[zerosix]

Theologians can discuss these issues without being "sickos," friend but you must admit that LDS clearly distinguish themselves from Christians by claiming that they alone have the "truth," according to Jos. Smith himself when he said that God told him to "join none of these for they are all corrupt and and abomination."

One must decide once and for all, either LDS "are Christians too," or they are "the one true church of Jesus Christ."

If LDS (Mormons) are "Christians too, just like others" then those "others also qualify as LDS."

If we are both Christians, then as a protestant, do you believe that I am a Christian, that I (without baptism for the dead after I have departed) will go to heaven solely on the basis of my faith in Jesus Christ?

[unseelie]

I find it ironic that someone complains about the LDS church claiming to be the only true church in a thread dedicated to showing that the LDS Church is not true at all, and in its responses other Christians denounce pretty much every other non-”mainstream” church. Let’s get real: every God- or Allah-fearing person on this forum believes that their doctrinal beliefs are true and all others are false. There’s nothing unique in the LDS Church’s claim.

As to the subject itself, however, people can call the LDS Church whatever they want. If having your church founded by a prophet of God makes it a cult, then we’re a cult, and proud of it. We call ourselves Christians because, as the LDS Church views it, Christianity is following the example of Jesus Christ and abiding by His teachings. Everyone who does so is a “Christian.” When the accusation of the Church being non-Christian is leveled it is usually to convince those who do not know better that we don’t believe in Jesus Christ, which is not true, or that we don’t believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to return to our Heavenly Father, when actually we believe that he is indeed the only way. Being “saved by grace” is actually a tenet of the Church, although in no way a dismissal of personal responsibility. God put us here to progress, not to pay him lip service, but nothing aside from Jesus Christ and his sacrifice in Gethsemane and on the cross can close the spiritual gap between us and God and provide for life after death. That’s the simple truth of it, what I’ve been taught from a child onward to hold most important. If you want to argue against that, be my guest.