Are Mormons Christian

IS MORMONISM CHRISTIAN?

The question is often heard and debated: Are Mormons Christian?  The real question is not whether Mormons are "Christians" or not.  Certainly Mormons are "Christian" just as much as any "new age Christian", Scientologist, Jehovah's Witness or others could claim the title of "Christian" - because they all have elements (more or less) of Christ in their doctrine.  Do they believe in Jesus Christ?  Sure they do. And all who claim a belief in Christ would naturally get their backs up when the assertion is made that they are not "Christian".  

The label itself is not the real issue, however. The real issue that bible-believing Christians have, is that Mormonism is explicitly contrary to the bible and to Christ's teachings contained therein.  LDS members are not pleased to hear such statements - and understandably so.  "But we do believe in Jesus Christ and the bible!", the LDS will protest.  

But consider what is really behind the issue - beyond the label. At the core is the fact that Christ himself explicitly proclaimed: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."   John 14:6.  "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”  Acts 16:30-31.   "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."  Acts 4:12.  

Mormonism on the other hand declares that, while it is necessary to believe in Christ: "there is no salvation outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." (Bruce R. McConkie).  The "church" is the way the truth and the life." (Marion G. Romney).  There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. (Joseph Fielding Smith). And there is no salvation (eternal life) without jumping through a myriad of hoops ("ordinances" - that the Mormon Church claims only it has the authority to perform - and strict obedience to the LDS church and all of its rules, regulations and commands given by its leadership).  (click here for a more extensive discussion on this topic)

If you are a Mormon, a key question is whether you really believe that you can inherit God's kingdom without the church?  If you do believe that you can enter into God's Kingdom without the Mormon Church, your belief is contrary to official LDS church doctrine.  What the LDS really believe is that, while a belief in Christ is requisite, so is a belief in and acceptance of the Prophet Joseph Smith and all subsequent church Prophets, the Mormon church, the restoration, the priesthood, the Word of Wisdom, all of the ordinances, and there must be strict obedience to all the laws, ordinances, teachings and commandments of the Church, etc.  Miss any of these requisites and you're not going to get into God's Kingdom, according to Mormon theology.  The bottom line is that Jesus Christ alone does not have the power to save, according to Mormonism.  

"One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation," (Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206)

Simply put, one cannot believe in both the bible and Mormonism.  They are at odds on virtually every point of doctrine.  Please don't take my word for it. Read the bible (most Mormons have not truly read the bible - or if they have, they usually just do a token read-through so that they can say that they've read it; it is very rare for a Mormon to really study the bible in depth).  Not just the few out of context passages that Mormonism uses to try to demonstrate biblical support for its doctrines.  But read the entire bible (start with the New Testament - which is the "New Covenant") in context and it will become clear that the two are not reconcilable.  

(For all LDS or former LDS members, I believe that it will take at least three times of reading through the New Testament - and do it without your LDS version with the LDS bible dictionary, the Joseph Smith Translation references, etc.  Get a straight up King James, NIV or NASB and just read the Word without anyone or anything telling you what it says - let God Himself speak His Word to you.  If you seek God and His truths in sincerity and a true and honest heart to know Him and His Word, it will change your life forever!). 

In sum, it may be somewhat inarticulate to say that Mormons are not "Christians".  Mormons may technically have the label as "Christians" but they are certainly not "biblical Christians" and their teachings are not in accord with the pure and living Word of God.   If the bible is truly the Word of God that Christ Himself declared would not pass away, then that is a serious issue.  And it is one that Christ's followers should bring to the attention of the world in love - first of all so that the Mormon people may find the true and living Christ and His Word.  Secondly, so that the world will not be mislead into a counterfeit Christianity.  

IS IT PROPER TO WARN THE WORLD ABOUT COUNTERFEITS?

Jesus himself declared, that He alone is the door – the way, the truth and the life. The fundamental problem with Mormonism is that it is in direct conflict with that very basic and most important fact. The LDS Church, while using Christ’s name and keeping him somewhere in the mix, declares that the LDS Church is the way, the truth and the life and that no man can attain eternal life in the Father’s kingdom but by and through the LDS Church. (Though the church will currently equivocate publicly from such blunt statements, ask any faith LDS church member if they truly believe that they, or anyone else, can reach the Celestial Kingdom without strict adherence to each and every church ordinance, doctrine and command. Without question, the LDS Church teaches, and the members believe, that it is only in and through the LDS Church that Eternal Life can be had.) 

Christ and his disciples warned of false prophets, apostles and doctrines:

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15 

Neither Jesus nor His apostles hesitated to warn of and call out false and counterfeit doctrines when they appeared (yet neither He nor they imposed the Gospel on or forced anyone to believe in or to follow Christ). Yes, I think that we would be amiss not to warn our families, friends, the church and the world (even the Mormon people) of the counterfeit Christianity that is Mormonism. [That is not (and should not be) a mean-spirited thing, if done with love and genuine concern for the truth and for the welfare of souls - but it is still understandable that it is not pleasant for anyone to hear that they belong to a false religion.] 

Every man and woman must ultimately make their own decisions to believe or not believe as they see fit. Speaking the truth in love and with respect does not, and should not, infringe on anyone’s rights. 

I was a faithful LDS member for 39 years and I thank God for those who had the courage to stand up and speak the truth. When I had come to the point where I hungered for and needed to know the truth, I did not feel imposed upon by any and all sides of the arguments (and before that point I never would have even so much as looked at anything that contradicted the LDS church, even if it were placed right in front of my face with flashing red lights and sirens).  But, at that point, when knowing the truth meant more to me than just clinging on to what I so desperately wanted to be true, I tried to listen to all sides (and everything that I could get my hands on). Each and every side played a part in enabling me to make a real choice. Ultimately, the truth itself did make me free. 

It is my sincere hope that what is written here will not be perceived as an "attack" on Mormons - rather I hope that it is received in the spirit of love and sincerity that it is intended.  

May God bless you as you seek Him in truth.