BRIGHAM YOUNG’S IDEA OF GOD
Brigham Young taught that even the God he “worshiped
was eternally progressing.” This idea of God is, of course, at variance with the
sectarian notion that God is absolutely perfect. Or, in other words, that He
had reached a goal beyond which he cannot progress. To say that God is perfect
in the sense that he has reached an unimprovable state is in effect a denial of
His essential perfection—the perfection that consists of doing things more
perfectly in the present than in the past.
A scriptural reference to Seth aids our understanding
of the divine teaching in regard a perfection. Of Seth, it was said that “he
was a perfect man.” Does this high encomium justify the conclusion that he had
reached a standard of intellectual moral and spiritual excellence beyond which
he would not improve? Obviously, to accept such a conclusion amounts to saying
that he has learned nothing, conquered nothing, and achieved nothing since he
lived upon the earth.
What then is meant by the perfection of Seth?
Simply that he was perfect in desires, perfect in aspirations and perfect in
his striving for a higher perfection.
The Lord’s command that we become perfect even
as our “Father in heaven is perfect” would have no practical meaning if by
perfection is meant the attainment of an absolutely unimprovable state of
being. For such a standard of moral and spiritual excellence is beyond the
comprehension and reach of mortals. But if by perfection is meant perfect
progressive striving for a more and more perfect way of life, with resultant
ceaseless increase of skill and power, to achieve and conquer, then the goal
set by the Master becomes intelligible and susceptible of attainment. For it is
quite possible for even fallen mortals ceaselessly to aspire and strive with
unexcellable diligence for an even higher standard of excellence.
This idea of active progressive perfection has
a very practical and vital meaning in the study of salvation. It gives to life
and destiny a rational meaning. It rules out of our thinking the irrational notion
that some one, magical, ceremonial act, at death’s door, can make a grossly
wicked man just as perfectly acceptable to God, as a long life of pure
aspiration and righteous living. It is in striking contrast with the revolting
idea that a mere frantic confession of Christ with dying lips can carry the
fearful confessor to the perfected bliss and glory of the man who has through
years of persistent purity of desire and ceaseless striving, developed the strength
of all strength, the strength of a Christian character.
Be ye therefore perfect means, to be ye
therefore perfect in aspiration, perfect in striving for a standard of
excellence that becomes eternally more and more perfect. The real glory of this
eternal quest, is in cease of knowledge, increase of skill and increase of
power to achieve and conquer the forces of evil arrayed against our immortal
souls. (Nephi Jensen, The World’s Greatest Need: Salvation from the World’s
Ills through the Restoring Saving Power of Jesus Christ [Salt Lake City:
Deseret News Press, 1950], 35-36)