Biblical Christianity

Founder, Date, Location:
Jesus Christ, about 30-33 A.D., the Judean province of Palestine (Israel today), under the Roman Empire. Followers of Jesus Christ became known as Christians.

Key writings:
The Bible, written originally in Hebrew and Aramaic (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament).

Who is God?
The one God is triune (God in 3 persons, NOT 3 gods), Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Often the title "God" designates the first person, God the Father. God is a spiritual being without a physical body. He is personal and involved with people. He created the universe out of nothing. He is eternal, changeless, holy, loving, and perfect.

Who is Jesus?
Jesus is God, the 2nd person of the Trinity. As God the Son, He has always existed and was never created. He is fully God and fully man. (The two natures joined, not mixed). As the 2nd person of the Trinity, He is co-equal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. In becoming man, He was begotten through the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus is the only way to the Father, salvation, and eternal life. He died on a cross according to God's plan, as the full sacrifice and payment for our sons. He rose from the dead on the 3rd day, spiritually and physically immortal.

For the next 40 days He was seen by more than 500 eyewitnesses. His wounds were touched and he ate meals. He physically ascended to heaven. Jesus will come again visibly and physically at the end of the world to establish God's kingdom and judge the world.

Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God, the 3rd person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is a person, NOT a force or energy field. He comforts, grieves, reproves, convicts, guides, teaches, and fills Christians. He is not the Father. Nor is He the Son, Jesus Christ.

How to be Saved:
Salvation is by Grace, not an individual's good works. Salvation must be received by faith. People must believe in their hearts that Jesus died for their sins and physically rose again, which is the assurance of forgiveness and resurrection of the body. This is God's loving plan to forgive sinful people.

What Happens After Death?
Believers go to be with Jesus. After death, all people await the final judgement. Both saved and lost people will be resurrected. Those who are saved will live with Jesus in Heaven. Those who are lost will suffer the torment of eternal separation from God (hell). Jesus' bodily resurrection guarantees believers that they, too, will be resurrected and receive new immortal bodies.

Other Facts, Beliefs, or Practices:
Group worship, usually in churches. No secret rites. Baptism and Lord's Supper (Communion). Active voluntary missionary efforts. Aid to those in need, the poor, widows, orphans and downtrodden. Christians believe that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah promised to Israel in the Old Testament (Tanakh). Jesus said His followers would be known by their love for one another.

Mormonism (Latter-Day Saints)

Founder, Date, Location:
Joseph Smith Jr 1862-1916, 1830, near Rochester, N.Y. Current headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Key Writings:
The Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. Plus, the Bible (King James only or Smith's "Inspired Version"), which is seen is less reliable.

Authoritative teachings of Mormon prophets and other "general authorities". Ensign and Liahana magazines.

Who is God?
God the Father was once a man, but "progressed" to godhood. He has a physical body, as does his wife (Heavenly Mother). No trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are 3 separate gods. Worthy members may one day become "EXALTED" to godhood themselves.

Who is Jesus?
Jesus is a separate god from the Father (Elohim). He was CREATED as a spirit child by the Father and the Mother in heaven, and is the "elder brother" of all men and spirit beings (including Lucifer). His body was created through sexual union between Elohim and Mary.

Jesus was married. His death on the cross does not provide full atonement for all sin, but does provide everyone with resurrection.

Who is the Holy Spirit?
The "Holy Spirit" is different from the "Holy Ghost". The "Holy Spirit" is not God, but is an influence on electricity-like emanations from God (or "Light of Christ").

How to be Saved:
Resurrected by Grace, but saved (exalted to godhood) by works, including faithfulness to church leaders, Mormon baptism, tithing, ordination, marriage, and secret temple rituals. No eternal life without Mormon membership.

What Happens After Death?
Eventually, nearly everyone goes to one of 3 separate heavenly "kingdoms", with some achieving godhood. Apostates and murderers go to "outer darkness".

Other Facts, Beliefs, or Practices:
Secret temple "endowment" rituals and "celestial marriage" available only to members in good standing. Baptism on behalf of the dead. "Word of Wisdom" prohibits tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine drinks. Two year missionary commitment encouraged. Tithing is essential. Door-to-door proselytizing. Extensive social network. People of African ancestry denied full access to Mormon priesthood and privileges until 1978.

(Ref.)

- Christianity, Cults and Religions
Rose Publishing

- The Kingdom of Cults
Lassiter [illegible]
Bellamy House Pub.