The Mormon religion is going mainstream, leaving a lot of people asking the question: are Mormons Christians? Is Mormonism the same as Christianity? Are Latter Day Saints just another denomination of Biblical Christianity?
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8
Are Mormons Christians?
In short, the answer is no, Mormons are not Christians. Mormons, or Latter Day Saints, have created “another Jesus” (Bible, 2 Corinthians 11:4) and “another gospel” (Bible, Galatians 1:6). They are among the false apostles the Bible warns us about in 2 Corinthians 11:13-14:
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
If you are a Mormon, or Latter Day Saint, you can know the true Jesus and be born again. The Bible says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). You need only to look in faith to the Bible alone for answers to your questions.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible is the word of God, preserved from the beginning of time. God has and will continue to preserve His word, according to his promise:
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” Psalm 12:6-7
Mormons believe in the Bible, doesn’t that make them Christians?
Though Mormons cite the Bible among their most “Holy Books”, they do not place their faith in it as the complete and final authority for all things. This is one of the fundamental differences between Mormonism and Christianity.
The fact that Mormons accept the Bible as the word of God can lead to much confusion. After all, if Mormons believe in the Bible, doesn’t that make them Christians? Galatians 5:9 says: “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Here is an analogy: you are baking a cake and you follow the recipe diligently, but at the very end you add dose of poison. Though you followed a good recipe, the addition of this deadly element will kill you. Mormons accept the Bible, but add to it poisonous falsehood by way of other books and doctrines. This creates a religion that will lead it’s followers to Hell.
Mormons and Christians look alike, does this mean they believe the the same things?
The fact that Mormons and Christians often dress the same, and similarly emphasize the importance of a strong family life leaves people asking the question: “Are Mormons Christians?” From a lifestyle perspective, Mormons and Christians can often look similar. When it comes to judging a book by it’s cover, however, we must remember what Jesus said: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” John 7:24. The criteria for being a Christian does not lie in how we dress or how we act. Jesus said that His disciples are those who continue in the truth of His Word:
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, ‘If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'” John 8:31-33
Know the Bible to know the difference:
Ultimately, confusion of Mormonism with true, Biblical Christianity stems from a lack of Bible knowledge. Many fail to see the differences between Latter Day Saints religion and Christianity because they do not know what the Bible says. Below are facts we have compiled to show that Mormonism is not a Christian religion. To understand why these facts show that Mormons are not Christians, you must know what the Bible says. We want to urge you to begin reading the Bible, and the Bible only. Start in the New Testament and receive the Word as a child would. Jesus said: “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” Mark 10:15
“[God our Savior] will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:4-6
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelations 22:13
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6
The “church” of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints claims to be the only true Christian church in the world. On the surface, Latter Day Saints may appear to be a branch of Christianity, however a brief look at it’s foundation and fundamental teachings will give you a deeper look at why Mormonism is not Christian religion.
Where did Mormonism come from?:
The Mormon church prefers to go by it’s official name: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS for short). It claims it’s institution in 1820 by Joseph Smith Jr. At the age of fifteen, Joseph Smith claimed to have had a vision while praying in the woods. He claimed to have been visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ, who brought him the message that all of Christianity had apostatized around 200 A.D. During this visitation, Joseph Smith was supposedly told he had been chosen to restore Christianity on the earth (Comfort 28). Three years after this first vision, Joseph Smith claimed to have had another visitation, this time by an angel named Moroni. According to Smith, this “angel” came and revealed to him the location of a set of gold plates. These gold plates were supposedly written in reformed Egyptian. The alleged plates were then translated by Joseph Smith and became what is now the Book of Mormon.
We want the reader to understand is that Joseph Smith’s “visitation” is something the Bible warns us against in Galatians 1:8: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” To receive and establish an entire doctrine around such a visitation is not only un-Biblical, it is accursed. Additionally, in 2 Corinthians 11:14, the Bible warns us that “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light”. This tells us that Satan has the ability to masquerade as an angel of light. We would beg the reader to consider Joseph Smith’s alleged visitations in light of this warning from Scripture. Records bear testimony to the fact that Joseph Smith’s visitation was from Satan and not from God and His angels.
The Mormon Church bases it’s doctrine upon five main sources: (1) the Book of Mormon, (2) the Pearl of Great Price, (3) the Doctrine and Covenants, (4) the King James Version Bible “insofar as it is correctly translated”, and (5) living Mormon prophets, apostles and presidents.
Latter Day Saints claim that the Book of Mormon outlines the history of ancient America. However, no evidence – archaeological or otherwise – can be found for the history contained in the Book of Mormon. As for the living Mormon prophets, apostles and presidents, they are placed in absolute authority and are permitted to refute and revise any statements or decrees put forth by previous apostles, prophets, and presidents.
