What is the biggest difference between Mormons and Christians?

Traditional Christians consider God to be a "necessary being", meaning that he cannot not exist, while all other creations are "contingent beings". In Mormonism, by contrast, God created the universe and everything in it from existing matter.

What makes Mormonism different from Christianity?

Although Mormons claim to be Christians and to believe in God, they reject the idea of the Trinity, teaching instead that the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ, were previously human beings who were eventually glorified.

What do Mormons believe about Jesus that Christians don't?

Jesus possessed both a divine and a human nature from the moment of his earthly conception. He did not grow into divinity either before or while living a mortal life among men. Mormons admit Christ became God before he took on a mortal estate.

Do Mormons believe in the same God as Christians?

However, Mormons hold the unique belief that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two distinct beings. Mormons believe that God and Jesus Christ are wholly united in their perfect love for us, but that each is a distinct personage with His own perfect, glorified body (see D&C 130:22).

How is the Mormon Bible different from the Bible?

The Bible and Book of Mormon are both Christian scriptures, but differ in origin, setting, authorship, and specific accounts, with the Bible written in the Middle East over millennia by many prophets, while the Book of Mormon details ancient peoples in the Americas, compiled from metal plates translated by Joseph Smith, and centers on Jesus Christ's visit to them after His resurrection, adding unique doctrines like "infinite atonement" and differing views on Christ's nature. Both testify of Jesus, but cover different histories and perspectives, with the Book of Mormon acting as a "second witness" to the Bible's teachings, according to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

The BIG Difference Between Mormonism and the Bible

What is the most controversial Mormon belief?

The most controversial Mormon beliefs often involve {!nav}polygamy (historically practiced, now prohibited but still referenced in doctrine), secret temple rituals like endowed garments (often called "magic underwear") and secret handshakes, the unique theology of God's nature (man becoming a god), and the {!nav}racial history (past priesthood ban on Black men and linking dark skin to a curse). Other points of contention include {!nav}baptism for the dead (especially for Holocaust victims), {!nav}Joseph Smith's polygamist marriages (including to minors), {!nav}financial secrecy (massive church wealth vs. stated needs), and {!nav}treatment of LGBTQ+ members. 

How many wives can a Mormon marry?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (mainstream Mormons) today allows only one wife (monogamy) and strictly prohibits polygamy; anyone practicing it faces excommunication, a ban that started with the Manifesto in 1890. However, men can be eternally sealed (temple marriage) to multiple women over time (after a wife's death or with sealing clearance after divorce), creating a spiritual polygamy in the afterlife, while women can only be sealed to one man. Fundamentalist groups, separate from the mainstream church, still practice polygamy illegally. 

Do Mormons pray to Jesus or God?

While latter-day Saints do worship Jesus Christ as explained here, they do not pray to him. That is reserved for God the Father. That's an important distinction that when you hear LDS leaders talk about how they worship Jesus, they don't mean worship in the way you might expect it.

Do Mormons believe Jesus died on the cross?

Yes, Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) absolutely believe Jesus Christ died on the cross as a crucial part of His atoning sacrifice for humanity's sins, though they often emphasize His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and His resurrection more than the cross symbol itself, which they don't typically use in their buildings. They see His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection as essential for overcoming physical and spiritual death, but focus on the living, resurrected Christ rather than the instrument of torture.
 

What religion is Mormon closest to?

Mormons have been compared to the Ahmadi Muslims specifically, with many noting distinct similarities in both groups' doctrine, history, culture, approach to missionary work, and general lack of acceptance from mainstream Christianity and Islam, respectively.

What are Mormon wives' rules?

Mormon wives follow general church guidelines, emphasizing modesty, family focus (often as stay-at-home mothers), and the health code known as the "Word of Wisdom," which prohibits alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea, while encouraging education and modest dress. Core expectations center on nurturing families, being supportive partners, and upholding faith, though personal interpretations vary, with some women choosing careers or challenging traditions, as seen in reality shows like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which highlight these cultural tensions.
 

Why don't Christians believe in Mormonism?

