Monotheism

            As discussed above, the scriptures teach that there is only one God--not just that we are supposed to worship only one God, but that there is only one God.  In His own words, He says, “I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. ... Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God, I know not any” (Isaiah 44:6, 8).  “Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” (Isaiah 43:10).  “There is none other God but one” (1 Corinthians 8:4), “the only true God” (John 17:4).  He could not possibly make it any clearer.

            Despite this, Latter-day Saints believe that there are many gods.  This doctrine was taught by Joseph Smith on many occasions.  In Volume 6 of History of the Church, Joseph Smith states:

“I will preach on the plurality of Gods. I have selected this text for that express purpose. I wish to declare I have always and in all congregations when I have preached on the subject of the Deity, it has been the plurality of Gods. It has been preached by the Elders for fifteen years” (HC 6:474, June 16, 1844).