Kwaku shares wonderful insight on how God came to be and how that relates to what some prominent atheists posit today.

Some atheists propose, when pushed, that life possibly was seeded here by an advanced extra-terrestrial.

Jeff at Latter-day Saints Q & A:

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Short podcast from a review of Andrew Skinner’s new book:

A Compelling Case for Theosis

Abstract: What is theosis? Why does the doctrine of theosis matter? Why did God become man so that man might become God? In his book To Become Like God, Andrew C. Skinner answers these questions with compelling clarity. He provides ample convincing evidence that, far from being a deviation from original Christian beliefs, the doctrine of theosis, or the belief that human beings have the potential to become like God, is central to the Christian faith.

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Brilliant insight (as usual) from Blake Ostler:

Topics Discussed: Arguments That Essential Divine Properties Cannot Be Shared with Humans

– Can a Fulness of Divine Power Be Shared?

– Can Divine Sovereignty Be Shared By Humans?

– Are Deified Humans Worthy of Divine Worship?

Latter-day Saints have a unique theology. We believe our Heavenly Father and his Son are separate beings and that they have exalted bodies. We believe we can be like them.

This notion of becoming like God is not new. It’s biblical.

http://www.ldsperspectives.com/2017/11/08/becoming-like-god-terryl-givens/

One can read a lengthy paper on the topic: Defenders of the Doctrine of Deification.

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In this Maxwell Institute podcast below, Powell talks about his book, “Irenaeus, Joseph Smith, and God-Making Heresy.”

The idea that humans can become gods appeared in a setting of extreme opposition both for early Mormons like Joseph Smith, and early Christian leaders like Iranaeus.

The principles associated with theosis presented by Jordan Watkins:

Non-Mormon, Margaret Barker, spoke in 2016. Among many other points, Margaret shared that the Deuteronomist editors removed references to the a human-form Heavenly Father visiting Old Testament prophets (after 26:00).

After the first hour, three LDS scholars shared their own insights:

Valuable insights about Solomon’s Temple:

Roger Cook discusses theosis below:

Brett McDonald presents below:

Latter-day Saints believe we are more than creatures. “Ye are Gods” is found in John 10:34 and Psalm 82:6.

Part ii:

Hugh Nibley connected Egyptian rituals with LDS temple rites and ceremonies.

Deification discussion:

Debate between evangelical James White and two LDS apologists: Van Hale and Tanner Martin.

Deification in a Mesoamerican mindset:

Does the Church take an official position on Evolution? Nope.

Let’s all remain open and humble in our pursuit of all kinds of truths. And let scientists do Science. After all, we have nothing to fear from discovery in any field.

Living the restored Gospel principles saves us. Scientific principles — even established ones — don’t exalt anyone. But it doesn’t hurt to understand truths of Science.

Further, there’s so much we don’t know. For example, the world’s best physicists don’t know what light and energy are. We are only a few hundred years from the Enlightenment. We’re all in the dark to a great degree, and thus must very much live by faith.

Science is only a method, and can ask how. God answers why.

Read this October 2016 New Era article. The first paragraph quoted below:

What does the Church believe about evolution?

“The Church has no official position on the theory of evolution. Organic evolution, or changes to species’ inherited traits over time, is a matter for scientific study. Nothing has been revealed concerning evolution. Though the details of what happened on earth before Adam and Eve, including how their bodies were created, have not been revealed, our teachings regarding man’s origin are clear and come from revelation…”

Jeff at Latter-day Saints Q & A shares insight and some history of this subject:

Ben Spackman shares valuable insight with Gospel Tangents:

Interestingly, Joseph, Hyrum, and Orson Hyde believed that people lived before Adam. Among other things, they discussed the use of the word “replenish” and that prophets existed before Adam.

The Affirmation of Pre-Adamites by Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Orson Hyde

Dr. Henry Eyring — the father of current Apostle, Pres. Henry B. Eyring — was a world-class chemist and believing Latter-day Saint. After a full career in Chemistry at Princeton, he returned to Utah Brother Eyring served on the LDS General Sunday School Board.

Pres. Eyring wrote about his world-recognized chemist father: My Father’s Formula.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM8AqUsZ2WA

A few of his thoughts below:

Some have asked me: “Is there any conflict between science and religion?” There is no conflict in the mind of God, but often there is conflict in the minds of men. . . .

A young man once inquired: “In high school we are taught such things as pre-Adamic men, and that kind of thing, but we hear another thing in Church. What should I do about it?”

I think I gave the right answer. I said, “In this Church, you only have to believe the truth. Find out what the truth is!”

Simple, but very powerful ideas.