Michael Brooks
Mormonism and Catholicism are two distinct religions with differing beliefs and practices. While the former is tied to the United States, the latter is a global religion with a significant presence in countries like the Philippines and Mexico. Mormonism, founded by Joseph Smith in 1830, holds unique views on the afterlife, baptism, and the nature of God, which sets it apart from Catholicism. The two faiths also differ in their understanding of authority, with Mormons believing in a break in apostolic authority after the death of the Apostles, while Catholics assert its continuity through the bishop of Rome, the Pope. Despite these differences, relations between the two groups have improved, and some similarities exist, such as their shared emphasis on family values and opposition to practices like abortion and gay marriage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Relationship between Catholics and Mormons | Tense historically, but improving |
| Mormon view of Catholics | Believe Catholics have committed apostasy |
| Catholic view of Mormons | The Catholic Church has declared Mormonism to be "non-Christian" |
| Catholic view of Mormon baptism | Invalid |
| Mormon view of baptism | Mormons believe in baptism by complete immersion |
| Catholic view of afterlife | Souls go to Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory |
| Mormon view of afterlife | More multi-layered than the Catholic view |
| Mormon view of sin | Denial of original sin |
| Mormon view of marriage | Celestial marriage, which "seals" husband, wife, and children together through eternity |
| Mormon view of polygamy | Was permissible and good, but this position was dropped when Congress threatened to deny statehood to Utah |
| Mormon view of authority | Mormons emphasise the authority of an institutional church |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics and Mormons have differing views on the afterlife
- Catholics believe apostolic authority has never been lost, whereas Mormons believe it was lost after the death of the first Apostles
- Mormons believe in the premortal existence of spirits, while Catholics believe in original sin
- Mormons believe in celestial marriage, which seals spouses and children together through eternity
- Catholics believe in the necessity of baptism, while Mormons believe non-Mormons can accept their doctrine after death
Catholics and Mormons have differing views on the afterlife
Catholics and Mormons have vastly differing views on the afterlife. Mormonism holds a much more layered view of the afterlife than Catholicism. Mormonism teaches that all mankind will have the opportunity to partake of the redeeming act of Christ, regardless of whether they were fortunate enough to be born Mormon or to be converted by Mormon missionaries during their lifetime. According to Mormonism, if a person was unable to be exposed to Mormon doctrines during their life, they will be given the opportunity to accept them after death and still be admitted into a degree of glory in the afterlife.
Catholicism, on the other hand, teaches that a soul goes either to Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory. From Purgatory, a soul can move closer to Heaven through masses for the dead performed on Earth and various other acts of the living. Catholicism also teaches that unbaptized infants or children will go to Hell because they were born with original sin. In contrast, Mormonism teaches that all children who die before the age of accountability are free of sin and are received into the highest level of glory in the afterlife.
Mormonism teaches that the afterlife consists of a complex set of destinations for spirits, including a Celestial Kingdom for the faithful and a spirit prison for sinners. The Celestial Kingdom is a three-tiered heaven: the highest heaven is for those believers sealed by celestial marriage; the second is for those who lived honourably but not heroically in their testimony of Christ; and the third is for unrepentant sinners. However, even sinners in the spirit prison and the lower levels of heaven may advance through accepting Mormon baptism, and missionary work continues among those in spirit prison, which is why Mormons famously baptize the dead by proxy.
The differences in beliefs about the afterlife between Catholics and Mormons are rooted in their differing understandings of the nature of sin and salvation. Catholicism teaches that original sin requires Christ's redemption, while Mormonism teaches that the Fall of humanity in Eden was a positive event because it made mortal life possible. Catholicism also teaches that salvation is achieved through Christ's death and resurrection, with baptism being essential for salvation. In contrast, Mormonism teaches that salvation is achieved through becoming "perfectly sanctified" and thereby literally becoming gods or achieving a state known as exaltation.
