Terminology Differences between Mormonism and the Bible
Eternal Life
LDS:
Exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom; godhood and ability to bear children in heaven. Must have a temple recommend and be sealed in a Mormon temple.
(D&C 131:1-4; 132:19-25, 30, 55)
Bible:
Not limited to certain ones in the top part of heaven. No mention of parenthood or temple marriage, but is given to all true believers.
(1 John 5:12-13; Luke 20:35-36)
The Fall
LDS:
The Fall was a blessing. It brought mortality, the ability to have children and physical death. Adam was giving conflicting commandments and was supposed to fall.
(Doctrine of Sal. Vol. 1, pp. 111-116; Gospel Princ., pp.31-33; 2 Nephi 2:25; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 268-269)
Bible:
God intended obedience. God tempts no one. Man is sinful.
(Genesis 1:28; James 1:13-14; Romans 5:12; 8:5-8; 1 Corinthians 2:14)
Forgiveness
LDS:
Granted at the end of one’s process of repentance and reformed behavior.
(Mormon Doctrine, p.292-298; Gospel Principles, pp.75-77, p. 123; Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, p. 133-134)
Bible:
Complete forgiveness is granted the moment we turn to Christ.
(Mark 2:5; Colossians 2:13-14; Ephesians 1:6-7)
Godhead
LDS:
The Father and Son are resurrected men with physical bodies. Holy Ghost is a separate man with a spiritual body. Three totally separate Gods. God is married. Other Gods for other worlds.
(D&C 130:22; Teachings, pp.345-346, pp.370-373; Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, p.10-12)
Bible:
God is not a man. He has always been God. There is only one God. The Father is Spirit.
(Numbers 23:19; Psalm 90:2; Malachi 3:6; Habakkuk 1:2; Romans 1:22-25; Isaiah 43:10-11; 44:6; 45:21-22; John 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17)
Hell
LDS:
Hell as an institution is eternal – inmates come and go as in jail, but do not spend eternity there. It is temporary. After debt is paid they will go to the Telestial Kingdom.
(Mormon Doctrine, pp. 349-351)
Bible:
No mention of people getting out of Hell. An eternal punishment.
(Revelation 21:8; Matthew 13:24-43, 47-50; Luke 16:26)
Immortality
LDS:
A universal gift. The ability to go to heaven and live forever, but not the same as Eternal Life. Lower level of heaven and unable to bear children.
(D&C 14:7; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 237, 376-377, 670)
Bible:
Makes no distinction between immorality and eternal life. No second class citizens in heaven.
(2 Timothy 1:10; John 3:15-16)
Jesus Christ
LDS:
Literally our elder brother, born to Heavenly Parents in the premortal life. Jesus, Lucifer and humans are all the same species and are brothers and sisters.
(Gospel Principles, pp.11, 17, 18)
Bible:
Jesus is fully God, not a subordinate deity. He is eternal.
(Isaiah 9:6; John 8:58; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 13:8; John 1:1-4, 14; Colossins 1:16-17)
Kingdom of God
LDS:
The Celestail Kingdom. Only those in the Celestial Kingdom are in God’s presence. Those in the Terrestrial or Telestial Kingdoms are not in the presence of the Father.
(D&C 76:50-88; 131:1-4; 132:16-17)
Bible:
All the redeemed will be in God’s presence. All believers are part of the Kingdom.
(Matthew 13:41-43)
Premortal Life
LDS:
Everyone existed in heaven before being born on earth. We have all existed eternally.
(D&C 93:29; PGP: Book of Abraham 3:21-22; Teachings, pp. 352-354)
Bible:
Only Christ existed before mortality, not man. Our existence started on earth.
(John 8:58; Colossians 1:17; Zechariah 12:1; 1 Corinthians 15:46)
Priesthood Authority
LDS:
Only LDS have the authority to Baptize, ordain, etc. There is a two-part system of priesthood – Melchizedek and Aaronic.
(D&C 107:1-21; Doctrines of Salvation, Vol 3, p. 80-81)
Bible:
Christ brough and end to the Aaronic priesthood and is the only High Priest after the manner of Melchizedek.
(Hebrews 5:9-10; 7:11-17; 7:24-27; 2 Timothy 2:2)
Salvation by Grace
LDS:
Christ’s death brought release from grace and universal resurrection. Salvation by grace is universal resurrection. Beyond this, man must earn his place in heaven. “Saved by grace after all we can do.”
(2 Nephi 25:23; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 669-671)
Bible:
Salvation is not limited to universal resurrection but is the gift of God to those who believe.
(Romans 1:16; Hebrews 9:28; Ephesians 2:8-9)
Sin
LDS:
Specific acts, not man’s basic nature. One must know an act is wrong for it to be a sin.
(Mormon Doctrine, pp. 550, 735-736)
Bible:
We are in spiritual rebellion until conversion. We do not just commit sins; we are basically sinful.
(Ephesians 2:3; Romans 5:6; Matthew 1:21; Jeremiah 17:9; Luke 5:32)
Virgin Birth
LDS:
God, as a resurrected, physical man, is literal Father of Jesus – Jesus was concieved within Mary in the same manner in which men are concieved on earth. Believes that Matthew 1:18 is an error.
(Mormon Doctrine, pp. 546-547, 742)
Bible:
Mary was “with child of the Holy Ghost.”
(Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:30-35)
Provided by: Sandra Tanner – Utah Lighthouse Ministry – www.utlm.org