The Mormon understanding of the “image of God” in Genesis 1:26-27 differs significantly from traditional Biblical interpretation. These differences stem from divergent theological views about God’s nature, humanity’s purpose, and the interpretation of Scripture.

Key Aspects of the Mormon Interpretation

Physical and Literal Image of God

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormonism) teaches that the phrase “image of God” in Genesis 1:26-27 is literal and physical. Mormons assert that God the Father possesses a body of flesh and bones and that humanity’s physical form mirrors God’s tangible nature. This belief is rooted in Doctrine and Covenants 130:22, which states: “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit.” For Mormons, this teaching emphasizes that God’s physical nature and humanity’s physicality are directly related, reinforcing their claim that God was once mortal and progressed to divinity.

Pre-Mortal Existence

Mormon theology also incorporates the belief in a pre-mortal existence, wherein all human beings existed as spirit children of God before their earthly lives. Thus, being made in the “image of God” is understood to reflect both a literal physical resemblance to God’s body and a spiritual resemblance to His divine attributes. Mormons argue that humanity’s potential to become like God is foundational to their theology, as God Himself is viewed as having attained godhood through progression.

God’s Nature in Mormonism

Mormons teach that God is an exalted man, perfected through a process of progression from mortality to divinity. This concept is significantly different from the Biblical teaching of God’s eternal, unchanging nature. For example, Malachi 3:6 declares: “For I am the Lord, I change not.” In contrast, Mormon theology asserts that God was once like humans, living a mortal life, and that humans, in turn, can become like God in the afterlife.

Traditional Biblical Interpretation of Genesis 1:26-27

Spiritual and Moral Image of God

Traditional Biblical interpretation holds that being made in God’s “image” and “likeness” refers to humanity’s spiritual and moral resemblance to God, not a physical likeness. Attributes such as rationality, creativity, relational capacity, and moral responsibility reflect God’s nature in finite ways. The Bible does not teach that God possesses a physical body, as John 4:24 clearly states: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

God’s Non-Corporeal Nature

The Bible consistently describes God as a Spirit, without physical form. Luke 24:39 reinforces this understanding: “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” This passage clarifies that a “spirit” does not possess a tangible, physical body, directly contradicting the Mormon view of God’s corporeality.

No Pre-Mortal Existence

The Bible teaches that human beings are created directly by God and do not preexist their earthly lives. Genesis 2:7 states: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” This verse emphasizes humanity’s unique creation as a living being on earth, without any reference to a pre-mortal existence.

God’s Eternal and Unchanging Nature

Unlike the Mormon view of God’s progression, the Bible declares that God is eternal and unchanging. Scriptures such as Numbers 23:19, Isaiah 45:12, and Hosea 11:9 affirm that God is fundamentally different from humanity: “For I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee” (Hosea 11:9). Furthermore, Romans 1:22-23 warns against reducing God’s nature to that of created beings: “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.”

Theological Implications

Contradictions in Mormon Theology

The Mormon understanding of Genesis 1:26-27 creates theological tensions with the broader witness of Scripture. For example:

1. John 4:24 and Luke 24:39 explicitly reject the idea that God has a physical body, while Mormon theology insists on it.
2. The Bible’s emphasis on God’s unchanging nature in Malachi 3:6 and other passages stands in stark contrast to the Mormon claim that God progressed from mortality to divinity.

Hermeneutical Principle: Scripture Interprets Scripture

A foundational principle of Biblical interpretation is that Scripture interprets Scripture. When difficult passages (e.g., Genesis 1:26-27) are examined in light of clearer passages about God’s nature (e.g., John 4:24, Luke 24:39), the Mormon interpretation becomes untenable. The Bible consistently presents God as a Spirit and humans as created beings who reflect His spiritual and moral image, not His physical form.

Comparison of Mormon and Biblical Interpretations

Summary of the Mormon View

The Mormon interpretation of Genesis 1:26-27 diverges sharply from traditional Biblical teaching. While Mormons argue for a literal, physical resemblance between God and humanity, the Bible presents a God who is Spirit, eternal, and unchanging. Humans reflect God’s spiritual and moral image but do not share His physical form. By applying the principle of Scripture interpreting Scripture, the Biblical view affirms that God is not (and never has been) a man. The Mormon view, by contrast, contradicts the consistent testimony of Scripture regarding God’s nature.