Mormonism vs Catholicism

[CourtingTex]

Im sorry, Im struggling to see the point of your post in relation to my question? I agree it would be great if all people with different beliefs could live in harmony but that doesnt help me decide what I believe? (I am genuinely looking into catholicism and mormonism for me not general interest)

One, with God, as I have personally, find out where they stand with God. That is personal and sacred and I submit it will be likely the same for you. Pray and etc in your routine with God.

 

[Jesus_Is_God_1]

This statement is incorrect. LDS do not believe a person “earns” their place in the kingdom any more than Catholics do.

This statement s incorrect. Mormon theologian “Sterling M. McMurrin” has stated that “Mormon theology is completely Pelagian.” The LDS Church does not believe in any form of original sin leaving no possibility for it.

This would be better stated as “LDS believe that when a person is purified in Christ’s atoning sac rife, they become joint heirs with Him and the Father shares everything He has.”

Fair enough. Mormon theosis is very different from the Christian view of theosis. It is not an established doctrine in the LDS Church, but the LDS Church still leaves the possibility open that Mormons can get their own planets and/or universes, and it was quite a popular view in the early days of Mormonism. Brigham Young is even quoted as saying,

*"Then will they become Gods…they will never cease to increase and to multiply, worlds without end. When they receive their crowns, their dominions, they then will be prepared to frame earths like unto ours and to people them in the same manner as we have been brought forth by our parents, by our Father and God” *

Things in this paragraph LDS agree with:
that there is one all knowing, all loving, and powerful eternal God
There is one God.
God is three different persons; these persons being the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of these persons is fully distinct from each other yet they all share the same being. They are all the one true God.
They are all the same in nature and power. None of them is above or below each other, The Father is the Father and is uncreated, he generates the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Son is uncreated, he is begotten of the Father. The Holy Spirit is uncreated, he proceeds from the Father. The Father has given the Son all things (with the exception of fathership) and thus the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and [through] the Son.
The Holy Spirit is a personage of Spirit.
Christ has a glorified resurrected body of flesh and bone (though I have met some mainstream Christians whom don’t believe this is currently true)

Many Mormons today are not aware that the LDS Church still officially teaches that God the Father was once a man who has been exalted. It was unapologetically taught in early Mormonism, and Joseph Smith even gave an entire discourse on it.

*“…it is necessary that we should understand the character and being of God, and how he came to be so; for I am going to tell you how God came to be God…These are incomprehensible ideas to some; but they are simple. It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the character of God and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us; yea, that God himself the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth the same as Jesus Christ himself did.”
*

It was even being taught in Mormon manuals as recent as 1976.

“As shown in this chapter, our Father in heaven was once a man as we are now, capable of physical death. By obedience to eternal gospel principles, he progressed from one stage of life to another until he attained the state we call exaltation or godhood.” (Achieving a Celestial Marriage, 1976, 132)

In 2006, Mormon apostle Henry B. Eyring said,

“I bear you my witness that God the Father lives, a glorified and exalted Man.”

Of course, many modern Mormon leaders have chosen to keep this doctrine from the public, including from their own members, probably to try and lessen the absurdity of Mormonism and its beliefs. But the truth is, this doctrine is still officially taught by the LDS Church. Sure, there are some variations of it to be found, but it’s still taught that God the Father is an exalted man who is not eternal.

Things about the Nicene Trinity LDS don’t agree with:
That the 3 persons of God are 1 through consubstantion (sp?). Rather LDS see them as being 1 through unity.
The Bible does not specify whether the Father is a personage of spirit or flesh and bone. Nicene Christians believe it to be spirit, LDS to be of flesh and bone like Christ.

Actually, the Bible makes it quite clear that God is spirit.

“God is spirit…” - John 4:24

Incorrect.

Nope, it’s 100% in line with what Mormonism teaches.

This is speculation, not scripture.

It’s official LDS teaching.

Incorrect. The Father has a glorified body of flesh and bone like Christ.

When I say natural body I mean that Mormons believe God has always had a body (or that he was born with one). Of course, this is blasphemy against God but Mormons don’t really seem to care about that.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

This statement s incorrect. Mormon theologian “Sterling M. McMurrin” has stated that “Mormon theology is completely Pelagian.” The LDS Church does not believe in any form of original sin leaving no possibility for it.

