AboutGene Black Expertise I can answer questions related to LDS beliefs and history as well as doctrinal questions pertaining to the standard works (Bible, Book of Mormon, etc.) I believe strongly in personal revelation and hope that all answers I provide will be carefully considered, and prayed about before being accepted.
Experience I've been a member of the LDS Church all of my life, have served a mission for the Church, have been sealed to my wife in the Washington, DC temple, and enjoy reading books on LDS history and the teachings of the prophets.
Organizations The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Education/Credentials A love for people and a strong desire to seek after the word of God. I try hard to follow the command "Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men."
If Moroni devoutly practiced the Mormon Gospel, why is he an angel now rather than a God?
ANSWER: Before I answer this question, I think I'm going to need some more information from you so I can be sure I know what you're asking.
If you don't mind, what do you consider to be the characteristics of an angel and what do you consider to be the characteristics of a god?
I'm asking, because my answer is useless to you if my use of the words "angel" and "god" aren't the same as yours. I might be answering a different question all together.
Thanks!
Gene
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QUESTION: Gene,
Angels are personal spiritual beings having aspects of intelligence, emotions, and will. This is true of both the good and evil angels (demons). Angels possess intelligence (Matthew 8:29; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Peter 1:12), show emotions (Luke 2:13; James 2:19; Revelation 12:17), and demonstrate that they have wills (Luke 8:28-31; 2 Timothy 2:26; Jude 6). Angels are spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14) without true physical bodies. Although they do not have physical bodies, they are still personalities. Though they have wills, angels, like all creatures, are subject to the will of God. Good angels are sent by God to help believers (Hebrews 1:14).
Angels are an entirely different order of being than humans. Human beings do not become angels after they die. Angels will never become, and never were, human beings. God created the angels, just as He created humanity. The Bible nowhere states that angels are created in the image and likeness of God, as humans are (Genesis 1:26). Angels are spiritual beings that can, to a certain degree, take on physical form. Humans are primarily physical beings, but with a spiritual aspect. The greatest thing we can learn from the angels is their instant, unquestioning obedience to God’s commands.
If by "god" you mean the God of the Bible, then to start with, a good summary definition of God is “the Supreme Being; the Creator and Ruler of all that is; the Self-existent One who is perfect in power, goodness, and wisdom.”
Does that help?
Answer It would seem that our beliefs are similar in some ways, while different in others.
I guess I am curious now as to why you asked the original question. You're clearly familiar with the fact that we believe that Moroni was once human as we are and walked upon the earth, and yet we also believe he returned after his death as an angel of God. You've clearly stated that you don't believe there is any relation between humans and angels and the two are entirely different creatures. This would also indicate that you don't believe in the Book of Mormon, and that as such, you would pretty much have to hold Moroni as a fictional character (after all, how does a fictional character appear to man and return an ancient lost record along with the means of interpreting it?). Why an interest in the disposition of a being whom you don't believe existed?
To answer your question though, our use of the word "angel" in this sense can pretty much apply to any heavenly messenger sent from God. Just because Moroni is a messenger from God in no way implies that he has fallen short of exaltation in any form, just as many holy prophets of God continue to do God's work after their mortal life (Matthew 17:3, Malachi 4:5), Moroni continues to do so as well. Even as a "god", Moroni would continue to do the will of God in all things. That is the point of becoming a god - to become like God and to continue to do His work. We believe that in becoming "gods" we gain the very gift Jesus promised to those who follow him - we gain all the Father hath. Being given these gifts of God in no manner make us superior to him or even less subject to him in any form or fashion. We seek to become "gods" because we love God, recognize that our ultimate happiness is in following the path He sent Christ to show us, and we desire with all of our hearts to follow Him and to do His work. When one is immortal, dwells with God, lives by God's laws, and has power to do all things because God has given it to him, in what way would that individual not be considered a god?
