Is God the Great Spirit?

K. Douglas Bassett

Alma 18:24-28

“According to Lamanite traditions, God is the Great Spirit. It is obvious that by this designation the Lamanites had in mind a personal being, for King Lamoni mistakenly supposed that Ammon was the Great Spirit. (Alma 18:2-28; 19:25-27). Both Ammon and Aaron, using the same principle of salesmanship applied by Paul on Mars Hill (Acts 17:22-31), taught that the Great Spirit was the God who created the heavens and the earth (Alma 18:8-29; 22:8-11). This same Lamanite concept that God is the Great Spirit has existed among the American Indians in modern times.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 340)

Latter-Day Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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