The Mormonism
Mormonism, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, claims to be the restoration of the true gospel and a revelation of the true God. 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 not the Bible
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OCR Street Ministry
What Do Mormon Believe?
Mormons, believes and teaches that God the Father used to be a man on another planet, that he became a God by following the laws and ordinances of that God on that planet and came to this world with his wife (she became a goddess), and that they produce a spirit offspring in heaven. These spirit offspring, which includes Jesus, the devil, and you and me, are all brothers and sisters born in the preexistence. These preexistence spirits come down and inhabit babies at the time of birth, and their memories of the preexistence are lost at the time. Furthermore, faithful Mormons, who pay a full 10% tithe of their income to the Mormon church through Mormon temples, have the potential of becoming gods of their own planets and are then able to start the procedure over again. The Bible does not teach that God came from another planet; or that he has a goddess wife, or that we can become gods. In fact, the Bible clearly and definitely contradicts those teachings. But the Mormon Church responds by saying that the Bible is not really trustworthy, that the true faith was lost, and that its leader, Joseph Smith, restored the so-called "true" Christian faith: god from another world, becoming gods, goddess mother, etc. Of course, the Mormon Church's claim is not true. The Bible does not teach that God came from another planet; or that he has a goddess wife, or that we can become gods. In fact, the Bible clearly and definitely contradicts those teachings. But the Mormon Church responds by saying that the Bible is not really trustworthy, that the true faith was lost, and that its leader, Joseph Smith, restored the so-called "true" Christian faith: god from another world, becoming gods, goddess mother, etc. Of course, the Mormon Church's claim is not true.
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.
The Compelling Truth
Why Should a Mormon Consider Becoming a Christian?
Both the Mormon Church and Evangelical Christianity accept the Bible as the Word of God. Therefore, the Bible serves as the authoritative source regarding how a person becomes a Christian. Yet as a Mormon, you may already believe you are a Christian. The first question to consider is how does the Bible define who is a Christian?
The first appearance of the word "Christian"
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found in Acts 11:26. It reads, "In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." The Antioch group was started by people who fled Jerusalem after Stephen was martyred. They were called Christians, or followers of Christ, because they had believed in and preached Jesus as Lord (verse 20).
What did preaching Jesus as Lord consist of?
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The message that Stephen died for was the same message proclaimed by Jesus and His earliest followers. In Acts 2:32 Peter told the people of Jerusalem, "This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses." In verse 36 he added, "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." These first Christians believed Jesus had been crucified and that God had literally raised Him from the dead to prove He was the predicted Messiah.
How do these words apply to us today?
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As a Mormon, you are taught the Book of Mormon's view of salvation that includes, "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23). In other words, salvation or eternity with God is based on believing and working hard to obey the teachings of the Mormon Church.
But how do you know if you've worked to receive eternal life?
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Is serving a two-year mission enough? Is tithing enough? Is volunteering to serve every week for a certain number of hours enough? There is no certainty whether you have done enough to obtain eternal life in the teachings of the Mormon Church. Thankfully, the Bible offers hope. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Salvation is not faith plus works. It is faith plus nothing. It is a free gift! All we must do is believe. Certainly, a sincere faith in Jesus Christ will result in a changed life (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:10). However, works will not make you a Christian and will not provide you eternal life. Only Jesus, our perfect substitute for sin, can perfectly forgive all sins and provide the free gift of eternal life. In fact, John 3:16 promises, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Faith in Jesus is not a way or part of the way to eternal life—it is the only way (John 14:16; Acts 4:12).
Are you ready to accept the free gift of eternal life Jesus offers?
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Do you want to place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior? If so, accept Him right now. There is no special prayer you must pray to do so. Romans 10:9 says, "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here? If so, please click on the "are you ready to be a christian?" button below.
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