I often wonder why some other Christians (I realize it is not all) sometimes do not consider members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints as fellow "Christians." The definition of a Christian is: Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus. I have so many wonderful friends of other faiths and it never has entered my mind, that they don't think that I worship the same Jesus Christ that they worship. Sure, there are differences in the 'Mormon' doctrine when compared with other Christian faiths. But there are also differences within the various Christian faiths. There are also differences between the Catholic doctrine and the various other Christian doctrines. Does that mean we are all worshiping a different Jesus than the one who lived in Galilee, and suffered and died for our sins? No, this is not so - we all believe and follow the same Jesus Christ, and we are all Christians.
If God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ are not separate beings of flesh and bones, then why did God, talking to Jehova (his Son who actually made the earth under the direction of God (John 1:1-2) in Genesis 1:26 say, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, etc. etc.? Why when Jesus was baptized did the Voice from heaven say, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased? Why did Jesus pray to His Father on the cross? Why did he say His Father had sent Him? Why did He urge Mary not to touch him after His ressurection, because He had not yet assended to His Father in Heaven? And a multitude of other scriptures wherein he refers to His Father as a separate being from Himself. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three separate beings working together as one. They are the highest functioning trio in existence, but they are three separate beings.
Below is a beautiful and clear explanation given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland to the doctrine of Deity that we embrace in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ:
"A related reason The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is excluded from the Christian category by some is because we believe, as did the ancient prophets and apostles, in an embodied—but certainly glorified—God. To those who criticize this scripturally based belief, I ask at least rhetorically: If the idea of an embodied God is repugnant, why are the central doctrines and singularly most distinguishing characteristics of all Christianity the Incarnation, the Atonement, and the physical Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? If having a body is not only not needed but not desirable by Deity, why did the Redeemer of mankind redeem His body, redeeming it from the grasp of death and the grave, guaranteeing it would never again be separated from His spirit in time or eternity? Any who dismiss the concept of an embodied God dismiss both the mortal and the resurrected Christ. No one claiming to be a true Christian will want to do that.
Now, to anyone within the sound of my voice who has wondered regarding our Christianity, I bear this witness. I testify that Jesus Christ is the literal, living Son of our literal, living God. This Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer who, under the guidance of the Father, was the Creator of heaven and earth and all things that in them are. I bear witness that He was born of a virgin mother, that in His lifetime He performed mighty miracles observed by legions of His disciples and by His enemies as well. I testify that He had power over death because He was divine but that He willingly subjected Himself to death for our sake because for a period of time He was also mortal. I declare that in His willing submission to death He took upon Himself the sins of the world, paying an infinite price for every sorrow and sickness, every heartache and unhappiness from Adam to the end of the world. In doing so He conquered both the grave physically and hell spiritually and set the human family free. I bear witness that He was literally resurrected from the tomb and, after ascending to His Father to complete the process of that Resurrection, He appeared, repeatedly, to hundreds of disciples in the Old World and in the New. I know He is the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah who will one day come again in final glory, to reign on earth as Lord of lords and King of kings. I know that there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man can be saved and that only by relying wholly upon His merits, mercy, and everlasting grace can we gain eternal life."
What do Mormon leaders really teach? This YouTube video gets right to the heart of it.
An inspiring video clip about what Latter-day Saints believe of Jesus Christ features testimony by President Monson and scenes from the gospels. "There is no heartache or hunger that he cannot heal. He is more necessary to us than our daily bread."
Here is a beautiful video to Kenneth Cope's classic song, “His Hands”, which reminds us that "through his hands, these tools of creation, stronger than nations, we find our truest friend."
"To those whom he beckoned saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how often would I have gathered thee!” They responded with “Crucify Him!”" Here's another moving video clip
Misconceptions about Mormons
