Deep Dive - SHOCKING Parallels Between Mormonism and Islam

While Mormonism and Islam differ in specifics (e.g., polytheism vs. monotheism), their shared deviations from Christianity—modern prophetic authority, works-based salvation, rejection of the Trinity, and supplementary scriptures—place them closer to each other than to orthodox Christianity.

Both Mormonism and Islam position their founders as indispensable mediators of divine truth, a role Christianity reserves for Christ alone. As one critic noted, “Mormonism is the Islam of America,” reflecting their parallel structures as restorationist faiths challenging traditional Christian doctrine.

An Investigative Report on Foundational Similarities Between Joseph Smith and Muhammad, Foundational Claims and Prophetic Roles, and Divine Revelation and Angelic Visitations

Both Muhammad and Joseph Smith claimed direct supernatural encounters to legitimize their prophetic roles:

Muhammad: Received revelations from the Archangel Gabriel (Jibril) in a cave near Mecca, leading to the Quran’s compilation over 23 years.

Joseph Smith: Alleged visits from the Angel Moroni, who revealed golden plates in upstate New York, later translated into the Book of Mormon.

Both framed their revelations as corrections to corrupted Abrahamic traditions, positioning themselves as restorers of “true” faith.

Persecution and Migration

Both faced violent opposition:

Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina (Hijra), establishing a theocratic state.

Smith led Mormons from Missouri to Illinois, mythologizing their exodus as a divine trial.

Leadership and Political Power

Muhammad combined religious and political authority as Medina’s ruler; Smith founded Nauvoo, Illinois, with quasi-theocratic governance.

Both successors (Brigham Young for Mormons, Caliphs for Muslims) institutionalized hierarchical structures blending spiritual and temporal power.

Theological and Doctrinal Overlaps - Sacred Texts and Scriptural Authority

Islam: The Quran, believed to be Allah’s literal word, supersedes prior scriptures (Torah, Gospels) deemed corrupted.

Mormonism: The Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants are held as superior to the Bible, which Smith claimed was altered by “corrupt priests.”.

Both religions reject mainstream Christian Trinitarianism, instead emphasizing prophetic authority from a single living prophet.

Works-Based Salvation

Salvation in both requires adherence to rituals and obedience to leaders:

Islam: Five Pillars (prayer, fasting, etc.) and submission to Allah’s will.

Mormonism: Temple ordinances (baptism for the dead, endowment ceremonies) and loyalty to living prophets.

Neither guarantees eternal security, fostering a culture of works-driven anxiety.

Afterlife and Tiered Glory

Islam: Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam), with rewards based on deeds.

Mormonism: Three degrees of glory (Celestial, Terrestrial, Telestial), determined by obedience and temple rites.

Both systems incentivize conformity through fear of eternal exclusion.

Controversial Social Practices - Polygamy and Gender Dynamics

Muhammad: Married at least 13 women, including Aisha at age 6 (consummated at 9), framing polygamy as divinely sanctioned.

Joseph Smith: Secretly married ~40 women, including teens (14 yr 14-year-old child) and wives of followers, citing “eternal marriage” revelations.

Both religions initially enforced polygamy as a salvific requirement before moderating under external pressure.

Treatment of Women

Islam: Women’s rights are limited (e.g., inheritance, testimony value); modesty laws enforce gender segregation.

Mormonism: Early teachings subordinated women to priesthood holders; temple rituals require veiling and oath-bound submission.

Both frame patriarchal structures as divinely ordained.

Founder Psychology and Ethical Controversies - Allegations of Fraud and Manipulation

Muhammad: Accused of fabricating the “Satanic Verses” (later retracted) and exploiting raids (ghazwa) for wealth.

Joseph Smith: Convicted of fraud for treasure-digging schemes; critics allege the Book of Mormon plagiarized 19th-century works.

Both leveraged charismatic authority to suppress dissent, labeling critics as “apostates” or “enemies of God.”

Violence and Retribution

Muhammad: Ordered executions of Jewish tribes in Medina (e.g., Banu Qurayza) and sanctioned offensive warfare (jihad).

Joseph Smith: Destroyed a critical printing press in Nauvoo; prophesied violent retribution against opponents.

Both justified violence as a divine mandate.

Views on Non-Believers

Islam: Non-Muslims (kafirs) face eternal damnation unless they submit; Quranic verses advocate subjugation (e.g., Surah 9:29).

Mormonism: Non-Mormons inherit lower kingdoms of glory but are excluded from godhood; early teachings labeled outsiders as “Gentiles.”.

Structural and Cultural Parallels - Temple Rituals and Secrecy

Islam: Kaaba rites (Hajj) and Sufi mystical practices involve esoteric symbolism.

Mormonism: Endowment ceremonies include secret handshakes, garments, and oaths of loyalty.