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Catholics believe apostolic authority has never been lost, whereas Mormons believe it was lost after the death of the first Apostles
Catholics and Mormons have differing beliefs about apostolic authority. Catholics believe that apostolic authority has been passed down through the centuries and continues today in the bishops of the Church. They believe that the authority was given to the Apostles by Jesus Christ and that it has been passed down through the generations. The Catholic Church believes that apostolic succession is one of four elements that define the true Church of Jesus Christ, and legitimize the ministry of its clergy. The bishops in union with the Pope are considered the true successors of the apostles and possess apostolic authority.
The Catholic Church believes that Simon Peter, traditionally called the "Prince of the Apostles" and the "Chief of the Apostles", founded the See of Rome, the head see of the Catholic Church. Peter is also believed to have founded the See of Antioch, but the See of Rome claims the full authority of Peter as he died as the Bishop of Rome. This is known as the primacy of Peter. Catholics believe that Peter was given greater authority by Jesus, which he passed down to each subsequent bishop of Rome (the Pope).
On the other hand, Mormons believe that apostolic authority was lost after the death of the first Apostles, resulting in the Great Apostasy. They believe that ecclesiastical authority had to be restored through Joseph Smith as a prophet. According to Latter-day Saint tradition, in 1829, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the priesthood from a visit from heaven of John the Baptist, conferring the Aaronic priesthood, followed by Jesus' apostles, Peter, James, and John, who conferred the Melchizedek priesthood.
The difference in beliefs about apostolic authority is a significant point of divergence between Catholics and Mormons. Catholics believe in the continuity of authority, while Mormons see a break in the chain after the death of the Apostles, until the restoration of divine authority by Peter, James, and John.
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Mormons believe in the premortal existence of spirits, while Catholics believe in original sin
Mormons, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, believe in the premortal existence of spirits. This belief holds that all people were begotten as spirit children of God and lived with Him before their mortal birth. This premortal existence is said to have involved a learning process, where spirits had a choice, and their progress led to the need to gain a physical body to experience life on Earth.
On the other hand, Catholics believe in original sin, which is the doctrine that all humankind inherits sin due to Adam's disobedience of God's command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. This act is considered a "fall" because it represents a fall from grace, and as a result, humans are born with a nature deprived of original holiness and justice, inclined to sin.
The Mormon belief in premortal existence differs from the Catholic concept of original sin. Mormons view the fall of humanity in Eden positively, as it made mortal life possible, while Catholics see it as a source of original sin that taints humanity and requires redemption through Christ. The Mormon doctrine emphasizes the agency of spirits in heaven, while Catholics focus on the disobedience of Adam and the resulting consequences for human nature.
The ecclesiastical structures of the two religions also differ. Mormons have a unique priesthood system with "Melchizedek" and "Aaronic" priesthoods, while Catholics have a bishop-led structure, with the bishop of Rome, or the Pope, holding significant authority. Additionally, Mormons believe in a break in apostolic authority after the death of the first Apostles, resulting in the Great Apostasy, while Catholics assert that apostolic authority persists through the bishop of Rome and the Magisterium.
Despite these differences, relations between Catholics and Mormons have improved over time, and both faiths continue to work towards interfaith understanding and dialogue.
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Mormons believe in celestial marriage, which seals spouses and children together through eternity
Mormonism, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), is viewed by the Catholic Church with a degree of wariness and disagreement due to significant theological differences. One of the distinctive beliefs of Mormonism is the principle of "celestial marriage," which is a sacred covenant that seals spouses and their children together for eternity.
Celestial marriage, or "eternal marriage," is a fundamental teaching in Mormonism and is considered essential for the highest form of salvation in Mormon doctrine. Mormons believe that marriage can extend beyond death and into the eternities, provided that specific rituals and covenants are made in sacred Mormon temples. This belief is based on their interpretation of scripture and revelations received by Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism.
Through celestial marriage, a man and a woman are sealed to each other and to their children for time and all eternity. This sealing power is believed to be restored by God to Joseph Smith and is exercised by authorized Mormon leaders in temples. Mormons teach that only through this sealing power can families be assured of their eternal unity in the afterlife.
