Mormon Doctrines and Practices Compared to Christianity

As we seek to understand the teachings of the Mormon faith, it's essential to approach the topic with sensitivity and a desire to discern the truth, just as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11, examining the Scriptures to see if the things they were being taught were so. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as Mormonism, has several key points that deviate from the historic Christian faith. One of the most significant areas of concern is their view of God, which is fundamentally at odds with the biblical revelation. Mormons believe in a plurality of gods, teaching that God the Father was once a man who attained godhood through a process, and that humans can become gods themselves in the afterlife, a notion that contradicts the clear testimony of Scripture, which affirms that there is only one true God, as declared in Isaiah 44:6 and 45:5-6.

Another critical area of difference is their understanding of Jesus Christ. While Mormons acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, they deny His divinity as the second person of the Trinity, instead viewing Him as a separate being, a spirit brother of Lucifer, who earned His way to godhood. This undermines the biblical doctrine of Christ's eternal deity, as expressed in John 1:1-14 and Hebrews 1:1-3. Furthermore, Mormons reject the concept of original sin, instead teaching that humans are born neutral, without any inherent sin nature, which disregards the biblical teaching on the fallenness of humanity, as seen in Romans 3:23 and 5:12-19.

Additionally, Mormonism introduces extra-biblical scriptures, such as the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, which they consider to be authoritative and equal to the Bible. This expansion of the canon is a significant departure from the Christian tradition, which has historically recognized the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired and inerrant Word of God, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. As we engage with our Mormon friends and neighbors, it's crucial that we lovingly and clearly present the gospel of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the authority of Scripture and the unique, saving work of our Lord, who alone is the way, the truth, and the life, as He Himself declared in John 14:6.