General tips Latter Day Saints

Daniel Justice

Witnessing to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), often referred to as Mormons, requires a blend of understanding, respect, and clarity. While LDS members and Christians share some common values, such as devotion to family and moral living, there are significant theological differences that shape their beliefs. This article offers practical tips for Christians seeking to share their faith with Latter-day Saints, alongside an overview of key differences between LDS teachings and biblical Christianity.
Tips for Witnessing to Latter-day Saints
  1. Build Relationships with Genuine Care
    Approach conversations with love and respect, focusing on building trust rather than winning arguments. LDS members are often deeply committed to their faith and community, so demonstrating authentic care for them as individuals opens the door to meaningful dialogue. Share your personal testimony of faith in Christ, emphasizing how it has transformed your life.
  2. Understand LDS Terminology
    Latter-day Saints use familiar Christian terms like “God,” “Jesus Christ,” “salvation,” and “scripture,” but these often carry different meanings. For example, when an LDS member speaks of “salvation,” they may mean universal resurrection or exaltation to godhood, rather than salvation by grace through faith alone. Clarify terms gently to avoid misunderstandings and ensure you’re discussing the same concepts.
  3. Focus on the Bible as Common Ground
    The LDS Church considers the Bible (typically the King James Version) as scripture, though they believe it is only reliable “as far as it is translated correctly” (Articles of Faith 8). Use the Bible as a shared starting point, pointing to passages like Ephesians 2:8–9 (salvation by grace) or John 1:1–3 (Jesus as eternal God). Be prepared to discuss why you trust the Bible’s reliability, as LDS members may question its completeness.
  4. Ask Thoughtful Questions
    Encourage LDS members to explain their beliefs in their own words. Questions like, “How do you understand the nature of God?” or “What does it mean to become exalted in LDS teaching?” show interest and create opportunities to compare their views with biblical Christianity. Avoid confrontational tones, as these can shut down dialogue.
  5. Highlight the Sufficiency of Christ’s Work
    A central difference is the role of human effort in salvation. Share the gospel message that Christ’s death and resurrection fully atone for sin, offering salvation as a free gift (Romans 5:1; Titus 3:5). Contrast this with LDS teachings that emphasize ordinances and works as necessary for exaltation, inviting reflection on the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice.
  6. Be Respectful of LDS Scriptures and Culture
    While you may not accept the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, or Pearl of Great Price as divine scripture, dismissing them outright can alienate LDS members. Instead, acknowledge their importance to the LDS faith and gently redirect conversations to the Bible, which both groups affirm. Respect their practices, like temple worship or dietary codes, even as you share your beliefs.
  7. Pray for Guidance and Patience
    Witnessing is a spiritual endeavor, and conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit. Pray for wisdom, patience, and opportunities to share truth lovingly. Be prepared for multiple conversations over time, as LDS members may need to wrestle with differences between their upbringing and biblical teachings.
Key Differences Between LDS Church and Biblical Christianity
To witness effectively, Christians must understand the theological distinctions between LDS teachings and biblical Christianity. Below are some major differences:
  1. The Nature of God
    • LDS Church: Teaches that God the Father was once a man who progressed to godhood and has a physical body (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are separate gods united in purpose, part of a broader belief in eternal progression where humans can become gods of their own worlds (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345–347).
    • Biblical Christianity: Affirms one eternal, uncreated God who exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—in one divine essence (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1). God is spirit, not physical (John 4:24), and humans remain distinct from God’s divine nature (Isaiah 43:10).
  2. The Person of Jesus Christ
    • LDS Church: Views Jesus as the literal firstborn spirit child of Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother, a separate god from the Father. Jesus became divine through obedience and is the elder brother of all humans (Gospel Principles, ch. 2). His atonement enables salvation but requires human effort to achieve exaltation.
    • Biblical Christianity: Teaches that Jesus is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man, coequal and consubstantial with the Father (John 1:1–14; Colossians 2:9). His atonement fully pays for sin, securing salvation for those who trust in Him alone (Hebrews 10:10–14).
  3. Scripture and Authority
    • LDS Church: Accepts four standard works: the Bible (King James Version, with caveats), the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. Ongoing revelation through living prophets, like the LDS Church President, is considered authoritative (Articles of Faith 9).
    • Biblical Christianity: Holds the Bible (Old and New Testaments) as the sole inspired, infallible Word of God, sufficient for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21). No additional scriptures or human authorities supersede it.
  4. Salvation and Exaltation
    • LDS Church: Distinguishes between “salvation” (resurrection, granted to nearly all) and “exaltation” (becoming gods, achieved through faith, repentance, baptism, temple ordinances, and enduring to the end) (Gospel Principles, ch. 47). Works are essential for the highest celestial kingdom.
    • Biblical Christianity: Teaches salvation by grace through faith alone, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:28). Believers are justified by Christ’s righteousness, adopted as God’s children, and assured eternal life with Him (John 5:24; Romans 8:15–17). There is no biblical concept of becoming gods.
  5. The Afterlife
    • LDS Church: Envisions three kingdoms of glory—celestial, terrestrial, and telestial—plus outer darkness for the worst sinners. Exaltation in the celestial kingdom requires temple marriage and obedience to LDS ordinances (Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–92).
    • Biblical Christianity: Describes two eternal destinies: eternal life with God’s children for those who trust in Christ, or eternal separation from God in hell for those who reject Him (John 3:36; Matthew 25:46; Revelation 21:3–4). Heaven is based on faith, not levels of achievement.
Final Encouragement
Witnessing to Latter-day Saints is an opportunity to share the transformative power of the gospel with those who may be seeking truth. By approaching conversations with humility, clarity, and love, Christians can plant seeds that the Holy Spirit may use to draw LDS members to the Jesus of the Bible. Stay grounded in Scripture, be patient, and trust God to work in their hearts.
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