LDS vs Christian
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), or Mormonism, is a form of Christianity which is distinct from traditional Christianity as it formed a new religious tradition. It started in the 1820s with similarities to Protestant Christianity but departed from traditional Christian teachings in the 1830s and 1840s.
Its founder, Joseph Smith, claimed that Christian churches have left and changed doctrinal truths and that Mormonism can restore these truths. He rejected the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and taught that man has the potential to become gods.
Although they share the other Christian denominations’ views on the atonement and resurrection of Jesus, and accept the Bible as Scripture, they have additional scriptures in the “Book of Mormon.” They also practice baptism and celebrate the Eucharist like other Christian churches.
Joseph Smith believed that the Bible has been corrupted and lost some books which are omitted by the Catholic Church and made a revised version of the Bible. He then gave the “Book of Mormon” equal status to that of the Bible. His teachings include three glorious heavens with a place for sinners, baptism for the dead, and polygamy although the latter has been renounced by the church but is retained by Mormon fundamentalists. He taught that God the Father and Jesus were separate beings with physical bodies.
He taught that Adam was God the Father and physically fathered Jesus, and that Jesus is a subordinate of the Father rather than His equal. Mormons believe that God the Father, like Jesus, was born once as a spirit and then again as man. He died and was resurrected and achieved godhood together with a wife called the Holy Mother who gave birth to spirits with Jesus as the firstborn of these spirits. Unlike traditional Christian churches who believe that God is omnipotent and omniscient, Mormons believe that God is governed by natural law.
Other Christian churches do not recognize LDS baptism, second anointing, additional scriptures, and Joseph Smith and Mormon leaders as prophets. Some regard Mormonism or LDS as a cult rather than a Christian church.
Summary:
1.A Christian is a person who believes in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and follows His teachings while the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or LDS, is a form of Christianity which is different from other Christian churches.
2.A Christian believes that God is omnipotent and omniscient while the LDS teach that God is governed by natural law just like man.
3.The LDS regard its founder Joseph Smith and other church leaders as prophets while other Christian churches do not.
4.Both the Christian and LDS churches accept the Bible as the Scriptures, but the LDS have additional scriptures in the “Book of Mormon.”
5.A Christian practices monogamy while early Mormons practiced polygamy with a branch of Mormonism still practicing it today.
6.LDS believe that God the Father was also human with a wife who gave birth to spirits when they attained godhood after dying and resurrecting while Christians believe that God is divine and not human and does not have a wife.