Joseph Smith thought himself to be the prophet who would restore the true teachings that had been corrupted by 1800 years of Christianity. Mormons believe that Joseph Smith, and the "scribe" Oliver Cowdery, received the Aaronic priesthood from John the Baptist on May 15, 1829, and a short time later received the Melchizedek priesthood from Peter, James, and John. The priesthood is passed on through the church. Brigham Young became the second president and infallible prophet of the Mormon church following Smith's death, thus beginning the doctrine of president-prophet succession.

Besides the Bible (so long as it is interpreted correctly), the Mormons consider the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price to be scripture. "In addition to these four books of scripture, the inspired words of our living prophets become scripture to us (Gospel Principles, pages 49, 51-52, 1978)." In the words of Brigham Young: "I say to the whole world, receive the truth no matter who presents it to you. Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 16, p. 46, 1873). This we will do. What follows is a comparison of the teachings of Mormonism with those of historic Christianity.

AUTHORITY OF THE MORMON PROPHET

Three of the `Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet':

First: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

Fourth: The Prophet will never lead the Church astray.

Sixth: The Prophet does not have to say "Thus Saith the Lord," to give us scripture.

"I am here to give this people, called Latter-day Saints, counsel to direct them in the path of life ... I have never given counsel that is wrong. (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 16, p. 161, 1873)"

GOD

LDS: Mormons are polytheists. "In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it" (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 5, 1844).

Man will become God. "(A)nd you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you" (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 4, 1844).

BIBLE: There is only one God. "I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God" (Isaiah 44:6). Man will not become God. "Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me" (Isaiah 43:10).

GOD THE FATHER

LDS: God the Father has a body of flesh and bones. "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's" (Doctrine and Covenants, 130:22).

God is an exalted man. "God himself was once as we are ourselves, and is an exalted Man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens" (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 3, 1844).

Brigham Young taught that Adam was our God and Father, and the Archangel Michael. "When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives with him. He helped to make and organize the world. He is MICHAEL, the Archangel, the ANCIENT of DAYS! .... He is our FATHER, and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourse, Vol. 1, p. 50, April 9, 1852).

BIBLE: God is not a man, but spirit. "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).

JESUS CHRIST

LDS: Jesus is the spirit-brother of Lucifer. Lucifer rebelled when Jesus' plan for the salvation of mankind was chosen over his plan. (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 8, 1844)

Jesus was born as result of sexual relations between God the Father and Mary. "The birth of the Savior was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood -- was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8, p. 115, 1860).

Jesus was not begotten by the Holy Spirit. "Now remember from this time forth, and for ever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost" (Brigham Young, Millennial Star, Vol. 15, p. 770, 1853).

BIBLE: Jesus is the eternal God, and does not have a spirit-brother. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" (Revelation 22:12).

The Bible teaches the virgin birth. Mary "was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit ... The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son" (Matthew 1:18, 22).

THE TRINITY

LDS: Mormons deny the Trinity. "Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God! I say that is a strange God anyhow -- three in one, and one in three! ... All are to be crammed into one God ... He would be a giant or a monster" (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 476, 1844).

BIBLE: God is one. "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4).

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are God. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).

SALVATION

LDS: Entry into God's kingdom requires an OK from Joseph Smith. "Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation ... namely that no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith ... every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourse, Vol. 7, p. 289, 1869).

Salvation requires works. "Baptism is just as essential to salvation, as Faith and Repentance. -- Without being immersed in water no man can enter the fullness of Celestial glory" (Orson Pratt, The Seer, p. 255, 1854).

BIBLE: Salvation is by grace, through faith, and not by works. Joseph Smith is not mentioned. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).