Fair enough. Mormon theosis is very different from the Christian view of theosis. It is not an established doctrine in the LDS Church, but the LDS Church still leaves the possibility open that Mormons can get their own planets and/or universes, and it was quite a popular view in the early days of Mormonism. Brigham Young is even quoted as saying,

*"Then will they become Gods…they will never cease to increase and to multiply, worlds without end. When they receive their crowns, their dominions, they then will be prepared to frame earths like unto ours and to people them in the same manner as we have been brought forth by our parents, by our Father and God” *

Many Mormons today are not aware that the LDS Church still officially teaches that God the Father was once a man who has been exalted. It was unapologetically taught in early Mormonism, and Joseph Smith even gave an entire discourse on it.

*“…it is necessary that we should understand the character and being of God, and how he came to be so; for I am going to tell you how God came to be God…These are incomprehensible ideas to some; but they are simple. It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the character of God and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us; yea, that God himself the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth the same as Jesus Christ himself did.”
*

It was even being taught in Mormon manuals as recent as 1976.

“As shown in this chapter, our Father in heaven was once a man as we are now, capable of physical death. By obedience to eternal gospel principles, he progressed from one stage of life to another until he attained the state we call exaltation or godhood.” (Achieving a Celestial Marriage, 1976, 132)

In 2006, Mormon apostle Henry B. Eyring said,

“I bear you my witness that God the Father lives, a glorified and exalted Man.”

Of course, many modern Mormon leaders have chosen to keep this doctrine from the public, including from their own members, probably to try and lessen the absurdity of Mormonism and its beliefs. But the truth is, this doctrine is still officially taught by the LDS Church. Sure, there are some variations of it to be found, but it’s still taught that God the Father is an exalted man who is not eternal.

Actually, the Bible makes it quite clear that God is spirit.

“God is spirit…” - John 4:24

Nope, it’s 100% in line with what Mormonism teaches.

It’s official LDS teaching.

When I say natural body I mean that Mormons believe God has always had a body (or that he was born with one). Of course, this is blasphemy against God but Mormons don’t really seem to care about that.

What are you considering ,“official LDS teaching”? How do you know it’s an official teaching?

 

[pianistclare]

Another good book:
Under the Banner of Heaven, by John Krakauer

 

[CourtingTex]

So no spiritual foundation I had prior to my current membership is valuable, whether for myself — my point for others, if you will?

All of us, come closer to God in variety of ways.

I will stand with whomever that values others on their road of being a better person – no arrogance whether LDS or Catholic.

The contest is for love of God and neighbor in light of the environment in the world, generally speaking, that is opposite to that.

 

[Horton]

What are you considering ,“official LDS teaching”? How do you know it’s an official teaching?

The LDS have “official teaching” manuals for the teaching of their beliefs. They can be easily found online with a simple google search. Here are a couple of points:

The Bible
Catholics & Christians believe the bible is the word of God. While Catholics retain 7 more books of the bible that were taken out after the reformation, all still believe the bible is the word of God.
The LDS say the bible is true as far as correctly translated leaving room for them to change it in a way that supports their belief system. They also created other “scripture” such as the Book of Mormon. They believe their “scripture” is just as important as the bible.

Marriage
The LDS still believe in polygamy. While many of the mainstream LDS don’t practice it on earth (although many sects do) they believe marriage is eternal. For a man to earn a higher place in heaven he needs more than one wife. But this belief is completely different for women. A man can be “sealed” to several women on earth if widowed or divorced, but a woman may only be sealed to one man. Single women or female children who pass away before being able to married or “sealed” are assigned to men in their version of heaven. For those who are adults and unmarried there is a certain less than attitude among others.

As Christians we believe marriage is a vital sacrament for those called to marriage and also recognizes that not everyone is called to married life even if they are not called to a religious vocation. We believe marriage is intended for our lives on earth and when a spouse passes away the living may remarry if they choose. (Aside from Permanent Deacons) But married or single our ability to go to heaven is not based on someone else’s status within the church.

Christianity
The LDS claim to be Christians which is a fairly recent change. The two links below should give more information than I can at this time.

christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/june-web-only/mormons-and-christians-so-close-yet-so-far-away.html
patheos.com/blogs/bibleandculture/2012/08/27/why-mormons-are-not-christians-the-issue-of-christology/

Catholics are Christians and recognize most protestant baptisms as valid. I was baptized as an infant in a mainline protestant church and when I converted I did not need to be baptized again. The LDS does not recognize any other baptism as valid. If they were Christian wouldn’t they believe a baptism in the proper form and matter would be valid?

