Is Mormonism a Christian Denomination? A look at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and their Beliefs
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
In this post, I’ll be talking about Mormonism and how they consider themselves a Christian Denomination. Mormons are part of a church called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Below includes a brief look at their beliefs, and how it compares to Christianity.
I recently had the chance to listen to Mormon Elder regarding his beliefs and the history of the Mormon church. He was very reasonable and quite open about his faith, which is contradictory to many Latter Day Saint (or LDS) members I have questioned before. I had many LDS friends growing up, and still maintain many of those friendships. I absolutely adore their way of life and their family oriented philosophy.
However, I must draw a line at LDS members calling themselves Christian. I do not believe that Mormonism is a Christian Denomination. Before I explain my opinion and rationale, I would like preface this by saying this is really meant for LDS members or Evangelical Christians, as well as those who are knowledgeable of either religion. Additionally, I don’t wish to alienate members of either religion, but only wish to provoke serious thought.
What makes a Christian a Christian?
Let’s start with summarizing what separates Christianity from other People of the Book Religions. I shamelessly took these from the Christian Apologetic’s and Research Ministry’s website, found here.
- There is only one God in all existence (Exodus 20:1-4; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8; 45:5).
- Jesus is divine (John 1:1;14; 8:24; Col. 2:9)
- Forgiveness of sins is by grace alone without works (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:28; 4:1-5)
- Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; Luke 24:39)
- The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
Now, these can be summarized as fundamental ideas, or rather, laws that serve to define Christianity. Now, if you were to ask a LDS member these questions, I’m quite sure they would agree in all of these statements, or at least affirm them in a way that makes sense to their religion. For example, when I asked the Elder to explain the LDS standpoint on the multiple gods accusations, he declared that LDS members believe that they are the literal sons and daughters of God, and will therefore be rewarded in the afterlife in such a way. Now, while that statement alone is not enough to separate Mormons from Christianity, but looking at the Mormon holy books, we actually begin to see the inconsistencies.
The Mormon Religious Rules vs. Christian Fundamental Law
“Mormonism teaches that God the Father has a body of flesh and bones (D. & C. 130:22) and that Jesus is a creation who was begotten in heaven as one of God’s spirit children (See the book, Jesus the Christ, by James Talmage, p. 8).” The Bible, as we stated above, declares that Jesus is God in flesh form (John 1:1, 14), yet Mormonism also teaches this, they qualify it as “a” god in flesh, one of three gods that comprise the office of the Trinity (Articles of Faith, by Talmage, pp. 35-40). This directly contests that there is one God, as stated above. Christians are, again, taught that forgiveness is from grace alone, and that grace comes from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross alone as the source of grace.
Yet, Mormonism teaches that forgiveness comes from obeying God’s laws through the Book of Mormon and other holy books: “The sectarian dogma of justification by faith alone has exercised an influence for evil,” (Articles of Faith, p. 432), and “Hence the justice of the scriptural doctrine that salvation comes to the individual only through obedience,” (Articles of Faith, p. 81). Now, although this book here isn’t an official Mormon holy book, it does use Mormon holy books as reference. Here’s another thing: the Bible does teach that obtaining forgiveness is by faith alone (Rom. 3:28; 4:1-5), yet Mormonism teaches that forgiveness of sins is not by faith alone (2 Nephi 25:23; Moroni 10:32). This also contests a fundamental law of Christianity.
Do Mormons Follow the Bible?
Technically, the LDS church believes in the Bible as the word of God. However, the LDS Church undermines the Bible’s complete authenticity and trustworthiness: The 8th Article of Faith from the Mormon Church states, “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.” This statement allows Mormons to pick and choose parts of the Bible that are fitting to their holy books and testaments of faith, but work to separate them from common Christianity. One cannot pick and choose apart the Word of God based on “human error” such as Biblical translations. To do so contradicts the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16).
So are Mormons a Christian Denomination?
I believe the LDS people to be wonderful and a worthy people to associate with. However, their doctrine is flawed as far as associating with the Christian church. This makes them particularly dangerous to born again Christians. Jesus himself said “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV). Simply by adding Jesus Christ to the church title does not enable Mormons to follow the biblical Jesus, it only allows them to worship a Jesus that works in their religion. This simply cannot be.
So how should Christians treat Mormons?
A good rule of thumb for Christians to follow with anybody, Christian or non Christian, is to love the sinner but hate the sin. The Christian population is America is particularly awful at this issue, especially since we already have the stigma against us. For the Mormons you know, I’m sure you can personally attest to their outstanding character, awesome sense of family, and overall great person. It’s a tragic thing for Christians to rebuke the teachings of Joseph Smith simply because it is not true Christianity, but it must be done. Treat your friends well and do not assume anything, but ask them to explain their religion to you, guiding them through these fundamental Christian laws, and then walk them through it from there. Be patient, and remember to love the sinner but hate the sin.
Thanks for reading, please feel free to comment below!
For more reading on the Mormon Beliefs, check this out.