Understanding Mormonism
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"Do you think I'm still a Christian?"
My friend's question startled me. I'd just sat down with Anne over a quick lunch to catch up on our lives. Childhood friends, we hadn't seen each other for years. But now, both visiting the town of our shared childhood, we were eager to renew our friendship.
Anne and I were raised as Christians. But after high school, our lives went different directions. And when Anne and her husband moved to Utah, they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the Mormon Church.
If you ask a Mormon if she's a Christian, chances are you'll receive an emphatic "Yes!" Many Mormons say they accept the Bible as God's Word, and that they believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They'll affirm their belief in the Jesus of the Bible, and that he's central to their faith. Often they'll remind you that the name of their church is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They'll tell you they believe in sin and in the need of Jesus to be their Savior. They espouse grace and teach of heaven and the glory to come. They hold high moral standards and raise strong families. It would certainly seem Mormonism is Christian.
Mormon beliefs sound so Christian because their language is similar to Christianity's. Yet on closer investigation, the actual doctrines of Mormonism differ significantly from the historic, orthodox Christian faith. That's why it's important for evangelical Christians to be aware of the following six theological differences between Mormonism and biblical Christianity.
1. The Bible
In 1842, founder Joseph Smith wrote a brief history of the Mormon Church for Joseph Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, which included 13 statements he called the Articles of Faith. In number 7, Smith states: "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."
An important distinction in Mormon theology is their belief that the Bible isn't inerrant, that it's become corrupted over the years and through the translation process. Mormons say the Bible is missing important parts and doesn't contain the full gospel of Jesus Christ. At its core, Mormonism identifies biblical Christianity as an apostate and errant faith. According to Doris Hanson—a former Mormon who now works with Living Hope Ministries (www.lhvm.org), an outreach to Latter-day Saints—Joseph Smith claimed, in his book Pearl of Great Price, that Christian denominations were "all wrong … all their creeds were an abomination in his sight, and that those professors were all corrupt." Mormons have stressed they are the only true Christians, and that other branches of Christianity have lost their authority to operate.
Originally published in: Today's Christian Woman, 2008, January/February, Vol. 30, Issue 1, Page 46
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LDS Man
Interesting perspective. The first half of the article was great, up until point number 4. A few things were conviniently left out of the first half, but for the most part, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ I would agree with most of the first half. The second half however was quite wrong and twisted. I know we are Christian, and I am sad some will still try to divide Christianity. I would encourage you to ask a friend or Missionary representative about the last three points -- not to contend, but to seek clarity. Thanks for the article.
Dsutor
This is an IMPORTANT article. I am a former Mormon and it took me years to get past the lies I was taught. This is NOT the true faith; and I think it's very important for people to know what the religion really teaches. There are so many fine Mormon people, but I worry for their eternal souls. None of us will ever be a god; there is ONE TRUE GOD and He sent his son to do for us what we can't ever do for ourselves: give us salvation.
Sara
Great points! I was born and raised a Mormon and not once was I ever taught that I was a Christian. I grew up to believe that all Mormons are above all other religions because we had the truth and no one else did. Evangelical is a broad term and I'll leave that one alone. The Mormon church will never be the true church! EVER!
JaMeA
Please, Jan, accept your friend as a Christian, just on the belief that she acts like a follower of Christ. Nothing more, nothing less. You would expect the same from her, wouldn't you? Honestly...can't we ALL just be Christian about this?
No one important
Everyone knows David Archuleta from American Idol season 7, right? is he christian, mormon or catholic because 3 people say he's mormon, 1 person says he's catholic and everyone else says that he's christian.
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