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Do Christians and Mormons worship the same Jesus?

Do Christians and Mormons worship the same Jesus?
Fall Religions & Cults Mormonism

TL;DR:

Mormons and Christians do not worship the same Jesus—Mormonism presents Jesus as a created being and one of many gods, while the Bible declares Him as the eternal God. Because the identity of Christ is central to the gospel, this difference is not minor but foundational to the Christian faith.

what does the bible say?

Though Mormons use the same name as Christians for Jesus, the meaning they ascribe to "Jesus" is very different, and heretical, completely different from what the Bible teaches. Mormon doctrine teaches that Jesus is the spiritual offspring of "Father God" and "Mother God." In the Mormon view, Jesus is one of many gods, and human beings can even attain to "god" status. In short, Mormonism denies the unique divinity of Christ as God the Son. But the Bible teaches that the one God is revealed in the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.  Scripture shows that God is eternal, hence Jesus is (Psalm 90:2; Revelation 1:17; Colossians 3:16-17). The apostle John starts off his gospel by asserting that Jesus is God (John 1:1). The Mormon Jesus is not the true Jesus. Christians must never compromise on the truth about Christ. How one answers Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” is not secondary but decisive for salvation (Matthew 16:15).

from the old testament

  • The Mormon version of "Jesus" differs from Christianity because their view of God differs from Christianity. The Mormon God is Himself a created being, but the Bible teaches that God is eternal and uncreated, "from everlasting to everlasting" (Psalm 90:2).
  • Jesus, as God, is also eternal, contrary to the Mormon teaching that He is the offspring of a heavenly "marriage." Through the prophet Isaiah, God says, "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god" (Isaiah 44:6). Jesus echoes this language in Revelation 1:17. The connection is clear: Jesus is God.

from the new testament

  • Mormons believe that Jesus was born of "Father" God and "Mother God. In other words, Jesus is a created being and one of many gods. But the Bible teaches that Jesus is God (John 1:1), not a created being and not one of many gods.
  • Jesus' true identity is a crucial teaching of Christianity. Many heresies—of which Mormon teaching on Jesus is one—are rooted in a misrepresentation of who Christ is. Christ is the eternal Creator of all things (Colossians 1:16-17), not merely a spirit "child" of a heavenly "marriage" as Mormons believe.

implications for today

"But they're so nice." And they look wholesome, too, in their white shirts and ties or modest dress. Likely, the polite Mormons that come to your door are nice. They're probably just passing along what they were brought up to believe. But the teachings of the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) are not "nice"; in fact, they're spiritually harmful. They present Jesus differently from how He reveals Himself to us in Scripture. This isn't a "agree to disagree" issue. Believers must be sure we correctly answer one of the most meaningful questions Jesus asked: "But who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). The answer is God—a truth that Mormonism denies.

So what should you do if Mormons come to your door? You can use their evangelism effort to help bring them the truth. Instead of directly attacking their view, ask them if they would be willing to speak with you about Jesus—but using just the Bible, not the Book of Mormon. You can share Scriptures with them that offer the truth about Jesus. Don't expect spontaneous conversions, but plant a seed of truth. God will give the growth.

understand

  • Mormons believe Jesus is a created being, but Scripture teaches that Jesus is God.
  • Mormons believe that Jesus is the spirit child of "Father God" and "Mother God," but Scripture provides no evidence for this, and in fact, points to Jesus' eternality (Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 1:17).
  • Christians cannot compromise on core Christian beliefs, such as the divinity of Christ.

reflect

  • How is your spiritual life impacted by the knowledge that Jesus is God, not a created being?
  • How does your understanding of Jesus’ full divinity shape the way you trust Him in every area of your life?
  • How do you normally handle conversations with those who say they are Christian but express views that you know are unscriptural?

engage

  • How can Christians best evangelize to Mormons?
  • What other heretical teaches do Mormons have, and how are they disproved by Scripture?
  • What Scriptures most clearly define who Jesus is, and how should those passages shape how we engage with groups that define Him differently?

More Resources

Mormonism Why should a Mormon consider becoming a Christian?

Why should a Mormon consider becoming a Christian?

While both Mormonism and Evangelical Christianity accept the Bible as the Word of God, their teachings about salvation differ greatly. The Bible presents salvation as a free gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone; whereas, Mormon doctrine teaches salvation as faith combined with works. True Christianity offers the certainty of eternal life based on Jesus's finished work, not human effort.
Mormonism What do Mormons believe? What is Mormonism?

What do Mormons believe? What is Mormonism?

Mormonism, founded by Joseph Smith in 1830, shares some surface-level similarities with Christianity, but it fundamentally differs in its teachings about God, Jesus, salvation, Scripture, and the afterlife in ways that are incompatible with the historic Christian faith.
Mormonism Is Mormonism properly defined as a cult?

Is Mormonism properly defined as a cult?

Mormonism, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), claims Christian roots but contradicts core biblical teachings, making it a theological cult, by definition. Mormonism denies the Bible’s sufficiency, rejects the true nature of God and Jesus, and promotes a works-based salvation.
Mormonism Are Mormons Christian? Do Mormons and Christians believe the same things?

Are Mormons Christian? Do Mormons and Christians believe the same things?

While the Mormon Church—Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or LDS Church—claims Christian roots, its beliefs significantly deviate from biblical Christianity. Mormons deny that Jesus is fully God, teach that God was once a man, and believe salvation is achieved through works, rather than grace. These doctrines place Mormonism outside orthodox Christianity.