The Mormon Church or LDS is a False Religion, separate and completely

Introduction

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church) is one of the most prominent religious movements to have originated in the United States. Founded in the 19th century, it has since grown into a global faith with millions of members. Despite the church’s efforts to present itself as part of the Christian tradition, many mainstream Christian denominations view it as a distinct religion because of its unique doctrines and additional scriptures. This article examines the history of the LDS Church, compares its beliefs to those of mainstream Christianity, highlights key scriptural differences, and discusses why it is considered by many to lie outside the bounds of the orthodox Christian faith.

A Brief History of the LDS Church

Founding and Early Growth

Joseph Smith Jr. established the LDS Church in upstate New York in 1830. According to Smith, at the age of 14, he experienced a vision (later referred to as the “First Vision”) in which God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and told him that all existing Christian denominations were incorrect. A few years later, Smith claimed an angel named Moroni directed him to a buried set of golden plates, which he translated into the Book of Mormon, published in 1830.

Smith established the LDS Church on April 6, 1830, with a small group of followers. Over the next decade, the group relocated multiple times—first to Ohio, then to Missouri, and later to Illinois—primarily due to social and political tensions with surrounding communities. A mob murdered Joseph and Hyrum Smith in the Carthage, Illinois, jail in 1844.

The Move West

Following Smith’s death, Brigham Young assumed leadership of the majority faction of the movement. He led the church members westward in search of religious freedom, eventually settling in the Salt Lake Valley, which was then part of Mexican territory (now Utah), in 1847. There, the LDS Church flourished and established a theocratic society. Utah became a U.S. territory in 1850, and the LDS Church played a dominant role in its development.

Over time, the LDS Church abandoned controversial practices such as polygamy, which it officially renounced in 1890, paving the way for Utah’s statehood in 1896. The 20th and 21st centuries have seen the LDS Church evolve into a worldwide organization with over 17 million members, as of 2024.

Key Doctrinal Differences Between Mormonism and Mainstream Christianity

Though the LDS Church uses the name “Jesus Christ” prominently and teaches belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, its theology differs significantly from that of orthodox Christianity, particularly in these core areas:

1. Scripture

• Mainstream Christianity accepts the Bible alone (66 books for Protestants) as the inspired Word of God.
• The LDS Church affirms the Bible’s accuracy in translation and adds three additional books to its repertoire:
  • The Book of Mormon
  • The Doctrine and Covenants
  • The Pearl of Great Price

These additional scriptures introduce doctrines and narratives not found in the Bible.

2. The Nature of God

• Christianity teaches the doctrine of the Trinity: one God in three co-eternal, co-equal persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (see Matthew 28:19; John 1:1; Acts 5:34).
• Mormonism rejects the Trinity. According to LDS teachings, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings, unified in purpose but distinct. God, the Father, is believed to have a physical body.

3. Jesus Christ

• In Christianity, Jesus is eternally God, the second person of the Trinity, who became incarnate (John 1:14).
• In LDS doctrine, Jesus is the first spirit child of the Heavenly Father and a heavenly mother, making him the elder brother of all humans (and even of Satan, according to LDS teaching).

4. Salvation

• Mainstream Christianity teaches that salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) and that good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation.
• LDS teaching emphasizes a combination of grace, faith, repentance, baptism, and obedience to church ordinances and commandments (2 Nephi 25:23 in the Book of Mormon says, “We are saved by grace, after all we can do”).

5. Deification

• Christianity teaches believers to become children of God by adoption, but remains distinct from God in nature (Romans 8:15-17).
• Mormonism teaches humans can become gods, a belief summarized in the phrase attributed to early LDS leaders: “As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may become.”

Key Scriptural Contrasts

To understand the theological divide, here are several areas where biblical teachings directly contrast with LDS doctrine:

1. The Sufficiency of Scripture

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17—”God breathes out all Scripture… that the man of God may be complete.”
• The Bible claims to be complete and sufficient, whereas the LDS Church asserts additional scriptures are necessary.

2. The Uniqueness of God

• Isaiah 43:10—”Before me, no god was formed, nor shall there be after me.”
• Isaiah 44:6, 8—”I am the first, and I am the last; besides me, there is no god.”
• These passages contradict the LDS teachings of multiple gods and human exaltation.

3. Salvation by Grace

• Ephesians 2:8-9—”For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works, but a result of grace.”
• Titus 3:5—”He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness…”

4. Jesus as Eternal God

• John 1:1-3, 14—”In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh.”
• Colossians 1:15-17—Jesus is “before all things” and the creator of all.

