14d • General discussion
Is a Mormon a Christian?
Jesus Himself defines it:
“You must be born again.” — John 3:3
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” — John 3:6
In the Bible, being born again means:
- You are spiritually made new by God
- This happens by grace through faith in Jesus Christ
- Not by works, rituals, or church membership
- You are justified (declared righteous) the moment you trust in Christ
Key scriptures:
- Ephesians 2:8–9 — Saved by grace through faith, not of works
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 — If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation
- Romans 10:9–10 — Believe and confess Jesus as Lord and you are saved
- John 1:12–13 — Born of God, not of human effort
👉 A born-again Christian trusts Christ alone for salvation, and good works follow because you’re saved, not to get saved.
2. What does the LDS (Mormon) Church teach about salvation?
The LDS Church uses the Bible and additional scriptures:
- Book of Mormon
- Doctrine and Covenants
- Pearl of Great Price
In LDS doctrine:
- Salvation is a process, not a finished work
- It includes: Faith in Jesus Repentance Baptism (by LDS authority) Receiving the Holy Ghost Obedience to commandments Temple ordinances Enduring to the end
A famous LDS statement:
“We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” — 2 Nephi 25:23 (Book of Mormon)
👉 So in Mormon theology, grace + your obedience + church ordinances are necessary to reach the highest level of salvation (exaltation).
3. The biggest differences (side by side)
🔥 A. Who is Jesus?
Born-again Christianity (Bible):
- Jesus is eternal God
- Not created
- One with the Father
- Fully God, fully man
John 1:1 — “The Word was God”
John 8:58 — “Before Abraham was, I AM”
Colossians 2:9 — “In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”
LDS teaching:
- Jesus is a created being
- Spirit brother of Lucifer
- Not eternally God in the same sense
- God the Father was once a man (per LDS doctrine)
👉 This is a different Jesus than the one revealed in the Bible.
🔥 B. How are you saved?
Born-again Christianity (Bible):
- Saved by grace alone
- Through faith alone
- In Christ alone
- Salvation is assured the moment you believe
Ephesians 2:8–9
Romans 5:1
John 5:24
Titus 3:5
LDS teaching:
- Salvation requires: Faith + works + ordinances + obedience
- No full assurance in this life
- Exaltation depends on faithfulness to LDS system
👉 The Bible says Christ finished the work (John 19:30). LDS doctrine says you must continue the work to qualify.
🔥 C. What is “born again”?
Bible:
- A spiritual rebirth done by God
- Happens when you trust Christ
- You receive eternal life now (John 5:24)
LDS usage:
- Often tied to baptism, confirmation, and ongoing obedience
- More of a process than a completed spiritual rebirth
👉 In Scripture, new birth is God’s miracle, not a church process.
🔥 D. Authority & Scripture
Born-again Christianity:
- Bible alone is the final authority (2 Timothy 3:16)
- Gospel is complete (Galatians 1:8 warns against adding another gospel)
LDS Church:
- Bible plus: Book of Mormon Doctrine and Covenants Pearl of Great Price
- Living prophets can redefine doctrine
👉 The Bible warns against adding to or changing the gospel (Galatians 1:6–9).
4. The heart of the difference
Born-again Christianity says:
“Jesus paid it all.”
You are saved because of what He did, not what you do.
LDS doctrine says (in practice):
“Jesus made salvation possible, but you must qualify for the highest salvation.”
That’s the difference between:
- ✅ Grace as a gift
- ❌ Grace as assistance
5. A simple biblical summary
“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His mercy…” — Titus 3:5
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1
“It is finished.” — John 19:30
Let’s see …
1. Who is Jesus? God or a created being?
🟦 Bible
John 1:1 — “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 8:58 — “Before Abraham was, I AM.”
Colossians 2:9 — “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
Isaiah 43:10 — “Before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me.”
Biblical teaching: Jesus is eternal God, uncreated, fully God in nature.
🟥 LDS Scriptures / Doctrine
Doctrine & Covenants 93:21 — Jesus “received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace.”
