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Answer
Anyone from any religion—or no religion at all—who asks, “Why should I consider becoming a Christian?” should examine the claims of Christianity. For a Mormon posing this question, the disparities between the principles of biblical Christianity and LDS philosophy should be the main focus of investigation. If the Bible is considered the Word of God (both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young believed this), then the fundamental beliefs of Mormonism and the Latter-day Saints (if those beliefs are trustworthy) should align with what the Bible teaches. However, there are contradictions, and we will explore four areas of inconsistency between Mormonism and the Bible.
1) A Mormon contemplating becoming a Christian should recognize that Mormonism promotes reliance on sources outside the Bible. The Bible asserts that it is adequate for guidance in Christian living “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”, (2 Timothy 3:16) and that God explicitly cursed anyone who asserted the authority to append to what God had already disclosed in the Bible. In essence, God declared His written revelation as complete (Revelation 22:18-19). Therefore, there is no need for God to add more. A God who completes His Book, affirms its entirety, and then later realizes He omitted something either did not anticipate the future or did not possess enough knowledge to include everything initially. Such a deity is not the God of the Bible. Nevertheless, Mormonism teaches that the Bible is just one of four authoritative sources, with the other three being the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. These three originated from a single individual who proclaimed them to be God-inspired despite
Despite being contrary to the Bible, the first and only truly inspired text. Adding extra material to Scripture and labeling it as inspired contradicts God.
2) A Mormon contemplating conversion to Christianity should recognize that Mormonism promotes a lesser deity. Mormonism asserts that God has not always been the Supreme Being of the universe (Mormon Doctrine, p. 321) but achieved that status through righteous living (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345). However, who determines what is righteous? That standard can only originate from God Himself. Therefore, the belief that God became God by meeting a predetermined standard set by God is a contradiction. Furthermore, a deity that is not eternal and self-existent does not align with the God of the Bible. The Bible teaches that God is eternally self-existent (Deuteronomy 33:27;Psalm 90:2;1 Timothy 1:17) and He is the Creator, not created (Genesis 1;Psalm 24:1;Isaiah 37:16;Colossians 1:17-18).
3) A Mormon contemplating conversion to Christianity should understand that Mormonism teaches an elevated view of humanity that contradicts biblical teachings. Mormonism teaches that any human can become a god (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p: 345-354;Doctrine & Covenants 132:20). However, the Bible consistently teaches that we are inherently sinful (Jeremiah 17:9;Romans 3:10-23;8:7) and that only God is God (1 Samuel 2:2;Isaiah 44:6,8;46:9). Isaiah 43:10 records
As God’s own words state: “Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” How Mormonism can assert that men will become gods in the face of such overwhelming scriptural evidence is a testimony to the depth of man’s desire to usurp God’s place, a desire born in the heart of Satan “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”, (Isaiah 14:14) and passed on by him to Adam and Eve in the Garden “for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”, (Genesis 3:5). The desire to usurp the throne of God—or to share it—characterizes all who are of their father the devil, including the Antichrist, who will act on the same desire in the end times (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Throughout history, many false religions have played upon the same desire to be God. But God declares there is no God but Him, and we dare not contradict Him.
4) A Mormon who is considering becoming a Christian should understand that Mormonism teaches that we are capable of earning our salvation, contrary to Scripture (Articles of Faith, p:92;2 Nephi 25:23). Although we will certainly live differently because of our faith, it is not our works that save us, but only the grace of God through the faith He gives to us as a free gift (Ephesians 2:4-10). This is simply because God accepts only His own perfect righteousness. Christ died on the cross to exchange His perfection for our sin “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness.”
Of God in him.” , (2 Corinthians 5:21). We can only be made holy in God’s sight through faith in Christ «unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: », (1 Corinthians 1:2).
Ultimately, faith in a false Christ leads to a false salvation. Any salvation that is “earned” is a false salvation (Romans 3:20-28). We simply cannot be worthy of salvation on our own merits. If we cannot trust God’s Word, then we have no basis for trust at all. If we can trust God’s Word, then we must recognize that His Word is consistent and reliable. If God could not or did not preserve His Word accurately, then He would not be God. The difference between Mormonism and Christianity is that Christianity declares a God who is eternally self-existent, who set a perfect and holy standard that we cannot live up to, and who then, out of His great love, paid the price for our sin by sending His Son to die on the cross for us.
If you are ready to place your trust in the all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ, you can speak the following words to God: “Father God, I know that I am a sinner and am worthy of your wrath. I recognize and believe that Jesus is the only Savior. I place my trust in Jesus alone to save me. Father God, please forgive me, cleanse me, and change me. Thank you for your wonderful grace and mercy!”
Have you placed your full trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior because of what you have read here? If so, please click on the “I have accepted Christ today” button below.
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