Muhammad and Joseph Smith

I have repeatedly pointed similiarities of the two men and their revelations.  I have asked for any significant differences.  You mention potentionally insignificant differences such as food preferences.

The fact that they both acknowledge Christ in a reduced role is only ONE similiarity.

Your threat of deleting my post if I say anything derogatory (which I haven't) and your refusal to give a significant difference indicates to me you can not give a difference!

StephenC wrote: I have repeatedly pointed similiarities of the two men and their revelations.  I have asked for any significant differences.  You mention potentionally insignificant differences such as food preferences. The fact that they both acknowledge Christ in a reduced role is only ONE similiarity. Your threat of deleting my post if I say anything derogatory (which I haven't) and your refusal to give a significant difference indicates to me you can not give a difference!

Actually, the Mormon Church increases the Role of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is still the Son of God, Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament acting on behalf of his Father, Elohim. 

He is still the product of a Virgin Birth to Mary by the Power of the Holy Spirit.  He is still the Savior, who took upon him the Sins of the world in the Garden and suffered and bleed from every pore.  He was raised up on the Cross, died and was Resurrected.

The major difference between Muslims and Mormons is first we do believe in the divinity of Christ.  He is truly the Son of God and the Savior.  We believe he was crucified and resurrected and ascended to Heaven.  Like the Muslims we do not believe in the One God in Three Forms.  We believe in the Godhead, Elohim the Supreme Ruler and Creator, Jehovah the Intercessor and Savior and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Testifier.

Another difference is the manner in which the Two books were revealed.  Muhammed's book came from direct revelation from Gabriel to Muhammed.  The miracle is in the illiteracy of the Prophet of Islam and the perfectness of the Arabic of the Quran.  His revelations were intended to bring a pagan people back to God Almighty and away from their idols and false Gods.

Joseph Smith was the Prophet of the Restoration of the True Church.  His was not to bring NEW revelation but to return lost revelations.  The Book of Mormon was not written by his hand, it was translated.  The Book had many authors from Nephi to Moroni.  The Book was buried in the Hill Cumorah and preserved until the Prophet stepped forth to translate it with the Power of God.  Thus the words of the Book of Mormon are not Joseph's words they are those of the men who compiled them.  The closest things we have to the Quran in the LDS Church are the Doctrine and Covenants (direct revelations to the Prophets) and the Book of Moses which was given to Joseph through Direct Revelation.

So we have the nature of Jesus, the Godhead and the nature of the Revealed book that Separate us.  The Purpose of Life is also different.  We are here to be perfected like our Heavenly Father, to be tried and tested and return to him.  One of the points that many detractors point out is our believe that Man is as God was, and as God is Man may become....this is blasphemous to the Muslim.  For them, God is eternal, no beginning or end, neither created or begotten.  God is formless and all powerful.  Man was created to worship God and we are here to be tested for our obedience.  Those who obey will go to heaven, those that don't will suffer eternal hellfire.

Mormon's believe there is salvation for the dead and that there is a place for everyone in Heaven, even non Mormons.  Muslims believe only Muslims will be in Heaven and all else will perish in the fire.

Another major difference is the Priesthood.  Mormons give the priesthood to all worthy males.  Starting at the age of 12 and going throughout their life.  They are first given the lesser priesthood of the Aaronic Priesthood and then later given the Melchizedek Priesthood.  Men called to higher offices are given the High Priesthood.  This allows the men to baptize, pass sacrement, give blessings to the sick and afflicted and act on behalf of others. 

Muslims have no priesthood.  Theirs is a personal relationship with God.  The Imam is simply a man who leads prayers, in the US and areas where the communities are small he becomes a community leader as well.  The Scholars are not Priests.  They are men who have studies the Quran and Sunnah to such a degree that they are recognized on Authorities when it comes to Shariah and such.  Therefore they are able to issue Fatwas or religious clarifications.  These are not binding as they would be if he was some sort of Priest.

The Mormons have a definite hierarchy and organization.  The Muslims do not. 

Similarities....

Both believe in Prophets After Christ...(Mormons do not believe an end to the Prophets)

Both Fast regularly as part of their worship.

Both give obligatory charity of their wealth even to the poorest

Both stress the values of chasity, marriage and family.

Both stress Modesty of clothing and keep well groomed.

Both require daily prayer and scripture study

Both bear their Testimonies (Shahada) of their faith and are expected to share their faith with others.

Both are forbidden to drink, eat in excess and keep their bodies clean.

Both believe that you are responsible for your actions and will have to answer for them on Judgement Day.

Both believe in Judgment Day.

Both believe in a sacred journey needed at least once in their lifetime. (Hajj for Muslims, Endowment for Mormons)

Both are persecuted, missunderstood and reviled in totally unchristian attitudes of so called Christians.

What did Muhammad prophetize that has come true?

What has Joseph Smith prophetize that has come true?

Material off the topic of thread. Please refrain from this.