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Is Mormonism Christian?
Institute For Religious Research ^ | 1999 | Institute for Religious Research

Posted on 06/01/2007 6:12:31 AM PDT by pby

Edited on 06/01/2007 6:55:53 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]

Is Mormonism Christian?

A Comparison of Mormonism and Historic Christianity Copyright © 1999 Institute for Religious Research. All rights reserved.

Is Mormonism Christian? This may seem like a puzzling question to many Mormons as well as to some Christians. Mormons will note that they include the Bible among the four books which they recognize as Scripture, and that belief in Jesus Christ is central to their faith, as evidenced by their official name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Furthermore, many Christians have heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing Christian hymns and are favorably impressed with the Mormon commitment to high moral standards and strong families. Doesn’t it follow that Mormonism is Christian?

[snip]


TOPICS: Current Events
KEYWORDS: christianity; ldschurch; mormon; mormonism; mrromneysarino; ngethimforthat; notforhisreligion; osamastherealenemy; religion; trinitarianism
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To: pby
No, it is not Christian regarding what they believe in addition to the traditional Bible, but they are still some very nice people IMO.
221 posted on 06/01/2007 1:32:10 PM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: Suzy Quzy

post 214 gives the answer on what the salamander is.


222 posted on 06/01/2007 1:33:54 PM PDT by pby
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To: restornu

restor, Revelation makes it clear if you add anything to the Canon, you are adding to the word of God, and Scripture says that will bring damnation upon you.

The Bible is it. No other book at all is the revelation of God. It is the complete and faithful truth of God, and everything else that claims to be is of Satan.


223 posted on 06/01/2007 1:35:59 PM PDT by rwfromkansas (http://xanga.com/rwfromkansas)
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To: pby

Thanks....big story made up.


224 posted on 06/01/2007 1:36:12 PM PDT by Suzy Quzy (Hillary '08...Her Phoniness is Genuine!!!)
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To: ears_to_hear; restornu

Thanks for the ping.

Interesting to see some old acquaintances here.

Hello restornu!

We’re praying for you!


225 posted on 06/01/2007 1:45:00 PM PDT by fishtank (Dynasties should only exist in soaps from the 1980s.)
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To: rwfromkansas

A not too distant parallel might be the Reformation movement of the 1500s and the American Restoration movement of the 1800s.

There was a lot of deficiency talk then, as well. Should I be overly angry at those folks?


226 posted on 06/01/2007 2:01:47 PM PDT by MarkBsnr (V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae. R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.)
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To: pby
"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."]

"pby" Where did you get this quote that is plagiarized and neatly combined it with something else?

Can we refer to other instances of this kind? We can. That is the great fault among this people, and I wished to lay it before them that they may learn the truth, and their duty to each other.

Let the Latter-day Saints be as punctual in paying the merchant who belongs to the Church of God, as they are in paying a miserable scoundrel, who would take all their money and then turn round and cut their throats, or ask a mob to do it, but thank God such characters are very scarce here.

But no, a great many of this people will sustain their enemies, will feed, and clothe them, and trade off their wheat and cattle to them, and foster them in their wickedness, while those very persons would cut the throats of the Saints, if they could get along as well without trading with them.

And at the same time that which they owe to their brethren in this kingdom who have helped them here, and who have blessed them all the time, never comes due, and they, perhaps, never think of it any more.

(JoD v. 23 p.122)

227 posted on 06/01/2007 2:15:51 PM PDT by restornu (Matt.10:16 Lord's sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye wise as serpents & harmless as doves ~ Mitt 08)
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To: rwfromkansas

The Bible is a collection of 66 books!

Book of Revelation can only speak for itself!

Some of the books in the Book of Mormon is way older than those in the NT 600 BC!


228 posted on 06/01/2007 2:19:08 PM PDT by restornu (Matt.10:16 Lord's sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye wise as serpents & harmless as doves ~ Mitt 08)
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To: pby
Brigham Young "I say, rather than the apostates should flourish here, I will unsheath my Bowie knife, and conquer or die. [Great commotion in the congregation, and a simultaneous burst of feeling, assenting to the declaration.] Now, you nasty apostates, clear out, or judgment will be put on the line ... If you say it is right, raise your hands [All hands up], let us call upon the Lord to assist us in this, and every good work." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 83)

This is a reply to a dream!

I will tell you a dream that I had last night. I dreamed that I was in the midst of a people who were dressed in rags and tatters, they had turbans upon their heads, and these were also hanging in tatters.

The rags were of many colors, and, when the people moved, they were all in motion. Their object in this appeared to be, to attract attention. Said they to me, "We are Mormons, brother Brigham." "No, you are not," I replied. "But we have been," said they, and they began to jump, and caper about, and dance, and their rags of many colors were all in motion, to attract the attention of the people.

I said, "You are no Saints, you are a disgrace to them." Said they, "We have been Mormons." By and bye, along came some mobocrats, and they greeted them with, "How do you do, sir, I am happy to see you." They kept on that way for an hour. I felt ashamed of them, for they were in my eyes a disgrace to "Mormonism."

Then I saw two ruffians, whom I knew to be mobbers and murderers, and they crept into a bed, where one of my wives and children were. I said, "You that call yourselves brethren, tell me, is this the fashion among you?"

They said, "O, they are good men, they are gentlemen." With that, I took my large bowie knife, that I used to wear as a bosom pin in Nauvoo, and cut one of their throats from ear to ear, saying, "Go to hell across lots."