Polytheism and Mormon’s belief in the plurality of gods:
Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, states: “I wish to declare I have always and in all congregations where I have preached on the subject of deity, it has [been on] the plurality of Gods” (Ankerberg, Weldon and Burroughs 27) (J.F. Smith, Teachings of the Prophet, p. 370.). The Mormon church teaches that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate gods born at three separate times.
The Mormon Heavenly Father:
The first of these three {Mormon} gods is God the Father, referred to as “Heavenly Father” or “Elohim” by the Mormons. Mormons believe that Elohim, the god of Earth, is nothing more than an “exalted man“. Joseph Smith stated: “God Himself was once as we are now and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!!!… We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil so that you may see” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg. 345). As you read this quotation from the founding father of Mormonism, please realize that it contradicts How God describes Himself in Isaiah 44:6: “Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” According to the Mormon faith, Elohim – with his multiple goddess wives – currently inhabits a planet that circles the star Kolab. With these wives he produces spirit children which are eventually given mortal bodies here on earth (Comfort 30). According to Mormonism each human being has both a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother.
The Mormon Jesus, Lucifer’s spirit brother:
Lets now look at the Mormon Jesus. According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Jesus is the first born spirit child of Elohim. According to Mormonism, Jesus Christ is the older brother of Lucifer and the rest of humanity. According to Mormonism, when Jesus was conceived here on earth it was not by the Holy Ghost, and he was not born of a virgin. According to Mormonism, Jesus’s birth was the result of actual, physical intercourse between Elohim and Mary. The second prophet of the Mormon Church, Brigham Young, stated: “The birth of our Savior was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood – was begotten of His Father as we are of our fathers” (Journal of Discourse 8:115). Mormons teaches that Jesus had several wives here on earth – three of which were Mary, Martha and the “other Mary” – with whom he bore offspring (Ankerberg, Weldon and Burroughs 36).
Mormonism, a works based doctrine:
Now we will look at Salvation as defined by the Mormon Church. Mormons claim “Salvation by grace alone”, just like Christians do, however a quotation from The Book of Mormon clarifies their meaning: “For we know that it is by grace that we have been saved after all we can do.” Nephi 25:23. The Mormon Church believes that the sacrifice of Christ on the cross provides general entrance for all people into eternal life – regardless of whether or not a sinner personally believes on the Lord Jesus. Latter Day Saints believe that the level of your glorification in eternal life depends upon your good works.
Biblical Christianity teaches that it is ONLY by grace through faith in Jesus Christ that man can be saved from sin and Hell. Jesus shed His blood on the cross to pay for our sins.
Jesus “was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25. Our righteous works are “filthy rags” God’s sight (Isaiah 64:6). It is only grace, the undeserved favor of God, that brings salvation (Titus 2:11). Our works cannot contribute one ounce to our salvation.
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24
“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24
Mormon view of life after death:
The Mormon view of life after death is also anti-Christian. Mormons deny the existence of Hell, replacing it with the belief in “outer darkness” (Comfort 34). “Outer darkness” is reserved for the devil and his angels as well as apostate Mormons. As far as Heaven is concerned, Mormons believe that you will be exalted to one of three levels after death. Celestial is the highest level of Mormon heaven and is where Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father reside with their goddess wives. You will only enter the Celestial Kingdom if adhere to every ordinance of the Mormon church. In the Celestial kingdom you have the opportunity to become a god yourself. According to Mormonism, the Terrestrial Kingdom is the next step down; all average Mormons and morally upright non-Mormons reside there. Telestial is the lowest level of Mormon heaven reserved for the wicked, however according to Mormons, “the glory of the telestial … surpasses all understanding” (Doctrines and Covenant 76:89).
For today, we will end here. As we previously stated, it is not facts on the LDS church, but the Word of God, the Bible, that will lead to the truth. In the Bible, the Lord gives the promise:
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
Cited References
- Ankerberg, John, J. Weldon and D. Burroughs. The Facts on the Mormon Church. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2009.
- Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of the Cults rev. and updated ed. Chapter 6, “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints”. Ed. Ravi Zacharias. Bloomington: Bethany House Publishers, 2003.
- Comfort, Ray. World Religions in a Nutshell. “Mormonism”. Alachua: Bridge-Logos, 2008.
- The Holy Bible. NKJV
- W.V Smith. Book of Abraham Project. “Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith”. Section 6. Jan 2nd 2013. <http://www.boap.org/LDS/Joseph-Smith/Teachings/>
- Journal of Discourse July 8, 1860. Reported by J. V. Long. Jan 2nd 2013. <http://jod.mrm.org/>
- LDS.org or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: Official Site. “The Book of Mormon“, 2 Nephi. Jan 2nd 2013. <http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm>
- LDS.org or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: Official Site. “Doctrines and Covenant”. Section 76. Jan 2nd 2013. <http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament>
- Image of masked man: Computer photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com