<\/p>\n
I recently had the chance to listen to Mormon Elder regarding his beliefs and the history of the Mormon church. He was very reasonable and quite open about his faith, which is contradictory to many Latter Day Saint (or LDS) members I have questioned before. I had many LDS friends growing up, and still maintain many of those friendships. I absolutely adore their way of life and their family oriented philosophy.<\/p>\n
However, I must draw a line at LDS members calling themselves Christian. I do not believe that Mormonism is a Christian Denomination.<\/strong> Before I explain my opinion and rationale, I would like preface this by saying this is really meant for LDS members or Evangelical Christians, as well as those who are knowledgeable of either religion. Additionally, I don\u2019t wish to alienate members of either religion, but only wish to provoke serious thought.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with summarizing what separates Christianity from other People of the Book Religions. I shamelessly took these from the Christian\u00a0Apologetic\u2019s\u00a0and Research Ministry\u2019s website, found here.<\/a><\/p>\n Now, these can be summarized as fundamental ideas, or rather, laws that serve to define Christianity. Now, if you were to ask a LDS member these questions, I\u2019m quite sure they would agree in all of these statements, or at least affirm them in a way that makes sense to their religion. For example, when I asked the Elder to explain the LDS standpoint on the multiple gods accusations, he declared that LDS members believe that they are the literal sons and daughters of God, and will therefore be rewarded in the afterlife in such a way. Now, while that statement alone is not enough to separate Mormons from Christianity, but looking at the Mormon holy books, we actually begin to see the inconsistencies.<\/p>\n \u201cMormonism teaches that God the Father has a body of flesh and bones (D. & C. 130:22) and that Jesus is a creation who was begotten in heaven as one of God\u2019s spirit children (See the book,\u00a0Jesus the Christ<\/em>, by James Talmage, p. 8).\u201d The Bible, as we stated above, declares that Jesus is God in flesh form (John 1:1<\/a>,\u00a014<\/a>), yet Mormonism also teaches this, they qualify it as \u201ca\u201d god in flesh, one of three gods that comprise the office of the\u00a0Trinity\u00a0(Articles of Faith<\/em>, by Talmage, pp. 35-40). This directly contests that there is one God, as stated above. Christians are, again, taught that forgiveness is from grace alone, and that grace comes from Jesus\u2019 sacrifice on the cross alone as the source of grace.<\/p>\n Yet, Mormonism teaches that forgiveness comes from obeying God\u2019s laws through the Book of Mormon and other holy books: \u201cThe sectarian dogma of\u00a0justification\u00a0by faith alone has exercised an influence for evil,\u201d (Articles of Faith<\/em>, p. 432), and \u201cHence the justice of the scriptural doctrine that salvation comes to the individual only through obedience,\u201d (Articles of Faith<\/em>, p. 81). Now, although this book here isn\u2019t an official Mormon holy book, it does use Mormon holy books as reference. Here\u2019s another thing: the Bible does teach that obtaining forgiveness is by\u00a0faith alone\u00a0(Rom. 3:28<\/a>;\u00a04:1-5<\/a>), yet Mormonism teaches that forgiveness of sins is not by faith alone (2 Nephi 25:23; Moroni 10:32). This also contests a fundamental law of Christianity.<\/p>\n Technically, the LDS church believes in the Bible as the word of God. However, the LDS Church undermines the Bible\u2019s complete authenticity and trustworthiness: The 8th Article of Faith from the Mormon Church states, \u201cWe believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.\u201d This statement allows Mormons to pick and choose parts of the Bible that are fitting to their holy books and testaments of faith, but work to separate them from common Christianity. One cannot pick and choose apart the Word of God based on \u201chuman error\u201d such as Biblical translations. To do so contradicts the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16).<\/p>\n I believe the LDS people to be wonderful and a worthy people to associate with. However, their doctrine is flawed as far as associating with the Christian church. This makes them particularly dangerous to born again Christians. Jesus himself said \u201cNot everyone who says to Me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, \u2018Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, \u2018I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!\u201d (Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV). Simply by adding Jesus Christ to the church title does not enable Mormons to follow the biblical Jesus, it only allows them to worship a Jesus that works in their religion. This simply cannot be.<\/p>\n A good rule of thumb for Christians to follow with anybody, Christian or non Christian, is to love the sinner but hate the sin. The Christian population is America is particularly awful at this issue, especially since we already have the stigma against us. For the Mormons you know, I\u2019m sure you can personally attest to their outstanding character, awesome sense of family, and overall great person. It\u2019s a tragic thing for Christians to rebuke the teachings of Joseph Smith simply because it is not true\u00a0Christianity, but it must be done. Treat your friends well and do not assume anything, but ask them to explain their religion to you, guiding them through these\u00a0fundamental Christian laws,\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0and then walk them through it from there. Be patient, and remember to love the sinner but hate the sin.<\/p>\n Thanks for reading, please feel free to comment below!<\/p>\nWhat makes a Christian a Christian?<\/h2>\n
\n
The Mormon Religious Rules vs. Christian Fundamental Law<\/h2>\n
Do Mormons Follow the Bible?<\/h2>\n
So are Mormons a Christian\u00a0Denomination?<\/h2>\n
So how should Christians treat Mormons?<\/h2>\n