Pearl of Great Price (Abraham 3:22–23) — Jesus is one spirit among many noble spirits.
LDS teaching (Joseph Smith / Lorenzo Snow): God the Father was once a man; humans can become gods.
LDS teaching: Jesus is a separate being, progressed to godhood; not eternally God in the same sense as the Father.
👉 Conflict:
• Bible: God is eternally God; no gods before or after Him.
• LDS: God and Jesus are exalted beings in a progression.
⸻
2. How is a person saved? Grace alone or grace + works?
🟦 Bible
Ephesians 2:8–9 — “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not of works.”
Romans 4:5 — “To the one who does not work, but believes… his faith is counted as righteousness.”
Titus 3:5 — “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.”
John 5:24 — “He who hears My word and believes… has everlasting life.”
Biblical teaching: Salvation is a gift, received by faith alone, apart from works.
🟥 LDS Scriptures
2 Nephi 25:23 (Book of Mormon) — “For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”
Doctrine & Covenants 59:23 — “But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward.”
Articles of Faith 1:3 — Salvation requires laws, ordinances, and obedience.
LDS teaching: Grace is real, but not sufficient by itself—you must add obedience, ordinances, and endurance.
👉 Conflict:
• Bible: Grace alone saves.
• LDS: Grace saves after you do your part.
⸻
3. Is salvation finished or a lifelong qualification process?
🟦 Bible
John 19:30 — “It is finished.”
Hebrews 10:14 — “By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”
Romans 5:1 — “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God.”
1 John 5:13 — “That you may know that you have eternal life.”
Biblical teaching: Salvation is completed by Christ and possessed now by the believer.
🟥 LDS Scriptures
2 Nephi 31:20 — “You must press forward… and endure to the end.”
Doctrine & Covenants 14:7 — “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life.”
LDS teaching: Salvation (especially exaltation) is something you qualify for over time.
👉 Conflict:
• Bible: You can know you have eternal life now.
• LDS: Final salvation depends on endurance and faithfulness.
⸻
4. What does it mean to be “born again”?
🟦 Bible
John 3:3 — “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 1:12–13 — “Who were born of God, not of the will of the flesh.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 — “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
Biblical teaching: New birth is a spiritual miracle by God that happens when you believe.
🟥 LDS Scriptures
Mosiah 27:25–26 (Book of Mormon) — Being born again is tied to repentance and change of life.
In LDS practice, “born again” is often connected to baptism, confirmation, and continued obedience.
LDS teaching: New birth is more of a process tied to ordinances and ongoing faithfulness.
👉 Conflict:
• Bible: New birth = God’s act, received by faith.
• LDS: New birth = ordinance + process + obedience.
⸻
5. Authority: Bible alone or Bible + other scriptures?
🟦 Bible
2 Timothy 3:16–17 — “All Scripture is God-breathed… that the man of God may be complete.”
Galatians 1:8 — “If anyone preaches another gospel, let him be accursed.”
Jude 3 — “The faith once for all delivered to the saints.”
Biblical teaching: The gospel is complete and final. No additions.
🟥 LDS Scriptures
1 Nephi 13:26–28 — Claims “plain and precious truths” were removed from the Bible.
LDS canon includes:
• Book of Mormon
• Doctrine & Covenants
• Pearl of Great Price
• Plus living prophets
LDS teaching: The Bible is not sufficient by itself and needs restoration and additions.
👉 Conflict:
• Bible: God’s Word is complete.
• LDS: God’s Word needed restoration and expansion.
⸻
6. Can humans become gods?
🟦 Bible
Isaiah 43:10 — “Before Me no god was formed, nor shall there be after Me.”
Isaiah 44:6 — “Besides Me, there is no God.”
Isaiah 45:5 — “I am the Lord, and there is no other.”
Biblical teaching: There is only one God, eternally.
🟥 LDS Teaching
Lorenzo Snow (LDS Prophet): “As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may become.”
LDS doctrine teaches exaltation to godhood for faithful members.
