Mormonism and Christianity

A Few Comparisons of Mormonism and Christianity

We have a few weeks remaining before we must choose the next President of the USA. The two leading candidates both called themselves “Christians”. One has actions that constantly contradict that statement and another equates Mormonism with Christianity. I’ll leave it up to you to “inspect their fruit” and I will share a few comparisons of Christianity and Mormonism.

1. Is There More Than One True God? The Bible teaches there is only one true and living God and apart from Him there are no other Gods. (Deuteronomy 6:4;Isaiah 43:10,11; 44:6,8;45:21,22;46:9; Mark 12:29-34

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there are many gods (Book of Abraham 4:3ff) and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20; Gospel Principles, p.245; Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p.130) It also teaches that those who achieve godhood will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we worship and pray to God the Father (Gospel Principles, p.302).

2. Was God Once a Man Like Us? The Bible teaches that God is Spirit (John 4:24; 1Timothy 6:15-16), He is not a man (Numbers 23:19; Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:22,23), and has always (eternally) existed as God – all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 90:2; 139:7-10;Isaiah 40:28; Luke 1:37).

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was once a man like us who progressed to become a God and has a body of flesh and bone (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!” from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 345-347; Gospel Principles, p.9 Articles of Faith, p. 430; Mormon Doctrine, p. 321). Indeed the Mormon Church teaches that God himself has a father, and a grandfather, ad infinitum (Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.373; Mormon Doctrine p. 577).

3. Is God a Trinity? The Bible teaches that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not separate Gods or separate beings, but are distinct Persons within the one Triune Godhead. Throughout the New Testament the Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as the Father, are separately identified as and act as God (Son; Mark 2:5-12; John 20:28: Philippians 2:10,11; Holy Spirit: Acts 5: 3,4; 2 Corinthians 3:17,18; 13:14); yet at the same time the Bible teaches that these three are only one God (see point 1)

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three separate Gods (Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith p.370 Mormon Doctrine, pp. 576-577). And that the Son and Holy Ghost are the literal offspring of Heavenly Father and a celestial wife. (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol.2, p. 649).

4. Can We Make Ourselves Worthy Before God? The Bible teaches that apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross we are spiritually “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2: 1, 5) and are powerless to save ourselves. By grace alone, apart from self-righteous works, God forgives our sins and makes us worthy to live in His presence (Ephesians 2: 8-9; Titus 3: 3-6). However, it is certainly true that without the evidence of a changed life, a person’s testimony of faith in Jesus Christ must be questioned; salvation by grace alone through faith does not mean we live as we please, (Romans 6: 1-4).

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that eternal life in the presence of God (which it terms “exaltation in the celestial kingdom”) must be earned through obedience to all the commands of the Mormon Church including exclusive Mormon temple rituals. Works are a requirement for salvation (entrance into the “celestial kingdom”) – Gospel Principles, p. 303-304; Pearl of Great Price – Third Article of Faith; Mormon Doctrine, pp.339,671; Book of Mormon – 2Nephi 25:23).

5. Is the Bible the Unique and Final Word of God? The Bible teaches that the Bible is the inerrant, unique, final and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Peter 1:21) and that it will stand forever (1 Peter 1:23-25). God’s providential preservation of the text of the Bible was marvelously illustrated in the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the Bible has been corrupted, is missing many “plain and precious parts” and does not contain the fullness of the Gospel (Book of Mormon – 1 Nephi 13: 26-29; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp/ 190-191).

Don’t miss that Mormons share with orthodox Christians some important moral precepts from the Bible. However, the above points are examples of the many fundamental and irreconcilable differences between historic biblical Christianity and Mormonism. While these differences do not keep us from being friendly with Mormons, we cannot consider them brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible warns of false prophets who will teach “another gospel”. (2 Corinthians 11:4, 13-15; Galatians 1: 6-9).

The above five points were written by Rev. Troy Dobbs

PS. The comment was made to me that this article may be taken as an endorsement of President Barak Obama. That couldn’t be further from my personal preference or intent. The intent of this contrast of Christianity and Mormonism is to be informative to those who have questions about Christianity and Mormonism. To that extent, I hope it is educational.