While Mormons claim to be Christians, many differences exist between The LDS Church and mainstream Christianity. Both faiths regard the Bible as Holy Scripture, share similar holidays, and have beliefs in common. However, differences between the Christian and Mormon faiths are not widely known. Some of the key disagreements are different Scriptures, differing views on the Trinity, contrasting sacraments and ordinances, and different ideas on Salvation and afterlife. Even though there are many similarities between the two religions, the differences are hard to overlook. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and mainstream Christianity share many similar beliefs and practices. One similarity is that both religions consider the Bible …show more content…
Christians believe that “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph 2.8-9 NIV). In Mormonism good works are emphasized in gaining Salvation, while in Christianity Salvation comes by grace through faith. New paragraph or not???In Christianity, it is believed that believers go to Heaven when they die. Christians also believe in Hell as a place of punishment where unbelievers go. In Mormonism, the afterlife is a little more complicated. “Mormons believe that all humans who die will live eternally, yet there is a process before one enters their final state of being. Upon physical death, the soul will go to the spirit world, where they will undergo instruction and preparation because when a person leaves this world they aren't ready to enter heaven immediately” (Religion Facts). Then when they are ready to enter Heaven, their body and spirit will be reunited, which is called resurrection. Mormons also believe in Heaven, where those who follow God can live in God’s presence. The Mormons also believe in Hell. They believe that “those who did not repent while on Earth will experience a temporary hell after death (during the time that all spirits go to the spirit world before the resurrection), but will have an opportunity to repent afterwards and avoid the eternal hell” (Religion Facts). Christians believe that there is no second …show more content…
For Christians, the only sacred text they have is the Bible. For Mormons, they also have the Bible in addition to the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. According to Christians, Mormonism undermines the authority and validity of the Bible. Mormons believe the Bible to be the word of God only when it is translated correctly. However, the Book of Mormon preaches that there were errors in translating the Bible over time. Joseph Smith said, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion” (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 57). This shows how Mormons give higher authority to the Book of Mormon. Mormons use the Book of Mormon to verify the Bible. These differences in Scripture are another justification to why Christians do not accept Mormons as
Doctrine & Covenants. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1989. The Holy Bible. King James Version. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1989.
A handsome boy kneels down for prayer beside a tree in his father’s orchard. It is a nice sunny spring day with the warm rays of the radiant sun gently kissing the boy’s face. “God, give me a sign,” he pleads to his heavenly father. He is only 14, yet religion fascinates him. Confused by what Christian faith to believe in, he was not sure whether he wanted to become a Baptist like his parents, or a Methodist, which church’s teachings appealed more to him. A slight cool breeze passes through his chestnut colored hair. In a moment he finds himself paralyzed, unable to move, at the mercy of some evil force. A shadowy mist surrounds him. The boy is afraid and does the only thing he could think of: he prayed, “God save me!” Immediately a pillar of light descends over his head like a crown of gold. A strange calmness overcomes the boy, and the shadows around him recede. To the boy, who questioned God’s existence, this was a sure sign that his heavenly father was still there. That boy was Joseph Smith, who had just experienced the first of a series of visions that he would receive throughout his faithful life. Soon after his first vision, he received another in which he the angel Moroni visited him, who presented him with a map. Smith traveled to a nearby hill where he found several golden tablets, etched with mysterious characters of ancient languages long forgotten. Smith was ordered by the angel to translate the plates into what is now known as the Book of Mormon (from which the Mormons gained their name), the cornerstone of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or simply abbreviated as the LDS Church. (Millet 6-8).
I am regularly (such as last night) in conversation with well-educated Mormons who struggle when trying to deal with rational concepts related to things like science, investment strategies, politics and other purely secular matters. And I see in their struggles infections likely attributable to the magical thinking at the heart of what is required these days to be a literally believing Mormon. The conversation in which I participated last night that caused this essay had to do with an investment opportunity that a bright, successful young Mormon had been offered. Some Mormons still respect my judgment regarding investments that seem not to require "the Spirit", and he wanted to run by me what had been proposed to him. I was happy to listen for a few minutes and tell him what I thought.
