It is all public image allmendream. In order to obtain converts, they can’t alienate Christians toooooo much, nor can they let their aberrant theology hold center stage. But once they get you inside and indoctrinated then those “Christians” (wink wink, nudge nudge) become gentiles behind the closed doors of their temples and services.
I think next time a ‘Mormons are Christians” thread comes up I will ask if it is OK if we just call them “Gentiles” instead.
Somehow I don't think they will be satisfied by that (quite just) compromise.