Mormonism vs. Protestantism: Similarities and Differences

When discussing Christian denominations, it’s common to recognize three broad categories. These are Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy, with the first two being most relevant in the western world. However, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—often informally called the Mormon Church—does not neatly fit into any camp. While members of this Church strongly affirm themselves as Christians, Mormonism differs in key ways from both Catholic and Protestant traditions. 

Still, important common ground exists between Mormonism and Protestantism. This includes their shared belief in Jesus Christ, the Bible, and a desire to distinguish their theology from Roman Catholicism. Here is Protestantism vs. Mormonism explained.

Key Similarities

1. Belief in Salvation through Jesus Christ

Both Latter-day Saints and Protestants strongly believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. While some still ask, “are Mormons Christian?” Latter-day Saints affirm that Christ was sent by God the Father to atone for the sins of the world. As an official Church source states, “Jesus Christ is central to the lives of Church members. . .The only way to salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ.”

Similarly, Protestant denominations emphasize salvation by grace through faith in Christ, following the teachings of the New Testament and the Reformers. For both groups, the atonement of Jesus Christ is the foundation of Christian life and worship.

2. Belief in the Bible as Holy Scripture

Another area of agreement is shared reverence for the Bible. Latter-day Saints believe the Bible is the word of God and a sacred volume of scripture. To those wondering, “are Mormons Christians?” Church members engage in lifelong study of its teachings and consider it a cornerstone of their faith. 

Protestants, especially those of the evangelical tradition, hold the Bible as their sole authoritative scripture and the ultimate guide in matters of faith and practice.

3. Distinction from Catholicism

Both Mormonism and Protestantism distinguish themselves from Roman Catholic theology and authority. Protestantism arose as a reformation movement in the 16th century, rejecting many aspects of Catholic tradition, including the centralized papal authority and certain sacramental doctrines.

Those wondering about what is Mormonism should know that Latter-day Saints do not identify as Catholic or Protestant for similar reasons. Instead, they believe in a restoration of the original Church of Jesus Christ, which they assert was lost after the death of the New Testament apostles.

Key Differences

Despite these important similarities, there are several distinctions between Mormon and Protestant theology. The main differences include their views on scripture, priesthood authority, and historical creeds.

1. Open vs. Closed Canon of Scripture

A major doctrinal difference is that Latter-day Saints accept scripture beyond the Bible, while Protestants generally adhere to sola scriptura—the belief that the Bible is God’s only word, and is sufficient for doctrine and practice.

What is Mormon religion scripture, then? The Church believes in an open canon that includes the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Members believe these books are all revelations from God that support each other. Importantly, Latter-day Saints assert that the Bible itself does not claim to be the final word of God, and that ongoing revelation is consistent with God’s pattern of communication throughout history.

Protestants, by contrast, traditionally reject post-biblical scripture. While not all Protestant denominations interpret sola scriptura in the same way, the Bible is still the sole scriptural authority for most Protestant faiths.

2. Priesthood Authority vs. Priesthood of All Believers

Another significant difference concerns religious authority. Latter-day Saints believe that God-given priesthood authority is required for performing ordinances such as baptism and the Sacrament, or Communion. They teach that this divine ordination was restored through angelic visitations to Joseph Smith and others in the 19th century, bringing back the same priesthood held by Christ’s apostles.

On the other hand, Protestants often embrace belief in the “priesthood of all believers.” This idea, introduced by Martin Luther and expanded by other reformers, means that all believing Christians have equal spiritual authority and direct access to God. As a result, most Protestant denominations do not view exclusive priesthood authority as necessary for religious ordinances.

3. Acceptance of Post-Biblical Christian Creeds

Latter-day Saints and Protestants also differ in their acceptance of post-biblical creeds, such as the Nicene Creed or the Athanasian Creed. These formulations, developed in the centuries after the New Testament period, are foundational to most Protestant denominations’ definitions of the Trinity and other core doctrines.

However, in answer to the question, “do Mormons believe in the Trinity?” Latter-day Saints do not accept these creeds. They believe that much of early Christian doctrine became distorted through the influence of Greek philosophy and the loss of apostolic authority. This, they argue, led to a misunderstanding of the nature of God and the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Instead, Latter-day Saints teach that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three distinct beings, united in purpose but not of one substance. This understanding is based on what they consider a restoration of original Christian teachings through modern revelation. While they affirm the divinity of Jesus Christ and the roles of each member of the Godhead, they reject the philosophical definitions set forth in the early ecumenical councils.

Finding Common Ground

Despite doctrinal differences, both Mormonism and Protestantism seek to center their faith in Jesus Christ and His teachings. Protestants see themselves as reformers returning to biblical Christianity. Latter-day Saints see themselves as restorers, bringing back lost truths and authority.

Some still wonder, is Mormonism Christian? While paths may differ, shared commitment to Christ offers a profound starting point for mutual respect and dialogue. As Latter-day Saint leaders emphasize, “There is no good reason for Christian faiths to ostracize each other when there has never been more urgent need for unity in proclaiming the divinity and teachings of Jesus Christ.”

About Mormonism Explained

Mormonism Explained is a resource that was designed to provide objective and factual information about Mormonism, its history, doctrines, and policies. Our team of researchers consults experts and primary sources to present factual information on a variety of topics relevant to the Mormon Church.

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