Christianity vs mormonism

mont974x4 · Dec 17, 2007

A Comparison Between Christian Doctrine
and Mormon Doctrine
"Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it and see if it will stand the test"
(Brigham Young, May 18, 1873, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 16, page 46.)
Following is a comparison between Christian doctrine and Mormon doctrine. It will become very obvious that Mormonism does not agree with the Bible. In fact, Mormonism has simply used the same words found in Christianity and redefined them. But with a proper understanding of what Mormonism really teaches, you will be able to see past those definitions into the real differences between Christianity and Mormonism.
The difference is the difference between eternal life and damnation.
Topic Christian Mormon
GOD There is only one God (Isaiah 43:11; 44:6,8; 45:5) "And they (the Gods) said: Let there be light: and there was light (Book of Abraham 4:3)
God has always been God (Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 57:15) "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, p. 345
God is a spirit without flesh and bones (John 4:24; Luke 24:39) "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's" (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22. Compare with Alma 18:26-27; 22:9-10)
"Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body . . . of flesh and bones." (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 38).
TRINITY The Trinity is the doctrine that there is only one God in all the universe and that He exists in three, eternal, simultaneous person: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The trinity is three separate Gods: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. "That these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other, is demonstrated by the accepted records of divine dealings with man." (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 35.)
JESUS Jesus was born of the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matt. 1:23) "The birth of the Saviour 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 were of our fathers." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8: p. 115)
"Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers" (Mormon Doctrine," by Bruce McConkie, p. 547)
Jesus is the eternal Son. He is second person of the Trinity. He has two natures. He is God in flesh and man (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2;9) and the creator of all things (Col. 1:15-17) Jesus is the literal spirit-brother of Lucifer, a creation. (Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15)
THE
HOLY
SPIRIT The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is not a force. He is a person. (Acts 5:3-4; 13:2) Mormonism distinguishes between the Holy Spirit (God's presence via an essence) and the Holy Ghost (the third god in the Mormon doctrine of the trinity).
"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. 144)
SALVATION Salvation is the forgiveness of sin and deliverance of the sinner from damnation. It is a free gift received by God's grace (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 6:23) and cannot be earned (Rom. 11:6). Salvation has a double meaning in Mormonism: universal resurrection and . . .
"The first effect [of the atonement] is to secure to all mankind alike, exemption from the penalty of the fall, thus providing a plan of General Salvation. The second effect is to open a way for Individual Salvation whereby mankind may secure remission of personal sins (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 78-79.
Salvation (forgiveness of sins) is not by works (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 4:5; Gal. 2:21) "As these sins are the result of individual acts it is just that forgiveness for them should be conditioned on individual compliance with prescribed requirements -- 'obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.'" (Articles of Faith p. 79)
BIBLE The inspired inerrant word of God (2 Tim. 3:16). It is authoritative in all subjects it addresses. "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. . ." 8th Article of Faith of the Mormon Church.

This is only a sample of many of the differences between Christianity and Mormonism. As you can see, they are quite different doctrines. God cannot be uncreated and created at the same time. There cannot be only one God and many gods at the same time. The Trinity cannot be one God in three persons and three gods in an office known as the Trinity, etc. These teachings are mutually exclusive.
This is important because faith is only as good as the object in which it is placed. Is the Mormon god the real one? Or, is the God of historic and biblical Christianity the real one?

Mormonism is obviously not the biblical version of Christianity. It is not Christian and Mormons serve a different god than do the Christians -- a god that does not exist. Paul talks about this in Gal. 4:8, "when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods." Only the God of the Bible exists. There are no others. Mormonism puts its faith in a non-existent god.

marshgreencohen · Dec 19, 2007

ive been an invstigator now for like a month in lds and i'm still seeking for the right things about it.i just don't know what to do next whther to embrace it or continue asking questions signifying doubt about the church

Romans 13:3 · Dec 20, 2007

marshgreencohen said:
ive been an invstigator now for like a month in lds and i'm still seeking for the right things about it.i just don't know what to do next whther to embrace it or continue asking questions signifying doubt about the church

Look at all the similarities between the ancient churches and how different the Mormons are. Your faith loves reason. Use it to see the problems with LDS.

