Unexpected visit with LDS missionaries.

In the video to the right, my ring doorbell captured this discussion between a couple of LDS missionaries and I. I was not prepared for this conversation so I decided to make this post to provide a slighty clearer response.

You can view my testimony here.

The primary differences between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and other Christian denominations revolve around theology, scripture, and organizational structure. Here are some key distinctions:

1. Scripture: While both the LDS Church and other Christian denominations accept the Bible as scripture, the LDS Church also considers the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price as scripture, which are not recognized by other Christian churches.
2. The Nature of God: LDS theology teaches that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three separate and distinct beings, whereas many other Christian denominations adhere to the doctrine of the Trinity, which teaches that God exists as three persons in one essence.
3. The Nature of Humanity: LDS theology teaches that humans are literal children of God and have the potential to become like Him, whereas some other Christian denominations hold that humans are created beings distinct from God.
4. Authority and Organization: The LDS Church believes in a hierarchical structure with modern prophets and apostles who receive revelation from God, whereas many other Christian denominations rely solely on the authority of the Bible and do not recognize ongoing revelation or a centralized leadership structure.
5. Salvation and Atonement: While both the LDS Church and other Christian denominations believe in the atonement of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, the LDS Church also teaches the concept of exaltation, which includes the potential for eternal progression and becoming like God.
6. Ordinances and Sacraments: The LDS Church practices unique ordinances such as baptism for the dead and eternal marriage, which are not found in most other Christian denominations.

It’s important to note that within both the LDS Church and other Christian denominations, there is diversity of belief and practice, and individual perspectives may vary.

There are several elements of LDS faith that many Christians from other denominations might disagree with. Here are a few:

1. The Nature of God: The LDS belief in the nature of God as consisting of three separate beings—God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit—differs from the Trinitarian doctrine held by many other Christian denominations, which teaches that God exists as three persons in one essence.
2. Additional Scriptures: The LDS Church accepts additional scriptures such as the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, alongside the Bible. Many Christians from other denominations may not recognize these texts as scripture or may consider them to be of lesser authority.
3. Authority and Revelation: The LDS Church believes in ongoing revelation through modern prophets and apostles, as well as the authority of priesthood keys restored through Joseph Smith. Many Christians from other denominations do not believe in ongoing revelation or may question the validity of Joseph Smith’s prophetic claims.
4. The Plan of Salvation: The LDS understanding of the plan of salvation includes unique concepts such as pre-mortal existence, eternal progression, and the potential for humans to become like God. These ideas may diverge from the beliefs of many Christians from other denominations regarding the nature of salvation and the afterlife.
5. Temple Ordinances: The LDS Church practices ordinances such as baptism for the dead, eternal marriage, and temple endowments, which are not found in most other Christian denominations. Some Christians may view these practices as diverging from biblical teachings or as unnecessary for salvation.

It’s essential to recognize that while there are theological differences between the LDS Church and other Christian denominations, there is also common ground in their belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior and in many core Christian principles.

The facts above are sourced from chat-gpt. I am open to more in depth discussion in the comments below or directly. Feel free to email me ta jarrod.andrews.sc@gmail.com