If mormons dont believe in Christ, then why do they believe Jesus visited the ancient americas?
491479
they belive He was a great profet, not God's son
1167461
First-not all religions do\nSecond-LDS ARE Christians -'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints'          LDS believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, as the Savior who came to Earth to teach and show us the way back to our Father in Heaven\nThird-yes, LDS believe in three distinct beings with one purpose-\nand they are not the only Christian religion to believe this\nFourth-Ignorance. People prefer to believe anything negative-whether there is truth to it or not. They'd rather believe something negative than have to think they may not know or may have thought wrongly. In seeing some of the responses here-that ignorance is prevalent. Someone posted an exmormon website.\nAre you really going to receive all the correct information from others who are/were not happy with what they had/did?\nWould you go to an ex-Catholic to find out about Catholicism or to an ex-Baptist about the Baptist faith? Of course not.\nFifth-the LDS faith is NOT a cult or a sect. Read the definition of cult. \nSixth-There are different beliefs in every aspect of Christianity. That's why there are so many different religions. They are stepping stones to God, are they not? LDS don't believe in unbaptized babies going to hell or purgatory as several other mainstream faiths do---and they are shocked that other religions would preach such an indifferent God in regards to infants-who have not sinned. So are those who are shocked to think that LDS \nbelieve baptism is from age 8 (and up) when THEY choose to take on a promise to themselves be followers of Christ-and not someone else do it for them.  Although, there are other Christian beliefs who feel only adult baptism counts.\n\nThe 11th Article of Faith (a creed for LDS to live by) states:\n"We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."\n\nPerhaps if more lived by following their own beliefs instead of trashing others-there wouldn't be so many problems.\n:)\nAnd yes, I'm LDS-having converted at 22 years of age.\nand.....I know it's right ....and where I'm to be.\nI hope and pray you are happy where you are-no matter what you\nbelief in yourself.\n:)
148720
As usual, the so eloquently named EATGIZZ and I differ.  I AM A MORMON.  Are Mormons Christian? YES!! Latter-day Saints believe in Christ as the Savior, the Redeemer, the Son of God, the Creator of the earth, and the only source of salvation. It is His love and grace that give meaning to life and hope to humanity. We believe in the Bible, which plainly teaches that Christ is our Savior and that all men must repent and come unto Christ to be saved. Some critics proclaim that Mormons are not Christians and don't believe in Christ. I really don't like other people telling me what I believe! As a Latter-day Saint, I have been taught, and have personally chosen, to accept Christ as my Savior. I am taught to follow Him, to rely on His love, and to feast on His word. I know that real Mormons are Christians. We worship Christ and covenant to follow Him. We are baptized in His name to follow Him, we partake of the sacrament (the holy communion) weekly to remember the sacrifice of His blood and to remember His victory over death, we pray to the Father in His name, and we strive to obey Him, knowing that it is only through His merits and grace that we are saved. He is constantly held up in our meetings as our Savior, our Redeemer, our Lord, and the author of our faith and our salvation. We believe that He stands at the head of His living Church, leading it as in days of old through revelation to His prophets and apostles. The Christ we worship is the living Christ, the Son of God, foretold in the Old Testament, revealed in the New Testament, and affirmed in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
44782
Way too many. Here is a good link to do some research.\n\nhttp://www.carm.org/mormon.htm\n\nMormons not only claim to be Christians, but to be the only true Christians. According to them, the early Christian church went through an apostacy, lost the true teaching of God, and is built on a Bible that, according to them, is translated incorrectly and is missing many books.\n\nInterestingly, while LDS Church president Gordon Hinckley assures the press that "the New Testament is a fundamental scripture for us," (Note 1) he fails to point out the Mormons' bias against the Bible.\n\nArticle 8 of the Mormon Articles of Faith (Note 2) says, "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it has been translated correctly." This approach allows Mormons to ignore key Bible Scriptures which refute Mormon doctrines. Bible verses used to counter Mormon teachings are brushed off in favor of passages from the Book of Mormon and other Mormon scriptures (as well as ongoing revelation that often contradicts previous LDS Church teachings).\n\nIt should be noted that the LDS Church has published its own version of the King James Bible, incorporating footnotes explaining what corrections from Joseph Smith's "inspired version" of the Bible (a version full of errors and plagiarized material) should be taken into account.\n\nHowever, in spite of their efforts at revisionism, Mormons have not been able to support their claims. On the contrary. While Mormon allegations regarding the Bible and the course of Christianity are refuted by history, archeology, and other sciences, the scriptures of the Mormon church are problematic at every turn. Far from showing us so-called 'restored truth,' they are testimonies to the deceptive nature of Mormonism.
