Summary
Is mormonism a branch of christianity
Is mormonism a branch of christianity
The Mormon Puzzle: Is Mormonism a Branch of Christianity? A Comprehensive Theological Analysis
In the landscape of global religion, few questions spark as much debate, confusion, and theological friction as the classification of Mormonism. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly known as the Mormon Church, is a faith of millions, centered on the name of Jesus Christ. To its members, it is not only a branch of Christianity but the restoration of the original, pure form of the faith established by Jesus himself.
However, to the vast majority of mainstream Christendom—Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant denominations—Mormonism presents a theological paradox. While it uses Christian vocabulary, the definitions assigned to those words often differ radically from 2,000 years of Christian orthodoxy. Is it a unique branch of the Christian tree, or is it a entirely different species of religion rooted in separate soil?
This comprehensive guide aims to explore this complex issue with depth, objectivity, and nuance. By examining history, the nature of God, the identity of Jesus, and the mechanics of salvation, we will unravel the arguments for and against the inclusion of Mormonism under the Christian umbrella. This article is optimized to provide a definitive resource for seekers, students, and theologians alike.
Part 1: The Argument for Inclusion – The LDS Perspective
To understand why Mormons insist they are Christians, one must look at their self-definition. For a Latter-day Saint, the definition of a “Christian” is simple: one who believes in, worships, and follows Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.
The Centrality of Jesus The official name of the institution is “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” In recent years, the church leadership, particularly under President Russell M. Nelson, has vigorously emphasized the full name of the church, discouraging the use of the nickname “Mormon.” This is a strategic move to center Christ in the public perception of the faith.
LDS services include prayers offered in the name of Jesus Christ. Their scriptures, including the Book of Mormon, are subtitled “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” They celebrate Christmas and Easter. They partake in a sacrament (communion) weekly to remember the body and blood of Jesus. For a member of the LDS faith, the suggestion that they are not Christian is deeply offensive and confusing, as their entire spiritual life revolves around their relationship with the Savior.
The Concept of Restoration LDS theology teaches that after the death of the original Apostles, the true authority and pure doctrine of the church were lost from the earth. This period is known as the “Great Apostasy.” They believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820 to initiate the “Restoration.”
Therefore, Mormons do not view themselves as a “branch” that broke off from Catholicism or Protestantism (like Lutherans or Methodists). Instead, they view themselves as the replanting of the original tree. In their view, they are the most Christian of all, possessing the restored priesthood authority and the fullness of the gospel that other denominations lack.
Part 2: The Argument for Exclusion – The Mainstream Christian Perspective
If Mormons center their lives on Jesus, why do Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants almost universally categorize them as non-Christian or as a “theological cult”? The answer lies in the Creeds.
The Nicene Boundary Historic Christianity is defined not just by a feeling about Jesus, but by specific assertions regarding the nature of God. These assertions were codified in the ancient creeds, most notably the Nicene Creed (325 AD) and the Apostles’ Creed. These documents define God as a Trinity: one God existing eternally in three co-equal persons. They define Jesus as uncreated and of the same substance (homoousios) as the Father.
Mormonism rejects the creeds. They view them as post-biblical corruptions invented by philosophers. Because LDS theology rejects the Trinity and the ontological unity of God, mainstream theologians argue that the “Jesus” worshipped by Mormons is a different being entirely from the “Jesus” of historic Christianity. In this view, using the same name does not equate to worshipping the same God.
Part 3: The Nature of God – The Great Divide
The most significant theological chasm between Mormonism and traditional Christianity is the doctrine of God (Theology Proper).
Mainstream View: The Trinity Traditional Christians are strict monotheists. They believe there is only one infinite, eternal, uncreated Spirit who is God. The Father, Son, and Spirit are not three separate gods, but three persons sharing one divine essence. God is wholly “other” than humanity—He is the Creator, and we are the created. The gap between God and man is ontological; we can be with Him, but we can never be Him.
LDS View: The Godhead and Plurality Mormon theology is technically henotheistic (worshipping one god while acknowledging others exist) or monolatrist. They reject the Trinity in favor of the “Godhead,” believing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three separate, distinct beings who are one in purpose, but not in essence.
Most radically, LDS theology teaches that God the Father was once a man who lived on a mortal earth, progressed, and achieved godhood. This is summarized in the famous couplet by LDS President Lorenzo Snow: “As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be.”
