Mormonism (Reformed Baptist Perspective)

Definition:

Mormonism refers to the religious teachings and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly known as the Mormon Church. It is based on the belief that God revealed additional scripture beyond the Bible, primarily the Book of Mormon, alongside other texts such as the Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. Founded by Joseph Smith in the early 19th century in the United States, Mormonism asserts that it is the restoration of true Christianity that was lost after the death of the apostles.

Key Beliefs of Mormonism:

  1. The Nature of God:
    Mormonism teaches that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are distinct beings who are united in purpose but not in essence. They reject the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity, teaching instead that God the Father was once a mortal man who became a god, and that humans have the potential to become gods through obedience to God's commands and the teachings of the LDS Church.

    • Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 – “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit.”

  2. Additional Scriptures:
    In addition to the Bible, Mormons believe in the Book of Mormon, which they regard as another testament of Jesus Christ. They believe that the Book of Mormon is the record of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent and that it was translated by Joseph Smith through divine inspiration.

    • 2 Nephi 29:6-10 (Book of Mormon) – Mormons believe that God continues to speak to His people through additional scriptures that supplement the Bible.

  3. The Plan of Salvation:
    Mormonism teaches a unique doctrine of salvation, emphasizing that humans can attain salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and following the teachings of the LDS Church. A central tenet is that all people are given the opportunity to become like God, known as the doctrine of exaltation.

    • Mormon Doctrine of Salvation – This involves a belief in pre-mortal existence, where humans lived as spirits before being born on Earth. Salvation is achieved through Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice, but exaltation is only attainable through the practices and ordinances of the LDS Church.

  4. Baptism for the Dead:
    Mormons practice baptism for the dead, believing that individuals who have passed away without being baptized can receive the gospel in the afterlife through the vicarious acts of living members being baptized on their behalf.

    • 1 Corinthians 15:29 (LDS interpretation) – “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?”

  5. Temple Worship:
    Mormons believe that certain sacred rites and ordinances, such as baptism for the dead and eternal marriage, can only be performed in their temples. They see temples as holy places where they can make covenants with God and receive special blessings.

    • Doctrine and Covenants 124:39 – Describes the significance of the temple and its role in the eternal progression of believers.

  6. The Doctrine of Eternal Progression:
    A unique aspect of Mormon theology is the concept of eternal progression, the belief that humans can progress to become gods themselves in the afterlife, mirroring the life of God the Father. This doctrine is part of the larger doctrine of exaltation.

    • Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20 – Mormons believe that faithful members who follow God’s commandments can inherit godhood and rule over their own worlds.

  7. The Role of Prophets and Apostles:
    Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was the first prophet of the restoration of the true church, and that the LDS Church continues to have living prophets and apostles. These leaders are believed to receive direct revelation from God, guiding the church in all matters of doctrine and practice.

    • Doctrine and Covenants 1:30 – “For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven.”

  8. Polygamy (Historical Practice):
    Historically, Mormonism practiced polygamy, believing that it was a command from God for the establishment of eternal families. Though the LDS Church officially abandoned polygamy in 1890, some groups within the broader Latter-day Saint movement still practice it today.

    • Doctrine and Covenants 132:1-4 – Provides instructions for the practice of polygamy, which was considered a commandment for early Mormons.

Key Differences from Traditional Christianity:

  1. The Nature of God:
    Mormons reject the orthodox Christian understanding of the Trinity, viewing God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as distinct beings with physical bodies, rather than as one God in essence. This directly contradicts the biblical doctrine of the Trinity as understood in historic Christianity (cf. Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-3).

  2. Scripture:
    Mormons believe in the authority of the Book of Mormon and other LDS scriptures alongside the Bible. Traditional Christianity, however, holds that the Bible alone is the authoritative and complete revelation of God (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

  3. Salvation and Exaltation:
    Mormonism teaches that salvation is a process involving both faith in Jesus Christ and the observance of specific ordinances and commandments, including baptism, temple rites, and obedience to church leaders. In contrast, traditional Christian doctrine teaches that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28).

  4. Eternal Progression:
    The concept of eternal progression—humans becoming gods—is foreign to traditional Christianity. In biblical Christianity, God alone is eternal and unchanging (cf. Isaiah 43:10-11; Malachi 3:6), and believers are called to worship God, not become gods themselves.

Reformed Baptist Perspective:

Reformed Baptists, from a biblical and doctrinal standpoint, view Mormonism as a departure from the core tenets of orthodox Christianity. While Mormons claim to follow Christ, their doctrines on the nature of God, salvation, and scripture diverge significantly from biblical teachings. The doctrine of eternal progression and the idea that humans can become gods is incompatible with the Christian understanding of God's unique and uncreated nature (cf. Isaiah 44:6; John 17:3).

Key Reflections for Reformed Baptists:

  • The Christian doctrine of the Trinity affirms that God is one in essence, yet three in persons. Mormonism’s view of separate gods undermines the biblical revelation of the unity and holiness of God.
  • The Bible alone is sufficient for all matters of faith and practice (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17), and the addition of the Book of Mormon and other LDS writings is seen as a distortion of the gospel message.
  • The Reformed Baptist belief in salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, contrasts with the Mormon belief in a salvation that requires obedience to church ordinances and commandments.

Conclusion:

Mormonism presents a different understanding of God, salvation, and the nature of Scripture, deviating from orthodox Christianity on many key points. Reformed Baptists would affirm the need for adherence to biblical truth, the sufficiency of Scripture, and the uniqueness of God as the one true, unchanging being. Mormonism's beliefs about the potential for humans to become gods, along with its extra-biblical scriptures, are considered by Reformed Baptists to be false teachings that stray from the gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible.

Sources for Further Study:

  • James R. White, What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Mormon Church – A thorough critique of Mormon theology from a Christian perspective.
  • R.C. Sproul, The Truth of the Cross – Discusses foundational Christian doctrines, including the nature of God and salvation, in contrast to Mormon beliefs.
  • LDS Official Website (churchofjesuschrist.org) – Provides the official stance and teachings of the LDS Church.
  • John MacArthur, Strange Fire – Addresses the broader context of heresies in modern movements, including Mormonism, from a Reformed perspective.

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