How are Christians and Mormons Different?

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On today’s podcast, we’ll be talking about Mormonism—specifically the similarities in language between Mormons and Evangelical Christians and how that shared language often hides vastly different meanings.

A few months ago, my team and I stepped into a bit of a hornet’s nest. Two friends had asked for my thoughts on The Good and the Beautiful curriculum, so I did a deep dive to give them an informed response. What I found was subtle but clear: Mormon doctrine was woven throughout the curriculum. We did an entire podcast episode exposing those connections, and let’s just say the YouTube comments were… spirited.

What I learned from that experience was that many Christians don’t fully understand the fundamental differences between Mormonism and the historic Christian faith.

This realization is especially important because many of our listeners are homeschooling families. Mormonism has become increasingly prominent in the homeschooling community. A few years ago, the Great Homeschool Convention began allowing Brigham Young University—a prominent Mormon institution—to advertise in their vendor hall. Additionally, other Mormon companies have gained significant popularity in the homeschool world.

We’ve even received questions like: "How do I lovingly explain to a Mormon family that our beliefs are different and that they can’t join our Christian co-op?"

So today, instead of answering a specific listener question, I’m going to highlight some of these key differences in language. My goal is to equip you to navigate conversations with wisdom, grace, and truth.

If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), welcome. I appreciate you listening and want to be upfront: I’ll be using both the terms "Mormon" and "LDS" interchangeably. I know you may prefer the term LDS, but many in my audience are more familiar with the term Mormonism. I also ask that you listen carefully and consider the differences I’m going to present.

To my evangelical Christian listeners, this episode will help you think through how to engage with your LDS neighbors and friends in a wise and loving way.

My Flight Conversation with an LDS Member

A few years ago, I was on a flight, working on notes for a presentation. The man seated next to me noticed that I had written the word "Jesus" on my tablet and asked, "Are you a woman of faith?" I replied, "Yes, I’m a Christian. I believe the 66 books of the Bible present an accurate view of reality, and I’m a follower of Jesus."

I asked him, "Are you a man of faith?" He answered, "Yes, I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints."

For a moment, I thought, "Oh wow, I haven’t had a conversation with someone from the LDS Church in a while. How do I best engage here?" I said a quick prayer and started asking questions.

Early on, he told me, "Elizabeth, you and I are almost identical in our beliefs." I said, "Hmm, I’m not so sure about that. Let me ask you a few questions." As the conversation unfolded, the more I asked, the more evident our differences became.

He was a kind and thoughtful man. By the end of the flight, he said, "You’ve given me a lot to think about." I replied, "I hope you do think about these things. I also hope you recognize that the teachings of the LDS Church and the historic Christian faith are very different."

This experience showed me how easily shared language can mask deep theological differences. Today, I’m going to discuss four terms that Christians and Mormons both use, but with very different meanings:

1. God
2. Jesus
3. The Gospel
4. Salvation

1. God

When Christians say "God," we mean the eternal Creator and Sustainer of the universe who has always existed and never changes. Psalm 90:2 says, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God."

Malachi 3:6 declares, "I the Lord do not change," and James 1:17 affirms that with God, "there is no variation or shadow due to change."

In contrast, LDS doctrine teaches that God the Father was once a man who later became a God. The Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith states:

"God himself was once as we now are and is an exalted man... We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea."

This teaching directly contradicts Scripture, which reveals that God has always been God and is unchanging.

2. Jesus

Christians believe that Jesus is the second person of the Trinity, fully God and one in being with the Father and the Spirit. John 1:1-3 states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made through him."

In John 10:30, Jesus says, "I and the Father are one." The Jews understood this to be a claim of divinity, as evidenced by their attempt to stone him for blasphemy (John 10:33).

However, LDS teaching presents Jesus as a separate being from God the Father. According to LDS doctrine, Jesus did not fully become a God until after his resurrection. An LDS manual states:

"Although he was a God, there were some things lacking which he did not receive until after his resurrection."

This is radically different from the biblical teaching that Jesus has always been God.

3. The Gospel

In the historic Christian faith, the gospel is the good news that through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we are reconciled to God. Galatians 1:6-8 warns against any distortion of this gospel, emphasizing that salvation comes by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For by grace you have been saved through faith... not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

LDS doctrine, however, defines the gospel as a system of laws and ordinances that must be followed to achieve exaltation. The Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young states:

"The gospel... is a plan or system of laws and ordinances by strict obedience to which people... may again enter into the presence of the Father and the Son."

This is the opposite of the biblical gospel, which teaches that salvation is not earned by works but is a gift of grace.

4. Salvation

For Christians, salvation means being saved from the penalty and power of sin through faith in Jesus. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Romans 8:38-39 assures us that nothing can separate believers from God’s love. Revelation 21:1-4 describes the new heaven and new earth, where God will dwell with His people forever.

In contrast, LDS doctrine has multiple definitions of salvation. One meaning refers to universal resurrection for all people, while another involves conditional salvation based on obedience to LDS ordinances. According to LDS teaching, achieving "eternal life" or exaltation requires temple covenants and priesthood authority.

Conclusion

As you can see, these terms—God, Jesus, the Gospel, and Salvation—mean very different things in Mormonism and Christianity. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for engaging in meaningful conversations with our Mormon friends and neighbors.

If you are a member of the LDS Church, I encourage you to explore these differences further. Pastor Mike Winger has an excellent YouTube series on Mormonism that I highly recommend.

For my Christian listeners, let’s remain grounded in Scripture. It’s easy to be misled when we aren’t firmly rooted in God’s Word.