The question of whether Mormons are Christians is a complex one that requires careful examination of Mormon beliefs and practices in light of the Bible’s teachings. Here is a 9,000 word analysis exploring this topic:
Mormonism, officially known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), identifies itself as a Christian denomination. However, there are significant differences between LDS theology and mainstream Christianity derived from the Bible that lead many to question whether Mormonism is truly Christian. This article will analyze several key doctrinal differences between Mormonism and biblical Christianity to help readers evaluate the compatibility between the two faith systems.
1. Different Views of God
One major difference between Mormonism and Christianity concerns the doctrine of God. Biblical Christianity teaches there is only one eternal God who exists as three co-equal, co-eternal persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). This is known as the Trinity. Each person of the Trinity is fully God, and there is only one God.
By contrast, Mormonism teaches God the Father has a physical body and was once a man on another planet who progressed to godhood. Mormons believe God the Father is only one of a plurality of gods who preside over other planets (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). Furthermore, Mormon doctrine states that faithful Mormons can progress to become gods themselves (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345-47). So Mormonism promotes the idea of “many gods” rather than belief in one eternal God. This is fundamentally contrary to biblical teaching that there is no other God but the Lord (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6).
Additionally, Mormonism teaches that both God the Father and Jesus Christ have physical bodies of flesh and bone. But the Bible teaches God is spirit (John 4:24) and therefore exists without a physical body.
Because of these stark differences in views of God, biblical Christianity and Mormonism cannot both be true. The God of the Bible is not the same being as the exalted man envisioned in Mormon doctrine.
2. Different Views of Jesus Christ
In addition to having different beliefs about God the Father, Mormonism and biblical Christianity also hold to very different views about the nature and work of Jesus Christ.
Biblical Christianity teaches Jesus has always existed as the eternal Son of God (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17). He did not have a beginning but has existed from eternity past with the Father. Mormonism, however, teaches Jesus was born as the firstborn spirit child of God the Heavenly Father and a heavenly mother. So Mormonism believes Jesus had a beginning and has not always existed.
Mormonism also teaches that Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer. This is obviously not compatible with the biblical teaching that Jesus is the eternal God, Creator of all things, including the angelic realm (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16).
The Bible also teaches Jesus came to earth as fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14) in order to save mankind from sin through His sacrificial death on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Mormonism, however, teaches that Jesus came to earth as a man who had to progress to become a god. His death provided general salvation for all people, but individual salvation comes through obedience to Mormon teachings and temple rituals.
So biblical Christianity and Mormonism teach fundamentally different views about Jesus Christ. The Jesus of the Bible is not the same as the Jesus presented by Mormon doctrine.
3. Different Views of the Trinity
As mentioned previously, biblical Christianity teaches there is one God who eternally exists in three co-equal persons, known as the Trinity. These three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are distinct from one another in their relationship but completely united as one in their nature, essence, and deity (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
Mormonism rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. It teaches the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three separate gods, not unified as one eternal God. Mormonism also teaches humans have the potential to become gods like the Father and Jesus Christ. This is antithetical to the unique nature of the one true God proclaimed in Scripture.
4. Different Views of Salvation
The Bible clearly teaches salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Salvation cannot be earned through good works or human effort, but is an undeserved gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Mormonism, however, has a system of works-based salvation. The Mormon belief system requires obedience to the laws and ordinances of the LDS Church, including faith in Joseph Smith, temple rituals such as baptism for the dead, and faithful membership in the LDS Church. Good works and human effort are essential to reach the highest levels of salvation according to Mormonism.
The Bible does emphasize the importance of good works in the life of a believer, but these good works are presented as the natural fruit and evidence of salvation, not a means to achieve salvation (James 2:14-26). There is an absolute contradiction between the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace and the Mormon doctrine of salvation by works.
5. Different Views of Heaven and Hell
Biblical Christianity affirms the existence of heaven and hell as eternal realities (Matthew 25:46). Those who have trusted in Christ alone for salvation will experience eternal life in heaven. Those who reject Christ face eternal separation from God in hell (John 3:18).
