgiving. He is a gracious God who has abundantly given to his children blessings beyond measure, and he is long suffering, demonstrating a patience that has no equal anywhere.

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. (Exodus 34:6)

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (Psalm 103:8)

O the wisdom of God! his mercy and grace! (II Nephi 9:8 LDS; 6:19 RLDS)

For thus saith the Lord, I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. (D & C 76:5 LDS; 76:2a RLDS)

Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long suffering towards the children of men? Behold I say unto you, I can not say the smallest part which I feel. (Alma 26:36 LDS; 14:97 RLDS)

Have you ever dealt with someone that you knew would always make good on their word, someone that you could make a "handshake agreement" with? That is the way God is. He will always give it to you straight with no fine print to worry about. God does not lie.

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)

And there came a voice unto me saying, Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. (Enos 1:5,6 LDS; 1:8 RLDS)

I, the Lord, promised the faithful and cannot lie. (D + C 62:6 LDS; 62:2c RLDS)

God is a God of love. He cares for his creation in every aspect of their being. He loved us so much that he sent his only Son to die for our sins. It is because of this love, that salvation is offered to all.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (I John 4:8)

And I answered him, saying, Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore it is the most desirable above all things. (I Nephi 11:22 LDS; 3:64 RLDS)

Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love. (D & C 6:20 LDS; 6:9b RLDS)

It seems that much of the social discussion in today’s world centers on race relations. However, this issue has been around for centuries. There are always some people who regard themselves as better than those of another race, religion or creed, and as result, try to exclude them from various circles of fellowship. Fortunately, prejudice is not a part of God’s character. He has always offered salvation and all of its accompanying blessings freely to all. God is no respector of persons.

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:34,35)

But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism. (Moroni 8:12 LDS; 8:13 RLDS)

And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth, I, the Lord, am willing to make these things known unto all flesh, for I am no respecter of persons. (D+C 1:34,35 LDS; 6a RLDS)

It has been said on more than one occasion that "the only constant is change," and in today’s fast paced world the apparent truth of that statement seems to stand out with ever increasing frequency. However, those who look to the Word of God can rest in the fact that God does not change. He has consistently taught through his servants and his word the same principles throughout the ages of time, and more importantly, the attributes of his character remain the same. God is unchangeable.

 For I am the Lord, I change not. (Malichi 3:6)

For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity. (Moroni 8:18 LDS; 8:19 RLDS)

The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God, cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught, for God doth not walk in crooked paths; neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; therefore his paths are straight and his course is one eternal round. (D + C 2:1,2 LDS; 2:1a-c RLDS)