Why do Mormons call their church "The Church".?

Question

I mean, there are other faiths out there!

Answer 1

Yes, we know there are other faiths out there. And a true LDS (Mormon is only a nick name) respects all faiths. For most of us, it is just a quick way to say the official name of our church "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints". We also sometimes refer to the teachings as "The Gospel" meaning "The Gospel of Jesus Christ." I hear Catholics refer to their faith as "The Church" as well. It's not meant to be insulting or demeaning when either of our faiths say this. You have to remember, as Christian faiths go, Mormonism and Catholicism are the only two faiths that are the same worldwide. And I am talking about Catholics who follow the Pope and Mormons with their church headquarters in Salt Lake City, not the splinter groups that try to pass themselves off as Mormons.

Also, it is not against our religion to learn about other faiths. I personally took a BYU course entitled Religions of the World where we had leaders from all the faiths discussed come in and teach us what they believed. We were never allowed to put down any faith. Our 11th Article of Faith states: "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. " In reality, we are one of the few faiths that encourage our members to learn about other faiths!

Answer 2

The LDS Church has had at least five different names (D.H.C., Vol. III, p. 24). On April 6, 1830, it was originally called the "Church of Christ" (see D. & C. 20:1, D. & C., copyright page, or 1833 Book of Commandments). On May 3, 1834, the name was changed to the "Church of Latter Day Saints" (D.H.C., Vol. II, p. 63). Still later, on April 26, 1838, it was changed to the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" as it is known today (D. & C. 115:3-4). As for The Church of Jesus Christ, this is from the Media page of the LDS Church: The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This full name was given by revelation from God to Joseph Smith in 1838.— While the term "Mormon Church" has long been publicly applied to the Church as a nickname, it is not an authorized title, and the Church discourages its use. When writing about the Church, please follow these guidelines: In the first reference, the full name of the Church is preferred: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please avoid the use of “Mormon Church,” “LDS Church” or “the Church of the Latter-day Saints.” When a shortened reference is needed, the terms “the Church” or “the Church of Jesus Christ” are encouraged. It seems to me that asking to be called "The Church of Jesus Christ" at all is dishonest. That name is taken by another Mormon splinter group. Trying to use it in this manner is deceptive.

Answer 3

They believe they are the one true church because their whole belief system is based on error. Jesus said that the gates of hell will not prevail against his church, yet Mormons say that the church completely apostasized and use the Catholic church as their main example. The Catholic church is not the only church that considers itself Christian.
A church that is "the Church" is the one that teaches the Bible and is in accordance with Scripture. The Bible teaches that we are saved by God's grace, through faith. Not by works, because all our righteous works are but as filthy rags. Any church or religion that says that we are saved by faith plus something is a cult.
I am not saying that we can get saved and live however we want. We must be born again. Martin Luther said that we are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone. A living and genuine faith will produce fruit, i.e. good works.

Answer 4

I guess that you do not know Mormons do not call their church "The Church" We call the name of our Church. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints" Yes we know that there are other faiths out there. The name of the church of Jesus Christ of Later-day saints was given in a revelation. It is found it the Doctrine and Conventants in which i believe it is. I have heard that in may of classes while at church. I am going to give you this website and hopefully it will answer more questions about the church http://www.mormon.org/welcome/0,6929,403-1,00.html Well i hope that you and others have a good day and will check out this website in which i have provided.

Answer 5

Counterfeit Christianity is probably the best description I can give for a cult. Counterfeit Christianity is an imitation of real Christianity. Bible terms like "Jesus Christ, Resurrection, Salvation, and Atonement" are used by the Cult, but the various cult groups have assigned entirely different meanings to these terms.
Like counterfeit money which is sometimes difficult to detect, so it is difficult to detect counterfeit Christianity, since it looks like the real thing. Experts examining counterfeit money often hold it up to a strong light and look for identifying marks. Counterfeit Christianity also has identifying marks, which can be seen when, held up to an even stronger light, the light of God's word, the bible.
We are at an advantage if we know what to expect from a cult. Cultists are very well trained to appear "Christian", and indeed believe they are the true churches, and you need the deliverance! Therefore, be bold and ask the question, "do you believe the group you represent is the only true church on the face of the earth?"
If they reply that they are, or if they are evasive, making remarks like "Well, every church has a measure of truth but...", you have made an early detection of a Cultist.
Every true Christian, if asked the same question, regardless of his denomination, would reply that the true church is comprised of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and HE (not some organization) is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, (John 14:6). No legitimate denomination would claim that they alone and their members have salvation exclusively, but the cults (the counterfeits) do.

Answer 6

Because although there are more churches/religions/faiths out there - which we recognize - we believe ours is the only completely true church. We believe all other religions have good things to offer, just not the whole gospel. We believe the true and complete gospel was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith by the power of God.

Answer 7

Most cults think that they are the ones that God is using and that everyone else is wrong.
Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was the one chosen to restore the church back on the earth. According to mormons all religions were not right at that time so God had to choose someone and He choose Joseph Smith. --This belief goes against what all Christians believe. Christians place their trust in God alone!

Answer 8

Catholics do the same thing....it's called "The Church".

Answer 9

because it is named after the church that jesus established when he was on the earth

Answer 10

There are other churches...but it's against their religion to learn about them...or anything not in the b.o.m. for that matter.