Christians disagree with Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) primarily because of fundamental differences in core doctrines, especially the nature of God, Jesus, salvation, and scripture, with traditional Christians believing Mormonism deviates from orthodox Christianity by introducing new revelations, a different view of God as once-man-now-god, and a salvation requiring both grace and works, whereas Mormons see themselves as restoring the true, lost church of Jesus Christ with additional authoritative texts like the Book of Mormon. 

How do Mormons view the afterlife?

Mormons (Latter-day Saints) believe death is a transition to the Spirit World, a temporary place with two parts: Paradise for the righteous and Spirit Prison for others, where the gospel is taught. After the resurrection, everyone receives a perfected body and is assigned to one of three "Kingdoms of Glory" (Celestial, Terrestrial, or Telestial), with the highest Celestial Kingdom being where God dwells, rather than a simple heaven/hell binary. 

What are the main criticisms of Mormonism?

Academic critics have questioned the legitimacy of Smith and successors prophets as well as the historical authenticity of the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham. Criticism has expanded to include assertions of historical revisionism, homophobia, racism, and sexist policies.

What Bible do Mormons use?

Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) primarily use the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible in English, considering it doctrinally strong and historically significant, but they also have their own annotated edition with study aids and cross-references to other scriptures like the Book of Mormon. While the KJV is official, leaders and members may use other translations, and they possess the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), which are revisions and corrections to the KJV text, not a separate translation, to aid understanding. 

What are the two unforgivable sins in the LDS?

Those guilty of committing the unpardonable sin of denying the Holy Ghost and the unforgivable sin of shedding innocent blood must face the justice of God. They must pay the full demands of justice.

Can you wear a cross if you're Mormon?

Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) generally do not wear crosses, focusing instead on the living Christ, but there's no official ban, and some individuals do wear them, leading to varied practice and occasional confusion or judgment within the community. While church buildings lack crosses and the general cultural practice avoids them as symbols of death, members emphasize Jesus's resurrection and the Atonement's meaning, not the instrument of crucifixion, though some wear them to signify their Christian faith or for other reasons, notes Quora users and LDS Living.
 

Is divorce allowed in Mormonism?

Yes, divorce is allowed in Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), but it's viewed as a serious matter, with emphasis placed on preserving marriage; members can obtain both civil divorce and a separate "cancellation of temple sealing" (temple divorce) for "time and eternity," though the church strongly encourages forgiveness and reconciliation, even permitting remarriage for divorced individuals. 

Do Mormons say amen?

Yes, Mormons (Latter-day Saints) say "Amen" at the end of prayers, blessings, and talks to signify agreement, acceptance, and that the words spoken are "so be it," often concluding with the specific phrase, "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen," to honor Christ as their mediator with God the Father, a practice rooted in scripture and tradition.
 

Why don't Mormons say the Lord's prayer?

In fact, the manual for the Gospel Principles class, which teaches new members the foundations of a Mormon spiritual life, not only omits mention of the Lord's Prayer in its lesson on prayer, but goes out of its way to caution against repeating “meaningless words and phrases.”

What is the biggest difference between Mormonism and Christianity?

In Mormonism, by contrast, God created the universe and everything in it from existing matter. The Mormon sense of "eternal" differs from traditional Christians, who believe God's eternal nature exists outside of space and time. Very few in the LDS Church situate God outside of space and time.

Can a Mormon man be sealed to more than one woman?

Yes, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a man can be sealed (eternally bound) to more than one woman, especially if his wife dies; he can then be sealed to a new living wife and potentially both the deceased and new wives, though this often requires careful handling and can lead to complex eternal family arrangements that God will sort out, with living men typically only being sealed to one woman at a time unless a prior sealing is ended, unlike deceased women who can be sealed to multiple husbands after death.
 

Why is polygamy illegal in Utah?

Polygamy is illegal in Utah primarily due to historical pressure from the U.S. government to grant statehood in the 1890s, leading the main LDS Church to officially ban it and Utah to include a constitutional clause prohibiting it, though fundamentalist groups still practice it, and recent laws have decriminalized cohabitation (living as if married) while keeping multiple marriage licenses illegal, focusing prosecution on abuse.
 

Who has the most wives in Mormon?

Brigham Young (1801–1877), second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) married 56 wives during his lifetime as part of religious polygamy termed "plural marriage" in the Latter Day Saint movement. Mormon polygamy was started by movement founder Joseph Smith.