Lorenzo Snow was the fifth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). He now infamously quoted the following, which is an important tenet of Mormon theology: “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” This is referring to the LDS belief that God the Father (Elohim) was once a common mortal man from a distant world but later ascended to godhood, and that faithful Mormons can achieve this blessing, too. From the Christian perspective, this, of course, is not compatible with our beliefs. It is not something that we as Christians accept or identify with.
We understand that we have been made a little lower than the angels. We are crafted and shaped in God’s image as His children, but there is no indication in the Bible that we are called to divinity in this life or the next. This was the mistake that Adam and Eve made in the Garden of Eden that led to the fall of humanity: the desire to ascend to godhood. Genesis 3:4-5, “You will certainly not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
THE AMERICAN JESUS
Another curious aspect of Mormon beliefs takes us to the Book of Mormon. In the Book of 3 Nephi, Chapter 11, we see one of the most unique aspects of Mormon doctrine come to life. It presents the story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion in Roman-administered Palestine. After His death on Golgotha, Jesus travels to the Americas and presents himself before the Nephites. They see Him and bow down and worship Him. He then presents himself as the son of God and gives a sermon similar to the Sermon on the Mount in the Bible. The people worship him as Hosanna, and He instructs them to be baptised; He also allows them to touch His crucifixion wounds. Mormons view this as a key element of their beliefs, a fulfilment of prophecy and a real historical event that indeed happened.
This claim is a complete departure from traditional Christian beliefs, and our guideline on the life of Jesus – the Bible – makes no mention of a transatlantic visitation in the Americas. Like the belief that ordinary men can become gods if faithful enough, this claim lacks solid doctrine, and while special to many Mormons, there is no supporting evidence in the Bible.
WORKS-BASED REDEMPTION
Most Christians understand that eternal life is attained through salvation and accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.
Mormonism has a more works-based theology; this is due to their belief that heaven is crafted on different levels. The Celestial Kingdom is the highest form of afterlife in Mormon doctrine. Mormons believe that the most righteous and faithful believers will get their place in the Celestial Kingdom and will be able to eventually ascend to godhood. Many Latter-day Saints believe that there, they can establish their own universes and worlds like Earth and have “spirit children” with their spouse, and in some interpretations of Mormon scripture, potentially other wives. However, these aspects are debated within Mormonism.
This Celestial Kingdom and godhood narrative is the same path that Mormonism teaches that God (Elohim) took, and Mormons and all humans are His spirit children alongside the heavenly mother. This, of course, is another area in which LDS theology is fundamentally different from Biblical teaching.
The next aspect of the Mormon afterlife is the Terrestrial Kingdom. This is the second tier to the heavenly afterlife and is the place where people who lived good lives and were faithful to Mormonism, but not exceptionally so, end up after death.
Then comes the Telestial Kingdom, which is a place for people who knew of Mormon beliefs and the wicked that failed to accept Christ while alive. It is not the same as hell and is still a form of “glory”, though it is a lesser form of glory compared to the other levels.
Finally, there is Outer Darkness, which is reserved for Satan and the sons of perdition, fallen angels, and exceptionally wicked humans.
All the aforementioned beliefs are incompatible and theologically foreign to Christian beliefs. Hebrews 9:27 states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.”
CONCLUSION
Many Mormons are good, kind people who are committed to their faith, their community, and temples. It is important to note that many of them have not experienced a non-Mormon analysis of their faith. Despite this, we must continue to pray for them.
Young adults, sometimes fresh out of high school, travel thousands of miles from their homes in the US or other countries to serve their missions. We should show them love. Often, they are out in the pelting sun on a mission to share their message; offer them a cool drink, and if you have time to listen, perhaps challenge their thinking after they have shared.
Continue to pray for Mormons who may be struggling with their beliefs, that they will find closure and eventually the truth.
I will end on this note: John 3:17 states, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Please Note:
This article is not meant to attack, demonise, or hurt any particular group of people. ALL people are God’s people, and no one deserves hatred or attacks for their beliefs. This article is simply a comparison and critique of the beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and mainstream Christian doctrine — Ifeoluwa Alonge.
Ifeoluwa Alonge is 16 years old and has been avidly writing since age 11.