Why Utah is our Mission Field
Utah is one of the most religious states in the U.S. Over 70% of the people in Utah identify with a religious affiliation.
The overwhelming majority of those congregations are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS).
The LDS faith to many is viewed as another ”branch” of Christianity. However, several of the doctrines found in LDS teachings are not consistent with the inerrant word of God found in the Bible.
Below are some foundational differences between (biblical) Evangelical Christianity and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
“I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see.”
— Joseph Smith
LDS Founder
Who is God?
Evangelical - The eternal and unchanging creator and sustainer of all that exists. Triune and perfect in righteousness and glory.
LDS - A heavenly father (not triune) who was once a man but has now achieved godhood through “eternal progression” ( as we can as well )
Who is Jesus?
Evangelical - The eternal Son of God, a person of the Trinity who became human and lived a life free of sin.
LDS - A spirit child of heavenly father and heavenly mother (like us) who is our elder and brother and showed us the right path to God.
How are we saved?
Evangelical - By the grace of God He saves us through the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus. Through our faith we are joined to Christ and made righteous not by any works we can do.
LDS - The grace of God helps us to do all that we can do to advance to the highest levels of heaven, ultimately receiving our own worlds to rule over as gods. These required actions include baptism for the dead, being sealed in the temple for eternity, following the doctrines and covenants and other ordinances.
What is Scripture?
Evangelical - The 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. They are the Word of God in so far as they are the words of the original autographs (manuscripts).
LDS - The Bible cannot be trusted as it has not been translated correctly. Scripture includes The Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, Doctrines and Covenants, and any current revelation the modern prophet of the church gives.