Catholic teaching, however, holds a different view of marriage and salvation. While Catholics recognize the importance of marriage and family life, they do not subscribe to the idea of sealing spouses and children together for eternity through ritual means. Catholics believe that marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman that lasts until death, and that salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ and the grace of God, rather than through ritual sealings.
The Catholic Church teaches that all who die in a state of grace, whether they are married or not, will share in the communion of saints in heaven. While the Church honors the bonds of marriage and family relationships, it does not teach that these relationships are necessary for salvation or that they will remain exactly the same in the afterlife. Catholics believe in the reunion of loved ones in heaven, but the specifics of those relationships are left to God's providence and are not dependent on ritual sealings performed during mortal life.
In summary, while Catholics and Mormons may share a respect for marriage and family life, their views on celestial marriage differ significantly. Catholics do not accept the Mormon doctrine of sealing spouses and children together for eternity through ritual means, as they understand salvation and eternal relationships in heaven differently. These differences highlight the theological divide between the two faiths.
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Catholics believe in the necessity of baptism, while Mormons believe non-Mormons can accept their doctrine after death
Catholics and Mormons differ in their beliefs about the necessity of baptism. For Catholics, baptism is a necessity for salvation. This belief is supported by the Nicene Creed, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the writings of the early Church Fathers. Catholics believe that baptism is a sacrament that washes away sins and grants eternal life. While water baptism is the normative form, the Church also acknowledges the legitimacy of "baptism of blood" (martyrdom) and "baptism of desire" (an explicit or implicit desire for baptism).
In contrast, Mormons believe that non-Mormons can accept their doctrine after death. According to Mormon doctrine, after physical death, the spirits of the righteous enter paradise, while those who died in sin or without knowledge of the truth go to spirit prison. In spirit prison, individuals are taught the principles of the gospel, and if they accept and repent, they can move to paradise through ordinances performed in temples. Mormons also practice proxy baptism for their non-Mormon ancestors, believing that this rite is necessary to seal their salvation.
Mormons believe that only they will go to the celestial kingdom, the highest of the three kingdoms of glory, where they will become gods with their own worlds. However, they believe that non-Mormons will still go to peaceful and pleasant places in the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms. This belief reflects their understanding that their religion is the only path to the top heaven, placing them above followers of other faiths, including Catholics.
The differences between Catholic and Mormon beliefs extend beyond their views on baptism. Mormons believe in a premortal existence and view the fall of humanity in Eden as positive because it made mortal life possible, contrary to the Catholic belief in original sin and the need for Christ's redemption. Additionally, Mormons hold that apostolic authority was lost after the death of the first Apostles, resulting in the Great Apostasy, which was later restored through Joseph Smith as a prophet. In contrast, Catholics assert that apostolic authority has persisted through the office of the bishop, specifically the bishop of Rome, who is the Pope.
Historically, relations between Catholics and Mormons have been contentious, but they have improved due to ecumenical efforts and a reorientation within the Catholic Church toward better understanding and engaging with other traditions and theologies.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church has declared Mormonism to be "non-Christian". Catholics and Mormons have different views on the authority of the Church, the nature of God, the afterlife, and the nature of sin and salvation.
Mormon ecclesiastical structure is different from the Catholic Church's parish system. The basic unit in Mormonism is the "ward", which is equivalent to a small Catholic parish. Several wards within a single geographical area form a "stake", which corresponds to a large Catholic parish.
Catholics believe that apostolic authority has been passed down through the bishops, most visibly the bishop of Rome (the Pope), and the governing body of the Magisterium. Mormons believe that there was a break in this chain of authority after the death of the first Apostles, which resulted in the Great Apostasy. They believe that ecclesiastical authority was restored through Joseph Smith as a prophet.
The Catholic belief holds that a soul goes either to Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory. The Mormon view of the afterlife is more layered, with different levels of glory in the afterlife depending on a person's actions during their lifetime.