👉 Conflict:
• Bible: No other gods—ever.
• LDS: Faithful humans can become gods.
⸻
7. The core issue in one verse
🟦 Bible
Romans 11:6 — “If by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.”
🟥 LDS System (in practice)
Grace plus works, ordinances, obedience, endurance.
These two systems cannot mean the same thing.
⸻
8. Simple, honest summary
• Biblical Christianity:
• Jesus = Eternal God
• Salvation = Grace alone, through faith alone
• New birth = God’s work
• Assurance = You can know now
• Authority = Bible alone
• LDS Doctrine:
• Jesus = Exalted being, not eternally God in the same way
• Salvation = Grace + works + ordinances
• New birth = Process tied to obedience
• Assurance = No full certainty in this life
• Authority = Bible + LDS scriptures + prophets
Is a Mormon a Christian then?
1. Why Mormons
say
they are Christian
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
- Believe in Jesus
- Talk about Jesus
- Use the Bible
- Try to follow Jesus’ teachings
- Live moral, sincere lives
So from their point of view, they absolutely consider themselves Christians—and many are very genuine, kind, and devoted people.
This is important to say with respect. 💛
2. Why historic, biblical Christianity says LDS is
not
the same faith
Christianity isn’t defined just by using the name “Jesus”. It’s defined by who Jesus is and what gospel saves.
The Bible warns:
“If someone comes and preaches another Jesus… or a different gospel… you should not accept it.” — 2 Corinthians 11:4
“If anyone preaches another gospel, let him be accursed.” — Galatians 1:8
So the real question is:
Is the LDS Jesus the same Jesus the Bible reveals?
The biblical Jesus:
- Is eternal God (John 1:1, Colossians 2:9)
- Was never created (Isaiah 43:10)
- Is one in nature with the Father
- Saves by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9)
- Finished the work of salvation completely (John 19:30)
The LDS Jesus (by official doctrine):
- Is a separate being from the Father
- Is a spirit child who progressed to godhood
- The Father was once a man
- Humans can become gods
- Salvation (especially exaltation) requires grace + obedience + ordinances + endurance
That is a different Jesus and a different gospel than the Bible teaches.
3. A simple comparison
- Biblical Christianity:Jesus is eternal God. Salvation is a free gift received by faith alone.
- LDS Doctrine:Jesus is an exalted being. Salvation is a process involving works, ordinances, and obedience.
Using the same words doesn’t mean the same meanings.
4. So… is a Mormon a Christian?
In the biblical sense:
No.
Because the Jesus they are taught to believe in and the gospel they are taught to trust are fundamentally different from the Jesus and gospel of the Bible.
In the personal, human sense:
A Mormon is often:
- Sincere
- Moral
- Devout
- Trying to follow what they believe is Jesus
But sincerity doesn’t determine truth. The Bible says:
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” — Proverbs 14:12
5. The most loving way to say it
You don’t have to say:
“You’re not a Christian.”
You can say:
“We believe in different Jesuses and different gospels. Let’s open the Bible and look at who Jesus really is and what He really did.”
Because the issue isn’t labels.
The issue is who saves and how we’re saved.
6. The heart of it all
The biblical gospel says:
“Jesus paid it all.”
You don’t qualify yourself.
You don’t earn it.
You receive it by faith.
Anything that adds requirements to Christ’s finished work is, by definition, a different gospel.
Not the same Jesus. 🙏
And that’s not a small difference—
“it’s the difference.”
The Jesus of the Bible is:
- Eternal God (not created, not progressing)
- Sufficient Savior (He actually finished the work)
- The only God (no gods before Him, none after)
- And He saves by grace alone through faith alone
When the identity of Jesus changes, the gospel changes too. And when the gospel changes, you’re no longer talking about the same faith—no matter how familiar the words sound.
In one sentence
A born-again Christian trusts completely in the finished work of the biblical Jesus for salvation by grace alone through faith alone, while LDS doctrine teaches a different view of Jesus and a salvation that depends on grace plus obedience, ordinances, and lifelong faithfulness.
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