746838
When Christ visited the americas as recorded in 3 Nephi, it was not the Second Coming.  Daisykristina brings up a good point; just because Jesus makes a visitation, does not mean it is the Second Coming.  There are numerous references to post-mortal appearances made by Jesus in the Bible.  While a few of these are described as visions, it is apparent that some are quite real and physical.  And none of them were considered the Second Coming.\n\nMatthew 28:9-10, 28:16-18; Mark 16:9-14; Luke 24:15, 24:34, 24:36-43; John 20:14-17, 20:19-20, 20:26-30, 21:4, 21:14; Acts 1:3, 7:55, 9:5, 9:10, 9:27, 10:40-41, 13:31, 18:9, 22:18, 23:11, 26:16; 1 Corinthians 15:5-8.
1139036
Ummm, Mormons believe in Jesus.  They just believe in more than Jesus.
192496
They are wrong, and they won't go to Heaven I'm afraid.  It says in the Bible that nothing is to be added yet they went and made a whole extra testament!  Also, what's all that rubbish about Mormons inheriting their own planet when they die?  I have a former Mormon friend, who is now a Christian, he uses the analogy that Mormonism is like seeing a cardboard cut-out of The Beatles, whereas Christianity is like meeting them in person - there is just no comparison.  Sorry Mormons, you are wrong...you need to get yourself a personal relationship with Jesus or your off to Hell.
905132
Mormons may not like the idea of being labeled a cult, but that's what they are.\n\nOne of the primary red flags in Christianity is to ask about the Deity of Jesus Christ. \nJesus states repeatedly in the Gospels that He is God in fleshly form. He says it so emphatically that the Jews picked up stones to stone Him for such a blasphemous claim. \n\nChristian denominations all support Jesus' Deity, and they worship Him as God.\n\nMormons deny Jesus' Deity, and then also deny the accepted  doctrine of the Trinity of mainline Christian Churches. The Apostle Paul would take GREAT exception to Mormons claiming that they are Christian. \n\nOther Red Flags? \n*Exclusivity for salvation. They believe they are the only true church and the rest of us are going to hell. "Membership" in their church is required to get to heaven.\n*Exclusivity for interpreting the Bible. Without their unique explanations of the Bible, a person cannot fully understand the scriptures. Therefore, they added books to the scriptures to further explain God's plan. (additions and subtractions to or from are clearly prohibited in the Bible.) \n\nI wonder what the Angel Moroni (source of Joseph Smith's Golden Plates) would have to say to Paul?
824708
I think that Mormons have an amazing life style.  If you look in the bible and seek out the life that Christ had, you will notice that Mormons are Saints that beilive Christ, they believe EVERYTHING he has said, he says and all that he will say.  He speaks to his prophets.  God has called a prophet today to lead His children.  Mormons believe this. They are people that are far from perfect. But that's why they keep going to church, cuz they know that keeping the commandments is showing the Savior that they love him.  Jesus Christ is and always will be at the head of His church.  That's why the mormon church is really called "The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints".  It has this name because when  Christ was on earth he had his church, being the name of Jesus Christ.  But because the people didn't believe him back then and they killed his apostals, his perfect church was lost.  So, that's why God had to call a prophet today to organize and RESTORE his true and living church on the earth today.\n                The Jehova Witnesses are God fearing people.  But we shouldn't fear God so much that we don't love him.  I've met them.  They are children of God as well.  But they change the word of God and they have no prophet and they don't believe in certain scriptures or commandments.  The seventh day adventists are good people as well.  They just have the wrong day.   If you truly know the bible, you'll see that Christ broke bread on the FIRST DAY of the week.  SUNDAY !!!!
