Are Mormons Christians?

Wow! That’s a thought-provoking question! The truth is that I, along with many Christian scholars, do not believe that Mormons are Christians and here’s why:

First, Mormons do not follow or believe that Jesus is God. We believe that Jesus is both man and God (John 1:1, 14) and that He is God’s only son (John 3:16). The Mormons believe that Jesus was created by the father (a separate being) and is a spirit brother to Lucifer (the devil).

Next, we believe there is only one God. He exists as three distinct personalities; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit but He is still ONE God. The Mormons believe there are many gods and that humans, by doing good works, can eventually become a god.

Finally, and most importantly, the Mormons believe you have to earn your salvation through good works or good deeds and by meeting church requirements. We believe that it is by grace that we’ve been saved, through faith. We don’t have to do anything to earn God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:22-24). It is a gift given to us by God.

So, based on those three reasons, we believe that Mormons are not Christians.

What’s the difference between all the religions?

What an awesome question!!! But, it’s also a very complicated question because there are so many different religions out there. It would be impossible to discuss every individual religion and show you the various differences of each belief in a short post.

So, instead, I think I’d like to tell you about our religion: Christianity. Let me first start by saying that there are a lot of different religious beliefs that use words that sound like they are Christians when, in fact, they are not. For example, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are the Mormons. They do not believe the same thing we do. The Jehovah’s Witnesses use a name of God for their religion but they do not believe that Jesus is God. There are Buddhists, Muslims, Taoists, Shintoists and a whole bunch of other religions that have their own belief system that may recognize Jesus as a teacher or a prophet but not as God. There are groups that use names that sound official, like Scientologists, that make them sound like they use scientific methods to prove God’s existence. There are even certain denominations of Christian-based religions that may have different rituals or beliefs than our church. Names such as Seventh Day Adventists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Catholics and a whole host of others believe that Jesus is the Son of God but may differ in their beliefs on certain parts of the Bible.

The important thing for us to remember and to be able to tell people is what we believe in and that is: Jesus Christ, is the Son of God and is God and died an atoning death on the cross so that we could be saved. He is the only person in history or any other religious belief system who overcame death, being resurrected three days after His crucifixion. We believe that the only way to Heaven and God, the Father, is through the salvation offered to us by Jesus Christ through the forgiveness of sins. (John 14:6) We believe in one God, who reveals himself in three separate persons: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit. That is a very difficult concept to grasp but it’s true. Did you know that no other religion can make the claim that, “It is by grace, you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves but it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) This means we can’t earn God’s grace. We can’t work our way to Heaven by doing good things! God saves us through grace and He gives it to us freely. All we have to do is accept it.

And how do we do that? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) By confessing our sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are saved! “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.“ (John 1:12)

And why would God do this? “For God so loved the world that He gave his One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) It’s because God loves us. No other religion can make that boast either. Our God loves us so much, He freely sacrificed His Son for us and all we have to do is accept Jesus as our Savior and repent, or turn away, from our sins and we become saved. We become God’s children. Isn’t that awesome?

What is the difference between Christians and Mormons?

I have done a lot of reading and research on the differences of Christianity and Mormonism. I have also spoken with a number of Mormons who have come to my door, and I know many kids (some in our class) who have some Mormon faith in their background.

I have discovered there are many differences. These differences are very important because they involve what we believe about God, Jesus, the Bible, salvation, and heaven. Below is a comparison of some of the differences. I hope this chart helps you.

Christianity
The Bible is God’s Word (2 Tim 3:16).

Mormonism
The Bible is not the final word of God.

Christianity
God is Spirit and the one and only God (Is. 43:10).

Mormonism
The Father has a body of flesh and bones. There are many gods. Humans can eventually become a god.

Christianity
Jesus is both man and God (John 1:1, 14) and God’s only son (John 3:16).

Mormonism
Jesus is created by the father (a separate being) and is a spirit brother to Lucifer (the devil).

Christianity
Salvation is a free gift provided by God’s grace for all who believe in Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross (Rom. 3:22-24).

Mormonism
Salvation comes from faith, good works & meeting church requirements.

Christianity
Those who put their trust in Jesus will spend eternity in heaven with God
(John 14:1-4).

Mormonism
Most of mankind will enter one of three levels of heaven. The highest level is reserved for Mormons.

Here are three of the websites I looked at that I thought were helpful, you might want to look at them with your mom and dad. They provide a lot of information.

Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (This is the Mormon / Latter Day Saints Page): http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm.

Mormon Research Ministry (This site challenges the claims of Mormons): http://www.mrm.org/.

Mormon Info.org (This site really digs deep into your question about the differences): http://www.mormoninfo.org/.


I know this is a lot of information, so start with the chart I made you, and then have some discussions with your mom and dad. If you really start digging deeper, keep asking questions!!