Why are Mormons considered Christians even though their doctrine is not that of traditional Christianity?

Question

I'm not concerned with whether or not Mormonism, Catholicism, or Protestantism are true or not. Mormonism is so different from other Christian faiths and denominations. If Mormonism is truely Christianity, then those Christian faiths and denominations that preceded it cannot be called Christian. It's like having an apple and an orange and then deciding to call them both apples.

I guess they think people like apples better...

In other words, more people can relate to Christianity, so appearing to be Christian is good for public relations and ultimately brings people who don't know any better into their churches.

Then when people find out the truth, they say , "Hey! I wanted an apple, not an orange!"

The real problem is that when people talk about Jesus Christ and God, they are not necessarily talking about the same people. The nature and definition of both vary widely. So, when people have a religious discussion about a book such as the Bible, in a way they are speaking different languages.

By traditional Christianity, I mean a religion based on the Bible and not a religion based on the Bible plus another book or books.

In response to beygrl's comment that "there are many different kinds of apples. Some are small, and different colors and yet they are all apples," I would agree. These so-called "different kinds of apples" would represent the different Christian denominations, and not the Mormon faith which I represented as an orange trying to be like an apple. The only similarity between them is that they are both fruit. (Christianity and Mormonism are both religions.) You may disagree with my point of view, but I think that the point I was trying to make was clear; therefore, the analogy is not a "bad example." You just don't agree with it.

Whether you agree with it or not, does anyone else not understand the analogy I used earlier?

[Blacks used to be totally out of the equation: "Black people are black because of their misdeeds in the pre-existence" (Three Degrees of Glory, LDS Apostle Melvin J. Ballard, p. 21); "The ***** is an unfortunate man. He has been given a black skin. But that is nothing compared with that greater handicap. He is not permitted to receive the priesthood and the ordinances of the temple, necessary to prepare men and women to enter into and enjoy a fullness of glory in the Celestial Kingdom" (Elder George E. Richards). In 1978, however, the Mormon Church announced that God had lifted his curse from the African race.]

"I could refer you to plenty of instances where men have been righteously slain, in order to atone for their sins ... This is loving our neighbor as ourselves, if he needs help, help him, and if he wants salvation and it is necessary to spill his blood on the earth in order that he may be saved, spill it." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, p. 220). [Many were killed under what is called the "Blood Atonement Doctrine" Leaving Mormonism was one of the sins that the blood of Jesus could not atone for, and a person's own blood must be shed by Mormon priests as an atonement for sin.]

"I intend to meet them on their own grounds. ... and if any miserable scoundrel comes here, cut their throats." [And they obeyed; a wagon train of innocent men, women, and children were massacred at Mountain Meadows under the orders of Brigham Young. They were passing through Utah, and Brigham thought they were from Illinois where Joseph Smith had been killed. Many more were "atoned."]

"I think these preliminaries will satisfy me, and I feel prepared to take my text. It is the words of Jesus Christ, but where they are in the Bible I cannot tell you now, for I have not taken pains to look at them. I have had so much to do, that I have not read the Bible for many years. I used to read and study it, but did not understand the spirit and meaning of it ..." (1854 Conference discourse, October 8). [Brigham Young obviously did not understand the Bible, and neither do any of the other Mormon prophets.]

Mormons prefer not to be included with Christian denominations, which Joseph Smith Jr. said were, "all wrong ... all their creeds were an abomination in His sight, and that those professors (Christians) were all corrupt" (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith, 2:18-19); Mormons have preferred to be called "saints." However, in the recent years, the LDS church has spent millions of dollars in an intense "PR" campaign aimed at moving the Mormon church into the mainstream of Christianity. The political and economic benefits of Mormons being included in the mainstream of Christianity are obvious. Further, for Mormons to be accepted as traditional Christians would greatly aid in proselytizing the members of Christian denominations into the LDS church. This is why the LDS church is trying so hard to present itself as Christian and is trying to overcome the stigma of being a cult (9/16/96, FBIS, "Are Mormons Christians," by Cooper P. Abrams III).

It seems obvious that Mormons believe they can deny the Bible and be a Christian (Joseph Smith and other LDS leaders have made numerous anti-Bible statements), so it only makes sense that a Christian can deny the Book of Mormon and be a Mormon.

"As a church, we have critics--many of them. They say we do not believe in the traditional Christ of Christianity. There is some substance to what they say. Our faith, our knowledge, is not based on ancient tradition...Our faith, our knowledge comes of the witness of a prophet in this dispensation..."

LDS Presdident Gordon B. Hinckley
--April 2002 General Conference

Answer 1

"Central doctrines" of the Christian faith are those doctrines that make the Christian faith Christian and not something else.

The Christian faith is a definite system of beliefs with definite content (Jude 3). Certain Christian doctrines constitute the core of the faith.

The central doctrines include the Trinity (one God, three persons), the deity of Christ as the second person of the Trinitarian Godhead, the bodily resurrection, the atoning work of Christ on the cross, and salvation by grace through faith. These doctrines so comprise the essence of the Christian faith that to remove any of them is to make the belief system non-Christian.

