Latter Day Saints - What do they Truly Believe (about the Number of Gods)?

The Number of Gods

LDS Summary:

RLDS Summary:

Bible (Old Testament) Comparison The Old Testament is explicit that there is only one God
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
King James Version, 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. 15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. King James Version, Exodus 20 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. King James Version, Exodus 23 13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. King James Version, Exodus 34 14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: King James Version, Deuteronomy 5 6 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me. King James Version, Isaiah 43 10 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. King James Version, Malachi 2 10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?	Inspired Version, 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. 15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you; this is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. Inspired Version, Exodus 20 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Inspired Version, Exodus 23 13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect; and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. Inspired Version, Exodus 34 14 For thou shalt worship no other god; for the Lord, whose name is Jehovah, is a jealous God. Inspired Version, Deuteronomy 5 6 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Inspired Version, Isaiah 43 10 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. Inspired Version, Malachi 2 10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Bible (New Testament) Comparison The New Testament is explicit that there is only one God
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
King James Version, Matthew 19 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. King James Version, Mark 12 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: King James Version, John 8 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. King James Version, I Corinthians 8 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. King James Version, Ephesians 4 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. King James Version, I Timothy 2 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; King James Version, James 2 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.	Inspired Version, Matthew 19 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God; but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Inspired Version, Mark 12 37 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth; for there is one God, and there is none other but him. Inspired Version, John 8 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Inspired Version, 1 Corinthians 8 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things which are in the world offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing, and that there is nothing, and that there is none other God but one. Inspired Version, Ephesians 4 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Inspired Version, 1 Timothy 2 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Inspired Version, James 2 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Book of Mormon Comparison The Book of Mormon is explicit that there is only one God
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
LDS Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 13 41 And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; wherefore they both shall be established in one; for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth. LDS Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 31 21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. LDS Book of Mormon, Alma 11 27 And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God. 28 Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God? 29 And he answered, No. 35 Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God;	RLDS Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 3 194 And they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; 195 And the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; 196 Wherefore, they both shall be established in one; 197 For there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth; RLDS Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 13 32 And now behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. RLDS Book of Mormon, Alma 8 80 And Amulek said, Yea, there is a true and a living God. 81 Now Zeezrom said, Is there more than one God? 82 And he answereth, No. 89 Now Zeezrom said unto the people, See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God;

gods (little 'g') gods (little 'g') are defined as people that know right from wrong. gods (little 'g') are not described as equivalent to God (not a deity).
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Book of Moses, Chapter 4 10 And the serpent said unto the woman: Ye shall not surely die; 11 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 28 And I, the Lord God, said unto mine Only Begotten: Behold, the man is become as one of us to know good and evil; and now lest he put forth his hand and partake also of the tree of life, and eat and live forever,	Inspired Version, Genesis 3 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever

Samuel was a god (little 'g') Samuel is described as a god (little 'g'). This is consistent with the description of gods that know right from wrong (i.e. understands Gods Word - not a deity).
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
King James Version, 1 Samuel 28 3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. 12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. 13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. 14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. 15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.	Inspired Version, 1 Samuel 28 3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. 12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. 13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. 14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. 15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

God says gods (little 'g') die like men God defines His people as gods (little 'g'), but is definite that gods die like men.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
King James Version, Psalm 82 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.	Inspired Version, Psalm 82 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

Jesus said men do not have the power of resurrection Joseph Smith refers to these verses during the Conference in April 1844 (just prior to his death) - see the entry below
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
King James Version, John 10 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.	Inspired Version, John 10 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus confirms Psalm 82 - gods (little 'g') Jesus refers to Psalm 82 and confirms it is scripture to call people that understand God's Word as gods (little 'g').
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
King James Version, John 10 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;	Inspired Version, John 10 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken

Jesus confirms Psalm 82 - gods (little 'g') Both LDS and RLDS scriptures are consistent that there is only one God
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
LDS D&C Section 20 27 As well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and callings of God by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and of the Son; 28 Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen. Book of Moses 1 20 And it came to pass that Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of hell. Nevertheless, calling upon God, he received strength, and he commanded, saying: Depart from me, Satan, for this one God only will I worship, which is the God of glory. LDS D&C Section 35 2 I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.	RLDS D&C Section 17 5h which beareth record of the Father, and of the Son, which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen. RLDS D&C Section 22 13 And it came to pass, that Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of hell; nevertheless, calling upon God he received strength, and he commanded, saying, Depart hence, Satan; for this one God only will I worship, which is the God of glory. RLDS D&C Section 34 1b I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.