Revelations
The LDS believe their prophet is capable of receiving revelations and being able to change theology based on that revelation. Two significant revelations came at very opportune times in history. When Utah wanted to become a state in the US it was blocked because of the practice of polygamy. Then the prophet had a revelation that polygamy was not an acceptable practice after all and Utah became a state. Until the civil rights movement blacks were not permitted to the “priesthood” (not the same as a Catholic priest) because of their color. There was the belief dark skinned people were evil and God gave them dark skin so the good LDS could tell who was good or bad. Then came the civil rights movement and once again a revelation from the prophet. This time saying that part of “scripture” (going back to their own created scripture) was wrong and blacks were then allowed to be in their priesthood.

Catholic believe all revelation is complete and has been since the 1st century. People can and do have private revelations which are sometime accepted by the church, Fatima, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lourdes and so on but none that will change church Dogma or Doctrine.

There is so much more out there regarding the difference between the Catholic Church and the LDS. You self identify Christianity as your faith. Please stay Christian. The LDS offer all kinds of feel good stuff right away and want you to be baptized right away. Then after than you can learn what the LDS teach. On the other hand the Catholics want to teach a lot about what we teach and believe and then make a completely free and informed choice.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

The LDS have “official teaching” manuals for the teaching of their beliefs. They can be easily found online with a simple google search. Here are a couple of points:

The Bible
Catholics & Christians believe the bible is the word of God. While Catholics retain 7 more books of the bible that were taken out after the reformation, all still believe the bible is the word of God.
The LDS say the bible is true as far as correctly translated leaving room for them to change it in a way that supports their belief system. They also created other “scripture” such as the Book of Mormon. They believe their “scripture” is just as important as the bible.

Marriage
The LDS still believe in polygamy. While many of the mainstream LDS don’t practice it on earth (although many sects do) they believe marriage is eternal. For a man to earn a higher place in heaven he needs more than one wife. But this belief is completely different for women. A man can be “sealed” to several women on earth if widowed or divorced, but a woman may only be sealed to one man. Single women or female children who pass away before being able to married or “sealed” are assigned to men in their version of heaven. For those who are adults and unmarried there is a certain less than attitude among others.

As Christians we believe marriage is a vital sacrament for those called to marriage and also recognizes that not everyone is called to married life even if they are not called to a religious vocation. We believe marriage is intended for our lives on earth and when a spouse passes away the living may remarry if they choose. (Aside from Permanent Deacons) But married or single our ability to go to heaven is not based on someone else’s status within the church.

Christianity
The LDS claim to be Christians which is a fairly recent change. The two links below should give more information than I can at this time.

christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/june-web-only/mormons-and-christians-so-close-yet-so-far-away.html
patheos.com/blogs/bibleandculture/2012/08/27/why-mormons-are-not-christians-the-issue-of-christology/

Catholics are Christians and recognize most protestant baptisms as valid. I was baptized as an infant in a mainline protestant church and when I converted I did not need to be baptized again. The LDS does not recognize any other baptism as valid. If they were Christian wouldn’t they believe a baptism in the proper form and matter would be valid?

Revelations
The LDS believe their prophet is capable of receiving revelations and being able to change theology based on that revelation. Two significant revelations came at very opportune times in history. When Utah wanted to become a state in the US it was blocked because of the practice of polygamy. Then the prophet had a revelation that polygamy was not an acceptable practice after all and Utah became a state. Until the civil rights movement blacks were not permitted to the “priesthood” (not the same as a Catholic priest) because of their color. There was the belief dark skinned people were evil and God gave them dark skin so the good LDS could tell who was good or bad. Then came the civil rights movement and once again a revelation from the prophet. This time saying that part of “scripture” (going back to their own created scripture) was wrong and blacks were then allowed to be in their priesthood.

Catholic believe all revelation is complete and has been since the 1st century. People can and do have private revelations which are sometime accepted by the church, Fatima, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lourdes and so on but none that will change church Dogma or Doctrine.

