Here are 7 major differences between mormons and christian theology. Answers to mormon views on god and jesus, the veracity of their book of mormon, and analysis of their version of salvation illuminate their variance from christianity. Mormons express the doctrines of mormonism using standard biblical terminology and have similar views about the nature of jesus atonement, bodily resurrection, and second coming as traditional christianity. But are these evangelicals right to think that mormonism is.
The intrigue has come from the fact that latterday saints lds are so similar and yet so different. Aug 23, 2016 i guess they do have translations that needed to be corrected like the book of mormon, so why not say both books as far as translated correctly. Yet, just like you, we read and study the christian bible in great detail. The official church website portrays these books of mormon scripture as.
Baptists believe and follow the teachings of only one authority, which is the bible. The mormon bible is the book of mormon, which the mormons believe supercedes and completes the bible. What is the difference between mormonism and biblical. The name was later changed to the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. The president of the church is the highest ecclesiastical authority on the earth and is often referred to as the prophet. Sometimes the quotation is explicit, as in the second book of nephi, which contains 18 quoted chapters of the book of isaiah other significant connections between the two books include book of mormon words and phrases that only appear in. Even today, the bible used by catholics contains a number of different books than the bible. The book of mormon, the doctrines of the covenant, and the pearl of great price. With mitt romney, a mormon and former bishop of the mormon religion, having run for president, many wonder are mormons christians. Also, the evidences of prophecies that came true in the bible, verse joseph smiths prophesies coming true. Nov 18, 2017 as a result, catholicism is the largest single branch of christianity. First, mormons believe the most correct book on the face of the earth is the book of. Lds founder joseph smith said, if the veil were rent today, and the great god. It also includes the book of mormon bom which joseph smith.
How does the book of mormons and the bible compare. The book of mormon has a much greater consistency of style than does the bible, which is much more clearly the work of many authors over a period of centuries. Lisa grew up in a place known for its religious significance. Notice how the mormon writings will both agree and contradict each other as well as the bible. In addition to the 20 helps we thought itd be handy for our readers to also have a sidebyside comparison of the bible, book of mormon and other lds teachings. Roger barrier and get christian, biblical advice on todays issues. We believe in the same organization that existed in christs early church and have 12 living apostles who have had a special witness of jesus christ himself.
In mormonism the hierarchy of authority begins with jesus christ himself and continues to the presidency of the church. The bible is not a book but a collection of 66 books, written over a span of 1600 years across 3 continents, by over 40 writers inspired by god in 3 languages yet it has one primary theme the glory of god and salvat. After all, their church is labeled as the church of. Mormonism today mormon church refers to the church of christ restored in the latter days. Most voters dont care very much about romneys mormonism. Book of mormontranslation errors from the kjv fairmormon.
Jul 06, 2011 the bible came first, not the book of mormon. The following is adapted from the section on mormonism or the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in the esv study bible article on religious cults. Jst in the lds church the jst manuscripts were preserved by emma smith after josephs. The differences in wording between the kjv and the book of mormon highlight the areas in which there were theologically significant differences between the nephite versions and the masoretic text, from which the bible was translated.
The stick of joseph referred to is the book of mormon. The mormon church, founded by joseph smith, is officially known as the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, or the lds church. The book of mormon, the doctrines of the covenant, and the pearl of. May 26, 2010 i would even go so far as to argue that mormonism shouldnt even really care about the translational accuracy of the bible. Mormonism and christianity have a complex theological, historical, and sociological relationship. Although the term mormon has been used for religious discrimination, most latter day saints do not object to the term. This comparison of mormonism and biblical christianity is made for the benefit of those who have accepted mormonism and also for those who have not.
The whole series can be found at teachingtheword ministries web site. In mormonism, by contrast, god and every human is equally a necessary being. The stick of judah is obviously the bible, since the jews are through the tribe of judah. The book of mormon stands as another witness for jesus christ and his inclusive plan of redemption for all mankind. The book of mormon is an ancient record of gods dealings with some of the people in the americas note that i said some of the people in the americasthe mormon church does not teach that the people in the book of mormon were the only people here in the americas. While claiming to follow the bible, are they actually contradicting the word of god. In light of the recent interest in mormonism, it will be helpful to compare and contrast some of the key differences between mormonism and christianity. The book of mormon is indeed another testament of jesus christ, as its title. The bible is the first witness and the book of mormon bears a second witness that all the promises, prophecies, and miracles in the bible are true. Early christian theological differences i recently read misquoting jesus by bart d. Mormonism claims to follow the bible, but the mormon doctrine clearly. Are mormonism and christianity really that different. How can we not take the bible more seriously than we do, and why would we place doubt in it. They believe that only then will they find happiness in life.
