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Okay, let me put it this way and see if it makes sense to you:

Let’s say that I tell you I am a Mormon, but I don’t believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and I don’t believe that the BOM is the word of God, and I don’t believe in celestial marriage. Am I a Mormon? How do you know?

Now let’s say that there are 3 million people who believe they are Mormons, just like I do, but they don’t believe in Joseph Smith, the BOM, or celestial marriage. And let’s say we all meet together regularly, but we don’t call it a ward, we call it a wigwam. And we go door-to-door telling people we are Mormons and asking them to become Mormons too.

How would the LDS feel about these people? Would they be recognized as true Mormons? How would you feel about these people calling themselves Mormons? Would you not seek to differentiate yourself and true Mormons from them? Would you not feel a bit insulted that they are misrepresenting your religion’s name and your religion’s beliefs?

Yes only God will be the final judge as to who gets into heaven and who doesn’t, who are true believers and who aren’t. But the Bible warns us to be wary of false teachers and false prophets. That must mean there are false teachers and false prophets out there wanting to deceive us. We are to use discernment and use the Bible to help us know what is true and what is not true.

So we as Christians certainly do have a right to discern and to proclaim what teachings are in line with Christianity and what teachings are non-Christian.

If for example someone says they believe in, worship, and follow Jesus Christ, but they believe he came to Earth in a space ship, and believe that salvation is earned through good singing, are they a Christian? No. Saying that they believe in, worship, and follow Jesus does not in and of itself make someone a Christian. A Christian acknowledges and accepts all of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, as defined by Christians.

I hope that makes sense. Everything I say, I say with respect and compassion, and also with conviction. I really do feel sorry that so many people in this world are deceived by false or errant teaching.

Brilliant analogy! But the Mormon mind cannot allow the clarity to settle in else the Mormon will have doubts which are of course only to be sown toward the faith of others and never allowed to surface in the Mormon heart of confusion. There are those who were Chrsitians before they succumbed to the seeds of doubt sown by the Mormon proselytizers. For them the awakening to see Mormonism as anti-Christian is more difficult because they have chosen to suppress the still small voice wihtin. So they write diatribes about how persecuted Mormonism is, never guessing they are fabricating a dungeon for their own mind.

“Let’s say that I tell you I am a Mormon, but I don’t believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and I don’t believe that the BOM is the word of God, and I don’t believe in celestial marriage. Am I a Mormon? How do you know?”

You operate under a false premise. If Mormons were going around saying they were Methodists or Catholics or Baptists, then you would have a point. But we all believe in Christ. Therefore, I do not feel insulted that you call yourself Christian. I do tend to get insulted when you insist that I am not Christian.

“So we as Christians certainly do have a right to discern and to proclaim what teachings are in line with Christianity and what teachings are non-Christian.”

No, you have a right to say what is in line with Methodism or Catholicism or Baptism, because they are your church. You do not have a decision, however, over my Christianity.

“If for example someone says they believe in, worship, and follow Jesus Christ, but they believe he came to Earth in a space ship, and believe that salvation is earned through good singing, are they a Christian?”

If this hypothetical person strives to live by the teachings and example of Christ, as you and I and all other actual Christians do, then yes, he is. He would not be a Mormon, and I would argue with him were he to proclaim himself one, but he would be a Christian.

“I hope that makes sense. Everything I say, I say with respect and compassion, and also with conviction. I really do feel sorry that so many people in this world are deceived by false or errant teaching.”

I appreciate your candor and earnestness. I do, however, disagree with your evident tendency to try and claim Christianity as your own, and not Christ’s.