What does it mean to you to be a Mormon?

[Cairbre]

To be a Mormon means that we are the fruits of a Restoration of the original Church of Jesus Christ, through the gift and power of God. To be Mormon means that we believe God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for us, that we might be saved if we would obey and partake of His atoning sacrifice. As Mormons, we have been given the Priesthood authority to speak, act, and officiate in the name of Jesus Christ for the salvation of God's children on earth, to do His will.

We are different from other Christians because we do not accept that the Godhead is some fused set of beings one in essence. We believe that they are distinct and individual beings, united in love for us, in work and in glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. We are similar in that we strongly believe that the only way man can be saved is through the Atonement and grace of the Savior. It is by Him, and through Him alone, that salvation comes by accepting His mercy and living according to the examples He set forth, and the commandments He gave.

Hope something of this helps.

Edited to add:

The other Christian denominations are a direct result of the tampering and fallibility of wicked men taking control of the early Church after the murder and death of the Apostles. With them, the authority to administer the Gospel was taken because the people rejected the things Jesus taught. Christ is no respecter of persons, in that He sees us all as we are: children of God desperately in need of His love and mercy. However, He does know where His authority is, that is with Thomas S. Monson and the other Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We invite all who profess belief in Christ as the Son of God, that He atoned for our sins and was resurrected to call themselves Christian.

Your reply is far less homogeneous than the others. You have made some clear distinctions and yet maintained some definite similarities.

I'm glad you added your edit because God made many of the same claims of "tampering and fallibility of wicked men" through the prophet Mohammad in the 7th century. We claim a 'restoration' of the religion of Abraham which was also lost.

You mention God's authority being with the prophets of the church. Are there any prophets outside of your church?

You mention love and mercy. Don't others have access to God's love and mercy?

Do Mormons get more love and mercy than others?

[volgadon]

You mention love and mercy. Don't others have access to God's love and mercy?

Reread his post.

[Cairbre]

Sincere worship pleases God, but he has one way which he wants all his children to accept, though the choice is theirs.

I wish you would have chosen a different moniker though.

How can there be only one way when clearly God has made three? The Koran teaches that Jesus made one way, Moses before him another, and Mohammad a third.

Did God take away the promises he made to these groups of people?

Please explain your comment.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

I don't understand the word "chappy".

So there are no differences between Mormons and Christians?

See my signature for the argument.

in other words mormonism is a subset of Christianity.

A better question would be: What is the difference between mainstream christians and Mormons?

[Cairbre]

Reread his post.

Gillbrea said, we are "desperately in need of His love and mercy". My question should have been is God's love and mercy different for Mormons than it is for Muslims? We also believe in God's love and mercy. Are we not to receive it, even as Abraham received it before there was ever a Jesus Christ?

[Nemesis]

How can there be only one way when clearly God has made three? The Koran teaches that Jesus made one way, Moses before him another, and Mohammad a third.

Did God take away the promises he made to these groups of people?

Please explain your comment.

Please refer to this thread.

http://www.mormonapologetics.org/topic/46767-purpose-for-joining/page__pid__1208768289__st__0entry1208768289

A moniker is the name you chose as your screen name here.

Nemesis

[Cairbre]

Sincere worship pleases God, but he has one way which he wants all his children to accept, though the choice is theirs.

I wish you would have chosen a different moniker though.

Is my user name offensive in any way?

[volgadon]

How can there be only one way when clearly God has made three? The Koran teaches that Jesus made one way, Moses before him another, and Mohammad a third.

Did God take away the promises he made to these groups of people?

Please explain your comment.

Why three? Why not give the one that works, the most correct one? Was he giving people ways that would not lead back to him completely? In other words, was he setting people up for failure?

My comment is that there is only one way for ultimate and complete happiness. God wants to give us the very best, but his children are free to choose for themselves if they want it or not.

[volgadon]

Is my user name offensive in any way?

Absolutely.

[volgadon]

Here it is:

Christ is no respecter of persons, in that He sees us all as we are: children of God desperately in need of His love and mercy.

