CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS (MORMON)
The LDS Church is NOT CHRISTIAN and should be avoided because:
- Denies the Trinity (teaches three separate gods)
- Teaches that God was once a man ("As man is, God once was")
- Teaches humans can become gods
- Adds to Scripture (Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price)
- Different Jesus (spirit brother of Lucifer, achieved godhood)
- Works-based salvation through temple ordinances
Per "How to Find a Courageous Church": Mormons are "not Christian but are pretending to be Christian" with "a different Jesus and a different gospel, and they need to be avoided."
DENOMINATION BACKGROUND
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 in New York. Smith claimed to have received golden plates from the angel Moroni, which he translated into the Book of Mormon.
After Smith's death in 1844, the majority followed Brigham Young to Utah, establishing Salt Lake City as headquarters. The church has grown to approximately 17 million members worldwide.
Despite using Christian terminology, LDS theology differs fundamentally from historic Christianity on the nature of God, Christ, salvation, and Scripture.
The LDS church has made various changes over time:
- 1890: Officially ended plural marriage (polygamy)
- 1978: Extended priesthood to Black members
- 2010s-2020s: Attempted to rebrand as mainstream Christian
- Recent years: Softened some rhetoric but core theology unchanged
Despite PR efforts to appear mainstream Christian, fundamental doctrines remain:
- God was once a man who became God
- Humans can become gods
- Jesus and Lucifer are spirit brothers
- Salvation requires temple ordinances and works
- Joseph Smith (1805-1844): Founder, claimed prophet
- Brigham Young (1801-1877): Second president, led migration to Utah
- Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008): President who expanded global presence
- Russell M. Nelson: Current President (since 2018)
Major LDS locations (NOT CHRISTIAN - to be avoided):
- Salt Lake Temple (Salt Lake City, UT) - Headquarters
- Conference Center (Salt Lake City, UT) - General Conference venue
- LDS temples worldwide - Sites of secret ordinances
These are NOT Christian churches despite using Christian terminology.
