Question: Do Mormons believe that God is limited to ruling over this planet?

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This page is based on an answer to a question submitted to the FAIR web site, or a frequently asked question.

Question

Critics claim that the LDS view of God is provincial or limited, with God simply being a ruler over "this planet."

Source(s) of the criticism

• Richard Abanes, One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church (New York: Four Walls Eight Windows, 2003), 286 ( Index of claims )

Response

LDS scriptures

LDS scriptures affirm that God the Father created and rules the universe through Jesus Christ. For example: DC 45꞉1; DC 76꞉24; Moses 1꞉33; Moses 2꞉1)  ^{[needs work]}

LDS leaders

The Latter-day Saint view of God is in no way provincial. This can be demonstrated by the frequency with which LDS apostles and leaders refer to Jesus as "Lord of the Universe," or a similar title.

• President Marion G. Romney (1968):

Jesus Christ, in the sense of being its Creator and Redeemer, is the Lord of the whole universe. Except for his mortal ministry accomplished on this earth, his service and relationship to other worlds and their inhabitants are the same as his service and relationship to this earth and its inhabitants. … Implicit in the scriptures is the fact that the surest, if not the only, way to understand Jesus the Lord of the universe is to obtain an understanding of his relationship to this world and its inhabitants. … I bear my own witness that these great testimonies to the fact that Jesus Christ is the Lord of the universe are true, that he is also our Savior, and that the gospel of Jesus Christ is universal—the only plan by which men ever have been or ever can be exalted.”^[1]

• President Boyd K. Packer (1995):

If you are reverent and prayerful and obedient, the day will come when there will be revealed to you why the God of heaven has commanded us to address him as Father, and the Lord of the Universe as Son. Then you will have discovered the Pearl of Great Price spoken of in the scriptures and willingly go and sell all that you have that you might obtain it.^[2]

• Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1997):

Bearer of the only salvational name, yet the Lord of the Universe lived modestly as a person “of no reputation." ^[3]

• Elder Neal A. Maxwell (2000):

Ponder how Jesus was and is the Lord of the universe (see DC 45꞉1; DC 76꞉24; Moses 1꞉33; Moses 2꞉1). Yet His ministry, as we all know, was accomplished in a very tiny geographical space. His ministerial travels were very limited. Yet therein the Savior accomplished the Atonement for all of mankind! There were certainly much more prominent hills than Golgotha and much more resplendent gardens than Gethsemane. No matter; these were sufficient to host the central act of all human history!^[4]

• Elder Neal A. Maxwell (2003):

Therefore, we as Latter-day Saints cannot regard Jesus, as some do, as merely a “great moral teacher,” though He was the greatest, or even as a “minor prophet.” He is the Lord of the universe, as well as our Redeemer!^[5]

• Elder Neal A. Maxwell (2004):

Jesus also exemplifies meekness and humility. Though ever supernal in His achievements, Christ always, always gave the glory to the Father whether in the first, second, or now in the third estate. He was and is Lord of the universe, who under the direction of the Father created “worlds without number” (Moses 1꞉33). Yet He was willingly known as Jesus of Nazareth, the carpenter’s son. He always knew who He was! He meekly partook of history’s most bitter cup without becoming bitter.^[6]

• Bishop Keith B. McMullin (2005):

The more we cleave unto righteousness, the more we enjoy the protecting care of our Savior. He is the Creator and Lord of the universe. He will calm the winds and the waves. His teachings and Atonement will heal the repentant soul. He is the Messiah or Deliverer, and because of Him, each of us can be in charge of his or her personal world, even as tragedies beset us.^[7]

Conclusion

LDS theology sees the Father, Son and Holy Ghost united in perfect love and agreement, creating and ruling over "worlds without number." There is no effort to 'limit' them to a small sphere of influence.

Endnotes

1. [note]  John Taylor, Journal of Discourses 1:{{{pages}}}.
2. [note]  Stephen L Richards, Conference Report (April 1831), 21.
3. [note]  Stephen L Richards, Conference Report (April 1952), 44-45.
4. [note]  Marion G. Romney, "Jesus Christ, Lord of the Universe," Improvement Era (November 1968), 46-49. off-site
5. [note]  Boyd K. Packer, "The Shield of Faith," Ensign (May 1995): 7. off-site
6. [note]  Neal A. Maxwell, "Apply the Atoning Blood of Christ," Ensign (November 1997): 22. off-site
7. [note]  Neal A. Maxwell, "Content with the Things Allotted unto Us," Ensign (May 2000): 72. off-site
8. [note]  Neal A. Maxwell, "The Wondrous Restoration," Ensign (Apr 2003): 30. off-site
9. [note]  Neal A. Maxwell, "The Precious Promise," Ensign (Apr 2004): 42. off-site
10. [note]  Keith B. McMullin, "Be Prepared … Be Ye Strong from Henceforth," Ensign (Nov 2005): 5. off-site

Further reading

FAIR web site

FairMormon articles on-line on Jesus Christ

• Cooper Johnson, "Mormons—Can They Be Considered Christians?" FAIR link