We debated things like the nature of jesus, the trinity, the gospel and other prominent issues pertaining to the dialogue of christianity vs mormonism. Mormons and christians talk reverently about god and jesus, but their definitions are completely different. 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. Mormonism, or the latter day saint movement, teaches that its adherents are either direct descendants of the house of israel or adopted into it. Hierarchy in mormonism vs traditional christianity.
From mormonism to christianity lds is not christians. Oct 26, 2016 mormonism may seem, on the surface, to have theological similarities but the two faiths are very different. Compare mainstream christianity and mormonism religionfacts. These discussions are geared to seem like christianity with a few extras. Nevertheless, most mormons do not accept the trinitarian views of orthodox nicene. Christian beliefs rose publishing blog what are the differences between the theological beliefs of mormons latterday saints and christianity. What are the key differences between mormonism and. Traditional christianity members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints share beliefs with traditional christians, but there are. Christians do not have a reason to believe that the bible is untrue or inadequate. Nov 22, 20 i looked down on christians who followed the bible. Whats the difference between mormonism and christianity.
Contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible. Sep 07, 2016 f or nearly 200 years, mormons have both enraged and intrigued evangelicals. The gospel of mormonism is not the same gospel as christianity. The latter is a rosily inaccuate portrayal that all too easily seduces the subjective, feelingsoriented mentality that is so prevalent today. Mormons accept the bible, the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price as works of scripture. As such, mormons regard jews as a covenant people of god, and hold them in high esteem. The book of mormon, which is mormonisms principal source for its claim to new revelation and a new prophet, lacks credibility. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, the largest church in mormonism, is philosemitic in its doctrine. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon. The lds church, mormonism is a polytheistic religion. Another group of mormons that are not affiliated with the official lds church is the fundamentalist church of jesus christ of latterday saints. 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. Comparison chart mormonism vs christianity view ridge.
Among other beliefs written in the book of mormon is the belief that any mormon has the capacity to become god if he follows the teachings of jesus christ. Mormonism vs christianity difference and comparison diffen. The great divide between mormonism and christianity geisler, norman l. Mormons express the doctrines of mormonism using standard biblical terminology and have similar views about the nature of jesus atonement, bodily resurrection, and second coming as traditional christianity. It helps to dispel the misleading image of mormonism created by the lds churchs professional public relations firm. Apr 15, 2020 mormonism mormons, while holding that the bible is a part of the canon of scripture, add to it several mormon works. Paul carden is a longtime specialist in the field of cults. Mormonism distinguishes between the holy spirit gods presence via an essence and the holy ghost the third god in the mormon doctrine of the trinity. Rather, we are asking whether mormonism is an authentic form of christianity that teaches the essential truths of the gospel.
Traditional christianity members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints share beliefs with traditional christians, but there are also tenets of their faith that are unique. This readytouse powerpoint presentation includes 125 slides and extensive leader notes. Mormons believe in a monotheistic god and share many of the same beliefs about who. Islam vs mormonism by kirk grim the islamic faith is centered on the belief in one god and in arabic he is called allah. The republican nominee for president is a mormon, there is a play on broadway about the book of mormon and the lds church has. 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. The american scripture than launched a world religion, oxford, oxford university press 2002.
He is the only god and necessary for all other things to exist. A common misconception is that all mormons are part of the lds church. Mormonism may seem, on the surface, to have theological similarities but the two faiths are very different. A readers edition, edited by grant hardy, mormonism. Kelly february 8, 20 mormons not only believe in the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price, but also in the bible. It also includes the book of mormon bom which joseph smith declared is the most. Oct 18, 2005 compare mainstream christianity and mormonism. Katrina marti explains the differences between biblical christianity and the teachings of the mormon church very clearly. Joseph smith then set out to restore true christianity and claimed his church to be the only true church on earth mormon doctrine, p. How i escaped the mormon temple christianity today. Mormons, while holding that the bible is a part of the canon of scripture, add to it several mormon works. What are the key differences between mormonism and christianity. As a newer exmormon, i find this book very valuable to answer questions about god, baptism, how to go about reading the bible, how to study it to understand the differences between christianity and mormonism, and a whole lot more.
The great divide between mormonism and christianity. Mormonism has been much in the news over the past year. She takes a few key teachings and compares them to the bible accurately. Mormonism teaches that god the father has a body of flesh and bones d.
