Mormonism and Christianity

FAIR Answers—back to home page

Mormonism and Christianity

Topics

Are Mormons Christians?

Summary: Are Mormons Christians? Do they worship Jesus Christ? Critics use unnecessarily narrow definitions to deny that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship and revere Jesus.

• • Does the Church use the sign or symbol of the cross?—
    Brief Summary: Some Christians claim that Latter-day Saints are not Christians, and point to the fact that the Church does not usually use the symbol or sign of the cross in decoration, personal jewelry, or architecture. (Click here for full article)
    ∗       ∗       ∗
  • Did Mormons only recently claim to be Christians?—
    Brief Summary: From the Church's founding, both Church members and their opponents recognized that they were Christians. (Click here for full article)
    ∗       ∗       ∗

Strength of the Mormon position quotation and source

Summary: LDS writers have often referred to a quote attributed to an unnamed Catholic author about "the strength of the Mormon position" regarding the necessity of divine authority. Is there any truth to this claim, and if so, what is it's source?

The Book of Mormon indicates that Christianity existed in the New World prior to the birth of Christ

Summary: The Book of Mormon refers to "Christians" in Alma 46꞉13-16 and Alma 48꞉10. These texts date to approximately 72 BC.

Martyrdom in Christian history

Summary: Was Joseph Smith not a martyr because, while in jail, he fought back against those who attacked him? Has the definition of a Christian martyr always been understood only as one who does not fight back?

Some Christians assert that there is a "Mormon" vs. a "Christian" Jesus

Summary: Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus Christ is the only path to salvation, and that He died for our sins, yet some Evangelicals claim that Latter-day Saints believe in a "different" Jesus than "mainstream" Christians.

LDS versus Evangelical Christian view of the atonement of Jesus Christ

Summary: Critics compare what they state are the four positions of the LDS church, which by their definition must be false.

Completeness of the Bible

Summary: Some claim that the Bible contains all necessary or essential knowledge to assure salvation, and that things like modern prophets or additional scripture (such as the Book of Mormon) are unnecessary or even blasphemous.

Mormon versus Evangelical beliefs regarding grace and works

Jump to details:

• Mormonism and the relationship between grace and works
• The Mormon perspective on the relationship between baptism and grace
• Mormonism and the "unforgivable sin"
• Evangelicals use quotes from Mormon sources to try and paint a picture of an "impossible gospel"

Mormonism and the relationship between grace and works

Jump to details:

• Question: How do Mormons see the relationship between works and grace?
• Question: Do Mormons believe that salvation is based upon works?
• Question: What can the writings of early Christians tell us about how to receive salvation in Jesus Christ?
• Question: Does the Bible teach that individual works are unnecessary?
• Question: Do Mormons ignore the doctrine of grace at the expense of "works"?
• Non-LDS Christian Stephen H. Webb: Joseph Smith does not reject the efficacy or necessity of grace
• Non-LDS Christian Stephen H. Webb: Mormons reject the legacy of Augustine: especially of humanity's corruption due to original sin

The Mormon perspective on the relationship between baptism and grace

Jump to details:

• Question: Is there no biblical requirement to receive baptism?

Mormonism and the "unforgivable sin"

Summary: Why did LDS apostle Bruce McConkie write that a man may commit a sin so grievous that it will place him beyond the atoning blood of Christ (Mormon Doctrine, 1979, p. 93) when the Bible says that the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7)?

Jump to details:

• Question: Is there an "unforgivable sin" that is beyond the reach of Christ's atonement?
• Question: What must one do in order to become a "Son of Perdition"?

Evangelicals use quotes from Mormon sources to try and paint a picture of an "impossible gospel"

Jump to details:

• Question: Do Mormon scriptures portray an "impossible gospel" in which nobody can be saved?
• Non-LDS Christian Stephen H. Webb: Joseph Smith does not reject the efficacy or necessity of grace
• Question: Is it impossible to receive the grace of Jesus Christ so long as we are sinning?
• Question: Is it impossible to receive salvation because the conditions we must meet are too high for any man to obtain?
• Question: Is it impossible to receive salvation because no one can keep the commandments continually?

Preaching to other Christians

Summary: If Latter-day Saints are "really" Christians, why do they insist on preaching to other, non-LDS Christians?

Did early LDS leaders denounce Christianity?

Summary: Some Evangelicals claim that Latter-day Saints have "admitted" that they are not Christian, since LDS leaders spent decades denouncing mainstream Christianity.