How is Mormonism different from Christianity?
Mormons are some of the kindest and friendliest people we could know. Their views on family and morality is not far different from that of Christians. And indeed, they call themselves Christians.
So are there differences between Mormons and Christians when it comes to how they view God, the Bible, salvation, etc.? Yes, there are significant differences. And in this article I will highlight several.
History of Christianity
Christianity, as we know it today, goes back to the mid 30’s A.D. Acts 2 records the events of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell the disciples turned apostles. Many theologians see this as the birth of the church. Although one could also argue that the roots of Christianity date back to the dawn of human history, since the Bible (both Old and New Testaments) is a profoundly Christian book.
Nevertheless, by the end of the 1st century A.D., Christianity was well organized and spreading rapidly throughout the known world.
History of Mormonism
Mormonism only dates to the 19th century A.D. Joseph Smith Jr., was born in 1805. Smith would go on to found what is now known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a.k.a., the Mormon Church.
Smith claims that when was 14 he experienced a vision in which God the Father instructed him that all churches were wrong. Three years later, an angel named Moroni visited Smith several times. This would lead to Smith recovering engraved golden plates (which are today non-extant), in the woods near his home, written in a language he called “Reformed Egyptian”.
Smith allegedly translated these golden plates into English and that is what is now known as the Book of Mormon. This wasn’t printed until 1830. Smith claims that in 1829, John the Baptist gave to him the Aaronic Priesthood, establishing Joseph Smith as the leader of the new movement.
Mormon doctrine vs Christianity – The Doctrine of God
Christianity
The doctrine of God is traditionally called theology proper. The Bible teaches, and Christians believe, in one God – who is the Creator of heaven and earth. That He is sovereign and self-existent and immutable (unchanging) and good. Christians believe that God is triune. That is, God is one and has eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Mormonism
Mormons views about God have varied widely over their short history. In the early years, Mormon leader Brigham Young taught that Adam was the father of the spirit of Jesus, and that Adam is God. Mormon’s today do not believe this and many have disputed whether Brigham Young was properly understood.
However, Mormons indisputably teach a doctrine called eternal progression. They teach that God was once a man and was capable of physical death, but He progressed to become God the Father. Mormons teach that we also can become gods.
Mormons believe that gods, angles, people an devils are all fundamentally of the same substance, but that are merely at different places in the eternal progression.
The Deity of Christ
Christianity
Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second member of the trinity. When Jesus was born, the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14). Christians hold that Christ has existed eternally and is truly God. Colossians 2:9 says: For in Him (Christ) the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.
Mormonism
Mormons hold that Jesus is pre-existent, but His pre-mortal form was not as God. Rather, Jesus is our elder brother from the great star, Kolob. Mormons explicitly (if complicatedly) deny the full deity of Jesus Christ.
Christianity and Mormonism – Views on The Trinity
Christianity
Christians believe that God is three in one, or triune. He is one God, consisting of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Christians baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Mormonism
Mormons view the doctrine of the trinity as a false and pagan notion. Mormons view the Godhead as similar to the “First Presidency” of the church. That is, they see the Father as God, and Jesus and the Holy Spirit as the president’s two counselors.
Joseph Smith decried the biblical understanding of God in a sermon on June 16, 1844 (days before his death). He said, “Many men say there is one God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are only one God. I say that is a strange God anyhow; three in one, and one in three!
“It is a curious organization … All are to be crammed into one God, according to sectarianism. It would make the biggest God in all the world. He would be a wonderfully big God—He would be a giant or a monster.” (Cited from the Teachings, p. 372)
Salvation beliefs between Mormons and Christians
Christianity
Evangelical Christians believe that salvation is the free gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9); that a person is justified by faith alone, based on Christ’s substitutionary atonement on the cross (Romans 5:1-6). Further, the Bible teaches that all people are sinful and unable to save themselves (Romans 1-3), and therefore it is only by God’s intervening grace that any can be brought back into a right relationship with God.
Mormonism
Mormons hold to a very complex and distinct system of views on salvation. On one level, Mormons believe in the universal salvation of all people through the work of Jesus Christ. This is often referred to as universal or general salvation in Mormon literature.
On the individual level, Mormons believe that salvation is acquired through “gospel obedience”. That is, through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Spirit, and then successfully completing “mortal probation” by living a righteous life. Together, this enables them to progress in their eternal progression.
The Holy Spirit
Christianity
Christians hold that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity, and as such He has a personality and has existed eternally. He is, and always has been God.
