source shelf
Official LDS sources
The strongest case does not need caricatures. LDS official sources state the doctrinal differences plainly.
What these sources establish
They establish separate divine beings, an embodied Father, exaltation, premortal life, open canon, restoration after apostasy, and priesthood authority claims.
Those claims are enough to show that LDS doctrine is not merely another Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox variation.
Godhead and exaltation
The Godhead sources describe Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as distinct beings and teach the Father and Son as embodied. Doctrine and Covenants 132 and the exaltation essay add the stronger claim that humans may become gods.
That combination is the heart of the doctrinal difference. It is not a dispute over whether Latter-day Saints speak about Jesus. It is a dispute over what kind of God exists and what salvation finally makes of human beings.
Primary references
The argument rests on public Scripture, official LDS material, and Christian sources.
Godhead, Topics and Questions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official LDS teaching that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are distinct beings, one in purpose and doctrine.
Doctrine and Covenants 130
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Canonical LDS text teaching that the Father and Son have bodies of flesh and bones.
Abraham 4
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Pearl of Great Price creation account repeatedly describing 'the Gods' organizing the heavens and the earth.
Becoming Like God
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official essay explaining LDS divine potential and acknowledging that LDS teaching goes beyond most contemporary Christian churches.
Doctrine and Covenants 132
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Canonical LDS text tying exaltation to covenant sealing and saying the exalted shall be gods.
Apostasy, Topics and Questions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official LDS source teaching that priesthood authority was withdrawn after the apostles.
Restoration of the Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official LDS source saying the fullness of the gospel was taken from the earth and restored through Joseph Smith.
General Handbook 3: Priesthood Principles
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Current LDS handbook chapter describing priesthood keys, delegated authority, and ordinances necessary for salvation and exaltation.
Marriage, Topics and Questions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official LDS source teaching that eternal marriage by temple sealing is necessary for exaltation in the highest celestial glory.
Eternal Life, Topics and Questions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official LDS source identifying eternal life with exaltation and connecting it to priesthood, endowment, and marriage sealing ordinances.
Articles of Faith
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
LDS scripture affirming the Bible as far as translated correctly, additional scripture, continuing revelation, and laws and ordinances.