Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) – LDS Self-Understanding vs. Traditional Christian Perspectives

'Mormonism' usually refers to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), the largest and most prominent organisation in the Latter Day Saint movement. The church strongly prefers its full official name—revealed in a revelation to Joseph Smith in 1838—on first reference and now actively discourages the nickname “Mormon Church” or using “Mormonism” as the primary label for its doctrine or identity. Members are commonly called Latter-day Saints or, informally, Mormons in everyday conversation. (newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org)

Founding and Core Identity

The church was founded by Joseph Smith Jr. on April 6, 1830, in Fayette, New York, with just six initial members. Smith reported a First Vision in 1820 in which God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and told him not to join any existing church. In 1823 the angel Moroni directed him to golden plates buried in a hill near Palmyra, New York; Smith translated these into the Book of Mormon, which was published in 1830. Latter-day Saints view this as the restoration of the original primitive church of Jesus Christ after centuries of apostasy (a complete loss of priesthood authority and true doctrine following the death of the early apostles). Early members faced intense persecution, moving from New York to Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois (building the city of Nauvoo). After Smith was killed by a mob in 1844, Brigham Young led the largest group westward to the Salt Lake Valley (now Utah) in 1847, where the church established its global headquarters. The practice of plural marriage (polygamy), introduced privately by Smith and publicly defended by Young, was officially ended in 1890. Today the church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the Salt Lake Temple as its most recognisable symbol.

LDS Self-Description: “We Are Christians”

Latter-day Saints emphatically declare that they are Christians. They centre their faith on Jesus Christ as the literal Son of God and the only saviour of the world. They describe their church not as another Protestant denomination, Catholic branch, or Orthodox jurisdiction, but as the restored church of Jesus Christ with the same organisation, authority, and ordinances that existed in the New Testament era. They teach that the priesthood authority (the power to baptise, confirm, and perform other ordinances) was lost after the early apostles died and was restored to Joseph Smith through heavenly messengers (John the Baptist for the Aaronic Priesthood; Peter, James, and John for the Melchizedek Priesthood). The church is led today by a living prophet (currently President Dallin H. Oaks as of late 2025), two counsellors in the First Presidency, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—understood as the same pattern Christ established. (churchofjesuschrist.org)

Scriptures

Latter-day Saints accept four standard works as scripture:

• The Holy Bible (King James Version in English is preferred in the U.S.).
• The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ (an ancient record of God’s dealings with peoples in the Americas, translated by Joseph Smith).
• The Doctrine and Covenants (modern revelations given primarily to Joseph Smith and later prophets).
• The Pearl of Great Price (a small collection of additional writings, including the Book of Moses and Joseph Smith—Matthew).

The Book of Mormon was first published in 1830 and is regarded as “the most correct of any book on earth” and a second witness for Christ. Latter-day Saints also believe in continuing revelation through living prophets. (churchofjesuschrist.org)

Key Doctrinal Differences from Historic Christianity

1. The Nature of God (the Godhead) Historic Christianity (Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant) teaches one God in three Persons (the Trinity)—one essence, three distinct persons. Latter-day Saints teach that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate and distinct beings who are perfectly united in purpose, will, and love. They are one God in the sense of unity, not in essence or substance. This is a major point of divergence. (churchofjesuschrist.org)

2. Beliefs Historic Christianity Rejects Latter-day Saints also teach several doctrines that traditional Christianity (Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant) has historically rejected or never accepted:

• Premortal existence: Every human spirit lived with God as His literal spirit children before birth.
• Exaltation / becoming like God: Through Christ’s atonement and faithful obedience, worthy individuals can be exalted, receive all that the Father has, and become gods in the fullest sense (a form of eternal progression sometimes called “eternal progression” or “theosis” in a very strong sense).
• Proxy (vicarious) baptism for the dead: Living members can be baptised on behalf of deceased ancestors in temples so that the dead may accept the gospel in the spirit world.
• Restored priesthood and church authority: The original apostolic authority was lost and has been restored exclusively through Joseph Smith and his successors.

From a Traditional (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant) Christian Perspective

From the viewpoint of historic Orthodox Christianity (and shared by most Catholic and Protestant traditions), Mormonism is not the same as apostolic Christianity. The biggest reasons are the following:

• A fundamentally different view of God (three separate beings vs. one God in three Persons).
• Additional scriptures beyond the Bible that are not part of the apostolic deposit of faith.
• A different understanding of the Church and priesthood authority (restored in the 19th century rather than continuously preserved from the apostles).
• A different structure of salvation and eternal life (grace plus required ordinances, three degrees of glory, and potential for exaltation to godhood).

This is why the historic churches—Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant—do not regard LDS doctrine as simply another Christian denomination, even though Latter-day Saints use many of the same words (Jesus, salvation, baptism, etc.). (Encyclopedia Britannica)

Bible Verses Frequently Cited in These Discussions

Christians often point to these verses when evaluating LDS claims:

• “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD, is one.” — Deuteronomy 6:4, NIV
• “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1, NIV
• “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28:19, NIV
• “Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” — Jude 3, 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!” — Galatians 1:8, NIV

A Simple Christian Conclusion

Latter-day Saints are human beings made in God’s image and deserve to be treated with respect, kindness, and love. However, from a Coptic Orthodox and historic Christian standpoint, their doctrine is not the same as the faith once for all delivered to the saints by the apostles. Mormonism is understood as a different religious system with its own distinct theology, scriptures, and authority claims—not simply another Christian denomination.