According to Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or LDS for short), Jesus is the begotten offspring of an exalted man and one of his many wives who lives on a planet circling a star named Kolob, and his “gospel” is the message of how you, too, can be exalted to godhood.
Christ’s full deity is denied by this group, and the “god” they worship is not eternal but merely an exalted man who has achieved godhood by obeying certain laws. Fundamentally, Mormonism is one of the most polytheistic religions in existence. Christianity is entirely mono-theistic, proclaiming that there is only one God, eternally existent in three Divine Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Mormonism worships a different god, follows a different christ, and proclaims a different gospel from authentic New Testament Christianity. There should be absolutely no doubt on this issue – Mormonism and Christianity are not in any way compatible.
The following are four contrasts outlined by Dr. John MacArthur:
1. The issue of authority. Christians believe the Bible is God’s authoritative, inerrant, unchanging and complete self-revelation (Jude 3). Scripture is the touchstone to which all other truth-claims must be brought (Isaiah 8:20). The sole and sufficient authority by which all controversies in spiritual matters are to be determined is none other than God’s Spirit speaking through Scripture.
By contrast, Mormons consider The Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine and Covenants as additional authoritative revelation, thereby undermining the true authority of Scripture and violating the principle of Revelation 22:18.
2. The doctrine of God. Christians believe there is one God who eternally exists in three co-equal Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Mormons reject the doctrine of the Trinity, believing that there are many worlds controlled by different gods.
3. The supremacy of Christ. Christians believe Jesus Christ is pre-existent God who became a man in His incarnation while maintaining His full deity.
Mormons claim Jesus was a “spirit child” of Mary and Elohim (and the brother of Lucifer) who has now been elevated to the level of deity.
4. The means of justification. Christians believe justification is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Mormons believe a person’s works in this life will determine his or her status in the life to come, and that “salvation” is actually a progression toward godhood.