Are Mormons Christians?

1181 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Key similarities and differences of christianity and mormonism

Worldwide, there are 14.1 million Mormons with 28, 660 congregations based in over 176 countries (“LDS Statistics and . . .). Despite this large amount of people, little is known about the LDS religion. As seen in recent events, people believe that Mormons are not Christians. However, Mormons are Christian based on their church’s name, scriptures, and teachings.

According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, a Christian is somebody who believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ. As spoken of in The Holy Bible, Christ was born 2000 years ago of a virgin mother. In his ministry, he taught that he was the foretold Messiah of the Old Testament. While on the earth, he performed the Atonement, enabling all people to overcome their sins. For his teachings, he was crucified, but was resurrected on the third day. Christ is the basis of many churches, including the Mormon Church.

Actually, “Mormon” is just a nickname for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (Another nickname is the acronym LDS) A cursory glance at the church’s full name contains Christ’s name. By the very name of their church, members state their belief in Christ.

All Christian denominations claim The Holy Bible to be the word of God, testifying of Christ’s ministry. Mormons embrace the Bible, just as others do. In addition to the Holy Bible, though, LDS people believe three additional books to be scripture. The most famous of these books is, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This book, translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith, is a record given of an ancient civilization in the Americas. (Perry). This additional book of scripture does not change the fact that people of the LDS faith love the Bible and accept it as sacred testimony of Chris...

... middle of paper ...

...e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 30 May 2008. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.

Perry, Seth. "An Outsider Looks In At Mormonism." Chronicle Of Higher Education 52.22 (2006): B9. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 14 Feb. 2012.

Robinson, Stephen E. "Are Mormons Christians?" Ensign May 1998. LDS.org. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.

Walker, Joseph. "LDS Christianity: Differences That Matter." Deseret News [Salt Lake City] 27 Nov. 2011. Print.

"LDS Statistics and Church Facts | Total Church Membership." Newsroom.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 7 Apr. 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. .

"The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles." Letter. Salt Lake City: Intellectual Reserve, 2000. Lds.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1 Jan. 2000. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.

Show More
Related

  • Social And Political Reactions To Mormon Polygamy

    2000 Words  | 4 Pages

    In order to escape the torture, Joseph Smith led one hundred and fifty or more saints from New York to Kirtland, Ohio in 1831 (Arrington JS 21). After living in harmony with the native Gentiles for several years, the town of Kirtland became a prosperous city.... ... middle of paper ... ... Many church historians have felt that polygamy was practiced in order to make the early and present members stronger by forcing them to defend their beliefs as Mormons (Roberts 5:294-300).

    Read More

  • The Danger of the FLDS

    917 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cults are dangerous institutions that have existed for many years, corrupting and reforming the minds of innocent people into believing outrageous doctrines that eventually result in disaster. Horrifying cases involving men such as Charles Manson, Jim Jones and David Koresh have bewildered people and raise the question: how could individuals be easily susceptible to the teachings of these men, so influenced that masses go as far as to commit the unthinkable? Individuals who are in a vulnerable position in search for an identity are attracted to cults because they offer a sense of belonging. In addition, isolation from society contributes to the functioning of a cult for it creates an atmosphere where submissiveness and obedience runs high. These two factors seem to hold true for one of the most notorious cults currently established in the United States and Canada. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or, FLDS, is an international polygamist sect that incorporates belonging and isolation along with a dangerous mentality that have resulted in the abuse of women and children in the name of God.

    Read More

  • The Death of Joseph Smith as a Turning Point in the History of the Mormons

    445 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Death of Joseph Smith as a Turning Point in the History of the Mormons

    Read More

  • The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

    915 Words  | 2 Pages

    "About the Mormon Tabernacle Choir." Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Intellectual Reserve, Inc, 21 Feb. 2012. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. .

    Read More

  • The US Government vs Mormonism

    1278 Words  | 3 Pages

    Bushman, Claudia L., and Richard L. Bushman. Building the Kingdom: a History of Mormons in America. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2001. Print.

