A question that has been popping up more often lately. A simple, honest question. And the answer is: yes, Mormons are Christians. Next question?
Oh, a little more explanation? OK, here it comes.
The question is: when are you a Christian? In my opinion, when you place the teachings and the gospel of Christ at the center of your faith and life. In my opinion, there is more than enough evidence that Mormons consider Christ as their guiding figure.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Firstly, our church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This name was not chosen, but was given by revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith. The instruction for this can be found in Doctrine & Covenants.
It is also logical. We believe that Christ established this church on earth. It is His church, so it is also logical that it bears His name.
Latter-day Saints refers to the members. We believe that this is the last time that Christ (there He is again) has restored His church on earth and that it will only end upon His return.
Mormons read the Bible AND the Book of Mormon
Secondly, Mormons have their Scriptures. Firstly, there is the Bible, yes, exactly the same Bible that Christians use. There are different translations in circulation, but our Bible contains the same as other Bibles. No separate version has been made for our church.
Mormons also have other Scriptures, such as the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants. The most famous is, of course, the Book of Mormon. That is where our nickname comes from, but also the misunderstanding that this book would replace the Bible. Quod non. The Old Testament and the New Testament are two parts of the Bible that testify of Christ; the Book of Mormon is simply another book.
Is the Book of Mormon then about Mormon? No, he is simply the ancient prophet who compiled this book. The book is about Christ. To be exact: the Book of Mormon has 6607 verses and 3925 references to Christ. On average, that's once every 1.7 verses. Just so you know: that's more than in the Bible.
Christ is the core of our faith
Gordon B. Hinckley, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1995-2008), has said:
We are literally Christians, and more and more people are starting to recognize that. There was a time when everyone thought we were not Christians. They are now realizing that we are indeed Christians and that we have an important and dynamic religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Of course, we accept Jesus Christ as our Leader, King, and Savior [...] the most important person in the history of the world, the only perfect man who ever lived on earth, the living Son of the living God. He is ourSavior and Redeemer, and through His atoning sacrifice, we can receive eternal life. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pray and worship in the name of Jesus Christ. He is the core of our faith and presides over our church. The Book of Mormon is also a testament of Jesus Christ and testifies of His divine nature, His life, and His atonement.
Conclusion: Mormons are Christians
I cannot draw any other conclusion. If that were not the case, I would not be a member of this church, because I have a testimony of Christ, not of someone else.
I understand that many other Christian denominations like to label us as non-Christians. Healthy competition, I'll call it that. After all, we are a restored church and we believe that in those two millennia many truths have been lost, quite soon after the passing of the original twelve apostles. Since we therefore believe that all other Christian churches are based on the teachings of Christ, we also believe that they do not possess the full truth. So yes, we are something different, but we are glad that there are still so many other Christians and regret that they label us as non-Christians because of the differences.
What strikes me, by the way, is that there is so much opposition against our church. When I scour the internet, I see fervent opponents who dedicate their lives to fighting against our church. I also find websites directed against, for example, Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientology, Islam, Roman Catholic, but not in that quantity and fervor. That means either we are a great danger or we perhaps have something worth fighting for? I leave that answer open and up to you…
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what I don't quite understand is why Mormons want to be Christians from now on or at least be called that.
wasn't the whole point that all Christian churches and leaders had become apostate and corrupt and that therefore the church had to be restored? And that all Christian churches had become of the devil. Why do Mormons now suddenly want to be recognized as ordinary Christians? Does that mean that Mormons recognize Christians as equals and thus also saved to live with God in eternity, or do Mormons still reject the Christian world and simply believe that they have the right to bear the title 'Christian' as a group?
thanks in advance
We believe that other Christian churches have lost certain parts of the truth of the original church over time. Several people have in good faith already tried to adapt to that – including the Protestant churches that emerged from the accusations of, for example, Luther.
It is not because we believe that we receive modern revelation that the 'rest' is bad. Everyone who believes in Christ is praiseworthy.
The message of Christ was one of love and inclusion, not exclusion. I do not speak on behalf of the church, but as a Mormon, I believe that we can better love one another than make accusations, and that we can better work together for a better world based on similarities instead of naval-gazing and blaming each other.
But if that is something that would be unique to Mormons (which I don't believe, by the way), then I ask myself who the real Christians are?
what I don't quite understand is why Mormons want to be Christians from now on or at least be called that.
wasn't the whole point that all Christian churches and leaders had become apostate and corrupt and that therefore the church had to be restored? And that all Christian churches had become of the devil. Why do Mormons now suddenly want to be recognized as ordinary Christians? Does that mean that Mormons recognize Christians as equals and thus also saved to live with God in eternity, or do Mormons still reject the Christian world and simply believe that they have the right to bear the title 'Christian' as a group?
thanks in advance
We believe that other Christian churches have lost certain parts of the truth of the original church over time. Several people have in good faith already tried to adapt to that – including the Protestant churches that emerged from the accusations of, for example, Luther.
It is not because we believe that we receive modern revelation that the 'rest' is bad. Everyone who believes in Christ is praiseworthy.
The message of Christ was one of love and inclusion, not exclusion. I do not speak on behalf of the church, but as a Mormon, I believe that we can better love one another than make accusations, and that we can better work together for a better world based on similarities instead of naval-gazing and blaming each other.
But if that is something that would be unique to Mormons (which I don't believe, by the way), then I ask myself who the real Christians are?