BigNorsk · Dec 26, 2007

marshgreencohen said:
ive been an invstigator now for like a month in lds and i'm still seeking for the right things about it.i just don't know what to do next whther to embrace it or continue asking questions signifying doubt about the church

Well the whole foundation of the LDS rests on whether or not Joseph Smith was a trustworthy prophet.

I would suggest studying the book of Abraham. Joseph Smith took what he claimed was a book or scroll written by Abraham in his own hand in hieroglyphics and Joseph Smith claimed to translate it. There are drawings that leave no question about what he was looking at, and indeed the original book has been found.

What it is is a common thing placed with Egyptian mummies, a set of directions to guide them in the underworld. They date from the first century BC. Abraham lived a long time but not nearly that long.

It has nothing to do with Abraham, it was clearly not written by Abraham and what Joseph Smith said was a translation was clearly not a translation.

That really should be all you need to look at to know that Joseph Smith was not a trustworthy prophet of God, but a charlatan, a false prophet.

Marv

Obiwan · Feb 3, 2008

BigNorsk said:
Well the whole foundation of the LDS rests on whether or not Joseph Smith was a trustworthy prophet.

He was, and there are thousands of witnesses of it, including his entire family.

I would suggest studying the book of Abraham. Joseph Smith took what he claimed was a book or scroll written by Abraham in his own hand in hieroglyphics and Joseph Smith claimed to translate it. There are drawings that leave no question about what he was looking at, and indeed the original book has been found.

FALSE..... A couple of small "fragments" of what originally were several scrolls which filled several rooms were found hidden away in a museum. No evidence at all that said fragments are from the actual BOA Joseph translated from. One of the BOA facimilees having been found in the fragments means nothing, for such were a dime a dozen.

It has nothing to do with Abraham, it was clearly not written by Abraham and what Joseph Smith said was a translation was clearly not a translation.

There are much smarter and educated people about this issue than you who say otherwise, some are even respected Egyptologists. There is much more "evidence" for it's legitimacy than you realize. If there wasn't, I wouldn't believe in it.

That really should be all you need to look at to know that Joseph Smith was not a trustworthy prophet of God, but a charlatan, a false prophet.

Marv

And you tell us all we need to know that you don't know at all what your talking about. Your just repeating the bearing false witness malarky our enemy's have fed you.

Anyone wishing to understand the LDS (independently intelligent and educated) views of certain "controversial" subjects can start here: http://www.fairlds.org
Anti-mormonism does not tell you the whole truth.... They use some truth to tell great lies about us. Shame Shame!

mont974x4 · Feb 4, 2008

Tha claim of new special revelation, known as the Book of Mormon, is enough evidence against them.

jeffC · Feb 4, 2008

marshgreencohen said:
ive been an invstigator now for like a month in lds and i'm still seeking for the right things about it.i just don't know what to do next whther to embrace it or continue asking questions signifying doubt about the church

Don5925 said:
Look at all the similarities between the ancient churches and how different the Mormons are. Your faith loves reason. Use it to see the problems with LDS.

mont974x4 said:
Tha claim of new special revelation, known as the Book of Mormon, is enough evidence against them.

Hi Marsh,

These are some good suggestions. I would only add that just as important as using reason (make sure you examine both sides of the issue, not just pro only or con only sources) is to trust in the special revelation that God promises each of us.
[BIBLE]John 16:13[/BIBLE]
After you have studied on things, pray that God will lead you into truth, and discern truth from error; and He will!

Studying things out is important. I've examined almost all topics that will be brought up for or against the LDS church extensively. In my opinion, both sides present valid "evidences" supporting their viewpoint such that neither side has the advantage if we were told to use "reason" only to make spiritual judgements. A good example would be the accounts of ancient churches, as is the claim that the Book of Mormon is an authentic ancient document. Since we are also called on to exercise our faith, this is just as it should be, IMO. But, figure things out for yourself and trust the Lord!

