The age-old question, "Are Mormons Christian?"

What do you think?

I get asked this a lot...I live in the South! If people would read and study the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, they would read many references to our Savior Jesus Christ. But I really think the best way to say that Mormons are Christians is by the way they/we act and treat others...if they truly try to live the teachings of the Church. "By their fruits ye shall know them".

Yes of course Mormons are Christians. The actual name of the church Is The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints that alone is a huge clue that Mormons are indeed Christians. If you need more proof then look at the religion itself the testimonies of its members All of them testify that we follow Christ. The official title of the book of Mormon is "The Book of Mormon: Another testament of Jesus Christ". To paraphrase Joseph Smith Jesus Christ is the center of our religion everything else is just an appendage. If anything else is needed to prove that Mormons are indeed Christian then look at the scripture all of it testifies of Christ. Mormons are Christian because we testify of Christ

I have an opinion that differs somewhat from the above comments, and I believe that it merits consideration.

Part of the problem with discussions about religion is that we often talk around each other, using different definitions for the same words. When people ask, "Are Mormons Christian?", 'Christian' often means a church like other Christian churches, one that adheres to the doctrine of the trinity or believes only in the Bible, and not necessarily a church that believes in Jesus. In this respect, Mormons are unlike other Christians.

But there is great power in focusing on what makes us 'non-Christian' rather than shouting, "We're Christian too!" In the introduction to his book "Here We Stand," Joseph Fielding McConkie expounds on this idea:

"The message of the Restoration centers on the idea that it is not common ground we seek in sharing the gospel. There is nothing common about our message. The way we answer questions about our faith ought to be by finding the quickest and most direct route to the Sacred Grove. That is our ground. It is sacred ground. It is where the heavens are opened and the God of heaven speaks. It is where testimonies are born and the greatest truths of heaven are unveiled. It is of this sacred ground that we say, here we stand."

Are Mormon's Christian? As we can see, the answer is yes and no. But Latter-day Saints can find great strength in not abandoning those things that make us different.

Last edited by alohalarsen on Thu Nov 19, 2009 2:56 am; edited 1 time in total

I believe Mormons are Christians.

All Christians are unlike other Christians. If we all had to be the same to be Christian what would the standard be?

I believe in Jesus Christ, you believe in Jesus Christ, let's call it even.

Last edited by Hill Cumorah CC on Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:51 pm; edited 1 time in total

Paul teaches that there is "one" faith. In the world today over 38,000 different denominations of Christianity.

If the definition is as simiple as having faith in Jesus Christ as our redeemer...then LDS are Christian.
If that definition entails doctrinal concepts and other beliefs...then all of the 38,000 other denominations will be exluded as well due to their differences.

I guess it all comes down to this one question.... Who has the "official" definition of Christianity?

Mormons believe many things that Christians do not. Joseph Smith changed the Bible to say what he wanted it to say. Mormons aren't Christian.

Gerald wrote:Mormons believe many things that Christians do not. Joseph Smith changed the Bible to say what he wanted it to say. Mormons aren't Christian.

What is a Christian?...the bible didn't exist during the time of Christ.

Do you have references to your claim of what Joseph Smith changed in the bible? I would enjoy researching them.

slcbtf wrote:

Gerald wrote:Mormons believe many things that Christians do not. Joseph Smith changed the Bible to say what he wanted it to say. Mormons aren't Christian.

Do you have references to your claim of what Joseph Smith changed in the bible? I would enjoy researching them.

The Joseph Smith Translation (JST), a.k.a. the "Inspired Version".

Gerald wrote:

slcbtf wrote:

Gerald wrote:Mormons believe many things that Christians do not. Joseph Smith changed the Bible to say what he wanted it to say. Mormons aren't Christian.

Do you have references to your claim of what Joseph Smith changed in the bible? I would enjoy researching them.

The Joseph Smith Translation (JST), a.k.a. the "Inspired Version".

That's what I assumed you meant, but I just thought it best to clarify. Are you aware of the early changes made to the bible in the history of Christianity. ie..the adding, removing of books and translation process?

slcbtf wrote:

Gerald wrote:

slcbtf wrote:

Gerald wrote:Mormons believe many things that Christians do not. Joseph Smith changed the Bible to say what he wanted it to say. Mormons aren't Christian.

Do you have references to your claim of what Joseph Smith changed in the bible? I would enjoy researching them.

The Joseph Smith Translation (JST), a.k.a. the "Inspired Version".

That's what I assumed you meant, but I just thought it best to clarify. Are you aware of the early changes made to the bible in the history of Christianity. ie..the adding, removing of books and translation process?

These changes are exaggerated -- can you demonstrate a change made in the Bible that affects the understanding of the Word it provides? No, because God has preserved his Word for thousands of years.

Gerald wrote:

slcbtf wrote:

Gerald wrote:

slcbtf wrote:

Gerald wrote:Mormons believe many things that Christians do not. Joseph Smith changed the Bible to say what he wanted it to say. Mormons aren't Christian.

Do you have references to your claim of what Joseph Smith changed in the bible? I would enjoy researching them.

The Joseph Smith Translation (JST), a.k.a. the "Inspired Version".

That's what I assumed you meant, but I just thought it best to clarify. Are you aware of the early changes made to the bible in the history of Christianity. ie..the adding, removing of books and translation process?

These changes are exaggerated -- can you demonstrate a change made in the Bible that affects the understanding of the Word it provides? No, because God has preserved his Word for thousands of years.

And how is it that you know that the bible is correct were you there when it was written how do you know that god preserved it. Many many Protestant Christian scholars admit that the bible has obtained flaws from its many translations over the years. And yes I can there are several different translation not to mention the text from the hebrew and greek parts are different than the modern translation not the mention that several of the english bible translation vary massively at times. How is it that you know that the bible was preserved and which bible translation do you considered infallible out of the many translations?

The point made earlier about our definition of "Christian is valid in this discussion. If we define "Christian" as people who just believe the bible, then no, because we believe in so much more than that (Not to the exclusion of it certainly). If we define "Christian" as someone who does their best to follow the example and the teachings of Jesus Christ the Son of God then "Mormons" certainly fall into this category. Even with the Bible definition I proposed we come up with problems. Which translation? Which version of the translation? Which interpretation of the version of the translation? Even within the same denomination many beliefs and interpretations exist. Which is the beauty of the LDS faith. There is a set doctrine we can look to. Even so, many of us vary in our beliefs, because of our own faults and failures to understand it properly. But it is there, if we look for it. As a "Mormon" I will define "Christian" as someone who believes Jesus Christ is the Son of God and follows his teachings. I am, and we are, Christian.

I get asked this a lot.

When people ask me, I take out my Book of Mormon and show them right on the front cover, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints"

Right under that it says "Another testament of Jesus Christ" Then I ask the person, do Christians believe in Christ? If Mormon's didn't, why would we put Jesus' name on our sacred book? I say we are Christians, just a brand of Christianity. Like Lutherans and Catholics, etc.. What do you say?

Andrew Doudna

" And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we prophecy of Christ, and we write according to our porphecies that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

The Book of Mormon: 2nd nephi 25:26

For we laobor diligently to write to presuade our children and also our brethren to believe in Christ and to be reconciled to God: for we know it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

The Book of Mormon: 2nd nephi 25:23

I could go on and on with scriptures like this. But YES absolutely memebers of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of latter day saints are very much Christian.