Mormonism

Mormonism

Nature of God

Evangelical Christianity - 
One eternal God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; Deuteronomy 6:4

Mormonism (LDS) - 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate beings united in purpose. 
Doctrine & Covenants 130:22; Articles of Faith 1

Was Jesus eternally God?

Evangelical Christianity - 
Yes. Jesus has always existed as God.
John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17

Mormonism (LDS)  - 
Yes, but as a distinct personage and spirit child of the Father. 
Doctrine & Covenants 93:21-23; Moses 4:1-2

Relationship of Jesus and Lucifer

Evangelical Christianity -
Jesus is the Creator; Lucifer is a created angel. 
Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:5-8

Mormonism (LDS) - 
Jesus and Lucifer are both spirit sons of God, though Jesus is preeminent and divine. 
Moses 4:1-4; Abraham 3:22-28

God's Physical Nature

Evangelical Christianity - 
God is spirit and not limited by a physical body. 
John 4:24; Luke 24:39

Mormonism (LDS) - 
The Father has a glorified body of flesh and bones. 
Doctrine & Covenants 130:22

Can humans become gods?

Evangelical Christianity - 
Believers are glorified but never become gods. 
Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:6-8

Mormonism (LDS) - 
Faithful individuals may inherit exaltation and become like God. 
Doctrine & Covenants 132:19-20; Lorenzo Snow teaching (not canonized)

The Trinity / Godhead

Evangelical Christianity - 
One Being in three Persons. 
Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14

Mormonism (LDS) - 
Three separate divine beings constituting the Godhead. 
3 Nephi 11:27; Doctrine & Covenants 130:22

Authority of Scripture

Evangelical Christianity - 
Bible alone is the final written authority (Sola Scriptura). 
2 Timothy 3:16-17

Mormonism (LDS) - 
Bible plus Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and living prophets. 
Articles of Faith 8; Doctrine & Covenants 1:38

Salvation

Evangelical Christianity -
By grace through faith alone; good works follow salvation. 
Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28

Mormonism (LDS) - 
Salvation comes through Christ's grace, faith, ordinances, covenant obedience, and enduring faithfully. 
2 Nephi 25:23; Articles of Faith 3

Baptism

Evangelical Christianity -
An act of obedience after salvation. 
Acts 16:30-31; Ephesians 2:8-9

Mormonism (LDS) - 
Essential saving ordinance performed by proper priesthood authority. 
John 3:5 (LDS interpretation); Doctrine & Covenants 20:72-74

Priesthood Authority

Evangelical Christianity - 
Every believer has direct access to God; no exclusive earthly priesthood required. 
1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 7

Mormonism (LDS) - 
Valid ordinances require restored Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood authority. 
Doctrine & Covenants 13; Doctrine & Covenants 107

Life Before Birth

Evangelical Christianity - 
Human souls are created by God; no premortal existence. 
Psalm 139:13-16; Zechariah 12:1

Mormonism (LDS) - 
All humans existed as spirit children before earthly life. 
Abraham 3:22-28; Jeremiah 1:5 (LDS interpretation)

Heaven and Hell

Evangelical Christianity - 
Eternal heaven or eternal separation from God. 
Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:11-15

Mormonism (LDS) - 
Multiple degrees of glory: Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial kingdoms. 
Doctrine & Covenants 76

Additional Revelation

Evangelical Christianity - 
Public revelation ceased with the apostolic era; Scripture is complete. 
Jude 3; Hebrews 1:1-2

Mormonism (LDS) - 
God continues to reveal doctrine through living prophets. 
Doctrine & Covenants 1:30; Doctrine & Covenants 68:4

The Fall of Adam

Evangelical Christianity - 
A tragic event that brought sin and death into the world. 
Romans 5:12; Genesis 3

Mormonism (LDS) - 
A necessary step in God's plan that enabled human progression. 
2 Nephi 2:22-25

The Church

Evangelical Christianity - 
Christ's church continued from the apostles onward despite corruption. 
Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:21

Mormonism (LDS) - 
A Great Apostasy occurred, requiring restoration through Joseph Smith. 
Joseph Smith—History 1:19; Doctrine & Covenants 1:30

Marriage in Eternity

Evangelical Christianity - 
Marriage is for earthly life; believers are united with Christ in eternity. 
Matthew 22:30

Mormonism (LDS) - 
Temple sealings can continue marriage relationships eternally. 
Doctrine & Covenants 132:19

Joseph Smith

Evangelical Christianity - 
Not recognized as a prophet. 
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (often cited by critics/supporters differently)

Mormonism (LDS) - 
Prophet chosen to restore Christ's church. 
Doctrine & Covenants 135:3; Joseph Smith—History 1:68-72

History  - Joseph Smith was a well known liar and philanderer who practiced the Occult and was a member of the Free Masons (both directly contradict the Bible and the doctrine professed by the LDS doctrine).

If historic Christianity's understanding of God, Jesus, and salvation were shown to be correct, then allegiance would logically shift from a restored gospel to the original apostolic gospel.