Commenting
on the meaning of Elohim and how the
name can be used of God the Father, David Yarn, then-professor of philosophy at
BYU wrote:
The Meaning
of “Elohim”
“Elohim” is a name for God which is found in
Hebrew texts of the Old Testament. It is the plural form of “El” and “Eloah,”
other Semitic words for God. Not only does “Elohim” have a quantitative meaning
but a qualitative meaning as well. That is, not only does it mean “Gods”
instead of “God” but it also connotes majesty, excellence, power, and
supremacy. It is in this latter sense that “Elohim” is used as the name of God
the Eternal Father. The name is representative of his greatness.
(David H. Yarn, Jr., The Gospel: God,
Man, and Truth [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1965], 3-4, emphasis
added)
