I don’t agree that you can accept Jesus with a wildly wrong theology. A few minor disagreements or misunderstandings is fine. This is the normal state within Christianity. Even fairly large ones such as the Catholic and Protestant differences.
But when you are off the charts wrong, it is not an acceptance of the reality. When some ancient Romans were happy to accept Christianity as another one of many gods, I wouldn’t accept that they were Christians.
At a bare minimum, you cannot believe in other Gods and that you become one.
So no....they are simply a successful cult.
I believe God overcomes bad theology to eventually get those who believe in His word to where He wants them to be.
Count on it.
He is faithful.
I believe God overcomes bad theology to eventually get those who believe in His word to where He wants them to be.
Count on it.
He is faithful.
From its beginning LDS announced its complete difference from and even hostility to normative Christian faith. See Joseph Smith where he states that all Christian sects are an “abomination” to God, according to whatever beings these were that “appeared” to him:
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng