We believe that God literally communicated with the ancient biblical prophets: Moses, Aaron, Adam, Noah, Abraham, etc. God chose these righteous individuals to convey important messages to his people for their temporal and spiritual benefit. The scriptures show that when his people followed these teachings they were blessed.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we believe that Christ is still at the helm of his Church, steering it through the storms of the world by communicating with his current prophet on Earth: President Gorden B. Hinckley.
The knowledge and instruction that God reveals to his prophet in our modern age is called "Modern Revelation". If we follow this divine knowledge, we will be guided towards the Savior Jesus Christ, and come to know him and his Gospel. Similar to times of old, when we put our lives in harmony with the teachings of his chosen prophet here on Earth, we are greatly blessed.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Is the Mormon Church a cult?
What is your definition of a cult?
The popular meaning of the word "cult" has a pagan, almost Satanic edge to it. This does not describe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
However, the definition of "cult" found in the Oxford dictionary does describe the church quite accurately; it states that a cult is a "ritualistic religious system", and a "devotion to a person or thing".
We have "rituals", or ordinanzas in the LDS church similar Christian and non-Christian religions alike. We take the sacrament each Sunday, we believe in baptism, priesthood blessings for the sick and afflicted, confirmation of the Holy Ghost, etc. The person we are devoted to is Jesus Christ; and thing we are devoted to is his Gospel which teaches that through Christ's atonement all mankind may one day return to live with our Father in Heaven.
If you apply this same definition to the Church of Jesus Christ in ancient times you will find that it was also a "cult" in the same manner.
The popular meaning of the word "cult" has a pagan, almost Satanic edge to it. This does not describe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
However, the definition of "cult" found in the Oxford dictionary does describe the church quite accurately; it states that a cult is a "ritualistic religious system", and a "devotion to a person or thing".
We have "rituals", or ordinanzas in the LDS church similar Christian and non-Christian religions alike. We take the sacrament each Sunday, we believe in baptism, priesthood blessings for the sick and afflicted, confirmation of the Holy Ghost, etc. The person we are devoted to is Jesus Christ; and thing we are devoted to is his Gospel which teaches that through Christ's atonement all mankind may one day return to live with our Father in Heaven.
If you apply this same definition to the Church of Jesus Christ in ancient times you will find that it was also a "cult" in the same manner.
Are Mormons Christians?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the official name of the Mormon Church. It was known as The Church of Christ in the early 1830's until the official name as it is today was adopted. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was the first church to be established in America, and the first church ever to be named after Jesus Christ.
Joseph Smith the first prophet of the church in these latter days taught that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the hub of the Church, all other teachings and programs are merely appendages to it. Joseph translated The Book of Mormon, considered to be another testament of Jesus Christ, similar to the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. Many people who do not understand what the Book of Mormon is about, claim that it testifies of a non-Biblical Christ, making Mormons not Christians. But in fact, if one studies the Book of Mormon, it quickly becomes apparent that the book only reinforces the Bibles interpretations and descriptions of Jesus Christ and his gospel.
If you define Christians as a follower of the evangelical and protestant faiths, then no Mormons are not Christian. But if you identify Christians as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, the Creator, Lord, and Savior of the world, then yes Mormons are as Christian as they come!
Joseph Smith the first prophet of the church in these latter days taught that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the hub of the Church, all other teachings and programs are merely appendages to it. Joseph translated The Book of Mormon, considered to be another testament of Jesus Christ, similar to the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. Many people who do not understand what the Book of Mormon is about, claim that it testifies of a non-Biblical Christ, making Mormons not Christians. But in fact, if one studies the Book of Mormon, it quickly becomes apparent that the book only reinforces the Bibles interpretations and descriptions of Jesus Christ and his gospel.
If you define Christians as a follower of the evangelical and protestant faiths, then no Mormons are not Christian. But if you identify Christians as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, the Creator, Lord, and Savior of the world, then yes Mormons are as Christian as they come!
Why do you call yourselves Mormons?
The word "Mormon" comes from a book that we believe to be a companion to the bible; it is called "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ". Mormon was the chief editor of this book that spans over 3000 years of culture, history, and teachings related to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it was known by some ancient Americans.
The official name of the church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints". "Jesus Christ" because he is the chief cornerstone of our faith. "Latter-Day" to distinguish the current Church of Jesus Christ from that of ancient times. "Saints" is another word for Christian disciple, or follower of Christ's Gospel.
People began calling followers of the LDS Church "Mormons" shortly after it was founded in 1830. Though innacurate and sometimes misleading to those who feel we are not Christians, we do not take offense to this title. The famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir was given its name by the LDS Church, and has helped spread this nickname across the globe.
The official name of the church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints". "Jesus Christ" because he is the chief cornerstone of our faith. "Latter-Day" to distinguish the current Church of Jesus Christ from that of ancient times. "Saints" is another word for Christian disciple, or follower of Christ's Gospel.
People began calling followers of the LDS Church "Mormons" shortly after it was founded in 1830. Though innacurate and sometimes misleading to those who feel we are not Christians, we do not take offense to this title. The famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir was given its name by the LDS Church, and has helped spread this nickname across the globe.
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