How Do The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Catholic Church Differ?

While both identifying as Christian, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Catholic Church have fundamentally different doctrines and practices. These distinctions largely stem from their differing views on the nature of God, the Bible’s role, priesthood authority, and the ongoing revelation from God.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the key differences:

Doctrines

1. The Godhead/Trinity:

• Catholic Church: Adheres to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, positing one God in three co-equal, co-eternal, and co-substantial Persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. These three are distinct persons but share one divine essence. This doctrine is foundational, emphasizing the inseparable unity and yet distinct personhoods within the Godhead.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Believes in the Godhead as three separate, distinct personages: God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. The Father and the Son are understood to have tangible bodies of flesh and bone, glorified and perfected, while the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit. While distinct, they are perfectly united in purpose, will, and doctrine. This understanding allows for a more personal and approachable relationship with each member of the Godhead. The Church of Jesus Christ also teaches of a Heavenly Mother, the divine consort of God the Father, expanding the concept of divine parenthood.

2. Nature of Jesus Christ:

• Catholic Church: Jesus is the Incarnate Son of God, truly God and truly man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. His sacrificial Atonement on the cross provides salvific grace for humanity, and his death and resurrection are the central, unrepeatable saving events in human history, allowing for redemption from sin.
• The Church of Jesus Christ: Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of the Father in the flesh, the Firstborn of the Father in the spirit. He is distinct from the Father in nature and substance, though one with Him in spirit, purpose, and mind. His Atonement encompassed not only suffering for the sins of all mankind but also overcoming both physical death (through his resurrection) and spiritual death (by allowing all to return to God’s presence through repentance). He is seen as the central figure in God’s plan of salvation, providing the means for all to overcome the effects of the Fall.

3. Scripture and Revelation:

• Catholic Church: Holds the Old and New Testaments as the complete and authoritative Word of God, revealed through divine inspiration. The Church teaches that public revelation ceased with the death of the last apostle. While there can be private revelations, they do not add to the deposit of faith. Tradition, passed down through apostolic succession, is also considered an integral part of God’s revelation.
• The Church of Jesus Christ: Accepts the Bible as the word of God “as far as it is translated correctly,” acknowledging that some plain and precious truths may have been lost over time. Critically, the Church of Jesus Christ believes that the canon of scripture remains open and that God continues to reveal His will to mankind through living prophets. They accept additional books of scripture, including the Book of Mormon (another testament of Jesus Christ), the Doctrine and Covenants (a collection of modern revelations), and the Pearl of Great Price (including ancient writings and modern revelations), as divinely inspired and complementary to the Bible, restoring truths believed to have been lost after the apostles’ deaths.

4. Apostasy and Restoration:

• Catholic Church: Believes in an unbroken line of apostolic succession from Saint Peter, whom Catholics believe was given the keys of the kingdom by Christ and was the first Pope. This succession is seen as guaranteeing the Church’s authority, preserving the integrity of truth, and ensuring the valid administration of sacraments throughout history.
• The Church of Jesus Christ: Teaches that following the death of Jesus Christ and His original apostles, a “Great Apostasy” occurred. During this period, crucial doctrines were corrupted, priesthood authority was lost, and many essential practices of the early Christian church ceased to exist on the earth. They believe that Joseph Smith was chosen by God in the 19th century to restore the original Church of Jesus Christ, complete with its full authority, organization, and teachings, including all necessary ordinances and covenants.

5. Salvation and Grace:

• Catholic Church: Salvation is viewed as a free gift from God, granted through His grace, received by faith in Jesus Christ and through participation in the sacraments. It is a lifelong journey of ongoing conversion, repentance, and cooperation with God’s grace, culminating in eternal life in heaven. Good works are seen as a fruit of faith and grace, not a means to earn salvation independently.
• The Church of Jesus Christ: Salvation is made possible through the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is a gift of grace that requires faith in Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, enduring to the end in faithfulness, and obedience to God’s commandments and sacred ordinances. They teach a comprehensive “plan of salvation” that encompasses a premortal existence as spirit children of God, a mortal life on earth as a time of testing and growth, and eternal progression back into God’s presence.

6. Human Nature and Potential:

• Catholic Church: Humanity is considered fallen due to original sin, inherited from Adam and Eve. While baptism removes original sin, its effects (concupiscence, or the inclination to sin) remain. Salvation comes through God’s grace to overcome sin and achieve holiness, allowing for a closer relationship with God.
• The Church of Jesus Christ: Believes in a premortal existence where all humans lived as spirit children of Heavenly Parents. The Fall of Adam and Eve is understood as a planned and necessary step in God’s plan, allowing for agency, growth, and the opportunity for spirits to gain a physical body and experience mortality. This perspective emphasizes humanity’s divine parentage and potential for eternal progression. A well-known teaching, often attributed to Lorenzo Snow, states: “As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be,” implying a potential for faithful and obedient individuals to progress to become like God (exaltation), inheriting all that the Father has.

