Comments on: Monday Morning Poll: Divine Power Edition

By: Fern RL

Fern RL — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:13:34 +0000

I voted for God. The Law requires death, but God had the wit to win over death through His infinite mercy.

The poll is flawed on several levels, though, I agree. “A law has no power it just is.” –Keith Hudson, (Thanks)

There should have been the vote that neither supersedes the other, as someone else pointed out earlier.

By: Keith Hudson

Keith Hudson — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:12:27 +0000

I did not vote, as the question is flawed. A law has no power, it just is. God has all power that can be had. Attempting to compare the two in the manner suggested by the poll is a fool’s errand. My two cents worth.

By: joshua madson

joshua madson — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:02:23 +0000

can someone maybe list what these “eternal laws” are?

By: Mike T

Mike T — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:39:23 +0000

Something or somebody created the law that God lives by. He serves the law perfectly. I can see both points to this so I think the problem exists around word “powerful”. great topic. This is fun. -

By: John C.

John C. — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:32:18 +0000

Geoff,

I think that multiple universes do matter because of the sphere language, which implies, to me, discrete existences. I like your second point tho, which I should have thought of, but didn’t.

By: Geoff J

Geoff J — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:28:46 +0000

John C.: But is he finite in relation to this universe (to speak specifically of God the Father)?

This implies there are other universes. Unfortunately that clouds the discussion further. Since Mormonism teaches that God can’t create space or matter ex nihilo let’s just talk about all that exists and call it The Universe. That way it won’t matter if the whole is subdivided.

The answer in Mormonism is yes, God is finite in some ways. With a resurrected body all members of the unified One God combined (no matter how many that number is) would still be physically finite at least.

By: John C.

John C. — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:58:25 +0000

Velska,
I’m not trying to shake anyone’s belief. I believe that there are a variety of approaches in LDS belief to this question and, so, I am interested in what people have to say about it. I myself would probably say God most days (it’s what I voted), but on other days I would say Law, for many of the reasons cited by Matt, Geoff, and others. I put the poll up primarily because I find that approach to law unsatisfying and I am looking for a better one.

By: Velska

Velska — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:24:46 +0000

The question is akin to this: Is it possible for God to create something so powerful that even he can’t control it. To say no, you say he’s not omnipotent – and to say yes, you have the same.

If Joseph was right and God wasn’t always like he is now, I would probably say that yes, he is perfect because he has mastered eternal law perfectly.

By: John C.

John C. — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:42:50 +0000

Geoff,
That is an interesting point. We do believe in a finite God. But is he finite in relation to this universe (to speak specifically of God the Father)?

By: Mark D.

Mark D. — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:56:07 +0000

Like I said, the question is ambiguous because “eternal” means two different things in Mormonism, (1) timeless and (2) divine.