Furthermore, they believe that God has a physical body of flesh and bones. This doctrine—that God is an exalted man—fundamentally breaks from the Judeo-Christian tradition of God as an invisible, uncreated Spirit.
Part 4: The Identity of Jesus Christ
While both groups revere Jesus, their understanding of his origin creates a significant barrier.
The Eternal Word vs. The Firstborn Spirit Traditional Christianity teaches that Jesus is the Eternal Word (Logos). He has existed eternally with the Father. He was never created.
LDS theology teaches that Jesus is the “Firstborn Spirit Child” of God our Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother. In the “Pre-Existence” (a period before the world was created), all humans existed as spirit children of God. Jesus was simply the first and greatest of these spirits. He is the literal elder brother of all humanity—and, controversially in theological circles, the spirit-brother of Lucifer. While Mormons worship Jesus as the Savior and Creator of this world (under the Father’s direction), they view him as a being who progressed to godhood, distinct from the Father.
Part 5: The Potential of Humanity – Theosis vs. Exaltation
What is the ultimate goal of human existence? This question reveals another major divergence.
Mainstream View: Glorification Christians believe the saved will be glorified, given new bodies, and will live in the presence of God forever. They will see God and enjoy Him, but they will remain human beings. They will never become objects of worship.
LDS View: Exaltation (Eternal Progression) Mormonism teaches “Exaltation.” Since God was once a man, men and women have the potential to become gods and goddesses. Faithful Latter-day Saints hope to inherit “all that the Father has,” which includes the power of creation. This concept suggests that worthy couples, sealed in the temple, can eventually create their own worlds and populate them with spirit children, continuing the eternal cycle. This doctrine of deification is far more literal than the Orthodox concept of theosis.
Part 6: Scripture and Revelation – The Canon
The boundaries of authoritative texts are another defining difference.
Sola Scriptura vs. The Open Canon Protestant Christianity holds to Sola Scriptura—the Bible alone is the supreme authority. Catholics and Orthodox include Tradition, but the Bible remains the fixed deposit of faith. The canon is closed.
Mormonism believes in an “Open Canon.” They accept the Bible (specifically the King James Version) “as far as it is translated correctly.” However, they place equal or greater weight on their unique scriptures: The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price.
Furthermore, they believe in a living prophet (the President of the Church) who can receive new revelation that supersedes past practices or scriptures. This dynamic view of revelation allows the religion to evolve but separates it from churches that view the Bible as the final word.
Part 7: Salvation – Grace and Works
The mechanics of how a soul is saved (Soteriology) is a classic point of friction.
Historic Christianity: By Grace Through Faith The consensus of the Reformation (and to a nuanced degree, Catholicism) is that human beings are dead in sin and cannot save themselves. Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Christ. Good works are the evidence of salvation, not the currency that buys it.
Mormonism: By Grace After All We Can Do The Book of Mormon states: “for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23). LDS theology distinguishes between “Salvation” (resurrection, given to everyone freely) and “Exaltation” (living in the highest heaven with God). Exaltation is conditional upon works, obedience to laws and ordinances (like baptism and temple marriage), and enduring to the end. Critics argue this is a works-based righteousness; Mormons argue it is a covenant relationship where obedience demonstrates love.
Part 8: The Temple and Secret Rituals
Christian worship is generally public. Anyone can walk into a Mass or a Baptist service. Mormonism has a two-tiered system: public meetinghouses (chapels) and private Temples.
The exclusivity of the Temple creates a cultural barrier. Only members who hold a “Temple Recommend” (certifying they obey the church’s laws, including tithing and chastity) can enter. Inside, rituals are performed that have no parallel in mainstream Christianity, such as: Baptism for the Dead: Living members are baptized on behalf of deceased ancestors to offer them salvation in the spirit world. Sealing: Marriages are performed for “time and all eternity,” not just “until death do us part.” The Endowment: A ritual drama depicting the creation and the fall, involving oaths, signs, and special ceremonial clothing (garments) that members wear under their clothes for the rest of their lives.
To mainstream Christians, these secret (or “sacred”) rituals appear esoteric and Masonic (Joseph Smith was a Freemason), bearing little resemblance to New Testament worship.
Part 9: A Branch or a New Tree?
So, is Mormonism a branch of Christianity?
From a sociological and phenomenological perspective, the answer is often Yes. They self-identify as Christian, they read the Bible, they follow Jesus, and their ethical framework is Judeo-Christian. In religious studies, they are often categorized as a form of “Restorationist Christianity.”
