The Seventy's Course in Theology, Third Year: The Doctrine of Deity

In Short

This volume serves as a structured educational course designed for the "Seventies" quorums within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Compiled in 1910, it offers a rigorous, lesson-based exploration of the Doctrine of Deity. By blending scripture, historical theological debate, and philosophical inquiry, the book moves beyond simple assertion to defend the view of a Godhead consisting of three distinct, physical personages. It remains a significant historical artifact, documenting how early twentieth-century Latter-day Saint scholars synthesized their unique doctrinal claims with the wider intellectual traditions of the Christian world.

The Story

The progression of this work is an earnest, systematic argument for a specific understanding of God. It begins by asserting that the highest form of human existence is found in knowing the character of the Creator. The argument unfolds through a series of lessons that treat the existence of God as an empirical and experiential fact, rather than a matter for abstract speculation. The narrative trajectory moves from the foundational premise—that God is a tangible, personal being who reveals Himself to humanity—to a complex defense of the Godhead as a council of three distinct, perfected personages: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

As the argument deepens, the author encounters and critiques the prevailing metaphysical traditions of Christianity. He engages with historical concepts such as the "innate consciousness" of God, as discussed by St. Augustine, and contrasts these with the "Mormon" view, which insists upon the physical reality of the Divine. He navigates the history of the Trinity, arguing that traditional doctrines were heavily influenced by Greek and Roman philosophy rather than solely by the teachings of the New Testament. He contends that the "oneness" of the Godhead is not a matter of shared physical substance, but a perfect unity of purpose, will, and knowledge.

Throughout the text, the argument expands into the nature of the universe itself. The author posits a "monism" that recognizes matter and intelligence as eternal, uncreated substances. He envisions a cosmos where divine intelligences preside over various spheres under a universal reign of law. The progression culminates in a vision of exaltation: the belief that redeemed humanity may one day join the congregation of the "mighty" or the "Gods," achieving a level of intelligence and power that allows them to participate in the divine order. The work concludes by reinforcing the necessity of personal revelation, asserting that the reality of God is confirmed through individual communion and the witness of the Spirit, which are described as being as tangible and certain as the physical world.

How It Unfolds

The foundation of knowledge The text establishes that knowing God is the prerequisite for eternal life and the primary goal of the believer. It encourages students to approach this subject not as a dry academic exercise, but as a pursuit of personal acquaintance with the Divine.

The evidence of the soul The lessons delve into historical arguments for the existence of God, including "heart knowledge" and the innate consciousness found in the human mind. The author contrasts these classical concepts with the necessity of direct, revelatory communication.

The critique of metaphysics A significant portion of the book examines how later church councils, influenced by classical philosophy, moved away from the simple, personal depictions of God found in early scripture. The author argues that this shift obscured the reality of God’s form and personality.

The nature of the Godhead The central argument details the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It posits that their unity is one of perfect concord and intent, rather than a mystical, immaterial substance, thereby opening the door to a plurality of divine beings.

The vision of the future The final lessons look toward the potential of the human soul to progress through various states of existence. By aligning with divine law, the author argues, the individual moves toward a future defined by eternal growth and participation in the order of the heavens.

The People

The central figures are not characters in a narrative, but rather the Divine Personages and the thinkers who define their nature. God the Father is presented as the supreme, perfected being who stands at the head of the universe, characterized by a physical form and a desire for direct communion with His children. Jesus Christ is depicted as the ultimate revelation of the Father, a being who is both the Redeemer and the physical manifestation of divine character. The Prophet Joseph Smith serves as the authoritative source for the restorative theological claims, particularly regarding the physical nature of God and the possibility of human exaltation. The author, B. H. Roberts, acts as the guiding voice of the curriculum, rigorously defending these positions against Mr. Van Der Donckt and other critics who represent traditional, immaterialist conceptions of God. Roberts uses these figures to illustrate the divide between classical metaphysics and what he terms the "Mormon" view, ultimately attempting to reconcile the faith of his readers with the broader, often skeptical, intellectual climate of his day.

In Its Own Voice

"It is the First Principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God."

This statement by Joseph Smith serves as the foundational premise for the entire curriculum, establishing that theology must be rooted in an actual, verifiable relationship with the Divine.

"If 'pertaining to us' there is only one God to whom we are subject, then the revelations received are concerning him and his relations to our race."

The author clarifies that while other divine beings may preside over other world-systems, the focus of the believer is restricted to the specific council of the Godhead governing this earth.

What It's Really About

This book is fundamentally an argument for the "personhood" of God. It rejects the idea that the Divine is an abstract, immaterial force or a philosophical "Absolute." Instead, it posits that God is a concrete, tangible being, and that the human form is an accurate reflection of the divine image. Beneath this lies the theme of "progression"—the belief that the universe is governed by laws that allow for the elevation of intelligences. The book asks whether humanity is merely a creation or a potential participant in the divine councils. It is a work of apologetics that attempts to anchor a unique, restorative vision of the universe within the context of a wider history of Christian thought.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of religious thought or the specific development of 20th-century American theology will find this book an invaluable primary source. It provides a rare, transparent view of how religious education was conducted within early Latter-day Saint quorums, blending high-minded philosophical citations from figures like Herbert Spencer or John Stuart Mill with foundational scripture reading.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the dense, pedagogical style of a century-old curriculum. The book is heavily structured, often reading more like a syllabus than a narrative, and it contains 1910-era attitudes and linguistic conventions that may feel starkly foreign to contemporary sensibilities. You will encounter long passages of polemic debate—specifically where the author meticulously dismantles arguments for a "spirit-only" God—which require patience and a willingness to engage with the sharp, argumentative tone typical of that era's religious discourse.

Despite these difficulties, the book rewards those looking to understand the "why" behind specific doctrinal positions. It is a testament to an era where faith was treated as a rigorous, intellectual, and intensely personal enterprise, leaving the reader with a clear sense of the intellectual confidence and distinct worldview that defined the author's community a century ago.