Uncategorized | God Loves Mormons https://godlovesmormons.com Helping Mormons understand the Christian faith Mon, 05 Jan 2026 21:42:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://i0.wp.com/godlovesmormons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cropped-Site-Icon.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Uncategorized | God Loves Mormons https://godlovesmormons.com 32 32 67842571 What is The Atonement? (The Garden vs. the Cross) https://godlovesmormons.com/what-is-the-atonement-the-garden-vs-the-cross/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-is-the-atonement-the-garden-vs-the-cross Mon, 05 Jan 2026 21:42:13 +0000 https://godlovesmormons.com/?p=3397 Do Mormons & Christians mean the same thing when they speak about "atonement"?

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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.”

 

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]]> 3397 All Videos https://godlovesmormons.com/all-videos/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=all-videos Wed, 17 Aug 2016 21:18:40 +0000 http://godlovesmormons.com/?p=1207 The post All Videos appeared first on God Loves Mormons.

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All Videos

Is The Trinity Biblical?

Is The Trinity Biblical?

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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...

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On the “Laying on of Hands” and Authority

On the “Laying on of Hands” and Authority

Is "Laying on of Hands" Essential for Exercising Authority? Is the LDS "Laying on of Hands" essential? The physical act of placing one's hands on another's head is critical in Mormonism. When Latter-day Saints exercise authority, ordain someone, or give priesthood...

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What Every Christian Needs to Know About Mormonism

What Every Christian Needs to Know About Mormonism

What is Mormonism? Who are the Mormons and what do they believe? In this video, I'm going to walk through Latter-day Saints history and beliefs—explaining where Mormonism came from and the core tenants of their faith. Many Christians know a little bit about The Church...

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Phil Johnson’s Thoughts on Mormonism

Phil Johnson’s Thoughts on Mormonism

Phil Johnson on Mormonism Phil Johnson (Executive Director of Grace To You and Pastor/Elder) answers several questions about Mormonism at the 2023 G3 Conference. Mormonism seems like "just another Christian denomination" on the surface—but the beliefs and teachings of...

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What is “Faith”?

What is “Faith”?

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What is Faith? Both Mormons and Evangelical Christians agree that faith is vitally important to our spiritual lives, but we tend to differ on what faith means. Latter-day Saints believe that true faith includes works as a part of its definition, but Christians believe...

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Did God Really Create Everything?

Did God Really Create Everything?

Many Latter-day Saints believe that when God created everything he rearranged already-existing materials to form our world. But the Bible teaches something totally contrary to this.

read more

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]]> 1207 Terminology Differences between Mormonism and the Bible https://godlovesmormons.com/terminology/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=terminology Sun, 20 Mar 2016 17:22:39 +0000 http://godlovesmormons.com/?p=1327 The post Terminology Differences between Mormonism and the Bible appeared first on God Loves Mormons.

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Terminology Differences between Mormonism and the Bible

Baptism  |  Born Again  |  Eternal Life  |  The Fall  |  Forgiveness  |  Godhead  |  Gospel  |  Heaven  |  Hell  |  Immortality  |  Jesus Christ  |  Kingdom of God  |  Premortal Life  | Priesthood Authority  |  Redeemed  |  Salvation by Grace  |  Sin  |  Sons of God  |  True Church  |  Virgin Birth
Baptism

LDS:

Baptism must be performed by LDS priesthood.

(Mormon Doctrine, pp. 69-72)

Bible:

The emphasis of Baptism is on the believer, not on priesthood authority.

 (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:37-41; 16:30-34)

Born Again

LDS:

To be “born again” is to be baptized into the LDS church.

(Mormon Doctrine, p. 101)

Bible:

We are spiritually dead until our spiritual birth.

 (1 Peter 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 3:7, 14, 15)

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)

Gospel

LDS:

The doctrines and commandments of the LDS Church. True gospel restored by Joseph Smith.

(Mormon Doctrine, pp. 331, 334; Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, pp. 156-159)

Bible:

Good news of Christ’s death and resurrection as atonement for our sins.

(1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 1:6-8) 

Heaven

LDS:

Divided into three kingdoms – Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial. A place for almost everyone.

(D&C 88:16-20; Misuse of 1 Corinthians 15:40-41)

Bible:

Only mentiones two conditions – everlasting punishment or eternal life.

 (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)

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)

Redeemed

LDS:

One is redeemed from mortal death only. It is not the same as Eternal Life.

(Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2, pp. 10-15)

Bible:

One is redeemed from more than mortal death; one is redeemed from spiritual death and given Eternal Life.

(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; Galatians 4:4-5)

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)

Sons of God

LDS:

We were all born in heaven, prior to earth, as literal spirit children of God and his wife.

(Mormon Doctrine, pp. 589-590)

Bible:

Spiritually adopted at conversion.

(John 1:12; Galatians 3:26)

True Church

LDS:

Only the Mormon Church. The true church was taken from the earth until Joseph Smith restored it.

(D&C 1:30; 115:3, 4; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 133, 136)

Bible:

Not an organization; as born-again Christians we are part of God’s Church.

(1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Matthew 16:18; 18:19-20) 

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

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]]> 1327 What does the Bible really say https://godlovesmormons.com/bible-really-say/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bible-really-say Sat, 14 Mar 2015 17:33:42 +0000 http://godlovesmormons.com/?p=859 The post What does the Bible really say appeared first on God Loves Mormons.

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