Why do Mormons want to be called Christian?

[_ldsfaqs]

Why do Mormons want to be called Christian?

Why do Catholics, Lutherans, etc. etc. want to be called Christians?

Because they are.... and so are we.

[_Albion]

Seems to me there was a time when Mormons did not want to be associated in any way with Christians. The issues was not pushed by Mormons until some time in the 70s when a group opposed to Mormonism (I think in Arizona) began using the charge in their wider advertising. Until that time it seems to me Mormons were quite happy to be referred to as Mormons first.

[_Tobin]

What Mormons should do is behave better than Christians and stand above this pettiness.

[_Bazooka]

Will all "Christians", by your definition, receive eternal life in God's presence (salvation in his Kingdom) receiving all that he has because of that belief in Christ, regardless of numerous variations of what constitutes that belief?

I'm not sure Maklelan will answer your question directly.
As I understand the doctrine, there are three Kingdoms which constitute 'heaven'. The Celestial, The Terrestail and the Telestial.
The Celestial is reserved for married people who joined Mormonism in this life and whom endure to the end.
The Terrestial is reserved for people who joined Mormonism in this life but who didn't endure to the end, plus those people who didn't join Mormonism in this life but joined it in the next.
The Telestial is for everyone else.

God only resides in the Celestial, with Jesus.
Jesus will visit the Terrestial as a sort of weekend house guest.
Neither will be seen in the Telestial.

So, even though Jesus said all will be saved, what He really meant (if Jesus is in fact a Mormon) was what I have just articulated.

[_subgenius]

...(snip)...Jesus said all will be saved...(snip)...

CFR
I believe you will find your attempt at "aiming facts", as usual, to be off the mark. (spoiler alert Greek translates thelo).

[_Bazooka]

...(snip)...Jesus said all will be saved...(snip)...

CFR
I believe you will find your attempt at "aiming facts", as usual, to be off the mark. (spoiler alert Greek translates thelo).

Salvation from Physical Death. All people eventually die. But through the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected—saved from physical death. Paul testified, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). In this sense, everyone is saved, regardless of choices made during this life. This is a free gift from the Savior to all human beings.

http://www.LDS.org/topics/salvation?lang=eng

But you want 'Salvation' to actually mean "Mormon Exaltation".

Salvation from Sin. To be cleansed from sin through the Savior's Atonement, an individual must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 2:37-38). Those who have been baptized and have received the Holy Ghost through the proper priesthood authority have been conditionally saved from sin. In this sense, salvation is conditional, depending on an individual's continuing in faithfulness, or enduring to the end in keeping the commandments of God (see 2 Peter 2:20-22).

http://www.LDS.org/topics/salvation?lang=eng


Only Mormon's believe that Salvation isn't freely granted to everyone - which further makes the point that Mormon's ain't Christians!

[_Albion]

Bazzoka, I posed my question not to argue the point but to understand more clearly Makelan's previous post. I do understand the Mormon theology of three kingdoms which is why, I think, it is important to define terms when discussing. Mormons, for instance, will claim that salvation is only through Jesus. True, of course, as far as it goes but it is use of the term salvation where the problems come in. Technically, a Mormon cannot have hope of the Celestial kingdom without belief in their Christ but at its core, it seems to me, this belief in Christ really only brings resurrection to begin the process of "working out" their salvation. I think the argument breaks down when we consider that Mormonism teaches that everyone will be resurrected whether or not they have faith in Christ. I believe that scripture is perfectly clear what salvation is and how one qualifies for it and from my understanding it leaves no room for the Mormon position. As scripture states a person is justified (made right and just in the eyes of God) through their faith in Christ and the result of that faith is salvation...eternal life and an inheritance with God enjoying all that he has for them.

[_Bazooka]

Bazzoka, I posed my question not to argue the point but to understand more clearly Makelan's previous post. I do understand the Mormon theology of three kingdoms which is why, I think, it is important to define terms when discussing. Mormons, for instance, will claim that salvation is only through Jesus. True, of course, as far as it goes but it is use of the term salvation where the problems come in. Technically, a Mormon cannot have hope of the Celestial kingdom without belief in their Christ but at its core, it seems to me, this belief in Christ really only brings resurrection to begin the process of "working out" their salvation. I think the argument breaks down when we consider that Mormonism teaches that everyone will be resurrected whether or not they have faith in Christ. I believe that scripture is perfectly clear what salvation is and how one qualifies for it and from my understanding it leaves no room for the Mormon position. As scripture states a person is justified (made right and just in the eyes of God) through their faith in Christ and the result of that faith is salvation...eternal life and an inheritance with God enjoying all that he has for them.

You'll get no argument from me!

[_BartBurk]

As the following quotations show, Mormon leaders, and even Mormon scripture, denounce the Christian faith! Why is it fair for Joseph Smith to say all other churches are "corrupt," yet Christians cannot reply by saying Joseph Smith was in error?

Some Evangelicals claim that Catholics aren't Christian. What do you think? Are Catholics Christian even when you might disagree with their understanding of works vs. faith as necessary for salvation? Mormons want to be called Christian because Christ is at the center of their religion even with all of the works they try to do. Joseph Smith said:

'The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it' ( Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 121).

I'm Catholic. I don't believe people are saved by belief alone, but by cooperating with God's grace which He gives them through faith allowing them to do the works God wants them to do. There is no scripture which says a person is saved by faith alone. There is a scripture which says that men aren't saved by faith alone. James 2:24 says, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." There is a reason that Luther wanted to take the Book of James out of the scriptures.

The Mormons are closer to the truth on salvation than a lot of evangelical Christians even if many of their doctrines conflict with historic Christianity.

[_Albion]

I'm Catholic. I don't believe people are saved by belief alone, but by cooperating with God's grace which He gives them through faith allowing them to do the works God wants them to do. There is no scripture which says a person is saved by faith alone. There is a scripture which says that men aren't saved by faith alone. James 2:24 says, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." There is a reason that Luther wanted to take the Book of James out of the scriptures.

The Mormons are closer to the truth on salvation than a lot of evangelical Christians even if many of their doctrines conflict with historic Christianity.[/quote]

I think you are misstating the evangelical and larger protestant position on this topic. The scriptures are full of passages that firmly attest to the believer being made righteous (saved) through faith...justified before God...made right with him in his sight by his grace because of their faith in his Son. Continued grace enables the believer to live a life centered in good works and obedience to God. They are the demonstration of the saving grace that has taken place in the repentant sinner, given through faith, and not the means to earn that salvation ...."..lest any man boast". One would be perfectly right to question the sincerity of any claimed salvation if the claimant's life did not reflect the presence of God's grace through his/her actions. Works are the result of saving grace and not in any way the means to earn it.