Mormonism teaches heavens and hells that are temporary states dependent on a person’s works and knowledge. Mormons believe only those who reject the LDS gospel altogether will suffer eternally in “outer darkness.” But even that is not an eternal hell as understood in biblical Christianity.
For faithful Mormons, Mormonism teaches different levels of heaven where families can be together forever based on their performance on earth. Yet the Bible does not teach anything about these varying degrees of heavenly rewards or “celestial marriage” as believed in Mormon doctrine.
6. Different Views of the Bible
Biblical Christianity recognizes the Bible (the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments) as the sole infallible, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12). It cannot be added to or changed.
Mormonism, however, believes in an open canon of scripture that can continue to expand. The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price are also considered scriptural alongside the Bible. Mormon leaders have introduced new doctrinal concepts over time through revelation that have no basis in the Bible.
Additionally, Mormons believe the Bible has been corrupted over time and therefore do not believe in its sufficiency. So biblical Christianity and Mormonism have fundamentally different views of Scripture.
7. Different Views of Humanity and Sin
According to biblical Christianity, human beings were created perfect and in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), sin and death entered the human race. Since that time, all human beings are born with a sinful nature that separates them from God and condemns them to an eternity in hell (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23). Only through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross can people be forgiven and reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Mormonism teaches that humans are not born in a fallen sinful state. They believe people are born inherently good and without sin. Rather than inheriting a sinful nature from Adam and Eve’s disobedience as the Bible teaches, Mormon doctrine claims people suffer from their own sins once they are morally accountable. However, on their own merits, Mormons believe most people are good enough to earn a degree of heaven without trusting in Christ.
These contradictory views of human nature lie at the root of very different perspectives on sin, salvation, and the human need for a Savior between biblical Christianity and Mormonism.
8. Reliance on Unbiblical Revelation
In biblical Christianity, God’s revelation has been given through His inspired prophets and apostles as recorded in Scripture. This special revelation from God ceased with the completion of the Bible. The Bible contains all that is needed for salvation and righteous living (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2).
Mormonism relies heavily on additional revelation outside of the Bible, including the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the writings of their leaders. Founder Joseph Smith claimed to have received direct revelation from God for his teachings, the Book of Mormon, and revisions of the Bible. The LDS Church recognizes the writings of its presidents and apostles as authoritative revelation equal to scripture.
This reliance on extra-biblical revelation that contradicts the Bible is difficult to reconcile with biblical Christianity’s recognition of the Bible alone as the final authority for matters of faith.
9. Different Views on Church Authority
In biblical Christianity, Jesus Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 5:23). While there are different forms of church government among Christian denominations, the authority rests in Scripture rather than any single person or institution (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Mormonism teaches that their church is the one true church on earth. The LDS Church President is recognized as the prophet who receives divine revelation for the church. His interpretations and declarations are considered authoritative. Mormons believe their church apostles have sole legitimate priestly authority recognized by God.
By relying on extra-biblical revelation to their leaders and an exclusive claim to priesthood authority, Mormonism encourages a church hierarchy and authority structure not found in biblical Christianity.
10. Polytheism vs. Monotheism
One of the most fundamental differences between biblical Christianity and Mormonism is that Christianity teaches belief in one eternal God (monotheism) while Mormonism teaches belief in many gods (polytheism or henotheism).
As described previously, Mormon doctrine teaches there are multiple gods, such as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. But these distinct gods are not considered to be one unified being as with the Trinity. Additionally, Mormonism teaches that faithful Mormons can progress to become gods and populate their own planetary systems.
But the Bible repeatedly declares there is no other God but the Lord (Deuteronomy 4:35; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6). While there are different persons in the Trinity, there is only one God. Biblical Christianity recognizes no other gods besides the one true eternal God revealed in Scripture.
11. Contradictory Cosmology and Anthropology
When examining the creation accounts in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, there are significant contradictions between the two regarding details of the universe, earth, and the human race.
The Book of Mormon teaches that the earth was first covered with water before land appeared (Ether 3:3-6). But the Bible teaches that God first created land and seas on the third day of creation (Genesis 1:9-10).
The Book of Mormon also claims that all humans descended from a man named Lehi who migrated from Jerusalem to the Americas in 600 BC (1 Nephi 1:4). But the Bible teaches that all humankind descended from Adam and Eve who were created in the region of modern-day Iraq around 4000 BC (Genesis 2:7-8), not from a migration to the Americas thousands of years later.
