A biblical examination of the core beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how they differ from the truth of Scripture.
“Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” — Galatians 1:8 (ESV)
Sections:
- Overview and Origins
- The Core Beliefs of Mormonism
- The Authority They Follow
- The Jesus of Mormonism vs. The Jesus of Scripture
- The Gospel According to Mormonism
- The Role of Works, Ordinances, and Temples
- The Afterlife and “Exaltation”
- How Mormonism Contradicts the Bible
- Why It Deceives So Easily
- The Biblical Response to Mormon Claims
- How to Witness to Mormons
- The Bottom Line: One Gospel, One Savior
1. Overview and Origins
Mormonism began in the early 1800s through Joseph Smith, who claimed to receive visions from God and an angel named Moroni. He said the angel led him to golden plates inscribed with “another testament of Jesus Christ,” which he translated as The Book of Mormon.
He founded the Church of Christ in 1830 (later renamed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
Smith also claimed:
- All existing Christian denominations were “corrupt.”
- He was chosen to “restore” the true church.
- God and Jesus appeared to him personally.
These claims laid the foundation for a new gospel, new scripture, and new revelation—directly contradicting the completed canon of God’s Word.
2. The Core Beliefs of Mormonism
| Doctrine | Mormon Teaching | Biblical Truth |
|---|---|---|
| God | Once a man who became God. Has a physical body. | God is eternal, unchanging, and Spirit (Psalm 90:2; John 4:24). |
| Jesus | The first “spirit child” of Heavenly Father and one of His wives. A separate being from God the Father. | Jesus is God in the flesh, eternally existing as one with the Father (John 1:1, 14). |
| Holy Spirit | A separate “personage of spirit,” not equal in deity. | The Holy Spirit is fully God, coequal and coeternal (Acts 5:3–4). |
| Man | Humans are literal spirit children of God, capable of becoming gods. | Man is created, not divine, and will never become God (Isaiah 43:10). |
| Salvation | Achieved through faith plus obedience, ordinances, and temple covenants. | Salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). |
Mormonism replaces revelation with reinvention.
3. The Authority They Follow
Mormons view four texts as Scripture:
- The Bible (KJV only) — “as far as it is translated correctly.”
- The Book of Mormon — “another testament of Jesus Christ.”
- Doctrine and Covenants — modern revelations given to church prophets.
- The Pearl of Great Price — includes Joseph Smith’s translations and revelations.
They also believe their living prophet continues to receive new revelation from God — giving him equal or greater authority than Scripture itself.
By contrast, Scripture says:
Hebrews 1:1–2 — “In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son.”
Revelation 22:18 — warns against adding to God’s Word.
4. The Jesus of Mormonism vs. The Jesus of Scripture
Mormon Jesus:
- A created being — the literal firstborn spirit child of God the Father and His wife.
- The brother of Lucifer.
- Earned His godhood through obedience.
- Died to make resurrection possible, but not full salvation.
Biblical Jesus:
- Eternal, uncreated, and coequal with the Father (Colossians 1:15–17).
- Creator of all, including Satan.
- Perfectly God and perfectly man (John 1:1, 14).
- His death fully atones for sin and grants eternal life to all who believe (1 Peter 3:18).
The Mormon Jesus resembles the biblical one — but cannot redeem like Him.
5. The Gospel According to Mormonism
Mormonism teaches that salvation has two levels:
- General Salvation (Resurrection) — guaranteed to all people through Christ’s death.
- Exaltation (Godhood) — reserved for faithful Mormons who follow all church ordinances, tithing, and temple work.
This gospel is one of grace plus effort, which Scripture condemns:
Galatians 1:6–7 — “You are turning to a different gospel… not that there is another one.”
True salvation is not by human worthiness, but by Christ’s worthiness alone.
6. The Role of Works, Ordinances, and Temples
In Mormonism:
- Baptism, confirmation, marriage, and other rites must be performed by LDS authority.
- Temples are required for eternal marriage (“sealing”) and proxy baptisms for the dead.
- Temple worthiness is based on behavior and tithe-paying.
But Scripture says:
- “There is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
- “The Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands” (Acts 7:48).
- Salvation is not earned through ritual, but received through faith.
Mormon temples offer what the cross already accomplished.
7. The Afterlife and “Exaltation”
Mormons believe in three levels of heaven:
- Celestial Kingdom — where faithful Mormons become gods and rule over their own worlds.
- Terrestrial Kingdom — for good, moral people who rejected Mormonism.
- Telestial Kingdom — for the wicked, after punishment.
This hierarchy denies both the justice and simplicity of God’s judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
The Bible reveals only two eternal destinies: life with God or separation from Him (Matthew 25:46).
8. How Mormonism Contradicts the Bible
| Mormon Doctrine | Biblical Rebuttal |
|---|---|
| God was once a man. | “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” (Psalm 90:2) |
| Humans can become gods. | “Before Me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after Me.” (Isaiah 43:10) |
| Salvation by obedience. | “By works of the law no human being will be justified.” (Romans 3:20) |
| Scripture is ongoing. | “The faith once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3) |
| Jesus and Satan are brothers. | Jesus created all things (John 1:3). |
Mormonism borrows the language of Christianity — but empties it of biblical meaning.
9. Why It Deceives So Easily
A. Moral Appearance — Family values and community appeal mask theological error.
B. Familiar Vocabulary — Words like “grace,” “Jesus,” and “salvation” are redefined.
C. Emotional Experience — Members are told to “pray for a burning in the bosom” instead of testing by Scripture.
D. Cultural Acceptance — Its politeness and charity make it seem harmless.
E. Counterfeit Light — 2 Corinthians 11:14 — “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
Deception works best when it looks almost true.
10. The Biblical Response to Mormon Claims
- Ask Who Their Jesus Is. The identity of Christ is the dividing line of truth.
- Open Scripture Together. The Bible is final authority, not feelings or prophets.
- Expose Redefinitions. Ask them to define words like “grace,” “salvation,” or “God.”
- Contrast Law vs. Grace. Show Ephesians 2:8–9 and Romans 11:6.
- Affirm Compassion. Many are sincere — but sincerity cannot save. Only truth can.
11. How to Witness to Mormons
- Be gentle, not argumentative. 2 Timothy 2:24 — “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone.”
- Use their Bible translation (KJV). Stay within their comfort zone but point to context.
- Ask questions rather than make accusations.
- Focus on Jesus’ deity and finished work.
- Share personal testimony of grace. They understand “striving,” but often have never experienced rest.
Plant truth patiently — the Holy Spirit must break the chains of tradition.
12. The Bottom Line: One Gospel, One Savior
Mormonism teaches another gospel, another Jesus, and another way — all of which Scripture condemns.
John 8:24 — “Unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Final Reflection
- Mormonism exalts man; Christianity exalts God.
- Mormonism adds to Scripture; Christianity stands complete in Christ.
- Mormonism says, “You can become like God.”
- The Bible says, “There is none like God.”
The gospel of grace is not about climbing up to heaven — it’s about God coming down to save sinners.
And no new revelation, no golden plates, and no modern prophet can ever improve upon what Jesus already finished on the cross.