Series: True Church vs. Counterfeit Churches (Select from the series)
The Truth about Mormonism
Mormonism—officially The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)—presents itself as another Christian church. Missionaries speak warmly of Jesus, families, and morality. Many assume it’s simply “another denomination” like Baptists or Presbyterians.
But when we apply the biblical tests established in Part 1, we discover that Mormonism teaches a different God, a different Christ, and a different gospel.
1. Test of God: Who Is He?
The Bible presents a monotheistic God—One Being, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Deuteronomy 6:4 (NIV): “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
- Isaiah 43:10 (NIV): “Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.”
The LDS View: Mormonism teaches that God the Father has a body of flesh and bones and was once a man like us who progressed to godhood. They also teach a “plurality of gods”—that worthy men can eventually become gods of their own worlds.
The Verdict: This contradicts the biblical revelation that God is Spirit (John 4:24), eternal, uncreated, and the only true God.
2. Test of Christ: Who Is Jesus?
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the eternal Son, fully God, the uncreated Creator, worthy of worship.
- John 1:1, 3 (NIV): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
- Colossians 1:16 (NIV): “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth…”
The LDS View: In LDS theology, Jesus is the “firstborn spirit child” of Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. He is viewed as the spirit-brother of Lucifer. While they call Him “god,” they view Him as a being who progressed to deity, separate in being from the Father.
The Verdict: Paul warns of those who proclaim “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4). A created Jesus who is the brother of Satan is not the Christ of Scripture.
3. Test of Scripture: What Is the Final Authority?
The Bible claims to be the sufficient, God-breathed authority for the believer.
- 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NIV): “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching… so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The LDS View: Mormonism accepts the Bible “as far as it is translated correctly” (which allows them to dismiss verses that contradict their theology). They add the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as scripture. Furthermore, the living “Prophet” (the LDS president) can issue new revelations that supersede previous ones.
The Verdict: This violates the sufficiency of Scripture and places the words of men above the Word of God.
4. Test of the Gospel: How Is a Sinner Saved?
The biblical gospel is justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
- Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV): “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
- Romans 4:5 (NIV): “However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”
The LDS View: Mormonism teaches salvation by grace plus works. Their defining text (2 Nephi 25:23 in the Book of Mormon) says, “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” Full salvation (Exaltation) requires faith, repentance, baptism, tithe-paying, temple ordinances, and enduring to the end in obedience.
The Verdict: This is the “different gospel” Paul cursed in Galatians 1:6–9. It makes the blood of Christ necessary but not sufficient to save.
Common Objections & Responses
When talking with LDS missionaries or friends, you might hear these common defenses. Here is how to answer them biblically.
Objection: “We believe the Bible, too.” Response: Believing the Bible exists is different from submitting to it as the final test.
- Galatians 1:8 (NIV): “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”
- LDS theology relies on a “restoration” that contradicts the gospel preserved in the Bible.
Objection: “We believe Jesus is the Son of God.” Response: Terms need definition. The Bible teaches Jesus is God by nature, not a created being who earned godhood.
- John 1:1 (NIV): “The Word was God.”
- Hebrews 1:3 (NIV): “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…”
Objection: “James 2 says faith without works is dead.” Response: Agreed! But James is talking about the fruit of salvation, not the root of it. Works are the evidence that we are saved, not the payment for it.
- Romans 11:6 (NIV): “And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”
Objection: “Are you saying we aren’t Christians?” Response: “I am saying that the definitions of ‘God,’ ‘Jesus,’ and ‘Gospel’ in official Mormon theology are fundamentally different from what the Bible teaches. If you trust in a different Jesus or a gospel of works, Scripture says that cannot save.”
Conclusion: Speaking the Truth in Love
We do not point out these errors to be mean-spirited. We do it because the true Jesus is the only one who can save.
If you have LDS friends, love them. Invite them to read the Bible with you—just the Bible. Let them see the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work.
- Romans 5:1 (NIV): “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Next Time: We will look at Jehovah’s Witnesses—a group that denies the Trinity and the deity of Christ in a different way.
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