How can I best witness to Mormons?

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TL;DR:

Witnessing to Mormons requires truth and love, as Mormons often appear similar to Christians but hold fundamentally different beliefs. It’s crucial to understand Mormon doctrines, use clear biblical teaching, and compassionately address their misconceptions about God, Jesus, and salvation.

from the old testament

  • Isaiah 43:10: "Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me." This refutes the Mormon belief that people can become gods and that God was once a man.
  • Psalm 90:2: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." God is eternal and unchanging, unlike the Mormon view of a god who progressed to deity.

from the new testament

  • John 1:1–3: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Jesus is eternal and fully divine, not a created being, as taught in Mormonism.
  • Romans 10:9: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Salvation is based on faith in Jesus Christ alone, not works or religious ordinances.
  • Ephesians 2:8–9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Salvation is a free gift, contrary to the Mormon teaching of faith plus works.

implications for today

Witnessing to Mormons requires patience, love, and a clear understanding of biblical truth. While their beliefs differ greatly from Christianity, many Mormons are sincere in their desire to follow God and are open to hearing the gospel when approached respectfully. As Christians, we must rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and boldness, entrusting the results to God. Pray for guidance, share the gospel with gentleness and respect, and trust that God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11).

Below are a few things to keep in mind when witnessing to Mormons:

Mormons believe in the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price in addition to the Bible. They believe in a modern prophet, currently the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), and that salvation is a process that involves both faith and works. While Mormons do respect the Bible, they believe it is only accurate inasmuch as it is translated correctly. When witnessing to Mormons, we need to emphasize that the Bible is the final authority on truth and that it clearly teaches salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). You can discuss key biblical verses like John 14:6, where Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This is a direct challenge to the LDS belief in additional paths to salvation.

Mormons have a polytheistic view of God, believing God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings, unlike the Christian doctrine of the Trinity (God in three persons, yet one essence). When witnessing to Mormons, you can gently explain the biblical doctrine of the Trinity, which is foundational to understanding who Jesus truly is. You can focus on passages like John 1:1–14 and Colossians 1:15–17, which describe the full divinity of Jesus. Ask questions like, “What does it mean to you that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, and how does that change your understanding of salvation?”

The LDS Church teaches that salvation requires both faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to commandments, such as baptism, temple ordinances, and following the teachings of living prophets. When witnessing to Mormons, emphasize the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and that salvation is a gift of grace, not something we earn (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8–9). Encourage them to consider that Jesus’s work on the cross is complete and that no additional works are needed for salvation. You can share your personal testimony of how the grace of God has impacted your life, stressing that salvation comes through faith alone, and is a free gift that cannot be earned (Titus 3:5).

The LDS Church places a strong emphasis on family, with the belief that families can be sealed for eternity in Mormon temples. This belief is central to their understanding of salvation and the afterlife. When witnessing to Mormons, acknowledge their commitment to family and eternal relationships, but explain that, according to the Bible, eternal life with God is a gift that comes through Jesus Christ (John 3:16; John 17:3). Emphasize that while family relationships are important, eternal life depends on the grace of God and faith in Christ, not on temple rituals or ordinances. Relationships will continue into eternity, but they will be different than they are here on earth. Eternity is about God and being in His presence forever with all those who love Him, too. Share the hope you have of eternal life through Jesus and ask them to consider how they view Jesus’s role in eternal life. Challenge them to see that faith in Christ, not rituals, brings the assurance of eternal life.

Mormons are taught to share their faith actively, and they will often invite you to join them in Bible studies or attend church services. When witnessing to Mormons, be respectful of their willingness to engage, but make it clear that you cannot support doctrines that contradict biblical Christianity. Politely decline invitations to attend LDS services and instead invite them to a Bible study or church service where the true gospel is preached. When talking with Mormons, always bring the conversation back to the gospel. Show them the difference between Mormon teachings and the gospel of Jesus Christ, focusing on Scripture as the final authority on truth.

To effectively witness to Mormons, it’s essential to emphasize the biblical understanding of salvation through grace, the identity of Jesus as fully God and fully man, and the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the cross. By building a relationship of trust, compassion, and respect, you can guide them to see the gospel in a way that challenges their beliefs while offering them the truth of eternal life through Jesus Christ alone. Sharing the gospel with Mormons requires prayerful reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide conversations and soften hearts as well as being willing to support a Mormon who leaves their faith. Leaving the Mormon church involves a lot of difficulty to leave it including being excommunicated, no longer being allowed in a temple or going to other religious services, and even abandonment by a person’s family. A Christian should be willing to walk alongside a Mormon processing through or leaving their faith, providing community and support. Pray regularly for wisdom, boldness, and opportunities to share the gospel. Pray that God would open their eyes to the truth of Christ and His work on the cross. Encourage prayer with them, showing them the power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and how He transforms lives.

understand

  • When witnessing to Mormons, know the key differences between Mormonism and Christianity, especially regarding God, Jesus, and salvation.
  • Emphasize the Bible’s teaching on salvation by grace alone through faith, and the eternal, divine nature of Jesus Christ.
  • Build relationships, be respectful, and gently guide conversations to the gospel, relying on the Holy Spirit for wisdom.

reflect

  • How can you better understand the key differences between Mormon beliefs and biblical Christianity in order to engage with Mormons in a way that is both loving and truthful?
  • What are some ways you can demonstrate grace and patience when discussing salvation through faith with a Mormon, knowing that their understanding of salvation differs significantly from biblical teachings?
  • How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide your conversations with Mormons, ensuring that you share the gospel with gentleness and respect while emphasizing the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross?

engage

  • What are some practical ways we can prepare ourselves to witness to Mormons, especially in understanding their doctrines and how they differ from biblical Christianity?
  • How does the Bible’s message of salvation by grace through faith challenge the Mormon understanding of salvation, and how can we communicate this with compassion?
  • How can we approach conversations about Jesus’s identity with Mormons in a way that honors biblical truth?