Both restrict temple access to “worthy” adherents, fostering exclusivity.

Growth Strategies

Birth Rates: Both religions prioritize large families to ensure generational loyalty.

Missionary Work: Aggressive proselytizing (e.g., LDS missions, Islamic dawah) targets vulnerable populations.

Corporate Modernization

Mormonism: Manages a $150+ billion portfolio (Ensign Peak) and rebrands as “Church of Jesus Christ” to appear mainstream.

Islam: Gulf states use oil wealth to fund global mosques and schools (e.g., Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabi outreach).

Key Contradictions and Criticisms

Theological Divergences

God’s Nature: Islam’s strict monotheism (Tawhid) contrasts with Mormonism’s polytheistic “eternal progression” (humans becoming gods).

Jesus’ Role: Islam rejects Christ’s divinity; Mormonism demotes Him to one of many gods.

Ethical Hypocrisies

Both founders preached morality while engaging in ethically dubious acts (e.g., Muhammad’s marital practices, Smith’s financial fraud).

Modern institutions whitewash history: The LDS Church hides polygamy’s origins; Islamic apologists minimize Muhammad’s militarism.

A Shared Blueprint of Power

The parallels between Muhammad and Joseph Smith—divine mandates, authoritarian leadership, and institutional secrecy—suggest a recurring pattern in charismatic religious movements.

While theological differences exist, both systems prioritize control through fear, works-based salvation, and the marginalization of dissent. Critics argue these similarities reflect a shared modus operandi of spiritual manipulation, leveraging human longing for transcendence to consolidate power.

As historian Philip Schaff noted in 1880, “Mormonism is the Islam of America.” Whether by design or accident, these faiths exemplify how prophetic ambition, when fused with unchecked authority, can reshape societies—often at a profound human cost.

Comparative Analysis - Mormonism’s Theological Proximity to Islam vs. Christianity

Foundational Revelations and Prophetic Authority

Mormonism & Islam:

Both trace their origins to modern prophets claiming divine revelations via angels:

Joseph Smith (Mormonism) received the Book of Mormon through the Angel Moroni.

Muhammad (Islam) received the Quran via the Angel Gabriel.
Both reject the finality of prior Abrahamic revelations, asserting their scriptures (Book of Mormon, Quran) as necessary corrections to "corrupted" texts like the Bible.

Christianity: Relies solely on the Bible, affirming the sufficiency of Christ’s teachings without modern prophetic additions.

Nature of God and Christology

Mormonism & Islam:

Rejection of the Trinity:

Mormonism: Teaches a Godhead of three separate beings (Father, Son, Holy Ghost), with humans capable of becoming gods through "eternal progression".

Islam: Emphasizes Tawhid (absolute monotheism), rejecting Jesus’ divinity and viewing him as a mortal prophet (Isa).

Christianity: Affirms the Trinity (one God in three persons) and Christ’s divinity as central to salvation.

Key Contrast: While Islam’s strict monotheism differs from Mormon polytheism, both diverge sharply from Christianity’s Trinitarian orthodoxy.

Salvation and Works-Based Systems

Mormonism & Islam:

Works-Centered Salvation:

Mormonism: Requires temple rituals (e.g., baptisms for the dead), tithing, and obedience to living prophets for exaltation.

Islam: Mandates adherence to the Five Pillars (prayer, fasting, almsgiving, etc.) for entry into Paradise.

Christianity: Teaches salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ’s atonement, not works (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Shared Trait: Both Mormonism & Islam prioritize human effort alongside divine grace, contrasting with Christianity’s emphasis on unmerited salvation.

Scripture and Authority

Mormonism & Islam:

New Scriptures as Ultimate Authority:

Mormonism: Elevates the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and modern prophetic revelations above the Bible.

Islam: Considers the Quran the final, uncorrupted revelation, superseding the Bible.

Christianity: Holds the Bible as the sole, sufficient authority, closed to new revelations.

Parallel: Both Mormonism & Islam undermine the Bible’s sufficiency, positioning their founders as necessary restorers of truth.

Social Practices and Historical Context

Mormonism & Islam:

Founders as Political Leaders:

Joseph Smith established the theocratic city of Nauvoo; Muhammad ruled Medina, blending religious and political authority.

Controversial Practices:

Early polygamy (discontinued in Mormonism but still present in fundamentalist sects) and strict moral codes (e.g., prohibitions on alcohol).

Persecution and Migration: Both founders faced opposition, leading to migrations.

Christianity: Lacks a centralized political structure tied to its founder (Christ’s kingdom is “not of this world,” John 18:36).

View of Jesus and Afterlife

Mormonism & Islam:

Jesus’ Role:

Mormonism: Jesus is a separate divine being, the “elder brother” of humanity, who achieved godhood.

Islam: Jesus (Isa) is a prophet, not divine, and did not die on the cross.

