Mormonism Christian example essay topic

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. Doesn't 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 6: 4; Isaiah 43: 10, 11; 44: 6, 8; 45: 21, 22; 46: 9; Mark 12: 29-34). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there are many Gods (Book of Abraham 4: 3 ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 132: 19-20; 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 4: 24; 1 Timothy 6: 15, 16), He is not a man (Numbers 23: 19; Hosea 11: 9; Romans 1: 22, 23), and has always (eternally) existed as God - all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 90: 2; 139: 7-10; Isaiah 40: 28; Luke 1: 37). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was once a man like us who progressed to become a God and has a body of flesh and bone (Doctrine and Covenants 130: 22; 'God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!' from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 345-347; Gospel Principles, p. 9; Articles of Faith, p. 430; Mormon Doctrine, p. 321). Indeed, the Mormon Church teaches that God himself has a father, and a grandfather, ad infinitum (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373; Mormon Doctrine, p. 577).

3. ARE JESUS AND SATAN SPIRIT BROTHERS? The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that Jesus is the unique Son of God; he has always existed as God, and is co-eternal and co-equal with the Father (John 1: 1, 14; 10: 30; 14: 9; Colossians 2: 9). While never less than God, at the appointed time He laid aside the glory He shared with the Father (John 17: 4, 5; Philippians 2: 6-11) and was made flesh for our salvation; His incarnation was accomplished through being conceived supernaturally by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Matthew 1: 18-23; Luke 1: 34-35).