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God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man…

“God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret… It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know... that he was once a man like us… Here, then, is eternal life - to know the…” quote by Joseph Smith, Jr
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“God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret… It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know... that he was once a man like us… Here, then, is eternal life - to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves... the same as all Gods have done before you.”

Joseph Smith, Jr

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage teaches that God once lived as a human, emphasizing that understanding God’s character involves recognizing His humanity, and that believers should strive to emulate divine qualities.

In simple terms: God was once human; knowing Him means following His example.

Key Takeaway

Seek to embody divine wisdom and character.

Themes

faith divinity humanity spiritual growth

Mood

inspirational contemplative

Type

theological motivational

When to use this quote

  • religious study
  • personal devotion
  • ethical decision‑making
  • leadership

Key Concepts

theology anthropomorphism exemplarity

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does it mean to become like God in daily life?
  • How can humanity reconcile divine perfection with human flaws?
A Different Perspective

It may oversimplify complex theological concepts and ignore diverse interpretations.

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