Joshua Bennett
Mormons identify as Christians, and their church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, Catholics do not consider Mormons to be Christians because they believe that Mormons do not share the same essential Christian beliefs. Catholics believe in the Holy Trinity, which is the idea that God exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Mormons, on the other hand, believe in multiple gods and that Jesus Christ was once a mortal like us. Catholics also do not recognize Mormon baptisms as valid. Despite these differences, some Catholics admire Mormons for their emphasis on family and healthy lifestyles, and there have been efforts to encourage dialogue and understanding between the two religions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beliefs | Mormons believe in three gods, whereas Catholics believe in one God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. |
| Baptism | Catholics consider Mormon baptisms invalid as they believe the meaning of the words "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" are alien to Christian belief. |
| Jesus Christ | Mormons believe Jesus was once an "intelligence" like us who existed from eternity, whereas Catholics believe he is fully human and divine and has always been so as the second person of the Trinity. |
| Trinity | Mormons do not share the same essential Christian belief in the Trinity as Catholics. |
| Perception | Catholics are suspicious of Mormon beliefs, considering them a cult masquerading as Christian. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics and Mormons have differing views on the nature of God
The question of whether Mormons are Christians is a complex one, and opinions vary among Catholics. While some Catholics may consider Mormons to be Christians, others argue that Mormons do not hold the essential beliefs that define a Christian. At the heart of this debate is the differing view of the nature of God in Catholicism and Mormonism.
Catholics hold the belief in the Holy Trinity as a fundamental aspect of Christianity. This belief states that there is one God, who exists as three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each Person is considered equal in divinity and essence, forming a unity that is central to the Christian faith. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD solidified this doctrine, which has been a cornerstone of Christian theology ever since.
Mormons, on the other hand, have a different understanding of the Trinity. They believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are indeed distinct beings but differ in their understanding of their relationship and substance. Mormons view Jesus Christ as the "firstborn" among many intelligence beings, implying that he is not eternally divine but rather exalted by God. This belief reduces Jesus Christ from being the eternal creator of the universe to being a part of it, which contradicts the Catholic understanding of the Trinity.
Furthermore, Mormons are said to believe in multiple gods, which is a significant departure from the Catholic belief in monotheism, or one God. This belief in multiple gods is seen as a denial of the fundamental Christian doctrine of monotheism and is often cited as a reason why Mormons cannot be considered Christians.
The differing views on the nature of God between Catholics and Mormons are not just academic but have practical implications as well. For example, the Catholic Church does not recognize Mormon baptisms as valid because they believe that Mormons do not fully comprehend the meaning of the words "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." This disagreement over the nature of God and the validity of sacraments highlights the theological differences between the two faiths.
Despite these differences, some Catholics express admiration for Mormons' emphasis on family and healthy lifestyles. There is also a recognition that dialogue and mutual understanding between the two groups can be beneficial. While the theological differences between Catholicism and Mormonism are significant, especially regarding the nature of God, there is a willingness among some Catholics to engage in interfaith dialogue and build bridges between the two faiths.
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Mormons are considered by some to be on the fringe of Christianity
One of the most central beliefs of Christians, including Catholics, is that there is one God, who is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three distinct persons yet one divine nature. This belief was defined by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Mormons, however, believe that Jesus Christ was once an "intelligence" like us who existed from eternity. In other words, they believe that Jesus is just a more exalted spirit-child of God the Father, which is antithetical to true Christian belief.
Another key difference is in the concept of baptism. Catholics hold Mormon baptisms invalid because, while the baptismal formula is correct, the meaning of the words "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" is so alien to Christian belief that they essentially belong to another religion. This is because Mormons believe in other gods, which goes against the central tenet of Christianity as defined by the Nicene Creed, which begins with "I believe in one God".
Despite these differences, some Catholics have a vague admiration for Mormons for their emphasis on family and healthy lifestyles. There have also been calls for Catholics to take Mormon history and theology more seriously and to engage in more substantive dialogue with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Catholics do not recognise Mormon baptisms
Mormons consider themselves Christians, and they do worship Jesus Christ. However, the Catholic Church does not recognize Mormon baptisms. This is because the Catholic Church holds that a valid baptism is needed to be considered a Christian, and Mormons do not share the same beliefs about the nature of God and Jesus Christ.
