For the first time today I understood why some people consider Mormons not Christians.
The question "Are Mormons Christians?" has always baffled me. I always thought the proper name of the Mormon church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, clearly answered that question. Then today I was driving through Oklahoma listening to a Christian radio program called Stand to Reason and a caller asked the Pastor on the program a question that lead him to state "Christianity at it's most basic, is the belief in the Trinity". He went on to define the Trinity as God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three persons of one entity. Under this definition no Mormons are not Christians.
However, as a Mormon I was taught that the definition of Christianity is the belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the son of God and the Messiah. With this definition we are absolutely Christians.
The difference is that Mormons believe God the Father, His son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate individuals. God the Father and the Son each having bodies of flesh and bone.
The question "Are Mormons Christians?" has always baffled me. I always thought the proper name of the Mormon church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, clearly answered that question. Then today I was driving through Oklahoma listening to a Christian radio program called Stand to Reason and a caller asked the Pastor on the program a question that lead him to state "Christianity at it's most basic, is the belief in the Trinity". He went on to define the Trinity as God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three persons of one entity. Under this definition no Mormons are not Christians.
However, as a Mormon I was taught that the definition of Christianity is the belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the son of God and the Messiah. With this definition we are absolutely Christians.
The difference is that Mormons believe God the Father, His son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate individuals. God the Father and the Son each having bodies of flesh and bone.
This is clearly illustrated when John baptizes Christ, Matt 3: 16-17 "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". Here you clearly see the Son, hear the Father, and see the Holy Ghost as separate from one another.
Another good example is in Act 7:55-56 "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." Again seeing the Father and Son as separate individuals.
Another good example is in Act 7:55-56 "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." Again seeing the Father and Son as separate individuals.
Visit mormon.org for further insight into our faith and to learn more about our members.
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