Mormonism and Christianity :: Essay on LDS Religion

Is Mormonism Christian? This may seem like a puzzling question to many Mormons as well as to near Christians. Mormons will note that they include the Bible among the four books which they recognize as Scripture, and that belief in Jesus Christ is central to their faith, as prove by their official name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Furthermore, many Christians have heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing Christian hymns and atomic number 18 favourably impressed with the Mormon commitment to high moral standards and strong families. Doesnt it follow that Mormonism is Christian?To fairly and accurately resolve this question we pack to conservatively compare the basic doctrines of the Mormon religion with the basic doctrines of historic, biblical Christianity. To represent the Mormon position we have relied on the following well-known Mormon overbearing books, the first three of which are published by the Mormon Church gospel Principles (1997), Achieving a Cel estial Marriage (1976), and A Study of the Articles of doctrine (1979) by Mormon Apostle James E. Talmage, as well as principles of Salvation (3 vols.) by the tenth Mormon President and prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed., 1979) by Mormon apostle Bruce R. McConkie and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.1. IS THERE MORE THAN ONE TRUE GOD?The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that there is only sensation align and Living divinity fudge and apart from Him there are no other divinitys (Deuteronomy 64 Isaiah 4310,11 446,8 4521,22 469 signalize 1229-34).By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there are many Gods (Book of Abraham 43ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 13219-20 Gospel Principles, p. 245 Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 130). It also teaches that those who achieve godhood will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we wors hip and pray to God the bring forth (Gospel Principles, p. 302).2. WAS GOD ONCE A MAN LIKE US?The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that God is Spirit (John 424 1 Timothy 615,16), He is not a man (Numbers 2319 Hosea 119 Romans 122, 23), and has always (etern exclusivelyy) existed as God all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 902 1397-10 Isaiah 4028 Luke 137).By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was at once a manMormonism and Christianity Essay on LDS Religion Is Mormonism Christian? This may seem like a puzzling question to many Mormons as well as to some Christians. Mormons will note that they include the Bible among the four books which they recognize as Scripture, and that belief in Jesus Christ is central to their faith, as evidenced by their official name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Furthermore, many Christians have heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing Christian hymns and are favorably impressed with the Mormon commitment to high moral standards and strong families. Doesnt it follow that Mormonism is Christian?To fairly and accurately resolve this question we need to carefully compare the basic doctrines of the Mormon religion with the basic doctrines of historic, biblical Christianity. To represent the Mormon position we have relied on the following well-known Mormon doctrinal books, the first three of which are published by the Mormon Church Gospel Principles (1997), Achieving a Celestial Marriage (1976), and A Study of the Articles of Faith (1979) by Mormon Apostle James E. Talmage, as well as Doctrines of Salvation (3 vols.) by the tenth Mormon President and prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed., 1979) by Mormon apostle Bruce R. McConkie and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.1. IS THERE MORE THAN ONE TRUE GOD?The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that there is only one True and Living God and apart from Him there are no other Gods (Deuteronomy 64 Isaiah 4310,11 446,8 4521,22 469 Mark 1229-34).By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there are many Gods (Book of Abraham 43ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 13219-20 Gospel Principles, p. 245 Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 130). It also teaches that those who achieve godhood will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we worship and pray to God the Father (Gospel Principles, p. 302).2. WAS GOD ONCE A MAN LIKE US?The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that God is Spirit (John 424 1 Timothy 615,16), He is not a man (Numbers 2319 Hosea 119 Romans 122, 23), and has always (eternally) existed as God all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 902 1397-10 Isaiah 4028 Luke 137).By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was once a man