Topic

God

Many people believe in or at least wonder about the existence of a supreme power or being. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe firmly in the literal existence of that Supreme Being, whom we call God. He is the Being we worship and revere as omnipotent and omniscient.

As Christians, we believe in the Godhead, which is comprised of God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. However, unlike many other Christian denominations who believe that these three members are part of one ethereal entity, we believe that the members of the Godhead are separate beings united in purpose rather than form. We also believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ both have glorified physical bodies, and that our own bodies are created in God’s image.

One of the most fundamental and dearly-held convictions of Latter-day Saints is that God is our Father—the Father of our spirits and the Creator of our bodies. As such, we believe that He loves us infinitely and desires our eternal happiness. We each have, as part of our divine heritage, the potential to progress and become like Him. It is with that goal in mind that we believe He created the earth and authored the Plan of Salvation, in which mortality is a crucial component of our learning and growth. We seek to follow that Plan by coming to know God, obeying His commandments, and striving to attain His attributes.

Just as we develop earthly relationships through communication and active service, we can come to know God as we speak to Him in prayer and hear His words in the scriptures, in the counsel of latter-day prophets and apostles, and in the quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost. We can also see His influence in the miraculous complexity and beauty of the world around us. Furthermore, as we strive to be obedient to His commandments, we come to recognize His love and wisdom in a personal way.

The Latter-day Saint understanding of the nature of God is rooted in beliefs about the Restoration of the gospel, which began with the prophet Joseph Smith and continues through revelation given to current prophets and apostles. It includes the testimonies of God contained in the Book of Mormon.

Though all devotional addresses at BYU Speeches touch on the influence, teachings, and characteristics of God in one way or another, these addresses focus more particularly on His nature and attributes. We hope that as you read, listen to, or watch these devotionals, you find yourself drawn nearer to your loving Heavenly Father.

Tracy Y. Browning | February 14, 2023

Heavenly Father gives us many evidences of how He preserves His relationship with us while asking us what we can do to put Him first.

devotional 2023

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

D. Todd Christofferson | March 22, 2022

We must remember to keep the first commandment first by making sure our relationship with God is central to our life.

devotional 2022

John Bingham, Donald L. Staheli Professor and Associate Dean in the Marriott School of Business

John B. Bingham | August 3, 2021

John B. Bingham invites us to contemplate the goodness of God in awe by acting to believe, recording experiences, and seeking "thin" places.

devotional 2021

Michael T. Ringwood | January 14, 2020

Heavenly Father has given us gifts to help us through our time on earth. From the Atonement to living prophets, we truly have been given everything we need.

devotional 2020

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Dale G. Renlund | December 3, 2019

Our ability to experience God’s love directly relates to how dutifully we repent, study the scriptures, and partake of the sacrament.

devotional 2019

Amy Tanner | July 9, 2019

Can we come to see uncertainty as a positive thing? Amy Tanner explains how the gift of uncertainty can increase our hope in God’s miracles.

devotional 2019

Christoffel Golden Jr. | February 8, 2011

What is our relationship with God? In this devotional, Christoffel Golden Jr. teaches about the doctrine that explains our relationship with God.

devotional 2011

Rollin H. Hotchkiss | December 8, 2009

If you watch for and learn how God loves you, you'll have the opportunity to have experiences like Rollin H. Hotchkiss and gain a similar testimony.

devotional 2009

Andrew C. Skinner | April 11, 2006

Andrew C. Skinner teaches about God's nature and character. Heavenly Father does all things out of love and what is eternally best for His children.

devotional 2006

Keith B. McMullin | October 21, 2003

As we increasingly love God and His kingdom and make them our primary focus, we will find that all of the "compartments" of our lives are blessed.

devotional 2003

Mary Williams | July 17, 2001

The key to eternal life is to know God, and to know Him in a way that changes us. How can we get to know God? Professor Mary Williams shares some insights.

devotional 2001

D. Todd Christofferson | October 19, 1999

We will be ruled by something. If we choose God as our ruler through allegiance and willing submission, we choose true freedom and great peace.

devotional 1999

Joe J. Christensen | October 20, 1998

The revolutionary and powerful truths revealed by the Prophet Joseph Smith can change the world—and, if we are true to them, each one of us.

devotional 1998

Harold S. Kushner | October 11, 1994

Rabbi Harold S. Kushner describes gifts of faith cultivated on the human soul's quest for God. Inspiration and guidance come to those who follow Him.

forum 1994

Truman G. Madsen | September 20, 1994

How do we know that God exists? Truman G. Madsen poses questions, philosophical truths and “religious undergirding experiences” to explore the topic.

devotional 1994

Marvin J. Ashton | November 10, 1992

Sometimes, when we pray and cry out to our Heavenly Father, answers do not come easily or as expected—but He reminds us that He is there for us.

devotional 1992

Bruce R. McConkie | January 6, 1985

To us mortals, the infinite wisdom and power of God may always be, in part, a mystery. However, there are many things about His nature that we can know.

devotional 1985

William R. Bradford | June 28, 1983

The gospel, from our eternal identity as God's children to the doctrine of the Atonement of Christ to the Restoration of His Church, is a message sublime.

devotional 1983

Bernard Brockbank | June 3, 1979

The way to the kingdom of God is to love God first. We must love and serve Him above money, appetites, and other temporary priorities.

devotional 1979

Bruce R. McConkie | August 18, 1978

Elder McConkie testifies that the revelation extending priesthood blessings to those of all nations and races is divine and that "all are alike unto God."

devotional 1978

Bernard Brockbank | March 24, 1974

In order to attain celestial exaltation, teaches Bernard P. Brockbank, we must know God, love Him, obey Him, and listen for His protecting voice.

devotional 1974

Mark E. Petersen | September 2, 1973

We believe in God, the Eternal Father of our Spirits. That belief is the foundation of our religion, our purpose in life, and our destiny.

devotional 1973

Bruce R. McConkie | January 4, 1972

The God of Joseph Smith's time is not absent. We can come to know Him, His revelations, and His miracles, just as the Prophet did.

devotional 1972

Sterling W. Sill | January 1, 1966

We cannot simply ignore God until we need something from Him. To reap the eternal blessings of faith, we must make Him the focus of our lives.

devotional 1966

George Q. Morris | June 24, 1957

We should build our testimonies and lives on the foundation of revealed truth that teaches us about the nature of God and His relationship to us.

devotional 1957

Cecil B. DeMille | May 31, 1957

Cecil B. DeMille, producer of the film The Ten Commandments, delivers a stirring call to BYU graduates to let their lives be empowered by the laws of God.

commencement 1957

Hugh B. Brown | November 13, 1956

The world is in the midst of a search for the nature of God. We need to be able to believe in a loving Father somewhere in this universe.

devotional 1956

S. Dilworth Young | June 21, 1955

Joseph Smith gave us the key to understanding Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, but no one can truly understand God without taking time to learn about Him

devotional 1955

J. Reuben Clark Jr. | December 11, 1951

President Clark shares his testimony of the magnificence, love, and mission of each member of the Godhead: our Father, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit.

devotional 1951