From a theological and historical perspective, the answer is generally No. By rejecting the Nicene Creed, the Trinity, the uncreated nature of God, and the sufficiency of Scripture, they place themselves outside the definition of “Christian” that has been held for 1,700 years. Most denominations view Mormonism not as a variation of the faith (like being Baptist vs. Lutheran) but as a distinct religion, akin to Islam, which also acknowledges Jesus but redefines his nature.
Conclusion: The Importance of Definition
The debate ultimately relies on how one defines “Christian.” If a Christian is anyone who loves Jesus and tries to follow him, Mormons are Christians. If a Christian is one who adheres to the historic, orthodox doctrines regarding the nature of God and the exclusivity of the Bible, Mormons are not.
Understanding this distinction is vital for dialogue. When a Mormon says, “I believe in Jesus,” and a Baptist says, “I believe in Jesus,” they are using the same word to describe two very different concepts—one a Created Savior who points to the path of exaltation, the other an Uncreated God who is the path Himself. Both faiths offer community, purpose, and moral structure, but their theological roots grow in different directions, leading to vastly different understandings of the universe and the human soul.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Mormonism and Christianity
To further clarify the nuances between these two faith traditions, here are answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding their relationship.
Q1: Do Mormons believe in the Trinity? A: No. This is the most significant difference. Mainstream Christians believe in the Trinity: One God existing in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). Mormons believe in the “Godhead,” which consists of three distinct, separate beings who are one in purpose but not in essence. They believe the Father and Son have separate physical bodies.
Q2: Are Mormons Christians? A: Mormons emphatically say “Yes” because they worship Jesus Christ as their Savior. However, most Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox denominations say “No” in a theological sense, because Mormon theology rejects the historic definitions of God and Jesus found in the Bible and the ancient Christian Creeds.
Q3: What Bible do Mormons use? A: English-speaking Mormons use the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. However, they also have the “Joseph Smith Translation” (JST), which contains Smith’s edits and additions to the biblical text, found in the footnotes. They view the Bible as the word of God “as far as it is translated correctly,” meaning they believe errors have crept in over time.
Q4: What is the Book of Mormon? A: It is a volume of scripture comparable to the Bible. Mormons believe it is a record of ancient civilizations in the Americas to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection. It was published by Joseph Smith in 1830, who claimed to translate it from golden plates by the power of God. Christians do not accept it as scripture.
Q5: Do Mormons celebrate Easter and Christmas? A: Yes. They celebrate the birth of Jesus (Christmas) and his resurrection (Easter). However, they do not observe the liturgical calendar (Lent, Advent, Pentecost) common in Catholic and some Protestant traditions, and they do not use the cross as a symbol in their celebrations.
Q6: Do Mormons practice polygamy? A: Not anymore. The early LDS church practiced polygamy (plural marriage) from the 1840s until 1890. In 1890, the church officially banned the practice. Today, any member found practicing polygamy is excommunicated. However, fundamentalist break-off groups (not associated with the mainstream LDS church) still practice it.
Q7: Why do Mormons have temples? A: While they have thousands of meetinghouses for Sunday worship (open to all), they have specific Temples reserved for special ordinances. They believe these rituals (like eternal marriage and baptism for the dead) are necessary for the highest level of salvation. Mainstream Christians believe the need for a temple ended when Jesus died and the veil of the Jerusalem temple was torn.
Q8: Do Mormons believe they will become gods? A: Yes. The doctrine is called “Exaltation” or “Eternal Progression.” They believe that God is an exalted man and that faithful humans can eventually become like Him, creating and governing their own worlds. This stands in stark contrast to the Christian view that the Creator/creature distinction is eternal.
Q9: Can a Mormon take communion at a Christian church? A: They usually do not. While most Protestant churches practice “open communion” (anyone who believes in Jesus can partake), Mormons typically only partake of the Sacrament (their term for communion) in their own wards to renew their specific covenants. Conversely, Christians generally cannot take communion in an LDS service as it is reserved for members.
Q10: What is the “Word of Wisdom”? A: This is the LDS health code. It prohibits the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea (from the tea leaf), and illegal drugs. Adherence to this code is required to enter the Temple. Mainstream Christianity generally advocates for moderation but does not forbid coffee, tea, or alcohol (though some denominations do avoid alcohol).