5. God is Spirit

• John 4:24—”God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
• This statement goes against the LDS belief in God the Father’s physical form.

Why Many Christian Denominations Do Not Recognize Mormonism as Christian

1. Foundational Rejection of Christianity

Joseph Smith claimed all churches were an “abomination” in God’s sight (Joseph Smith—History 1:19 in the Pearl of Great Price). This assertion directly attacks the legitimacy of all other Christian denominations.

2. Distinct Scripture and Canon

Adding new scriptures that redefine foundational doctrines is a hallmark of a separate religious movement. While Christian denominations debate theology, they all accept the same canon of Scripture.

3. Rejection of the Trinity

Denying the Trinity places the LDS Church outside of the Nicene Creed, the most universally accepted statement of Christian orthodoxy. Nearly all Christian denominations affirm the doctrine of the Trinity.

4. Unique Temple Rituals

LDS temples involve ceremonies (e.g., baptisms for the dead, endowments, sealings) that are foreign to biblical Christianity and bear more resemblance to mystery religions than to New Testament practice.

5. Belief in Human Godhood

Christianity outright rejects the doctrine that humans can become gods as nonbiblical and even heretical.

How the LDS Church Portrays Itself

Recently, the LDS Church has made significant efforts to emphasize the name “Church of Jesus Christ,” de-emphasizing the term “Mormon.” It stresses belief in Jesus Christ and ethical living, and many missionaries present their faith as another “Christian denomination.”

However, the theological differences are significant enough that most evangelical and mainline Protestant churches do not recognize LDS baptisms as valid and do not regard the LDS Church as Christian in the historical and biblical sense.

While the LDS Church shares some surface-level similarities with Christianity—such as a belief in Jesus Christ and a moral code based on family and community—its foundational beliefs, scriptures, and doctrines place it outside the bounds of orthodox Christianity. From its view of God and salvation to its use of additional scriptures and rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity, the LDS Church represents a distinct religious tradition, not a branch of Christianity.

Understanding these differences is essential for anyone seeking to discern biblical truth. As with all religious questions, examining the Scriptures and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit is crucial in determining what aligns with God’s revealed Word.

20 key differences between the New Testament Church (often referred to as the Church of Pentecost, as described in Acts 2) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon Church), along with supporting scripture references that highlight the theological differences.

1. Foundation of the Church

• New Testament Church: Founded by Jesus Christ and established through the apostles after the resurrection (Acts 2:1-47).
• Mormon Church: Founded by Joseph Smith in 1830, claiming a restoration after a complete apostasy.
• Scripture:
  • Matthew 16:18—”…on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
  • Ephesians 2:20—”…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.”

2. Scripture

• New Testament Church: Uses the Bible (Old and New Testaments) as the sole and final authority.
• Mormon Church: Utilizes four scriptures: the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
• Scripture:
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17—”God, and profitable breath out all Scripture… that the man of God may be complete…”
  • Proverbs 30:56—”Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.”

3. Nature of God

• New Testament Church: Believes in the Trinity—one God in three persons.
• Mormon Church: Teaches that God the Father has a physical body and is separate from Jesus and the Holy Ghost.
• Scripture:
  • John 4:24—”God is spirit…”
  • Deuteronomy 6:4—”Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
  • Isaiah 44:6—”I am the first, and I am the last; apart from me, there is no God.”

4. Jesus Christ

• New Testament Church: Jesus is an eternal God, begotten, not made.
• Mormon Church: Jesus is the first spirit child of the Heavenly Father and a heavenly mother.
• Scripture:
  • John 1:1, “14—In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh.”
  • Colossians 1:15-17—”He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

5. Holy Spirit

• New Testament Church: The Holy Spirit is entirely God, the third person of the Trinity.
• Mormon Church: The Holy Ghost is a spirit person, and the “Spirit of Christ” is separate.
• Scripture:
  • Acts 5:34 equates lying to the Holy Spirit with lying to God.

6. Means of Salvation

• New Testament Church: Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone.
• Mormon Church: Salvation is a process involving faith, works, ordinances, and church membership.
• Scripture:
  • Ephesians 2:8-9—”For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works.”
  • Titus 3:5—”He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness.”

7. Human Deification

• The New Testament Church adopts believers as children of God, yet they remain creatures of God.
• Mormon Church: Believers can become gods, like Heavenly Father.
• Scripture:
  • Isaiah 43:10—”Before me, no god was formed, nor shall there be after me.”
  • Romans 8:17—Heirs with Christ, but not gods.

