Are Mormons Christians?

“Of course we are! Jesus Christ is in the name of our church!”

Well, that all depends upon whom you ask...and when.

Today, if you stop and ask a pair of bicycle-riding Mormon missionaries, “Are you Christians?” You are likely to receive the same answer I have received in the past, “Of course we are! Jesus Christ is in the name of our church!”

But this has not always been the case.

A Bit of History

Mormons have historically, to one degree or another, sought to distinguish themselves from historic, biblical Christianity, starting with Joseph Smith, Jr. himself:

“by searching the scriptures I found that mankind did not come unto the Lord but that they had apostatised from the true and liveing[sic] faith and there was no society or denomination that built upon the gospel of Jesus Christ as recorded in the new testament” [1]

Not many years later, Smith spoke of an encounter that he alleges to have had with God the Father and Jesus:

When the light rested upon me I saw two personages (whose brightness and glory defy all description) standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me calling me by name and said (pointing to the other) “This is my beloved Son, Hear him.”

My object in going to enquire 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. 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.” 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.[2]

This doctrine--that the entirety of the body of Christ had become corrupt by Smith’s day--is known as The Great Apostasy. Starting in the 1960s, however, the Mormon organization began, and continues, a steady public relations campaign which seeks to downplay their doctrine of the Apostasy and make them seem more aligned with orthodox Christianity. For example, in 1995, a new logo was adopted that featured the words “Jesus Christ” in all caps:

In 2001, the organization published a new style guide in which is found the following two bullet points:

While the term "Mormon Church" has long been publicly applied to the Church as a nickname, it is not an authorized title, and the Church discourages its use. Thus, please avoid using the abbreviation "LDS" or the nickname "Mormon" as substitutes for the name of the Church, as in "Mormon Church," "LDS Church," or "Church of the Latter-day Saints."
When referring to Church members, the terms "members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" or "Latter-day Saints" are preferred. We ask that the term "Mormons" not be used. [3]

I will not be referring to the organization or its adherents in the manner prescribed by the Mormon style guide. This is not to be abrasive or contentious, but rather because I believe that “the church” has a very specific, biblical meaning (see Ephesians 5), and that the Mormon organization does not fit this biblical definition.[4] Along the same lines, I will not call their members “latter-day saints” because to do so is to ignore the glaring theological, christological, and soteriological differences that distinguish the Mormon faith from historical, biblical Christianity.

Before we get to the meat of the matter, we should take some time to understand what it is we are asking when we say “Are Mormons Christians?” Words are like buckets with labels on them--the Mormon and I both carry a bucket labeled “Christian,” but what’s inside my bucket is very, very different from that which is in the Mormon’s bucket. It does us no good to have a discussion about who is a Christian if we do not know what a Christian is.

So, What Is a “Christian,” Anyway?

While definitions of “Christian” are ubiquitous on the World Wide Web, I will cite one from the website religioustolerance.org, that seems to represent what the world at large thinks:

Most liberal Christian denominations, secularists, public opinion pollsters, and this web site define "Christian" very broadly as any person or group who sincerely believes themselves to be Christian. Their definition would include, fundamentalist and other evangelical Protestants, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox believers, Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians, United Church members, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists, etc. Using this definition, Christians total about 75% of the North American adult population. [5]

Using this logic, if I sincerely believe myself to be a carrot, then I am one. Or maybe some days, I am a 5’2” Chinese girl, even though I am manifestly a seven-foot-tall German male. This used to seem absurd on its face, but a rising tide of relativism has brought with it a raft of philosophical flotsam and jetsam: concepts such as “gender identity” and “gender expression” make the absurd thinkable...even expected. The world today cannot even agree on something as fundamental as truth, or biologically-determined gender; so how are we going to win an argument with them over what it means to be a Christian? “Oh that’s just your definition of Christian, but it’s not mine!”

“I submit to the reader that the question ‘Are Mormons Christian?’ is vacuous.”

