While serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was surprised how often people asserted that we weren't Christian. While those moments were perplexing, they were also wonderful opportunities to testify of our conviction that we certainly did believe in Jesus Christ. As His official representatives, wearing His name over our hearts, it was our sole purpose to do His glorious work of helping others to come unto Him through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end1. In fact, our core belief as a church rests on the divinity of Jesus Christ and His role as our Savior. We know from John 3:16 that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." We know He lived a sinless existence, going about His Father's business2 as He taught others to love one another; healed the sick and afflicted3; strengthened the feeble knees and lifted the hands that hung down4; performed the Atonement; and rose again after lying dead for three days in a tomb, thus finally conquering the bands of death for Himself and us all. We know He lives to this day and will come again in glory to rule as King of King and Lord of Lords5.
Not only are we Christian in name, but we also strive to emulate the Savior in our actions. We have all been instructed by the Master in John 13:34 to “love one another [as I have loved you].” It is our duty not only to spread the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people6, but also to visit the sick, afflicted, and lonely7; to impart of whatever substance we have to those in need8; to be good friends and neighbors9; to love those who despitefully use us10; to be an example of the believers11; and to be obedient to the commandments of Heavenly Father in order to show our love for Him12. All that said, what truly makes Mormons Christians is our knowledge of our utter dependence on the Savior’s Atonement to return to live with our Heavenly Father. Without Him, we would all be lost; but, with Him, we have hope for our eternal destiny in the kingdom of our Father.
1. Preach My Gospel, Chapter 1
2. Luke 2:49
3. Matthew 9:35
4. Isaiah 35:3
5. Revelation 19:6
6. Revelation 14:6
7. Doctrine and Covenants 52:40
8. Mosiah 4:26
9. Matthew 22:39
10. Matthew 5:44
11. 1st Timothy 4:12
12. John 14:21
For more information on this topic, please visit http://www.lds.org/new-era/1998/05/are-mormons-christians?lang=eng
Labels: Are Mormons Christians, Book of Mormon, Christianity, Christians, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Heavenly Father, Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ, Latter-day Saints, Mormonism, Mormons
