Are Mormons Christians? (Latter Day Saints)

[Aunty Jane]

Just putting this out there: it is faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that saves a person. That faith is the tree that bears the Good fruit.

I agree….but it’s not just “faith“ because the “many” whom Jesus says he will reject at the judgment, declare that they have faith by calling Jesus their “Lord”….yet he will confess to them…”I never knew you!” (Matt 7:21-23)
Think about that for a moment and ask yourself, how many of those who are here on this forum declare ‘faith in Jesus Christ’, and yet will be horrified at being barred from everlasting life because they clung to the lies rather than to accept the truth? They accepted a chosen delusion, rather than an inconvenient truth. (2 Thess 2:11-12)

The Bible and knowledge are super great things that can & should fertilize that tree of faith. But it's faith alone that saves.

No sorry, Jesus proves that “faith” can be based on delusion, and that even the demons ”believe”….it’s not going to save them, is it?

There is so much more to “believing” than just believing. You have to love the truth and follow Jesus in all his teachings and back them up with Christian works……we cannot accept as Scripture, that which was written by a self proclaimed prophet whose writings find no support in any part of the Bible. If you wish to believe Mr Smith, that is your prerogative, but his teachings are just his words…there is no support in history or archeology for a thing he wrote about Jesus in America….nor is there support for believing that we all existed as spirits in heaven before our human birth.
It’s the same kind of faith that all false prophets promote…..there is no substance or biblical support for any of it.…yet it is swallowed, hook, line and sinker by a vast number of people……I can only ask..why?
The devil is apparently very persuasive…..(1 John 5:19)

 

[Marymog]

I think you should stay in your lane and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Mormons say they are Christian. That's good enough for me.

Interesting statement. Currently there are many Protestant denominations that call themselves Christian and yet they support the right to abortion and perform gay marriages. Are those denominations Christian?

 

[CC7799]

In my opinion no, they're not. That's really all I have to say about it since there's already a ton of information out there about what Mormons believe and teach, and how this differs from the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

I agree.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

I agree.

I’d encourage you and anyone else to actually fact check (aka ask) what LDS Christians actually believe before condemning. I love Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, with my entire being. He is my King. The Truth.

 

[Wrangler]

Interesting statement. Currently there are many Protestant denominations that call themselves Christian and yet they support the right to abortion and perform gay marriages. Are those denominations Christian?

Mary, I missed this post from some months back. Sorry about that.

Yes, I stand by my statement. For some reason, you want to introduce a litmus test, if a church's public policy position is X means they cannot be Christian is rejected. To be a Christian has something to do with Christ, not public policy positions.

 

[Wrangler]

I’d encourage you and anyone else to actually fact check (aka ask) what LDS Christians actually believe before condemning. I love Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, with my entire being. He is my King. The Truth.

What you write is very grounded and reasonable, as always. Jane, I really don't understand the vitriol many have on this forum against certain denominations; namely JW, LDS, SDA & Universalists. It's never ending thread after thread!

So, we have some doctrinal differences? I firmly believe what unites us is far greater than what divides us and no badgering is going to change my opinion. You are allowed follow your conscience in this country I love. If your heart takes you to LDS and you love God, Christ, etc, PTL!

 

[JohnDB]

LDS used to practice asceticism.....
Drinks like tea or coffee and Coca-Cola were verboten. Same with alcoholic beverages as well. But then a huge number of members owned a bottling plant so sodas became accepted....then tea....and now coffee.

Not supposed to have Irish coffee.

Not one bit of archeological or geographical evidence for Joseph smith's tales has ever been discovered.

However they are great at keeping genological records and being prepper's. They keep 2 years worth of food on hand at all times. (For end times prophesies of the beast dying) also guns and ammo.

They also usually are the ones who have the most plural marriages in USA. (Illegal of course)

Also, as a matter of fact they used to have the largest robo dialers and spam call centers in America. I'm unsure if they ever gave that up.

