Mormonism: Another Gospel and Its Errors
- Bible Believing Christian
- Aug 18
- 7 min read
Mormonism: Another Gospel and Its Errors
Mormonism—officially The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)—is not Christianity. It is a counterfeit faith offering a different gospel, another Jesus, and another path of salvation.
“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!”(Galatians 1:8, NASB)
The danger is not just in Mormonism’s growth worldwide, but in its recent cultural acceptance through partnerships with projects like The Chosen. What once was rejected outright as a false religion is now slipping quietly into Christian spaces.
1. History & Founding
Joseph Smith’s Visions (1820–1823): Smith claimed to see God the Father and Jesus Christ, who allegedly told him that all existing churches were corrupt. Later, he claimed an angel named Moroni revealed golden plates to him, which he translated into the Book of Mormon (1830).
New Scriptures: Smith quickly expanded his revelations to include Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price.
Islamic Parallel: Like Muhammad’s solitary visions in Islam, Mormonism is based on one man’s private, unverifiable experiences. Christianity is not built this way—it is grounded in events witnessed by hundreds (1 Corinthians 15:3–8; Luke 1:1–4).
Christianity is public, historical, and verifiable. Mormonism is private, hidden, and contradictory.
2. Core Beliefs & Distinctives
God Once a Man
LDS doctrine teaches that God was once a mortal man who became exalted. Men may become gods as He did.
Isaiah 43:10 (NASB): “Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me.”
Plurality of Gods
The LDS system rejects monotheism, teaching an eternal progression of gods. This directly denies:
Deuteronomy 6:4 (NASB): “Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!”
Jesus Christ
Presented as the first “spirit-child” of Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother.
Said to be the spirit-brother of Lucifer.
A created being—not the eternal, uncreated Word.
John 1:1 (NASB): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The Greek kai theos ēn ho logos = “and the Word was God.” LDS distortions make Jesus “a god,” echoing other heresies.
Women Saved Through Husbands
LDS doctrine teaches that women cannot attain exaltation on their own—they are saved through their husband’s priesthood and temple authority.
Galatians 3:28 (NASB): “There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Salvation by Works and Temple Ordinances
LDS “salvation” requires baptism for the dead, temple marriage, tithing, and obedience.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (NASB): “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Exaltation and “Your Own Planet”
Faithful LDS men are promised that one day they will become gods, ruling over their own planets with their wives as eternal goddesses. This teaching is affirmed in LDS prophets’ writings (Joseph Fielding Smith, Brigham Young, Lorenzo Snow). Modern PR downplays it, but it remains embedded in LDS doctrine.
Extra Scriptures
In addition to the Bible, LDS elevates:
The Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
The Pearl of Great Price
These works often contradict both Scripture and each other.
Polygamy
Joseph Smith introduced polygamy (plural marriage) as a divine command, claiming it was revealed to him by God. Early Mormon leaders like Brigham Young practiced and defended it.
This teaching directly contradicts the New Testament, where church leaders are instructed to be “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2, NASB). Paul’s instruction makes clear that monogamy is the biblical standard for marriage and leadership, while polygamy represents corruption and disorder.
Although the LDS Church officially renounced polygamy in 1890 under legal and cultural pressure, splinter groups still practice it, and the doctrine remains embedded in Doctrine and Covenants 132, which continues to be part of LDS scripture.
3. Why It Appeals (But Deceives)
Strong family values and morality.
Tight-knit community and order.
Missionary zeal and passion.
But these are veneer strengths. They provide the illusion of righteousness while hiding a system that denies the true Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:14 (NASB): “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
4. What Mormonism Gets Wrong Biblically
The Word of God
LDS claim: the Bible is only trustworthy “as far as it is translated correctly.”
This undermines the authority of Scripture itself.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB): “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness.”
Adding new revelations (Book of Mormon, etc.) directly contradicts God’s warning:
Revelation 22:18–19 (NASB): “…if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away…God will take away his part from the tree of life.”
