Comparison Chart: Jehovah's Witnesses vs. Mormonism

July 12, 2014 · updated December 15, 2023

Mormonism and the Jehovah's Witnesses are two well-known religions in the United States. The two faiths have much in common: they were founded within approximately 50 years of each other in the 19th century on the American East Coast; both began with founders who were dissatisfied with mainstream Christianity; neither believe in the Trinity; neither use the cross symbol; and adherents of both faiths participate in missionary activities.

Yet Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe the same things about God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. They disagree on the nature of the afterlife and on the importance of religious holidays and they have different sacred books.

This comparison chart summarizes the main similarities and differences of these two American-born faiths.

Jehovah's WitnessesMormonism (LDS)
religious authority New World Translation of the Scriptures; elders Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price (all equally); continuing revelations
texts New World Translation of the Scriptures Christian Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price
God one God: Jehovah God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate individual beings
Trinity rejected (only Jehovah is God; Son is God's first creation; Holy Spirit is God's active force) rejected (Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three distinct beings who are "one in purpose")
Jesus Son of God, Word of God, God's first creation, Archangel Michael Son of God. Savior. Originally one of the spirit beings that all humans used to be. Has a physical body.
Holy Spirit God's active force (impersonal) A spirit being who is a separate being from God and Jesus.
results of the Fall Physical and spiritual death entered the world
free will free to do good or evil Free to do good or evil.
purpose of Jesus' life teach about God, provide a model for right living, die sacrificially for human sin teach about God, provide a model for right living, die sacrificially for human sin
death of Jesus crucifixion on an upright stake (no crossbar)
Jehovah's WitnessesMormonism (LDS)
resurrection of Jesus affirmed affirmed
salvation accurate faith and good works ("learning about Jehovah and obeying his requirements") faith in Christ, good works, baptism, and temple ordinances (for entrance to the celestial kingdom; all are saved from hell)
second chance after death yes Yes, during a period of "learning and preparation" after death.
afterlife Heaven for 144,000 chosen Witnesses, eternity on new earth for other Witnesses. All others annihilated. No hell. All return to spirit world instruction before resurrection. Then Mormons to heaven with God and families; others rewarded apart from God; hell for those who still reject God.
hell Exists as a place of the dead (Jesus went there), but hellfire does not exist; idea was invented by Satan to turn people from Jehovah; unsaved souls are annihilated The wicked enter an unpleasant "spirit prison" prior to judgment; after that, only the most obstinately wicked (like Satan) will be consigned to "Outer Darkness" for eternity.
house of worship Kingdom Hall chapel (for weekly worship); temple (for ceremonies)
doctrine of sacraments symbolic acts commanded by Christ ordinances are covenants between man and God and a means of grace; some are necessary for salvation
symbols watchtower (cross rejected as a pagan symbol) No official symbol; cross is not used; the angel Moroni raising a trumpet is seen atop Mormon temples.
holidays Memorial of Christ's death, celebrated annually. All Christian or other religious-based holidays are rejected as unbiblical and pagan. Easter, Christmas, celebrations of events in Mormon history.
politics minimal involvement
Jehovah's WitnessesMormonism (LDS)
blood transfusions rejected accepted