Are Mormons Christian? Do Mormons and Christians believe the same things?
Many Mormon beliefs run contrary to Christianity. Notably, the Mormons believe that Jesus was a god, but not God Himself; Mormons also accept the Book of Mormon as a new revelation.
People who do not profess Jesus Christ as both fully God and fully man, and as the only way to salvation through faith, are not saved. Mormons fall into this category based on their heretical doctrine.
In this article, we include many biblical references and references to Mormon materials. Please, if you desire to know the truth, look them up and read for yourself.
Critical to Christian faith is the doctrine that Jesus is one with God (fully God), God's only Son who came to earth as a baby, born divinely to Mary (John 1:1; 3:16; 14:9–11; Luke 1—2), lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26), died on the cross for our sins (Romans 4:25; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8), and rose back to life three days later (1 Corinthians 15:3–8, 17–20; Romans 4:25). Mormons do not believe this. They say that Jesus is a god, but not God Himself (Mormon Doctrine, p 547; Articles of Faith, p. 35, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p 372).
Interestingly, Mormons do not believe that God is God. Instead, they say God is an exalted man who earned his status through good works (Mormon Doctrine, p. 321; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345). Christians believe there is only one, true God who has existed forever (Revelation 1:8; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:15–16; Psalm 102:24–27) and is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1; Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 37:16; Colossians 1:16–17).
In Mormon belief, any person can become a god, or at least god-like, if they can only earn it through good works (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345–354). This is the oldest lie of our enemy. When Adam and Eve were told in the Garden of Eden not to eat of the tree, Satan told them they could be like God if they did (Genesis 3:5). But what happened instead was the fall of humankind and the need for redemption (Genesis 3). No good works will ever be enough to make us righteous (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:20; Ephesians 2:8–10). God does transform us to become more like Himself, but Christians do not become gods (2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 1:6; 1 John 3:1–3).
Orthodox Christianity holds that salvation is only by faith in Jesus, and cannot be earned by good works (John 10:9–10; 11:25; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5). Good works by Christians are the result of, not the instigation for, salvation (Ephesians 2:10; John 13:34–35; 1 John 4:7–21; James 2:17). Mormons believe people can earn salvation through doing good and being morally right (Doctrine and Covenants 58:42–43; 2 Nephi 9:23–24; 25:23; Alma 11:37; 34:30–35; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p 188; Mormon Doctrine, p. 670).
The founder of the Mormons, Joseph Smith who died in 1844, said God the Father and God the Son appeared to him (in the 1800s) and denounced modern Christianity. He said an angel called Moroni led him to golden plates inscribed with the Book of Mormon that he was to copy and return (Articles of Faith, p. 182–185). Thus, the Mormon church was born.
Much has been written about Smith, his questionable background, odd behavior, place in history, and leadership abilities. If you want to find books and articles debunking his integrity, they are readily available. If you want to find books supporting his character, those too are easily found. Smith is a controversial figure.
The Book of Mormon disagrees with the Bible, historical fact, and archeological findings. Verses within it have been altered by leaders over the years to avoid Mormon embarrassment.
Many Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Community of Christ) who discover the true doctrine of their church, find out about the questionable past of its historical leaders, and understand the changes leaders have made to their scriptures, and have sought the truth about Jesus Christ have found true salvation. Christians should treat Mormons with love and understanding and pray for those who remain deceived by Satan.
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