Here’s Why I Can’t Call Mormonism “Christian”

Latter-day Saints are often accused of believing in “another Gospel.” Is this statement warranted? While the beliefs of many Latter-day Saints are diverse, the statements from LDS leaders paint a more consistent (and troubling) picture. From the very earliest years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith was altering the traditional Protestant understanding of the Gospel in some important ways.

The question is, did Smith’s alterations change the Gospel so much that evangelicals are right to accuse Mormonism of having taught a different Gospel? Are those teachings outdated and no longer relevant?

In this video, we look at Joseph Smith’s teaching about murder and forgiveness—in order to get a clearer view of Joseph Smith’s gospel. Latter-day Saints often mock our usage of Galatians 1:8, and the language of “other gospels”—but do Joseph’s teaching deserve that label?

What if Your LDS Testimony is False?

A Latter-day Saint testimony is so powerful that it often grounds their faith in the Restored Gospel. If you asked a Latter-day Saint (Mormon) why they believe what they believe, most will probably say, “Because I’ve received a testimony.” In Mormonism, a testimony is a supernatural, spiritual experience from God confirming the truth of their beliefs.

And yet, are we meant to make this kind of subjective spiritual confirmation the bedrock of our faith? While spiritual experiences are certainly a part of every faith, they are also insufficient for determining truth. Followers of Jesus need to test all things and beware the accuracy of our own feelings and experiences.

In this video, we take a look at the insufficiency of an LDS Testimony. The Bible commands us to rely on more than our own experiences; feelings alone simply aren’t enough to determine truth.

What is The Atonement in Mormonism vs. Christianity?

What is Mormonism’s view of the Atonement, and how does it differ from an evangelical understanding of atonement?

Even beyond disagreements about where the atonement occurred—the Garden of Gethsemane vs. the Cross—there are actually significant disagreements about what Jesus’ Atonement actually accomplished. The LDS Church teaches that part of the atonement is universally applied to all people, while another part only applies to those who walk the covenant path. Evangelicals have historically seen Christ’s atonement as all-or-nothing, it either completely applies to you, or doesn’t at all.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taught a variety of different things regarding Christ’s atonement over the years, but what does the Bible actually say? Did the atonement occur in the Garden of Gethsemane? Did it occur on the Cross at Calvary? What did Jesus’ Atonement actually accomplish?

Romans 5:9-10 – “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

Why Mormonism Shouldn’t Ban Coffee, Tea, or Alcohol

Should Christians obey the “Word of Wisdom”? Latter-day Saints are required to adhere to a set of rules laid out by LDS Apostles summarized in the Word of Wisdom. These requirements restrict faithful Mormons from drinking certain beverages such as alcohol, coffee, and tea. Because obedience to the Word of Wisdom is required to gain entrance into a Temple, these restrictions are—essentially—prerequisites for eternal life. But is this what the Bible teaches?

Does God restrict the consumption of coffee, tea, and alcohol? Christians are to enjoy God’s good gifts—to include coffee! While Mormonism’s Apostles and Prophets restrict what we can enjoy, the Bible tells us that such restrictions are unbiblical. While members of the LDS Church are told to abstain, true Christians are free in Christ to enjoy coffee, tea, and even alcohol.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)

Check out our newest video – is the Word of Wisdom biblical?

Are There Really Three Kingdoms of Glory?

Mormonism and Christianity teach vastly different things about where we go after we die. The LDS Church teaches that all mankind is saved through the atonement of Christ, and will be resurrected into one of three different Kingdoms of Glory.

Christianity has historically taught that there are only two potential destinations for mankind: Heaven, or hell. So, where do Christians get their understanding of heaven and hell? What will heaven be like?

In this video, we explain the LDS beliefs about different levels of heaven, and where Mormonism’s teaching diverges from historic Christian understandings about eternity. We’ll also consider what the Bible has to say about where we go after we die.

The Bible speaks to this issue plainly and consistently—if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we will dwell with God for all eternity in heaven. If we do not, we will be judged for our works, and be condemned to the eternal Lake of Fire.

Is Marriage Eternal?

Will there be Marriage in Heaven? Latter-day Saints claim that we can be sealed to our spouse for “time and all eternity”, but does the Bible really teach that marriage is eternal?

In this video, we take a deep dive into what the Bible says about marriage and the afterlife. There are 5 key biblical reasons to reject the LDS doctrine of eternal marriage. The idea that we must be married in order to progress and receive the fulness of eternal life does not align with either the teachings of Jesus or those of His apostles.