 

[TLHKAJ]

To be a Christian has something to do with Christ, not public policy positions.

Being a Christian has everything to do with believing what THE scripture (not some other book) teaches about Jesus Christ, His nature, and who He is (God, the Son). One cannot be a Christian if they believe in a false Christ.

 

[Wrangler]

They keep 2 years worth of food on hand at all times. (For end times prophesies of the beast dying) also guns and ammo.

Wow! I'll have to look into joining this great organization! Thanks!

 

[Wrangler]

Being a Christian has everything to do with believing what THE scripture (not some other book) teaches about Jesus Christ

Oh come on now! There are countless books on Christ. And the LDS do believe the Scriptures. If the Scriptures were so edifying wouldn't there be one 1 Christian denomination?

 

[TLHKAJ]

Sweetie, please reread my post, I don’t need to constantly be reading my Bible...I have a Living relationship with God via His Spirit...you are looking at everything imo from your own human perspective.

The Spirit speaks to my spirit most of the day...then I look up in his word what was said, that’s how I learn all about the Lord.

I have the best teacher anyone can have, the Holy Spirit,xx

All that I know the Spirit taught me and continues to do so, I grow in His Spiritual Knowledge.

This is an open door for deception. You have no clue what spirit is speaking to you. This explains why one can see people pushing doctrines that don't line up with scripture. They trust in self and their own "revelations."

 

[TLHKAJ]

Oh come on now! There are countless books on Christ. And the LDS do believe the Scriptures. If the Scriptures were so edifying wouldn't there be one 1 Christian denomination?

And yet, they do not believe what THE scripture says about Jesus Christ. They believe many things that do not line up with the Word of God.

 

[Wrangler]

And yet, they do not believe what THE scripture says about Jesus Christ. They believe many things that do not line up with the Word of God.

I don't know. That is not what actual LDS say.

But you are not looking inward at what you say. If the Scriptures were so edifying there would be only one denomination. Said differently, even denominations who only claim to rely on THE Scriptures develop different doctrines.

1. How do you account for this?
2. Why are the reasons for some denomination to have different doctrines OK but the LDS reasons (relying in part, on a latter day book of revelations) not OK?

 

[Jane_Doe22]

LDS used to practice asceticism.....
Drinks like tea or coffee and Coca-Cola were verboten. Same with alcoholic beverages as well. But then a huge number of members owned a bottling plant so sodas became accepted....then tea....and now coffee.

Not supposed to have Irish coffee.

Not one bit of archeological or geographical evidence for Joseph smith's tales has ever been discovered.

However they are great at keeping genological records and being prepper's. They keep 2 years worth of food on hand at all times. (For end times prophesies of the beast dying) also guns and ammo.

They also usually are the ones who have the most plural marriages in USA. (Illegal of course)

Also, as a matter of fact they used to have the largest robo dialers and spam call centers in America. I'm unsure if they ever gave that up.

Actual LDS Christian clarifying here:

Alcohol, coffee, tobacco, and tea (tea-plant tea) are the no-go's. Nothing wrong with soda from a doctrinal standpoint, though obviously it's not healthy for you.

Being prepared from doctrinal standpoint: be a good steward of Earthly things. Like if possible have a savings account and some extra food so if the roads are closed due to blizzard you're not going hungry. It's really nice when my family get's the flu or whatever to not have to go shopping for a week. But nothing doctrinally about guns, bunkers, or that extreme prepping - that's actually been called out over the pulpit as wrong.

Polygamy: nope. That's an express ticket to excommunication.

Robo dialars and spam calls? Also nope.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

Being a Christian has everything to do with believing what THE scripture (not some other book) teaches about Jesus Christ, His nature, and who He is (God, the Son). One cannot be a Christian if they believe in a false Christ.

And I believe every single word of the Bible.

Man is saved via faith in Christ. Not via their ability to ace an imagery theology test sitting at the Silvery Gates.