There is so much more out there regarding the difference between the Catholic Church and the LDS. You self identify Christianity as your faith. Please stay Christian. The LDS offer all kinds of feel good stuff right away and want you to be baptized right away. Then after than you can learn what the LDS teach. On the other hand the Catholics want to teach a lot about what we teach and believe and then make a completely free and informed choice.

Thankyou for your response!

If I may ask a couple of questions about Catholicism in relation to some of what you said…

Why do Catholics believe revelation ended in 1st century?
Why do Catholics believe marriage ends at death?

 

[superwimp]

Any serious inquiry into Mormonism begins and ends with the truthfulness of Book of Mormon and whether Joseph Smith was a prophet.

Actually the above is like saying that a testimony of Jesus would end any serious enquiry when there are multiple disagreements between Christians about this or that. A testimony of the historicity of the BOM will put you at the year 1830. A testimony of JS will put you at 1844. While the LDS group is the largest that alone isn’t proof of anything.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Thankyou for your response!

If I may ask a couple of questions about Catholicism in relation to some of what you said…

Why do Catholics believe revelation ended in 1st century?
Why do Catholics believe marriage ends at death?

Jesus is the Word of God, fully revealed. Mormons seem to have en extraordinary difficulty understanding and/or accepting this concept. Jesus is the Word of God, fully revealed.

Why wouldn’t it? Marriage belongs to this life, and like all sacraments, prefigures the next life where it will be fulfilled. Beyond that if marriage vows did not end at death, then a person who remarries after their spouse has died would be committing adultery.

 

[gazelam]

Jesus is the Word of God, fully revealed. Mormons seem to have en extraordinary difficulty understanding and/or accepting this concept. Jesus is the Word of God, fully revealed.

Not sure what the issue is here. LDS accept the designation of Jesus as the Word in both John 1 and in modern day revelation.

D&C 93:8 Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation

(See lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/93.33?lang=eng)

Why wouldn’t it? Marriage belongs to this life, and like all sacraments, prefigures the next life where it will be fulfilled. Beyond that if marriage vows did not end at death, then a person who remarries after their spouse has died would be committing adultery.

1 Peter 3:7 clearly contradicts what you say.

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (KJV)

Husband and wife together inherit Eternal Life, not separately. The “grace of life” being referred to here can’t be mortal life since each already has that. The only other option is Eternal Life.

Isn’t it odd that this fully revealed teaching in the Bible hasn’t found its way into orthodox Christian theology? I, for one, am grateful for modern prophets who are able to bring to light ancient Christian teachings that were lost for a time.

 

[AnimaQuaerenti]

Correcting a few statements about LDS beliefs–

This statement is incorrect. LDS do not believe a person “earns” their place in the kingdom any more than Catholics do.

Incorrect. See: Second anointing, “calling and election made sure.” For the non-Mormons or uninformed Mormons out there, this is a Mormon temple ceremony given to very few Mormons where one is guaranteed exaltation.

This would be better stated as “LDS believe that when a person is purified in Christ’s atoning sac rife, they become joint heirs with Him and the Father shares everything He has.”

Then surely, one could make it to the celestial kingdom without being endowed, learning their new name, and needing to know things like the Sure Sign of the Nail? Please show me where the doctrine of celestial exaltation exists without needing to know masonic handshakes.

that there is one all knowing, all loving, and powerful eternal God

Contradicts both the Book of Abraham in the LDS canon and the “eternal plan of progression” - that is, that Mormon prophets have taught that Eloheim was elevated to Godhood and previously existed as a man.

There is one God.

Contradicts the Book of Abraham in the LDS canon that refer to “Gods”.

God is three different persons; these persons being the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of these persons is fully distinct from each other yet they all share the same being. They are all the one true God.

Incorrect. Jesus Christ, as taught in Mormonism, is the result of his “intelligence” being fused with his spirit body via “celestial intercourse” between Eloheim and one of his Goddesses, also known as our “Mother in Heaven”.

They are all the same in nature and power. None of them is above or below each other, The Father is the Father and is uncreated, he generates the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Son is uncreated, he is begotten of the Father. The Holy Spirit is uncreated, he proceeds from the Father.

This is just all sorts of incorrect according to LDS belief.

The Father has a glorified body of flesh and bone like Christ.

