Whats the difference between mormonism and christianity. An faq on the difference between mormonism and biblical. Mormonism vs christianity difference and comparison diffen. The great divide between mormonism and christianity geisler, norman l. 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. If you tell a mormon that hes sinful thats about the most offensive thing you could say. What are the key differences between mormonism and christianity. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. 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. The significance behind her words is rooted in the mormon. In fact, mormonism uses the same words found in christianity, but it redefines them.
I suspect the reason the book of mormon has this view of faith and knowledge is that. The book of mormon is the second sacred text of mormons. 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. Smith claims that in 1829, john the baptist gave to him the aaronic priesthood, establishing joseph smith as the leader of the new movement. No official church doctrine but a great book never the less. Its largest denomination is headquartered in utah and goes by the name the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Smith allegedly translated these golden plates into english and that is what is now known as the book of mormon. The rage has come from mormon claims that the book of mormon contains new. 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. The book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants and the pearl of great price. However, a careful comparison of basic doctrinal positions of that church to those of historical, biblical christianity reveal many radical differences. 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. 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.
Mormon beliefs about jesus versus christian beliefs about jesus. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon. So, with a proper understanding of what mormonism really teaches, you will be able to see past those definitions. There are many more differences between christianity and mormonism. Mormon doctrine is an excellent reference book for talks, personal study, research, and gaining gospel knowledge. As we touched on above, the prophet joseph smith translated the ancient book by what he called a revelation from god. Following is a comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. The book of mormon, the doctrines of the covenant, and the pearl of great price.
That is because the official writings of mormonism deny fundamental teachings of orthodox christianity. The major differences are seen in their doctrines and their beliefs. The book of mormon is remarkably christfocused, and presents a godhead resembling the trinity. 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. The difference is the difference between eternal life and damnation. 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. Mormon vs christian demographics data suggest that there are around 1. Surprisingly, mormonism is probably as different from christianity as hinduism is from buddhism. This is a great question, but somewhat impossible to answer in a nutshell, it would take a very big nutshell. All of these statements are false, and they reflect incomprehension of mormon beliefs and doctrine. 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. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. The great divide between mormonism and christianity. If mormonism did not claim to be true based on historical facts bom, there would be no issue.
Together with the old and new testaments, the book of mormon supports an unequivocal testimony of jesus christ. This pamphlet compares mormon doctrines as stated in lds. Mormons, on the other hand, read the bible in conjunction with the book of mormon. Twelve beliefs the mormon church might not want you to. The book of mormon teaches that little children are not capable of sin because they do not have a sinful nature moroni 8. For a fuller but still brief explanation of each point, you can click on the opening sentence to jump to the page. Unlike christian trinitarianism one god existing in three persons. Lutheran church statement on the lds or mormon church. It was in illinois that the founder of mormonism, joseph smith, was killed by a mob.
Discover the basic beliefs and values of the religion of mormonism from a christian perspective, and learn how it differs from christianity. Mormonism vs christianity what are the difference in views of heaven. Mormon prophets who lived from 600 bc to ad 400 wrote the book. Next to the bible, the lds church believes in the book of mormon. 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. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in. According to our teachings, satan and an army of supporters were cast down to earth from the premortal spirit world. Christianity there is a lot in the press today concerning mormonism verses traditional christianity. Ad, the doctrine and covenants a collection of revelations and inspired. Humans have the potential to achieve godhood if they follow mormon teachings. So what is the difference between baptists and mormons. 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 mormon doctrine states that satan has power over the water.
Christianity revelation furthermore, in sharp distinction to orthodox christian theology, mormons do not believe that the bible is the infallible repository for redemptive revelation. Baptists believe and follow the teachings of only one authority, which is the bible. The mormon church claims to have restored the true teachings of jesus. The book of mormon 1830, which codifies the earliest mormon doctrine, was intended, in part, to settle ongoing doctrinal. 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. Joseph smith then set out to restore true christianity and claimed his church to be the only true church on earth mormon doctrine, p. Jesus and satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, mormon doctrine, p. 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. After all, their church is labeled as the church of.
No more spin doctrine on josephs many affairs and need for polygamy to suddenly be the solution. Local religion professors say it is important to remember the church is bigger than one standard, book or philosophy. Historic christianity mormonism the one god is a spirit who is the personal, eternal, infinite creator of all that exists. Mormonism also holds to a plurality of gods and contends that as man is god once was. Contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible. In their view, the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, and the.
Mormonism, in its historical selfdefinition, is the one true church on earth. To establish doctrine and to understand the biblical text, latterday saints turn to living prophets and to additional books of scripture. This pamphlet compares mormon doctrines as stated in lds authoritative primary sources to those of historic christianity as derived solely from the bible. The dictionary defines a christian as one who professes belief in the teachings of jesus christ. 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. Christianity stack exchange is a question and answer site for committed christians, experts in christianity and those interested in learning more. Mormons, while holding that the bible is a part of the canon of scripture, add to it several mormon works. He also explains the many differences in the two faiths. 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. What do mormons believe about apostasy and restoration. The book of mormon is more correct than the bible, history of the church, 4.
In their view, the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion. The problem with mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the bible. In this article, we will compare the mormon doctrine of jesus to the new testament. 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. The devil the devil was born as a spirit after jesus in the morning of preexistence, mormon doctrine, p.
Mormon doctrine originally subtitled a compendium of the gospel is an encyclopedic work written in 1958 by bruce r. Since 1978 the church claims that it is not racist, that all races are equal and that the. All of these should be interpreted together, and from them the true teaching of god can be made clear. Whats the difference between mormonism and christianity in a nutshell. 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. It, and it alone, possesses authority from god in the priesthood. 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. Mcconkie, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. While mormons embrace many christian beliefs, they have their own distinct set of philosophies, values and practices. 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.
Christians do not have a reason to believe that the bible is untrue or inadequate. It presents twelve simple statements that identify as succinctly as possible each of the twelve reasons. The book, speaking the truth in love to mormons, examines mormonism s doctrine in depth. He finds that the mormon view is not supported by the biblical text. He is the only god and necessary for all other things to exist. What is the difference between the bible and the book of. James walker, a former fourth generation mormon, tells his story of conversion from mormonism to biblical christianity. 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. Zukeran looks at a mormon view of jesus comparing it to an authentic christian perspective.
What important mormon doctrines are taught in the book of. No more spin doctrine on the spaulding manuscripts. 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. 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. 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. What are the key differences between mormonism and. Mormons accept the bible, the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price as works of scripture. 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. 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. In keeping with its goal to be accepted by the public as another. 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. It will become very obvious that mormonism does not agree with the bible.
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