Praying for you in your journey

jeffC · Feb 4, 2008

mont974x4 said:
A Comparison Between Christian Doctrine
and Mormon Doctrine
"Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it and see if it will stand the test"
(Brigham Young, May 18, 1873, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 16, page 46.)
Following is a comparison between Christian doctrine and Mormon doctrine. It will become very obvious that Mormonism does not agree with the Bible. In fact, Mormonism has simply used the same words found in Christianity and redefined them. But with a proper understanding of what Mormonism really teaches, you will be able to see past those definitions into the real differences between Christianity and Mormonism.

In other words, when those with an axe to grind provide the "proper understanding" of LDS beliefs, then it's obvious. But, in reality LDS accept the Bible as scripture, and any disagreements about the Bible are over understanding the Bible. As a testament to the truthfulness of this statement, consider that there are few if any LDS interpretations of the Bible that are not shared by other non-LDS theologians or scholars.

Moodshadow · Feb 4, 2008

marshgreencohen said:
ive been an invstigator now for like a month in lds and i'm still seeking for the right things about it.i just don't know what to do next whther to embrace it or continue asking questions signifying doubt about the church

Try to find objective sources first. Avoid stuff published by the LDS church, because it's strongly biased in their favor, as might be expected. Also avoid stuff written by Jerald and Sandra Tanner, or Ed Decker, because it is also biased, though in the opposite direction. If I may, let me suggest Mormon Enigma, a biography of Joseph Smith's wife Emma, and Mormon America, a contemporary treatise of Mormonism in general, very fairly done. Both books are meticulously documented by their authors and provide a wealth of information. They're available at any good bookstore or online at Amazon or Barnes & Noble or Borders. Good luck and God bless you in your search for truth.

Moodshadow · Feb 4, 2008

Obiwan said:
He was, and there are thousands of witnesses of it, including his entire family.

FALSE..... A couple of small "fragments" of what originally were several scrolls which filled several rooms were found hidden away in a museum. No evidence at all that said fragments are from the actual BOA Joseph translated from. One of the BOA facimilees having been found in the fragments means nothing, for such were a dime a dozen.

There are much smarter and educated people about this issue than you who say otherwise, some are even respected Egyptologists. There is much more "evidence" for it's legitimacy than you realize. If there wasn't, I wouldn't believe in it.

And you tell us all we need to know that you don't know at all what your talking about. Your just repeating the bearing false witness malarky our enemy's have fed you.

Anyone wishing to understand the LDS (independently intelligent and educated) views of certain "controversial" subjects can start here: http://www.fairlds.org
Anti-mormonism does not tell you the whole truth.... They use some truth to tell great lies about us. Shame Shame!

Obiwan, you might be interested to see what one of your BYU professors had to say about Joseph Smith's "reformed Egyptian." It's quite long, but it's worth reading. Don't miss the conclusion paragraph and the listing at the end of Dr. Thompson's credentials.

jeffC · Feb 4, 2008

Moodshadow said:
If I may, let me suggest Mormon Enigma, a biography of Joseph Smith's wife Emma, and Mormon America, a contemporary treatise of Mormonism in general, very fairly done. Both books are meticulously documented by their authors and provide a wealth of information.

Don't you think that Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling would be a better biography? A focus on Emma's perspective is nice and all, but the viewpoint of the founder of the LDS church movement seems more foundational. Besides, it has been described as the most important biography on Joseph Smith for years to come.

Also, I wouldn't call Mormon America fair. Their author was the same one that Pres Hinckley accused of taking his words out of context, and furthermore they take a stand against the LDS church throughout. Sure, they are more "fair" when compared to most of the anti-mormon hit jobs that are still the norm. I hope that more books like this one become the norm. But, don't mistake a more cordial approach for neutrality. This book is definitely in the "con" category.

Note that on religious topics, I don't think it's possible to find completely neutral sources; they're either going to lean pro or con. Rough Stone Rolling comes really close to neutrality. But even this book I would put in the "pro" category because as Dr. Bushman points out, you can't consider a religious movement fairly unless you approach it from the perspective of one who believes it.

