FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mormonism and Christianity
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Contents
- 1 Mormonism and Christianity
- 1.1
- 1.2 Topics
- 1.2.1 Are Mormons Christians?
- 1.2.2 Strength of the Mormon position quotation and source
- 1.2.3 The Book of Mormon indicates that Christianity existed in the New World prior to the birth of Christ
- 1.2.4 Martyrdom in Christian history
- 1.2.5 Some Christians assert that there is a "Mormon" vs. a "Christian" Jesus
- 1.2.6 LDS versus Evangelical Christian view of the atonement of Jesus Christ
- 1.2.7 Completeness of the Bible
- 1.2.8 Grace and works
- 1.2.9 Preaching to other Christians
- 1.2.10 Did early LDS leaders denounce Christianity?
Mormonism and Christianity
Topics
Are Mormons Christians?
Summary: Are Mormons Christians? Do they worship Jesus Christ? Critics use unnecessarily narrow definitions to deny that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship and revere Jesus.- Does the Church use the sign or symbol of the cross?—
Brief Summary: Some Christians claim that Latter-day Saints are not Christians, and point to the fact that the Church does not usually use the symbol or sign of the cross in decoration, personal jewelry, or architecture. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Did Mormons only recently claim to be Christians?—
Brief Summary: From the Church's founding, both Church members and their opponents recognized that they were Christians. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗
- Does the Church use the sign or symbol of the cross?—
Strength of the Mormon position quotation and source
Summary: LDS writers have often referred to a quote attributed to an unnamed Catholic author about "the strength of the Mormon position" regarding the necessity of divine authority. Is there any truth to this claim, and if so, what is it's source?The Book of Mormon indicates that Christianity existed in the New World prior to the birth of Christ
Summary: The Book of Mormon refers to "Christians" in Alma 46꞉13-16 and Alma 48꞉10. These texts date to approximately 72 BC.Martyrdom in Christian history
Summary: Was Joseph Smith not a martyr because, while in jail, he fought back against those who attacked him? Has the definition of a Christian martyr always been understood only as one who does not fight back?Some Christians assert that there is a "Mormon" vs. a "Christian" Jesus
Summary: Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus Christ is the only path to salvation, and that He died for our sins, yet some Evangelicals claim that Latter-day Saints believe in a "different" Jesus than "mainstream" Christians.LDS versus Evangelical Christian view of the atonement of Jesus Christ
Summary: Critics compare what they state are the four positions of the LDS church, which by their definition must be false.Completeness of the Bible
Summary: Some claim that the Bible contains all necessary or essential knowledge to assure salvation, and that things like modern prophets or additional scripture (such as the Book of Mormon) are unnecessary or even blasphemous.Grace and works
Summary: How do the LDS see the relationship between works and grace?- Early Christian views on salvation—
Brief Summary: What can the writings of early Christians tell us about how to receive salvation in Jesus Christ? (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Neglect grace—
Brief Summary: Some claim that the Church ignores the doctrine of grace at the expense of "works." Critics argue that Church leaders do not teach this doctrine, and as a result most members of the Church do not expect to be saved, since they are not "good enough." (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Salvation by faith alone—
Brief Summary: Evangelical Christians claim that salvation comes through "faith alone" (sola fide) and they accuse Latter-day Saints of holding to an un-Biblical belief of "works-based salvation." (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Scriptures on grace and works—
Brief Summary: Critics of the church claim that the Bible teaches that individual works are completely unnecessary, in contrast to the doctrine of the LDS church that an individual's obedience to the commandments of God matters in his salvation. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Unforgivable sin—
Brief Summary: Why did LDS apostle Bruce McConkie write that a man may commit a sin so grievous that it will place him beyond the atoning blood of Christ (Mormon Doctrine, 1979, p. 93) when the Bible says that the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7)? (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Impossible Gospel—
Brief Summary: Sometimes critics (especially Evangelicals) describe our gospel as one in which nobody can be saved because they are not perfectly keeping the commandments. They attempt to show that this is what we believe by using passages from the Book of Mormon and from other LDS works. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗
- Early Christian views on salvation—
Preaching to other Christians
Summary: If Latter-day Saints are "really" Christians, why do they insist on preaching to other, non-LDS Christians?Did early LDS leaders denounce Christianity?
Summary: Some Evangelicals claim that Latter-day Saints have "admitted" that they are not Christian, since LDS leaders spent decades denouncing mainstream Christianity.