Mormonism is not a branch of biblical Christianity, it is a separate religion with a different God, a different Jesus and a different gospel. That makes them a cult.

OK, let's start with the obvious. Most Mormons are loving, caring and compassionate people, and we all saw evidence of that with the recent fundraiser by Mormons for the family of the shooter who killed Mormons in Michigan. That's an amazing thing, no doubt. But the world is filled with loving, caring and compassionate lost people who do good, that has nothing to do with salvation.

Salvation is found only in the Jesus of the Bible and delivered to us through Paul's gospel. So anything else is an unbiblical addition that should have no consideration at all. Paul wrote;

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:4 (KJB)

Mormonism is the literal definition and fulfillment of a last days deception that comes cloaked in biblesque language, attempting to pass itself off as the real thing. But in today's lesson, we leave all the emotion and feelings out of our discussion of this topic, focusing only on the facts as they stand. All the attentions brought about by the death of Charlie Kirk has ignited a firestorm of debate on Mormons and the 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints', and that a great opportunity to get the truth out to those who can receive it.

Mormons may be religious and sincere, and they may use Christian terminology. But they worship a different God, believe in a different Jesus, and teach a different gospel.

That makes Mormonism a separate religion, not a branch of biblical Christianity — much like Islam or Jehovah’s Witnesses, which also reference Jesus but redefine Him. By definition, Mormonism is a cult, plain and simple. Here are 7 reasons why that is true.

1. Authority of Scripture

Mormonism:

• Teaches that the Bible is the Word of God only “as far as it is translated correctly” (Article of Faith #8).
• They consider these ‘extra-biblical scriptures’ as authoritative: The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price.
• Believes in continuing revelation through modern prophets (beginning with Joseph Smith), meaning that new revelations can expand or clarify doctrine.

The Bible:

• Declares itself complete and sufficient for faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16–17, Revelation 22:18–19).
• Teaches that no further revelation is needed beyond what God has already given.
• Does not support the idea of new scriptures being added or doctrines changing over time.

2. View of God

Mormonism:

• Teaches that God the Father (Elohim) has a physical body and was once a man who became exalted to godhood.
• Asserts that faithful humans can also become gods in the afterlife (“As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be”).
• Holds that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate beings united in purpose.

The Bible:

• Teaches that God is eternal, uncreated, and spirit (John 4:24, Psalm 90:2).
• States there is only one God in three Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — coequal and coeternal (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19).
• Strongly denies that humans can ever become gods (Isaiah 43:10).

3. Jesus Christ

Mormonism:

• Affirms Jesus as the Son of God and Savior, but teaches He is the literal spirit-child of God the Father and a heavenly mother.
• Claims Jesus and Lucifer are spirit brothers, both created by God.
• Teaches that His atonement began in Gethsemane and was completed on the cross.
• Believes His resurrection ensures all people will rise from the dead.

The Bible:

• Teaches Jesus is God in the flesh, eternally existent, not a created being (John 1:1–3, 14; Colossians 1:15–17).
• Declares that Jesus’ atonement occurred entirely on the cross (John 19:30, 1 Peter 2:24).
• Teaches that salvation through Him is by grace through faith alone, not works (Ephesians 2:8–9).

4. Salvation

Mormonism:

• Teaches a combination of grace and works: “We are saved by grace after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23).
• Requires faith in Christ, baptism, confirmation, temple ordinances, and obedience to LDS commandments.
• Distinguishes between “general salvation” (resurrection) and “exaltation” (becoming a god and living in the highest heaven).

The Bible:

• Teaches salvation is a free gift of grace through faith alone, apart from works (Romans 3:28, Titus 3:5).
• Good works are the result of salvation, not the cause (Ephesians 2:10).
• Rejects the idea of exaltation or multiple heavens; the saved are with God forever, the lost are eternally separated (John 3:16–18).

5. Heaven and the Afterlife

Mormonism:

• Describes three levels of heaven: Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial kingdoms.
• The highest (Celestial) kingdom is for faithful Mormons who receive temple ordinances.
• The wicked go to “outer darkness,” but most people enter one of the three degrees of glory.

The Bible:

• Teaches two eternal destinies: Heaven with God for the redeemed (Revelation 21:3–4) and Hell for those who reject Him (Matthew 25:46).
• No second chance or intermediate degrees of glory are mentioned.

6. Prophets and Revelation

Mormonism:

• Believes in a living prophet who receives continuing revelation from God for the church.
• Holds that these revelations can clarify or even supersede earlier doctrine.

The Bible:

• Declares that God’s revelation through His prophets and apostles is complete in Scripture (Hebrews 1:1–2).
• Warns against false prophets and new revelations that contradict the gospel (Galatians 1:8–9).

7. Temples and Ordinances

Mormonism:

• Builds temples for performing ordinances such as eternal marriage, baptism for the dead, and sealing families together forever.
• Believes temple ceremonies are necessary for exaltation.

The Bible:

• Teaches that the temple is no longer a physical building but the body of believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 2:19–22).
• Denies the practice of baptism for the dead (Hebrews 9:27).
• Affirms that marriage does not continue in heaven (Matthew 22:30).