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Mormon Doctrine of Deity: The Roberts-Van Der Donckt Discussion

B.H. Roberts; Bountiful, Utah: Horizon Publishers, 6x9" hardbound, 304 pages.

This classic book is by Elder Brigham H. Roberts, a General Authority noted for his doctrinal knowledge and literary skills. Elder Roberts was a member of the First Council of Seventy for 45 years until his death in 1933.

Mormon Doctrine of Deity is one of the most comprehensive statements and scriptural presentations of the Latter-day Saint doctrine of the nature of God in print. In 1901, Elder Roberts set forth with clarity the Latter-day Saint doctrine concerning God in a talk to several of the Salt Lake City Mutual Improvement Associations. His discourse was published in the Improvement Era.

Reverend C. Van Der Donckt, of Pocatello, Idaho, a priest of the Roman Catholic Church, wrote a reply to it. In his reply he eloquently set forth the typical Catholic and Protestant view. Elder Roberts then wrote a skillful rejoinder to Reverend Van Der Donckt, which answered his assertions with forthright clarity. This book includes Elder Roberts' original discourse, the Catholic Reverend's challenge, and Elder Roberts' reply. To these items Elder Roberts added a collection of passages from Mormon works setting forth numerous other aspects of the LDS views of Deity. Discourses on the Godhead by Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, and Joseph F. Smith have also been included.

Mormon Doctrine of Deity is highly readable. It is scriptural, it is logical, it is comprehensive. This book has been photographed from the original 1903 edition.

The defense resulted when two local ministers criticized Latter-day Saint beliefs about God in 1901. Roberts replied calling modern theologies "paganized Christianity"—a characterization that prompted the now famous rebuttal from the reverend Cyril van der Donckt of Pocatello, Idaho. To this, Roberts penned an even more comprehensive rejoinder. The book not only showcases two brilliant, quick-witted theologians, it also surveys authoritative historical sources for both the Latter-day Saint and conventional Christian beliefs about God.

Contents:

1. The "Mormon" Doctrine of Deity, Form of God, The Oneness of God, The Plurality of Gods, The Future Possibilities of Man.

2. Reply to Elder RobertsÆ "Mormon" View of Deity by Rev. C. Van Der Donckt, of the Catholic Church, Pocatello, Idaho, Philosophical Proofs of God's Simplicity or Spirituality, Man Can Never Become as God, The Unity of God

3. A Rejoinder To Rev. C. Van Der Donckt's Reply,
The Form of God, Of God Being Invisible, Of the Incarnation of the Son of God, Mr.Van Der Donckt's "Philosophical Proofs" of the Form and Nature of God, Of Mr. Van Der Donckt's Premise, Of the Doctrine of God's "Simplicity" Being of Pagan Rather than of Christian Origin, Of Jesus Christ Being Both Premise and Argument Against Mr. Van Der Donckt's "Philosophical Argument", More of Mr. Van Der Donckt's "Philosophy", Mr. Van Der Donckt's Contrast Between Man and God, "Behold, the Man has Become as One of Us", Of the Unity of God, Of the Father Alone Being God, Of the Oneness of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Is it Physical Identity?, Of the Lord Our God Being One God, Of Our Revelations From God Being Local, Of God Being One in a Generic Sense, Of God, the Spirit of the Gods, Concluding Reflections

4. Jesus Christ: The Revelation of God, Beliefs in India and Egypt, The Religion of China, Religion in Northern Europe, Gods of the Greeks and Romans, Epicureans,
The Stoics, The Jews, God Revealed to the World in the Person of Jesus Christ, Evidence of Christ's Divinity from the Scriptures, Jesus Christ is called God in the Scriptures, Jesus Declares Himself to be God, the Son of God, Jesus Christ to be Worshiped, Hence God, Jesus Christ Equal with God the Father, Hence God, The Character of God Revealed in the Life of Jesus Christ, The Humility of God,
The Obedience of God, The Patience of God Under Temptation,
The Compassion and Impartiality of God, God's Treatment of Sinners, The Severity of God, God Completely Revealed Through Christ

5. A Collection of Passages From "Mormon" Works, Setting Forth "Mormon" Views of Deity, The Father and the Son are Represented as Distinct Persons, and also as being in the Form of Men, in the First Vision of the Prophet of the New Dispensation, The Doctrine of the Godhead According to the Book of Mormon, The Doctrines of the Godhead and Man According to the Book of Abraham, The Godhead According to the Doctrine and Covenants, The "Mormon" Doctrine of Deity as Set Forth in the Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Early Church Publications, The King Follett Sermon, April 7, 1844, The Discourse of June 16, 1844, Use of the word Elohim, Omnipresence of God

6. The Prophet Joseph Smith's Views in Relation to Man and the Priesthood, Adam and His Relation to the Inhabitants of the Earth, The Living God, Materiality

7. Discourses on Deity and Man, I. President Brigham Young, II. Elder Orson Pratt

8. "I Know That My Redeemer Lives", President Joseph F. Smith on the "Mormon" Doctrine of Deity", Gift of the Holy Ghost, Jesus the Father of This World, Glorious Possibilities of Man, Man to Become Like Christ, Personal Testimony

Brigham Henry Roberts, born in England in 1857, was president of the LDS First Quorum of the Seventy and assistant church historian. His numerous historical (A Comprehensive History of the Church; Joseph Smith, The Prophet-Teacher; Life of John Taylor; The Missouri Persections; The Mormon Battalion, Its History and Achievements; Outlines of Ecclesiastical History; The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo; Succession in the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and theological works (A New Witness for God; The Seventy's Course in Theology; Studies of the Book of Mormon; The Truth, The Way, The Life: An Elementary Treatise on Theology) which are still considered authoritative, earned him the epithet "defender of the faith." He died in 1933.

Title: Mormon Doctrine of Deity: The Roberts-Van Der Donckt Discussion

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