Doctrine and Covenants confirm Psalm 82 and John 10 The reference to gods (little 'g') in LDS D&C 76:58 and RLDS D&C 76:5h is the same as Psalm 82 and John 10
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
LDS D&C, Section 76 50 And again we bear record-for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just- 51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given- 52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; 53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. 54 They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. 55 They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things- 56 They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; 57 And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. 58 Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God- 59 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. 60 And they shall overcome all things.	RLDS D&C Section 76 5a And again, we bear record for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ, concerning them who come forth in the resurrection of the just: 5b They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name, and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given, that by keeping the commandments, they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, 5c and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; 5d and who overcome by faith, and are sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true; 5e they are they who are the church of the Firstborn; 5f they are they into whose hands the Father has given all things: 5g they are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fullness, and of his glory, and are priests of the Most High after the order of Melchisedec, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the only begotten Son: 5h 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;

Joseph Smith said there was only one God 1835 Joseph Smith Jr. stated there was only one supreme God
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Same reference (there was one church at this time - the LDS and RLDS had not split)	Lectures on Faith, Lecture Second, 2nd paragraph, published 1835 We here observe that God is the only supreme governor, and independent being, in whom all fulness and perfection dwells; who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient; without beginning of days or end of life; and that in him every good gift, and every good principle dwells; and that he is the Father of lights: In him the principle of faith dwells independently; and he is the object in whom the faith of all other rational and accountable beings centers, for life and salvation.

Joseph Smith understood the difference between 'the Great Creator' and gods that understood His plan March 1, 1843 A reference is made here regarding the "gods" that are the spirits that understand God's Word. At the same time, Joseph Smith Jr. also describes 'the great Jehovah' as a singular supreme God.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Same reference (there was one church at this time - the LDS and RLDS had not split)	Times and Seasons, Vol 4, No. 8, page 121, Mar 1, 1843 Ever since the fall of man the great Jehovah has had it in his mind to restore him to his pristine excellency, to remove the curse from the brute creation and to restore the earth to its primitive glory; nay, while this earth was one dark chaotic mass, before God said "let there be light, and it was so," or ever this world rolled into existence, or the morning stars sung together for joy a plan was formed in the councils of heaven, it was contemplated by the great Author of our existence, Eloheim [Elohim], Jehovah, to redeem the earth from under the curse. Hence when the Gods deliberated about the formation of man, it was known that he would fall and the Saviour [Savior] was provided who was to redeem and to restore, who was indeed the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

