Jehovah's Witnesses: What does your religion have in common with Mormons?

Question

I'd love to hear from any Jehovah's Witnesses who have really studied the Mormon religion, and can tell me what makes the two religions similar.

Answer 1

Dear Jethrojimbob,

I've seen a few good answers here (but they don't come from members of the groups in question).

My mom became a Watchtower witness before I was born so I've been exposed to what they teach all of my life. I also have friends who are Mormon. They haven't tried to pressure me in the same way that the jws have but they have at times shared some of their beliefs with me.

The people I've known who are jws and the Mormons are nice people but they practice a RELIGION. They are not in a RELATIONSHIP with the crucified and risen LORD.

For His glory,
JOYfilled

Answer 2

I can't answer this in depth, because although I'm extrememly familiar with Jehovah's Witness teachings, I'm not very familiar with the teaching of Mormons. As I understand, neither use the cross as a symbol; both are persecuted and mocked; both emphasize high moral standards and are, in general, good clean-living Christians, especially in comparison to the more mainstream religions of Christianity. Both put more faith in the writings of their human leaders, than in the Bible, and both maintain that their writings harmonize with the Scriptures.

I did notice though that one of the things that Line Dancer mentioned as being different from Jehovah's Witnesses is that Mormons believe the Bible is the word of God inso far as it is CORRECTLY translated- the implication being that JW's accept it as the word of God as it IS translated. However, JW's actual belief is somewhat similar to Mormons - JW"s believe that the New Testament was NOT correctly translated over the centuries, which is why they felt compelled to insert the name "Jehovah" more than 200 times into the New Testament. If it had not been for what JW's view as the faulty translating of the human translators, JW's wouldn't have had to make this "correction", so it seems that JW's actually have more in common with Mormons than what they themselves realize.

(This "loophole" as LD calls it, allows them (JW's) to reject the New Testament as written, and change scriptures in a way that better suits their theology.)

Answer 3

Religion similar? Well, not a lot of stuff. I can show you with scripture how the bible supports our beliefs. If you want to know all about the Jehovah Witnesses, message me, and Ill tell you everything you need to know.

Answer 4

I am a witness of Jesus. The 2 religions have some similarity
-not based on sound Bible interpretation
-deny the nature of God taught in the bible
-deny the salvation taught in the bible
-add to things taught in the bible

Answer 5

Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses are both self-described Christians. The religions resemble each other in very superficial ways, but their theologies are markedly different.

As individuals, many Witnesses note that adherents of Mormonism have a reputation for neighborliness and godly love which is too uncommon among self-described Christians.

(John 13:34-35) I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.”


It is also true that Mormonism has managed to recognize a few of the obvious bible truths that continue to evade most of Christendom, such as recognizing that Jesus the Son is a distinct person from God the Father.

(Mark 13:32) Concerning that day or the hour nobody knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but the Father.

(John 20:17) Jesus said to her: “...For I have not yet ascended to the Father. But be on your way to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.’”


Also, it is interesting that only Jehovah's Witness and Mormonism have any real program of lay-ministry in which every adherent is encouraged to preach.

(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded


Jehovah's Witnesses work to spread the Good News about the Kingdom of God, and so that is the focus of their message; they do not work at targeting any specific religion. Of course, "Mormonism" is not a single religion, but the so-called 'Latter-day Saints' tolerance of holiday celebrations, warfare, and nationalism are among the beliefs which Jehovah's Witnesses feel are incompatible with true worship.

It seems best to allow Mormons themselves to describe the uniqueness of their beliefs regarding various post-biblical holy writings, modern-day literal prophesy, the correlation between the physical and spirit realms, and the various levels of grandeur in heaven.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_02.htm

Answer 6

Are you guys compelled to ask a person to convert at least once? I've spoken to a few Mormons who told me they're supposed to try and convert people.

I'm guessing you guys are too because Jehovah's Witnesses are the only ones who ever come to my door for that or approach me about converting.

Answer 7

Very little.

Mormons acknowledge that they accept the Bible as the inspired Word of God, but they are quick to qualify their acceptance by saying: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.” This loophole permits them to reject any Biblical statement that conflicts with Mormon teaching. Thus Mormon teachings and writings are made the measuring rod of truth.

Mormons point to the Bible statement that man was created in the image of God as proof of their contention that God has a body of flesh and bones, but this conclusion is not in harmony with the Scriptures. Being in the image of God does not mean man and God are similar in substance. Bodies of flesh were designed for life on earth, not for existence in the spirit realm. That is why Paul said: “The glory of the heavenly bodies is one sort, and that of the earthly bodies is a different sort.” (1 Cor. 15:40) Man resembles God because he images God’s attributes, which make man superior to the beasts.

Due to the unscriptural belief that a man’s conscious existence continues after death, the contention is made by Mormons that the marriage bond also continues after death. Wallace Bennett says: “The Mormons believe that when the ceremony is performed in a temple, by one holding the necessary authority, the union is eternal in duration and extends beyond death.” There is nothing in the Bible to warrant this conclusion.

Contrary to Mormon teaching, the Bible reveals that death dissolves the marriage bond. At Romans 7:2 it is written: “A married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is alive; but if her husband dies, she is discharged from the law of her husband.” The marriage bond no longer binds her to him. Note also what Jesus Christ said: “In the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven.” (Matt. 22:30)

Much missionary work is done by the Mormons to spread their beliefs, but nobody in the Mormon church makes missionary work a vocation or permanent occupation as did Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul. The missionaries are usually young men in their early twenties who spend two years in countries that speak English and two and a half years in countries that speak a different language. After this short stay they return home to resume their own pattern of life in their community.

There can be no question about Mormon sincerity in their beliefs, but sincerity does not make their beliefs true. Truth is not established by personal conviction. Many persons since the days of the apostles have claimed to have had visions and to be prophets of God. The firm conviction of those who believed them did not make the teachings of these persons true. Usually these self-appointed prophets had to proclaim their own writings as holy scripture in order to find the support for their teachings that the Bible does not give.

Answer 8

Both are as much nonsense as any other religion

Answer 9

They both reject the Divinity of Jesus. That is, they both teach that Jesus is not God.

Jesus IS God. A true Christian will tell you that Jesus is true God and true Man. A true Christian will tell you that Jesus is the LORD.

The Apostle Thomas said to Jesus "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28)

So what do they have in common? They both call themselves Christian but spread teachings that are not Christian.

Answer 10

This one's color is yellow that one's color is orange.