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Mormonism does not adhere to these doctrines and is not considered to be a Christian belief system.
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Scripture teaches that the beliefs mentioned above are of central importance (e.g., Matt. 28:19; John 8:24; 1 Cor. 15; Eph. 2:8-10).

Because these central doctrines define the character of Christianity, one cannot be saved and deny these.

Central doctrines should not be confused with peripheral issues, about which Christians may legitimately disagree. Peripheral (i.e. non-essential) doctrines include such issues as the timing of the tribulation, the method of baptism, or the structure of church government. For example, one can be wrong about the identity of "the spirits in prison" 1 Peter 3:19) or about the timing of the rapture and still go to heaven, but one cannot deny salvation by grace or the deity of Christ (John 8:24) and be saved.

All Christian denominations — whether Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestant — agree on the essential core. The relatively minor disagreements between genuinely Christian denominations, then, cannot be used to argue that there is no objectively recognized core of fundamental doctrine which constitutes the Christian faith.

Mormonism Summary:
http://www.carm.org/lds/nutshell.htm

Is Mormonism Christian?:
http://www.carm.org/lds/lds_christian.htm

Doctrinal Writings of Mormon Leaders:
http://www.carm.org/lds/lds_doctrines.htm

More details for those wanting to go deeper:
http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm
http://www.lhvm.org/index2.htm
http://www.mormonchallenge.com/ref_compare.htm

Answer 2

IMHO, traditional Christianity is not all it's cracked up to be. There were so many things taught to me growing up Protestant that just didn't make any sense, especially when I compared them to what I was reading in the Bible.

But, we are not like traditional Christainity, and neverwere and never will be. Most people are smart enough to see that we aren't as soon as they start talking to the missionaries. So, if what they want is traditional, then it should be obvious to everyone that they don't want to join the LDS church.

And most missionaries would be smart enough to know that it does no good to lie about what we believe. It only comes back to bite you on the behind.

The keystone to our faith is the Book of Mormon. If you can't accept that, then there's no point in joining.

Answer 3

The real name of the Mormon religion is called "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints". I'm a mormon so all I have to say is true. We believe pretty much in the same ideas as Catholics and so on, but we just have different standards and more detailed beliefs. We think that modern revealations are true and that there should always be a prophet, not just in Biblical times. We think that everything that the church Jesus started, should carry over into modern days without any exceptions. That's why we have apostles and prophets. It's also why we get baptized fully underwater, because that's how Jesus did it. He didn't have some priest drop water on his head and call it good. Basically, we're the same church that Jesus started about two thousand years ago. It's like Catholics and Baptists, they're both Christian, but not the same religion because they don't believe in the exact same doctrine. Look at these websites for more information: http://www.mormon.org/question/faq/category/answer/0,9777,1601-1-55-16,00.html
http://www.mormon.org/question/faq/category/answer/0,9777,1601-1-56-16,00.html

Answer 4

Mormons carry the doctrinal tenet that the true Church of Christ was taken from the earth when the original twelve apostles died. True priesthood authority left at that time. The Great Apostasy as it is called was predicted in numerous New Testament scripture. Mormons believe that the truth was restored again to the earth as was also promised in New Testament scripture.
Mormons believe that they are Christian, and also believe that the same organization that existed in the primitive church is now restored and in place on the earth again.

Answer 5

They are the ones who call themselves "Christians". If you ask most Christians if the Mormon religion is Christian they will answer with a resounding NO. Because the Mormon religion does not follow the Bible.

Answer 6

Depends on the definition of "Christian"

I am a Christian because I believe in and follow Christ, I know that He is my personal Savior, I know that He bled and died for me and my sins. So, in that sense, I am a Christian.

I do not believe Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Ghost are one being. I do not believe the bible is the "only" source of the gospel. I do not believe in being "saved" alone by accepting Christ as my Savior, I believe there is more that just the acceptance. So, in that sense, I am not a Christian, nor would I want to be that type of Christian.

Answer 7

It all depends on how you define Christian.

With more careful study you'd find that Christianity isn't religion based on the Bible... It's religion based on the divinity of JESUS CHRIST.

And actually they are the only church who have the same organization Jesus Christ set up. So they are more 'Christian' than anyone else.

Anyone who claims The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not based on the divinity of Jesus Christ is sadly mistaken.

Answer 8

It is more like having an apple and a nashi pear.
The pear is very similar to an apple. It has the shape of an apple. It is a redish color. It is crisp like an apple.
The traditonal Christians are like a nashi pear. Similar but not an apple.
Who stated that tradition was true. Many traditions are not true.

Answer 9

What exactly is the definition of Christianity if not a belief in Jesus Christ, his atonement, and that it is only through Jesus Christ that we can reach God? Is this not what the rest of you believe? In fact, as declared by our own Articles of Faith, the very first principle of the Gospel is Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. If this is not a definition of Christianity, would someone please enlighten me as to what would be the true definition?

Jamie, I am not offended by your opinion but you obviously have no clue as to what we really do believe.

Answer 10

I think it is because they do follow the bible and historical (sic) figures from the bible. That would be why. They are " a people of the book" anyways as a Muslim doctrine would go Jew, Christin's, Muslims. Are in that category but not Mormons as far as I know as they were not around at that time.