Saturday, August 17, 2019

Robert L. Millet on the Deity of, and Attributes of, the Holy Spirit


In his brief overview of pneumatology (theology of the Spirit), Robert Millet wrote the following, which should also refute the naïve (and false) belief among many LDS that one must experience mortality and have a glorified resurrected body before being God:

As a member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost possesses all the attributes, qualities, and divine characteristics in perfection. Indeed, he is God (Acts 5:3-4). Modern revelation affirms that “the Comforter knoweth all things” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:17). Among the various titles and functions of the Holy Ghost are “the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which knoweth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment” (Moses 6:61). He is not only the representative and witness of the Father and Son, but he is also one in mind with them. We learn in the Lectures on Faith that “these three are one; or, in other words, these three constitute the great, matchless, governing and supreme, power over all things . . . and these three constitute the Godhead, and are one.” . . . we Latter-day Saints declare to the world that there are three embers in the Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Each member of the Godhead possess all the attributes and qualities of godliness in perfection. The love and unity between the members of the Godhead is of such magnitude that we can rightfully refer to them as one God. (Robert L. Millet, The Holy Spirit: His Identity, Mission, and Ministry [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2019], 16, 17, italics in original)