But diamond - that's just my point. And I'm going to try to say this as objectively as possible without making it personal: The Mormon Jesus is not the Jesus of Christianity. They have the same name, but they're very different. There's much more at stake here than just his nature. We're talking about his identity.
Christianity believes Christ is part of the Triune God - three in one. Mormonism doesn't. (yes, you use the term "trinity," but you believe they're three different gods. This would be an example of the twisting, or significantly altering, of essential Christian doctrine I was talking about.)
Christianity believes in one God. Mormonism believes in many gods and that its believers can reach that level.
Mormonism believes there is a Goddess mother and that God is married to said female god. Christianity does not.
Mormonism believes God is a man from another planet. Christianity does not.
Christianity does not believe Christ is Satan's spirit brother. Mormonism does.
Mormonism also claims that the Book of Mormon is more correct than the Bible and that good works are needed for salvation. Christianity objects to these positions.
This is just a handful of the differences between the two faiths.
So, let's again look at this objectively -- if the two faiths are so contradictory, how can they be the same? How can Mormons deny so much essential Christian doctrine -- including who Christ is -- and still be Christian? If that's OK, is it OK for me to deny essential Mormon doctrine and consider myself Mormon?
Your understanding of Chritianity is not the same but we agree on the most important aspects of who Chirst was and what He did, namely:
Most importantly-He is the Savior of the world.
He rose of the 3rd day and shewed Himself to at least 500 people in Jerusalem and neighboring communities as recorded in the New Testament.
He appeared in His resurrected state to Saul/Paul.
He will come again to reign over earth for 1000 years.
The Mormon Jesus is not the Jesus of Christianity
We believe that the Jesus you understand is a corrupted version that started 250 years after Christ was slain by Pilate and collaborators in His community.
To be objectively honest Kevin, and more accurate-
you don't believe in the Restoration.
You don't believe in the countless visions, ministrations of angels, and orgin of the Book of Mormon as recorded by Joseph Smith and his associates-that's fine.
You cannot take a group of believers in Christ and claim they are not believers in Christ because they have supplemental data, and supplemental sources other than yours.
You don't own that right-only Christ does.
Certain Evangicals tried to do it to the Catholic Church 50 years ago-they failed.
Perhaps in 50 years, I suspect many Evangicals will change their tune about Mormons being Christian or not-time will tell.
As far as the straw man arguments about satan once being the brother of Christ, but hasn't been since he was thrown out of heaven, or that evenutally mankind can eternally progress into something more than angels, a mother in heaven-these concepts aren't part of the
normal curriculim nor are essentail for man's salvation. What they are,
are restored concepts and truths that were once on the earth long ago, lost by man but returned by God to Joseph Smith. Again, they are not essentail to know for one's salvation, but some use it to try and distract people with fear tactics.
What we are taught in our churches and temples is
the significance of Chirst and His atoning sacrifice, also who He is and how to become more like Him, and in that-no open and fair minded person can say 'Mormons are not Christian'. What they can say is
'Mormons are not the same type of Christians as most.' That would be more honest.
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