Ready Always / Who we are / Who we are

Are you guys even Christian?

1

The hallway answer

About 15 seconds

“Yes! Jesus Christ is the center of everything we believe. His name is literally in our church’s name. We just see some things differently from other Christian churches, like the Trinity.”

Then ask them: What does being Christian mean to you? I’m curious how you’d define it.
I want the real answer ↓
2

The real answer

About 5 minutes

The Church’s Gospel Topics essay on this question says members “unequivocally affirm themselves to be Christians.” We worship God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, believe He is the Son of God, that He died for our sins and rose again, and that salvation comes only through Him.

So why do some people say we aren’t? The essay lists three reasons: Latter-day Saints don’t accept the creeds written centuries after the New Testament (including the Trinity as those creeds define it); we aren’t Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant; and we have scripture beyond the Bible. We believe the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three separate beings, perfectly united in purpose.

A good way to put it: we are Christians who believe Christ’s original church was restored. You can respect a friend who defines “Christian” differently without arguing about labels. Point to Jesus.

Scriptures to know. Tap to read.

2 Nephi 25:26“We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ”
26And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. Read in Book of Mormon, Connected →
John 17:3Know the only true God, and Jesus Christ
3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Read in New Testament, Connected →
Acts 4:12No other name under heaven
12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Read in New Testament, Connected →
Matthew 3:16-17The Father, Son and Holy Ghost at Jesus’s baptism
16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Read in New Testament, Connected →
3

Go deeper

Research room

What’s behind the question

Some churches teach that Latter-day Saints aren’t Christian, often over the Trinity. A friend asking may have heard that at their own church and be honestly confused.

OfficialGospel Topics Essay: Are “Mormons” Christian? ↗The Church’s full explanation, including the creeds and restorationOfficialTopics and Questions: Jesus Christ ↗Faithful scholarshipFAIR: Mormonism and Christianity ↗Faithful scholarshipFAIR: The nature of God and the Trinity ↗

Source labels: Official = published by the Church. Scripture = the standard works. Faithful scholarship = independent Latter-day Saint researchers. Helpful, but not official.

4

For me

Think it through
  1. What do I personally know about Jesus Christ?
  2. How do my daily choices show I’m His disciple?
  3. Read 2 Nephi 25:26. How do I talk of Christ?
Act in faithWhat do I already know and believe here?
Eternal perspectiveHow does God’s plan change how I see this?
Good sourcesWho could I ask: a parent, a leader, the scriptures?

Notes stay on this page while it’s open and aren’t saved or sent anywhere.

5

Practice this one

Pick a reply

Friends also ask

Isn’t your church a cult?Do you even believe in the Bible?Aren’t you a Mormon? Why does everyone say “Latter-day Saint” now?

Weak Things is an independent site, not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Answers are written to match the Church’s published teachings, and every answer links to its sources.

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