Many people question whether Mormons are Christians. The purpose of this presentation is to compare...

Christianity Mormonism

A Comparison of

Christianity and MormonismMany people question whether Mormons are Christians. The

purpose of this presentation is to compare various beliefs of Christians and Mormons, then allow you to decide the question for yourself.

Mormons do acknowledge Jesus as the son of God, but what they mean by that idea calls their belief into question. Many terms of Christianity are given different meanings by Mormons.

Jesus said, in Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” (KJV) The Bible says that false teachers will arise: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew7:15 KJV)

Compare the beliefs on the following pages, look up the Bible verses, and make your own decision. Then decide, what will be your response as a Christian?

Authority

God’s Holy Word, preserved by his power throughout the centuries.

1)Book of Mormon, revealed to Joseph Smith by the angel Moroni. 2)The Doctrine and Covenants 3) Pearl of Great Price4)The Bible, insofar as it is correctly translated. (Generally The King James Version.)


God

God is a spirit and has always been. There is only one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 43: 10-11

Three totally separate gods. Father and Son have resurrected bodies. Holy Ghost is separate being. God was once a man.“God has not always been God. He is not a spirit but an exalted man.” – Joseph Smith


Jesus Christ

God manifest in the flesh. Fully God and fully man, not a subordinate deity.“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” – John 1:1

Our elder brother, born of a relationship between “Heavenly parents” in preexistence. Jesus is the “spirit brother” of Lucifer.“Jesus earned his godhood and salvation” – Mormon Doctrine


Holy Ghost

Same as Holy Spirit. The third part of the Trinity.

Separate being from God the Father and Jesus the Son. Holy Ghost is a person. Holy Spirit is influence from God and is not a person.


Mother in Heaven

Nothing to indicate that God had a wife.

Resurrected wife of Heavenly Father. Mother of spirit children before their mortal birth.


Creation

God alone is eternal. He created matter, time, space, and life and called them into existence.“All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” –John 1:3

Matter is eternal. God did not truly create out of nothing. Organized existing matter to form worlds without number.


Preexistence

Only the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) has eternal existence. We are all God’s creation. No spiritual existence prior to our birth on Earth.“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1

Everyone had preexistence. Our intelligence (mind) has existed eternally. Born as spirit-children to God and His wife prior to our birth on Earth.


Sons of God

We are God’s creation, not procreation. We become a child of God at conversion.

We are literally the spirit children of God and His wife, born in a prior existence before coming to this Earth.


The Fall

Adam’s sin brought both physical and spiritual death to humanity.

The fall was a blessing. Adam was given conflicting commandments and was supposed to fall.


Virgin Birth

Jesus’ conception was a miracle. A virgin was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit.

God, as a resurrected, physical man, is the literal father of Jesus – same manner as men are conceived on Earth.


Salvation by Grace

Based on each individual’s response to God’s offer of eternal life through faith in Christ. Salvation is not universal and is not equated with resurrection. If one has salvation, one also has eternal life.

Christ’s death paid for Adam’s transgression and secured universal resurrection. Beyond this, we must earn our own place in heaven. Saved by grace after ALL we can do.


Redemption

Christ redeems us from both physical and spiritual death.

Christ’s atonement redeems us from physical death and assures us of resurrection. Individual redemption is through full obedience.


Gospel

Message of Christ’s death and resurrection as atonement for our sins.

All of the teachings and ordinances of the LDS Church. True gospel of Jesus Christ restored by Joseph Smith.


True Church

Not an organization. As born-again Christians, we are all part of God’s church.“…upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18

Only the LDS church. The true church was taken from the earth after the death of the 12 apostles until Joseph Smith restored it.


Priesthood

Christ brought an end to the priesthood of the Old Testament and is the ONLY High Priest after the manner of Melchizedek.

Only LDS Church has authority to baptize, ordain, and act in the name of God. Two-part system – Aaronic and Melchizedek.


Forgiveness

Christ offers forgiveness the moment we turn to Him.

God’s forgiveness is granted after repentance and reformed behavior.


Born again

We are spiritually dead until our spiritual rebirth.

Baptism into the LDS church


Baptism

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change, the result of accepting Jesus Christ as savior. Emphasis is on believer – not priesthood authority.

Baptism is essential for salvation in the highest heaver. Must be performed by one having LDS priesthood.


Dealing with sin (After conversion)

God has promised to always forgive when we turn to Him. No need to confess to another person.“…the blood of Jesus Christ (God’s) Son cleanseth us from all sin.” - 1 John 1:7

Forgiveness is granted after repentance and reformed behavior. Cannot sin again and again and expect forgiveness. Must confess to priesthood leader. There are certain sins for which Jesus’ blood cannot atone. – Doctrines of Salvation


Temple

In Old Testament, had high priest and animal sacrifices. The sacrificial death of Christ ended the need for a temple.

Claim Joseph Smith restored the original temple ceremony. Temples are used for eternal marriage ceremonies, baptisms, and marriages for the dead, not animal sacrifices.


Eternal Life

Promised to all Christians. No mention of temple marriage or eternal procreation.Free gift of eternal life by faith in Jesus alone.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

Exaltation in Celestial Kingdom; godhood and the ability to procreate children through all eternity. Must be married in LDS temple and be a faithful Mormon.“Eternal life is only for those who do their part in working for their salvation.” – Book of Mormon


Immortality

Makes no distinction between immortality and eternal life.

Universal gift. Ability to live forever, but not the same as eternal life. Unable to procreate.


Hell

No mention of people getting out of hell. Everlasting punishment.

Place that exists eternally but people stay only a limited time until debt to God has been paid.


Heaven

One of only two places after death. Eternal life in the presence of God.

Divided into three kingdoms. Wicked go to Telestial, good people who never joined LDS church go to Terrestrial; faithful Mormons go to Celestial Kingdom.


Kingdom of God

All redeemed will be in the presence of God. All believers are part of the kingdom.

Means Celestial Kingdom. Only those in Celestial Kingdom are in God’s presence. Those in Terrestrial and Telestial Kingdoms are not in the presence of the Father.


Salvation by Grace

Based on each individual’s response to God’s offer of eternal life through faith in Christ. Salvation is not universal and is not equated with resurrection. If one has salvation, one also has eternal life.

Christ’s death paid for Adam’s transgression and secured universal resurrection. Beyond this, we must earn our own place in heaven. Saved by grace after ALL we can do.


Response to MormonismMormonism is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. There are

three primary reasons: 1)the missionary efforts required of all young Mormons, 2) their beliefs, which stress no permanent hell, and the possibility of a person becoming a God, and 3)the lack of knowledge of many Christians.

Mormons deny that God (the Trinity) has always existed. They claim that the Bible has been mistranslated, but yet quote parts of it to support their beliefs, ignoring the parts that disagree with them. They assert that men can evolve to become Gods.

As do many, Mormons take the part’s of God’s word that they like, and reject the rest. Common sense should tell us that if we accept God’s word, it must be all, not just the good parts. There will be many disappointed on the day of God’s judgment.

Are all Christians right? No. That is obvious from the number of different denominations in the Christian world. But Christians agree on the basics: the eternal existence of God; the deity of Jesus; the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus; the second coming and the establishment of a new heaven and earth.

Mormonism denies most of this. And any who deny the deity of Jesus Christ, regardless of semantics, cannot be part of his body. We as Christians are obligated to witness to them. I encourage you to “study to show yourself approved.”

Many people question whether Mormons are Christians. The purpose of this presentation is to compare...

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