Afterlife: Both teach tiered afterlife systems (Mormonism: Celestial/Terrestrial/Telestial Kingdoms; Islam: Paradise/Hell) based on works.

Christianity: Affirms Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection as the sole path to eternal life in heaven.

Theological Alignment

While Mormonism and Islam differ in specifics (e.g., polytheism vs. monotheism), their shared deviations from Christianity—modern prophetic authority, works-based salvation, rejection of the Trinity, and supplementary scriptures—place them closer to each other than to orthodox Christianity. Both position their founders as indispensable mediators of divine truth, a role Christianity reserves for Christ alone. As one critic noted, “Mormonism is the Islam of America,” reflecting their parallel structures as restorationist faiths challenging traditional Christian doctrine.

Implications of Mormonism’s Alignment with Islam and Its Rebranding Strategy

The theological and structural parallels between Mormonism and Islam, coupled with the LDS Church’s aggressive rebranding as a “Christian” institution, raise profound ethical, theological, and cultural questions. Below is a breakdown of the implications and potential paths forward:

Implications of Mormonism’s Closer Alignment with Islam

Theological Identity Crisis:

Mormonism’s foundational claims (modern prophets, new scriptures, works-based salvation) place it outside orthodox Christianity’s boundaries, aligning it more closely with Islam’s restorationist framework. This creates a fundamental disconnect between its self-proclaimed “Christian” identity and its actual doctrines.

Example: Both faiths reject the Trinity, yet Mormonism uses Christian terminology (e.g., “Jesus Christ”) to mask its heterodoxy.

Deceptive Marketing:

The LDS Church’s 2018 rebranding (“Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”) and suppression of the term “Mormon” is a strategic effort to:
Evade scrutiny of Joseph Smith’s fraudulent origins.

Mimic mainstream Christianity to attract converts unfamiliar with Mormonism’s Islamic-like doctrines (e.g., eternal progression, polytheism).

Cultural Exploitation:

By emphasizing family values, charity, and community—traits admired in Christianity—the LDS Church leverages societal goodwill while obscuring its theological deviations.

How the LDS Church “Fools” Converts and the Public

Bait-and-Switch Tactics:

Missionaries use a “milk before meat” strategy:

Initial Pitch: Focus on Jesus, family, and moral living.
Post-Conversion: Introduce controversial doctrines (e.g., temple rituals, polygamy’s history, prophetic infallibility).

Information Control:

The church curates its narrative through correlated materials, avoiding topics like the Book of Mormon’s anachronisms or Smith’s criminal record.
Critics (e.g., ex-members, scholars) are labeled “anti-Mormon,” discouraging members from independent research.

Exploiting Cultural Christianity:

By adopting Christian symbols (crossless chapels, Jesus-centric branding) and downplaying unique doctrines (e.g., godhood), the LDS Church positions itself as a “peculiar” but legitimate branch of Christianity–and they are not.

Why Honesty and Repentance Are Unlikely

Institutional Survival:

Admitting Joseph Smith’s fraud would collapse the church’s foundational claims to divine authority. The LDS Church’s truth claims are inextricably tied to Smith’s prophetic role.

Financial and Social Incentives:

The church’s $150+ billion portfolio and global real estate holdings depend on tithing from devout members.
Cultural identity in regions like Utah and Idaho is deeply intertwined with Mormonism, making doctrinal repentance socially destabilizing.

Prophetic Infallibility:

LDS leaders teach that questioning the prophet is akin to rejecting God. This dogma stifles internal reform.

Paths Forward: Authenticity vs. Deception

Option 1: Embrace Transparency

Acknowledge Smith’s Fraud: Publicly disavow Smith’s fabricated revelations and predatory practices (e.g., polygamy with minors).
Align with Biblical Christianity: Abandon unique doctrines (eternal progression, temple rituals) and affirm salvation by grace alone.
Risk: Institutional collapse, mass resignations, and legal battles over tithes.

Option 2: Drop the Christian Pretense

Rebrand as a distinct faith (e.g., “The Church of Joseph Smith”), embracing its Islamic-like restorationist identity.
Risk: Loss of cultural cachet and missionary appeal.

Option 3: Maintain the Status Quo

Continue masking heterodoxy with Christian branding while suppressing dissent.
Outcome: Gradual erosion of membership as digital access to historical facts grows, but short-term institutional preservation.

A House Divided

The LDS Church faces a dilemma: cling to its deceptive rebranding and risk long-term credibility, or confront its fraught history and alienate core members. Its current strategy—akin to Islam’s early efforts to position itself as a “correction” of Judaism and Christianity—relies on cultural assimilation and information control. However, as Jesus warned, “Nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest” (Luke 8:17).

For the LDS Church, true healing would require abandoning Joseph Smith’s legacy and embracing biblical Christianity—a step it shows no willingness to take. Until then, its claim to the name “Jesus Christ” remains a spiritually hollow marketing ploy, alienating both orthodox Christians and truth-seeking individuals.