Because of this, I submit to the reader that the question “Are Mormons Christian?” is vacuous; since the term “Christian” means so many things to so many people, it is now nigh onto meaningless. C.S. Lewis hints at this point, as he wrote in the Preface to Mere Christianity:

As for unbelievers, they will no doubt cheerfully use the word in the refined sense. It will become in their mouths simply a term of praise. In calling anyone a Christian they will mean that they think him a good man. But that way of using the word will be no enrichment of the language, for we already have the word good. Meanwhile, the word Christian will have been spoiled for any really useful purpose it might have served. We must therefore stick to the original, obvious meaning. The name Christians was first given at Antioch (Acts 11:26) to ‘the disciples,” to those who accepted the teaching of the apostles.[6]

Indeed, pursuing the question of who may and may not rightfully wear the badge of “Christian” is a discussion that will no doubt generate more heat than light. We need a question that cuts through the noise and gets right to the heart of the matter. To this end, we turn to the most important question that Jesus Christ ever asked:

“But who do you say that I am?”
— Matthew 16:15, NASB

This simple query is the fulcrum upon which our eternal destiny is balanced, for as Jesus explained elsewhere, “unless you believe I AM, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). So let’s take a look at the Jesus of Mormonism.

What follows comes from Chapter 10 in “Jesus” Is Not the Answer to Every Sunday School Question, Book 3: Practical Apologetics.[7] Scripture citations are from the NASB unless otherwise noted.

“Son of God” and “Firstborn Son”

By “Son of God,” Mormons mean that Jesus is the literal, created offspring and firstborn in the flesh[8] of Heavenly Father and His spirit bride. [9] As part of their doctrine of the pre-existence of souls, this also means that Lucifer is his brother,[10] and is every bit as much a “son of God” as Jesus is,[11] or as you and I are.

The Bible, on the other hand, teaches that Jesus Christ is co-eternal with God and the creator of everything that exists:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. (John 1:1-3)

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16, 17)

Atoning Sacrifice

According to lds.org:

The Atonement is the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to help us overcome sin, adversity, and death. Jesus’ atoning sacrifice took place in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary. He paid the price for our sins, took upon Himself death, and was resurrected. The Atonement is the supreme expression of the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. [12]

But the Bible teaches that Christ shed His blood to cover over our sins, to turn away or satisfy the wrath of God (Romans 3:24, 25), purify us (Hebrews 9:14), to make possible forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22) and to reconcile us to God (Romans 5:11).

The Cross and the Garden

As noted in the quote from lds.org, above, Mormons believe that this atonement took place in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross.[13] But the Bible is resolute in its message that the cross is where our redemption took place (Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20, 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24).

The Virgin Birth

Every Christmas, Christians read the account the annunciation and birth of Christ from the gospel of Luke, who wrote:

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35 KJV, emphasis added)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:18-20, KJV emphasis added)

But Brigham Young, the second Mormon President and “prophet” taught:

When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost… Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden, and who is our Father in Heaven… Now, remember from this time forth, and forever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost.[14]

When the time came that His firstborn, the Savior, should come into the world and take a tabernacle, the Father came Himself and favored that spirit with a tabernacle instead of letting any other man do it. The Savior was begotten by the Father of His spirit, by the same Being who is the Father of our spirits, and that is all the organic difference between Jesus Christ and you and me.[15]

The birth of the Savior was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood—was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers.[16]

That Jesus Christ is the literal son of the Father and Mary has been a clear and consistent teaching of Mormon leaders almost since the founding of the faith, including Brigham Young, Orson Pratt,[17] Heber C. Kimball,[18] Joseph F. Smith,[19] Joseph Fielding Smith,[20] James E. Talmage,[21] Melvin J. Ballard,[22] J. Reuben Clark,[23] Bruce R. McConkie,[24] and others. Modern Mormon apologists are quick to point out that the works of some of these leaders have are disputed, have been repudiated, or are simply downplayed as non-canonical, but the doctrine is manifest on lds.org today.[25]

