Joseph Smith was Mormonism’s founder and is still the most important prophet that Mormons have ever had. On April 7, 1844 Smith delivered a funeral sermon known as the King Follett Discourse in which he taught that God was once a man and that men could become gods. In that sermon he said,

If any Mormon says this teaching of Joseph Smith is false, he is also saying that Smith taught false doctrine and is therefore a false prophet. But, LDS leaders often claim that their prophet cannot lead them astray. So, most Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that this doctrine is true. That is why we often hear them talk about becoming gods when they are resurrected.

Smith’s King Follett Discourse is the basis of current Mormon theology about God. This Discourse is so important to Mormons that it is currently published in booklet form. The full Discourse is also published in volume six of the History of the Church, by Joseph Smith. Whole sections of that Discourse are also quoted several times in Mormon Doctrine, by LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie. Deseret Book (the official LDS publishers) recently reprinted all three of the above volumes and they can be purchased from Deseret Book Company or any LDS book store.

Other official LDS Church publications which currently teach that God is a resurrected, glorified man include: Achieving A Celestial Marriage and Doctrines of the Gospel, which are student manuals for the LDS Church Educational System and published by the LDS Church with a copyright by the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (who is Gordon B. Hinckley); Gospel Principles has been published by the LDS Church at least nine times and the current edition still teaches this LDS doctrine; Teachings of the Presidents of the Church—Brigham Young is another manual which was published for the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Relief Society to study in 1998 and it is still available today; The Articles of Faith by LDS Apostle James Talmage which explains the 13 LDS Articles of Faith also teaches this doctrine and it has been reprinted numerous times. These manuals and books provide doctrinal instruction for all Mormons except the very youngest and all of these manuals are currently available through the LDS Distribution Center in Salt Lake City, UT. There are also many other LDS books and manuals which teach this important LDS doctrine.

Recently the president of an evangelical seminary wrote,

Some Mormon may have told that seminary president such things, but he should have investigated further before writing what he did. I don’t know what that seminary president had in mind when he spoke of "non-canonical" LDS writings. But, Mormons not only have four books of "canonical" scripture, but they have a living prophet whose word is just as valid as their written scripture according to their ninth Article of Faith, which is also scripture.

Only one man on earth at a time has the authority to speak for the LDS Church and today that is their Prophet and President, Gordon B. Hinckley. Once Hinckley was interviewed concerning the LDS belief that God was once a man and that men could become gods and Time Magazine reported,

The article in Time went on to say,

So many Mormons questioned him about his answers in that interview that just two months later at their General Conference he assured them that he did understand the LDS view of God. Obviously Hinckley does understand that doctrine since he holds the copyright to at least two of the manuals previously mentioned for the LDS Educational System and they teach that God was once a man who became a God just like devout Mormons can become Gods. And obviously the Mormon Church still teaches that doctrine because it is found in their official publications!