Clarifying minor details about the doctrine and history
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'''Mormonism''' is a religion founded by [[Joseph Smith]] in the American state of [[New York]] in the early 1800s. Most Mormons affiliate with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), although some smaller Mormon sects exist, most notably polygamist splinter-groups, but also the more liberal Missouri-based [[Community of Christ]] and some smaller non-polygamist groups also based in the American Midwest. In 1823, Smith claimed that an [[angel]] named Moroni had appeared to him and showed him gold plates with ancient writings containing information from [[God]]. Smith produced a document called the [[Book of Mormon]], which he claimed to be a translation of the text on these gold plates. Initially, Smith was the only one to see these plates and the ''Book of Mormon'' was dictated by Smith to his wife from behind a curtain. In June 1829 three witnesses claimed to have been shown the plates by an angel and later, another eight witnesses attested that Smith himself had shown them the plates. When the translation was complete Smith reportedly returned the plates to the angel. Smith attracted followers, and his group was persecuted, so it began to move west, to the state of [[
Illinois
]], where Smith was killed by an angry mob, then
further west
to [[
Missouri
]], then further west to what is now [[Utah]], where about 60% of the population to this day is Mormon (the percentage being smaller in urban areas such as [[Salt Lake City]]).
+
'''Mormonism''' is a religion founded by [[Joseph Smith]] in the American state of [[New York]] in the early 1800s. Most Mormons affiliate with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), although some smaller Mormon sects exist, most notably polygamist splinter-groups, but also the more liberal Missouri-based [[Community of Christ]] and some smaller non-polygamist groups also based in the American Midwest. In 1823, Smith claimed that an [[angel]] named Moroni had appeared to him and showed him gold plates with ancient writings containing information from [[God]]. Smith produced a document called the [[Book of Mormon]], which he claimed to be a translation of the text on these gold plates. Initially, Smith was the only one to see these plates and the ''Book of Mormon'' was dictated by Smith to his wife from behind a curtain. In June 1829 three witnesses claimed to have been shown the plates by an angel and later, another eight witnesses attested that Smith himself had shown them the plates. When the translation was complete Smith reportedly returned the plates to the angel. Smith attracted followers, and his group was persecuted, so it began to move west, to the state of [[
Missouri
]], where Smith was killed by an angry mob, then
returned east
to [[
Illinois
]], then further west to what is now [[Utah]], where about 60% of the population to this day is Mormon (the percentage being smaller in urban areas such as [[Salt Lake City]])
. As of April 2013, total membership in the LDS church was stated to be 14,782,473. This makes it the 6th largest religious denomination in the United States
.
==Differences between Mormonism and mainstream Christianity==
==Differences between Mormonism and mainstream Christianity==
*Mormons baptize dead people by proxy, believing that this will allow them to complete sacraments that they missed in their Earthly life and thus attain a higher degree of glory in the afterlife.
1 Corinthians 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
Christians do not baptise the dead, although the Catholic, Eastern, and Anglican churches do pray for them.
Chia, Roland, [http://methodist.org.sg/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=198 Should Christians pray for the dead?] (The Methodist Church in Singapore).
*Mormons baptize dead people by proxy, believing that this will allow them to complete sacraments that they missed in their Earthly life and thus attain a higher degree of glory in the afterlife.
1 Corinthians 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
Christians do not baptise the dead, although the Catholic, Eastern, and Anglican churches do pray for them.
Chia, Roland, [http://methodist.org.sg/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=198 Should Christians pray for the dead?] (The Methodist Church in Singapore).
−
*Mormons believe that God
had
a
father
.{{fact?}} Christians believe that God has always existed (see John 1)
.
+
*Mormons believe that God
was once
a
man who achieved exaltation and divinity
.{{fact?}} Christians believe that God has always existed
in his current form
(see John 1)
.
*Mormons believe that there are many gods.{{fact?}} Christians affirm that there is only one God
This is in the Nicene Creed, to which all major Christian denominations subscribe.
. The official policy of the LDS church is that Mormons are henotheistic, meaning that they recognize many gods exist but believe only one reigns over the Earth.{{fact?}}
*Mormons believe that there are many gods.{{fact?}} Christians affirm that there is only one God
This is in the Nicene Creed, to which all major Christian denominations subscribe.
. The official policy of the LDS church is that Mormons are henotheistic, meaning that they recognize many gods exist but believe only one reigns over the Earth.{{fact?}}
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*Spencer W Kimball, a former LDS church president stated, "One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation." Some Christians (eg Lutherans) believe that salvation through grace alone is the correct doctrine (See Ephesians 2:8-9).
+
*Spencer W Kimball, a former LDS church president stated, "One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation." Some Christians (eg Lutherans) believe that salvation through grace alone is the correct doctrine (See Ephesians 2:8-9)
, although even amongst traditional denominations there is fierce debate on this subject
.
−
*Mormons consider each member of the Trinity (God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) to be separate entities in a hierarchy with God on top, Jesus below him, and the Holy Spirit below that. Christians believe that the Trinity is one
God
.
+
*Mormons consider each member of the Trinity (God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) to be separate entities in a hierarchy with God on top, Jesus below him, and the Holy Spirit below that
. God and Jesus Christ are believed to be beings with a physical body, while the Holy Spirit exists as a spirit
. Christians believe that the Trinity is one
being composed of all three simultaneously
.
−
*Mormons teach that the Book of Mormon (subtitled "Another Testament of Jesus Christ") contains another Gospel to that of the Bible.
The Book of Mormon contradicts the Bible on key points of Jesus's incarnation, including the location of His birth, and teaches a second incarnation in the Americas. [http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/the-restoration-of-truth/the-book-of-mormon "The Book of Mormon"] at www.mormon.org
. Christians hold the Biblical Gospel alone to be true, and any other Gospel false.
Galatians 1:6-10 says "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (ESV)
+
*Mormons teach that the Book of Mormon (subtitled "Another Testament of Jesus Christ") contains another Gospel
along with two other books, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, said to be revelations received by church leaders in modern times, in addition
to that of the Bible.
The Book of Mormon contradicts the Bible on key points of Jesus's incarnation, including the location of His birth, and teaches a second incarnation in the Americas. [http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/the-restoration-of-truth/the-book-of-mormon "The Book of Mormon"] at www.mormon.org
. Christians hold the Biblical Gospel alone to be true, and any other Gospel false.
Galatians 1:6-10 says "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (ESV)
== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==