Is Mormonism Christianity? TQFD 18.01.2008

Given that one of the leading candidates for President is a Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, aka LDS), and with all the ballyhoo about whether Mormonism is just another Christian denomination or something different, I thought it might be worthwhile to look at some of the beliefs of the Mormon Church.

The first item to note is that LDS have additional writings which they consider Scripture. Most have at least heard of the Book of Mormon, but there are two other works as well. Officially, LDS acknowledges the following texts as Scripture.

The Bible

The Book of Mormon

The Doctrine and Covenants (Revelations Given To Joseph Smith, The Prophet, With Some Additions By His Successors In The Presidency Of The Church.)

The Pearl of Great Price (A Selection From The Revelations, Translations, And Narrations of Joseph Smith, First Prophet, Seer, And Revelator To The Church.)

"Such are the biblical materials at one’s disposal for the purpose of deciding what was the original sense of the text of the Old and New Testaments. However, latter-day revelation, in the form of the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and also the teachings of Joseph Smith (through his translation of the Bible and otherwise), offer much evidence and many helpful suggestions about biblical interpretation and original content. These latter-day sources are indispensable to the student who wishes to obtain the clearest and most complete understanding of what the ancient prophets and apostles have written."

- Bible Dictionary http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/b/55

Some other differences include the following.

The belief that man in some kind of non-corporeal capacity was not created but has always existed (Doctrine and Covenants 93.29, "man was also in the beginning with God"; "The mind or intelligence which man possesses is co-equal with God himself" Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith).

Matter is eternal (Doctrine and Covenants 93.23, "the elements are eternal").

Spirit is a type of matter (Doctrine and Covenants 131.7-8, "all spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes. We cannot see it, but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter").

The soul consists of the spirit and the body (Doctrine and Covenants 88.15 "And the spirit and the body are the soul of man").

God was the architect and builder of the Universe but not Creator ("God had materials to organise the world out of chaos, [that is] chaotic matter, which is element, and in which dwells all the glory. Element had existence from the time he had" Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith). The "in which dwells the glory" is also problematic since it refers here to matter not God.

God is actually an exalted or perfected human ("God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sit enthroned in yonder heavens" Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith).

Adam is understood to be more than a man

Adam is the father and patriarch of the human race on the earth. His transgression in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3; D&C 29: 40-42; Moses 4) caused him to “fall” and become mortal, a step necessary in order for mankind to progress on this earth (2 Nephi 2: 14-29; Alma 12: 21-26). Adam and Eve should therefore be honoured for their role in making our eternal growth possible. Adam is the Ancient of Days and is also known as Michael (Daniel 7; D&C 27: 11; 107: 53-54; 116; 138: 38). He is the archangel and will come again to the earth as the patriarch of the human family, preparatory to the second coming of Jesus Christ (D&C 29: 26).

- From Guide to the Scriptures, emphasis added (D&C is Doctrine and Covenants; Moses, Nephi and Alma are books in the Mormon Scriptures).

Satan is understood radically differently than in the Bible:

The devil is the enemy of righteousness and of those who seek to do the will of God. He is literally a spirit son of God and was at one time an angel in authority in the presence of God (Isaiah 14: 12; 2 Nephi 2: 17). However, he rebelled in the premortal life and persuaded a third part of the spirit children of the Father to rebel with him (D&C 29: 36; Moses 4: 1-4; Abraham 3: 27-28). They were cast out of heaven, were denied the opportunity of obtaining mortal bodies and experiencing mortal life, and will be eternally damned.

- Guide to the Scriptures, emphasis added.

1 And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honour. 2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever. 3 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; 4 And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.

- Moses 4.1-4, emphasis added.

27 And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first. 28 And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him.

- Abraham 3.27-28, emphasis added.

Resurrection and eternal life are radically different:

14 Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which is made for you is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead. 15 And the spirit and the body are the soul of man. 16 And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul. 17 And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it. 18 Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory; 19 For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father; 20 That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified. 21 And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom. 22 For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory. 23 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory. 24 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory. 25 And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—26 Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it. 27 For notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again, a spiritual body. 28 They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened.

- Doctrine and Covenants 88.14-28, emphasis added.

These are but a few of the differences that exist between Christianity and Mormonism. There are others that are equally significant, e.g. the Trinity, marriage, baptism for the dead. Our purpose here was not to identify every difference between the two but to try and determine if Mormonism is merely another Christian denomination or another religion entirely.

In consideration of the above, while we can affirm that Christianity and Mormonism share much in common (e.g., the Bible, belief in moral behaviour) there is also a great deal that differentiates one from the other. Honesty requires that given the nature and substance of the differences between Mormonism and orthodox Christianity, one must conclude that the two are not the same and that to label Mormonism as merely another Christian denomination would be to misrepresent both.

It bears remembering that there is a wide gulf between theology and praxis, between theology and the knowledge and understanding of individual followers. Just as there are (sadly) many Christians who cannot adequately articulate their beliefs, why they hold them, or the logical implications thereof, the same is doubtless true of some Mormons. It is possible that some of the more unusual of the official Mormon teachings are unknown or not understood (or perhaps privately rejected) by followers who, as a result, would be closer in actual belief to orthodox Christianity than the Mormonism. It is also important for us to remember that many Mormons do, in fact, consider themselves Christians and are unaware of the theological differences in belief between orthodox Christians and themselves. As we can see from some of the examples above, simple statements like "God made the earth" can be affirmed by both Mormons and Christians yet at the foundational level each means something radically different from the other. For these reasons it is important that we as Christians fully explain the meaning of our statements and reasoning when discussing the Faith with Mormons. And above all let us remember speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4.15).

Finally, there exists to this day a fascination with the belief in and practise of polygamy by Mormons. In spite of shows like HBO's "Big Love", the LDS formally renounced and rejected polygamy in 1890. In 1998 President Gordon B. Hinckley reiterated the church's position by saying, "I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of the Church. Most of them have never been members. They are in violation of the civil law."

Toda raba!

God always gives us what we need and never more than we can handle; therefore the task ahead of you is never greater than the power behind you. So be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (Ephesians 6.10) for He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13.5).

Jude 20-22

Quote

"The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?'"

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

2 Timothy 4.1-2

May God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that we may make His way known on earth, and His salvation known among all peoples (Psalm 67.1-2). Amen.

God Bless, God-speed, and dread nought for He is with thee!

Tags: Mormon, Mormonism, Latter Day Saints

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Is Mormonism Christianity? TQFD 18.01.2008