What is Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2026 11:49 am
Before a person can properly examine any belief system, they must first understand what that belief system claims about itself. Too often religious discussions become unproductive because people argue against a position they do not fully understand. A serious examination of Mormonism must therefore begin by allowing the Latter-day Saint movement to explain its own identity, history, and central teachings.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most recognisable religious movements to emerge from nineteenth-century America. With millions of members worldwide, a strong missionary presence, and a significant cultural influence, the LDS Church has become a major religious organisation. Its members identify themselves as Christians, worship Jesus Christ, use the Bible, and believe they are following the restored gospel of God.
However, the important question is not simply whether a movement uses Christian language. The question is whether its teachings align with the faith revealed in Scripture and historically confessed by Christianity.
Throughout history, various movements have claimed to restore lost truth, recover forgotten teachings, or provide additional revelation from God. The Bible itself teaches that believers must carefully examine such claims. The Apostle Paul praised the Thessalonians because they received the message but still examined it carefully:
“Test everything; hold fast what is good” - 1 Thessalonians 5:21
The responsibility of the Christian is therefore not to accept a claim merely because it sounds religious, uses biblical vocabulary, or appeals to spiritual experiences. The responsibility is to compare every teaching with the truth God has revealed.
The Birth of the Latter-day Saint Movement
The origins of Mormonism are closely connected with the religious environment of early nineteenth-century America. This period, often called the Second Great Awakening, was marked by widespread revival movements, travelling preachers, religious debates, and a search for spiritual certainty.
It was within this environment that Joseph Smith Jr. emerged as the founder of what would become the Latter-day Saint movement.
Born in 1805 in Vermont, Joseph Smith grew up in a religiously active family during a time when many people were questioning denominational divisions and seeking answers about God. According to LDS teaching, Joseph Smith became concerned about which church was true and sought divine guidance.
The official LDS account states that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in what is known as the First Vision. According to this account, Joseph Smith was told that existing churches had departed from the truth and that through him God would begin a restoration of the original church established by Jesus Christ.
This restoration claim is the foundation of LDS identity.
The Restoration of All Things
Unlike many Christian traditions that understand themselves as continuing the historic Church established by Christ and the apostles, Mormonism teaches that a significant apostasy occurred after the death of the apostles.
According to LDS theology, priesthood authority was lost, important doctrines became corrupted, and the fullness of the gospel was no longer available on earth. The purpose of Joseph Smith’s calling, therefore, was not to create a new religion but to restore the original Church of Jesus Christ.
This distinction is extremely important.
The question between Mormonism and historic Christianity is not merely about differences of interpretation. It concerns a fundamental disagreement about whether Christ preserved His Church throughout history or whether it disappeared and required restoration centuries later.
Jesus made a significant promise concerning His Church when He said in Matthew 16:18
“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”
Christians throughout history have understood this promise as teaching that although the Church would face persecution, error, and difficulty, God would preserve His people.
The LDS understanding of apostasy and restoration presents a different interpretation of Christian history, and this issue becomes one of the central points examined throughout this book.
The Scriptures of Mormonism
A major distinction between Mormonism and historic Christianity concerns the issue of Scripture.
Traditional Christianity has recognised the Bible as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative standard for faith and doctrine. The LDS Church accepts the Bible but also recognises additional books as scripture:
Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations that Joseph Smith and other LDS leaders believed were given by God concerning church organisation, doctrine, and practice.
The Pearl of Great Price contains additional LDS writings, including the Book of Moses and the Book of Abraham.
Because Scripture is foundational to Christianity, the question of additional revelation is not a secondary issue. It raises fundamental questions:
Has God provided further inspired books beyond the Bible?
Can later writings carry the same authority as the apostolic Scriptures?
How should Christians respond when a religious movement claims additional revelation?
These questions require careful biblical and historical examination.
The LDS Understanding of God
One of the most significant differences between Mormonism and historic Christianity concerns the nature of God.
Historic Christianity has traditionally taught that there is one eternal, uncreated God who created all things.
Psalm 90:2 declares
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Mormon theology presents a different understanding of God’s nature, teaching that the Father is an embodied being and that God the Father progressed to His current state. This concept has played a significant role in LDS theology and has led to major differences between Mormonism and historic Christian doctrine.
Because one's understanding of God affects every other doctrine, this issue becomes one of the most important areas of examination.
Mormonism and Christianity: The Central Question
The purpose of this book is not to deny that Latter-day Saints speak about Jesus, believe in prayer, or seek to follow God. These similarities should be acknowledged.
The deeper question is whether the teachings concerning God, Christ, Scripture, salvation, and revelation are consistent with the biblical witness.
