Christianity vs. LDS

Attribute	Christianity	LDS
Founder	Jesus Christ	Joseph Smith
Scripture	Bible	Book of Mormon
Belief in Trinity	Yes	No
Belief in Prophets	Yes	Yes
Belief in Salvation	Through faith in Jesus	Through grace and works

Beliefs

Christianity and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) share some core beliefs, such as the belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. However, there are also significant differences in their beliefs. Christians believe in the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit - as one God in three persons. On the other hand, LDS believe in the Godhead, which consists of three separate beings - God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

Scripture

Another key difference between Christianity and LDS is their respective scriptures. Christians primarily rely on the Bible as their sacred text, which is divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Bible is considered the inspired word of God and the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice for Christians. In contrast, LDS also consider the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as scripture alongside the Bible. These additional texts are believed to provide further revelations from God and clarify certain doctrines.

Leadership

Christianity and LDS also differ in their leadership structures. In Christianity, there are various denominations with different leadership hierarchies, such as bishops, priests, pastors, and elders. The Catholic Church, for example, has a hierarchical structure with the Pope as the head of the Church. In contrast, LDS has a centralized leadership system with a prophet and apostles who are believed to receive direct revelation from God. The President of the Church is considered the prophet, seer, and revelator for LDS members.

Sacraments

Both Christianity and LDS practice sacraments or ordinances that are considered sacred rituals. In Christianity, the sacraments typically include baptism, communion (also known as the Eucharist or Lord's Supper), confirmation, marriage, confession, and anointing of the sick. These sacraments are believed to convey God's grace to the participants. LDS also have similar sacraments, such as baptism, confirmation, and the sacrament (similar to communion). Additionally, LDS practice ordinances like temple endowments and sealings that are unique to their faith.

Afterlife

Beliefs about the afterlife differ between Christianity and LDS. Christians generally believe in heaven and hell as eternal destinations for souls based on their faith in Jesus Christ. Some Christian denominations also believe in purgatory as a temporary state of purification for souls. In contrast, LDS believe in three degrees of glory in the afterlife - the Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, and the Telestial Kingdom. LDS also believe in the concept of exaltation, where faithful members can become like God and inherit all that He has.

Missionary Work

Both Christianity and LDS place a strong emphasis on missionary work and spreading their faith to others. Christians often engage in evangelism through various means, such as preaching, teaching, and community outreach. Some Christian denominations also have dedicated missionaries who travel to different parts of the world to share the Gospel. LDS is well-known for its missionary program, where young men and women are encouraged to serve full-time missions for a period of 18-24 months. LDS missionaries are easily recognizable by their white shirts, ties, and name tags.

Community and Worship

Christianity and LDS also differ in their community and worship practices. Christian worship services vary widely depending on the denomination, ranging from traditional liturgical services to contemporary worship services with music and multimedia. Christians typically gather for worship on Sundays, although some denominations hold services on other days as well. LDS members gather for worship services on Sundays as well, but they also have additional meetings during the week, such as family home evening and Relief Society meetings. LDS temples are also central to their worship practices, where sacred ordinances are performed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Christianity and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share some common beliefs, there are also significant differences in their beliefs, scriptures, leadership structures, sacraments, beliefs about the afterlife, missionary work, and community and worship practices. Understanding these differences can help individuals appreciate the unique aspects of each faith tradition and foster greater understanding and respect among believers of different backgrounds.