Are Mormons Christians?

I read a really great post titled Are Mormons Christians?
There has been a lot of discussion and argument going on in the comments which I have been following.


One reader commented in part, 

"However unfair you may think it to be, you have chosen to be apart of a the LDS church and with that choice you have to carry the bags(history) of that denomination. You have to carry the teachings/rules/requirements/prophecies/gospel of all of your prophets and the LDS church.I am a Christian (Protestant-Baptist). I have to carry 2000 years of baggage with me. I have to apologize for my brothers sins/wrong doings during the crusades/slavery/war/bad presidents/pastors/preachers."

Here is my response.


Interesting way to put it. I’ll take the baggage of the restoration (Isa 29:14, Dan 2:44, Acts 3:21, Rev 14:6) over the baggage of the apostasy (Amos 8:11, 2 Thess 2:3) any day if it means that I can be a member of the church that Christ is leading and directing today. (Eph 2:19-10) The church that has the same structure and authority that His church had while he was on the earth. (Eph 4:11-15) I’ll take that baggage if it means having the Gift of the Holy Ghost conferred upon me as it was by Apostles in times before. (Acts 8:17-20, Heb 5:4) If it means that and so much more, then I’ll gladly take the baggage as you call it. By my study and by my prayers,(James 1:5, John 14:26) I believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that church. I understand if you disagree, but please understand if we disagree with those who emphasize the baggage over the main points of doctrine. Understand if we are frustrated with those who characterize our beliefs in a way that causes people to shun us or fear us and makes them unwilling to listen to our side of the discussion. Understand if we are upset when people are kept from hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ as restored by Him and having the opportunity to ask God if it is true. It has blessed our lives, we know it is true and we desire to share it. If you disagree, we believe you are free to worship how, where or what you may and we ask the same respect.

Great, Great Response on RomneyCare

Here is a great article as well. Link

"In Massachusetts, Mitt Romney balanced the budget then reached across the aisle to create a popular health reform program that was specifically designed for the unique needs of his state. Barack Obama, on the other hand, created a huge new entitlement program in an era of record deficits by ramming an unconstitutional, one-size-fits-all mandate through a reluctant congress and over the expressed objections of a majority of the American people."

Is Mormonism a Cult?

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I am often called a Mormon.
I often refer to myself as a Mormon.
Mormonism is a term sometimes used to refer to the collection of beliefs and doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I read an article recently that quoted someone as saying

 "Mormonism is not Christianity, Mormonism is a cult."

That leads me to two questions, What does this person mean when he says Christianity? and What does he mean when he says cult?

In the first place, the claim that Mormonism is not Christianity makes little to no sense. It's like saying Protestantism or Catholicism is not Christianity. In a way it is correct because they are all denominations of Christianity and not the Religion itself. What it appears he means to say is that Mormonism should not be considered a denomination of Christianity. Here is a list of Christian denominations (which includes Mormonism under Restorationism by the way). If  Mormonism does not belong on this list, where in the list of world religions would he suggest we put it? Here is that list. Is it a subset of Buddhism? Hinduism? Or any of the others listed? Obviously not. The only place I would put it other than under Christianity is Judaism. (Let me know if you want me to explain that further)

The continued attempts to characterize Mormonism as Non-Christian seem ridiculous to me. What else can you call a denomination that uses the Holy Bible as a sacred text and teaches that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, but Christian? If he means to say we differ on our understanding and teaching, then I agree. But I would point out that he also disagrees with all the denominations on that list, otherwise they would not be separate denominations. If he wants to talk about who has the correct understanding among all the denominations, I welcome that discussion.
Here is one of my favorite quotes on the subject.

A Catholic Utterance

Many years ago a learned man, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, came to Utah and spoke from the stand of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. I became well acquainted with him, and we conversed freely and frankly. A great scholar, with perhaps a dozen languages at his tongue's end, he seemed to know all about theology, law, literature, science, and philosophy. One day he said to me: "You Mormons are all ignoramuses. You don't even know the strength of your own position. It is so strong that there is only one other tenable in the whole Christian world, and that is the position of the Catholic Church. The issue is between Catholicism and Mormonism. If we are right, you are wrong; if you are right, we are wrong; and that's all there is to it. The Protestants haven't a leg to stand on. For if we are wrong, they are wrong with us, since they were a part of us and went out from us; while if we are right, they are apostates whom we cut off long ago. If we have the apostolic succession from St. Peter, as we claim, there was no need of Joseph Smith and Mormonism; but if we have not that succession, then such a man as Joseph Smith was necessary, and Mormonism's attitude is the only consistent one. It is either the perpetuation of the Gospel from ancient times, or the restoration of the Gospel in latter days." Link

So to the question, Is Mormonism as Cult? From what I get when I look up the word cult, it appears he is suggesting that Mormonism is authoritarian and exploitative in regard to its members and also practices dangerous rituals and/or mind control. I would like to know what practices of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lead him to use a word with those kinds of connotations. If you look at the original meaning of cult, it just refers to religious practices. If he means to say that our religious practices are different, then again I agree with him. But I point out again, that his religious practices differ from all the Christian denominations.

If you have any thoughts or comments on this subject, I would love to hear them.