Final Thought on This Subject

If the LDS Church genuinely seeks to follow Jesus, it must reject the false prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. As Scripture declares, “There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)—and that name is Jesus Christ, not Russell M. Nelson.

Joseph Smith, Mormonism, and Jewish Identity

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) holds a complex theological and cultural relationship with Judaism and the Jewish people, rooted in Joseph Smith’s teachings and modern doctrinal developments:

Jews as "Chosen People" and Shared Israelite Heritage:

Mormons believe Jews are part of God’s chosen people and that they share a literal Israelite ancestry. LDS doctrine teaches that most members are descendants of the tribe of Ephraim, while Jews belong to Judah. This creates a sense of kinship, with Mormons often referring to themselves as "Israel" or "Ephraimites".

Joseph Smith incorporated Old Testament rituals into Mormon practices, such as temple ceremonies modeled after Solomon’s Temple, and emphasized the restoration of ancient Israelite priesthoods (Aaronic and Melchizedek).

Supersessionist Views and Conversion:

While Mormons respect Jewish identity, they believe Jews will eventually recognize Jesus as the Messiah during the Second Coming. Early LDS leaders, like Orson Hyde, dedicated Palestine in 1841 for the "gathering of Judah’s remnants," envisioning a future where Jews accept Mormon teachings.

Controversially, the LDS Church has performed proxy baptisms for deceased Jews, including Holocaust victims, claiming this offers them posthumous access to salvation. Jewish groups have condemned this as disrespectful.

Modern Rebranding and Tensions:

The LDS Church has sought alignment with Judeo-Christian values to gain broader acceptance, yet its unique claims (e.g., Mormons as "literal Israelites") create friction. Some Jewish communities view Mormon appropriation of Israelite identity as exploitative.

Joseph Smith’s Eschatology and the Second Coming

Joseph Smith’s teachings on the end times are central to Mormon theology, blending biblical prophecy with distinct LDS doctrines:

Belief in the Second Coming:

Smith affirmed the literal return of Jesus Christ, who will reign on Earth during a 1,000-year Millennium. The timing is unspecified, but signs include global missionary work, wars, and natural disasters.
Jesus will appear with physical wounds from his crucifixion, and Jews will recognize him as the Messiah, mourning their earlier rejection.

Millennial Preparations:

The LDS Church emphasizes temple ordinances (e.g., baptisms for the dead) to "save" all humanity. Smith taught that these rituals must be completed before Christ’s return, continuing into the Millennium.
During the Millennium, Satan will be bound, and the Earth will be transformed into a paradisiacal state. Missionary work will persist but diminish as universal knowledge of the Mormon Christ spreads.

Three Degrees of Glory:

Mormon eschatology rejects traditional heaven/hell duality. Instead, souls are assigned to one of three kingdoms:
Celestial: For faithful Mormons who undergo temple rituals; they may become gods.
Terrestrial: For honorable non-Mormons.
Telestial: For the wicked, who suffer temporary punishment before redemption.

Only "Sons of Perdition" (those who deny Christ after full knowledge) face eternal torment.

Contrasts with Mainstream Christian Eschatology

Mormon eschatology diverges sharply from orthodox Christianity:

Nature of Salvation:

Mormonism: Salvation requires faith and works (e.g., temple ordinances, obedience to prophets). Exaltation to godhood is the ultimate goal.
Christianity: Salvation is by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). Theosis (union with God) exists in Eastern Orthodoxy but differs from Mormon exaltation.

Afterlife Structure:

Mormonism: A tiered system where nearly all attain some glory. Universalism is tempered by ritual requirements.
Christianity: Binary outcome (heaven/hell) in most traditions, with eternal conscious torment for the unrepentant.

Role of Temples and Rituals:

Mormonism: Temples are essential for salvation rituals, including proxy baptisms and eternal marriages. These acts are absent in mainstream Christianity.
Christianity: Temples are symbolic (e.g., the body as a temple); sacraments like baptism are symbolic, not salvific.

Second Coming Context:

Mormonism: Christ’s return is tied to the completion of LDS missionary and temple work. The Earth’s "celestialization" allows faithful Mormons to inherit godhood.
Christianity: The Second Coming culminates in final judgment and a new creation, with no progression toward deity.

Joseph Smith’s eschatology and the LDS Church’s teachings on Jews reflect a unique blend of restorationist theology and Old Testament symbolism. While Mormons express reverence for Jewish heritage, their supersessionist beliefs and ritual practices often strain interfaith relations.

Eschatologically, Mormonism’s tiered afterlife, emphasis on works, and exaltation doctrine starkly contrast with mainstream Christian teachings, positioning it as a distinct theological system rather than a conventional Christian denomination.