Joseph Smith says gods (little 'g') know God's Word Sept 15, 1843 Joseph Smith Jr. describes "gods" here the same as they are defined in Genesis - as people that understand good from evil
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Same reference (there was one church at this time - the LDS and RLDS had not split)	Times and Seasons, Vol 4, No. 21, page 332, Sept 15, 1843 The meeting was then opened by singing "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning," &c. President Ward engaged in prayer. After the second hymn, the president addressed the conference at considerable length on the multitude before him, and the object that brought them together. He enlarged on the high purposes of God in the salvation of the human family, stating what the church of Jesus Christ understood by salvation, which was this, that intelligence, or the light of truth being connected with elementary matter, which constituted our existence, had become, through the fall as Gods, knowing good and evil; that in this condition, and retaining this knowledge, we, by the atonement of Jesus Christ, and the ordinances of his kingdom, had become sons and daughters of the highest, and by a faithful endurance unto the end, we should attain to the fulness [fullness] of God, fitting us to enter into his presence to become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith denied there was more than one God Nov 1, 1843 Joseph Smith Jr. specifically denied that there was more than one God
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Same reference (there was one church at this time - the LDS and RLDS had not split)	Quincy Whig, Vol. 6, No. 28, Nov 1, 1843 Joseph Smith Jr. is quoted: "He said he had never asked the Lord anything about politics, if he had done so, the Lord would have told him what to do. "The Lord," said he, "has promised to give us wisdom, and when I lack wisdom, I ask of the Lord, and he tells me, and if he didn't tell me, I would say he was a liar. That's the way I feel. But I never asked Him anything about politics. I am a whig, and I am a Clay man. I am made of clay, and I am tending to clay, and I am going to vote for Henry Clay, that's the way I feel. (A laugh.) But I won't interfer with my people religiously, to affect their votes, though I might, to elect Mr. Clay, for he ought to be President. -- I have sworn by the eternal gods -- it's no harm to swear by the gods, because there is none -- if there is only one God, there can't be gods, and its no harm to swear by nothing -- (a laugh) -- I have sworn by the eternal gods that I will never vote for a democrat, and I intend to swear my children, putting their hands under the thigh, as Abraham swore Isaac, that they will never vote for a democrat in all their generations. It is the meanest lowest party in all creation."

Joseph Smith describes The Council of Heaven as those that comprehend God's plan Jan 15, 1844 Joseph Smith Jr. The term, "gods" here is again used to describe those that understood God's Word - "fully understood by him who has done 'all things well.' ." He also describes The council of Heaven as being subservient to God ('increase his glory').
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Same reference (there was one church at this time - the LDS and RLDS had not split)	Times and Seasons, Vol 5, No. 2, page 407, Jan 15, 1844 When the Lord created the heavens and the earth, he had a design in it, and had certain purposes to accomplish, and when he created the beasts of the field the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the air, he did it to promote his purposes and to advance his glory and when man was placed as lord of creation, it was for a purpose, and the which, though it may now be mysterious, yet when the curtain of heaven shall be withdrawn, and we shall comprehend eternal things, we shall see and acknowledge "that the judge of all the earth has done right," The council of heaven was had among the Gods' in the eternal world, pertaining to all these subjects of their creation, before ever they were formed, "or the morning stars sang together for joy;" and by him who comprehends the end from the beginning and before whom, and with whom, the present, the past and the future are one eternal now, their organization, habits, propensities, the object of that creation, the position they would take in the order of that creation, and how, and by what means they would be made happy, and increase his glory, was fully understood by him who has done "all things well."

Joseph Smith describes The Council of Heaven as those that comprehend God's plan Mar 15, 1844 Hyrum Smith directed the Elders to not speak about "the grand councils of heaven, and the making of gods, worlds, and devils" as God had not provided any commandment to understand the topic
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Same reference (there was one church at this time - the LDS and RLDS had not split)	Times and Seasons, Vol 5, No. 6, page 474, Mar 15, 1844 And again I say unto you, an elder has no business to undertake to preach mysteries in any part of the world, for God has commanded us all to preach nothing but the first principles unto the world. Neither has any elder any authority to preach any mysterious thing to any branch of the church unless he has a direct commandment from God to do so. Let the matter of the grand councils of heaven, and the making of gods, worlds, and devils entirely alone; for you are not called to teach any such doctrine-for neither you nor the people are capacitated to understand any such principles-less so to teach them. For when God commands men to teach such principles the saints will receive them. Therefore beware what you teach! for the mysteries of God are not given to all men; and unto those to whom they are given they are placed under restrictions to impart only such as God will command them; and the residue is to be kept in a faithful breast, otherwise he will be brought under condemnation. By this God will prove his faithful servants, who will be called and numbered with the chosen.