 

[Super Kal]

Simple answer, no. they are cultists. they worship a different Jesus, and preach a different gospel. Jesus was never the brother of Satan, Elohim was never a man who attained Godhood, and black skin is not a curse put on people who did not intervene in the Heavenly War... I could continue to go on, but I'm pretty sure others here have extensively pointed out just how false and heretical they are

 

[Jane_Doe22]

Simple answer, no. they are cultists. they worship a different Jesus, and preach a different gospel. Jesus was never the brother of Satan, Elohim was never a man who attained Godhood, and black skin is not a curse put on people who did not intervene in the Heavenly War... I could continue to go on, but I'm pretty sure others here have extensively pointed out just how false and heretical they are

These accusations are not accurate, if you care. If not, have a nice day.

 

[JohnDB]

Actual LDS Christian clarifying here:

Alcohol, coffee, tobacco, and tea (tea-plant tea) are the no-go's. Nothing wrong with soda from a doctrinal standpoint, though obviously it's not healthy for you.

Being prepared from doctrinal standpoint: be a good steward of Earthly things. Like if possible have a savings account and some extra food so if the roads are closed due to blizzard you're not going hungry. It's really nice when my family get's the flu or whatever to not have to go shopping for a week. But nothing doctrinally about guns, bunkers, or that extreme prepping - that's actually been called out over the pulpit as wrong.

Polygamy: nope. That's an express ticket to excommunication.

Robo dialars and spam calls? Also nope.

I'm explaining my personal experience with living in and among LDS for over a decade including teen years and young adult. Also seeing the headlines in the newspaper. Granted, some of this stuff probably comes from offshoot denominations of the main LDS church but it's not like I was into those sorts of differences between them. Especially when I was having issues with just trying to learn my beliefs at the time.

It's been well over 30 years since I lived there with no desire to return. I'm sure the LDS has shifted their beliefs and practices since then as most denominations have. I did hear about the soda thing as it changed while I was there in among them. (It was verboten)

I even visited a "mini Temple" before it was dedicated and sealed to all outsiders...just so I could see it for myself. These people were my classmates and buddies on and off the basketball court. I didn't poke fun at them and they returned the favor. We all were just kids trying to navigate as GenX.

Your mileage may vary with what you see and know. But I've traveled a LOT since then. And often those on the inside are more in the dark on certain things than those on the outside...just saying. For a long time the workings of the SBC were a mystery to your average Southern Baptist...and they are a convention instead of a hierarchy. (Everyone is supposed to know and be aware as nothing is supposed to be secret...because literally everything requires a vote)

The Mormon Church operated very different from Baptists. But when it came to a specialty like food preservation they were the best with advice and "how to" or phone banks and getting the equipment and people prepared to call...they had those systems down....it's not like I just came up with this stuff. It's a real personal experience. You will not convince me otherwise.

 

[Super Kal]

These accusations are not accurate, if you care. If not, have a nice day.

On the contrary, they're quite accurate. The doctrines and teachings that I mentioned worked originally taught by Joseph Smith. It is true that when Brigham Young took over, they tried to hide the fact that they taught having black skin was a curse... But it does not change the fact that this is still a part of the history of Mormonism.

And the other doctrines are still very well much found in the book The Pearl of Great Price, a book that was canonized by the Mormon church as scripture

 

[Jane_Doe22]

On the contrary, they're quite accurate. The doctrines and teachings that I mentioned worked originally taught by Joseph Smith. It is true that when Brigham Young took over, they tried to hide the fact that they taught having black skin was a curse... But it does not change the fact that this is still a part of the history of Mormonism.

And the other doctrines are still very well much found in the book The Pearl of Great Price, a book that was canonized by the Mormon church as scripture

I’ll take that as you not being interested in getting things clarified - actual LDS Christian here, and I’m very familiar with these misunderstandings. I totally respect your choice there, have a nice day.