"Is Mormonism a cult? Is Mormonism Christian?"

What is the definition of a cult?
 
When we hear the word “cult,” we often think of a group that worships Satan, sacrifices animals, or takes part in evil, bizarre, and pagan rituals.
 
However, in reality, most cults appear much more innocent.
 
The specific Christian definition of a cult is “a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth.”
 
In simpler terms, a cult is a group that teaches something that will cause a person to remain unsaved if he/she believes it.
 
As distinct from a religion, a cult is a group that claims to be part of the religion, yet denies essential truth(s) of that religion. 

A Christian cult is a group that denies one or more of the fundamental truths of Christianity, while still claiming to be Christian.
 
The Two most common teachings of cults 
 
Jesus was not God;
Salvation is not by faith alone.
 
The two most well-known examples of cults are the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons.
 
Both groups claim to be Christian, yet both deny the deity of Christ and salvation by faith alone.
 
While it may be true that Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons believe many things that are in agreement with or similar to what the Bible teaches.

The Fact is they deny the deity of  Christ and preach a salvation by works qualifies them as a cult. 

The Mormon religion (Mormonism), whose followers are known as Mormons and Latter Day Saints (LDS), was founded less than two hundred years ago by a man named Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith set out to begin a brand-new religion that claims to be the “only true church on earth.”

The problem with Mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the Bible.

Christians have no reason to believe that the Bible is not true and adequate.

However, Mormons believe that there are in fact four sources of divinely inspired words, not just one:

1) The Bible “as far as it is translated correctly.” Which verses are considered incorrectly translated is not always made clear.

2) The Book of Mormon, which was “translated” by Smith and published in 1830. 

3) The Doctrine and Covenants, containing a collection of modern revelations regarding the “Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored.”

4) The Pearl of the Great Price, which is considered by Mormons to “clarify” doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and adds its own information about the earth's creation.

Mormons believe the following about God:

He has not always been the Supreme Being of the universe, but attained that status through righteous living and persistent effort.

In contrast, Christians know this about God:

there is only one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6-8),

He always has existed and always will exist (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17), and He was not created but is the Creator (Genesis 1; Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 37:16).

He is perfect, and no one else is equal to Him (Psalm 86:8; Isaiah 40:25).

Mormons believe that there are different levels or kingdoms in the afterlife:

the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, the telestial kingdom, and outer darkness. 

In contrast, the Bible tells us that after death, we go to heaven or hell based on whether or not we had faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Unbelievers are sent to hell or the place of the dead (Luke 16:22-23). There is no second chance for redemption after death (Hebrews 9:27).

Mormons believe Jesus is a god, but that any human can also become a god.

Mormonism teaches that salvation can be earned by a combination of faith and good works.

Contrary to this, Christians have taught that no one can achieve the status of God—only He is holy (1 Samuel 2:2).

Jesus and God are one in essence, Jesus being the only One existing before physical birth (John 1:1-8; 8:56). Jesus gave Himself to us as a sacrifice, God raised Him from the dead, and one day everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:6-11).

Clearly, there is only one way to receive salvation and that is to know God and His Son, Jesus (John 17:3). It is not done by works, but by faith (Romans 1:17; 3:28). “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Other Mormon Beliefs (Please note that these teachings are documented from Mormon writers, not anti-Mormon writers)

In Mormonism, men and women have the potential of becoming gods. President Lorenzo Snow said, "As god once was, man is. As God is, man may become."
 
In order to reach this exalted state of godhood, a person must first become a good Mormon, pay a full ten percent tithe to the Mormon Church, follow various laws and ordinances of the church, and be found worthy. 
 
For those who achieve the highest of heavens, exaltation to godhood awaits them. Then he or she will be permitted to have his or her own planet and be the god of his own world and the Mormon system will be expanded to other planets.
 
1. Book of Mormon
 
The book of Mormon is more correct than the Bible, (History of the Church, vol. 4, p. 461.)
 
2. God
 
God used to be a man on another planet (Mormon Doctrine, p. 321; Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, vol. 5, p. 613-614; Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 345; Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 333).

3. God, becoming a god
 
After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345-347, 354).
 
4. God, many gods There are many gods (Mormon Doctrine  p. 163).
 
"And they (the Gods) said: Let there be light: and there was light," (Book of Abraham 4:3).
 
5. God, Trinity
 
The trinity is three separate Gods: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. "That these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other, is demonstrated by the accepted records of divine dealings with man," (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 35). 

6. Heaven
 
There are three levels of heaven: telestial, terrestrial, and celestial (Mormon Doctrine, p. 348).

Although Mormons are usually friendly, loving, and kind people, they are deceived by a false religion that distorts the nature of God, the Person of Jesus Christ, and the means of salvation.

"It is neither slander nor condescension to state clearly that Mormonism is not Christianity. Taking Mormonism on its own terms, one finds a comprehensive set of teachings and doctrines that are self-consciously set against historic Christianity. The larger world may be confused about this, but biblical Christians cannot make this error, for we are certain that the consequences are eternal."  Albert Mohler, President, Southern Seminary.

As Christians, our hope and prayer must be that many people involved in the cults will see through the lies and will be drawn to the truth of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone.