Are Mormons Christians?

In July of 1986 a group of Evangelical Christians held a news conference in Salt Lake City to present a petition of 20,543 individuals requesting that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "demanding" that it stop calling itself a "Christian" church.  Ever since, the question arises, "Are Mormons Christians?"

I must say that I'm puzzled.  Why would the Evangelical community put so much work in dedication to prepare a petition that they knew would not be acknowledged, after all, consensus does not create truth.  Perhaps, there is alarm of the explosive growth of the church?  Perhaps, it is simply for alienation?  Perhaps, it it simply because there is a lack of understanding? Many reasons exist amongst many people, some are deeply entrenched, but hopefully understanding can be taught.

Being very sensitive about the religion issue, I would like to place a disclaimer, that as Russell M. Ballard of the Twelve Apostles says in "Our Search For Happiness":

"[With the goal of creating understanding] That doesn't mean that my goal is to have every member of the Church, or even accept our doctrines and practices--although I would be less than honest if I did not acknowledge that I would be pleased to see those things happen...All of our interpersonal relationships should be built on a foundation of mutual respect, trust, and appreciation.  But that shouldn't prevent us from sharing deeply held religious feelings with each other."

This blog comes from a primary desire to create understanding, not conversion.

President Hinkley gave an awesome talk in April of 1994 called, "Our One Bright Hope"

"As our hearts and minds turn at Eastertime to thoughts of our Savior’s suffering at Gethsemane, His crucifixion, and His resurrection, I recall an experience at an open house in the Arizona Temple following a complete renovation of the building. 

"Nearly a quarter of a million people saw the temple’s beautiful interior. On the first day of the open house, clergymen of other religions were invited as special guests, and hundreds responded. It was my privilege to speak to them and to answer their questions at the conclusion of their tours. I told them that we would be pleased to answer any queries they might have. Many were asked. Among these was one which came from a Protestant minister.

"Said he: “I’ve been all through this building, this temple which carries on its face the name of Jesus Christ, but nowhere have I seen any representation of the cross, the symbol of Christianity. I have noted your buildings elsewhere and likewise find an absence of the cross. Why is this when you say you believe in Jesus Christ?”

"I responded: “I do not wish to give offense to any of my Christian brethren who use the cross on the steeples of their cathedrals and at the altars of their chapels, who wear it on their vestments and imprint it on their books and other literature. But for us, the cross is the symbol of the dying Jesus, while our message is a declaration of the living Christ.” He then asked: “If you do not use the cross, what is the symbol of your religion?”I replied that the lives of our people must become the only meaningful expression of our faith. I hope he did not feel that I was smug or self-righteous in my response. He was correct in his observation that we do not use the cross, except as our military chaplains use it on their uniforms for identification.

"Our position at first glance may seem a contradiction of our profession that Jesus Christ is the key figure of our faith. The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. We worship Him as Lord and Savior. The Bible is our scripture. We believe that the prophets of the Old Testament who foretold the coming of the Messiah spoke under divine inspiration. We glory in the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, setting forth the events of the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. Like Paul of old, we are “not ashamed of the gospel of [Jesus] Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:1). And like Peter, we affirm that Jesus Christ is the only name “given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)."

This Protestant minister does bring up a common misconception: 'Because you don't use the crucifix you don't believe in Christ.  Thus you aren't Christian.'  President Hinkley responded beautifully, we rejoice in the Atonement, in his death, but most importantly his resurrection.  I quote from Our Search for Happiness again:

"We revere Jesus.  He is the head of our Church, which bears His name.  He is our Savior and our Redeemer.  We love Him.  Through Him we worship and pray to our Heavenly Father.  We are grateful beyond measure for the essential and awesome power His Atonement has in each of our lives."

Quite simply, without tricky or deceitful definitions, by defining a Christian as:  "One who follows, believes and worships Jesus Christ as the only begotten of the Father to redeem the sins of mankind spoken of in the New Testament."  Then without doubt, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints professes a simple but beautiful belief in Jesus Christ.  For if it was not for his crucifixion and resurrection, I would be held in the power of the adversary and the grave would claim my flesh forever.  As 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."  Exaltation is possible through, and only through his sacrifice.  As Romans 6:23 exhorts:  "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."