The Beliefs Between Christians And Mormons

Mormonism, the largest church to originate on American soil is not without its own burdens to bear. As one of the younger religions, one that strayed from the foundations of the other already established religions in the United States, it is often viewed with negativity and mockery. Modern day social media, television, news articles and movies often exploit Mormon beliefs. They twist and exaggerated certain facets of the Mormon way of life. This framing of their belief system by the media leads the public opinion toward viewing this representation as a true depiction of the Mormons. Some of the more extreme behaviors exhibited by members that have separated from the main group are used against the entire faith by the media, so in turn this extremist view has become a Mormon stereotype.

No one has ever been able to articulate just what makes a cult, and what makes a religion different. Yet most people, when listing mainstream religions, name Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, among others. These religions have existed for thousands of years and have millions of followers; they have thus earned a degree of respect even from outsiders. However, Mormonism—the tradition of the Latter Day Saints movement—is considered strange, and by some, a cult. In the modern age, many consider its very premise a hoax. Mark Twain criticized the Mormon holy scripture, calling it “chloroform in print” (Turner 229), and Jacob Weisberg (editor of the Washington Post) called Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, “an obvious con man” (Ostling xv). Yet

Men and women from other religions, did many things to harm as many of the mormons they could. There were mass murders, rages, attacks on homes, and massacres that were set against the mormons. One common thing done to them,was tarring and feathering them. This is where boiling tar was poured over their head, to run down their body then they were covered in feathers. Thousands were killed, or at least hurt, year after year. Many of the righteous and steadfast followers were put in jail for no reason, then starved to death, or shot. Others were killed on the spot. The Prophet, Joseph Smith, was taken from his home, and put in jail with four other mormon leaders, then him and two others were shot by a mob just days later.

Many people and churches refuse to allow Mormons the title of Christians based on differing theological views (Walker). Many Christians believe that revelation stopped with The Holy Bible. Mormons believe in modern prophets that constantly receive instruction and doctrine for the LDS church. This continuation of instruction makes people view Mormons as misguided and deceived (Perry). Mormons cannot be defined as “historical” Christians because although they believe in The Holy Bible, they do not believe in the various creeds and councils that appeared after New Testament times. Part of these creeds states the idea that God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three beings but the same God (Walker). Since the LDS Church rejects the Holy Trinity creed, they do not believe in God. A large part of the Christian belief is salvation through the grace of God. Mormons, however, believe only in salvation through good works (Stephenson).

This book attempt to show the common ground between Christianity and Mormonism by examining the individual areas of Scripture, God, Christ, the Trinity and Salvation. The summation of the author’s findings is that although there are great differences there is also much common ground that can be used to strengthen our relationship together and bring unity to the ecumenical community.

Mormonism is a multilayered religious organization with many faces. The words “multilayered” and “organization” are carefully chosen as they represent the bulk of what we will discuss as we seek to unveil the true essence of the Mormon world as they see it. We will summarize this organization and in so doing we will discover that it was built on human fallacy and deception from its inception. We will then follow with a critical look the claims, doctrines, and documents that frame their beliefs.

Led by Joseph Smith, the mormons were pilgrims moving from place to place. Their last settlement, before moving to Utah, was in Illinois. They arrived in Illinois in 1839, and settled the town of Nauvoo. Before long there was trouble and unrest between the mormons and their neighbors. This paper will investigate the reasons why they came to Illinois, examine reasons why they left, and consider the Mormon experience in Illinois.

Joseph Smith established the church of Jesus Christ (Mormon Church) in the 1830, New York. It was established due to a lack of churches that wasn’t organized by Jesus Christ (Bushman, 517-18). The church has been growing larger since then, with 6 million members in the U.S. and 14 million members worldwide (Lyon, 622). Mormonism has been known for having different values and norms compared to other Americans, the ones that seemed most interesting and different were their lifestyle choices, and their views on polygamy.

The Mormon religion is very unique in many of its doctrine. While technically a Protestant faith, the Mormons generally share more doctrine with the Catholics. Because of its unique nature, I will be analyzing the Mormon faith, its history, organization, and doctrine, in comparison with the beliefs held by both Catholics and Protestants.

Mormonism is a religious group part of the main branch of the Latter Day Saints movement, led by Joseph Smith in New York during the 1820s. Mormons believed in the Bible, as well as other scriptures, such as the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon was about Jesus’s travels around the Americas. They also believed that it was Christian to have more than one wife, but to non-Mormons this was abhorrent. Many violent outbreaks have occurred with Mormons and their neighboring states. Technically, Mormons didn’t have a choice to move or not. Because of their different religion, they were forced West, all the way from New York to Utah. Utah had a very open government allowing the Mormons to vote and have a say in government decisions. It also provided

Would you like to worship self? Would you like to believe in a God that is almost exactly like humanity? Would you like to be your own savior one day? Then Mormonism is the religion for you! Through the study of Mormonism, I was able to see some stark contrasts with other major world religions. After observing the Mormon beliefs about God, humankind, and creation, I was able to see a related pattern of heretical statements that clearly contradict the doctrinal teachings of the Christian church.

Since I met the Mormon Transhumanist Association it was clear to me that Mormonism is much more advanced than other Christian churches and have a solid basis for a rational faith, considering God as an exalted man, like any Transhumanist thinks of the man of the future.

This year in Sunday school we will be studying the Book of Mormon. As a Bishopric we invite all ward members to reread the Book of Mormon. Then “we invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Introduction to the Book of Mormon, italics added)

Latter-Day-Saints are strongly committed in following the words of the prophets, which shares God’s commandments. We believe that those “who have endured the crosses of the world… shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared… from the foundation of the world...” (2 Nephi 9:18) We are taught that seeking the light of Christ is the only path that brings us closer to God’s desires and true happiness. Because of this, members of the Church have a tendency towards gospel principles such as honesty, obedience, respect and enduring to the end. We

According to Mormonism 101 (2017), “The fundamental principles of our religion are … concerning Jesus Christ that He died was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.” Some other beliefs of the Mormons, are that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, Christ allows us to be saved from our sins and the original Church as read in the New Testament has been restored. To further go into detail of these three, the first is that Jesus