Is Mormonism Christian?
© Institute for Religious Research, 1340 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids,
Mi. 49505
Posted with permission.
Updated March, 1999
Is Mormonism Christian? This may seem
like a puzzling question to many Mormons as well as to some Christians. Mormons will note
that they include the Bible among the four books which they recognize as Scripture, and
that belief in Jesus Christ is central to their faith, as evidenced by their official
name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Furthermore, many Christians have
heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing Christian hymns and are favorably impressed with
the Mormon commitment to high moral standards and strong families. Doesn’t it follow
that Mormonism is Christian?
To fairly and accurately resolve this question we need to carefully compare the basic
doctrines of the Mormon religion with the basic doctrines of historic, biblical
Christianity. To represent the Mormon position we have relied on the following well-known
Mormon doctrinal books, the first three of which are published by the Mormon Church:
Gospel Principles (1997), Achieving a Celestial Marriage (1976), and A Study of the
Articles of Faith (1979) by Mormon Apostle James E. Talmage, as well as Doctrines of
Salvation (3 vols.) by the tenth Mormon President and prophet Joseph Fielding Smith,
Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed., 1979) by Mormon apostle Bruce R. McConkie and Teachings of the
Prophet Joseph Smith.
1. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that there
is only one True and Living God and apart from Him there are no other Gods
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; 44:6,8; 45:21,22; 46:9; Mark 12:29-34).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there are many Gods (Book of
Abraham 4:3ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom
(Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20; Gospel Principles, p. 245; Achieving
a Celestial Marriage, p. 130). It also teaches that those who achieve godhood
will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we worship and pray
to God the Father (Gospel Principles, p. 302).
2. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that God
is Spirit (John 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:15,16), He is not a man (Numbers 23:19;
Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:22, 23), and has always (eternally) existed as God — all
powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 90:2; 139:7-10; Isaiah 40:28;
Luke 1:37).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was once a man like us
who progressed to become a God and has a body of flesh and bone (Doctrine and
Covenants 130:22; "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and
sits enthroned in yonder heavens!" from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp.
345-347; Gospel Principles, p. 9; Articles of Faith, p. 430; Mormon Doctrine, p. 321).
Indeed, the Mormon Church teaches that God himself has a father, and a
grandfather, ad infinitum (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373; Mormon
Doctrine, p. 577).
3. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that Jesus
is the unique Son of God; he has always existed as God, and is co-eternal and co-equal
with the Father (John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:9; Colossians 2:9). While never less than
God, at the appointed time He laid aside the glory He shared with the Father (John 17:4,5;
Philippians 2:6-11) and was made flesh for our salvation; His incarnation was accomplished
through being conceived supernaturally by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Matthew
1:18-23; Luke 1:34-35).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Jesus Christ is our elder brother who
progressed to godhood, having first been procreated as a spirit child by Heavenly Father
and a heavenly mother; He was later conceived physically through intercourse between
Heavenly Father and the virgin Mary (Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 129;
Mormon Doctrine, pp. 546-547; 742). Mormon doctrine affirms that Jesus and Lucifer are
brothers (Gospel Principles, pp. 17-18; Mormon Doctrine, p. 192).
4. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost are not separate Gods or separate beings, but
are distinct Persons within the one Triune Godhead. Throughout the New Testament the
Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as the Father are separately identified as and act as God
(Son: Mark 2:5-12; John 20:28; Philippians 2:10,11; Holy Spirit: Acts 5:3,4; 2 Corinthians
3:17,18; 13:14); yet at the same time the Bible teaches that these three are only one God
(see point 1).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three
separate Gods (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370; Mormon Doctrine,
pp. 576-577), and that the Son and Holy Ghost are the literal offspring of
Heavenly Father and a celestial wife (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Encyclopedia of
Mormonism, vol. 2, p. 649).
5. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the
disobedience of our first parents Adam and Eve was a great evil. Through their fall sin
entered the world, bringing all human beings under condemnation and death. Thus we
are born with a sinful nature, and will be judged for the sins we commit as individuals.
(Ezekiel 18:1-20; Romans 5:12-21).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Adam’s sin was "a necessary
step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us" (Gospel
Principles, p. 33; Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 2:25; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp.
114-115).
6. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that apart
from the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross we are spiritually "dead in
trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1,5) and are powerless to save ourselves.
