The similarities are striking but so are some of the differences.
I don't have any more use for the Mormons than I do for the JW's, but as someone who grew up with them, played with them, went to school with them, dated them, worked with and for them, I've noticed:
Mormons have a much more positive attitude towards bringing children into the word than JW's. This shows is the fact that they understand far better than JW's how to raise children in the faith via church programs geared towards children, seminary classes for older children, family involvement and recreation. The attrition rate among JW youth is horrendous. But do they ever do anything meaningful about it?
The Mormons have a far better understanding of the fact that you must work with human nature and not against it. There's an old adage about "All work and no play." The Mormon church has actually rented the Anaheim Disneyland for it's members to get together. Can you imagine the JW's ever doing anything remotely similar?
The Mormons view college education as a gift from God.
In the same vein, the Mormons value real world managerial skills. Men who rise to positions of prominence in the church are men who've proven themselves to be effective business and civic leaders.
The Mormons value self sufficiency and fiscal responsibility. Members are encouraged to live debt free and save for retirement.
As high control groups go, they are far more benign than JW's. The JW's could learn a lot from them. ---But they won't...