Yes, and how did he get that body of flesh and bone? According to LDS doctrine, via exaltation to Godhood from once being man - therefore, not eternal god.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Incorrect. See: Second anointing, “calling and election made sure.” For the non-Mormons or uninformed Mormons out there, this is a Mormon temple ceremony given to very few Mormons where one is guaranteed exaltation.

Then surely, one could make it to the celestial kingdom without being endowed, learning their new name, and needing to know things like the Sure Sign of the Nail? Please show me where the doctrine of celestial exaltation exists without needing to know masonic handshakes.

Contradicts both the Book of Abraham in the LDS canon and the “eternal plan of progression” - that is, that Mormon prophets have taught that Eloheim was elevated to Godhood and previously existed as a man.

Contradicts the Book of Abraham in the LDS canon that refer to “Gods”.

Incorrect. Jesus Christ, as taught in Mormonism, is the result of his “intelligence” being fused with his spirit body via “celestial intercourse” between Eloheim and one of his Goddesses, also known as our “Mother in Heaven”.

This is just all sorts of incorrect according to LDS belief.

Yes, and how did he get that body of flesh and bone? According to LDS doctrine, via exaltation to Godhood from once being man - therefore, not eternal god.

I have heard of the second anointing before! Did you yourself have this when LDS?

 

[AnimaQuaerenti]

I have heard of the second anointing before! Did you yourself have this when LDS?

No. I don’t know anyone lower than a Stake President who ever received it. I did get the usual temple endowment/garments/handshakes treatment, but the second anointing is invitation-only.

 

[gazelam]

Just pointing out some inaccuracies in this comment…

They also created other “scripture” such as the Book of Mormon.

Depends what you mean by “They”. “They” are Jesus Christ and mostly Joseph Smith with a few others here and there. Jesus revealed additional scripture for our day in the form of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. These are not man-made inventions.

Marriage
The LDS still believe in polygamy. While many of the mainstream LDS don’t practice it on earth (although many sects do) they believe marriage is eternal.

LDS do believe that polygamy is an acceptable practice when God commands it. However, it is the exception to monogamy. All mainstream LDS don’t practice polygamy.

The Book of Mormon addresses polygamy in this way;

Jacob 2:27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none;

Here’s the exception…

Jacob 2:30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.

For a man to earn a higher place in heaven he needs more than one wife.

This statement is false. He needs one wife. He might have more than one wife in the hereafter.

As Christians we believe marriage is a vital sacrament for those called to marriage and also recognizes that not everyone is called to married life even if they are not called to a religious vocation. We believe marriage is intended for our lives on earth and when a spouse passes away the living may remarry if they choose. (Aside from Permanent Deacons) But married or single our ability to go to heaven is not based on someone else’s status within the church.

1 Peter 3:7 clearly contradicts what you say.

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (KJV)

Husband and wife together inherit Eternal Life, not separately. The “grace of life” being referred to here can’t be mortal life since each already has that. The only other option is Eternal Life.

Christianity
The LDS claim to be Christians which is a fairly recent change. The two links below should give more information than I can at this time.

christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/june-web-only/mormons-and-christians-so-close-yet-so-far-away.html
patheos.com/blogs/bibleandculture/2012/08/27/why-mormons-are-not-christians-the-issue-of-christology/

It’s an untenable position to say that a restoration that began starting with the appearance of Jesus Christ and God the Father to someone was not Christian from the beginning. Whatever activity Christ initiates is Christian, by definition at the very beginning of that activity.

Catholics are Christians and recognize most protestant baptisms as valid. I was baptized as an infant in a mainline protestant church and when I converted I did not need to be baptized again. The LDS does not recognize any other baptism as valid. If they were Christian wouldn’t they believe a baptism in the proper form and matter would be valid?

LDS believe that baptisms are valid with done in the right way (I guess, “form” and “matter” as you say), with the proper authority. LDS believe that divine authority to act in the name of God only resides in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Perhaps using Catholic vernacular, one could say that priesthood authority is missing “matter” in all churches, except the LDS church.

As an aside, an LDS person understands that there is a proper way of doing things, but we don’t break ordinances down into “form” and “matter”.

Revelations
The LDS believe their prophet is capable of receiving revelations and being able to change theology based on that revelation.

Doctrine does not change, but practice does.

Two significant revelations came at very opportune times in history. When Utah wanted to become a state in the US it was blocked because of the practice of polygamy. Then the prophet had a revelation that polygamy was not an acceptable practice after all and Utah became a state.

