AboutDrew Williams Expertise Are Mormons "Christians?"
What is the truth about Mormons and drinking coffee, coke and alcohol?
Why don`t Mormons watch "R" rated movies?
Are there still Mormons who practice plural marriage?
Why are Mormons married in a "Temple" and why are only a few people allowed to attend?
What's the difference between a "Mormon" and a "Latter-day Saint?"
Experience I am the author of the book: "Complete Idiot's Guide to Mormonism" (Penguin), which has now been read by more than 10,000 people. I have spoken on topics pertaining to the history of Christianity and Mormonism around the world, and have taught Mormon doctrine for more than 20 years, and am a former Methodist (practicing Baptist), convert to the Mormon Church. Without sounding "preachy," I can help clarify points of concern regarding Mormons as Christians, and can help others understand principles of belief behind the Mormon Church--as well as speak somewhat concerning the context of the New Testament (and the Book of Isaiah).
Organizations LDS Church
Publications New Era, The Friend, Wall Street Journal, Computer World, Internet Week, others.
Expert: Drew Williams Date: 2/23/2008 Subject: Are Mormons Christians (Again?)
Question My question is - are Mormons consideed christians? I listen to Glenn Beck and I know he is mormon...a lot of the things he says sound christian to me. It is confusing to me, so many denominations. Thank you for taking the time to help through this site. Yolanda
Answer First, Yolanda, I mean no ill intent in my subject line, but after 20+ years of explaining this, it still surprises me that people actually think Mormons are not Christians--or have questions about it.
But then again, when I lived in the Midwest, I had no idea either.
Okay, here goes:
1. Yes, Mormons are Christians.
2. What is the definition of a "Christian?"
Well, for starters, the general rule is that the term applies to anyone who believes Jesus Christ is the literal son of our Heavenly Father, and that he alone was able to conquer death, through his resurrection, and that he alone provides the salvation and path for all of us (past, present and future), to come forward to receive our glory in the next life.
3. Mormons believe this wholeheartedly, in fact the proper name for "Mormon" is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When you put the name of Christ in the charter of your faith and as the leader of your church (not a man--but God himself), then it has to leave little doubt about who Mormons believe in on Sunday.
4. Mormons pray to God the Eternal Father and no one else. Not ever, never. Only to God. HOWEVER, we know that (as in 1st Timothy), Christ is the bridge between man and God and no one comes before the father than through the Son.
5. Mormons believe that after this life, because of the atoning sacrifice by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemene, all of us will be judged, and will receive the blessings of eternal life, conditional upon our labors in this world.
6. Now here is one key tenet where the traditional "Christian" faiths have a hard time with us: That God is our literal Heavenly Father, we believe we will receive the blessings of celestial glory, if we so live worthily, and receive all of the blessings he has to give us. And by doing so, we further edify him.
7. Traditional Christians (and they believe this because it has been handed down since the Athanasian Creed of the fifth century, and not something they have discovered on their own): believe that all you have to do to get to "Heaven" is accept Christ as your Savior, and he will do the rest.
Yes, that's kind-of true. "Heaven" is anywhere but this mortal world ("Hell" is an altogether different place--which to Mormons--means being cut off from the presence of God forever (not the silly "lake of fire" that the Catholics dreamed up in during Dark Ages to scare their subjects!). Christ is our Saviour whether we acknowledge it or not. BUT, there are conditions in this life, which we must abide by, to be true disciples of the Lord--which should make sense to anyone who thinks about it (ergo, you cannot follow a leader and not act as you really believe in him, by doing something to the contrary).
So back to #1: Yes, Mormons are Christians.
(Go find a copy of The COmplete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Mormonism). You will find it an easy read, not preachy, but generally informative on the LDS faith and its core beliefs.
