Is Mormonism a Christian belief, or is it a contradiction of traditional Christian teaching? In order to distinguish between the two and determine if Mormonism is considered a Christian belief or not, one must look at theological differences. The best way to do this is to compare Scripture in the Old and New Testaments to the foundation and beliefs of the Mormon tradition. The basic tenets that will be discussed are God, Christ, sin, redemption, salvation, retribution, and man. For the sake of argument and easy understanding, Mormonism will not be considered Christianity. .
When comparing one religious tradition with another, it's advantageous to begin at the beginning, or with the overall picture. The traditional Christian belief is based on the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The Mormon belief is based on the Bible, but is also structured around The Book of Mormon, considered by Mormon followers to be another testament of Jesus Christ. After looking at Scriptural evidence and comparing it to the beliefs of the Mormon faith, one can begin to understand that the doctrinal positions of the Mormon Church itself cannot be harmonized with the teaching of the Bible. A focal reason is because in Christianity, the Bible is the commanding all on its own. In the Mormon religion, the Bible, alongside the Book of Mormon, is the authoritative figures. In addition, Mormons use the two books Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price as reference and educational materials. .
On the subject of God, Christians believe that Jesus was baptized; the Spirit descended upon him; the Father spoke, and all are one in the same person (Matthew 3:16-17). This is the basis of the Trinity doctrine: that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all one in the same being. The Mormon doctrine believes otherwise. James Talmage said, "This cannot rationally be construed to mean that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are one in substance and in the same person" (Articles of Faith, p.
