Our final ideology under examination is Mormonism, once the fastest growing religion in the United States, adds on average 800 coverts to its rosters every day. Its growth is largely attributed to its conservative family and political values, the care provided to members, charitable contributions, and the financial success of its followers. More of its over six million members are involved in mission’s work than evangelical Christians and distributes five million copies of the Book of Mormon every year. How does one argue against a faith that many well-meaning people, including Sean Hannity, believe is simply a branch of Christianity?

Christianity is based on a few theological truths: There is one God in three persons (the Trinity); that Jesus is the Messiah, only son of God and the third member of the Trinity through whom all things were made and in whom alone salvation may be found. To deny any of these foundational beliefs is to deny Christianity. How does Mormonism measure up?

Mormonism teaches that God the Father was once a man who became exalted by learning truth and pursuing godhood. Furthermore, he has a wife with whom he procreates spirit children. The person whom we call God the Father is actually one of many gods. Brigham Young wrote, “How many Gods there are I do not know. But there never was a time when there were not Gods” (Discourse 7:333). These teachings violate many basic Christian teachings, not only the Trinity. For instance, we know from the Bible that God is not man (Numbers 23.19; 1 Samuel 15.29 and Hosea 11.9), that God is in fact Spirit (Psalm 90.2 and John 4.24-8.23), and that God has always existed as God (Deuteronomy 33.27, Isaiah 43.10, 1 Corinthians 8.4 and 1 Timothy 2.5).

“Mormonism and mainstream Christianity share a number of common characteristics, including belief in Jesus Christ as a divine figure…” states one web site about Mormonism. Like Islam, Mormonism gives homage to both the Old and New Testaments but supersede their teachings through their own “later revelation.” Also like Islam, they deny the Trinity and that Jesus is God. I am not claiming that Islam and Mormonism are similar, they are not. Only that these two religions teach many of the same errors.

Jesus, Mormons teach, was a man like any other who, like God the Father, achieved godhood. He is neither Messiah nor Savior as man is not in need of salvation. Instead, upon death a human returns to their spirit state and returns to God the Father. Some will be exalted to godhood; others will remain as they are. There is no hell. What Jesus accomplished on the cross is important to them, however, as it ensured that all people would be resurrected and reunite their spirit with their body.

As such Mormonism violates the most basic precepts of Christianity. Their beliefs surrounding the person of Jesus, original sin and the afterlife are so far removed from Biblical teaching that there can be no comparison, much less alliance between Mormonism and Christianity. This also means that salvation cannot be found in their faith. For this reason, it is imperative that we reach out to our Mormon neighbors and relatives with the truth about Jesus and salvation. If salvation were based on good works alone, one could argue that more Mormons than Christians would see the kingdom of God. This truth is to our shame. Despite our collective shortcomings, we do have the message of salvation and we need to share it with everyone.