Moodshadow · Feb 4, 2008

I didn't recommend Rough Stone Rolling because I have never read it. Have you read No Man Knows My History by Fawn Brodie? I'm reading that one right now, and it seems pretty objective. She also wrote highly touted biographies of Thomas Jefferson, Richard Nixon and Sir Richard F. Burton, and I'm doubting she had any anti-Mormon axe to grind. Maybe next I'll read RSR.

And for whatever it's worth, which may not be much, I don't entirely agree with Dr. Bushman's premise. It may be difficult to write an entirely objective work, but it is definitely possible. Mormon Enigma would be a great example. Despite the fact that it's written by LDS authors, they take great pains not to editorialize, sanitize, or even opine. They just simply state the facts and let the documentation speak for itself. I was very impressed by that. (One of them was disfellowshipped for a while after the book came out, and she was afraid she'd lose her membership. She couldn't say prayers in church, couldn't hold a calling, couldn't take the sacrament. The Powers That Be finally relented and reinstated her to full fellowship. I found that interesting.)

intrepid · Feb 18, 2008

Marshgreencohen:

While investigating you will read a lot of material. You already have material on this thread to ponder. If you accept Mormonism you will be accepting that God (Heavenly Father), Jesus, you, me, the other six billion we share the Earth with are of the same species.

Of all of the 'issues' concerning the Book of Abraham, Book of Mormon, polygamy, Mountain Meadows Massacre, archaeology, etc., that one is what put the brakes on investigation for me. God was a guy like me who became exalted and could create planets? Where did that power ~ to control space, time and matter ~ come from? Not the power of any priesthood but the power to do that? We're the same species as God?

Peace and love

Brennin · Feb 19, 2008

Obiwan said:
FALSE..... A couple of small "fragments" of what originally were several scrolls which filled several rooms were found hidden away in a museum. No evidence at all that said fragments are from the actual BOA Joseph translated from. One of the BOA facimilees having been found in the fragments means nothing, for such were a dime a dozen.

This is a fiction Mormons have created in order to escape the fact that we have what Smith had and his "translation" of it is laughably absurd. There is an exact correspondence between the symbols on the extant papyri and the translation notes. Sorry, Obiwan but it is game over for you and your co-religionists.

There are much smarter and educated people about this issue than you who say otherwise, some are even respected Egyptologists. There is much more "evidence" for it's legitimacy than you realize. If there wasn't, I wouldn't believe in it.

Please. Nibley was so desperate to save the Book of Abraham that he made a fool of himself many times over and John Gee's Mormon apologia has been denounced by his former advisor, Robert K. Ritner.

Moodshadow · Feb 19, 2008

According to Nibley's daughter, his capacity as liaison between the church and the media meant that it was his job to reconcile church's stance on this Egyptology stuff (for one - there were many others), and it drove him crazy. Not figuratively crazy, like temporarily, but actually, truly, literally crazy. He was a well respected, venerated, learned man - a professor of history at BYU; he KNEW that there were people out there who knew he was spouting baloney, and it just ate him alive, because he had to do it for the church. He kept it up until the end, and he was given a hero's funeral by the church, but there were many insiders who knew the toll it all took on him and his family during his life. It was not pretty.

Brennin · Feb 19, 2008

Moodshadow said:
According to Nibley's daughter, his capacity as liaison between the church and the media meant that it was his job to reconcile church's stance on this Egyptology stuff (for one - there were many others), and it drove him crazy. Not figuratively crazy, like temporarily, but actually, truly, literally crazy. He was a well respected, venerated, learned man - a professor of history at BYU; he KNEW that there were people out there who knew he was spouting baloney, and it just ate him alive, because he had to do it for the church. He kept it up until the end, and he was given a hero's funeral by the church, but there were many insiders who knew the toll it all took on him and his family during his life. It was not pretty.

I think that is entirely possible. Certainly, Nibley was as detached from reality as one can be without being gibbering mad.

E.C. · Feb 19, 2008

marshgreencohen said:
ive been an invstigator now for like a month in lds and i'm still seeking for the right things about it.i just don't know what to do next whther to embrace it or continue asking questions signifying doubt about the church

Compare Gnosticism with Mormonism.

