Beyond Imitation: Understanding Divine Potential and Eternal Progression

When the topic of Christ and discipleship arises, one of the most common and earnest questions we hear is: “How do we become more like God?”

It is a question rooted in the deepest longing of the heart—the desire for holiness, perfect knowledge, and eternal companionship with the Divine. It is a question that, at General Conference, we are taught to approach with reverence, knowing that the answer is far richer and more complex than mere moral improvement.

In our commitment to the Restoration, we understand that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is not merely an escape from sin, but a pathway to infinite progression. However, this divine potential is often misunderstood, leading to doctrinal confusion regarding the limits of our divine nature.

The Great Distinction: Imitation vs. Participation

Recently, we have encountered discussions that seek to draw a line in the sand regarding our capacity for divinity. The core theological challenge presented is this: Is it possible for man, having been made in the image of God, to truly become *God*?

The transcript excerpt we reviewed highlights this crucial distinction. On one hand, many traditions emphasize that we must imitate Christ’s actions, doctrines, and moral perfection. This is certainly true; we are called to follow the Savior in every aspect of our lives. Yet, the Latter-day Saint doctrine of exaltation moves far beyond mere emulation.

Exaltation: The Promise of Divine Potential

The difference lies between *us* attempting to usurp the divine throne—a claim that Scripture and our covenants prohibit—and *us* participating in the divine nature by divine decree. We are not attempting to become the Creator; rather, we are participating in the nature of the Creator, as promised by our Heavenly Father.

“By his great and precious promises, which are from these, are given unto us, that ye should be partakers of the divine nature, and escape the corruption that is in the world through ungodliness.”

This promise—that we can be partakers of the divine nature—is a cornerstone of our doctrine and covenants. It means that the potential for godhood was built into our divine inheritance. We are not trying to become a tree trying to become a bird; we are fulfilling the potential of being children of God, who were created in His divine image.

The Role of the Priesthood and the Spirit

This progression is not simply a matter of willpower or intellectual assent; it is anchored in divine covenants, administered through the priesthood, and guided by the Spirit. The covenants we make in the temple, and the ordinances we uphold, are not simply good works; they are the mechanisms by which we are taught to progress toward our divine potential.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the ordinances of the temple are designed to prepare us for the glory of our eternal state. Our commitment to studying the doctrines and covenants—from the Book of Mormon to the teachings of the modern prophets—is how we learn to wield the power and authority given to us. We are constantly learning from the Master, guided by the Spirit, and following the pattern of Christ.

A Call for Deeper Study

The conversation surrounding our divine nature should not leave us with an understanding of limited potential. Rather, it should ignite a deeper scholarly fervor. We must continue to study the texts and the teachings of the prophets—specifically pondering the implications of the promises made in John 17—to understand how we can, through faith and obedience, become fully endowed with the divine potential that awaits us.

The questions surrounding the limits of our nature are not distractions; they are essential theological anchors that keep us focused on the magnitude of the promise of eternal life and exaltation. Let us continue to study the scriptures, not merely for knowledge, but for the power to covenant and progress.

***

A Spirit-led Prompt: Consider the phrase, “I hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (Revelation 1:17). What does this scripture teach the disciplined scholar about the limits of human understanding versus the scope of divine preparation? Submit your thoughts for discussion.