Mormonism
By contrast, Mormons hold that the Holy Spirit – whom they always refer to as the Holy Ghost – became God in pre-existence through the eternal progression. They do affirm the Holy Spirit’s personality. Mormon teacher Bruce McConkie denied that the Holy Spirit could possibly be omnipresent (Mormons deny that the Father and the Son are omnipresent also).
The Atonement
Christianity
Christians hold that the atonement was God’s gracious work in Christ, who stood in the place for sinful man and absorbed the just penalty for sin (2 Corinthians 5:21 and 1 John 2:2). Christ’s work on the cross satisfied God’s justice and allowed man to be reconciled to God.
Mormonism
Mormons have a very complex, and often changing, view of the atonement. Third Nephi 8-9 (Book of Mormon) teaches that Jesus brought death and destruction with the cross and that His death on the cross meant wrath and destruction for historical cities like Mocum, Onihum, etc. Mormons explicitly deny that the atonement is the basis for salvation.
The Mormon vs Christian church
Christianity
Christians believe that all true Christians make up the true church. Theologians often refer to this reality as the universal or invisible church. It is what Paul referred to in 1 Corinthians 1:2: together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Further, Christians believe that the local church is a group of true Christians who have voluntarily covenanted together to worship God as a church (e.g., Romans 16:5).
Mormonism
Since the very beginning, the Mormons have rejected all other churches outside of the Mormon church. At various times Mormon leaders and teachers have referred to the Christian church as the “church of the devil” or the “church of abomination” (see, for example, 1 Nephi 14:9-10).
Today, seldom is that sort of directness apparent in Mormon publications. However, historically and canonically (according to writings Mormons hold sacred), this is how the Christian church is viewed.
Life After Death
Christianity
Christians believe that there is life after physical death for everyone. When those who are saved by faith in Christ die, they depart to be with Christ (Phil 1:23). They will all eventually dwell with God in the New Heaven and New Earth. Those who perish in their sin will suffer eternal punishment, away from the presence of God (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
Mormonism
Mormons hold to a view of both eternal damnation and eternal life, but their view is distinct from the Christian/biblical view. A person who will suffer eternal damnation is essentially forfeiting, by his misdeeds and unfaithfulness, the benefits of eternal life (see comments on eternal progression below). They are not allowed to progress on to eventually become gods. Instead, they “attain a kingdom of glory”, but not one where God and Christ are. (See “Mormon Doctrine” by Bruce McConkie, page 235).
Those who do attain to eternal life are eligible for eternal progression, the process over time of becoming gods. Just as God the Father progressed to become God, so they themselves will eventually attain deity.
Humans
Christianity
Christians believe that man is made in the image of God. Each person is part of God’s design, and his or life (and existence) begins at conception.
Mormonism
Mormons believe that all people had a pre-mortal existence. They also believe that all people were spiritually born on a planet near Kolob, the great star.
The Bible
Christianity
Christians hold that the Bible is the sole infallible authority for life and faith.
Mormonism
Mormons, while holding that the Bible is a part of the Canon of Scripture, add to it several Mormon works: The Book of Mormon, The Doctrines of the Covenant, and The Pearl of Great Price. All of these should be interpreted together, and from them the true teaching of God can be made clear. Mormons also hold the infallibility of the sitting President of the Church, at least when acting in his official teaching and prophetic capacity.
Are Mormonism Christians?
As noted above, a true Christian is one who trusts in the finished work of Christ alone (see Ephesians 2:1-10). It is what Christ has done, not one’s own righteousness, that makes a person acceptable to God (Phil 3:9). A person is a Christian only by faith in Jesus Christ. It is through faith, based on Christ’s work on the cross, that a person is justified before God (Romans 5:1).
Mormons explicitly deny this truth (they do, at least, if they are consistent with what the Mormon church teaches). Their view of salvation is a mix of works and grace, with the heaviest emphasis placed on works. Thus, while generally being very kind and moral people, we cannot call Mormons Christians in the biblical sense of Christianity.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I found. Very little to be true in this article. It would be a good thing to talk to the missionaries or an active member to get the true facts. We believe that it is only because of Jesus that we can be saved. A person must also keep His commandments and practice being like Him, in order to be His true disciple.
Hey Jessi,
Thank you for your response. I encourage you to read the Book of Mormon and compare it to the Bible. You will find major differences. The Mormon Church does deny the deity of Christ, does teach faith & works for salvation, denies the Trinity, teaches you can become a god, etc.
