The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, formerly known as the Mormon Church, has been growing in popularity since the rise of the television show “The Chosen.”
While “The Chosen” is supposed to be an adaptation of the Christian Bible, there are LDS influences. It is within a Christian’s freedom to choose whether or not to watch this show; however, it is important to remember that it is not the inerrant Word of God.
Nonetheless, since the rising popularity of “The Chosen,” there have been more discussions surrounding the LDS Church. The creator of “The Chosen,” Dallas Jenkins, has been accredited with stating that the Jesus of the LDS Church is also the same Jesus Christians worship. In this way, Jenkins tries to claim that the LDS Church and Christians are one and the same.
As Evangelical Christians, it is crucial for us to be aware of this subject as well as other cults and false religions. If a person agrees with Jenkins and also attests that the Jesus of the LDS Church is the same Jesus of the Bible, then they are not fully equipped in the Bible.
The LDS members are not true Evangelical Christians who believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord. They believe in the LDS version of Jesus.
The Same Jesus?
The LDS Church believes in a radically different Jesus than we do as Christians. They believe that Jesus is a “god,” but not God Himself. LDS members believe that all of us can attain to be our own little gods by following the ways of the LDS Church. The desire to be God is nothing new, as this is exactly what Adam and Eve wanted to do in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:4-6).
As human beings, we will never be God, and thankfully so. Only God is God, and this is how things will always be. Despite the LDS Church's belief that humans can become gods, it is not true. This is one of the many false beliefs within the LDS Church.
Other false teachings within the LDS Church are that they believe Jesus was the child of the Heavenly Father and the Heavenly Mother, that Jesus became the Savior of the world because His plan was far better than Satan’s, and that Jesus is the brother of Satan.
These are but a few of the heresies that come from the LDS Church. None of these false beliefs are in agreement with the true, inerrant Word of God. The LDS Church believes in a Jesus, but it is not the same Jesus in the Bible. They believe in the LDS version of Jesus — not the biblical Jesus. Since this is true, LDS members are not true Christians.
Are LDS Members Saved?
LDS members are not Christians; therefore, they are not saved. Since they do not believe in the Jesus of the Bible and His finished work on the cross, they have not been given redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life.
While many LDS members try to claim they are Christians and that they are saved, this is not true. Maybe within the idea of the LDS Church, they believe they are, but this is a false belief.
They are not believing in the biblical Jesus, which means they cannot truly place faith in the real Jesus. The LDS Church believes in a created version of Jesus — not the real Jesus. The Jesus the LDS Church believes in was created by Joseph Smith, not the Lord.
Christianity was established by Jesus at the moment He died for our sins and was resurrected. However, Joseph Smith created the LDS Church and his made-up version of Jesus in 1830.
Prior to the legal establishment of the Mormon Church, now known as the LDS Church, Joseph Smith had a supernatural encounter. Smith encountered what he believed to be an angel named Moroni.
While one cannot state with certainty that Smith did not see anything on that day, it can be ascertained that he did not encounter an angel. He would have encountered a fallen angel — a demon. This would be in agreement with the distorted view of Jesus that Joseph Smith created.
Within the true Bible, we know that there are only two angels that are named and one fallen angel: Michael, Gabriel, and Satan. Nowhere in the Bible do we see the angel named Moroni.
This is one of many examples of how the LDS Church does not agree with the Bible. The LDS Church is a cult — not part of Christianity.
What Is a True Christian?
Although LDS members argue the idea that they are Christians, it is not true. A true Christian is someone who places faith in Jesus by believing that He died for their sins, was buried, and rose again (John 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
The Bible tells us the sole foundation for salvation is to place faith in Jesus. We are told, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Salvation is not based on works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Rather, it is only based on placing faith in the Lord. It is vital to note that you have to place faith in the biblical Jesus — not the LDS Church’s version of Jesus or another cult’s version of Jesus.
You have to place faith in the real Jesus in order to be truly saved and to be a Christian. Without placing faith in the real, biblical Jesus, a person cannot be saved.
Is it Possible for LDS Members to Become True Christians?
While it is difficult, there are many people who leave the LDS Church and become true Christians. Many LDS members leave the LDS Church because of the Bible passage of Galatians 1:8, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”
This Bible passage instructs many LDS members to know that the angel Moroni is an “angel” who came and preached a false gospel.
Although this helps many LDS members to second guess their beliefs, there are other tactics missionaries and evangelists try when they are trying to help the LDS Church come to know Jesus.
Similar to the cult of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, it is very hard for members of the LDS Church to break away. They have found all of their sense of identity and community within the cult. This can cause many people to have a hard time leaving various cults.
As Christians, we need to share the true Gospel of Jesus Christ with the LDS Church. We also need to help them have a sense of identity and community within the true Christian church. If you personally know a LDS member, try to start talking with them about the Bible.
Compare the true Bible with the “Book of Mormon.” By comparing and contrasting the beliefs of the LDS Church and Christianity as well as helping them to know the true Jesus, it will point them to salvation.
Although we cannot make anyone believe in the true Jesus, we can help them to know the truth. Share the gospel with them and pray for them. Build a friendship with them and continue to share the gospel and other aspects of Christianity even if they don’t place faith in Jesus right away.
Remember that most people who are part of the LDS Church have been in this cult for a long time; therefore, it will take a while before they can unlearn all of the practices of the LDS Church.
It will be difficult, but it is possible. With God, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). Trust Him with the outcome and keep praying for LDS members to come to know Christ. Be there for the LDS members in your life and be an example of Christ to them in your actions.
They will take notice of this and start to see your love for Jesus. LDS members are not Christians, but they can convert to Christianity by rejecting the false beliefs of the LDS Church and choosing to place faith in the true, biblical Jesus.
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