Mormons believe that Heavenly Father was once a man who subsequently obtained godhood. A classic couplet states: “As man now is, God once was; As God now is, man may be.” They call him an exalted man and believe he has a physical body. “‘I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form …’ (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345). God is a glorified and perfected man, a personage of flesh and bones” (Gospel Principles, p. 6). Believing that God has a physical body is one of the most important tenets of Mormonism.
Heavenly Father is the god of this world. As such, they only worship him. This is often stated quite subtly. “As you reverently partake of the sacrament and attend the temple, you remember and worship your Heavenly Father and express your gratitude for His Son, Jesus Christ” (True to the Faith, p. 188). This also means that Mormons don’t pray to Jesus. They only pray to Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ.
Many Christians focus on God’s nature and the Trinity when they talk with Mormons. For most Mormons, however, this is not something which bothers them. In fact, many of them prefer a god they can understand to the true God who is far above their understanding. Therefore, we usually do not find God’s nature a productive topic to discuss.
Biblical Christianity teaches that God the Father is an equal member of the Trinity. He has no body; but is a spirit (John 4:24). He is far above us and beyond our comprehension.
