Was God Once A Man?

It is unfortunate but true that a few isolated passages of scripture have been taken out of context in an attempt to support the theory that the God whom we worship was once a man, and has progressed to the status of the all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-present God of the universe. Before those scriptures can be examined, it will be necessary to first look to those scriptures which are clear on the matter:

Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. (Isaiah 43:10)

And God spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name, for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless? (Pearl of Great Price, Moses 1:3; D+C 22:2 RLDS)

Unless you attempt to read something into the text that is not there, it must be acknowledged that the only correct interpretation of these verses is that He has always been the almighty God and always will be. With this in mind, let us examine the following texts:

I Corinthians 8:5,6
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many)

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.

The clear message of this chapter is not that there are other gods, but rather addresses the subject of whether or not believers should eat meat which is sacrificed to idols. The Apostle Paul points out that as far as believers are concerned, an idol is nothing in light of the one true God of Israel. He is the one alone whom we worship. With that in mind, Paul advises fellow believers to abstain from eating meat offered to idols if it might be the cause of a brother or sister stumbling in the faith.

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. (Psalm 82:6)

The context of this chapter deals with the unjust dealings of the judges of Israel, and not with the idea of men who would become gods. The Lord points out that these judges would die like other men, and were admonished to see to the poor and needy among them in a just manner. The word "god" in verse 6 is translated from the Hebrew word elohiym, which can also be translated as a "judge" or an "angel", depending on the context. A similar example of this can be found in I Timothy 5:1 where the Greek word presbuteros is translated as "elder." The term elder in this passage refers to an older woman. In II John 1, the same Greek work is also translated "elder" and refers to the Apostle John’s ministerial office. When this information is considered in clear context, it is easy to determine that Psalm 82:6 does not support the idea of man becoming a god.

Doctrine and Covenants, Section 76
Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God; wherefore all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs, and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's; and they shall overcome all things; (76:58 LDS; 76:5h RLDS)

This verse is one passage in a series which describes those who will obtain the Celestial glory at the resurrection of the just. The phrase, "they are gods," does not refer to men who will become gods. The very next phrase "even the sons of God" demonstrates this. When all of the passages which discuss the Celestial glory are read in context, it is abundantly clear that those who will receive this reward are those who receive the fullness of salvation because they have given their all for Jesus’ sake, and will spend eternity in the worshipping God in his presence. In addition, verse 61 (LDS; 5i RLDS) leaves no room for doubt when the Lord declares "wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God." For a man to presume that he will become a god like the almighty God of Israel is to take glory to himself, and not give it to God.