In Matthew 22, Jesus was asked a question about marriage by the Sadducees. In his response, he makes clear that marriage will not persist into the next life. Marriage is not an eternal institution. Rather, it’s a created illustration meant to image Christ’s love for the Church. Marriage, like many earthly blessings, points us forward to a far greater joy: eternal union with Christ.

Is the LDS Doctrine of a Premortal Life Biblical?

Did we really live with God before our earthly life? Mormonism teaches that we existed in a pre-mortal life as spirit children of Heavenly Father—but is this what the Bible teaches?

In this video, we examine the LDS doctrine of preexistence (premortality) and compare it with the clear teaching of the Bible. This doctrine is essential to get right, because it shapes the way we view both God and man.

If we really were born to Heavenly Father in a pre-existence, then Mormonism’s view of Heavenly Father and our future exaltation makes some logical sense. If, however, we were created by God here on earth, then the LDS view of exaltation, progression, and eternal life needs to be re-examined.

What we believe about God and man really matters, and we should search the Bible to rightly understand a proper theological understanding of man’s nature.

Was the Trinity invented by the early Christian church?

Is the Trinity an invented doctrine? Many faiths argue that Trinitarianism is a blend of Greek Philosophy, novel theology, and Biblical proof-texting. Some Latter-day Saints even point to the Trinity as evidence of a Great Apostasy—a theological innovation of early Christianity. Does the Bible really teach the doctrine of the Trinity, or is it a creedal doctrine that has no basis in divine revelation?

While Christians and Latter-day Saints both affirm the Father, Son, and Spirit, we fundamentally disagree on their nature. What exactly does “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” really mean? Are we talking about one eternal God revealed in three persons, or three distinct gods united in purpose?

In this video, we examine the biblical basis for Trinitarianism. While it’s true that the word “Trinity” never appears in the Bible, Christians have used this word throughout history to summarize what God reveals about himself in Scripture.

The doctrine of Trinity can be summarized in these three points:

1) There is only one God.
2) The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.
3) The Father is NOT the Son, the Son is NOT the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is NOT the Father.

Christians are not trying to invent a new doctrine, but are simply receiving what God has revealed about Himself. These three points, revealed in Scripture, serve as guardrails that keep us from thinking wrongly about God.

Is Priesthood Authority even in the Bible?

Does Priesthood Authority even exist? The LDS (Mormon) doctrine of Priesthood Authority is arguably one of the most foundational claims of the Latter-day Saint movement. Because it was lost, Christianity fell into apostasy. Without it, no one can receive a valid baptism. Within LDS theology, Priesthood Authority is the very power God used to create the world. It’s clearly important to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and yet most Christians don’t ever talk about it. Why is that?

In this video, we’re going to explore whether or not the topic of Priesthood Authority is Biblical. Yes, the Bible speaks about the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood — but does Priesthood Authority as Mormonism teaches really exist? What does the Bible teach about this issue? And is the loss of Priesthood Authority a huge problem for Christians?

Join us as we consider one of the most essential differences between Mormon and Christian beliefs!

Do we still need Mormon Temples?

One of the most notable differences between Mormonism and Christianity is the way we view temples. Latter-day Saints often wonder why Christians don’t participate in Mormon temple practices today. The Bible addresses this exact issue. So what does the Bible teach us about our need for Mormon temples today?

First: God instructed his people to build a sanctuary that He…“may dwell in their midst” (Exodus 25:8).

But because of their sin, God’s people were prohibited from entering into His presence. So God commanded that the sanctuary be divided by a floor-to-ceiling curtain which served as a physical reminder of the spiritual separation between us and God.

Second: God also intended that the Temple would serve as the center of the Old TestamenT sacrificial system.

Forgiveness of sins was dependent upon regular sacrifices being offered there. The Bible says that,

“…under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22). 

It was impossible for a man to be seen as right before God apart from these regular blood sacrifices. The presence of a Temple epitomized our separation from God, and our need for continual sacrifice.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Christ’s death changed everything! 

The entire OT Temple System was designed to point us to our need for Jesus! The Bible tells us that

“…in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins…But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God…For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:3-14).

When Jesus went to the cross, He was offering himself up as our ultimate, fully-sufficient sacrifice. When Christ died, the Bible tells us,

“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51).

In His crucifixion, Christ not only fulfilled our need for sacrifice, but also provided a way for us to have access to God. The Bible tells us that we can now, 

“…have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20).

This is why Christians do not engage in Temple worship any longer.

Instead we celebrate how Jesus replaced the Old Covenant (with its temple practices) with a New and better one!

“In speaking of a new covenant he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away” (Hebrews 8:13).

The Bible teaches that we no longer need a physical Temple because the  purpose of the Temple is now fully and finally satisfied in Jesus.