English 101
13 October 2008
Mormonism and Christianity,
What Is The Difference?
Since the establishment of Mormonism in 1823 by Joseph Smith, Mormons have professed themselves as to be Christians. Although Mormons and Christians share many of the same beliefs, they have numerous discrepancies. Mormons preserve a few Christian themes, personalities, and narratives, but they reject various truths that Christians profess, they also profess numerous beliefs that Christians reject.
Mormonism was first introduced in 1830 with the publishing of the Book of Mormon written by Joseph Smith. In 1823, Joseph Smith was confronted by the angel Moroni, who gave him a stack of golden plates. Moroni then directed Joseph to translate the foreign writing engraved on the plates. With the angels’ assistance, Joseph Smith was able to decipher the translations, which, over the next seven years, would become the Book of Mormon. Joseph’s followers became known as Mormons, who believe to this day that they are the restoration of original Christian church.
Christianity was first established around 33 A.D., as written by the apostle Paul in a letter to the Romans: “And the Lord added to the church daily...And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch”. Shortly after His baptism in 29 A.D., Jesus Christ began his estimated five years of ministry. Then in roughly 33 A.D., Jesus was Sacrificed on the cross for the salvation of mankind and later buried in the tomb. He rose from the tomb three days later and ascended into heaven, leaving his disciples who shortly became known as Christians.
The first, and perhaps greatest, of the many disagreements between Mormonism and Christianity are the beliefs of God himself. First of all, Mormons believe that there is not just one god, but rather multiple gods, as it is written in their Brigham Young-Journal of Discourses, “How many Gods there are, I do not know”. Second, Mormons believe that the God of the earth was, and is, a man...