The book of mormon is remarkably christfocused, and presents a godhead resembling the trinity. The muslims, followers of islam, believe that muhammad was visited by an angel of light from whom he received gods final revelation. Mar 14, 20 do mormons and christians worship the same god. There are a few different sects of the mormon church. A very short introduction by richard bushman, the viper on the hearth by terryl givens, the. These are sold as the lost parts of the christian gospel. The book of mormon 1830, which codifies the earliest mormon doctrine, was intended, in part, to settle. The book of mormon, the doctrines of the covenant, and the pearl of great price. The bible is far below the other standard works because it is full of errors. Hardy, grant, understanding the book of mormon, a readers. What do mormons believe about apostasy and restoration. In their view, the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion. The book is historically, theologically and philosophically excellent. The book of mormon claims that jesuss atonement provided for the immortality for all people.
Mormons claim that total apostasy overcame the church following apostolic. In mormonism the hierarchy of authority begins with jesus christ himself and continues to the presidency of the church. This is in strict contrast to the biblical teaching that he is god in flesh john 1. He the holy ghost is a being endowed with the attributes and powers of deity, and not a mere force, or essence, articles of faith, by james talmage, p. They had part of the gospel, but i had the fullness of it. Aug 22, 2011 rather, we are asking whether mormonism is an authentic form of christianity that teaches the essential truths of the gospel. The president of the church is the highest ecclesiastical authority on the earth and is often referred to as the prophet. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine.
Whats the difference between mormonism and christianity in a. Joseph smith wrote his seminal book of mormon after, by his admission, he had a series of visions presented to him by the angel named moroni. The mormon church was founded by joseph smith in the 19 th century in the united states. Smiths jesus is a god distinct from god the father. Smith said he found those records and translated them into what would become the book of mormon. Even though mormonism says many of the same things that other churches say, a more detailed discussion usually reveals that the ideas behind many of the words are totally different than orthodox christianity. The problem with mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the bible. I looked down on christians who followed the bible. Christianity there is a lot in the press today concerning mormonism verses traditional christianity. The book of mormon vs the bible christian research institute. The christianity of the book of mormon vs the doctrines of. Unlike christian trinitarianism one god existing in three persons.
F or nearly 200 years, mormons have both enraged and intrigued evangelicals. Surely i was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me niv. Ironically the missionary discussions dont really get into what mormons believe. The lds church is the main group with its roots with joseph smith. But to achieve exaltation or godhood it is available only to mormons who obey the teachings specific to the book of mormon. The egyptian language was a very corrupt language from idol. The rage has come from mormon claims that the book of mormon contains new revelation superseding and correcting the. Mormonism mormons, while holding that the bible is a part of the canon of scripture, add to it several mormon works. Dec 20, 2018 we debated things like the nature of jesus, the trinity, the gospel and other prominent issues pertaining to the dialogue of christianity vs mormonism. The one god is a spirit who is the personal, eternal, infinite creator of all that exists. A former mormon and an adult convert to christianity, author ross anderson provides a clear summary of the book of mormon including its history, teachings.
All of these should be interpreted together, and from them the true teaching of god can be made clear. If we compare the historical, prophetical, and doctrinal parts of the book of mormon with the great truths of science and nature, we find no contradictionsno absurditiesnothing unreasonable. The presidential campaign of mitt romney was the principal reason, though there were other causes as well. Discover the basic beliefs and values of the religion of mormonism from a christian perspective, and learn how it differs from christianity. With mitt romney, a mormon and former bishop of the mormon religion, having run for president, many wonder are mormons christians. What other christians can learn from the latterday saints 9780199316816. Speeches and writings of the current president of the church are also authoritative. Aug 31, 2010 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. Mormonism has been and continues to be criticized by some christian fundamentalists because of its peculiar beliefs and doctrines. 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. Mormon byu professor robert millet argues in his book, the mormon faith, that certain scripture passages suggest that the father has power, knowledge, glory, and dominion including the right and powers to direct that dominion that the son does not have and to which the son is in subjection. Many gods joseph smith taught, i have always declared god to be a distinct personage, jesus christ a separate and distinct personage from god the father, and that the holy ghost was a distinct personage and a spirit. An faq on the difference between mormonism and biblical.
It also includes the book of mormon bom which joseph smith declared is the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book teachings of the prophet joseph smith, p. Christianity revelation furthermore, in sharp distinction to orthodox christian theology, mormons do not believe that the bible is the infallible repository for redemptive revelation. But there never was a time when there were not gods. An extra book the book of mormon, a living prophet, and some extra intriguing secrets, the mormon temple and its rituals. In light of the recent interest in mormonism, it will be helpful to compare and contrast some of the key differences. The book of mormon teaches that little children are not capable of sin because they do not have a sinful nature moroni 8.