EllJay · Feb 21, 2008

In deciding whether or not LDS is Christian, wouldn't it be wise to compare the LDS path to salvation with the Christian path to salvation?

Also, how many gods are there?
If I understand LDS theology correctly, we all have the capacity to become gods, so is it proper to conclude that LDS is a polytheistic religion? If so, doesn't that demonstrate opposition with Judeo-Christian tradition which teaches one God?

jeffC · Feb 21, 2008

EllJay said:
In deciding whether or not LDS is Christian, wouldn't it be wise to compare the LDS path to salvation with the Christian path to salvation?

To be Christian is to profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ and His teachings. This is the only criteria that matters. If one wishes to narrow the criteria further, the real comparison is between one Christian denomination and another; not between a Christian denomination and a non-Christian one.

EllJay said:
Also, how many gods are there?
If I understand LDS theology correctly, we all have the capacity to become gods, so is it proper to conclude that LDS is a polytheistic religion? If so, doesn't that demonstrate opposition with Judeo-Christian tradition which teaches one God?

It is not proper to conclude that LDS is polytheistic. LDS doctrine is that even though in one sence we speak of more than one god, in the most important sense there is only one God. Those of Jewish and Muslim faiths often say that Christians are polytheists because of the Trinity. But you probably don't agree with their assessment, and nor would I. For a very similar reason, I don't agree with your assessment above.

Also, as I research the Judeo-Christian tradition, at least prior to about 300 AD, I find that the sense in which LDS speak of more gods than one if highly compatible with the Hebrew and Christian Scripture canon, and extra-Biblical theologians. We've been discussing this topic here; feel free to join in.

HOPEOF9 · Feb 21, 2008

Obiwan said:
He was, and there are thousands of witnesses of it, including his entire family.

FALSE..... A couple of small "fragments" of what originally were several scrolls which filled several rooms were found hidden away in a museum. No evidence at all that said fragments are from the actual BOA Joseph translated from. One of the BOA facimilees having been found in the fragments means nothing, for such were a dime a dozen.

There are much smarter and educated people about this issue than you who say otherwise, some are even respected Egyptologists. There is much more "evidence" for it's legitimacy than you realize. If there wasn't, I wouldn't believe in it.

And you tell us all we need to know that you don't know at all what your talking about. Your just repeating the bearing false witness malarky our enemy's have fed you.

Anyone wishing to understand the LDS (independently intelligent and educated) views of certain "controversial" subjects can start here: http://www.fairlds.org
Anti-mormonism does not tell you the whole truth.... They use some truth to tell great lies about us. Shame Shame!

What I see happening is you agrue against responses, but have yet to see any argument against the things in the OP.
I read the OP and the responses. I have family that are Mormon, and won't answer these same comparisons. When will that happen?

What I've seen of those that go around the question is the excuse that the Mormon's believe in the KJV Bible. The problem is again they say "if interpreted correctly." Which to me means...only if a Mormon does it.

You can say you are Christians if you believe in Jesus Christ and God but if you change WHO THEY ARE, then it isn't the same.

The Mormons also have told me that God was once a Man who attained Godhood (or however you'd like to phrase it) But the God of the KJV Bible, was, is, and always will be God. He was NEVER human. Praise the Lord for that, because I would NEVER EVER want to have to please a GoD like me, or the average man walking around. The bishop that preached my Grandmother's funeral also said that if our Good deeds outweighed the bad ones, we'd be in paradise...those ideas is what would lead to a very perverted religion that excludes Grace and Mercy.
My neighbor is also a Mormon. She told me that there isn't a Hell where people die/go for punishment. They just have lower levels of heaven according to what they've done in this life. That is NOT what the KJV Bible says either.

Christians aren't allowed to pick the Scriptures apart and take what they want and leave the rest, even though some have tried. We must believe, yes, but we must ask forgivenes for we are all sinners and must come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, not just believe Him to be who He said He was. The demons believed and trembled, but they won't be in Heaven.

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