Mormons As Christians Archive
Recently, Elder Russell M. Ballard spoke to graduating students at Brigham Young University, a school owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members of this church are often informally known as Mormons. He counseled them in ways to discuss their religion with others, pointing out
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that most topics of greatest interest to detractors are not critical elements of the current religion, but are fringe elements or practices no longer carried out. He advised them to keep the discussions focused on the core of the religion, the elements that affect salvation, rather than those that are merely interesting intellectual discussion points.
“When all is said and done, the most important thing about you and your testimony is that you base your beliefs on what Jesus Christ taught, and you try to follow Him by living your life in a way acceptable to our Heavenly Father and to the Lord.
This is your foundation. It was Joseph Smith’s foundation. He said: “The fundamental principles... Read the rest of this entry »
The Book of Revelation is the last book in our modern copy of the Bible. The following scripture from this book is often quoted to “prove” there can’t be a Book of Mormon:
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (Revelation 22:18)
If you read this carefully, you’ll notice it doesn’t say “add unto the Bible.” This is because the Bible didn’t exist when the Book of Revelation was written. It wasn’t until long afterwards that various documents were gathered together and a group of people decided which ones were going to be included in the Bible. Catholics disagree with some of the choices that were made by the committee, and so there is more than one version of the Bible.
However, since the Bible didn’t exist and no one had, as of yet, decided which books were going to become the Bible... Read the rest of this entry »
Personal Response by Steven
While serving as a Mormon missionary, I was often questioned as to whether or not we, as Mormons, were Christians. At first I did not understand why people would question the Christianity of a religion that bears the name of Jesus Christ in its title. I realized that we as members of the Mormon church, are quite different than members of most Christian churches in two main ways. We believe in a separate book of scripture to go along with the Bible (the Book of Mormon), and we believe that God continues to work through prophets in our time, beginning with Joseph Smith. I came to the conclusion that people must think that we are not Christians mainly for those two reasons. I wish to share a personal experience to show how these two beliefs led me to a strong belief in Jesus Christ.
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When I was 14 years old, I was a pretty average boy involved in a few of the follies of the world. I would go to church every week with my family, but wouldn’t necessarily live... Read the rest of this entry »
Personal Response by Lance
On the first weekend of April and the first weekend of October, the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes casually referred to by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon” Church or the LDS Church), including the modern prophet and Twelve Apostles, speak to the world in what is known as general conference. From the Conference Center in Salt Lake City the words of the prophet, the apostles, and other leaders are carried via TV, radio, satellite, and the Internet to more than eighty countries and translated into more than eighty languages. We invite everyone, regardless of religious belief, to join with us in watching or listening to general conference.
The reason I love general conference is best described by the opening words of one of the Church hymns, “Come, listen to a prophet’s voice, And hear the word of God” (“Come Listen to a Prophet’s Voice,” Hymns [Salt Lake City: The Church... Read the rest of this entry »
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Yes. Latter-day Saint leaders and canonized scripture affirm that Mary was a virgin when Jesus Christ was born. Like other Christians, Latter-day Saints believe in the miraculous conception, though no miraculous means are ascribed to the method of his birth.
When Matthew quoted the prophecy “Assuredly, my Lord will give you a sign of His own accord! Look, the young woman is with child and about to give birth to a son. Let her name him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14 Jewish Publication Society of America), he translated the original Hebrew text or used the Greek Septuagint version with one slight change. He replaced the Greek word for “young woman” with the word for “virgin,” thus reinforcing the messianic nature of the prophecy (see Matthew 1:23).
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Personal Response by Richard Neitzel Holzapfel
Latter-day Saints use the Western calendar, also known as the Gregorian Calendar, established in 1582. They generally observe the national holidays in the various countries where they live. For example, in the United States, LDS members (Mormons) celebrate Independence Day on 4 July and in Canada they observe Canada Day on 1 July. Mormons, like many people, also observe birthdays and wedding anniversaries as special days to celebrate with family and friends. Additionally, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) observe some of the main Western religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter, even though they believe that these dates probably do not reflect the actual historical anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ or his Resurrection. However, they are grateful to celebrate these two supernal events with other Christians who follow the Western religious calendar.
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Personal Response by Richard Neitzel Holzapfel
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons or Latter-day Saints) accept the traditional Christian Sabbath, which is held on the first day of the week, Sunday, for worship. Additionally, members of the
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Mormon Church gather on other days of the week to study, pray, and participate in church meeting and activities.
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Personal Response by James Faulconer
One of the scriptures of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“the Mormon church“) is the Book of Mormon, from which the Church’s nickname is derived. In that book of scripture we are taught “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and of the flesh; and remember that after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved” (2 Nephi 10:24). The same scriptural writer later says more briefly, “We know that it is by grace we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23).
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Personal Response by Karen Merkley
A rosary is a set of chained beads used to mark the recitation of certain prayers by Catholics. Typically, it consists of 50 beads, in groups of ten (a decade), with a larger bead before each decade. Specific memorized prayers are recited as a way of remembering aspects of the life and mission of the Savior. Catholics, with a deep sense of devotion and love of the Savior, reflect on His life and mission as they engage in these prayers and as they participate in the rituals and liturgy of the Catholic faith. We have great respect for their devotion to God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) don’t use a rosary, or set of beads marking a series of prayers, as used by Roman-Catholics or Anglo-Catholics.
Mormons share expressions in prayer that are self-generated, dependent on the circumstances and events in their lives a t the moment of prayer. We see prayers as personal expressions of... Read the rest of this entry »
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Absolutely! Mormons believe that it is self-evident, through their core doctrines, practices, and commitment to Jesus Christ, that members of The Church of Jesus Christ, are Christians in the truest sense.
The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.[1]
Like other Christians, Mormons believe Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God. Their everyday lives are centered in Him. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” [Romans 8:16]. Christ, however, was the Only Begotten in the flesh, and Mormons worship Him as the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. Mormons believe in His infinite atoning sacrifice and literal resurrection, and that “salvation is everlastingly in Jesus Christ.”[2]
Personal... Read the rest of this entry »