Mormonism – “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; (for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”) -2 Nephi 25:23
Christianity – Romans 3:27-28 “Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”
We do compare the Book of Mormon and the Bible. Though there are different translations. “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” Article of Faith #8. You should also read Moroni 10:3-5, or maybe the whole thing 🙂
Hey Gracie,
The Book of Mormon completely contradicts the Scriptures. In the Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, page. 5. it is said that there are many gods. The Bible teaches there is one God. 1 Kings 8:60 — “That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.”
In the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345-347, 354. It teaches that you can become a god. Once again, this is a direct contradiction to Scripture.
Isaiah 45:5 “I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.”
Moroni 10:32, “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and (if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you), that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.”
If you haven’t denied yourself of all ungodliness and if you are not loving God with all your might, mind, and strength, then His grace is not sufficient for you according to Moroni 10:32.
The Bible in Romans 4:5 says, “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.”
These are just some clear differences. Please Gracie keep on comparing the Bible to the Book of Mormon and you will find more contradictions.
– Fritz
I have found that the Mormon doctrines cannot be authenticated as being from God like the Bible can. Sorry…
Mormonism stands or falls on the Book of Mormon which it is easy to see had more than one contributor. For one the influence of Sidney Rigdon is undeniable. Rigdon defected from the Disciples of Christ over the problem of Owenism, a utopian scheme. He brought to the Mormons the Disciples doctrine of Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, which permeates the Book of Mormon etc. Smith the founding “prophet” kept in reserve the influence of Emanuel Swedenborg whose wild imaginings and contempt for the doctrine of Justification by faith found a friend in Smith. Rigdon would have also rejected Justification since he was a student of Alex. Campbell the founder of the Disciples movement. The plagiarizing of Swedenborg was more than apparent which led to defections because his teachings were readily available on the frontier. It became obvious that Smith was stitching together his own theology and that he was not truly a Revelator as he claimed. Eventually Smith shed much of the influence of Rigdon and came out as a polytheist. The head god in Mormonism is by any reckoning Smith’s own version of Thoth whom you should know was borrowed by the Greeks and later called Hermes. MORMONISM IS AN AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY. THERE WERE NO GOLDEN PLATES. The first three men who saw the plates in a vision all left the Mormon Church. It had to be in a vision because the angel Maroni said that anyone who saw the plates would die. The Mormon hierarchy is corrupt. With one sweep it excommunicated ten of their own historians because of what they discovered about the origins and practices of Smith and his Mormons. It has become obvious to many that Smith to use a phrase from Hippolytus “plastered on to the face of Jesus” his own teachings because the Jesus served his purposes.
MORMONISM IS CREDULITY STRETCHED TO THE LIMITS.
I recently, as a born again believer in Jesus and grace, started dating a mormon woman. Not knowing much but what I had heard in rumor about the mormon church being a cult, I have treaded lightly with her until I researched further. I enjoyed the conversation above as I have asked her many questions about her faith and it “seemed” as though she believed exactly as I do…right along all lines, but reading further I am deducing that she is likely sugar coating, if not out right lying, about her foundational beliefs…which of course are in direct opposition to my own. I now realize I must end this and just continue to pray for her and her family (all grown up in this cultish practice) and hope God perhaps uses me in His ways to affect her thinking and perhaps one day she might repent and find the truth before He returns for the actual true church. Thanks all for your input.
Thank you for this article. I have a very good friend who is Mormon and insists he believes the same thing that I do, I am protestant. However, in our discussions, I have learned that he doesn’t view Christ the same way I do. I have gleaned from him that he believes that salvation must be earned by works. I appreciate your thoughtful article and your direct responses in the comments.
Joseph Smith became a Freemason and injected some Masonic teachings into his religion. I am a born again Christian and a former Freemason. I was an officer in the Lodge but in reading the bible I began to see conflict after conflict between Masonic and bible teachings. Then one day I watched a video by a minister, Jon Ankerberg, who arranged to have former Freemasons and former Mormons, enact their temple ceremonies. I was astonished to see that there is little difference between the two, almost word for word and act for act. Freemasonry is very much against God even though they say you must believe in a supreme being. They don’t say who that supreme being is.
Some years ago I read a book: ‘The God Makers’ by Ed Decker and Dave Hunt. Decker was a former Mormon priest. He exposed much of the Mormon teachings and practices. Because he quit the religion, they smeared his reputation, which is something they do to all who leave the religion. They put it around that they threw Decker out because of alleged adultery. The truth was that Decker had received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and realized he could not follow Jesus, and the Mormon church.
It appears to me that many Mormons try to hide their beliefs…..probably because they realize how absurd it is. The church of Christ (not lds) is the closest I’ve seen to sticking strictly to God’s word in the Holy Bible.