What's the difference between Christianity and the Mormon religion?

Question

I was talking about my religion (Christianity) with a couple of my friends the other day, and they believed in everything I did. A few days later, I found out they were Mormons. This confused me. I thought they were totally separate religions. Other than a few technical issues, like not being allowed to date until you are 16, what are the differences?

What I do know about it: they DO believe in the Bible and follow it's teachings, but they believe in other documents/books they consider Holy as well.

I'm not trying to criticize Mormons or offend them. I'm sorry if this is what it looks like.

Answer 1

The main difference I have noticed lately between us as Mormons and other Christians is that we as Mormons believe God is the author of more revelation than is contained in the Bible. For some reason some people think God stopped talking, but we believe that there is a living prophet today, and that God uses a prophet to teach His will. You are, of course, allowed to pray to Heavenly Father to get your own answers. We believe in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, as well as what has been revealed to a modern prophet and apostles. We believe in the same organization that existed in Christ's early church and have 12 living apostles who have had a special witness of Jesus Christ Himself. We have an interesting doctrine called the doctrine of the premortal life - which means that instead of just showing up at some point during your mother's pregnancy, you actually lived and existed before in a place where you grew and developed to the point that you were ready to come to earth to learn more about physical and spiritual laws. This doctrine is so powerful that if people really understood it, they would know that they have amazing divine potential within themselves as children of God. In my opinion, Mormons are like the honors class of Christianity, because we have to study not just the Bible, but 3 other books of scripture plus what the modern-day prophets have said as well. We are also a temple-going people. We believe that because of the Priesthood of God, a man and a woman may be married (in the temple) not just until death do you part, but for all eternity if both parties remain true to their covenants. There are other differences, but you can always check out www.lds.org to learn more. Have a happy day, and I send you a virtual gummy bear.

Answer 2

I would say the biggest difference to most is typical Christians believe that God and Jesus Christ are the same person, Mormons do not believe that. We believe that God is our Eternal Father, that he is a separate being from Jesus Christ. We believe Christ is God's Only Begotten Son and that it is through Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father.
There are some other things but I think that is the biggest difference. I have had some people say we don't believe in the bible, it's interesting when others tell you what you believe...
We use the King James Version of the bible and it is the exact same as one a Christian or anyone else using that version would have, the only difference is ours has footnotes at the bottom that cross-reference other verses in the Bible and Book of Mormon.

GREAT answer straightup

Answer 3

You make a very good point. I (a Mormon) have often discussed religion with others and we typically agree on most things, the main thing being the central role of Jesus Christ and receiving salvation through His atonement. This is especially the case if they don't know I'm Mormon. Some get defensive once they know I'm mormon, but if they're respectful or professional people the respect my beliefs and see the similarities.

As far as the differences...Mormons don't believe in the Trinity (they aren't the only ones); this doctrine wasn't actually around until 325 A.D. when the Catholic church decided to make it doctrine. We believe Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God. He prayed to the Father while in this world and was one in purpose with Him. Just as we should be one with Jesus, Jesus was/is one with God.

We believe that God is unchanging. Just as he called prophets as documented by the Bible, we believe He continued to call prophets, including in our days; the Mormon church is set up with apostles and prophets just as the church was set up by Christ.

Mormons believe in the Bible, and attempt to adhere to its teachings (recognizing all of us are imperfect and will sin). However, we believe that God didn't only talk to the Hebrews or those in the region of Christ's Biblical ministry, but that He talked to His children in many regions. The writings and documentation of these teachings or visitations was recorded and are contained in the Book of Mormon. The Bible and the Book of Mormon do not conflict each other, although of course someone could interpret it how they will.

Mormons believe that the authority to seal things in heaven as they are on earth which was given to His apostles in the New Testament is present on the Earth. That spouses can be sealed together for eternity, not til' death do they part. Families can live together after this life.

