LESSON 1 - This is My Work and My Glory

Elohim/Jehovah - God/LORD/Lord

Since the Old Testament is a record of God’s dealings with man prior to the advent of Jesus Christ, it seems that a proper understanding of the biblical (KJV) terms God, LORD and Lord would be useful in helping us determine who is acting in the various scenes. For the most part, two Hebrew terms, El (Elohim) and YHWH (Jehovah), are used to identify "God" throughout the Old Testament. As Latter-day Saints, we understand that Elohim is a plural noun referring to the personage we identify as God, the Father, but may also refer to, “the Gods.” Its plurality may equate to both quantity and quality. The name Jehovah, is the pre-mortal name of that being known to us in mortality as Jesus Christ, the Son of God (See, Doctrine and Covenants 110:3, among others).

In the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, the Hebrew name Elohim is usually rendered as "God." The sacred name of Jehovah, or YHWH, is usually transliterated as "LORD" (all capitals). The Hebrew word Adonai, used most often for angels, royalty, and other respected persons, appears in the KJV as "Lord." There are a few places where these rules seem blurred, but generally they do apply uniformly throughout the Old Testament.

An understanding of this is helpful when we examine key passages, such as the creation of the earth and man, as well as the appearance of God to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

So this is the Hebrew word Elohim, signifying God, the Father, or more likely in this case, the Gods. As Latter-day Saints, we understand that the Father, Jehovah, Michael and possibly others were involved in the creation, so this is consistent with our thinking. This usage continues through the seven days of creation (Gen. 2:3).

Beginning with Genesis 2:4, the name of the creator(s) is rendered as LORD God, or Jehovah Elohim; or as I would prefer, Jehovah of the Gods. It is at this point in the narrative that Michael “leaves” to come to the earth as the mortal Adam, so it seems to make sense that there would be a change in the names of the agents involved in the creation process.

These rules for God, LORD and Lord, of course apply only to the King James Version of the Old Testament, and NOT to the New Testament, nor to latter-day revelation. Still, they provide interesting insight into many key OT passages, and a clearer understanding of the labors of the premortal Jesus Christ.