Mormonism vs Christianity
Mormonism vs Christianity
Can a Mormon also be a Christian? Or one might ask the question, can a Christian be a Mormon?
Mormons consider themselves to be Christians. But is it possible for them to be both a Mormon and a Christian? Well, that’s what we’re going to look at in this article. We must first start with what they believe.
The Book of Mormon – Is it equal to the Christian/Protestant Bible?
Let’s start by addressing some fundamentals. The Mormons, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (or simply LDS as some of them prefer to be referred to as), is a religion that was started by Joseph Smith.
As a young man, Joseph found a box on his father’s land. When he opened it, he found some gold tablets. On the tablets were writing in an unknown language. With assistance from an angel, he’s said to have translated the tablets. And thus wrote the Book of Mormon from what he interpreted.
Keep in mind, no other human saw them let alone read them. Everyone who believes in the Book of Mormon does so based on what only one person saw and interpreted.
If we stopped right there, that should be enough for any sane person to question its authenticity.
According to the Britannica Encyclopedia (site referenced above), the Book of Mormon is considered to be “holy scripture.” Notice that the “h” and “s” are lowercase. That’s because Holy Scripture refers to the sacred writings of the Old and New Testaments (of the Bible).
Nevertheless, the Book of Mormon is considered writing of a religious nature – which is in the second definition of “scripture” in the dictionary.
The Book of Mormon has but one writer – Joseph Smith. Conversely, the Holy Bible had around 40 writers. Even though none of them coordinated their efforts, the books of the Bible have the same story. That’s because there’s only one author – God. Through the Holy Spirit, the writers composed the scriptures that we have today.
Although the Book of Mormon is considered “holy scripture” by definition, it’s not Holy Spirit inspired. Not to mention, it has nothing to do with the Bible.
Regardless of what some might say, Mormons don’t believe the same as Christians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints holds the Book of Mormon as equivalent to the Bible. It’s a book that Joseph Smith wrote or transcribed around 1830. It’s based on a set of golden tablets that only he could interpret. No, it’s not equal or equivalent to the Bible.
Related articles: Who Wrote the Book of Mormon and The Bible vs the Book of Mormon.
Mormonism also teaches that everyone gets to Heaven. But only Mormons get to the third Heaven (Kingdoms of Glory).
Of course, the Bible doesn’t teach that. Rather, it teaches that there’s only one heaven and only one way to get there (John 14:6).
The Bible does teach that no one should add to or take away from what was written in it.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”
The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who hears this say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.” – Revelation 22:16-19
Why don’t Mormons display a cross anywhere?
If Mormons claim to be Christians, then why don’t they have crosses displayed anywhere? They have plenty of paintings of “Jesus” but nothing regarding a cross.
At the Mormon temple grounds in Salt Lake City, Utah, I actually asked that question to our tour guide. I asked, “Why don’t you have a cross anywhere?”
She told me, and everyone else there, that they don’t have any crosses because that’s the negative aspect of Jesus’ life. And therefore, they don’t like to think about or remember it.
If you don’t understand the significance of the cross, let me explain. During His ministry, Jesus Christ professed over and again that He would die and rise to live again.
Jesus Christ lived during the time of the ancient Roman Empire. At the time, their primary form of execution was to execute people by having them hang on a wooden cross. They would hang there until asphyxiation caused them to die. Romans knew how to inflict death and they had perfected it.
All four gospels have an account of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They described who, what, when, and where. Who took part in it and those in attendance. What they did to Him. When it occurred. And where it took place. The why comes up throughout the Bible – for the forgiveness of sin.
– Jesus was whipped (John 19:1).
One such Old Testament passage is found in chapter 53 of the book of Isaiah. In that chapter, Isaiah prophesied the event. The lashes He would receive and the death He would endure for our sins. But that’s not the only place.
– A crown of thorns was placed on his head.
During His crucifixion, Jesus had a crown of thorns pressed onto His head (John 19:2). In Ezekiel 28, thorns are used to illustrate how God’s people will know that He is sovereign.
– Jesus died and rose on the third day.
After His death on the cross, He was buried. And on the third day, He rose again. Jesus foretold of His own death (John 2:19). That on the third day, He would live again.
In Jewish custom, even a part of a day was considered an entire day. Jesus was crucified on what now refer to as “Good Friday.” It was during the Jewish celebration of Passover. And on Sunday morning, He had risen.
Therefore, the Mormons are neglecting the key part of Christianity. Jesus’s finished work on the cross.
Without Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, there is no Christianity. If He had stayed dead, that would’ve been the end of it. But He didn’t. He lives!
Is Jesus in the Book of Mormon the same as Jesus Christ of the Bible?
After knowing that Mormons don’t like to think about or remember the cross, the next logical question is, are they the same Jesus?
According to what they believe (and not because I said it – see article link below), their Jesus visited the Americas after His resurrection. They use John 10:16 as their reasoning for this. “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
Related article: What Mormons Believe About Jesus Christ
In that passage of scripture, Jesus is speaking to the Jews regarding Gentiles. If you don’t know, gentiles are anyone who’s non-Jew (which is the majority of the world). There’s nothing in that scripture that said he went to the other side of the world to visit North or South America.
Besides, Acts 1:1-10 tells us that after His resurrection, Jesus Christ spent 40 days with His disciples before ascending to Heaven while they watched.
Moreover, like Catholicism, Mormons they don’t believe in the finished work of the cross. Both religions are based on works. In their religions, you must do certain things if you want to get into Heaven. In Christianity, to be saved one must confess and repent of their sins and ask Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior.
Salvation is based on grace not on a person’s works, so no one can boast about what they’ve done (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Do Mormons Baptize Their Dead?
In Mormonism, they baptize the dead because they believe that you’re not saved unless you’re baptized (Mormonism Basics – FAQ).
The Bible makes it very clear. Baptism is not what saves a person. To be saved, you have to confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, that Jesus is Lord – Romans 10:9. It doesn’t say and be baptized. And no one else can do it for you.
Mormons use John 3:5 to justify their belief that a person must be baptized to be saved. The passage says, “Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.’”
Here’s another example where Mormons took scripture out of context. In that passage of scripture, Jesus is talking to the Jewish leader Nicodemus. He was explaining to Him that His beliefs in a works system would not save him.
Being born of water takes place when a person is born from their mother. Being born of the Holy Spirit happens when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior – Galatians 3:14.
Additionally, the Bible makes it clear that a person cannot be saved once they’re dead (Luke 16:19-31).
Can a Mormon also be a Christian? Or a Christian be a Mormon?
No, like Catholics, Mormons believe in something different than Christians.
Can a Mormon become a Christian? Yes!
But they must give up their belief in Mormonism and put their faith in the one and only Jesus Christ of the Bible. Not from the Book of Mormon.
According to Romans 3:23, all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Not some or most of us – all of us.
And for our sin, we deserve death (Romans 6:23). But our belief in Jesus Christ frees us from that (Romans 8:1-2). Because God works things together for those who love him (Romans 8:28).
If you too want to be saved, the Bible says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
Consider also reading: Catholicism vs Christianity.
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