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Are Mormons Christians

KarenD, I have a couple questions and of course, a comment. In I Peter 3:19 we are told that Christ preached to the spirits in heaven. Why? What is the point - did he preach to them in order to tell them they would be stuck there forever? In John 3:5 Jesus says in no uncertain terms that baptism by immersion is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God. If you were to read Chapter 15 in I Corinthians you would see that Paul (not Jesus) is speaking to the Corinthians about the resurrection - they no longer believed it. They were practicing baptism for the dead with no understanding as to why. I see no evidence that Paul was being sarcastic, he doesn't tell them they are wrong.

Are Mormons Christians

Elder - I wanted to add something to my last post in regard to what Satan said to Eve. He said: Gen 3:4,5 4 And the serpent said to the woman, "Ye surely shall not die" 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Gen 3:22 And the Lord God said, "Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil, and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever,

Are Mormons Christians

KarenD - I apologize for the misunderstanding, I thought you were trying to diminish our beliefs about our Savior and you were only hoping to keep the "spirit brother of Satan" fear going for those who are unwilling to research where it comes from. As you are aware (being former LDS and all) - Mormons believe that we are all spirit children of God. Since Lucifer was once in heaven, this includes him. He was cast out of heaven and became Satan. Of course this doesn't lessen the the role of Jesus Christ in our lives, and it certainly in no way exalts Satan. It is certainly nothing to fear. Once again I apologize for taking your words out of context.

Are Mormons Christians

Elder, When based on comments previously made by KarenD, I believe that my question was both relevant and just. In regard to what Satan told Eve, I don't believe that his lie was telling her that they would become like gods. Satan uses the tactic of presenting truth twisted with lies. His lie was telling her that they wouldn't die. My beliefs about the premortal life of Jesus are already posted on this blog and I invite anyone interested to read it. Of course I know you want me to repeat that Jesus and Lucifer were brothers as spirits in heaven. I believe that this is true AND it in no way diminishes the role of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Christ, our Savior. Lucifer became Satan - the father of lies.

Are Mormons Christians

No KarenD, I know that people leave the LDS church, just as they leave any other church. If you were to read what I write instead of injecting what you think I'm saying - I said that I find it hard to believe you were ever LDS BECAUSE you would understand that Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is an exalted being, a god. You said that we believe Jesus Christ is "just a prophet." You are either unfamiliar with the truth OR you are deliberately not telling it. I found your question regarding baptism for the dead sort of strange as well. Perhaps it's because I know for a fact that a favorite trick of many is pretending to be ex lds when they have never stepped foot into a Mormon church that causes me some suspicion.

Are Mormons Christians

John II - It was interesting to me that you didn't finish your sentence in regard to what the Mormon women answered. I feel certain that she pointed out that that warning was about the Book of Revelation and that that book was placed at the end by men - not by God. She probably pointed out that there are similar warnings other places in the Bible. I was also intrigued by your statement that Christ isn't conflicted or divided. Why then are there so many "Christian" denominations - all with different doctrine? Isn't this division? Rod accuses Mormons of using Christian terms but having a different meaning. I think it's perhaps a different understanding.

Are Mormons Christians

As always, it's intriguing how many people profess to KNOW what Mormons believe when clearly they do not. KarenD - your claim to be a "former" Mormon is unlikely since a "former" Mormon would know that not only do we believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God in the flesh, we also believe him to be an exalted being - a god. If you are truly former LDS it's apparent that you knew very little about it. Yes, we believe there are other gods - the Bible tells us that...but we worship just one God - the Father, the Father of our spirits, our Heavenly Father. cont.

Are Mormons Christians

As far as what LDS churches do for people, try going to one of their food banks more than a couple of times without being a member of their church. posted by Karen I've never been to the Bishops Storehouse for food or anything else, nor do I know anyone that has. I know that victims of natural disasters are given much from the storehouse. People on the welfare system of the church are expected to perform service to the church when possible. It's a shame our government doesn't do the same. Why would a non member of the church go to the Bishops Storehouse for food "more than a couple of times" why not go to their own church for assistance, especially when the disdain for Mormons is so obvious. Seems hypocritical to me.

Are Mormons Christians

Mormons use the term, Heavenly Father knowing that their belief is different than Christian beliefs. Using terms deceptively is evil. by Rod4Him I see no deception in using the term Heavenly Father. I recently attended a funeral where the pastor called upon God as the Heavenly Father so apparently not all Christians view the term as "deceptive." In fact, the LDS beliefs are very much in line with early Christianity before it got twisted up by the doctrines of men. We believe this is Christs church, that he has chosen modern apostles and prophets, of course acceptance of them is important - just as accepting the ancient prophets and apostles.

Are Mormons Christians
	I'm sorry Karen, that was the first question I answered (I took them in order) but apparently it wasn't posted. No, I do not believe that only LDS will be in heaven. That being said, I believe in different levels of glory (I Cor 15:40-42) - that there are many mansions in God's kingdom just as Jesus taught.

