At a Glance
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Mormonism (LDS)
Restored gospel through Joseph Smith; exaltation through works
GodOne of many gods — an exalted man with a physical body
ScriptureBible + Book of Mormon + D&C + Pearl of Great Price
JesusSpirit-brother of Lucifer — a separate, created god
SalvationGrace + ordinances + works + temple rituals
AtonementBegins in Gethsemane; enables resurrection for all
SinAdam’s fall was a necessary step forward, not a tragedy
The ChurchRestored exclusively through Joseph Smith in 1830
EternityThree kingdoms of glory; the worthy become gods
MarriageCelestial (temple) marriage required for highest exaltation
AssuranceConditional — depends on works, ordinances, and faithfulness
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Sovereign Grace
God alone saves, by grace alone, through Christ alone
AuthorityScripture alone — Sola Scriptura
GodThe triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
SalvationGrace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone
JustificationComplete, instantaneous, eternal — Romans 5:1
AtonementFinished once for all at Calvary — John 19:30
JesusGod the Son, crucified, risen, and reigning
EternityHeaven or hell — by God’s sovereign grace
AssuranceThe believer may and ought to know he is saved — 1 John 5:13
The ChurchAll elect believers; no earthly headquarters
PrayerTo God alone through Christ alone — 1 Tim 2:5
Detailed Doctrine-by-Doctrine Comparison
Topic
Mormonism Teaches
Scripture Teaches
The Nature of God
MormonismGod the Father (Elohim) is an exalted, glorified man with a physical body of flesh and bones. He was once a mortal who progressed to godhood. There are multiple gods. As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become (Lorenzo Snow).
GraceGod is a spirit (John 4:24), infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, who has always been God. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God (Psalm 90:2). There is only one God and there shall be no other.
The Person of Jesus
MormonismJesus Christ is a separate, distinct god — the firstborn spirit-child of Heavenly Father and the spirit-brother of Lucifer and all mankind. He was not eternally God but became a god through his own progression. He atoned for sin primarily in Gethsemane.
GraceJesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, not a created being. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…All things were made by him (John 1:1, 3). He is not a brother of Lucifer but the Creator before whom Lucifer fell.
Scripture & Authority
MormonismThe Bible is accepted insofar as it is translated correctly, but is considered incomplete and corrupted. The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price are additional Scripture. The living prophet’s word supersedes all.
GraceAll scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16). The canon of Scripture is closed. God warned against adding to his Word: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book (Revelation 22:18).
The Fall of Adam
MormonismThe Fall was not a catastrophe but a necessary step forward in God’s plan. Without the Fall, Adam and Eve could not have had children or experienced mortality. The Fall is celebrated rather than mourned. Men are not born sinners in the Augustinian sense.
GraceThe Fall of Adam was a catastrophic moral disaster that plunged the entire human race into sin, death, and condemnation. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Romans 5:12). It was not a step forward but a fall from holiness into ruin.
Salvation
MormonismThere are two aspects of salvation: general salvation (resurrection for all through Christ’s atonement) and individual exaltation (entering the highest kingdom, requiring faith, repentance, baptism by LDS authority, temple endowments, and faithful works). Salvation without these ordinances is impossible.
GraceSalvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, with no sacraments, ordinances, or works contributing to justification. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Eternity & Exaltation
MormonismThere are three kingdoms of glory (Celestial, Terrestrial, Telestial) and outer darkness. The highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom is reserved for faithful Mormons married in the temple, who will themselves become gods and produce spirit-children. This is called exaltation.
GraceScripture teaches two destinations only — eternal life with God and eternal punishment. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal (Matthew 25:46). No man becomes a god. Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me (Isaiah 43:10).
The Church
MormonismThe true church of Jesus Christ was completely lost from the earth after the death of the apostles and did not exist until restored through Joseph Smith in 1830. All other churches are “the church of the devil.” Only LDS priesthood authority is valid.
GraceChrist promised, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). The church was never lost. It has existed in every generation since Pentecost, wherever God has regenerated sinners by his Spirit and gathered them according to his Word.