If Mormons are Christians, why do their missionaries go out to convert Christians to the Mormon Church?

Question

Mormons have been saying they're Christians, but they still send missionaries to thoroughly Christian areas. The missionaries find out that the person they're proselytzing to is a Christian and still try to get that Christian to convert. Why would a Christian try to convert a Christian to Christianity? Other Christian denominations, upon finding out that the person they're proselytzing to is a Christian, no matter the denomination (excluding LDS and JW), still continue with proselytzing. So, why? I know it happens, I've both watched it and experienced it.

I've been curious about this for a while and the spate of Mormon questions got me to thinking of it.

Uh, in the latter part of the additional details, I meant to write that other denominations stop proselytzing, not still continue to. Sorry.

Answer 1

Mormons say that they are Christians, but they also believe that they are the only true church. As such, it is understandable that they would want all other christians to be a part of their church, even though they believe that very few people go to hell.

Interestingly, I saw an article on Nightline last night about evangelicals making pilgrimages to Utah to convert the Mormons.

Answer 2

Whatever sweetheart.... You just keep believing whatever you want. I know I believe in Jesus Christ and that's sufficient for both of us. Yea, I get my nose out of joint when people keep saying I am not Christian. Can we say misnomer here. The term Christian means exactly that, a follower of Jesus Christ. Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses both follow Jesus Christ. The rest is doctrinal differences. You're a Methodist that means you follow Methodist teachings and doctrines. So what makes you different than a Lutheran or a Catholic, they state that they are Christians? It's all the matter of doctrinal differences. Frankly why do Mormons trying to convert others? Or other Christians? Because we believe in an apostasy that has occurred after the death of the Apostles and that the authority given to man from God was taken from the Earth. I don't expect you to like this answer. But that's the answer that Mormons have. The scriptures are very big on authority and who is given that authority. For example, in the Old Testament only the children of Levi had the authority to act in God's name. In Jesus' time, Jesus gave that power and authority to the twelve. Since Mormons believe that it was taken and that the doctrines of Christianity were confused and confounded. Hence the reason why there are so many sects of Christianity. Don't try and kid yourself, Catholics don't believe in the same stuff that Lutherans do. And Baptists don't believe completely in the same stuff that Methodists do? True you believe in Jesus Christ, but why are you Methodist and not Lutheran or Baptist or Episcopalian? Do you agree completely with all their teachings?

Answer 3

This is one of the most logical questions I've ever seen --- I've never thought of it like this exactly and I thank you. (Seriously!)

To answer your question, though, I think they would say that mainstream Christians are also Christians, but that they don't understand the fulness of truth that is Mormonism. I mean that's how they explain why Mormonism is so new --- that the truth was hidden for a long time and that it was finally re-revealed to Joseph Smith. They don't really believe in hell like mainstream Christians do --- I think they just think mainstream Christians are not going to the highest plane in the celestial kingdom like they are --- still Heaven, but not as 'good' of a Heaven as the highest Heaven.

I would say that Mormons claiming to be Christians is a deeper more troubling issue than most people give it credit for being, and would be happy to talk with you about it, but I don't want to say anything too inflammatory toward Mormons, especially since most of them are very, very nice. I don't think that individual Mormons tend to have an agenda but I do think that some level of the Mormon church does and that it is fueled by something that is not Christ.

Sorry this was long, just trying to give an explanation from how I think a Mormon would explain it, and then an explanation of what I think is really happening.

Again --- this is one of my favorite questions I've seen here. Thank you!

Answer 4

How else would the other denominations know about the Book Of Mormon and restored Gospel if we didn't teach them? Many other churches don't have such a thing. I don't think the word "convert" is right for a Christian who becomes a member of our church. But that's my opinion.

Answer 5

Good question.

LDS missionaries aren't trying to convert "christians to christianity". They're trying to convert members of other churches to the LDS church, which we believe is the only church with the "fulness" of the gospel. We don't think other christian churches are bad, just that they don't have the full picture.

Answer 6

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) is a beautiful Christian religion. Because Mormons believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ and consider Him to be the way to salvation, they are clearly a Christian denomination. It is true that they are not an orthodox denomination (they are neither Protestant, Catholic, nor Eastern Orthodox), because they don't accept the post-New Testament creeds, but their Christ-centered theology clearly qualifies them for the Christian label.

Because Mormons are Christian, we believe in most of the things that Christians believe, including:

1) Christ is divine and salvation comes only through Him.
2) The Bible is the word of God.
3) Men ought to love one another.