8. Priesthood

• New Testament Church: Christ is the High Priest; all believers form a royal priesthood.
• In the Mormon Church, the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods are granted exclusively to male members.
• Scripture:
  • Hebrews 7:24-25—Jesus holds His priesthood permanently.
  • 1 Peter 2:9—”You are a royal priesthood…”

9. Baptism for the Dead

• The New Testament Church does not practice vicarious baptisms for the dead.
• The Mormon Church performs baptisms on behalf of deceased individuals.
• Scripture:
  • Hebrews 9:27—”It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
  • 2 Corinthians 5:10—Each will be judged for deeds in the body.

10. Temple Worship

• New Testament Church: No physical temple is needed; the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
• Mormon Church: Operates physical temples for exclusive rituals.
• Scripture:
  • 1 Corinthians 3:16—”You are God’s temple…”
  • John 4:21-24 emphasizes that worship is not location-specific.

11. View of Apostasy

• New Testament Church: Though apostasy was a concern, the New Testament didn’t foresee its totality or universality.
• Mormon Church: Teaches total apostasy after the apostles, requiring restoration.
• Scripture:
  • Matthew 28:20—”I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
  • Jude 1:3—”Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”

12. Role of Prophets

• New Testament Church: Prophets exist for the edification of the church, but not to introduce new doctrine.
• Mormon Church: Teaches that living prophets can receive new doctrine.
• Scripture:
  • Hebrews 1:12—God has spoken finally through His Son.
  • Galatians 1:8-9—Preaching a different gospel is accursed. (But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

13. Marriage and Eternity

• New Testament Church: Marriage is for this life; no marriage in the resurrection.
• Mormon Church: Teaches eternal marriage (sealing) in the temple.
• Scripture:
  • Matthew 22:30—”In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage.”

14. The Gospel Message

• New Testament Church: Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for our sins.
• Mormon Church: Adds ordinances, temple work, and exaltation.
• Scripture:
  • Paul defines the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:14 as Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

15. Church Authority

• New Testament Church: Authority rests in Christ and the Scriptures.
• In the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith and the LDS priesthood re-established authority.
• Scripture:
  • Colossians 1:18—Christ is the head of the church.
  • 2 Peter 1:3—We have all things needed for life and godliness.

16. Heaven and Hell

• New Testament Church: Two eternal destinies—eternal life or eternal separation.
• Mormon Church: Three degrees of glory (Celestial, Terrestrial, Telestial kingdoms).
• Scripture:
  • Matthew 25:46—”These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
  • Revelation 20:15—Those not in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire.

17. Tithing and Finances

• New Testament Church: Giving is voluntary and joyful, not legalistic.
• To enter Mormon temples, a 10% tithing is obligatory.
• Scripture:
  • 2 Corinthians 9:7—”Each one must give as he has decided in his heart…”
  • Acts 4:34-35—Early believers shared voluntarily.

18. Role of Women

• New Testament Church: Women play essential roles in ministry, but males typically hold leadership positions in pastoral roles.
• Mormon Church: Women cannot hold the priesthood.
• Scripture:
  • Galatians 3:28—All are one in Christ Jesus.
  • Romans 16:12—Commendation of Phoebe, a deaconess.

19. Resurrection of the Body

• New Testament Church: One bodily resurrection unto judgment or life.
• Mormon Church: Multiple resurrections tied to degrees of glory.
• Scripture:
  • John 5:28-29—All will rise: some to life, some to judgment.

20. The Identity of the Church

• New Testament Church: One body, the church of Christ, universal.
• Mormon Church: Claims to be the “only true church” on earth.
• Scripture:
  • 1 Corinthians 12:13—All believers are baptized into one body.
  • Ephesians 4:4-6—”There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

Conclusion

The substantial differences between the Mormon Church and the New Testament Church, in both core doctrines and secondary aspects, are illustrated by these 20 contrasting points. Despite using Christian vocabulary, the LDS Church’s teachings deviate substantially from core Christian tenets regarding God’s nature, the Bible’s authority, and the path to salvation.

To remain faithful to the New Testament gospel of Jesus Christ, committed biblical Christians need to understand these differences to distinguish truth from error.

In the book of Jude, the Apostle Jude cautions, beginning with verse 3, “Dear friends, although I was keen to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once entrusted to God’s holy people.” 4. Individuals with a documented history of condemnation may have infiltrated your organization covertly. They are ungodly people who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ, our only Sovereign and Lord.

To protect your soul, it is essential to steer clear of any engagement with the Mormon Church and its teachings, which conflict with the sacred truths of the Holy Word of God as revealed in the Bible. Instead, remain steadfastly dedicated to the enduring truth contained within Scripture and the foundational beliefs of the established New Testament Church of Pentecost, which offers a path to spiritual enlightenment and salvation.