Bible, book of mormon and lds scripture compared life. God has existed eternally in perfection, and has never had less of his infinite power and wisdom than he has today. And whereas the bible is organically linked to the earthly ministry of jesus christ by extensive surviving manuscript evidence going back as far as a. The contrast with christian orthodoxy is considerable. The bible is an ancient record of gods dealings with some of the people in the middle east. A survey this summer by the pew research center and the pew forum on religion and public life found that 60 percent of voters who know of. The book of mormon contains many linguistic similarities to the king james bible kjv. Unless otherwise indicated, bible quotations are taken from the king james version. Mormonism vs christianity difference and comparison diffen. Comparisons of the other belief systems are set beside christianity to illustrate the differences between them. Watch this footage of a conversation between jeff durbin and some mormons outside of the mormon temple in mesa, arizona. A survey this summer by the pew research center and the pew forum on religion and public life found that 60 percent of. Mormonism and biblical christianity bible teaching program. These include the bible as far as it is translated correctly articles of faith 1.
The bible old and new testaments is the unique, revealed, and inspired. In the bible, only marks gospel has sentences frequently begin with and, whereas sentences frequently begin with and in any book within the book of mormon. What are the key differences between mormonism and christianity. Oct 22, 2014 james walker, a former fourth generation mormon, tells his story of conversion from mormonism to biblical christianity. According to mormon christianity, even after professing their faith in jesus and being baptized, there is still much to be done in order to be seen worthy in gods eyes. Christianity began in 1st century ad jerusalem as a jewish sect and spread throughout the roman empire and beyond to countries such as ethiopia, armenia, georgia, assyria, iran, india, and china. Latterday saints believe the melding of early christian theology with greek. This book is an outgrowth of those articles and the public reaction which the articles engendered. This article contains the first two articles by dr.
The discovery of the dead sea scrolls in 1947 has shown that only minor differences have occurred in the copying of old testament texts over a period of years. The pearl of great price, and covenants and doctrines. The bible and history attest to the apostasy of the christian church. Its allegedly the inspired writings of joseph smith, whom the mormons regard as a latter. Indepth examinations of islam, mormonism and jehovahs witnesses are included, as these belief systems are very relevant to christians today, and a final chapter demonstrating how one can witness to cult members make this a very.
Bible ties to the book of mormon bible reference for lds. The purpose of the book is to convince the jew and the gentile that jesus is the christ. Mormons believe that revelation did not stop with the bible. Lehi, the first prophet of book of mormon, was a descendant of the tribe of joseph. Official name of the mormon church is the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. An faq on the difference between mormonism and biblical. In their view, the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion. Nevertheless, most mormons do not accept the trinitarian views of orthodox nicene. You may be wondering why a christian would go to see such a thing, but yeeees changing the subject in the same manner as a mormon asked why joseph smith. Yet the book of mormon says it was the god of abraham, and of isaac. Smith endowed the book of mormon with status equal to the bible. The book of mormon and the king james bible wikipedia.
This is, in part, because church members believe the bible was the result of a multiplestep translation process and the book of mormon was not. Just as with jehovahs witnesses, mormon christianity is debated because they too do not base the trinity doctrine. What do mormons believe about apostasy and restoration. Whatever the doctrinal differences that exist between the latterday saints and. As a result, catholicism is the largest single branch of christianity. Oct 12, 2012 most voters dont care very much about romneys mormonism.
Their king james version bible, as translated by joseph smith, doesnt say that at all. Following is a short comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. The book of commandments and the doctrine and covenants 1833. Hierarchy in mormonism vs traditional christianity. This comparison of mormonism and biblical christianity is made for the benefit of those who have accepted mormonism and also for. The book of mormon is remarkably christfocused, and presents a godhead resembling the trinity. God has existed eternally in perfection, and has never had. A fifthgeneration mormon, lisas exposure to people with different beliefs was extremely limited. Printed in canada first edition, isbn 9780981146720.
Mar 06, 2012 the point of this passage is that when the book of mormon was published in the nineteenth century, gentiles that is, traditional christians would object to the claim that the book of mormon is scripture and insist that the bible is the only scripture that we have or need. The father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as mans. Nov 12, 2014 perhaps the most overt example of how mormon christianity differentiates itself from biblical christianity is found in what the lds church calls temple worthiness. Whats the difference between christianity and the mormon. Regarding the differences between mormons and christians, the former sect believes in the book of mormon, otherwise known as the mormon bible as well as the holy bible. I suspect the reason the book of mormon has this view of faith and knowledge is. Christianity revelation furthermore, in sharp distinction to orthodox christian theology, mormons do not believe that the bible is the infallible repository for redemptive revelation. But to achieve exaltation or godhood it is available only to mormons who obey the teachings specific to the book of mormon. Mormons, on the other hand, read the bible in conjunction with the book of mormon. Other areas can be assumed to be essentially the same. For 26 consecutive weeks beginning on january 2, 1997, there appeared an accurate and informative series of newspaper articles in the wetumpka herald circulation 4,400 entitled the bible and the book of mormon connecting links. The book of mormon and the bible mormons in transition. I realize that the lds today disagree with this, but your prophet joseph smith.