What about the word all don't you understand?

[Gillebre]

Your reply is far less homogeneous than the others. You have made some clear distinctions and yet maintained some definite similarities.

I'm glad you added your edit because God made many of the same claims of "tampering and fallibility of wicked men" through the prophet Mohammad in the 7th century. We claim a 'restoration' of the religion of Abraham which was also lost.

You mention God's authority being with the prophets of the church. Are there any prophets outside of your church?

You mention love and mercy. Don't others have access to God's love and mercy?

Do Mormons get more love and mercy than others?

I believe that we as God's children all have a right to receive personal revelation and inspiration through prayer and living worthy of that guidance. There are some people that I believe have been inspired and guided to say or do certain things for the benefit of others, by the power of the Holy Ghost. The distinction between someone who is inspired, and someone who is a prophet, is that the prophet is called and authorized to speak on His behalf. Certainly God speaks to others through promptings and directs them as He will, but the prophet He has called is the only one that can speak to the whole human race for Him.

It is the Prophet's right and duty to receive direction for that which he is a steward over: God's children and His Church in these last days before Christ's return. It is the right of each individual who lives worthy, sincerely seeking in humility God's direction, will find it for his life and the things he does.

To give an example, I believe a father has the right to pray over his family, with his wife, for their safety and to be led of God in what he should do. I think that a pastor over a local church has every right to pray for those whom he ministers to, they who listen to his words to be edified and uplifted by the Spirit. We can indeed receive personal guidance through prayer, if we are worthy of it. God doesn't just speak to His children who are Mormon, but all of them who will honestly seek Him, with real intent.

Others not of our faith certainly have access to the love and mercy of God. In that love and mercy which He has for us, He called a Prophet in 1820 to restore His truth and Gospel, so that eternal truths would again be known in their original form, and that His real authority be again established. In bringing about the Restoration, God also restored the sealing power and knowledge of the things we must do to be sealed as families, forever. The things God has done for us in these latter days is so humbling and awe inspiring when I ponder it. I'm sure that His mercy is not limited to His work in restoring the gospel, but it is the example that is at the forefront of my mind.

[Nemesis]

Once again thank you for understanding. Carry on everyone.

Nemesis

[Cairbre]

Why three? Why not give the one that works, the most correct one? Was he giving people ways that would not lead back to him completely? In other words, was he setting people up for failure?

My comment is that there is only one way for ultimate and complete happiness. God wants to give us the very best, but his children are free to choose for themselves if they want it or not.

Who says the other ways don't work or that they will fail? If I accept the promises of one of these doctrines but the others, surely I will receive the blessings of the one and not the others.

This life has more than one happiness, why not the afterlife?

[Cairbre]

Here it is:

What about the word all don't you understand?

I think I understand the word of God, but I don't understand your question.

[Joseph Antley]

I think volgadon was referring to the word 'all'.

I would refer you to my signature, from an academic article written by non-Mormon Samuel Hill, Jr.

[Cairbre]

I believe that we as God's children all have a right to receive personal revelation and inspiration through prayer and living worthy of that guidance. There are some people that I believe have been inspired and guided to say or do certain things for the benefit of others, by the power of the Holy Ghost. The distinction between someone who is inspired, and someone who is a prophet, is that the prophet is called and authorized to speak on His behalf. Certainly God speaks to others through promptings and directs them as He will, but the prophet He has called is the only one that can speak to the whole human race for Him.

It is the Prophet's right and duty to receive direction for that which he is a steward over: God's children and His Church in these last days before Christ's return. It is the right of each individual who lives worthy, sincerely seeking in humility God's direction, will find it for his life and the things he does.

To give an example, I believe a father has the right to pray over his family, with his wife, for their safety and to be led of God in what he should do. I think that a pastor over a local church has every right to pray for those whom he ministers to, they who listen to his words to be edified and uplifted by the Spirit. We can indeed receive personal guidance through prayer, if we are worthy of it. God doesn't just speak to His children who are Mormon, but all of them who will honestly seek Him, with real intent.

