The Different Mormon Jesus
A Criticism of the LDS Based Solely on Theological Grounds
This is a debate largely ignored by members of the church, but often brought up by Fundamentalist Christians and Anti-Mormons
Fundamentalist and Evangelical Christians levy the charge of giving the same words a different meaning when it comes to the theology of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One of the most prevalent charges is that the Mormons worship a different Jesus than the rest of Christianity.
The argument that Mormons worship a different Jesus is used by detractors of the Mormon faith. Fundamentalists view it as a powerful argument for the falsehood of the LDS belief system, while the charge is largely ignored among by fiathful Mormons. A few apologetic sites, such as Jeff Lindsay's, address this issue, but the question of whether or not the Mormons worship a different Jesus than the rest of Christianity is not given any coverage in church publications or in the Mormon-themed magazines Sunstone or Dialog.
The Mormon Jesus – A Theological Debate
The charge that the Mormons worship a different Jesus lies on doctrinal issues, rather than the historical perception of the man because both Mormons and all other Christians believe that Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross for the benefit of all humanity.
When answering the charge of if the Mormons worship a different Jesus than the other Christian denominations, the former head of the Mormon church, Gordon B. Hinckley stated that they did, but remained firm that he and every other member of the religion he represented were Christians.
The Mormon Jesus vs. the Christian Jesus
Many of the points of Christian theology and Mormon theology are the same, as long as some of the quotes of Brigham Young about the conception of Jesus are discounted. Both Mormons and other Christians believe that Jesus was born of a virgin and that he came to save mankind from sin. The historical points of the man's life and what he did are not in contention between the two groups. Theologians point to this doctrine to show that the Mormons worship a different Jesus.
Mormons do not believe in the Trinity. The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost are believed to be separate personages. This is the area where the “Mormon Jesus” differs. The Mormons believe that Jesus is a being with his own body, raher than beliging that Jesus is God come to Earth in Human form.
The Mormon View of Jesus and Its Effect on Other Religions
The differing theological views of Jesus does not affect relations between the Mormons and other Christian groups much,if at all. The theological view of Jesus only matters when a person who leaves the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wants to be baptized into another denomination. The Roman Catholics, for example, do not recognize an LDS baptism as valid.
Resources:
“A Mormon Moment.” Kenneth L. Woodward. Newsweek. September 10, 2001.
Response on the Validity of Mormon Baptism.
