A Different Gospel
Why Christianity and Mormonism are not the same
Introduction
You’ve probably heard that Mormons and Christians are one in the same. They seemingly follow the same God and have the same means of being made right with God, through the forgiveness of sins. The LDS church even identifies as a denomination of Christianity. So what’s the big deal?
The core issue is that the fundamental aspects of Christianity as defined by the bible are different than that of LDS teachings and beliefs. This page briefly dives into just a few of the major topics that divide Christians and the LDS Church. These topics include the character and nature of God, the definition of grace, and the goal of life.
Who is God?
One of the biggest differences between Christians and Mormons, is their perception of God. Using the same names, “God the Father,” “Jesus,” and the “Holy Spirit” does not mean they agree on their nature.
The bible is clear about the character and nature of God. He is the First, the Last, the Alpha and Omega. There is no god before Him and there will not be afterward. God’s divine status has not changed and it will not change, nor will anyone ever achieve this status.
The LDS Church believes something entirely different. According to the teachings of Orson Pratt, Lorenzo Snow, and Doctrines and Covenants, god is not truly an eternal being, because he was a man at one point. There are gods before and after him.
Christianity
“Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” Isaiah 43:10
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
“I [Jesus] am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:13
Mormonism
“We were begotten by our Father in heaven; the person of our Father in heaven was begotten on a previous heavenly world by His Father; and again, He was begotten by a still more ancient Father; and so on, from generation to generation, from one heavenly world to another still more ancient.” Orson Pratt, Apostle of the LDS Church
“The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s” Doctrines and Covenants 130:22
What is Grace?
Grace is another point of contention between Christians and the LDS Church. Both Christians and LDS would say grace is essential to salvation, though their definitions of grace are completely different.
Grace, by definition, is a free, unearned gift, completely independent of anything the recipient of grace does. The bible speaks of this in Romans 11:6, stating that “grace would no longer be grace” if based on works.
The LDS definition is seemingly close, but is quite different. Grace is completely dependent on the recipient of it. 2 Nephi 25:23 states that “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” So, grace is administered AFTER someone has done everything they can to be the best person they can be.
Christianity
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” Romans 11:6
Mormonism
“for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do”. 2 Nephi 25:23
“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ” Moroni 10:32
The Goal of Life:
CHRISTIANITY
To be with God
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
John 17:3
Mormonism
To Be God
“As man is now, God once was; as God is now man may be.”
Lorenzo Snow, 5th President of the LDS Church