Mormons are a unique branch of Christianity, however. We are neither Catholic nor Protestant, so naturally we have some different beliefs. Most of the differences are minor. One significant difference has to do with the authority to act in God's name. Mormons believe that soon after the death of Christ and His apostles, the early Christian Church was greatly influenced by Greek and Roman philosophies and political pressures. Despite the efforts of many good men and women, the true Church of Christ was eventually lost because of these outside pressures and internal, man-made changes. Mormons believe that God reestablished the original Church of Christ in 1820 through a man named Joseph Smith. Because ancient truths have been restored through Joseph Smith, Mormons believe they have an obligation to share these truths with others, even fellow Christians.

To learn more about Mormons, visit my site at http://www.allaboutmormons.com !

Hope this helps! Mormon Christianity has changed my life by helping me better follow Jesus Christ.

Answer 7

Most non-LDS Christians do not view us as Christian, because we believe a lot of things that other Christians don't.
They do not believe that God's church has living prophets and apostles, and we do. They do not believe that God has given us more canon, and we do. They do not believe in a living priesthood, that Christ gives man this to give him authority to run His church.

Answer 8

What Do Mormons Believe: The Primary Differences Between Mormonism & Christianity


What Do Mormons Believe: Divine Authority
The Mormon church uses two sources as its primary authorities: the Book of Mormon and the Bible. The Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price are also viewed as divinely authoritative. The Christian church uses the Holy Bible alone as its authority from God. Joseph Smith is not recognized as a prophet.

What Do Mormons Believe: The Nature of God
The Mormon church sees God as the Supreme Being of the universe. However, He gradually acquired that position over a long period of time by living a perfect and righteous life. God the Father has a body (flesh and bones). The Christian church proclaims God as eternally and infinitely supreme. He is the same today as always. He is a spirit Being.

What Do Mormons Believe: The Nature of Man
The Mormon church teaches that humans exist as spirit beings before their birth. At physical birth, bodies are given to these spirits. They are also given an opportunity for free-will choice. The physical world represents a period of probation. The status of a person in the afterlife is determined by the way that person lived their life on Earth. If the person lived by a satisfactory standard, (including the fulfillment of Mormon temple obligations) that person has the potential to become a god in the after-life. They can also produce "spirit children" to populate a world of his own (like God did with the earth). The Christian church holds that humans do not exist as spirits prior to being born into the world. Humans cannot attain godhood or populate other worlds with "spirit children."

What Do Mormons Believe: The Nature of Jesus Christ
The Mormon church views Jesus and Satan as spirit brothers and sons of God. God put forth His plan of salvation for the world, and Satan proposed his own plan. Jesus accepted the Father's plan and offered to implement it as the Savior. The Father chose Jesus, and the spirit of Jesus was given a body through the virgin Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross, and rose from the dead three days later to establish His deity. The character and life of Jesus is attainable by anyone who performs at such a righteous level. The Christian church teaches that Jesus Christ has existed eternally as the Son of God, the second "person" of the Trinity. Jesus took on human flesh about 2000 years ago and was born into the world through the virgin Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross for our sins, and rose from the dead three days later to establish His deity.

What Do Mormons Believe: How do we Achieve Salvation
The Mormon church holds that Jesus Christ overcame physical death and guaranteed physical resurrection to all mankind. However, spiritual death can only be avoided through personal obedience of God's commandments. Forgiveness of sins requires faith, repentance and baptism by an approved Mormon priest. The practice of baptism for the dead is an extension of this belief, in which Mormons are baptized in proxy for those who have died without proper baptism. The Christian church teaches that we are unable to live a life righteous enough to meet God's perfectly holy standard. Therefore, we establish a relationship with God by faith in the work of Christ on the cross, not by our own works. Baptism and good deeds are acts of obedience to God, but not the means for gaining eternal salvation.

What Do Mormons Believe: Life After Death
The Mormon church maintains that although there is temporary punishment for those that are most wicked, Jesus Christ will establish a new kingdom that will consist of three levels: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. The Christian church holds that there are only two possible fates after death, heaven or hell. These locations are final, both physically and spiritually.

Answer 9

They believe that all christians will be saved and obtain glory in the afterlife, however they also believe to obtain the fulness of glory God has to offer, one must live like christ, receive certain ordinances prescribed by Christ, which they believe were restored by Christ in their church.

Answer 10

Matthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.