The Deity of Christ
Mormonism’s teaching that Jesus is a created being strips Him of His divine glory.
John 8:24 (NASB): “…for unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins.”
Salvation
The LDS system enslaves its members with endless works, ordinances, and rituals. The Bible sets us free:
Titus 3:5 (NASB): “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy.”
New Revelation vs. Once-for-All Faith
Jude 1:3 (NASB): “…contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all time handed down to the saints.”
God delivered the gospel once for all. Mormonism undermines this by claiming continual, contradictory revelation.
5. Attempts to Gain Acceptance
Historically, Christians across traditions have rejected Mormonism’s claims.
For years, LDS leaders sought to brand Mormonism as simply another denomination.
Their efforts failed doctrinally but gained cultural acceptance.
Distributed by Angel Studios, founded by LDS members.
Filmed at an LDS-built Jerusalem set in Utah.
Promoted as “Christian” media while blurring doctrinal lines.
This is the most dangerous development yet: Mormonism creeping into the Christian imagination not through theology but through entertainment.
Conclusion / Pastoral Reflection
Mormonism is not Christianity. It is another gospel built on one man’s visions, false scriptures, and a counterfeit Jesus. It promises godhood and planets but denies the eternal God who alone saves.
Christians must remain vigilant:
Expose Mormonism’s errors.
Refuse to compromise for cultural acceptance.
Speak the truth in love to LDS members.
John 14:6 (NASB): “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
Mormonism offers exaltation to men as gods. The Gospel offers reconciliation with the one true God through Jesus Christ, His eternal Son.
Notes
“As man is, God once was” – The famous Lorenzo Snow couplet: “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” Quoted in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow (Salt Lake City: LDS Church, 2012).
Plurality of Gods – Doctrine and Covenants 132:20: “Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue.”
Jesus as the spirit-brother of Lucifer – Gospel Principles (Salt Lake City: LDS Church, 1978, 1997, 2009 editions) states: “Every person who was ever born on earth was our spirit brother or sister in heaven. The firstborn spirit child of our heavenly parents was Jesus Christ… Lucifer, who also was a spirit son of God, rebelled.”
Women exalted through husbands – Doctrine and Covenants 132:19–20 ties exaltation to eternal marriage covenants. Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2, teaches: “No woman can reach exaltation without celestial marriage to a worthy priesthood holder.”
Works-based salvation – LDS Articles of Faith 3: “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”
Exaltation and “own planet” – Brigham Young taught: “The Lord created you and me for the purpose of becoming Gods like Himself… We are created to become Gods like unto our Father in heaven.” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 3, p. 93). Joseph Fielding Smith added: “We will have worlds to rule over, and the power to propagate spirit children.” (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2).
Bible “as far as it is translated correctly” – Articles of Faith 8: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” This disclaimer is used to reject clear passages affirming Christ’s deity.
Addition of new scripture – Doctrine and Covenants 1:30 declares the LDS Church as “the only true and living church,” with continuing revelation. This contradicts Jude 1:3, which teaches the faith was “once for all time handed down.”
Contrast with Christianity – In Pearl of Great Price: Moses 1:6, God declares to Moses: “And I have a work for thee, Moses, my son… and thou art in the similitude of mine Only Begotten; and mine Only Begotten is and shall be the Savior.” While affirming Christ’s role, the context is wrapped in an LDS cosmology of multiple gods, worlds, and divine procreation.
Rejection by historic Christianity – Evangelical, Catholic, and Orthodox statements for centuries have unanimously rejected Mormonism as outside Christian orthodoxy. Attempts to rebrand Mormonism as a Christian denomination gained little traction—until cultural avenues like The Chosen created broader acceptance.
Polygamy in LDS teaching – Doctrine and Covenants 132:61–62 permits a man to take multiple wives under certain conditions, presented as revelation to Joseph Smith. Brigham Young declared: “The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 11, p. 269). This stands in direct contradiction to Paul’s requirement that leaders be “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2, NASB).