Untrue. The revelation was that polygamy was an unacceptable practice going forward, but not that it was unacceptable earlier.

Until the civil rights movement blacks were not permitted to the “priesthood” (not the same as a Catholic priest) because of their color. There was the belief dark skinned people were evil and God gave them dark skin so the good LDS could tell who was good or bad. Then came the civil rights movement and once again a revelation from the prophet. This time saying that part of “scripture” (going back to their own created scripture) was wrong and blacks were then allowed to be in their priesthood.

This one is complicated. Blacks initially were not prohibited from holding the Priesthood. Elijah Able was ordained in 1836. There’s a whole lot more to read at blacklds.org/history

There is so much more out there regarding the difference between the Catholic Church and the LDS. You self identify Christianity as your faith. Please stay Christian.

Joining the LDS church won’t make the OP non-Christian.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Not sure what the issue is here. LDS accept the designation of Jesus as the Word in both John 1 and in modern day revelation.

D&C 93:8 Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation

(See lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/93.33?lang=eng)

Right, you just demonstrated my point. A lack of understanding that Jesus is the Word of God, fully revealed.

1 Peter 3:7 clearly contradicts what you say.

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (KJV)

ALL the baptized are heirs together. This isn’t saying marriage continues in heaven.

Husband and wife together inherit Eternal Life, not separately. The “grace of life” being referred to here can’t be mortal life since each already has that. The only other option is Eternal Life.

Isn’t it odd that this fully revealed teaching in the Bible hasn’t found its way into orthodox Christian theology? I, for one, am grateful for modern prophets who are able to bring to light ancient Christian teachings that were lost for a time.

Isn’t it odd that you think together has to mean married.

We are, by our baptism and confirmation, all Christians, sealed to Jesus Christ. Making the Mormon error of sealing to each other not only unnecessary, but a blasphemy.

We are joined to Jesus Christ, all of us, in and through Him is where the grace of eternal life flows. Not through any human. Jesus is the Word of God , fully revealed. And as I said, you demonstrate your lack of grasping this comcept, in this very post.

The fullness of the teachings of faith is found in Jesus Christ Himself. The Bible reveals the Word of God. The Church He founded exists solely to reveal the Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God, fully revealed. We are a people of a Person, not a people of a Book.

 

[AnimaQuaerenti]

Just pointing out some inaccuracies in this comment…

Depends what you mean by “They”. “They” are Jesus Christ and mostly Joseph Smith with a few others here and there. Jesus revealed additional scripture for our day in the form of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. These are not man-made inventions.

…according to fewer than 1% of professed Christians on the earth today, and with every piece of objective evidence regarding the historicity of the Book of Mormon and the origins of the Book of Abraham to say it is entirely a concoction.

LDS do believe that polygamy is an acceptable practice when God commands it. However, it is the exception to monogamy. All mainstream LDS don’t practice polygamy.

It’s pretty funny that you discredit FLDS practices - which more literally practice Mormonism as taught by Joseph Smith - but then want Christianity at large to accept you.

The Book of Mormon addresses polygamy in this way;

Quoting the Book of Mormon to support Mormonism is like quoting the Watchtower Society to prove that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are the one true form of Christianity - and furthermore, the “raising up seed” is laughable considering what the demographics of Mormon polygamy consisted of.

This statement is false. He needs one wife. He might have more than one wife in the hereafter.

Please, let us call a spade for what it is here - Mormonism pretty clearly still believes in “Celestial Polygamy” based on sealings that occur today.

1 Peter 3:7 clearly contradicts what you say.

1 Peter 3:7 clearly does not mean that marriage is required for exaltation unless you subscribe to a denomination started by a man who bedded other men’s wives and 14 year olds - poor Fanny Alger!

It’s an untenable position to say that a restoration that began starting with the appearance of Jesus Christ and God the Father to someone was not Christian from the beginning. Whatever activity Christ initiates is Christian, by definition at the very beginning of that activity.

Except that literally nobody else but Mormons believe in the “Mormon fan fiction” that it was started by Jesus Christ. There’s really no objective evidence to support a Mormon claim over a Jehovah’s Witness claim that a “restoration” was needed, especially when one considers the nature of God being quite fickle (like a man’s!) in Mormonism. When one reads the Journal of Discourses and sees all the ridiculous garbage like Zelph or the Kinderhook Plates, one can be fairly well assured that Joseph Smith was as much a prophet as Charles Taze Russell or William Miller.