Mormons are often modest, but not always. They are encouraged to follow certain health guidelines, including not drinking alcohol, not drinking coffee or tea, eating lots of vegetables and grains, not too much meat, etc. It is each persons choice whether they follow this, but it is believed God will bless you will good health if you do.

Mormons certainly believe God answers prayers and that we should each, individually, seek wisdom and truth from God, and not take anyone elses word. Mormons encourage all people, men and women to become educated and to practice smart planning for the future. They are not against birth control, but do recognize the sanctity of life and aren't in favor of abortion, unless there was incest, rape, or the life of the mother is at risk.

This is just some. hope it helps. Good luck.

Answer 4

Mormons have a number of beliefs that are contrary to Scripture. The strange thing is that many of those who look down on Mormons ALSO have teachings that go against the Bible. For instance, they:

Believe in a god who can split himself into 3 equal parts; and one of those parts came to earth and died, but was still equal to the other parts that did not die.

Believe that God came to earth, when the Bible CLEARLY says that God sent his Son. (John 3:16, 17)

Believe Jesus is God when the Bible CLEARLY says that the Father (Jehovah) is the ONLY true God and that Jesus is God's Son. (Ps. 83:18; John 17:3)

Believe God is his own God and Father.

Believe it is okay to call their clergymen "Father", although Jesus said we should refrain from doing that. (Mat. 23:9)

So many people who call themselves Christians are not going by the Bible either. So lay off the Mormons.

Answer 5

Mormons follow the teachings Young and Smith. There is the book of Mormon which they also read. They believe in God , they believe Jesus died for our sins....they just practice their religion differently from the way you might, like they don't use caffiene even it is a drug

Answer 6

Mormons believe that an angel appeared to the founder in a vision and gave him a whole bunch of extra commands. They seem to place these commands in top priority, over the Bible. Mormons believe Jesus came to America, and a whole bunch of other unbiblical beliefs. Christians obviously don't believe in these Mormon books.

Answer 7

in accordance to Mormonism: the tale of a sparkling religious custom, "Mormonism differs from classic Christianity in lots the comparable trend that classic Christianity... got here to variety from Judaism." mutually as adherents of Mormonism have constantly considered themselves to be Christians via fact they suspect that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and the Son of God, in addition they comprehend that there is a mandatory and irreconcilable difference between Mormonism and different Christian sects. lots of this stems from the Latter Day Saint declare to have unique get right of entry to to actual Christian doctrine and priesthood. people who prepare Mormonism call themselves Latter Day Saints via fact they suspect that the Latter Day Saint flow is the restoration of the unique church of Christ as depicted interior the recent testomony (see Church of Christ (Mormonism)). whether, as Mormonism from its beginning up rejected the classic church homes, which contains all their sacraments, background, creeds, and debates, so even have quite some Christian church homes and movements accompanied stances related to Mormonism as a heretical or apostate form of Christianity, a departure from the Christian faith, or greater pejoratively, a cult.

Answer 8

The major difference is that Christians follow the teachings of Jesus Christ whereas the Mormons follow the teachings of their founder, Joseph Smith.

Answer 9

I am a Mormon,and a Christian. We just have slight differences in our beliefs from other christian religions. Baptists, Methodists,Mormons,and any other group who claims Jesus Christ as there Savior are all Christians. Just because we have different beliefs about the Trinity does not mean we are not Christians.All sects of Christianity have varying views,but this does not give any other Christian or non christian the right to claim another group is not Christian.

MORMONS ARE CHRISTIANS!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Mormons believe that God used to be a man on another planet,He has a goddess wife,He has an actual flesh-and-bones body,He and His wife have spirit children,Jesus and Lucifer are brothers,Jesus married and had children,all people have the potential to become gods and in order to reach this exalted state of godhood, a person must first become a good Mormon, pay a full ten percent tithe to the Mormon church,and be found worthy.They believe in baptism for the dead,celestial marriage,and when you reach a god status,you inherit your own planet to control.

In short,they sound Christian,and they believe in Jesus,but they hold to unbiblical teachings.
http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm