Heavenly Mother, If You Exist, Read this: Mormonism as a Mystical Atheism
Topoi March 18, 2026 Scott Ryan Maybell
This article argues that Mormonism can be understood as part of a mystical atheist tradition, as described in Brook Ziporyn's work. It contends that Latter-day Saint thought, which views divine persons as embodied, leads to a theology of time where God is not omniscient in the classical sense. Because divine persons exist within the same global incoherence as all persons, they are fallible and can change their minds. The author proposes that atheist philosophers should take on a Luciferian task: arguing directly with divine beings, whether or not they exist, to challenge their claims of absolute authority. Good argumentation, the article suggests, can and should alter divine perspectives.