Hi Gramps,

I know that the response to “Mormons aren’t Christians” is “we believe Jesus Christ, so yes we are.” But how would you respond to the more specific “Mormonism is a part of Christianity but not a valid, authentic, faithful expression of the Christian faith?”  Basically, how do you respond to yes, you are Christians, but not legitimate ones?

Spencer

Answer

Dear Spencer,

The way other people choose to define your faith has no real impact on you. So don’t let the words of anti-Mormon ministries trouble you. It’s important that substantial answers to criticisms of the Church exist, but please don’t let these questions dominate your time or thinking.

By any fair definition, Latter-day Saints are Christian. We believe in the historical existence of Jesus of Nazareth. We believe the Bible, which describes his life, is the Word of God. We believe he died for all mankind, and that salvation is only available through Jesus Christ. The Church’s leadership reaffirmed these beliefs in the strongest possible language in their 2000 statement “The Living Christ.”

Our doctrine, however, is different in some ways, from other Christians. A fact which we should be happy to accept. Otherwise, there would have been no reason for Jesus to restore the Church through Joseph Smith.

Many who attack the Church as not being “truly” Christian are referring to creedal Christianity. During the great apostasy, many well-meaning Christians gathered to vote on and define Christian belief. The documents these gathering produced are called creeds, and include “The Apostles’ Creed,” “The Creed of Jerusalem” and “The Nicene Creed.”

Latter-day Saints do not accept these creeds as binding doctrine because Jesus Christ, himself, told Joseph Smith not to.

When others say “true Christian” they simply mean people who believe all the same doctrines that they do. These people routinely exclude even the largest Christian denominations from their definition of Christianity. While it can be frustrating to feel excluded from what they define as Christianity, this can be an opportunity for them to tell you what defines “true” Christianity for them, and for you to then share more of your beliefs. “The Living Christ” may be a great starting point.

In some ways, Latter-day Saints are also exclusive. We recognize that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only Church led by prophecy and the authorized priesthood authority. Those of other faiths can feel just as excluded by these beliefs as we do by their assertion that we aren’t Christian.

We should make sure that as we discuss our doctrinal differences we focus on including those from all backgrounds and adding to what they already have, rather than excluding them from an exclusive group.

Gramps

Dear Lauren,
The Mormon Church, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the veritable kingdom of God on the earth. It is the one and only true and living church of Jesus Christ, and the only church on earth that has the priesthood power and authority and the necessary doctrine to provide the way to salvation and exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God for any human being. Other Christian churches do much good in preaching moral principles, but none has the authority to minister in the name of Jesus Christ the ordinances necessary for salvation. There is one and only one church in particular against with Satan is aligned and that is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Satan, of course, is against all that is good, but he is diabolically opposed to the one organization that can provide for the ultimate salvation of mankind. That is the specific reason why the Mormon Church has been falsely and continuously persecuted as has been no other church.
Gramps

Dear Gramps,
Mormon, when he was 15 years old, “knew of the goodness of Jesus” and wanted to preach to the people. However, his “mouth was shut” and he was “forbidden to preach”. (Mormon 1:15-17)
Now, when Moroni is compiling the last bits of the record, he includes a sermon given by his father on faith hope and charity which he apparently “taught in the synagogue which they had built for the place of worship.” (Moroni 7:1) Any clue as to when this sermon was delivered? It seems Mormon’s ministry was a private one, and he was commanded not to preach. Could this sermon have been delivered before he was commanded not to (15 years-old and before) or could he have been the military chaplain at the same time he was commander, and the command not to preach was perhaps withdrawn? What’s you’re best guess for when and under what circumstances this sermon was given?
KC, from Provo, Utah

Answer

Dear KC,
As you will observe from the footnote to Mormon 1:15, Mormon was born about 310 AD, and was commanded by the Lord at age 15 (verse 16) not to preach to the wicked Nephites. In Chapter 2, verse10, however, you will read that the Nephites began to repent of their iniquity, and in Mormon 3:2 you will read the following—

And it came to pass that the Lord did say unto me: Cry unto this people–Repent ye, and come unto me, and be ye baptized, and build up again my church, and ye shall be spared.

This command occurred in the year 360, when Mormon would have been about 50 years old. The sermon that you refer to in Mormon 7:1 was given approximately in the year 385, when Mormon would have been about 75 years old.

Gramps

Dear Gramps,

I know we are supposed to love our neighbors and our enemies as ourselves. But I have found myself struggling with a person who has just joined the Church and who plays one person against another where I work. This is bringing several comments about this person and the Mormons. This person seems to relish causing conflict among people and in getting people to feel sorry for her. I keep trying to love her as a sister and hate her actions but have found several times that she has raised my anger. What scriptures could I read to learn how to deal with this behavior and to prevent losing my temper and self-control?

Harry

Answer

Dear Harry,

Gaining self-control, including controlling one’s temper, is indeed a noble goal. In fact, it lies at the heart of the purpose of our existence in mortality. The Lord said,

And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

 

And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

 

And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever (Abraham 3:24-26).

One of the principle purposes of mortality, other than gaining a body, is to gain control over that body such that it becomes subject to the will of the spirit. The Lord influences us through the spirit or the intellect; Satan influences us through the body or the emotions.

So the vital question is, as you asked, how do we gain self-control? All skills are gained by practice. So, I guess one answer to your question is practice, practice, practice! If you were in an environment of all sweetness and light where nothing contrary or disturbing ever happened, you would have no opportunity for growth. So, being placed in the company of one who tends to unsettle your equilibrium is actually a blessing; it provides the opportunity to practice self-control. In all these matters the Savior is the Great Exemplar. We are instructed,

Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect (3 Nephi 12:48).

Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up–that which ye have seen me do (3 Nephi 18:24).

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).

If He forgave those who put him to death, can we not forgive those of whose actions we do not approve? Without condoning inappropriate behavior, can we show love and concern for such a person when the Savior has commanded us to Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44)?

Gramps