Christianity vs Latter Day Saints (Mormonism)

Below we have broken down the core belief and doctrine of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. This article is not intended to bash or poke fun at Mormons. Rather the intention of this article is to display where the doctrine and revelations are contradictory to Christian beliefs. This information should be used to kindly and respectfully challenge Mormon's in their beliefs, all while sharing the true Gospel to them. God Bless!

The Four Standard Works (Official Scriptures)

These are the inspired, canonized scriptures accepted by common consent in the Church. They testify of Jesus Christ and are studied together, with living prophets providing ongoing interpretation and revelation.

1. The Bible (King James Version preferred in English-speaking regions) Accepted as the word of God "as far as it is translated correctly" (Article of Faith 8). It contains the Old and New Testaments and is foundational, though some plain and precious truths are believed to have been lost or altered during transmission.

2. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ A record of ancient prophets on the American continent, translated by Joseph Smith from golden plates through divine means. It testifies of Jesus Christ, includes an account of His post-resurrection visit to the Americas, and is called "the keystone of our religion."

3. The Doctrine and Covenants A collection of modern revelations and inspired declarations, primarily given through Joseph Smith and later prophets. It includes doctrines, Church organization, and official declarations (e.g., Official Declaration 1 on ending plural marriage; Official Declaration 2 on extending priesthood to all worthy males regardless of race). It is unique as modern revelation, often called the "constitution" of the Church.

4. The Pearl of Great Price A small volume of writings, including:

   • Book of Moses (inspired translation/expansion from Genesis).

   • Book of Abraham (from ancient papyri, with facsimiles).

   • Joseph Smith—Matthew (excerpt from Joseph Smith's inspired Bible translation).

   • Joseph Smith—History (account of the First Vision and early events).

   • The Articles of Faith.

The standard works are the measuring standard for doctrine; anything contrary to them is considered false.

The 13 Articles of Faith (Verbatim, Canonized in Pearl of Great Price)

These provide the most concise official summary of core beliefs:

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Key Distinctive Doctrines (From Official Sources like Gospel Topics and Manuals)

• Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personages, one in purpose. Father and Son have glorified bodies of flesh and bone (D&C 130:22); Holy Ghost is spirit. God is the literal Father of spirits; humans can become like Him through obedience (e.g., Gospel Principles manual: "By keeping His commandments we can become like Him").

• Plan of Salvation (Great Plan of Happiness):

  • Premortal Life — Spirit children with Heavenly Parents; council in heaven; agency chosen over Lucifer's plan.

  • Mortal Life — Test with body, opposition, agency; Fall necessary for progression.

  • Atonement — Christ's suffering (including Gethsemane), death, resurrection overcome death/sin; enables repentance and exaltation.

  • Spirit World — Paradise or prison; gospel preached to the dead.

  • Resurrection/Judgment — Universal resurrection; judgment by desires/obedience.

  • Degrees of Glory — Celestial (highest, with exaltation/eternal families), Terrestrial, Telestial; outer darkness for few. Exaltation includes eternal life with God and divine potential.

• Priesthood/Authority: Restored via angelic ministrations; held by worthy males; required for ordinances.

• Ordinances/Covenants: Baptism (age 8+), confirmation, sacrament, temple endowment/sealing (eternal families), proxy work for dead.

• Revelation: Ongoing through living prophet (President of the Church); Great Apostasy required Restoration in 1830.

Main Differences between Church of Latter Day Saints and Christianity

LDS Teaching first (official sources), then Traditional Christian Response/Belief (sola scriptura view).

1. Nature of God (Godhead vs. Trinity)LDS: Three separate personages, one in purpose; Father/Son have bodies; eternal progression to godhood (D&C 130:22; Gospel Principles). King Follett Discourse influential (not canonized but taught historically). Christian Belief: One eternal God in three co-equal Persons (Trinity); God is spirit, unchanging; no progression to godhood (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10; John 4:24; Mal. 3:6).

2. Jesus ChristLDS: Firstborn spirit son of Heavenly Father; spirit brother of all (including Lucifer); subordinate in Godhead.Christian Belief: Eternal, uncreated God (second Person of Trinity); Creator; not created or brother to Satan (John 1:1–3; Col. 1:15–17; Heb. 13:8).

3. Salvation/Grace/WorksLDS: Universal resurrection by grace; exaltation requires "grace after all we can do" — ordinances, obedience, endurance (2 Nephi 25:23; Article 3).Christian Belief: Salvation by grace through faith alone; works as fruit, not cause (Eph. 2:8–9; Rom. 3:28; Titus 3:5).

4. The Fall and Human NatureLDS: Fortunate fall; no inherited guilt; punished for own sins (Article 2; 2 Nephi 2).Christian Belief: Original sin brings guilt/death to all; born spiritually dead (Rom. 5:12–19; Ps. 51:5; Eph. 2:1–3).

5. Afterlife, Judgment, KingdomsLDS: Three kingdoms of glory; gospel in spirit world; proxy ordinances; eternal families.Christian Belief: Heaven or hell; no second chances/postmortem preaching; no levels/proxy (Matt. 25:46; Heb. 9:27; Rev. 20:11–15).

6. Authority, Church, Scripture, RevelationLDS: Total apostasy; Restoration via Joseph Smith; additional scriptures; ongoing revelation. Christian Belief: Church not lost; Bible sufficient/inerrant; no new scripture/revelation (Matt. 16:18; 2 Tim. 3:16–17; Jude 3; Gal. 1:8–9).

7. Other Notable DifferencesLDS: Priesthood restricted to worthy males; baptism by LDS authority required; polygamy once commanded (historical).Christian Belief: Universal priesthood of believers; baptism symbolic; monogamy God's design (1 Pet. 2:9; Gal. 3:28; Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4–6).

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sISnpOXknJk