Mormonism and Islam are two of the fastest-growing religions in the world, and while they emerge from very different historical and geographical contexts, they share striking similarities. Both faiths claim to be a “restoration” of true monotheism, centered on a new prophet who received additional revelation from an angel. Both religions emphasize a works-based path to salvation and provide a comprehensive social and legal framework for their followers.
A New Prophet and a New Book
The most obvious parallel between Mormonism and Islam is the story of their origin. Both religions began when a single man claimed to receive a visit from a heavenly messenger. In the 7th century, Muhammad claimed the angel Gabriel appeared to him in a cave near Mecca. In the 19th century, Joseph Smith claimed the angel Moroni appeared to him in upstate New York.
These encounters resulted in new holy books that the religions believe supersede or “correct” the Bible. For Muslims, the Quran is the final, perfect word of God. For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), the Book of Mormon is “the most correct of any book on earth.” Both groups argue that the original Bible was corrupted or altered over time, making their new revelations necessary to restore the “plain and precious” truths that were lost.
The Claim of Total Apostasy
Both Islam and Mormonism are built on the idea of a “Great Apostasy.” This is the belief that shortly after the time of Jesus and his apostles, the true church fell away from the right path. Muhammad taught that Jews and Christians had strayed from the pure monotheism of Abraham. Joseph Smith taught that all Christian denominations of his day were “wrong” and their “creeds were an abomination.”
Because of this alleged “total apostasy,” both religions claim that a “restoration” was required. They don’t see themselves as new religions, but as the original religion brought back to life. This puts them in a unique position where they often use biblical terminology but give those words entirely different meanings. For example, while both talk about “salvation,” the requirements and the final destination look very different from the biblical Gospel.
Salvation Through Faith and Works
When you look at the “how-to” of these religions, you see a heavy emphasis on human effort. In Islam, salvation is achieved through the Five Pillars, which include specific prayers, fasting, and pilgrimage. Whether a person enters paradise depends on God’s mercy and whether their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds on a scale.
Mormonism follows a similar logic. While they speak of the grace of Jesus, their scripture in 2 Nephi 25:23 famously states that “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” For a Latter-day Saint, reaching the highest level of heaven (the Celestial Kingdom) requires following “temple worthiness” standards, performing specific rituals, and remaining obedient to church leadership. In both systems, the assurance of salvation is hard to find because the burden of performance rests on the individual.
A Focus on Family and Law
Islam and Mormonism are not just Sunday morning religions; they are all-encompassing lifestyles. Both have historically placed a massive emphasis on the family unit as the core of society. They both have strict dietary codes—Muslims avoid pork and alcohol, while Mormons avoid alcohol, tobacco, and “hot drinks” (interpreted as coffee and tea).
Both religions also have a history with polygamy. While the modern LDS church has officially discontinued the practice, it remains a part of their historical theology and eternal perspective. Islam allows a man to have up to four wives under specific conditions. This shared emphasis on a distinct, law-abiding community helps both groups maintain a strong sense of identity, often setting them apart from the “secular” world around them.
Different Views of Jesus
The most critical area where these religions align—and where they both diverge from traditional Christianity—is the nature of Jesus. Islam views Jesus (Isa) as a highly respected prophet, but they flatly deny his divinity. The Quran explicitly states that God has no son. They believe Jesus was a great teacher who was taken to heaven, but they do not believe he died on the cross for sins.
Mormonism, on the other hand, calls Jesus the Son of God, but they define his nature differently than the Bible does. They believe Jesus is the literal, physical offspring of God the Father (who was once a man himself) and Mary. In Mormon theology, Jesus is one of many “gods” and is our “elder brother.” While both religions mention Jesus, they both reject the biblical truth of the Trinity—the one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!
The Takeaway
While Mormonism and Islam are culturally distinct, they share a common DNA of “restorationism.” Both rely on a single prophet’s new revelation, claim the Bible is insufficient or corrupted, and require a system of works to earn God’s favor. As Christians, we find our hope not in a new book or a restored law, but in the finished work of Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection provided everything we need for a relationship with God.