Not the Same Jesus

In a nutshell, the Mormon Jesus:

Is a created being, the son of Father God and his spirit bride
Is the spirit brother of Lucifer, you, and me
Is one of three gods in the Mormon godhead[26]
Atoned for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane as well as on the cross

Much more could be said about the differences between the Jesus of the Bible and the Mormon Jesus, but this will have to do for now. If you would like to learn more, I commend to you Mormon Resource Ministry (http://mrm.org) and Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry (http://carm.org). I would also encourage you to follow the numerous footnotes in this document; don’t take my word for it--do your own research.

In general, I would recommend that in your conversations with Mormons, you focus on the differences that affect who Jesus is and avoid arguing about “little things” like Jesus’ birthplace.[27] If you can’t answer the question “why is this issue a big deal?” then don’t go there. Major on the majors, leave the minors alone.

________________

[1] "History, circa Summer 1832," p. 2, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed February 28, 2019, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-circa-summer-1832/2

[2] "History, circa June 1839–circa 1841 [Draft 2]," p. 3, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed February 28, 2019, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-circa-june-1839-circa-1841-draft-2/3

[3] “Style Guide — The Name of the Church,” The Mormon Newsroom, accessed February 28, 2019, https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/style-guide.

[4] It is interesting to note that the site on which this style guide is published is https://www.mormonnewsroom.org and that http://www.mormon.org is another of their official websites--so the label “Mormon” is clearly not offensive--it’s just not preferred, and evidence of their intentional public relations strategy to make their organization seem more orthodox to modern-day Christians.

[5] “Who is a Christian? Simple question; many conflicting, certain answers; no consensus,” Religious Tolerance, accessed February 28, 2019, https://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_defn.htm.

[6] C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Macmillan, 1960), 11.

[7] Dan Kreft, “Jesus” Is Not the Answer to Every Sunday School Question, Book 3: Practical Apologetics (Seattle, WA: published by author, 2018), 87-92).

[8] Journal of Discourses, 8:211.

[9] “Mother in Heaven,” accessed July 11, 2016, https://www.lds.org/topics/mother-in-heaven?lang=eng.

[10] Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, (Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2006), 107,108.

[11] Pearl of Great Price, Moses 5:13.

[12] “What is the Atonement of Jesus Christ?” accessed July 11, 2016, https://www.lds.org/youth/learn/yw/atonement/what?lang=eng.

[13] Gordon B. Hinckley, "A Season for Gratitude," Ensign, Dec. 1997, accessed July 11, 2016 at https://www.lds.org/ensign/1997/12/a-season-for-gratitude?lang=eng.

[14] Journal of Discourses 1:50,51.

[15] Ibid., 4:218.

[16] Ibid., 8:115.

[17] Orson Pratt, The Seer, (Washington, D.C., 1853), 158.

[18] Journal of Discourses 8:211.

[19] Joseph F. Smith, Box Elder Stake Conference, Dec. 20, 1914, quoted in Brigham City Box Elder News, 28 Jan. 1915, 1,2.

[20] Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., Religious Truths Defined, (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, Inc., 1959), 43, 44.

[21] James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, (Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1981), 43.

[22] Bryant S. Hinckley, Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Company, 1949), 167.

[23] J. Reuben Clark, Behold the Lamb of God, (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Company, 1962), 356.

[24] Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Company, 1966), 44, 576.

[25] “Lesson 7: Jesus Christ—God’s Only Begotten Son in the Flesh,” Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel Teacher Manual, accessed July 10, 2016, https://www.lds.org/manual/jesus-christ-and-the-everlasting-gospel-teacher-manual/lesson-7-jesus-christ-gods-only-begotten-son-in-the-flesh?lang=eng.

[26] https://www.lds.org/topics/godhead?lang=eng

[27] Alma 7:10, Book of Mormon.

Dan KreftApril 3, 2019