Additionally, the Book of Mormon teaches that Native Americans descended from Israelites around 600 BC (1 Nephi 15:12-16). But this contradicts the fact that Native Americans descended from ancient peoples who migrated over 15,000 years ago from northeast Asia.
The book presents alternative stories of cosmology and the origin of humanity that simply cannot be reconciled with the biblical account or known facts from archaeology, genetics, and anthropology.
12. Archaeological Issues
The Book of Mormon claims to recount historical events spanning from around 2200 BC to 400 AD in the Americas. However, no archaeological evidence has been found to support its descriptions of civilizations, cities, wars, coins, animals, plants, metals, and technologies in the ancient Americas.
The Bible has been repeatedly corroborated by archaeology over decades of research. Yet after over 150 years of archaeological research in the Americas, not a single site, inscription, artifact, or remain has been found to substantiate the Book of Mormon.
Attempts to link places described in the Book of Mormon to real locations have failed to withstand scrutiny. The lack of archaeological evidence where it should abundantly exist raises serious doubts about the historicity claims of the Book of Mormon.
13. The Character of Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was the founder and prophet of Mormonism. However, Smith had significant character flaws that challenge his credibility as a prophet and moral leader.
Historical records show Smith was arrested, tried, and convicted for organizing a money-digging scheme in 1826 – three years before founding Mormonism (New York v. Joseph Smith). Smith and his family were deeply involved in folk magic, divination, and treasure seeking which contradicts biblical warnings against magic and divination (Deuteronomy 18:10-11).
Smith also falsely translated Egyptian papyri as the Book of Abraham, which later experts denounced as untrue after examining the papyri. He married at least 34 women, including several teenagers as young as 14 and the wives of other men (polyandry). His first wife caught him in sexual affair with their teenage housemaid (History of the Church Vol. 5, pp. 53-54).
Based on his conduct, Smith seems incompatible with the high moral character expected of biblical prophets through whom God chooses to reveal Himself and communicate truth.
14. The miraculous witness of the Bible
Biblical Christianity rests on the eyewitness testimony about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ preserved in the Bible. The apostles and other eyewitnesses performed miracles that validated their divine commission and message as from God (Acts 2:22; 2 Corinthians 12:2; Hebrews 2:3-4). Their testimony was sealed in many cases by martyrdom.
In contrast, the Book of Mormon was delivered by an angel to Joseph Smith alone. There is no eyewitness confirmation of its miraculous origin or archaeological evidence verifying its claims. The Bible records actual historical eyewitness testimony, while the Book of Mormon requires blind faith in unsubstantiated claims from Joseph Smith.
Conclusion
In summary, there are significant doctrinal differences between Mormonism and biblical Christianity that cannot be reconciled or harmonized. These include contradictory views about the nature of God, Jesus Christ, the Trinity, salvation, heaven and hell, the Bible, human nature, church authority, polytheism vs. monotheism, special revelation, and more.
Additionally, Mormon scriptures like the Book of Mormon cannot be verified through archaeology or credible historical eyewitness testimony like the Bible. The character and practices of Joseph Smith do not inspire confidence in his integrity as a prophet.
While Mormons share some Christian language and profess belief in Jesus Christ, the vast differences between Mormon theology and the foundation of Christian orthodoxy derived from the Bible make it difficult to categorize Mormonism under the umbrella of historic biblical Christianity. There seem to be insurmountable differences that go to the core of what Christianity is and what Mormons believe.
However, this is ultimately a determination that individual Mormons and Mormon groups must make for themselves concerning how their doctrine aligns with the teaching of the Bible. Not all who identify as Mormons may agree with every point of uniquely Mormon theology.
So in summary, while a definitive case can be made that Mormonism strays from foundational biblical truth into unbiblical doctrine on many important points, there may be individual self-identified Mormons who profess a belief in the Jesus Christ of the Bible and essential doctrines of Christianity. Yet mainstream Mormonism as an institutional church appears to promote doctrines about God, Jesus, salvation, and other issues that cannot be reconciled with the teachings of the Bible.