Others not of our faith certainly have access to the love and mercy of God. In that love and mercy which He has for us, He called a Prophet in 1820 to restore His truth and Gospel, so that eternal truths would again be known in their original form, and that His real authority be again established. In bringing about the Restoration, God also restored the sealing power and knowledge of the things we must do to be sealed as families, forever. The things God has done for us in these latter days is so humbling and awe inspiring when I ponder it. I'm sure that His mercy is not limited to His work in restoring the gospel, but it is the example that is at the forefront of my mind.

Thank you. You have given me a lot to think about. I hope you will be patient for my reply.

I must go to sleep for now.

[pcarthew]

You'll probably find more and better answers at www.lds.org, but Christians is a category of belief- your question is like asking if there's a difference between Parisians and Frenchmen.

Yes, we have differences in doctrine than other Christian denominations, but we are still Christians.

Mormons and Anglicans are both Christians just as Shi'a (sorry about the spelling) and Sunni have different interpretations of doctrine, yet are both Muslim.

The largest difference is that most Christians believe that the last prophet/apostle died around 70 a.d. and the canon of scripture is closed.

Mormons believe that prophets of God still walk the Earth today, and that there is more Scripture than is found in the Bible alone.

I second this

[Tsuzuki]

But can a Baptist call himself Mormon?

I know of one who does.

http://www.greaterthings.com/Ridenhour/about.htm

[flameburns623]

Yes, others have mentioned revelation as a distinguishing feature of your church. I understand that most other Christians do not believe in continuing revelation. That alone seems like a wide gulf between the LDS and other Christians.

Any other differences?

By the replies so far I believe I am hearing only from Mormons.

I suppose other Christians might have a different view.

I'm not LDS: I am Roman Catholic. Clearly I disagree with the Mormons here on a number of issues. I was simply providing an analysis of why one should be very clear if one chooses to define "Mormonism" as a category apart from "Christian", rather than as a category WITHIN Christianity. Usually this charge is tossed out as an inflammatory gesture, as a way of cutting off dialogue at the outset, or as a tactic intended to weaken the credibility of the LDS representative in the discussion.

Frankly, I think the assertion made by many sectarian Christians that "Mormonism is not Christian" is often sloppy and confusing. In broad, general terms, a "Christian" is one whose primary allegiance is to Jesus Christ and His teachings. Mormons qualify as Christian by that definition.

That said: IF one is defining the word "Christian" in terms of traditional, historic, orthodox Christian practice and belief, one can argue reasonably that Mormonism falls outside that definition. Of course, one then gets into discussion about whether the 'traditional, historic, orthodox' practices and beliefs of most Christians are in fact authentic to the original Christian faith handed down by Christ through His original New Testament apostles.

Unfortunately, most who intend to engage from the latter position do not define their terms with any great measure of care or thoughtfulness.

[mnn727]

I wish to hear from Mormons, not research a religion on lds websites.

So you'd rather believe what some unknown person writes on a message board rather than to go to teh source? thats simply amazing to me - not to mention backwards.

[zerinus]

The questions in the title speak for themselves.

For me, to be a Mormon means believing that salvation is through faith in, and obedience to, Jesus Christ who came to atone for the sins of the workd by His death on the cross, rose again on the third day, ascended to heaven, and will come again to judge the living and the dead according to their works.

It means being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

It means believing in the basic tenets of the Church, which are stated in the Articles of Faith of the Church which can be read here.

It means believing in the Restoration of the gospel in the last days through the Prophet Joseph Smith--which necessarily implies the Apostasy of the original Church of Christ.

In fine, being a Mormon means being a Christian in the truest sense of the term.

[SearchDog]

The questions in the title speak for themselves.

Other posters have already spoken of the uniqueness of the LDS church as the restoration of truth in the form of the living word of God received through revelation by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost.

They have mentioned that this restoration included the reestablishment of the priesthood of God as it was first established in Jesus' twelve apostles.

They have spoken of the application of the word saint, but have not made it unique to the LDS church.

This is where I will diverge from their presentation and continue with additional information.

