Is Mormonism monotheistic or polytheistic

Answer 1

Technically, neither. Monotheists believe there is only one god and worship only that god. Polytheists believe there are multiple gods and worship multiple gods. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) doesn't exactly fit either of these descriptions.

Technically, Mormonism is Monolatrism. Monolatrists recognize the existence of many gods, but worship only one. Mormons believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three seperate beings. They also believe that it is possible for humans to eventually become gods through eternal progression. However, while they recognize the existence of multiple gods, they worship only one - God the Father. Worship of or prayer to any being other than God the Father is considered blasphemy.

Answer 2

Most members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) would be quick to answer Monotheistic, even many prominent church leaders have said so, but the answer isn't that simple. When it comes down to it, Mormons are neither Monotheistic nor Polytheistic. They could more accurately be described as Henotheistic or Monolatrist (believing in the possibility of multiple gods but worshipping only one), however even these definitions don't seem to be a perfect fit. The complications that make Mormon theology not entirely Monotheistic are twofold:
First, Mormons reject the three-in-one person of the traditional Trinitarian Christian God. That is, Mormons believe that God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three individual beings. These beings are perfectly united in purpose and are together called the "Godhead", but are not united as one personage or being. God the Father and Jesus Christ are both deified, that is, they are gods. However, there is some dispute over whether a Mormon worships only the Father, only the Son, or both the Father and the Son as individuals, or both combined as one dualistic God. It is a sure doctrinal fact that Mormons pray only to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ and believe that they come to God through the blood of Jesus Christ (i.e., Jesus is the way to God). Mormon scripture says that we worship the Father through the Son (D&C 20:29) and sermons from Church leaders have said both that we worship the Father and that we worship Jesus. It seems most accurate to say that we worship God the Father by worshipping Jesus Christ. Thereby, by worshipping one deity we worship both. Unfortunately, worshipping one through one and believing in two that are one (John 10:30; D&C 93:3) doesn't strictly follow the Monotheistic definition.
Second, Mormons believe in the possibility of other deified beings. That is, there may be now, in the past, or at a future time, gods other than God the Father and Jesus His Son worshipped by the Christian world. These gods would be creators of other galaxies, universes, worlds, etc that are not associated with ours and therefore should never be worshipped. They are not our God and therefore don't concern us. However, since Mormon theology and doctrine implies their existence, Mormons cannot be strict Monotheists.