LDS believe that baptisms are valid with done in the right way

As in “only the Mormon way.” Please don’t pretend like it’s otherwise.

Doctrine does not change, but practice does.

When it comes to Mormonism, that’s a joke.

Joining the LDS church won’t make the OP non-Christian.

Christendom disagrees, and they’re united enough to say that if I decided to become Lutheran, Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican or Methodist tomorrow, I’d still be Christian with my one baptism.

 

[AnimaQuaerenti]

I have been looking into both and while reading the tracts on Mormonism on this site I am struggling to see the suggested differences.

And OP, I would suggest that if you’d like to see some “behind closed doors” Mormon practices yourself, you check out this video:

youtube.com/watch?v=Ms6ny86rXU4

It was secretly recorded by a former member and is one of the several Mormon temple rituals that Mormons do not discuss. As a former Mormon who went through the ceremony, I can attest to its authenticity.

In there you will see the masonic grips and tokens that Mormons believe are necessary to face God again, the sacred new name (actually from an auto-generated list), and the “true order of prayer.” Remember, Mormons believe that Jesus himself taught this nonsense to the original twelve apostles, and through the wickedness and falling away of the Catholic/Orthodox churches, these rituals were lost until a man literally convicted of conning his neighbors by professing he could find buried treasure claimed to restore them in the 1830’s.

It’s a long video to watch, but I suspect you will come out of it feeling the same way I did the first time I went through - it’s a cult!

 

[RebeccaJ]

I have been looking into both and while reading the tracts on Mormonism on this site I am struggling to see the suggested differences.

Firstly I noticed that it states that the mormon’s belief in eternal progression (becoming god) is blasphemous however in the catechism of the Catholic Church it states…

Also the LDS view of the Godhead, I can’t see why it’s any worse than the Trinity. There are three personages all divine that make up one God?

Would appreciate any help and explanations of these!

Well, this is a Mormon claim about Catholicism, so you seem to be presenting the Mormon sophistry about Catholic teaching.

First off this has been discussed several times and you can search the forum for the same topic.

What Mormons who come here with this entry from the CCC do, is apply Mormon belief to Catholic teaching. It’s what Mormonism does, in multiple areas of religion and history. Borrows from this and that and makes it its own with entirely new meanings, and then will say it’s the same!

Don’t fall for the sophistry. When it comes to what Mormonism has co-oped from Christianity, all Christian words and phrases have been given new definitions. They are never the same in meaning or teaching.

Catholic teaching in the CCC, that you cite here, is associated with the Eucharist and the communion of saints. Both of which Mormonism rejects, so already at that rejection you can see that as a comparison, we are not discussing the same things.

 

[Horton]

Thankyou for your response!

If I may ask a couple of questions about Catholicism in relation to some of what you said…

Why do Catholics believe revelation ended in 1st century?
Why do Catholics believe marriage ends at death?

Rebecca gave you good answers to these questions. Revelation ended because Jesus was the revelation. Think about the word reveal, when Jesus became man, He was the Word revealed. After Jesus ascended into heaven there was nothing left to reveal. He left us his Church and His Truth. First to the apostles, who were charges with going out to spread the news. He gave the apostles the authority of the priesthood which they then passed on through the ages to current day. This is one of the great beauties of the Catholic Church. We can trace our history, with proof, all the way back to St Peter, the first Pope, who walked with Jesus. It’s an unbroken line of succession.

Marriage is for this life. We can’t know what heaven is like since we’ve never been there. We can speculate, ponder, and wonder, but we don’t know. This is a significant difference between Christianity and the LDS. We are OK with the mysteries of our faith, such as heaven. The LDS want everything laid out in a plan, known in advance, with nothing left to chance. The LDS will select 1 or 2 verses from the bible or even sometimes from their own “scripture” to try to prove the point. The problem is they tend to take it out of context of the chapter.

Even the wedding vows of most Christian and all Catholic weddings state “until death do you part”.

 

[RebeccaJ]

I, for one, am grateful for modern prophets who are able to bring to light ancient Christian teachings that were lost for a time.

…and this is proselytizing, which is against forum rules.