I do believe that the LDS church is the only church of saints. The threshold for becoming a saint is a dual baptism by the church. Other baptisms do not make a person a member of the LDS church and most other Christian churches do not practice the ordinance of the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.

None of the other Christian churches have the Melchizedek priesthood which is the authority of Christ on earth. Therefore, they are not recognized as saints. And unless my brothers here can establish that the LDS church acknowledges Christians as saints, they should not present it as being so.

Christ has only one church, only one community of saints, and only one baptism having the authority of both His priesthoods. Besides claiming the authority of the Apostolic priesthood of the NT, the LDS claim the authority of the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood of the OT.

Secondly, Christ has only one Israel. As our Articles of Faith clearly state, we are the gathering place of Israel.

But welcome to the boards, I hope you will learn with an open heart.

[consiglieri]

What favoritism do you claim?

How will God treat you differently?

Mormons are God's chosen people, so he makes them like Himself.

It's not always pretty.

So you know, I am speaking somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

You may be all right, Care Bear, but you make my Spidey-sense tingle like a four-alarm fire.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[Andrew Callahan]

Typically people like to define themselves, but also, it is not uncommon for people to also like to define "others."

Hence, Mormons claim to be Christians, but some folks who claim to be Christians don't feel that Mormons are part of the "true" group of Christians. Many Mormons find this definition by others frustrating, and cite their own arguments as to why they are indeed Christians, but frequently these arguments are unconvincing to those who are certain that Mormons aren't Christians.

Interestingly, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims its members are Mormons, but generally doesn't encourage use of terms like "Mormon Church" and cites even the Associated Press as evidence that only members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Mormons. I used to have acquaintance with members of the RLDS Church, many of whom considered themselves Mormons and I have known members of other groups that split off from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who also consider themselves Mormons. I don't think every group that is part of the Latter Day Saint movement considers itself Mormon, but certainly several do, even though the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims those others "really aren't" Mormons, and finds the arguments of those others just as unconvincing as some Christians find Mormon arguments that they are Christian.

Further, at least some churches or movements within the larger Latter Day Saint movement are NOT or at least "do NOT appear to be" Christian, for example Reform Mormonism http://www.reformmormonism.org/lib/perspective_on_god_and_faith.htm and I am a member of another Latter Day Saint church that isn't Christian.

So, definitions of Christian and Mormon (like definitions of most other terms) do not appear to be static or universally accepted.

And, even within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there are varying opinions of what it means to be Mormon, and some of those have been pretty well represented in this thread. No doubt, in a church with more than 13 million members there are many other themes that could be cited. Something I would find interesting would be to see what "cultural" differences exist among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in different areas. In many senses it is said "the church is the same all over the world" but I have a strong suspicion that there are cultural differences. (One relatively minor one that comes to mind is that when I was living in a southern state, it was common for members in the pews to answer back to each speaker when the speaker said "Good morning" at the beginning of their talks with "Good morning." Some missionaries and others from Utah found this disruptive, disturbing and damaging to their ability to feel the spirit. A sister from Hawaii told me that a big "Aloha" was common from speaker to congregation and congregation to speaker in her home stake in Hawaii. Nothing like this was done in the stakes and wards I've visited in the Midwest, and in talking to folks from Utah about this, I am sometimes responded to with a blank stare of disbelief).

[LeSellers]

Typically people like to define themselves, but also, it is not uncommon for people to also like to define "others."

In the words of Thomas Szasz: In the animal kingdom, the rule is, eat or be eaten; in the human kingdom, define or be defined.

Interestingly, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims its members are [the] Mormons, but generally doesn't encourage use of terms like "Mormon Church" and cites even the Associated Press as evidence that only members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Mormons.

That's because the rest of the world has a tendency to think that all self-identified "Mormons" are LDSs, which is clearly not the case. It's really to avoid confusion that we take this stance. If some anti Mormon in the early XIX had not coined the term, we would not care because there would be no "Mormons", but millions of LDSs, thousands of RLDSs, and hundreds of FLDSs.

Lehi