45 Element Vol. 3 Issues 1 & 2 (Spring & Fall 2007) e Exaltation and Gods Who Can Fall: Some Problems for Mormon heodicies by Carl Mosser M any LDS thinkers claim that Mormonism’s chief philosophical strength vis-à-vis traditional theism lies in its ability to solve the problem of evil in both its logical and soteriological versions. A fair amount of energy has been invested in attempts to show that classical theism cannot solve the problem of evil whereas Mormonism can. LDS phi- losophers have spent far less energy relecting on other implications that stem from the metaphysical framework that grounds Mormonism’s perceived ad- vantage with regard to evil. In this essay I will illustrate how relection on traditional LDS teachings about preexistence, the divine nature, God’s status as God, and exaltation raise interesting questions for Mormon theodicies. 1 Each of the areas I will address will also show how Mormonism’s metaphysi- cal commitments ironically provide grounds for skepticism about the actu- alization of the Mormon soteriological hope. If true, they may require us to reevaluate the manner in which we trust God. here is diversity within LDS thought and some will disagree with the par- ticular positions I include within Mormonism’s metaphysical commitments. For the purposes of this essay I will equate traditional Mormon theology with the theological synthesis associated with James Talmage, B.H. Roberts and John Widtsoe. I will draw upon the metaphysical commitments expressed in the main discussions of Mormonism and the problem of evil in the writings of B.H. Roberts and his intellectual heirs. 2 I take this to be representative of an inluential understanding of Mormon thought that enjoys support from