Is Mormonism compatible with Christianity?

As I was preparing to finish my school assignments for this week, I felt compelled to write about Mormonism. Mormonism has been at our door steps (literally) for many years and with the rise in popularity of Mitt Romney as the potential Republican nominee for President of the The United States, I thought it was a good time to help people understand what Mormonism is and how we need to guard ourselves against this heresy. By the way, this is not a "Mitt bashing" session and has nothing to do with politics. But no doubt as we get closer and closer to elections, more and more people will be wondering about this religion. As well, there is always confusion by some regarding Christianity and Mormonism - and they are NOT the same. No matter how much people would like you to think this, Mormonism is not the same as Christianity. In fact, it's 180 degrees opposite from traditional orthodoxy!

Mormonism was founded almost 200 years ago by Joseph Smith. He believed it was his mission to restore the church to, what he thought, was its genuine purpose and state. He claimed to have received a visit from God and Jesus Christ who told him that all other churches and their creeds were an abomination. As a result, the Mormon Church claims to be the only true church on earth.

The Book of Mormon is an interesting story in and of itself. Smith said he found golden plates on September 22, 1823 at a hill near his home in Manchester NY after being told where to look for them by the angel Moroni. These plates would be contained in a stone box and were written in "reformed Egyptian" which had to be translated via a "seer stone". As a result, in 1830, the Book of Mormon was published based on what was translated from these plates.

Whereas Christians have but one Book containing all of God's revelation to us, the Mormon's rely on four: 1) The Bible “as far as it is translated correctly.” Which verses are considered incorrectly translated is not always made clear. 2) The Book of Mormon, which was “translated” by Smith and published in 1830. Smith claimed it is the “most correct book” on earth and that a person can get closer to God by following its precepts “than by any other book.” 3) The Doctrine and Covenants, containing a collection of modern revelations regarding the “Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored.” 4) The Pearl of the Great Price, which is considered by Mormons to “clarify” doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and adds its own information about the earth's creation.

Mormons believe the following about God: He has not always been the Supreme Being of the universe, but attained that status through righteous living and persistent effort. They believe God the Father has a “body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s.” Though abandoned by modern Mormon leaders, Brigham Young taught that Adam actually was God and the father of Jesus Christ. In contrast, Christians know this about God: there is only one true God (Deut 6:4, Isa 43:10; 44:6-8) - He always has existed and always will exist (Deut 33:27; Psalm 90:2; 1 Tim 1:17), and He was not created but is the Creator (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 37:16). He is perfect, and no one else is equal to Him (Psalm 86:8; Isaiah 40:25). God the Father is not a man, nor was He ever (Numbers 23:19;1 Samuel 15:29; Hosea 11:9). He is Spirit (John 4:24), and Spirit is not made of flesh and bone (Luke 24:39).

In regards to Jesus, Mormon's do hold Him in high regard. But Mormonism teaches that Jesus is a god and that any human can become a god. Mormons also teach that Jesus' birth was the result of a physical relationship between Mary and God and while the word "Trinity" is not in the Bible, Mormons do not believe in the relationship between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. (John 1:1, 14, Col 2:9, John 20:28, Heb 1:8)

In regards to the Holy Spirit; as with their belief about Jesus, the Holy Spirit is not God nor does the Holy Spirit share in the divine relationship or characteristics of God as we are clearly taught throughout Scripture. As an example, the Mormons do not believe that the Holy Spirit can be in more than one place/location at any one time which goes against the doctrine of Omnipresence.

While there is much more that can be discussed regarding the differences between Christianity and Mormonism it's important to understand the basic differences between the two religions. As Christians, we need to understand the TRUE Word of God so that when counterfeit religions come knocking on our door, we know how to recognize the false and be ready to share the Truth.