Overview of Mormonism
Mormonism is a religion that was founded in the 19th century by Joseph Smith and was based on the belief that the original church—the church of the Bible—had faded away and the latter-day church needed to be restored. This restoration of “true Christianity” led millions of members to form The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).Mormons adhere to basic Christian beliefs such as the existence of a triune God, the divinity of Jesus, and the importance of repentance. Other elements such as restoring lost authority, temple rituals, and a belief in continuing revelation, including that which comes from the Book of Mormon, pertain to the church’s distinctiveness.
Books and Sources of Mormonism
In supporting their beliefs, Latter-day Saints turn to a number of sources such as the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. The Book of Mormon is unique to the Latter-day Saint faith and is said by Smith to be a translation of an ancient record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas. Mormonism teaches that the Bible is inspired and authoritative but that it has been distorted through the passage of time, and thus the Church relies on additional sacred texts to understand the fullness of revealed truth. scripture to supplement and enhance the accuracy of their faith.
Does Mormonism Fall Under Christianity?
The most controversial aspect of Mormonism is the question of whether it is properly considered a Christian religion. Many evangelicals, for instance, may be skeptical about the Mormon faith. Some Mormons view the debate as a matter of semantics and say that their religion should be considered a form of Christianity. On the other hand, some traditionalist Christians view Mormonism as a heterodox sect that does not represent Christian doctrinal beliefs and values. Ultimately, the debate over whether Mormonism is Christian may depend on the definition of the term “Christianity.”
More traditionally minded Christians reject Mormonism as a form of Christianity because they think that Smith completely transformed the biblical faith and failed to adhere to the basic tenets of “true” Christianity. These critics point out that Mormonism emphasizes works and faith as a means of salvation, as well as the importance of continuing revelation – concepts that are antithetical to Christianity’s belief in the sufficiency of the finished work of Christ and acceptance of the Bible as the final authority.
Proponents of the view that Mormonism is Christian generally state that Mormonism is founded on the same basic principles of Christianity and shares the same basic values. These values include the belief in oneGod, the importance of faith in Jesus and keeping his commandments, and the notion that salvation is only found through Christ. These Mormons believe that any effort to categorically conclude that Mormonism is not Christian is misguided and ultimately unproductive.
Differences Between Mormonism and Christianity
Though Mormonism and Christianity may have similarities, there are core differences that distinguish the two spiritualities. Perhaps one of the largest differences lies in who Mormons identify as the founder of Christianity. Mormons view Smith—not Jesus—as the founder of their religion, and as such view Smith’s teachings and prophecies as being more reflective of the true will of God.To traditional Christians, Jesus is the only authoritative source of truth, and any source that contradicts this is considered contrary to the faith.
The church’s beliefs and teachings also starkly differ from traditional Christian beliefs in some fundamental ways. In addition to a non-traditional view of God, who is represented as having once been a human, Mormonism also espouses a belief in baptism for the dead, a doctrine peculiar to the Latter-day Saints.
In addition to other unique beliefs, the two faiths differ in their sacred texts. As mentioned previously, the Bible is shared between both faiths, the Latter-day Saints also consider the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price to be scripture.
Public Perception of Mormonism
Overall, the public perception of Mormonism as a faith has improved primarily as a result of the increasing visibility of the Church in the public sphere.This increased visibility has led to greater exposure, which has aided in the growth of the religion and in much of the confusion that exists among believers and non-believers about Mormonism’s status as a Christian faith.
In the last couple of decades, a handful of well-known Mormons, including Mitt Romney and Glenn Beck, have made their faith more visible in the media, which has shifted public opinion of the religion somewhat. While some constituencies continue to view Mormonism as non-Christian, the presence of celebrities and influential advocates has certainly done much to bolster the image of Mormonism as a legitimate religious belief system.
Theology of Mormonism
The theology of Mormonism can be complex and ambiguous. At its core, Mormonism holds that God speaks to humankind through revelation, and that revelation can be obtained through study and prayer. Unlike other Christian faiths, Mormons believe that the divine word of God has been transmitted by prophets and apostles since the founding of the Church. The belief in an ongoing cycle of revelation allows the Mormon to understand the divine will of God at any given time.
Mormons often emphasize the importance of living a righteous life, as this is seen as a means of achieving salvation in the afterlife. Mormons view salvation as a process of spiritual maturation, culminating in exaltation – which is a status of eternal progression leading to godliness. This emphasis on moral reform and spiritual transformation shapes many key aspects of the Latter-day Saints’ lifestyle.
Generally, Mormons view their faith as an open and welcoming system that encourages individual agency and spiritual growth. Its inclusion of additional text to supplement and enhance the accuracy of their faith, separate from the Bible, has allowed the Latter-day Saint to embrace early Christian principles and, through them, come to terms with the modern world.
Mormonism and Other Religions
Mormonism’s unique blend of the Christian faith with other spiritualties has opened the door to comparative dialogue with other religions, especially in today’s heavily pluralistic world. For example, some Mormon teachings can be drawn from Judaism due to its long-standing belief in the Bible, though while Mormons believe in the Bible as a source of divine knowledge, they do not follow the practices of the traditional Bible-based religions such as observing the Sabbath and kosher dietary laws. At the same time, some of the Church’s teachings can be seen as having similarities to Buddhism, such as its emphasis on meditation, mindfulness, and the Law of Attraction.
The Church’s openness to comparative dialogue, its mingling of several different spiritualities, and its focus on individual spiritual growth, rather than dogmatic authority, all contribute to the overall perception of Mormonism as a modern faith.
Mormonism Defined By Believers
Mormons who describe their faith consider it to be an inspiring, evolving path of righteousness rather than a rigid and inflexible system of belief and practice. To many of them, Mormonism is a faith that promotes spiritual exploration and understanding, while at the same time embracing the core principles of Christianity, such as the divinity of Jesus and the Atonement.
It is important to note that Mormons do not view their religion as a denigration of Christianity, but rather as an extension of Christian principles. The Church provides a set of values that it sees as universal—and its worldview encourages members to live virtuously, embrace diversity and inclusion, and work together to bring about a more just and equitable global community.
In the end, whether or not Mormonism is Christian is ultimately a matter of opinion, as the boundaries of what is considered Christian are variegated. For many Mormons, their faith is a way to understand, appreciate, and interact with Christianity, while at the same time advancing the core values of the religion to create a better world for all people.