    Read More

  • Mormons Moving to Salt Lake City

    729 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mormons Moving to Salt Lake City During the nineteenth century there were many different types of people moving west over America. One of these groups was the religious group, the Mormons. The religion was originally founded by Joseph Smith in the early nineteenth century. He first started of with very few followers but quickly many people started to come round to Smiths way of thinking. After developing the religion in Palmyra, Joseph Smith and his followers moved to Kirtland.

    Read More

  • Brett Williams Research Paper

    854 Words  | 2 Pages

    The purpose of the Mormon Religion was to lives their life’s as God decreed through the prophet Joseph Smith and lead others to Christ. Each young person (at around 20 years old) in the church gives two years of their time to be a missionary. Basically, they put their life on hold for the church. This is the time where Brett life took a change, but we will get back to him a little later.

    Read More

  • research proposal

    635 Words  | 2 Pages

    2. Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ed. B. H. Roberts, 2nd ed. rev. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957), 1:120.

    Read More

  • Kingdom Of Matthias Sparknotes

    1078 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...leased from prison, Mathews continued his quest for religion by seeking Joseph Smith of the Mormon society, under the alias Joshua the Jewish Minister. The two had a heated discussion of resurrection and reincarnation. On the other hand, Matthews claimed to be both God and the reincarnation of the apostle Matthias. However Matthews his meeting with Smith was unsuccessful because both prophets believed the other was of the devil. Matthews’ s religious journey albeit chaotic and aberrant now serves as subconscious guide for how new religious movements and cults in present day America.

    Read More

  • Polygamy in America

    1486 Words  | 3 Pages

    “History of Fundamentalist Mormons.” Wheat & Tares. Wheat and Tares, 2011. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. .

    Read More

  • Comparing Mormon Temple Rituals to Wicca Rituals

    2405 Words  | 5 Pages

    The history of the Mormon Church goes back to 1863 when its founder, Joseph Smith, II, claimed to have a vision of the angel Moroni, who appeared to him in upper New York State and instructed him to interpret ancient writings on gold plates. The Mormon doctrine states that Jesus, after His resurrection, appeared to the Native Americans. The accounts with the Native Americans were transcribed onto the gold plates according to Moroni, the messenger. One doctrine of the Mormon Church, The Pearl of Great Price, shares a lot of the private journals of founder Joseph Smith. Founder Smith recalls, "He called me by name, and said that he was a messenger...and that his name was Moroni...," (Pearl. II:33) This is one of the main cornerstones of the Mormon doctrine. The Mormon Church had its beginnings from New York and traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, then on to Spring Hill (Independence), Missouri, and finally traveled back to Nauvoo, Illinois. It was at Nauvoo where on, Jun 27, 1844, Joseph Smith, III, his brother Hyrum Smith and friend John Taylor were ambushed at the Nauvoo-Carthage Jail. In the course of events that transpired, Joseph and Hyrum w...

    Read More

  • Analysis of 2 Nephi 4 of the Book of Mormon

    1083 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1989.

    Read More

  • Pentecostalism

    1930 Words  | 4 Pages

    Richardson, William E., and Dave Kidd. “Articles.” Pentecostal Evangel. General Council of the Assemblies of God. Web. 13 Nov. 2011.

    Read More

  • The Importance of What Becoming Truly Converted Means to a Mormon

    1637 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Confessions of Saint Augustine tells of the events and life choices that Saint Augustine made through his life which eventually led him to converting to Christianity. This was not an easy or quick process for Saint Augustine, just as many members of the LDS church spend a great deal of time truly converting to the gospel. Saint Augustine’s conversion and also LDS members’ process of becoming truly converted, shares many similarities. Both involve trials, growing from those trials, an ongoing process, and a significant change. In order to understand the importance of what becoming truly converted means to a Mormon, there must be distinguishing factors between this and just being a convert to the Mormon Church.

    Read More

  • Langston Hughes and Religion

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    “ Meyer. 916-17 Emanuel, James A. “Hughes’s Attitudes toward Religion.” Meyer. 914-15. The. Hughes, a.k.a.

    Read More

More about Are Mormons Christians?

Open Document