User:74s181/Sandbox/Mormonism and Christianity (doctrine)

In the spring of 1820, a fourteen year old boy named Joseph Smith, Jr. announced that he had seen a vision of God and Jesus Christ. During this vision he was instructed to join none of the existing Christian churches because "all their creeds were an abomination" in the sight of God. Not surprisingly, Joseph's claim was rejected by ministers of traditional Christian churches in his community and thus began the first conflicts between traditional Christianity and what would come to be known as Mormonism.

Key doctrinal differences between Mormonism and traditional Christianity

There are almost as many doctrinal differences between the different branches of Mormonism as there are between the different sects of Christianity. Since most of the controversial doctrines believed by any branch of Mormonism originated in statements made by Joseph Smith, most of these differences are concerned with disagreement on whether or not Joseph Smith actually made certain statements, as well as how those statements have been interpreted by his successors. There are, however, a few key doctrines that are shared by most if not all branches of Mormonism that are univerally offensive to most sects of Christianity.

The Trinity

Begining with the First Vision doctrine of God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ as two separate beings, Smith published many radical doctrinal assertions concerning the nature of God and His relationship to man.

The doctrine of the Godhead as taught by Mormonism is significantly different from that of traditional Christianity. This is especially true of the Latter-day Saints, who do not accept the Nicene definition of the Trinity. Although it is not always evident in the day-to-day life of a Christian church, traditional Christianity has been historically typified by a fervent and relentless commitment to developing and distinguishing the doctrine of the Trinity from among its rivals; because, all doctrines of traditional Christianity are systematically related to the doctrine of God like water from a fountain. The traditional Christian view of how Mormonism departs from the "apostolic faith" always ultimately centers upon the doctrine of the Trinity.

While nearly all branches of Mormonism accept the First Vision view of God the Father and Jesus Christ as separate, physical beings, the Community of Christ has recently moved towards a more Nicene trinitarian perspective.

The Book of Mormon

In 1827, Joseph Smith claimed to have received an ancient history recorded on golden plates from an angel named Moroni. He proceeded to translate this history and in 1830 published his work as a new volume of scripture called The Book of Mormon.

This Book of Mormon purported to introduce a parallel history of Christianity on the American continent, including a description of civilizations and appearances by Jesus not mentioned in the Bible. The book was seen by some as a competitor to the Bible, although Latter Day Saints themselves saw it as a companion and complement to the Bible—which, according to Joseph Smith, had been altered and mistranslated from its original form as the word of God. (See Articles of Faith No. 7.)

The publishing of the Book of Mormon prompted some organized Protestant denominations to attempt to discount Smith's credibility, in some cases citing his supposed skills with divination. These attacks continue in various forms today.

Mormonism claim of exclusive authority

Mormonism claimed from the day the church was formally organized on April 6, 1830 to have sole earthly authority to administer a church with the ordinances (sacraments) of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At no time did Mormonism accept either the authority or the sacraments of other churches. LDS missionaries carried as a central portion of their message, explicitly or implicitly, that holders of the priesthood in the LDS Church alone are authorized by Jesus Christ to baptize, and that other clergy (Christian or otherwise) are not. Likewise, the LDS Church claimed (and most Mormon sects still claim) that it alone was authorized as the Church of Jesus Christ. While the LDS Church participates in interfaith activities where possible, the matter of Christian ecumenism is an uncompromisible position in Mormonism, even among its various sects. This contrasts with the practices of some Protestant denominations which accept each other's sacraments.

A byproduct of Mormonism's claim of exclusive authority is a zeal for missionary work. While most traditional Christian churches refrain from proselyting each other's members (need reference to ecumenical agreement on this), Mormonism sees traditional Christians as equally needful of teaching and conversion as non-Christians.

Because Mormonism from its beginning rejected the validity of traditional Christian churches, including all their sacraments, history, creeds, and debates, various Christian churches and movements have adopted stances regarding Mormonism as a heretical or apostate form of Christianity, a departure from the Christian faith, or more pejoratively, a cult.

While nearly all branches of Mormonism consider themselves to be the only true church authorized by Jesus Christ, the Community of Christ has recently moved towards a more ecumenical view.

Modern-day prophets and revelation

Although not frequently recognized by traditional Christians as such, Mormonism's belief in modern day prophets and continuing revelation represent what may be the most fundamental difference between Mormonism and traditional Christianity. Mormonism accepts Joseph Smith and his legitimate successors (which successors are legitimate is the major issue separating the different groups within Mormonism) as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators, equal to the prophets of the Bible such as Moses, Isiaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Peter and John.

A closer look at any of the doctrines that traditional Christianity finds objectional reveals that all such doctrines are claimed to be revelations from God, given through Joseph Smith. Mormonism asserts that Smith was a true prophet, therefore, the doctrines he taught are true. Traditional Christians respond that Smith's doctrines are false, and therefore, he was not a prophet.

According to Mormonism, the solution to this quandary is that each person can gain a testimony (need an article on personal revelation / testimony) of the validity of a prophet or of any particular doctrine thru personal revelation. Traditional Christianity responds to this challenge by warning that individuals cannot trust their own feelings on these matters, they need to depend upon the teachings of experts or professional theologians. (ok, this is very POV, but I have seen this written in anti-LDS literature, if I can find a quote it should stand)

Other objections to Mormonism by traditional Christians

There are many other doctrines and practices shared by some but not all branches of Mormonism that are also offensive to most sects of Christianity. (Short paragraphs, to the point, one doctrine per paragraph with a link to a more detailed article if one exists.)