Christian history has always recognised that the identity of God and the nature of the gospel are not minor matters. Paul warned the early church
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” - Galatians 1:8
The seriousness of this warning demonstrates why theological examination matters. Truth claims must be tested, not ignored.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most recognisable religious movements to emerge from nineteenth-century America. With millions of members worldwide, a strong missionary presence, and a significant cultural influence, the LDS Church has become a major religious organisation. Its members identify themselves as Christians, worship Jesus Christ, use the Bible, and believe they are following the restored gospel of God.
However, the important question is not simply whether a movement uses Christian language. The question is whether its teachings align with the faith revealed in Scripture and historically confessed by Christianity.
Throughout history, various movements have claimed to restore lost truth, recover forgotten teachings, or provide additional revelation from God. The Bible itself teaches that believers must carefully examine such claims. The Apostle Paul praised the Thessalonians because they received the message but still examined it carefully:
“Test everything; hold fast what is good” - 1 Thessalonians 5:21
The responsibility of the Christian is therefore not to accept a claim merely because it sounds religious, uses biblical vocabulary, or appeals to spiritual experiences. The responsibility is to compare every teaching with the truth God has revealed.
The Birth of the Latter-day Saint Movement
The origins of Mormonism are closely connected with the religious environment of early nineteenth-century America. This period, often called the Second Great Awakening, was marked by widespread revival movements, travelling preachers, religious debates, and a search for spiritual certainty.
It was within this environment that Joseph Smith Jr. emerged as the founder of what would become the Latter-day Saint movement.
Born in 1805 in Vermont, Joseph Smith grew up in a religiously active family during a time when many people were questioning denominational divisions and seeking answers about God. According to LDS teaching, Joseph Smith became concerned about which church was true and sought divine guidance.
The official LDS account states that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in what is known as the First Vision. According to this account, Joseph Smith was told that existing churches had departed from the truth and that through him God would begin a restoration of the original church established by Jesus Christ.
This restoration claim is the foundation of LDS identity.
The Restoration of All Things
Unlike many Christian traditions that understand themselves as continuing the historic Church established by Christ and the apostles, Mormonism teaches that a significant apostasy occurred after the death of the apostles.
According to LDS theology, priesthood authority was lost, important doctrines became corrupted, and the fullness of the gospel was no longer available on earth. The purpose of Joseph Smith’s calling, therefore, was not to create a new religion but to restore the original Church of Jesus Christ.
This distinction is extremely important.
The question between Mormonism and historic Christianity is not merely about differences of interpretation. It concerns a fundamental disagreement about whether Christ preserved His Church throughout history or whether it disappeared and required restoration centuries later.
Jesus made a significant promise concerning His Church when He said in Matthew 16:18
“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”
Christians throughout history have understood this promise as teaching that although the Church would face persecution, error, and difficulty, God would preserve His people.
The LDS understanding of apostasy and restoration presents a different interpretation of Christian history, and this issue becomes one of the central points examined throughout this book.
The Scriptures of Mormonism
A major distinction between Mormonism and historic Christianity concerns the issue of Scripture.
Traditional Christianity has recognised the Bible as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative standard for faith and doctrine. The LDS Church accepts the Bible but also recognises additional books as scripture:
- The Book of Mormon.
Doctrine and Covenants.
The Pearl of Great Price.
Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations that Joseph Smith and other LDS leaders believed were given by God concerning church organisation, doctrine, and practice.
The Pearl of Great Price contains additional LDS writings, including the Book of Moses and the Book of Abraham.
Because Scripture is foundational to Christianity, the question of additional revelation is not a secondary issue. It raises fundamental questions:
Has God provided further inspired books beyond the Bible?
Can later writings carry the same authority as the apostolic Scriptures?
How should Christians respond when a religious movement claims additional revelation?
These questions require careful biblical and historical examination.
The LDS Understanding of God
One of the most significant differences between Mormonism and historic Christianity concerns the nature of God.
Historic Christianity has traditionally taught that there is one eternal, uncreated God who created all things.
Psalm 90:2 declares
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Mormon theology presents a different understanding of God’s nature, teaching that the Father is an embodied being and that God the Father progressed to His current state. This concept has played a significant role in LDS theology and has led to major differences between Mormonism and historic Christian doctrine.
Because one's understanding of God affects every other doctrine, this issue becomes one of the most important areas of examination.
Mormonism and Christianity: The Central Question
The purpose of this book is not to deny that Latter-day Saints speak about Jesus, believe in prayer, or seek to follow God. These similarities should be acknowledged.
The deeper question is whether the teachings concerning God, Christ, Scripture, salvation, and revelation are consistent with the biblical witness.
Christian history has always recognised that the identity of God and the nature of the gospel are not minor matters. Paul warned the early church
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” - Galatians 1:8
The seriousness of this warning demonstrates why theological examination matters. Truth claims must be tested, not ignored.