The Catholic Church teaches that God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three distinct persons but one divine nature. This belief was defined by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which stated that the Son was "consubstantial" with the Father, meaning they share the same substance or essence. God the Son took on a second nature when he became man, so he is both God and man. This is a central tenet of Christianity, and one that Mormonism does not share.
Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was once an "intelligence" like us, who existed from eternity. He was chosen by God to become the "firstborn" among the intelligences, and given the first spirit body. This belief in a “counterfeit Christ” reduces Jesus from being the eternal creator of the universe to being merely one highly praised part of it, which is antithetical to true Christian belief.
Furthermore, Mormons believe in the existence of multiple gods, rather than the one God of Catholic belief. This fundamental difference in the belief in the Trinity has led the Catholic Church to reject Mormon baptisms as invalid. While Mormons may believe many of the same things as Catholics, these essential differences in core beliefs mean that the Catholic Church does not consider Mormons to be Christians.
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Mormons believe in the New Testament
Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was once an "intelligence" like us who existed from eternity, and that he is the “firstborn” among the intelligences, given the first spirit body. This belief is considered antithetical to true Christian belief, which holds that Jesus is fully human and fully divine, and has always been so as the second person of the Trinity, God the Son.
The Catholic Church considers Mormon baptisms invalid because, although the baptismal formula is correct, the meaning of the words "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" is alien to Christian belief. Catholics believe in the Trinity, that there is one God in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Mormons, on the other hand, believe in multiple gods, which is a fundamental difference in belief.
While Mormons may consider themselves Christians, Catholics would argue that they lack the essential beliefs that define a Christian, such as the belief in the Trinity and other aspects of the Christian faith like salvation, eternal life, Original Sin, Heaven, and revelation.
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Catholics are suspicious of Mormonism as a belief system
Catholics and Mormons have differing views on several key theological issues, leading to suspicion and mistrust between the two groups. Mormons, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, consider themselves Christians, but many Catholics disagree. The Catholic Church holds that Mormon baptisms are invalid because, while the baptismal formula is correct, the meaning of the words "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" is interpreted differently.
Catholics and Mormons have differing beliefs about the nature of God. Catholics believe in the Trinity, which holds that God is composed of three distinct Persons (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) but is of one divine Nature. In contrast, Mormons believe in three distinct gods, which is antithetical to Catholic doctrine. This difference in belief about the nature of God is a significant point of contention between the two groups and is seen by Catholics as evidence that Mormonism is a separate religion from Christianity.
In addition to differences in belief about the nature of God, Catholics and Mormons also disagree on other essential aspects of Christian faith, including salvation, eternal life, Original Sin, Heaven, and revelation. These differences have led Catholics to view Mormonism with suspicion, as an "odd belief system" that is masquerading as Christian. Some Catholics even go so far as to consider Mormonism a secretive cult.
Despite these differences, there are some areas of agreement and overlap between Catholic and Mormon beliefs. For example, Mormons accept Jesus Christ as their savior and believe in the New Testament. Additionally, Catholics may admire Mormons for their emphasis on family and healthy lifestyles. However, the theological differences, particularly regarding the nature of God, remain a significant barrier to full acceptance of Mormonism as a Christian faith by Catholics.
Overall, while Mormons self-identify as Christians, Catholics remain suspicious of Mormonism as a belief system due to significant differences in core theological doctrines. These differences have led to a lack of formal dialogue and engagement between the Catholic Church and Mormon leaders, contributing to a continued sense of mistrust and suspicion between the two groups.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics do not consider Mormons to be Christians because they reject the Mormon doctrine on the Trinity, as well as a number of other essential beliefs regarding salvation, eternal life, Original Sin, Heaven, revelation, etc. Mormons believe in three gods instead of one, and that Jesus Christ was once an "intelligence" such as us who existed from eternity. However, Catholics do not reject anything in their religion that is true and acknowledge that Mormons can be good people.
Catholics hold Mormon baptisms invalid because, even though the baptismal formula they use is correct, the meaning of the words "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" are so alien to Christian belief that they essentially belong to another religion.
Mormons clearly identify themselves as Christians. They worship the same Jesus as Catholics and their church is "the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".
