Jesus: A Brief Comparison Between Mormonism and Christianity

Summary

Christian definition Jesus Christ was the virgin born God incarnate who existed in all time with the Father and Holy Spirit in the eternal Trinity. As a man He possessed two natures—human and divine. He lived a sinless life and willingly died on the cross as an atonement of sins for all that repent and believe in Him.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17

Mormon definition Jesus was the spiritual “first born” Son of God in the pre-existence, so he is literally the eldest brother of everyone, this includes Lucifer/Satan. He is the literal begotten physical offspring of God by procreation in the preexistence. On earth, Heavenly Father literally procreated with the "virgin" Mary on earth (B. Young 1st, 2nd, 3rd; O. Pratt-158; H.C. Kimball) His atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, along with his resurrection, provides immortality and resurrection for all people regardless of who or what they put their faith in. Jesus has not always been god, but rather ascended to his godhood through eternal progression that all of us are also going through (Doctrine & Covenants 93:11-14).

preface

The LDS Church has a unique definition of who Jesus of Nazareth is. Some members of the LDS Church will claim they believe in the same Jesus as taught by Evangelical Christians, appealing to a mutual understanding of the historical facts about Jesus when he was on earth (born in Bethlehem, died on the cross, etc.), while also claiming the differences in this person are minor. Many seem to overlook some of the major differences about Jesus in the two belief systems.

We lovingly contend that there are major differences between the biblical Jesus and who the Latter-day saint Church believes in. We believe only the true living Christ (the Christ defined in the bible) can save, and we pray that you test the version of god you have with the bible to see who it is you're trusting to save you.

With that said, here are some differences:

The nature of Jesus according to joseph

One of the most unique ideas that Joseph Smith, the LDS Church's first President, presented of Jesus was that he progressed to his status of 'god'. Smith clearly taught that Jesus, at least at some point in time, did not possess the same divine attributes as God the Father:

And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness; And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.

Doctrine and Covenants 93:12-13

Smith also taught:

"So that Jesus treads in the tracks of his Father, and inherits what God did before; and God is thus glorified and exalted in the salvation and exaltation of all his children."

Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, Chapter 3: God the Eternal Father; lds.org

Brotherly conflict

There's a more infamous teaching of the LDS Church that even non-religious people know and when they meet a Latter-day Saint, they'll ask them this question: "Don't you believe Jesus and Satan are brothers?"

This, again, is a belief that is unique to LDS theology. the LDS Church teaches that Jesus is the literal brother of the devil (named Lucifer). With Jesus being literally born first before Lucifer, then Lucifer, and after that comes every other human to ever have lived and will live. the late LDS prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, taught this:

"Long before you were born a program was developed by your creators … The principal personalities in this great drama were a Father Elohim, perfect in wisdom, judgment, and person, and two sons, Lucifer and Jehovah [Jesus]."

The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 32-33

person or purpose?

The LDS Church teaches that Jesus as a god now, is not the same god as the Father. in no uncertain terms, the LDS Church emphasizes that Jesus, Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings, distinct from one another yet are united in their purpose and mission:

[B]ecause of the Restoration, the Prophet Joseph Smith’s experiences, and the revelations he received, we know that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings with one purpose.

"Learning About the Godhead", New Era Magazine Jan. 2013; lds.org

“God and Christ are literally a Father and a Son—separate, distinct, individual beings who are wholly unified in their purpose.”

-Apostle Robert D. Hales

“Eternal Life—to Know Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ”, General Conference, Oct. 2014

before Abraham was, he was

Contrary to what Joseph Smith taught, Jesus actually identified himself as the Everlasting God of the Old Testament. Getting into the weeds of LDS theology and the terms 'Jehovah' and 'Elohim' would be too long for this post. We want to emphasize that the God of Israel is only one God (Deut 6:4) and Jesus identifies himself as Him, using his exact name that God gave Moses at the burning bush:

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 8:58

While even in their student manuals, the LDS Church will agree Jesus is 'the God of the Old Testament', it brings into question the claim that God is one. If he is the God of the Old Testament, then who is the father? and if they are separate then who is the one to worship? it is clear that there is one god we ought to worship and if jesus is that god of the old testament, he has always been god, he never ascended to his godhood, as stated by the Psalmist:

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

i'm not your bro, bro

the claim that Jesus and 'Lucifer' are brothers is demonstrably false. Jesus and 'Lucifer' can't be literal brothers because:

1. If Jesus is the eternal uncaused first cause God, he metaphysically can't have a brother.

2. The bible states that Jesus created all things. if the Devil was created, jesus created him, thus not being his brother.

It is stated in Colossians:

For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Colossians 1:16

This is one of the clearest passages in scripture that Jesus is the Creator, Sustainer, and Reconciler of all things. This verse proves:

If 'Lucifer' is visible, Jesus the Almighty created him.

If 'Lucifer' is invisible, Jesus the Almighty created him.

If 'Lucifer' is in heaven, Jesus the Almighty created him.

If 'Lucifer is in earth, Jesus the Almighty created him.

If 'Lucifer' is a throne, dominion, principality or power, Jesus the Almighty created him.

Nowhere in the Bible does it state Jesus or 'Lucifer' are literal brothers through procreation of Heavenly Father and a wife. We are not saying the LDS Church or its followers claim that the Bible tells us this, it is gathered from later revelation. We are saying through Bible passages we can see that the two cannot be literal brothers.

3 IN 1

It seems many in the LDS Church and even Christians can get confused on the doctrine of the Trinity as taught in the Bible. This confusion for the LDS Church can be seen in that same LDS magazine quoted from earlier in this post:

"While today’s traditional Christianity asserts that the three members of the Godhead are all one person (called the “Trinity,” a belief based on a man-made council that wrote the Nicene Creed in A.D. 325)"

"Learning About the Godhead", New Era Magazine Jan. 2013; lds.org

It then states:

We also know [the godhead] are three distinct persons through the events at Christ’s baptism-

This is ironic since Evangelical Christians do believe that the Godhead is made up of three persons. Where we differ with Latter-day Saints is that we believe they constitute the Godhead as one being.

Jesus is not a second god from the Father nor separate in divinity from the Holy Spirit either.

We know the bible teaches:

The God of Israel is one (deut 6:4)

The Father is this God

The Son is this God (John 8; Matt 2:11 with Exodus 34: 14 shows he accepts worship)

The Holy Spirit is this God (Acts 5:3-4, lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God)

One God, yet three people claiming to be Him. Thus the Trinity.

summarized CHART

Even in these three differences, we can see major implications to how this affects our view of God. Would anyone say that these two are practically the same person?

This leads us into our last point. How we view God matters because if we need to believe in Jesus to be saved from hell, we need to know who He is.

JESUS CAN SAVE YOU

If the Bible is true and we've correctly interpreted it, then it follows that Jesus, being God, commands all to worship Him in truth:

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

John 4:24

If Jesus is that God, this is joyous news. Because of his divinity he had the power to take our sin and pay our price in full as our sacrifice. Through believing in Jesus as God and Savior to save you, you too can be reconciled to God.

A theology that demotes Jesus to the same level as us but just farther along the path of Eternal Progression, receiving his godhood, etc. is not a Jesus that is capable of bearing the sins of the world. Nor is this Jesus a Jesus where the author of Hebrews can write:

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Hebrews 13:8

Be reconciled to God today. Believe in the true Jesus and enjoy Him forever.