Are Mormons Christians

Rod, If you are asking whether or not I believe that there are others called gods, yes I do and believe that the Bible supports this belief. (I Cor 8:5,6) The point is that we worship just ONE God, our Father. Where do these other gods live? Beats me, I don't know and it doesn't matter to me. Yes, we believe the Bible makes it clear that we were created in God's image - we have bodies so it would seem that He does too. As for what Christian terms have different meanings to us - I agree that saved and salvation have different meanings to us. We refer to God as our Father - as did Jesus. He is in Heaven so Heavenly Father is accurate. cont.

Are Mormons Christians

The point is important so that people understand what the Mormons believe. Then they can make their decisions. by Rod4Him I agree that people need to understand what Mormons believe and especially that they should make their own decisions and not accept what they have been told from people who stand to lose their livlihood should people leave their churches. Another problem is that many receive their information from sources like "The Godmakers" or equally dishonest portrayals of LDS beliefs and they don't bother to research further. There are many distortions of our beliefs that are accepted without even an attempt to verify or an understanding of why.

Are Mormons Christians

Truthfully Rod, I can't imagine what the body of God looks like. His is a perfect, glorified, resurrected form. The only thing of which I am certain is that we were created in His image - we're told that in the Bible. Personally I believe that it makes more sense to understand that God has been through a similar experience as we have to go through and therefore He understands. It seems logical that God came from somewhere and that there truly is a plan and purpose to our lives. Jesus Christ is the most important part of that plan. Jesus is the Son of God, the ONLY begotten in the flesh. I'm grateful for the knowledge I have in this regard. I can't speak for the existence of other Heavenly Fathers, I have only one.

Are Mormons Christians
	Samuel, The other blog is full so I will post these numbers for you here: For 2008: Cash donations 282.3 million Value of Material Asst. 833.6 million Countries served 167 Tons of Food 61,308 Tons of Med supplies 84,681 Tons of Education sup 5965 Hygiene, newborn, school kits 8.6 million My source is Provident Living - Welfare facts

Are Mormons Christians
	Now He is our High Priest. The resrstoraition is His Second coming when He who created everything returns. by Samuel Actually Samuel, the scripture reads, "whom the heavens must receive UNTIL the restitution of all things..." That sounds to me like there will be a restoration BEFORE the Second coming of Christ.

Are Mormons Christians

Rod, To clarify my point and answer your question regarding inclusion in the Christian community. It is other "Christians" that disparage, insult and even lie about Mormon doctrine in order to somehow "prove" Mormons aren't Christian. I have never heard any leader of my church call those in other denominations unchristian - NEVER. We learn about our own doctrine in our Sunday school lessons, we don't spend our time dissecting the doctrine of others. My point is that we do not seek to tell anyone that they aren't Christian, unfortunately we aren't granted the same respect.

Are Mormons Christians

Rod, I went to the LDS website and did the same search on "recognize Christ" and ten pages or more of talks came up. I didn't read all but certainly didn't find one that stopped at saying that we believe that Christ was nothing more than a philosopher who said good things?!? As for who Heavenly Father is - He is God. He is God, the Father. He is the Father of our spirits. We are all sons and daughters of God, our Heavenly Father. We believe that God and Jesus Christ are separate beings. I agree that being saved and salvation have different meanings to the LDS. I think a good explanation of this is found on the LDS website in a talk by Dallin Oaks called Have You Been Saved.

Are Mormons Christians

cont. to Karen - Yes, I do believe that the ordinance of baptism can be performed for the dead. Jesus taught that one must be baptized to enter the kingdom of God. This ordinance allows those who were never given that opportunity to receive it. Ultimately it is their choice to accept it. The Corinthians practiced this ordinance (I Cor 15:29) note that he didn't tell them they were wrong - he questioned why they did it since they no longer believed in the resurrection. No, there is not a picture of Joseph Smith or Brigham Young in our foyer. The first thing one sees when they enter our foyer is a picture of the Last Supper. I've seen this strange accusation before... cont.

Are Mormons Christians

cont. for Karen I don't know who started that rumor but it is untrue. As a matter of fact, when I first heard it I paid special attention. I can't speak for all LDS chapels but in those I've attended, pictures of Jesus Christ fill the hallways. I think there is one of Joseph Smith in a Sunday school class but not any of Brigham Young. Truthfully I'm not sure I've ever seen a picture of Brigham Young hanging in any foyer or hallway in any building (chapel) I've visited. cont.

Are Mormons Christians

cont. to Karen - No, our churches do not have crosses on them - is this a necessity to be a Christian? Most Mormons do not wear crosses either though wearing one will certainly not get anyone thrown out of church. Why not? I've heard several plausible explanations. There's an analogy that it's like hanging the gun that shot your brother on the wall, we celebrate his resurrection, the early Saints were converted from denominations that didn't wear crosses and the tradition simply carried on, my favorite is that we carry our crosses, we have no need to display them. Anyway - pick one.