By grace alone, apart from self-righteous works, God forgives our sins and makes us worthy
to live in His presence (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6). Our part is only to cling to
Christ in heartfelt faith. (However, it is certainly true that without the evidence of
changed conduct, a person’s testimony of faith in Christ must be questioned;
salvation by grace alone through faith, does not mean we can live as we please –
Romans 6:1-4).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that eternal life in the presence of God
(which it terms "exaltation in the celestial kingdom") must be earned
through obedience to all the commands of the Mormon Church, including exclusive Mormon
temple rituals. Works are a requirement for salvation (entrance into the
"celestial kingdom") — Gospel Principles, p. 303-304; Pearl of Great Price
— Third Article of Faith; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 339, 671; Book of Mormon — 2
Nephi 25:23).
7. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the
purpose of the atoning work of Christ on the cross was to provide the complete solution
for humankind’s sin problem. However, those who reject God’s grace in this life
will have no part in this salvation but are under the judgment of God for eternity
(John 3:36; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 5:11-12).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the purpose of the atonement was to
bring resurrection and immortality to all people, regardless of whether they receive
Christ by faith. Christ’s atonement is only a partial basis for worthiness and
eternal life, which also requires obedience to all the commands of the Mormon church,
including exclusive Mormon temple rituals (Gospel Principles, pp. 74-75; Mormon
Doctrine, p. 669).
8. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the
Bible is the unique, final and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1,2;
2 Peter 1:21) and that it will stand forever (1 Peter 1:23-25). God’s
providential preservation of the text of the Bible was marvelously illustrated in the
discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.*
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the Bible has been corrupted, is
missing many "plain and precious parts" and does not contain the fullness of the
Gospel (Book of Mormon — 1 Nephi 13:26-29; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3,
pp. 190-191).
9. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the
true Church was divinely established by Jesus and could never and will never disappear
from the earth (Matthew 16:18; John 15:16; 17:11). Christians acknowledge that there
have been times of corruption and apostasy within the Church, but believe there has always
been a remnant that held fast to the biblical essentials.
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there was a great and total apostasy
of the Church as established by Jesus Christ; this state of apostasy "still
prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" of
the Mormon Church (Gospel Principles, pp. 105-106; Mormon Doctrine, p. 44).
Conclusion: The above points in italics constitute the common gospel
believed by all orthodox Christians through the ages regardless of denominational labels.
On the other hand, some new religions such as Mormonism claim to be Christian, but accept
as Scripture writings outside of the Bible, teach doctrines that contradict the Bible, and
hold to beliefs completely foreign to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles.
Mormons share with orthodox Christians some important moral precepts from the Bible.
However, the above points are examples of the many fundamental and irreconcilable
differences between historic, biblical Christianity and Mormonism. While these differences
do not keep us from being friendly with Mormons, we cannot consider them brothers and
sisters in Christ. The Bible specifically warns of false prophets who will teach
"another gospel" centered around "another Jesus," and witnessed to by
"another spirit" (2 Corinthians 11:4,13-15; Galatians 1:6-9). Based on the
evidence presented above, we believe Mormonism represents just such a counterfeit gospel.
It has been pointed out that if one claimed to be a Mormon but denied all the basic tenets
of Mormonism ¾ that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is true
and divinely inspired, that god was once a man who progressed to godhood through keeping
the laws and ordinances of the Mormon Church, and that the Mormon Church was divinely
established ¾ the Mormon Church would reject such a person’s claim to being a
Latter-day Saint. One cannot fairly call oneself a Mormon is one does not believe the
fundamental doctrines taught by the Mormon Church. By the same token, if the Mormon Church
does not hold to even the basic biblical truths believed by the greater Christian
community down through the ages, how can Christians reasonably be expected to accept
Mormonism as authentic Christianity?
If the Mormon Church believes it is the only true Christian Church, it should not attempt
to publicly present itself as a part of a broader Christian community. Instead it should
tell the world openly that those who claim to be orthodox Christians are not really
Christians at all, and that the Mormon Church is the only true Christian Church. This in
fact is what it teaches privately, but not publicly.
*Documentation and further information available free or
on loan from:
Gospel Truth Ministries
1340 Monroe Ave.
NW, Grand Rapids, Mi. 49505
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