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Lessell D. Gibbs wrote:

Hi guys,

I wanted to comment on one of your answers:

Can you reply to my criticism of your comments on the girl who's been dating a Mormon guy? — I find them to be quite wrong.

Mormons founded their church organization, and basic belief structure, exactly as the church was when Jesus walked the earth, and what Catholics seem to see as the Trinity, Mormons believe is the GodHead with God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost forming that GodHead. When you read the Holy Bible on this subject, it's true that it could be seen to be true from both points of view. I see that one person said that 95% of the Catholic/Protestant people define Christianity as the Roman Catholic Church does, and it seems Mike agrees.

I'd be surprised if that is true!

I believe that being a Christian is defined in the Holy Bible, and not by any one denomination!

When looking at it from the Holy Bible's point of view, it's clear that Mormons fit into this category in spite of what other denominations claim!

What it comes down to is this:

Anyone who calls himself Christian and does his best to follow Jesus Christ and keep God Commandments, deserves to be identified as Christian.

Any denomination who debates this is not very Christian in nature or, at the very least, has a lot to learn about Christian behavior!

It is clear that the general knowledge about the Mormon church is seriously lacking, and though there is a lot more to it than Katie said — fundamentally, she is spot on!

Anyone who claims to know something about the Mormon church and calls it the Mormon Church is displaying their ignorance!, though I am referring to it this way for clear communication purposes.

Our church is called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in order to signify Jesus as the head of our church.

I don't profess to know to much about Catholics, but I assume you believe your Pope guides your church in much the same way we believe our Prophet guides ours, that is According to guidance received by them, from Our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

Oh, and by the way, the Jehovah Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are two very different religions! The quote that lumps them together just shows that the person who replied to the original question doesn't know as much about them as he thinks!

Being from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints myself, I believe we are Christians, not as defined by any one denomination, but as defined in the Scriptures! Our church is set up just as the early Christian church was, and we believe in the same fundamental things; if we are not Christian, then all the modern Christian religions aren't!

Thanks,

Lessell D. Gibbs

  { Why would you question whether Mormons are Christians, when they are Christians? }

Mary Ann replied:

Lessell,

Our Pope receives no new revelation at all. He protects the revelation that was transmitted to God's People, a revelation which closed with the death of the last Apostle.

Also, I believe Mormonism is not Christian because it does not understand the divinity of Jesus Christ in a Christian way. Its definition of God and of Son and its economy of salvation is all different from Christianity's, though superficially similar.

Mary Ann

Mike replied:

Hi Lessell,

You said:

I believe that being a Christian is defined in the Holy Bible, and not by any one denomination!

When looking at it from the Holy Bible's point of view, it's clear that Mormons fit in to this category in spite of what other denominations claim!

What it comes down to is this: Anyone who calls himself Christian and does his best to follow Jesus Christ and keep God Commandments, deserves to be identified as Christian.

Any denomination who debates this is not very Christian in nature or, at the very least, has a lot to learn about Christian behavior!

  • What chapter(s) and verse(s) in the Bible define your meaning of a Christian?, or
  • Are these just your interpretations of several verses you like?

The Bible was not intended to be a recipe book for starting a new Protestant denomination based on an agreed to set of favorite Bible passages. The Bible was written by Catholics and their Old Testament ancestors, for Catholics, for use in Catholic worship services: the Holy Mass.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints better known as the Mormons was started by Joseph Smith in 1830. Knowledgeable, practicing Mormons will affirm their baptism does not conform to the Apostolic Christian form of Trinitarian baptism which can be traced back to Jesus, through St. Cyprian of Carthage. (A.D. 200-258) Proper Christian baptism is essential to being part of the Body of Christ. For this reason, although not part of the Body of Christ, there are many, many Mormons who demonstrate fine Christian behavior and values in the public square with the nature law that has been written on their heart and soul, and to the extent they do, we welcome and encourage their behavior. Mormon teaching, though, is another matter.

  • Knowledgeable, practicing Mormons believe in many gods.
  • They also believe that God was once a mortal man and that a faithful Mormon can become his own god after his death.
  • They believe, among other things, that Jesus and Lucifer were soul brothers.
  • They believe the Father is separately God not just a Person in the Trinity. This Father God lives on a planet near the star Kolob.

Despite the big chasm between our beliefs, it's our hope that Catholics can work with Mormons on the teachings and beliefs we do agree on so that as Jesus said:

That they may all be one, as I and the Father are one.

(John 17:20-21)

In that same posting, my colleague John said:

Mormons don't believe in the same Jesus as the orthodox (small o) Christians do. Hence, they profess faith in a different Jesus.

They believe among other things that Jesus and Lucifer were soul brothers. They believe the Father is separately God not, just a Person in the Trinity. This Father God lives on a planet near the star Kolob

We have received objections from some Mormons who have never hear this. If we state something about someone else's faith, we should be able to back up what we say. For Mormons or members of the (LDS) Latter Day Saints who have never heard this they can check out the following references on Wikipedia:

Here are some other good articles from our colleagues at Catholic Answers:

Hope this helps,

Your brother in prayer, your brother in Christ,

Mike

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