Jeffrey N

Isn't it interesting how BOTH Muhammad & Joseph Smith claimed to be visited by 'an angel' who had a 'corrected' revelation to share with them? The Bible provides the best context to what actually happened to both of them (I've listed two Bible verses near the bottom), but before I get to that, it's eerily odd HOW MANY similarities there are between Muhammad & Joseph Smith, so much so that some scholars have referred to 'Islam' as 'medieval Mormonism.' You'll quickly realize WHY when you read these 24 similarities between these two men, however, there are also two MAJOR differences between Islam & Mormonism (LDS), so I've listed both of those as well... Similarities between Muhammad & Joseph Smith: 1) Both claimed to be visited by angels. 2) Both men claimed supernatural experiences. 3) Both were told that all existing religions were false. 4) Both of them were told they would restore true religions on earth. 5) Both religions teach a works-based salvation. 6) Both wanted to unite all people under what he thought was the one 'true' religion. 7) Both rejected the Bible and said it was changed by men, corrupted, and unreliable. 8) The sayings of both founders were written down and came to be viewed by their followers as 'inspired' by God. 9) Both claimed their holy book was the most correct and perfect book on earth. 10) Both founders later received 'corrections' to their inspired scriptures. 11) Both founders became military leaders. 12) Both claimed that they were persecuted because of their pure faith. 13) Both 'prophets' began as monogamists but became polygamists. 14) Both borrowed other religious ideas of their day. 15) Both religions fought over who would lead after the founder died. 16) Both groups are actually ruled more by the words and/or the works of the prophets than the key inspired book. 17) Both religions have 'fundamentalist' factions who are violent and/or anti-social. 18) Both deny Jesus’ eternal deity. 19) Both deny that Jesus' death on the cross paid for all the sins of everyone who repents and puts their trust in Him. 20) Both gave dietary laws to their followers. 21) Both require devout followers to wear specific types of clothing. 22) Both put women on a lower level than men. 23) Both have their own versions of heaven / paradise. 24) Both men claimed to be God's prophet. However, here are those two MAJOR differences between Islam & Mormonism (LDS) I mentioned: 1) According to Islam, Muhammad was the last and final prophet, whereas Mormonism teaches Joseph Smith was a prophet. 2) Islam teaches there is only one god (monotheism), whereas Mormonism teaches that a man can 'become a god' (polytheism). The two Bible verses, I mentioned at the top, that provide context to what both men encountered: 2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades an angel of light." Galatians 1:8 "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a Gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!"

From our perspective it really comes down to one specific thing: priesthood authority. We believe that after the original apostles died, the authority God delegated to perform saving ordinances like baptism was lost from the earth. We do not question your faith in Christ, your sincerity, or your love of God. What we believe is that baptism has to be performed by someone holding a specific God-given authority that was restored through Joseph Smith, and that without that restored authority the ordinance is not recognized the same way eternally. So it is not about what you believe or how you live. It is one narrow but significant claim: that the authority to perform the ordinances God requires was missing for centuries and has been brought back. That is what we are offering you.