Terminology Differences

Be aware; biblical terms may be used in this group, but having a different meaning. You may want to ask, “What do you mean by being born again?“ etc.

PRE-EXISTENCE

LDS - Believes that everyone existed as spirit children in heaven with God the father and having always existed.

Bible - Only God has always existed.

Genesis 1:1, Psalms 90:2

SONS OF GOD

LDS - We are all literal spiritual children of God. Jesus and Lucifer are spirit brothers.

Bible - We become a child of God when we are born again.

John 1:12

BORN AGAIN

LDS - Water baptism into the LDS church.

Bible - We are spiritually dead until our spiritual birth by saving faith in Jesus Christ, as our personal Lord and Savior.

Eph 2:1, 8-9; John 3; 1 Peter 1:23

ATONEMENT - SALVATION BY GRACE

LDS - believes that Christ death brought universal release from physical death only. Salvation by grace allows or resurrection from the grave. Beyond this man must earn his place in heaven.

Bible - Salvation not from physical death only, but also of our souls. All will be resurrection but salvation is not universal. Salvation is based on each individual’s beliefs, faith and trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

GOSPEL

LDS - the Mormon church system, doctrines and ordinances.

Bible - Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day according to the scriptures, as payment for all of man’s sin.

Tetelestai “ Paid in full”, which payment is applied to all that personally except him as their Savior.

1 Cor 15:1-4; 1 Cor 1:17-18; Romans 5:6,8

AUTHORITY - PRIESTHOOD

LDS - Believe that LDS have authority to baptize, ordain, etc. Having a two party system of priesthood Melchizedek and Aaronic.

Bible - Jesus Christ brought an end to the Levitical Aaronic priesthood, and is the ONLY High Priest after the order Melchizedek. This is FOREVER. Each believer is considered to be part of the royal priesthood.

🤨Don’t be fooled on this one. It is a direct attack on the person of Jesus, and the atonement of Christ. 👺You cannot undo or restore what was completed by Christ.

GODHEAD

LDS - Three totally separate gods. Jesus and God the father have physical bodies, the Holy Ghost a spirit body; Holy Spirit is an influence.

Bible - only One true God by nature.

Isaiah 44:8,Isa 45:5-6, 18,21-22; 1 John 5:7

He is a Spirit and not an exalted man.

SCRIPTURE

LDS - their standard Works accepted as scripture; the king James Bible as far as it is translated correctly (trusted only when it agrees with Mormonism). The book of Mormon, the doctrine of covenants in the pearl of great price living LDS profit held superior to everything else.

Bible - The Holy Bible is Gods perfectly preserved word. The only Holy Spirit inspired book from which God has given us to know Him, His will and His way of salvation. Preserved for the English speaking people in the King James version (

2Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

HEAVEN

LDS - divided into three kingdoms, Celestial, Terrestrial and Telestial.

Bible - for all born-again children of God. A Literal place where God dwells.

John 14:1-6; Revelation 21:9-27

Only mentions two conditions;

Everlasting punishment which is the second death, or

Eternal life with God (Matthew 25:31 ““But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.”