Joseph Smith confirms there is only one God April 1844 (Conference Minutes) Joseph Smith Jr. again describes gods as those that understand God's Word He also re-iterates that there is only one God - "Here then is eternal life, to know the only wise and true God"
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Same reference (there was one church at this time - the LDS and RLDS had not split)	Times and Seasons, Vol 5, No. 15, page 614, Aug 15, 1844 In order to understand the subject of the dead, for the consolation of those who mourn for the loss of their friends, it is necessary they should understand the character and being of God, for I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they are the simple and first principles of the gospel, to know for a certainty the character of God, that we may converse with him as one man with another, and that God himself; the Father of us all dwelt on earth the same as Jesus Christ himself did, and I will show it from the Bible. I wish I had the trump of an arch angel, I could tell the story in such a manner that persecution would cease forever; what did Jesus say? (mark it elder Rigdon;) Jesus said, as the Father hath power in himself, even so hath the Son power; to do what? why what the Father did, that answer is obvious; in a manner to lay down his body and take it up again. Jesus what are you going to do? To lay down my life, as my Father did, and take it again.-If you do not believe it, you do not believe the Bible; the scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom, all the combined powers of earth and hell together, to refute it. Here then is eternal life, to know the only wise and true God. You have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves; to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done; by going from a small degree to another, from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you are able to sit in glory as doth those who sit enthroned in everlasting power; and I want you to know that God in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me; it is the first principles of consolation.

Joseph Smith discusses the council of Gods the same as the Bible April 1844 (Conference Minutes) For scriptural references to the council of the gods, see Psalm 82, Jeremiah 23:18-23, 1 Kings 22:19, Job 1:6-12, and Job 2:1-6. Joseph Smith Jr. discusses the council of the gods in the same manner.
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Same reference (there was one church at this time - the LDS and RLDS had not split)	Times and Seasons, Vol 5, No. 15, page 614, Aug 15, 1844 I shall comment on the very first Hebrew word in the Bible; I will make a comment on the very first sentence of the history of in the Bible, Berosheit. I want to analyze the word; baith, in, by, through, in, and every thing else. Rosh, the head. Sheit, gramatical [grammatical] termination. When the inspired man wrote it, he did not put the baith there. A man, a Jew without any authority, thought it too bad to begin to talk about the head. It read first, 'The head one of the Gods brought forth the Gods,' that is the true meaning of the words. Baurau, signifies to bring forth. If you do not believe it, you do not believe the learned man of God. No man can learn you more than what I have told you. Thus the head of God brought forth the Gods in the grand council.

Brigham Young initiated the concept of more than one God August 8, 1852 Brigham Young preached that men can be come gods like God
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Same reference (there was one church at this time - the LDS and RLDS had not split)	Journal of Discourses, Vol. 3, page 93, August 8, 1852. Brigham Young discourse on The Gospel of Salvation I will continue the point I am now at. The Lord created you and me for the purpose of becoming Gods like Himself; when we have been proved in our present capacity, and been faithful with all things He puts into our possession. We are created, we are born for the express purpose of growing up from the low estate of manhood, to become Gods like unto our Father in heaven. That is the truth about it, just as it is. The Lord has organized mankind for the express purpose of increasing in that intelligence and truth, which is with God, until he is capable of creating worlds on worlds, and becoming Gods, even the sons of God.

Brigham Young preached a concept of more than one God that has no support from the Bible, Book of Mormon, or the Doctrine and Covenants Oct 8, 1859 Brigham Young preached there is more than one god - in direct contradiction to the Bible, Book of Mormon, and revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Same reference (there was one church at this time - the LDS and RLDS had not split)	Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, page 331, 1859. Brigham Young discourse on "Progress & Knowledge" How many Gods there are, I do not know. But there never was a time when there were not Gods and worlds, and when men were not passing through the same ordeals that we are now passing through. That course has been from all eternity, and it is and will be to all eternity. You cannot comprehend this; but when you can, it will be to you a matter of great consolation. It appears ridiculous to the world, under their darkened and erroneous traditions, that God has once been a finite being; and yet we are not in such close communion with him as many have supposed.