Mormons vs Catholics: Difference and Comparison

Mormons and Catholics are Christians who truly believe in God and Jesus Christ, but their beliefs, doctrines, and perceptions of hell and the afterlife differ.

A major difference between Mormons vs Catholics is their perspective of the Holy Trinity. Mormons refer to God as Elohim and they believe that Jesus is God’s begotten son but not his son.

Mormons also believe that the entity of the Holy Trinity is not one but three.

Catholics have a different belief about the Holy Trinity- they believe that the entities of the Trinity are one. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are one appearing in different forms.

Catholics believe that God does not have a body, while Mormons believe that Elohim and Jesus Christ have a body.

These are a few differences between Mormons and Catholics and more will be discussed in this article.

Mormons

Mormons refers to a religious group that follows the teachings of Joseph Smith – a former Baptist minister.

The religious and cultural group began during the 1820s in upstate New York. The Latter Day Saint movement split into many groups after the death of Joseph Smith in 1844.

Smith’s death led these groups to follow different leaders. The majority of the group decided to follow Brigham Young and the smaller groups followed Joseph Smith III and other leaders.

The majority of the smaller groups formed the Community of Christ. The Church of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is a larger branch compared to other groups combined.

The teachings of Smith recommended polygamy. He believed that polygamy reflects on early roots of Christianity and values. While he was alive, Smith claimed to have received a vision from God and the Book of Mormon.

Mormons were persecuted in the 1830s and 1840s, especially by those who followed mainline Christian denominations.

The religious and cultural groups spread to other areas of the United States after the death of Joseph Smith, with Brigham Young moving the church into the state of Utah.

Also Read: Catholic vs Episcopal: Difference and Comparison

Catholics

Catholics are members of the Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian church worldwide with over 1.3 billion baptized members. The Roman Catholic Church is one of the world’s oldest international institutions that influenced the history and development of Western civilization.

The Christian church is almost in every corner of the world- the church is made up of 24 sui iuris churches, with Latin Churches and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, which consist of almost 3,500 dioceses and eparchies worldwide.

Catholics believe that Jesus Christ proclaimed the Apostle Peter as the “rock” upon which God’s church will be built.

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ led the Apostles to spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. Knowing they would be persecuted at some point, the Apostles spread the teachings of Christ regardless.

The Apostles succeeded in spreading the teachings of Jesus across the Empire, making Christianity an established religion in Rome in 50 A.D. Catholic tradition holds that the Apostle Peter was ordained as the first bishop of the church.

Unlike Mormons, Catholics believe that the Trinity is one- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are the same entity.

Catholic tradition in the past allowed some of the early leaders to get married. It was in the 12^th century that the church decided to only ordain men who would remain unmarried their entire lives as priests and bishops.

The head of the Catholic Church is the Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope, and he is considered the direct successor of the Apostle Peter.

Mormons vs Catholics: Key Differences between Mormons and Catholics

Mormons and Catholics are both Christians but their doctrines, beliefs, perspective of the Trinity, and concept of hell and the afterlife differ.

Mormons believe that the Trinity is three different entities, while Catholics see the Trinity as three persons in one essence. Catholics believe in the truth of the Holy Bible and their religious text includes additional books- books not found in the Bible used by mainstream Christians.

Mormons also have extra scriptures such as the Book of Mormons, Doctrine and Covenant, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Mormons vs Catholics: Scriptures

Catholics and Mormons believe in the Bible and its teachings. The Roman Catholic Church believe that the Scripture is the only book that accurately gives true ancient accounts of the life of Jesus and his Apostles.

Mormons believe in the Bible and the Book of Mormon- they believe that the latter is another true testament of Jesus Christ. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints truly believe that the Book of Mormon gives an accurate history of Native Americans and their experience as Christians.

Also Read: Catholicism vs Lutheranism: Difference and Comparison

Mormons vs Catholics: Trinity

Catholics believe in the Trinity being one entity but appear in different forms. Catholics built their belief on the Trinity being one entity appearing in different forms based on the teachings in the Old Testament.

In contrast, Mormons believe that the Trinity is of different entities. They believe that God the Father is different from God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.

Mormons vs Catholics: The Nature of Jesus Christ

Another difference between Mormons and Catholics is their belief in Jesus Christ as God’s only son.

Mormons believe in Jesus Christ as God’s only begotten son but not his son. They believe that Jesus was born in the flesh and he is not the same substance as God.

Mormons vs Catholics: Revelation

Mormons have a different perspective regarding God’s revelation. They believe that God’s revelation did not stop with the existence of John but instead, it continues in the modern age we live, with the Book of Mormon.

Catholics follow the teachings of the Bible that describes the fullness of the revelation. Catholics may experience private revelations, but they cannot add or replace that message that has already been revealed to the apostles and prophets.

Mormons vs Catholics: Priesthood, Leadership, and Celibacy

The doctrine of the Catholic Church allows men who wish to be ordained as permanent deacons to be married. Men who intend to join the priesthood must take a vow of celibacy.

In Mormonism, most young men take on the Aaronic priesthood, while others may move up to the Melchizedek priesthood. The requirement to hold the highest office of the Melchizedek priesthood is to be married.

The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints must be an apostle and also must be married.

Also Read: Jehovah’s Witness vs Mormon: Difference and Comparison

Mormons vs Catholics: Concept of Afterlife

In Catholicism, they believe one’s spirit will either to go heaven or hell after they die. Catholics also believe in purgatory, an intermediate place reserved for the saints that will purified before they enter heaven.

In Mormonism, it’s a common belief that after death, the spirit will go to a place where good spirits are prepared in the spirit paradise, while the evil spirits are prepared in the spirit prison.

Mormons believe in a second chance after death.

Mormons vs Catholics Concept of Hell

Mormons believe in hell as a horrible place of torment reserved for evil and wicked spirits. They believe that all evil souls will be imprisoned and tormented in hell.

Catholics also believe in hell as a place of endless torment for all evil souls.

Also Read: Jews vs Samaritans: Difference and Comparison

Mormons vs Catholics: Similarities

Mormons and Catholics believe in Jesus Christ as God’s son and saviour of humanity. They believe that Jesus died for our sins and that we might be saved through righteousness.

Catholics and Mormons also believe that salvation is through faith in Christ. Those who believe in Christ must abide by the law and ordinances in the New Testament

Mormons and Catholics both practise water baptism. They perceive water baptism as a significant sacrament.

Water baptism in Mormonism and Catholicism is practised differently and they both believe that it’s an important step of faith and a command that all should fulfil.

Conclusion

Mormons and Catholics follow different teachings and doctrines. Although they both believe in Jesus Christ, their perception of the Trinity differs.

In Mormonism, the requirement to hold the highest office of the Melchizedek priesthood is to be married, whereas those who intend to join the priesthood must take a vow of celibacy.

Recommendations

References

Wikipedia: Catholic Church
ChristianFaithGuide: Mormons vs. Catholics: How do they differ

Mormons vs Catholics: Difference and Comparison

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