What do Mormons believe about Jesus?

I spent the first 25 years of my life as a Mormon, and I served a Mormon mission in Denver, Colorado for 18 months. Like many members, I often emphasized that “Mormon” was just a nickname, and that our church’s real name–“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints”–was proof enough that we were Christians and followed Jesus Christ. But how others define “Christian” isn’t always so straightforward, and the unique beliefs of Mormonism don’t always fit the bill.

Do Mormons believe in Jesus Christ?

Yes, Mormons do believe in Jesus Christ. He is a central figure of their faith. They hold that Jesus is the literal Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, and sent to earth to be the Savior of humankind. Mormons believe in Jesus’ divinity, his teachings, his atoning sacrifice, his literal death and resurrection, and his role as the ultimate judge and redeemer.

However, Mormons also believe that the complete gospel of Jesus Christ was partially lost after the apostles’ deaths. They teach that both God the Father and Jesus Christ revisited the earth in the early 1800s to restore the “fullness of the gospel” through modern prophets. These prophets introduced new doctrines, guidelines, and scriptures unique to Mormonism.

While Mormons self-identify as Christians, believing that their faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient for inclusion under the “Christian” label, others argue that their doctrinal differences are too significant to fit within traditional Christianity.

How do Mormon views on Jesus differ from traditional Christianity?

Mormon beliefs about Jesus share some common ground with mainstream Christianity but also introduce unique perspectives that set them apart. Here are a few key differences:

The Nature of the Godhead

Mormons believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost as three distinct beings united in purpose rather than one being in three persons (the Trinity). Traditional Christianity teaches that these three are one entity in essence, an indivisible Trinity—a core belief that many Christians see as a defining doctrine of Christianity.

Jesus’ Premortal Existence

Mormons believe that Jesus existed as a spirit child of God before being born on earth, making him the “firstborn” in God’s family. They also believe that all humans lived with God as spirits before coming to earth. Traditional Christianity, however, generally teaches that Jesus has always existed as part of God and doesn’t teach that humans had a life before birth.

Jesus’ Role in Restoration

Mormons believe that after the apostles died, Jesus’ full teachings were lost in a period called the Great Apostasy. They teach that God and Jesus Christ personally appeared to Joseph Smith in the 1800s to restore the “fullness of the gospel,” which includes doctrines, practices, and scriptures unique to Mormonism. Mainstream Christianity typically believes that Jesus’ teachings were preserved in the Bible and sees no need for additional revelation.

Path to Salvation

Traditional Christianity often emphasizes salvation through faith in Jesus alone, viewing his grace as the primary means to eternal life. Mormonism teaches that salvation involves both faith and certain practices, like temple ordinances, living a moral life, and following church teachings. I followed the rules of Mormon church leaders for most of my life because I believed salvation could only be reached through a combination of grace and personal effort.

Scripture and Authority

Most Christians view the Bible as the sole authoritative scripture. While Mormons also believe in the Bible, they include additional scriptures. Some, like the Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price, are considered ancient records translated by the church’s founder, Joseph Smith. Others, like the Doctrine and Covenants and various church manuals, are viewed as modern revelations from God given through prophets.

Are Mormons Christians?

Whether Mormons are considered Christians depends on how “Christian” is defined. Here are several perspectives:

Mormons Say They are Christian

Mormons self-identify as Christians, viewing themselves as followers of Jesus Christ who practice a restored form of early Christianity.

Evangelical and Orthodox Christian Perspective

Many traditional Christian groups argue that Mormonism differs too much from core doctrines.

Academic Perspective

Many scholars view Mormonism as a “restorationist” movement, a branch of the broader Christian family. Restorationist religions believe original teachings and practices of early Christianity were lost or corrupted over time and aim to “restore” them. They argue that while Mormon beliefs differ from traditional Christianity, the LDS faith’s focus on Jesus makes it reasonable to consider it a form of Christianity.

Cultural Perspective

Some take a cultural approach, observing that Mormons celebrate Christian holidays, study Jesus’ teachings, and base their values on Christian principles. From this view, shared practices and ethics place Mormonism within the broader cultural umbrella of Christianity, even if the doctrines differ.

In the end, the answer depends on the lens used. For those who emphasize traditional Christian doctrines, Mormonism may not fit within orthodoxy. For those who focus on a belief in Jesus as the central criterion, Mormonism qualifies as a unique form of Christianity.

My perspective on Mormonism and Jesus

Growing up as a Mormon, I believed Jesus Christ was central to my beliefs. Years after leaving, it’s interesting to look back at the church and realize that despite their alleged focus on Christ, so much of my time and worship was dedicated to the church’s modern prophets.

We sang hymns about Joseph Smith, received monthly magazines in the mail written by church leaders, and gathered twice yearly to listen to the words of these modern prophets. Few of our lessons seemed to be focused solely on Jesus Christ and more on following church leaders. 

Every belief I held in Jesus seemed to come with a caveat:

 “Jesus atoned for our sins… but we need to be washed clean of our sins through baptism by a priesthood holder.”

“The gospel of Jesus is true… but was lost and restored by Joseph Smith.”

“Through Jesus we can all be saved… so long as we live by the guidelines outlined for us by our leaders.”

Now it seems contradictory that although Jesus supposedly died for our sins, drinking a cup of coffee or wearing the wrong underwear could keep you out of heaven. The lines between salvation by grace and salvation by works is blurry in the Mormon church but seems to favor works based on my experience.

Conclusion

Growing up as a Mormon, I believed in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, but not in the exact same way most mainstream Christians do. Beliefs unique to Mormonism—like the need for specific ordinances to attain Jesus’ grace—narrowed the ways I could experience his love and acceptance. In contrast, beliefs not unique to Mormonism—like the importance of empathy, nonjudgment, and kindness—have been easier for me to find outside of the church.