The Latter-Day Saints believe Mormonism and Christianity are identical religions and that Mormonism perfects Christianity. However, Christianity traditionalists including Roman Catholics view Mormon Christians as a departure from their belief system.
It is widely believed that Mormonism branched from Christianity, but the two religious affiliations differ on their beliefs surrounding God.
The Mormon Church originated from the teachings and revelations of Joseph Smith in the 19th century. Today there are millions of members of the Mormon Church, also called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Here are five ways Mormons stand apart from other Christians:
1. Mormons believe grace gives them salvation, but emphasize obedience to commandments and refraining from sin as the way to exaltation as a Mormon. Christian religions are in contrast when the Bible offers messages that everyone is saved because Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
2. Mormons reject the Trinity — the idea that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three persons in one being. The Holy Spirit is a separate being from God and Jesus to the Mormons. Christians believe all three persons are one being and are of the same substance.
3. Mormons see death as the next step, believing that the physical body dies but your spirit does not. Mormons believe the spirit moves into the spirit world, where you learn and spend time with other loved ones who have passed. Mormons believe that some time after your death, your body and spirit will be reunited and resurrected. Other Christian denominations vary in their life-after-death beliefs, but the majority of Christians believe people who have been saved by asking Jesus into their hearts will go to Heaven while those who have not will go to Hell.
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4. Mormons believe all humans have the potential for good or evil and that each person chooses which path to pursue. If a human chooses a life of sin, he or she is set free by coming to Christ. Christians believe all humans have inherited the original sin from Adam, and all humans are evil and in need of forgiveness.
5. While Mormons believe The Book of Mormon, published in 1830, is most complete religious scripture, they consider all religious scriptures an opportunity for learning, such as the Holy Bible, as long as it is correctly translated, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Christians believe only in the Holy Bible. "The book verifies, as another testament of Christ, the reality and divinity of Jesus Chris,"
according to Diffen.com.
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