The answer to this question could fill up volumes. So, I won't even try to give a complete answer. I will just cover a few of the differences. The first, and probably most important, of our differences is in the area of authority. We do agree with Catholics in that the authority to perform ordinance must come from God and in an orderly way. It must be passed down from one man with the authority to another. It is not something that someone can just take unto himself. However, we do not believe that the Popes represent an unbroken chain of authority leading back to Jesus. We believe that the authority to act in the name of God was lost not long after the end of the ministries of Jesus' apostles. We believe that it had to be and was restored to Earth when Peter, James, and John appeared as heavenly messengers, sent by Christ, and conferred the authority on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry. Now I wrote that this is probably the most important difference. I assert this because we can't both be right. If the Catholics are right, then they are right about everything else they believe. The same is true if we Latter-day Saints are right about the source of our authority then we are the true church. Obviously there are sincere believers on both sides. Another area where we disagree is in the area of a professional clergy. In the Catholic Church, as with most Christian denominations, being a preacher is a career. The minister goes to school to learn how to be a preacher. One of the problems with a professional clergy is that in many cases the minister is beholden to the people who hire him to teach what they want to hear rather then what his conscience might dictate. If he doesn't, then his congregation is likely to fire him. (This is probably more of a problem with protestant churches that lack a strong hierarchal structure than it is with the Catholic Church.) Having a full-time minister also deprives the membership of opportunities for service. In our church, we have a lay ministry. None of the positions of authority in the Church are paid positions. Our leaders provide for there own material needs by working at some career. Since they are busy making a living and raising families, they don't have time to do all of the things that a career minister would do. So, these responsibilities are spread among the members of the congregation. Those that preside over the congregation call on various members to give the sermons each week among other things. This gives us all opportunities to serve each other, draw closer together as a congregation, and better learn the Gospel. Another area of disagreement is in the area of baptism. Catholic believe that we are all born with the stain of original sin. Therefore, we must be baptized in order to be cleansed of Adams transgression. This leads to the practice of baptizing infants lest they should die and be condemned. We believe that we are born innocent. Christ's atonement paid the price of Adam's transgression. It is only when we become mature enough to know good from evil that we become capable of committing sin and, therefore, it is only at that point that we need to be baptized. The final area of disagreement that I will discuss is the veneration of saints. I have had this practice explained to me by a number of practicing Catholics. So, I think that I understand it. Because of this understanding I don't call this practice idol worship. According to my understanding, the saints are people who live extremely virtuous lives. Therefore, their salvation is assured and they are very close to God. So, in praying to the saints, you are basically asking them to use their influence with God to obtain Devine assistance for you. It has been likened to asking a friend or neighbor to pray for you. Since you are not elevating the saints to the status of deity, it is not really idol worship in my opinion. However, it comes too close to idol worship for my liking. The other problem that I have with this practice is that it puts the saints in a position of being an intermediary between you and the Father. (This is not to say that I don't know that you also pray directly to the Father.) According to our beliefs, there is only one mediator between us and the Father. That mediator is Jesus Christ. To place other mediators in the mix is to lessen what the Savior did (and does) for us. So, there are four examples of where Latter-day Saints and Catholics disagree. Now I want it clearly understood that I respect the Catholics' right to worship as they wish. Also, I am not, nor have I ever been, a Catholic. What I have written here is based on what others have told me and what I have read. If I have made any errors in stating Catholic doctrine, then I welcome corrections. *********** "Alatea: One is Christian in the Trinity the other is an early American cult - No comparison at all." I find it quite interesting that Alatea is quite complimentary of the Jehovah's Witnesses and doesn't condemn them for their rejection of the Trinity doctrine, but she is constantly condemning us for this. Can you say, "Inconsistent," boys and girls?

They vary a lot. One is Christian and that's the main difference. Catholics (In Greek the word Catholic means universal) There are Catholics who are not "Roman Catholic" and often this difference is forgotten. Among those members who regard themselves as Catholic but not Roman Catholic are the various Orthodox churches (Eastern Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox), Anglo-Catholics (also known as High Anglicans) the Old, Ancient and Liberal Catholic Churchs and the Lutherans Christians are devoted to Jesus and pray to Jesus. Catholics believe Jesus is the saviour. They believe in the blessed sacrament of the Eucharist. Roman Catholics believe in the Nicene Creed. Belief in the Trinity. They teach that it's the one holy catholic and apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ, the sole Church of Christ. All Catholics are disciples of Jesus. The Catholic Church maintains that, through the graces Jesus won for humanity by sacrificing himself on the cross, salvation is possible even for those outside the visible boundaries of the Church, whether non-Catholic Christians or non-Christians.New Testament worship "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24) is not linked exclusively with any particular place or places, since Christ is seen as the true temple of God, and through him Christians too and the whole Church become, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, a temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). Everything is in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" Mormons ( LDS ) Mormonism is an early American cult based on folklore called Mormonism.Mormons believe they are the true church based on the rantings of a man called Joseph Smith. They believe they are restoring the original church on earth, via Joseph Smith. They believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ have tangible, perfected bodies of flesh and bone. They believe baptism by immersion for the remission of sins by one who holds priesthood authority from God is needed for individual salvation. In some Mormon sects, such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are additional requirements for salvation and exaltation, including the ordinances of baptism, confirmation, the Endowment and Sealing.They believe the Bible can be supported and understood only with the assistance of the Holy Spirit and the truths contained in The Book of Mormon. They believe that only the church established by Joseph Smith, has divine priesthood authority to perform ordinances necessary for salvation.They believe the book of Mormon is the word of God. Mormons believe that Christianity lost its way after the time of the Apostles. Mormons believe that God has a physical body, is married, and can have children.Mormons believe that humans can become gods in the afterlife.Mormons tithe a tenth of their income to the church although this percentage way of giving was stopped by Jesus.Mormons believe in living prophets - human beings who are prophets of God in the same way as Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, and the Apostles. They believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.The buildings used for regular worship are open to everyone, but only Mormons regarded as worthy by the Church are able to enter a Temple. Edit wfbrad - "tithe (tith) n. 1a. A tenth part of one’s annual income contributed voluntarily or “due as a tax”, esp. for the support of the clergy or church." (The American Heritage College Dictionary, p. 1444). The life of Jesus should be an example to us on "giving". If He collected tithes, perhaps, a minister could make a reasonable argument for collecting tithes, but He did not. "Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Cor. 8:9) "Freely have ye received, freely give." (Matt. 10:8) Tithing was commanded by the LAW. Giving is voluntary from the HEART.