While different translations do use different words in places, the meaning is always preserved. The trinity foundation christianity versus mormonism. Roger barrier and get christian, biblical advice on today s issues. The mormon jesus and the biblical jesus teach a different nature of christ and. Today the bible and book of mormon are companion books in the hands and before the eyes of people today. Mar 21, 2010 the mormon bible is the book of mormon, which the mormons believe supercedes and completes the bible. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. Today, i neither trust feelings alone nor the soughtafter visitations of spirits in the.
The nature of the mormon godhead is different than the bible teaches. Church members officially regard the book of mormon as the most correct book of scripture, in that a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than any other book. Mormonism also teaches that god the father has a body of flesh and bones. These include endowments, celestial marriage, and specific tithing. Here are the significant points of difference between the bible and the book of mormon. What is the difference between the bible and the book of. You also want to insist that mormonism is not biblical. The major differences are seen in their doctrines and their beliefs. If you ask a mormon if shes a christian, chances are youll receive an. The groups verifiable history begins in upper new york state in the year 1830 with the publication of the book of mormon by joseph smith, jr. Instead, revelation continues in the modern age, starting with the book of mormon and continues with revelations to church apostles. Following is a short comparison between christian doctrine and.
James walker, a former fourth generation mormon, tells his story of conversion from mormonism to biblical christianity. Christianity christians hold that the bible is the sole infallible authority for life and faith. Mormons claim that total apostasy overcame the church following apostolic. Mar 02, 20 ive just got back from going to see the new london production of the book of mormon. This is only a small sample of the many differences between christianity and mormonism. Differences between christianity, jehovah witness and. Some of the books of the apocrypha, gnostic texts, and other early. Is not the book of mormon another testament of jesus christ. Latterday saints do not believe scripture consists of the holy bible alone but have an expanded canon of scripture that includes the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price. Contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible. This is yet another distinct difference between mormon christianity and biblical christianity.
He also explains the many differences in the two faiths. One of the interesting realities on which ehrman elaborates is that early christianity was anything but homogeneous. Ive just got back from going to see the new london production of the book of mormon. What is the difference between mormon bible and the.
Christianity there is a lot in the press today concerning mormonism verses traditional christianity. They think this election will force them to choose between the nation and the gospel. Aug 31, 2010 the following is adapted from the section on mormonism or the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in the esv study bible article on religious cults. Its allegedly the inspired writings of joseph smith, whom the mormons regard as a. In some cases, entire passages are duplicated in the book of mormon. What is the difference between mormon bible and the christian. Mormons, while holding that the bible is a part of the canon of scripture, add to it several mormon works. The book of mormon claims that jesuss atonement provided for the immortality for all people. The jst of the bible and early christianity mormon matters.
However, a careful comparison of basic doctrinal positions of that church to those of historical, biblical christianity reveal many radical differences. More specifically, there were many factions, some heterodox, some orthodox, some in the middle. Read are mormonism and christianity really that different. So, i really dont understand your exclusive and prejudicial statements. The republican nominee for president is a mormon, there is a play on broadway about the book of mormon and the lds church has launched a multimilliondollar ad campaign called im a mormon. The translation gave birth to the book of mormon, which mormons use alongside the bible. Elliott of a 16part series he wrote on christianity versus mormonism. The point of this passage is that when the book of mormon was published in the nineteenth century, gentiles that is, traditional christians would object to the claim that the book of mormon is scripture and insist that the bible is the only scripture that we have or need. In terms of theology and doctrine, most of what is in the bible and the book of mormon is unproveable and must be taken on faith. Tips for talking wth a mormon, a glossary and a page of resources are also included. What are the key differences between mormonism and. The rage has come from mormon claims that the book of mormon contains new revelation.
What is the difference between mormonism and biblical christianity by franklin g. The book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and pearl of great price constitute sacred scripture, along with the bible. Discover the basic beliefs and values of the religion of mormonism from a christian perspective, and learn how it differs from christianity. Mormons express the doctrines of mormonism using standard biblical. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds or mormon church professes to be a christian church.
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