Practices

1. Priesthood Authority:

• Catholic Church: Possesses a highly structured, hierarchical priesthood with ordained clergy (deacons, priests, bishops, cardinals, and the Pope) who derive their authority through an unbroken line of apostolic succession, tracing back to Peter. Only baptized men can be ordained to the priesthood. Celibacy is generally required for priests in the Latin Rite.
• The Church of Jesus Christ: Operates with a lay priesthood, meaning worthy male members, from a young age (typically 12 for the Aaronic Priesthood and 18 for the Melchizedek Priesthood), can receive priesthood authority and serve in various capacities. This priesthood allows them to perform sacred ordinances and lead the Church. There is no paid clergy; leaders serve voluntarily in their callings. Marriage and family are highly encouraged for all members, including those holding leadership positions.

2. Sacraments/Ordinances:

• Catholic Church: Recognizes seven sacraments as necessary means of grace: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist (Holy Communion), Penance (Reconciliation or Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The Eucharist is central, where Catholics believe in transubstantiation—the bread and wine literally transform into the body and blood of Christ.
• The Church of Jesus Christ: Refers to sacred acts as “ordinances” rather than sacraments. Essential ordinances for salvation include baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, confirmation (receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands), priesthood ordination for worthy men, temple endowment (sacred covenants and instruction), and celestial marriage (eternal marriage in a temple). They partake of the Sacrament (bread and water) weekly in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, but do not believe in transubstantiation; rather, it is a symbolic covenant to remember Christ.

3. Temple Worship:

• Catholic Church: While churches are places of worship and Mass, and cathedrals hold particular significance as the seat of a bishop, the Catholic Church does not have structures akin to the temples of the Church of Jesus Christ for exclusive, higher ordinances.
• The Church of Jesus Christ: Has distinct temples, separate from regular meetinghouses. Temples are considered the most sacred houses of the Lord on earth, where higher ordinances and covenants are performed for both the living and the dead. These include endowments (receiving instruction and making sacred covenants), sealings (performing eternal marriages for couples and sealing families together for eternity), and proxy baptisms for the dead. Only members in good standing who hold a “temple recommend” can enter temples.

4. Veneration of Saints and Mary:

• Catholic Church: Practices the veneration of saints, including the Virgin Mary, believing them to be examples of faith and intercessors with God. Catholics offer prayers to saints, asking for their intercession with God on behalf of the faithful. Mary is particularly honored with specific doctrines like the Immaculate Conception, her perpetual virginity, and her bodily Assumption into heaven.
• The Church of Jesus Christ: Honors Mary as the revered mother of Jesus but does not adhere to specific Catholic doctrines concerning her (e.g., Immaculate Conception, perpetual virginity, or bodily assumption) nor do they venerate saints or pray to them. Worship is directed solely to God the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ.

5. Dietary and Lifestyle Restrictions:

• Catholic Church: Has historical and current practices such as fasting (e.g., limiting meals) and abstinence (e.g., abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent), particularly during penitential seasons.
• The Church of Jesus Christ: Adheres to the “Word of Wisdom,” a modern revelation providing a code of health and well-being. This includes prohibitions against alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea, and emphasizes healthful eating and living. Additionally, the Church encourages modest dress, strict adherence to the law of chastity (no sexual activity outside of legal, heterosexual marriage), and discourages pornography, gambling, and excessive debt.

6. Church Structure and Authority:

• Catholic Church: Governed centrally by the Pope, who is considered the successor of Saint Peter, the Vicar of Christ on Earth, and the spiritual head of the worldwide Church. The Church has a highly centralized and defined hierarchy.
• The Church of Jesus Christ: Led by a President (who is sustained by members as a prophet, seer, and revelator) and two counselors, forming the First Presidency, along with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This governing body is supported by a global hierarchy of lay leaders (bishops, stake presidents, mission presidents, etc.) who serve voluntarily and are called through revelation. Decisions are made by unanimous consent among the senior leadership.

In essence, while both the Catholic Church and The Church of Jesus Christ share a common foundation in Christianity and reverence for Jesus Christ, their divergence in understanding God’s nature, the continuity of revelation, the interpretation of scripture, and the authority to administer sacred ordinances leads to significantly distinct doctrinal beliefs and worship practices.