I have subsequently added 2 useful links here for anyone interested in learning more about the doctrine that Mormons hold to. (04/28/2012):
- One is form the Gospel Coalition here, explaining some of the differences between Christianity and Mormonism http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/04/24/the-faqs-are-mormons-christian/?comments#comments
- and the second is a full study, from the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministries here http://carm.org/mormonism
Since I have had some encounters, some very strange ones at that with some Mormons, or seekers of Mormonism (I say seeker because they do not know much about their own religion), I have come to the conclusion that I need to understand Mormonism myself before I can engage in any conversation). The truth is that as much as I have a huge interest in reading about doctrines and the differences of doctrine of different denominations (among other reading interests) I do not relish reading about strange tales of denominations or religions where strange and sinful practices occur (i.e. occultism, polygamy, exaltation of men to god stature). In looking around and reading what is out there on the internet I am seeing a lot of comments mirroring this statement: „If not for their stance on polygamy, Mormons are just like any other Christian group who believe in Jesus Christ just like the Christians do.” WRONG. WRONG. WRONG.
Historical, orthodox Christianity believes Jesus Christ is not only the Son of God, but that He is God and part of the trinity and that Jesus Christ coexisted eternally with God (that is before the earth was even created). Just for starters: According to Mormons (their president-Hinckley who wrote their doctrine- believe that Jesus is the offspring of God and his goddess wife and also the brother of Satan.
From the CARM website:
In Mormonism, Jesus is a creation, the product of relations between god and his goddess wife who used to be people from another world (McConkie, Bruce, Mormon Doctrine, p. 192, 321, 516, 589). Jesus is the literal spirit brother of the devil and of you and I (McConkie, p. 192, 589). Also, in Mormon theology, God has a body of flesh and bones (Doctrine & Covenants 130:22) as does his wife and together they produce spirit offspring in heaven who inhabit human bodies on earth.
Very few, if any, of the ‘different’ Mormon doctrines are found in their Standard Works: the Bible, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. Rather, they are taught by Mormons of high standing: prophets, apostles, members of the 70 Quorum. McConkie, for example, was a member of the 70’s Quorum, a very high ranking Mormon and wrote the book, Mormon Doctrine, from which much of the documentation for this is taken.
Even President Hinckley, the prophet and revelator of the Mormon church, has publicly declared that the Jesus of Mormonism and traditional Christianity are not the same.
The following information is taken from CARM apologetics website and you can access the full article here – http://carm.org/hinckley-says-mormons-believe-different-jesus
I will just post a comparison chart here:
The Mormon Jesus |
The Christian Jesus |
- The literal son of god and his goddess wife begotten in the pre-existence.
- The brother of all spirits born in heaven in the premortal existence.
- One of 3 gods in the godhead.
- The Trinity is three separate gods.
- First one to receive a spirit body.
- Atoned for sin on the cross and in the garden of Gethsemane.
|
- Not the literal son of god and his goddess wife.
- Not the brother of all spirits born in heaven in a premortal existence.
- Not one of 3 gods in the godhead.
- The Trinity is 3 persons in one God.
- Was always spirit from eternity.
- Atoned for sin on the cross alone.
|
This brief comparison should help you see the difference between the two. Jesus cannot be both the literal son of god and his goddess wife and not the literal begotten son. He cannot be both one of 3 gods, and not one of 3 gods. They are different. In fact, it would be a lot easier if the Mormons called him by a different name. For example, Bolok would be good. Bolok is one of three gods, but Jesus is not. etc. That way, it would be a lot easier to tell them apart.
Mormonism definitely does not teach the same Jesus as Christianity.
The entire article is also available in Spanish at the bottom of the Web page at http://carm.org/hinckley-says-mormons-believe-different-jesus