Mormon: One of the priesthoods in Mormonism. Considered the lesser of the two priesthoods (Priesthood and Church Government, Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, p. 106), the Aaronic Priesthood holds "the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins" (Doctrine and Covenants 13:1).

Christian: The Aaronic Priesthood was reserved only for Aaron and his descendants (Numbers 3:6-12). Even Jesus could not hold this priesthood because He was of the tribe of Judah (Hebrew 7:14), and not the tribe of Levi as Aaron was (Numbers 3:6).

See Melchizedek Priesthood

Mormon: Also known in the pre-existence as the archangel Michael or the Ancient of Days (Doctrine and Covenants 27:11; 138:38). According to Joseph Smith, Adam took part in creating Earth and occupies a position of authority next to Jesus Christ (Joseph F. Smith, Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 15).

Christian: The first human created by God, Adam was made of the dust of the ground and God breathed life into him (Genesis 2:7). Adam never has been an angel nor existed prior to his creation in the Garden of Eden.

See Creation, Eve, Fall of Adam and Eve

Mormon: The age at which a person becomes accountable before God for his acts. The LDS church teaches that this occurs at the age of eight (Doctrine and Covenants 68:27). The Book of Mormon teaches "little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me" (Moroni 8:8).

Christian: Contrary to the LDS teaching, the Bible declares that we are sinners from conception (Psalm 51:5) and that nobody is righteous (Romans 3:10). However, the Bible does hint at an age of accountability. In 2nd Samuel 12:23 David declares that he will go to his son who was a child at death. The Bible does not give a specific age for when accountability takes place. This may be because of the dramatic differences between the speed at which one becomes aware of the consequences of their own actions.

Mormon: Joseph Smith taught that angels "are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones." In order to tell if an angel is of God one should offer to shake hands. "If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand" (Doctrine and Covenants 129:1, 4-5).

Christian: Messengers of God who are spirits (Psalm 104:4). Spirits do no have flesh and bone (Luke 24:39).

See Adam

Mormon: Most Latter-day Saints consider anyone who tries to evangelize Mormons, or speaks out against LDS doctrine to be "anti-Mormon." Consequently, any literature revealing the errors or unbiblical doctrines taught in Mormonism is deemed "anti-Mormon."

Christian: Sadly, there are those who are Christian and are genuinely "anti-Mormon." Their problem is with the actual Mormon rather than the doctrines they believe. As the late Walter Martin stated, "We must not, however, confuse the theology with the person as is too often the case, for while hostility toward the former is scriptural, it is never so with the latter" (Walter Martin, Kingdom of the Cults, Revised, Updated, and Expanded Anniversary Edition, general editor Hank Hanegraaff, 1997, p.224).

Mormon: According to Mormonism true Christianity ceased to exist after the death of Christ's apostles (Gospel Principles, Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, p.105). The absence of God's church on earth required a restoration. The LDS church claims to be this restored church.

Christian: A total apostasy is never mentioned in the Bible. Verses like 1 Timothy 4:1; Matthew 24:11; and 2 Peter 2:1-3 show that some will depart from the faith, not all. In fact, Jesus promised His church would not fall to the powers of hell (Matthew 16:18).

Mormon: An ex-member of the Mormon church.

Christian: Any professing Christian who abandons the faith (Hebrews 6:4-6).

Mormon: Any member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. These twelve men are said to be modern day apostles in the tradition of the twelve chosen by Jesus.

Christian: One of a number of men sent forth by direct command from the Lord or the Holy Spirit (Matthew 10:1-4; Acts 1:26). The number is not limited to twelve. Barnabas (Acts 14:14) and James the brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19) are listed as apostles along with the original eleven and Paul. One of the requirements to be an apostle was to be an eyewitness to the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1).

See First Presidency, General Authorities, Prophet, Seventy

Mormon: "Christ's atonement makes it possible to be saved from sin if we do our part" (Gospel Principles, Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, p.69 1988 ed. italics original).

Christian: Christ's sacrifice for our sins by His death on the cross (Philippians 2:8; Colossians 1:20; 1 John 2:1-2). Salvation from our sins comes from faith in the atonement, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

See Exaltation, Salvation

Mormon: Mormonism teaches that baptism by immersion is needed for forgiveness of our sins. Accordions to LDS doctrine one cannot receive the Holy Ghost until they are baptized. One cannot be exalted to godhood without being baptized (Gospel Principles, Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,p.124-128, 1988 ed.).

Christian: The first act of obedience made, once one professes faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ.

See Baptism for the Dead

Mormon: This practice is just what it says. Living members of the LDS church are baptized vicariously for those who have died. According to Mormonism, this gives the dead a chance to be saved and accept the Mormon gospel after death (Doctrine and Covenants 128: 138:32-33 ). The LDS doctrine is not found in the Book of Mormon.

Christian: This practice is mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:29. Paul excludes himself from this practice using the word they rather than we. This is also the only verse in the Bible to mention this practice. The Bible is clear that "it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrew 9:27). Ironically the Book of Mormon teaches the same thing (Alma 34:34-35).

See Baptism, just above

Mormon: The "word of God as far as it is translated correctly" (Pearl of Great Price, Article of Faith no. 8). According to the Book of Mormon "many plain and precious things" have been taken away from the Bible (1 Nephi 13:26-29). Because of this the Bible is not completely trustworthy. The King James Version is the only translation accepted by the LDS church.

Christian: God's only revealed written word. Considered God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), indestructible (Matthew 5:17-18), infallible (John 10:35), and factually inerrant (John 17:17) the Bible is God's perfect revelation to imperfect man. All one needs to know to obtain salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is in God's word (Luke 16:31).

See Joseph Smith Translation, Scripture

Mormon: The leader of a Mormon ward. Bishops are not paid for their service. A Bishop's duties are similar to that of a Christian Pastor.

Christian: Also known as overseers (Acts 20:28), bishops are elder leaders of a Christian body. Paul lists the requirements of a bishop in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

See Bishopric

This term is exclusive to Mormonism. Each Mormon Ward has a bishopric that leads the ward. The bishopric consists of the ward bishop and his two counselors. All the members of the bishopric hold the Melchizedek Priesthood.

See Bishop

One of the standard works of the Mormon Church. The book details the story of a group of Jews that sailed to the American continent around 600 B.C. The group separated into two peoples, the Nephites and the Lamanites. The Lamanites are cursed with dark skin by God and are taught to be related to modern day Native Americans. The two peoples have many wars and the Lamanites eventually destroy the Nephites. The book alleges that Jesus visited the American continent after His crucifixion. The narrative also includes the story of a group of people known as the Jaradites whom God spared from having their language confused at the Tower of Babel. The LDS church claims that the Book of Mormon is "the most correct of any book on earth" (Joseph F. Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 194).

See also, the other LDS standard works: Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price

See also: Scripture