The mormon church claims to have restored the true teachings of jesus. This is one of the weird mormon beliefs and prophecies that estranged the mormon faith from traditional christianity, as at today, at least 66,000 mormons now live in the state. While mormons embrace many christian beliefs, they have their own distinct set of philosophies, values and practices. Early mormons faced intense persecution due to their beliefs, so the religious leaders relocated their operations from new york, to missouri, to illinois in rapid succession. The mormon doctrines that evolved from this vision compromise confuse or contradict the nature of god, the authority of scripture and the way of salvation. Mormonism is a religion less than two centuries old, but in this short time it has managed to accrue a long list of embarrassments which the church leaders would. Christianity revelation furthermore, in sharp distinction to orthodox christian theology, mormons do not believe that the bible is the infallible repository for redemptive revelation. So what is the difference between baptists and mormons. Mormons, while holding that the bible is a part of the canon of scripture, add to it several mormon works. If mormonism did not claim to be true based on historical facts bom, there would be no issue. The bo o k of morm on 1830, which codifies the e arliest mormon doctr ine, was intended, in part, to settle ongo ing doctr inal disputes among c ontemporary chri stian denominations and to create a single shared theology. Mormons, on the other hand, read the bible in conjunction with the book of mormon. The devil the devil was born as a spirit after jesus in the morning of preexistence, mormon doctrine, p.
This is a great question, but somewhat impossible to answer in a nutshell, it would take a very big nutshell. With mitt romney, a mormon and former bishop of the mormon religion, having run for president, many wonder are mormons christians. The book of mormon 1830, which codifies the earliest mormon doctrine, was intended, in part, to settle ongoing. The significance behind her words is rooted in the mormon. All of these statements are false, and they reflect incomprehension of mormon beliefs and doctrine. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine take up the bible, compare the religion of the latterday saints with it and see if it will stand the test brigham young, may 18, 1873, journal of discourses, vol. Mormonism also holds to a plurality of gods and contends that as man is god once was. Joseph smith then set out to restore true christianity and claimed his church to be the only true church on earth mormon doctrine, p. The problem with mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the bible. For a fuller but still brief explanation of each point, you can click on the opening sentence to jump to the page. Humans have the potential to achieve godhood if they follow mormon teachings.
This pamphlet compares mormon doctrines as stated in lds authoritative primary sources to those of historic christianity as derived solely from the bible. I recently accepted a live debate with a mormon at cornerstone church in arizona to have a dialogue about the main differences between christianity and mormonism, a religion founded by joseph. The great divide between mormonism and christianity geisler, norman l. The book of mormon is remarkably christfocused, and presents a godhead resembling the trinity. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in. Mormon doctrine originally subtitled a compendium of the gospel is an encyclopedic work written in 1958 by bruce r. No more spin doctrine on josephs many affairs and need for polygamy to suddenly be the solution. It was in illinois that the founder of mormonism, joseph smith, was killed by a mob. To establish doctrine and to understand the biblical text, latterday saints turn to living prophets and to additional books of scripture. Mormon prophets who lived from 600 bc to ad 400 wrote the book.
Historic christianity mormonism the one god is a spirit who is the personal, eternal, infinite creator of all that exists. The contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible constitute a most serious obstacle to accepting the book of mormon as latterday scripture supplemental to the bible. Zukeran looks at a mormon view of jesus comparing it to an authentic christian perspective. However, a careful comparison of basic doctrinal positions of that church to those of historical, biblical christianity reveal many radical differences. The devil was born as a spirit after jesus in the morning of preexistence, mormon doctrine, p. Whats the difference between mormonism and christianity in a nutshell. Mormonism differs from christianity in that joseph smith, brigham young and others taught that there have been more recent gospels. Contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible. According to our teachings, satan and an army of supporters were cast down to earth from the premortal spirit world. The book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants 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. No official church doctrine but a great book never the less.
Ad, the doctrine and covenants a collection of revelations and inspired. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. Whats the difference between mormonism and christianity. Mcconkie, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. In their view, the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, and the. In keeping with its goal to be accepted by the public as another. The dictionary defines a christian as one who professes belief in the teachings of jesus christ. Christianity stack exchange is a question and answer site for committed christians, experts in christianity and those interested in learning more. Unlike christian trinitarianism one god existing in three persons. The difference is the difference between eternal life and damnation. In this article, we will compare the mormon doctrine of jesus to the new testament. In fact, mormonism uses the same words found in christianity, but it redefines them.
Mormon is allegedly a prophethistorian who was the native american believed by mormons to have written the book of mormon the main religious text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints mormonism. Since 1978 the church claims that it is not racist, that all races are equal and that the. There are many more differences between christianity and mormonism. Ive never seen a mormon establish doctrine on the book of mormon, only arguing that the book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. The book of mormon teaches that little children are not capable of sin because they do not have a sinful nature moroni 8. In keeping with this commonly held definition, the key to determining whether mormonism is christian or not is ascertaining if its teachings are the ones jesus taught. Mormonism, in its historical selfdefinition, is the one true church on earth. The book of mormon is more correct than the bible, history of the church, 4. Mormon vs christian demographics data suggest that there are around 1. It would be enlightening for any latterday saint to read this description of the mormon jesus in the left column and see just how much of this is recognizable as church doctrine. What do mormons believe about apostasy and restoration. So, with a proper understanding of what mormonism really teaches, you will be able to see past those definitions. Christians do not have a reason to believe that the bible is untrue or inadequate. Mormon beliefs about jesus versus christian beliefs about jesus.
Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of restorationist christianity started by joseph smith in western new york in the 1820s and 30s the word mormon originally derived from the book of mormon, a religious text published by smith, which he said he translated from golden plates with divine assistance. Though i cannot say i have read it from cover to cover i can say i have spent many hours bruce r mcconkie was one of the greatest lds scholars of our time and his years of notes were compiled into this book. The lutheran churchmissouri synod, together with the vast majority of christian denominations in the united states, does not regard the mormon church as a christian church. He also explains the many differences in the two faiths. After all, their church is labeled as the church of. The bible is not a book but a collection of 66 books, written over a span of 1600 years across 3 continents, by over 40 writers inspired by god in 3 languages yet it has one primary theme the glory of god and salvat. One of the more difficult issues that confronted lisa was the notion that she was sinful and in need of divine forgivenessa christian teaching that sharply contradicts mormon doctrine. Mormons accept the bible, the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price as works of scripture. Following is a comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. Mormon doctrine is an excellent reference book for talks, personal study, research, and gaining gospel knowledge.
It is also important to note that the book of mormon seems to present a trinitarian view of god practically identical to christian orthodoxy see 2 nephi 31. Jesus and satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, mormon doctrine, p. Take up the bible, compare the religion of the latterday saints with it and see if it will stand the test, brigham young, may 18, 1873, journal of. Christianity view of god first, while christians believe that god is spirit, joseph smith taught, god himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. Mormonism claims to be a christian religion, the only true christian religion. In their view, the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion. Hidden doctrines of mormonism what the mormon church hides from potential converts the church of jesus christ of latterday saints also known as the mormon church or mormonism presents itself as a christian religion. Smith allegedly translated these golden plates into english and that is what is now known as the book of mormon. Its largest denomination is headquartered in utah and goes by the name the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Evangelicals have always been fascinated by mormon beliefs that. Mormonism vs christianity difference and comparison diffen. It presents twelve simple statements that identify as succinctly as possible each of the twelve reasons.
It, and it alone, possesses authority from god in the priesthood. He is the only god and necessary for all other things to exist. That is because the official writings of mormonism deny fundamental teachings of orthodox christianity. Baptists believe and follow the teachings of only one authority, which is the bible. This article provides an overview of twelve major reasons why biblebased christianity is true but the mormon religion should not be accepted as true christianity. The great divide between mormonism and christianity. The following is adapted from the section on mormonism or the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in the esv study bible article on religious cults. He finds that the mormon view is not supported by the biblical text. Christianity there is a lot in the press today concerning mormonism verses traditional christianity.
As we touched on above, the prophet joseph smith translated the ancient book by what he called a revelation from god. The book, speaking the truth in love to mormons, examines mormonism s doctrine in depth. Twelve beliefs the mormon church might not want you to. Mormonism vs christianity what are the difference in views of heaven. What is the difference between the bible and the book of. The mormon doctrine states that satan has power over the water. Our online dictionary of mormon definitions also illustrates many differences as do many of the faqs. If you tell a mormon that hes sinful thats about the most offensive thing you could say. The rage has come from mormon claims that the book of mormon contains new. Local religion professors say it is important to remember the church is bigger than one standard, book or philosophy. It is the singular restoration of the church of jesus christ after the church ceased to exist on earth shortly after the death of the last. Lutheran church statement on the lds or mormon church. The christianity of the book of mormon vs the doctrines of.
In light of the recent interest in mormonism, it will be helpful to compare and contrast some of the key differences between mormonism and christianity. What are the key differences between mormonism and christianity. Next to the bible, the lds church believes in the book of mormon. This pamphlet compares mormon doctrines as stated in lds. What important mormon doctrines are taught in the book of. It will become very obvious that mormonism does not agree with the bible. It was intended primarily for a latterday saint audience and is often used as a reference book by church members because of its comprehensive nature. The republican nominee for president is a mormon, there is a play on broadway about the book of mormon and the lds church has launched a multimilliondollar ad campaign called im a mormon. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. The major differences are seen in their doctrines and their beliefs. I suspect the reason the book of mormon has this view of faith and knowledge is that. Surprisingly, mormonism is probably as different from christianity as hinduism is from buddhism.
An faq on the difference between mormonism and biblical. Smith claims that in 1829, john the baptist gave to him the aaronic priesthood, establishing joseph smith as the leader of the new movement. Together with the old and new testaments, the book of mormon supports an unequivocal testimony of jesus christ. James walker, a former fourth generation mormon, tells his story of conversion from mormonism to biblical christianity. The book of mormon, the doctrines of the covenant, and the pearl of great price. What are the key differences between mormonism and. Discover the basic beliefs and values of the religion of mormonism from a christian perspective, and learn how it differs from christianity. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon. The falsity of mormonism what about the book of mormon.
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