The other one said, "You dare not serve me so." I instantly sprang at him, seized him by the hair of the head, and, bringing him down, cut his throat, and sent him after his comrade; then told them both, if they would behave themselves they should yet live, but if they did not, I would unjoint their necks.

At this I awoke.J14I say, rather than that apostates should flourish here, I will unsheath my bowie knife, and conquer or die. [Great commotion in the congregation, and a simultaneous burst of feeling, assenting to the declaration.]

Now, you nasty apostates, clear out, or judgment will be put on the line, and righteousness to the plummet. [Voices, generally, "go it, go it."] If you say it is right, raise your hands. [All hands up.] Let us call upon the Lord to assist us in this, and every good work.

229 posted on 06/01/2007 2:27:07 PM PDT by restornu (Matt.10:16 Lord's sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye wise as serpents & harmless as doves ~ Mitt 08)
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To: P-Marlowe

With complete absence of malice...

I know God, and Joseph Smith is no God.

____
So, I was on my way home the other evening and really wanted to konw God’s ideal vision of the Church and prayer, so I asked Him, “Show me Your heart for the praying Church.”

There was a brief pause before He replied, “Uh, NOT while you’re DRIVING!”

LOL!!

God just TOTALLY RAWKS!!


230 posted on 06/01/2007 2:27:28 PM PDT by HKMk23 (Nine out of ten orcs attacking Rohan were Saruman's Uruk-hai, not Sauron's! So, why invade Mordor?)
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To: fishtank

Hi fish nice to see you!

BBL


231 posted on 06/01/2007 2:27:53 PM PDT by restornu (Matt.10:16 Lord's sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye wise as serpents & harmless as doves ~ Mitt 08)
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To: restornu

Nice peaceful dream...do you have similar ones that you recount to those under your discipleship?


232 posted on 06/01/2007 4:07:14 PM PDT by pby
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To: pby

Here is all the information any honest hearted person needs to figure out if Mormons are Christians or not.

The Definition of Christian
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/christian
Chris•tian
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith.
2. of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ: Spain is a Christian country.
3. of or pertaining to Christians: many Christian deaths in the Crusades.
4. exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike: She displayed true Christian charity.
5. decent; respectable: They gave him a good Christian burial.
6. human; not brutal; humane: Such behavior isn’t Christian.
–noun
7. a person who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity.
8. a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teachings of Christ: He died like a true Christian.
9. a member of any of certain Protestant churches, as the Disciples of Christ and the Plymouth Brethren.
10. the hero of Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
11. a male given name.


Official position of the LDS Church reguarding Christ (signed by all members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve):
http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=2f226a4430c0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

The Living Christ
The Testimony of the Apostles
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Ensign, Apr 2000

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Eph. 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isa. 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.


I maintain we Mormons are Christians based on the above information. The rejection of 4th century creeds and acceptance of teachings beyond what is in the Bible are not disqualifies.


233 posted on 06/01/2007 4:34:36 PM PDT by Grig
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To: Grig
"The rejection of 4th century creeds and acceptance of teachings beyond what is in the Bible are not disqualifies."

Correct, that doesn't disqualify. Declaring yourselves potential gods does.

234 posted on 06/01/2007 5:08:04 PM PDT by Enosh (†)
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To: restornu

The canon is complete. Comments in the book of revelation, in the immediate context, do refer to that book only. But, the wider context refers to the entire Bible as being complete.


235 posted on 06/01/2007 5:09:40 PM PDT by rwfromkansas (http://xanga.com/rwfromkansas)
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To: Grig

What a lame response. The fact that they believe in Jesus doesn’t make them Christian if the Jesus they believe in IS NOT THE REAL ONE OF SCRIPTURE.


236 posted on 06/01/2007 5:12:18 PM PDT by rwfromkansas (http://xanga.com/rwfromkansas)
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To: pby; Rameumptom; DelphiUser
C'mon, Elsie!! You ought to know better by now!!

The prophets and leaders of the LDS are like Sen. John Kerry...

"He voted for the war before he voted against it" type of thing.

Sure I just witness you trying to distort LDS text!

You may not agree with the LDS but to distort the text and than continue on your merry way just proves what you are made of!

237 posted on 06/01/2007 5:28:56 PM PDT by restornu (Matt.10:16 Lord's sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye wise as serpents & harmless as doves ~ Mitt 08)
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To: MarkBsnr

I wish you smug men take this lockerroom talk elsewhere!

Your mouths mock everything in site!


238 posted on 06/01/2007 5:45:19 PM PDT by restornu (Matt.10:16 Lord's sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye wise as serpents & harmless as doves ~ Mitt 08)
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To: rwfromkansas

What wider text and by which apostle authority?

You don’t even have the original manuscripts just 3rd or 4th generation copies!

So a group of political Clergy of the time got to gather to settle this once and for all in 325 AD to decide.

Yet as one follows history diferent times and climate in govrement new adjustment...

So tell me about canon!


239 posted on 06/01/2007 6:01:57 PM PDT by restornu (Matt.10:16 Lord's sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye wise as serpents & harmless as doves ~ Mitt 08)
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To: MarkBsnr
This thread is much nastier than many of the ones dedicated to Catholic bashing. This is not worthy of this site.

+1, pretty much. It's clear lots of us aren't Mormons. It's clear lots of us think Mormons would be better off if they were members of our church or believed what we believe.

I'm not clear how being really nasty is going to bring about their conversion or impress the lurkers. But that's just me.....

240 posted on 06/01/2007 6:15:55 PM PDT by Mad Dawg (I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.)
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