Utah and the Mormon Culture In 1820, Joseph Smith had a vision in Palmyra, New York, of God and his son, Jesus Christ telling him to reorganize the church of Jesus Christ. During the next 10 years, Joseph was visited by other heavenly messengers, translated the Book of Mormon and established the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. Many years thereafter, the Mormons relocated from Nauvoo, Illinois because of religious persecution (PBS Online). In Illinois, Joseph Smith had succeeded in establishing a religion which brought together its followers both sociologically and economically.
All Christian denominations claim The Holy Bible to be the word of God, testifying of Christ’s ministry. Mormons embrace the Bible, just as others do. In addition to the Holy Bible, though, LDS people believe three additional books to be scripture. The most famous of these books is, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This book, translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith, is a record given of an ancient civilization in the Americas. (Perry). This additional book of scripture does not change the fact that people of the LDS faith love the Bible and accept it as sacred testimony of Chris...
It was 1820 when Mormonism was born. Joseph Smith, Jr. was a religion man who founded the Mormon Church. Born on December 23, 1805 to Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith who were poor and uneducated farmers. Many Americans persecuted Smith, Jr. but he was also accepted by many as well. Smith has been regarded as one of the most controversial men of our time because of his different way of teaching. Joseph Smith and his followers were driven out of numerous states because of the persecution they received from their fellow Americans. Joseph Smith had a successor who led the church after the death of Smith, Brigham Young. Young led the Mormons to Utah where they have been settled ever since.
Mormons have gone through a lot, have broken apart and come together several times while the different branches of Mormonism continue to grow and new branches may still form in the futures. One thing is known that the ‘new religion’ is strong and its believers continue to have faith. To outsides certain practices do seem questionable, yet one question remains, if it is part of Christianity or their own ‘new religion.’
The Mormon population holds true to their unique religious beliefs. Most Mormons are similar to those who practice Christianity, however there are some differences. Over the past two centuries that Mormonism has been founded by Joseph Smith, this faith has expanded across the United States. Even though the faith has been powerful to many believers it is becoming less frequently practiced. This religion not only practices God and Jesus as separate people but also believes that God is seen in everyone. Since, Mormons are very religious and godlike we have to be competent to these differences when working with this population. There is very little information about how to perform Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a child that is practicing
Smith, Joseph, junior. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Salt Lake City, Utah: Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1981. 1830.
On the other hand, Christians believe that after you die you go into a period of dormancy and until the second coming of Jesus will you be woken up and decide your fate whether you go to heaven or hell according to how you have lived your life. Christianity teaches salvation from sin through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Through Him, the gift of eternal life is also attained. Christianity started as a missionary religion and has now become the world's most widespread faith. It focuses on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Althoughthe two religions share some of the same beliefs, there are vital differences between the two. Judaism is called the religion of the Jews and was the first faith to believe in one God. Christianity then followed that belief. Both religions are based on monotheism (that there is only one God).
Identical to Muslims, Christians also believe that their God is the creator and sustainer of the universe. The Bible begins with the creation of the Earth by God in seven days. Another similarity between these two religions is their belief in life after death.... ... middle of paper ... ...
There are numerous topics that can be compared and contrasted between the two faiths, however, a few topics can demonstrate the major similarities and differences. Islam and Christianity believe in one high power which is superior to everything in life. Pertaining to Christianity, Walsh and Middleton state, “All creation (which includes us as human creatures) is covenantally bound to God and is constituted essentially as a response to his laws” (1984, p. 51). Christians rely on God and make Him a priority.
Although Islam and Christianity are two different religions they have many things in common and the differences they do have are also similar. Both religions believe that there is one god in the universe and they also each have similar prophets that they believe in. Muslims believe in their god referred to as Allah and one prophet that they as a religion believe in named Mohammad while Christians believe in their god that they refer to as God and prophets such as John the Baptist along with other prophets that the Islam faith, along with others, believe in as well. Each Islam and Christianity also have a book or guide that they use in their religions for teaching their faith. It has a set of “rules” that they are supposed to follow and includes rituals that believers should take part in. Christians look to the bible for prayer and Muslims look to the Qu’ran. For those
...tians. Although Christians mainly agree on what the Bible says, they take different beliefs about what the Bible means and interpret them in distinct ways.