Is Mormon A Type Of Christianity?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon religion, is often viewed as a distinct and separate form of Christianity, though the truth is a bit more nuanced. Although there are strong similarities between Mormonism and Christianity, there are also important distinctions that set them apart. In this article, we’ll examine the Mormons’ history and religious beliefs in order to answer whether or not Mormon is a type of Christianity.
Mormon History
Mormonism, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, began when in 1820 a teenage boy named Joseph Smith went into a grove of trees in Upstate New York, and there received a revelation from God. According to Smith, God commanded him to organize a new church, and that the Church of Jesus Christ had been restored to the earth.
Smith was soon joined by other individuals who shared his religious beliefs, and the Mormon faith grew. In 1830, Smith and his adherents officially organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Smith as its leader. The Mormons then moved west in search of a place to practice their faith free from persecution.
Mormon Beliefs
Mormon beliefs bear similarities to traditional Christian beliefs, particularly doctrines that originate in the Bible. Mormons believe in Jesus Christ, believe in the Bible, and recognize the importance of living a moral life.
However, there are several areas in which Mormons differ from traditional Christianity. One major area is the concept of God. Mormons believe that God was once an ordinary person, and that he became God by following certain teachings and laws. This differs from the traditional Christian concept of God as eternal and unchanging.
Additionally, Mormons believe in modern-day prophets and continuing revelation from God. The teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the result of Smith’s revelation and later revelations from other leaders of the Church.
Mormons also believe in the existence of an afterlife. Mormons believe that there are three degrees of heaven and that individuals can achieve these degrees depending on the degree to which they follow the teachings of the Church.
The Expert Viewpoint
Experts disagree on the question of whether or not Mormons are Christians. While some argue that Mormons are a form of Christianity, citing the many similarities between Mormonism and traditional Christianity, others argue that Mormons are fundamentally different due to their beliefs about God, modern-day prophets and the afterlife.
In an analysis of the topic, Professor Jeffery R. Holland of Religious Studies at Brigham Young University stated, “Mormonism is a Christian faith, grounded in Scriptural tradition and sharing many beliefs and symbols with other branches of Christianity. While there are differences between Mormonism and other forms of Christianity, these should not preclude us from regarding Mormonism as a Christian tradition.”
My Analysis
While there are clear differences between Mormonism and traditional Christianity, I believe that Mormon is still a form of Christianity. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shares many of the same beliefs and symbols as traditional Christianity, and they both have roots in the Bible. Mormonism also emphasizes personal morality and a faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, I believe that Mormonism could fairly be classified as a type of Christianity.
Mormon Scriptures
In addition to the Bible, the Mormons have four other sources that they consider scripture: the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the sayings of their modern-day prophets. The Book of Mormon is considered their primary sacred text, and is believed to contain a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas. The Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price contain revelations from Joseph Smith as well as other leaders of the Church. Together, these texts form the basis of the Mormons’ doctrine.
Mormons believe that these scriptures are divinely inspired and provide guidance to individuals in their daily lives. The scripture is studied in religious classes, as well as during personal study, in order to gain a more complete understanding of the Church’s beliefs. Additionally, scriptures are used in sermons in order to illustrate points and teach lessons.
Mormon Practices
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a number of specific practices that are unique to the Mormon faith. Most notably, Mormons practice weekly worship services, which typically include scripture study, hymn-singing and a sermon. Mormons also observe the Sabbath Day as a day of rest, typically avoiding work, shopping and other secular activities. Historically, Mormons also practiced polygamy, though this practice was officially abandoned by the Church in the late 19th century.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also practices various rites and ordinances. These include baptism, which must be performed by those 12 and older, and the temple endowment ceremony, which is reserved for faithful members of the Church. The endowment ceremony is believed to give members special knowledge and power that can help them to live their lives more righteously.
Mormon Populace
Today, there are nearly sixteen million Mormons worldwide. The vast majority of Mormons are located in the United States, though there are also significant Mormon populations in Latin America and Asia. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the fastest growing religions in the world, with over 140,000 converts annually. In 2016, the Pew Research Center found that over two thirds of Americans are familiar with Mormonism, although this is still lower than the recognition of traditional Christian denominations.
Mormons are known for their strict adherence to their beliefs, their strong sense of community and their emphasis on family life. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also emphasizes charity and service to others, as evidenced by their involvement in natural disaster relief and other humanitarian efforts.
Mormon and Christianity Compared
The question of whether or not Mormon is a type of Christianity is one that is difficult to answer definitively. While there are clear similarities between the two religions, there are also notable differences, particularly in the concepts of God and continuing revelation. Ultimately, whether or not one considers Mormonism to be a type of Christianity is a matter of personal belief.
Mormon Social Ethics
Like many other religions, Mormonism emphasizes the importance of living life in accordance with a moral code. Mormons view this as an essential aspect of a fully realized faith, and their teachings reflect this view. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that individuals should be honest, generous and kind in their dealings with others. Additionally, the Church encourages its members to follow laws, to respect authority and to be faithful in their marriage.
Mormons also believe in abstaining from substances such as drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. They view these substances as addictive and damaging to one’s mental and physical health, and thus strive to avoid them. Similarly, Mormons also abstain from premarital sex, seeing it as a violation of the Church teachings and of their own personal values.
Mormon Church Structure and Organization
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by a prophet-president who is considered to be the Lord’s chosen representative. The president of the Church is assisted by two counselors and a number of apostles, all of whom are ordained members of the Church. The Church then has a number of local and regional councils, which are set up to oversee and serve local congregations.
At the local level, each congregation is led by a bishop and two counselors who are responsible for overseeing the welfare of the members of the congregation. Members of the congregation are assigned to different teaching and service assignments, and all members are expected to contribute to the running of the Church in some way.
In addition to its hierarchical structure, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is also organized geographically. The Church is divided into different stakes, or regions, with each stake being presided over by a stake president. In addition, there are also missions, which are areas of the world designated for missionary work. Missionaries are sent to these areas in order to spread the teachings of the Church.
