Understanding doctrine is never a task to be taken lightly. This endeavor is important both in studying Christian and non-Christian beliefs. Asking a question like, “What do Latter-day Saints believe about Jesus?” is, therefore, important. Like any other question involving beliefs, the best place to start is at the beginning.
Do Christians and Mormons Believe in the Same Jesus?
Our beliefs about Jesus absolutely must mirror Scripture.
Both Christians and Mormons believe Jesus was a historical person who lived some 2,000 years ago. Christians and Mormons agree Jesus called the original apostles, performed miracles, taught specific religious doctrines, and offered explicit ethical principles. Christians and Mormons agree Jesus was tried by government officials, was sentenced to death, died on a cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and was raised from the dead three days later. So, on the basic historical person and actions of Jesus, we agree.
However, when it comes to the doctrinal foundations of who Jesus Christ is, we strongly disagree. Having worked in Mormon studies for nearly 30 years, the statement I hear most often from well-intentioned people is “Mormons are just another denomination of Christianity.” However, when we disagree at the most fundamental levels on who Jesus is, there is more than mere denominational disagreement at stake.
This is wholly different from disagreements over the mode of baptism and church government. This is a matter of eternal life or eternal damnation. Our beliefs about Jesus absolutely must mirror Scripture.
Do Mormons Believe in the Virgin Birth?
For Latter-day Saints, Jesus, otherwise known as Jehovah, is the spirit child or offspring of a literal, physical relationship between Elohim (God the Father) and Heavenly Mother. In 1916, the first major, official statement of belief concerning Jesus was issued by the First Presidency, which consists of the top three leaders in Latter-day Saint life, each of whom is believed to be a prophet, seer, and revelator. The leaders wrote, “Jesus Christ is not the Father of the spirits who have taken or yet shall take bodies upon this earth, for He is one of them. He is The Son, as they are sons or daughters of Elohim.”
Numerous Latter-day Saint scriptural texts from The Book of Abraham, The Book of Moses, and the Doctrine & Covenants are quoted by both the 1916 leaders and by the current Latter-day Saint curriculum (Gospel Principles; Preach My Gospel) as sources of accepted revelation to ground this belief. The belief that Jesus is a created being is a massive, Copernican Revolution from historic, orthodox Christian belief.
Indeed, many of the earliest councils in Christian history condemned this very belief as both unbiblical and heretical. The famous interactions in history between Arius and Athanasius were precursors to the interactions now involving Christians and Latter-day Saints.
Do Mormons Believe in Salvation Through Christ Alone?
When the work of Christ is considered, further disagreement is found. Historic, orthodox Christianity argues the work of Christ on the cross was the only needed work to secure salvation for those who believe.
One famous, or perhaps infamous, verse in The Book of Mormon usually referenced to understand the nature of the work of Christ in Latter-day Saint belief is 2 Nephi 25:23: “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”
Though there has been disagreement, even among Latter-day Saint scholars, as to the meaning of the verse in 2 Nephi, Latter-day Saint leaders through the years have noted the verse teaches salvation as a joint venture, so to speak, between God and humans.
Strictly speaking, in Latter-day Saint belief, the death of Christ secures entrance into the afterlife for all humans. The degree of glory (telestial, terrestrial, celestial) a person enters in the afterlife depends wholly on his or her works while on Earth. Further, in The Book of Mormon, the very notion of salvation itself is equated with exaltation—the highest degree of celestial glory where one gains his sphere of existence. Therefore, one could say, based on the terminology used in The Book of Mormon, that salvation is indeed based on grace and works.
Are Mormons Christians?
Taking into account the two basic notions we have explored on the person and work of Christ in Latter-day Saint theology, it’s clear that Latter-day Saint theology and historic, orthodox Christian theology are not simply differing versions of the same reality, but completely different understandings of reality itself.
Though similar words are used, making discussions somewhat difficult, Latter-day Saints should not be considered Christian.
Though similar words are used, making discussions somewhat difficult, Latter-day Saints should not be considered Christian.
This should not make the Christian reader angry at Latter-day Saints. Indeed, the opposite is the case. Hearing Latter-day Saints profess faith in “Christ,” though their Christ is assuredly not the Jesus of the Bible, should break the heart of Christians, moving us to share the biblical gospel.
Only the proclamation of the gospel and the movement of the Holy Spirit will convert an unbelieving heart from stone to flesh. May we aim to proclaim the true Christ to all around us.
Travis Kerns is the Associational Mission Strategist at Three Rivers Baptist Association in South Carolina. He previously served as an Associate Professor of Apologetics and World Religions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before that, he served with the North American Mission Board (NAMB) as the Send City Missionary for Salt Lake City, Utah. He has a B.A. from North Greenville University and an M.Div. and Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His Ph.D. studies focus on world religions, specifically, Mormon philosophy.
