Baptists vs. Mormons — What's the Difference?

Christians practicing baptism by immersion upon profession of faith.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Protestants rooted in the Reformation prioritizing the Bible.

Believers with unique scriptures beyond the Bible.

Christians emphasizing believer's baptism and individual church autonomy.

A religious group known for their emphasis on family and community.

Believers often advocating for religious liberty and separation of church and state.

Practitioners of rites like baptism for the dead and temple ceremonies.

Baptists form a major branch of Evangelical Christianity distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul competency (the responsibility and accountability of every person before God), sola fide (salvation by just faith alone), sola scriptura (scripture alone as the rule of faith and practice) and congregationalist church government.

Christians founded by Joseph Smith in the 19th century.

A member of an evangelical Protestant church of congregational polity, following the Reformed tradition in worship and believing in freedom of conscience, separation of church and state, and baptism only of voluntary, conscious believers.

Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, the principal branch of the Latter Day Saint movement started by Joseph Smith in upstate New York during the 1820s. After Smith's death in 1844 the movement split into several groups following different leaders; the majority followed Brigham Young, while smaller groups followed Joseph Smith III, Sidney Rigdon, and James Strang.

Baptist One that baptizes.

An ancient prophet believed to have compiled a sacred history of the Americas, which was translated and published by Joseph Smith as the Book of Mormon in 1830.

Plural of baptist

A member of the Mormon Church. Also called Latter-day Saint.

Any of various evangelical Protestant churches that believe in the baptism of voluntary believers

Of or relating to the Mormons, their religion, or the Mormon Church.

A diverse group with various sub-denominations and beliefs.

Church founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 with headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah

Yes, both Baptists and Mormons identify as Christian denominations.

Mormons recognize the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Baptists practice believer's baptism, typically by full immersion.

No, there are various Baptist denominations with nuanced differences in doctrine and practice.

The Mormon faith was founded by Joseph Smith in the 19th century.

Mormons practice baptism for the dead, a ritual not found in most other Christian denominations.

Mormons view Jesus Christ as the Savior and central figure of their faith.

No, while Baptists have churches, they don't have an equivalent sacred structure like the Mormon temples.

No, Baptist churches typically operate autonomously without a centralized figurehead.

Yes, both Baptists and Mormons are known for their missionary efforts.

Baptists traditionally believe in the Holy Trinity as one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Baptists generally believe in salvation by faith alone in Jesus Christ.

Yes, Mormons place a strong emphasis on family values and togetherness.

Temples are sacred places for Mormons, where they perform special ordinances not conducted in regular meetinghouses.

Mormons believe in the Godhead as three distinct beings: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.