1175750
as a Mormon i have heard many things over the years and just let people know that i believe that they are wrong, and that they believe i am wrong.  i respect that everyone has their own opinions and i have mine.  people will also make fun of and challenge what is different from their beliefs.  one big thing that we get a lot is that we have more than one wife.  which is not true.  at one point in time we did, but even during that time only 2-5% were apart of polygamy.  another thing i hear a lot is that we re not Christians.  my response is yes we are.  i believe in Christ as my savior and brother to help me get through this life.  i use his teachings in the bible to guide me in what i say act and do.  if this is not a christian than i do not know what is.  getting into Joseph smith is sometimes hard to get  into with those who do not believe, but i just say i believe that he restored Christ church on earth and that he did see god and his son Jesus Christ.  people will either leave you alone or talk bad more.  hope that this helps.
882469
www.lds.org is a good starting place to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints\nThe name Mormon actually belongs to a prophet named Mormon who lived about 400 years after the time of Christ. He was responsible for compiling a record of the Nephites and Lamanites - people who lived in the Americas anciently and who originally came out from Jerusalem around 600 B.C. just after the era of Isaiah and Jeremiah in the Bible. The Book of Mormon has an interesting mission - it testifies of Jesus Christ AND supports the Bible as well. We believe in a living prophet today - just as in the time of the Bible, and we also have 12 Apostles who have had a special witness of Jesus Christ. I have met a few of them, and when you look into their eyes you know that they know that Jesus Christ is alive and very much involved with the past, present, and future of the children of God. \nBy the way, you may get a few anti-Mormon answers by asking this question. Believe me, I've heard just about everything and I promise you there is an answer for anything brought up. Have a happy day.
616078
Mormonism teaches that God used to be a man on another world and that he became a god by following the laws and ordinances of his god on his home world.  He brought his wife to this world, a woman he had married on the other world.  She is, essentially a goddess.\n     In his present god-state, he rules our world. He has a body of flesh and bones.  Since god and his wife are both exalted persons, they each possess physical bodies.  In their exalted states as deities, they produce spirit children that grow and mature in the spiritual realm. The first spirit born was Jesus. Afterwards Lucifer was born along with the rest of us. So, Mormonism teaches that we all pre-existed in the spirit realm having been produced from the union of god and his goddess wife.  Therefore, we all existed in spirit form before coming down down and entering the bodies of human babies that are being born on earth. During this ‘compression' into the infant state, the memories of their pre-existence is 'veiled.' \n      God the father, who is called Elohim, was concerned for the future salvation of the people on earth. In the heavenly realm, the Father had a plan for the salvation of the world. Jesus endorsed the Father's plan. Lucifer did not. Lucifer became jealous and rebelled. In his rebellion he convinced a large portion of the spirits existing in heaven to side with him and oppose god. God being more powerful then they, cursed these rebellious spirits to become demons.  They can never be born in human bodies.  \n      The remaining spirits sided with God.  Since they chose the better way, when it comes time for them to live on earth, they have the privilege of being born in races and locations that are relative to their condition and choice made in the spirit realm.1\n      In the Mormon plan of salvation there needed to be a savior: Jesus. But Jesus was a spirit in heaven. For him to be born on earth, Brigham Young the second prophet of the Mormon church said that instead of letting any other man do it, God the Father did it with Mary. He said that the birth of our savior was as natural as the birth of our parents. Essentially, what this means is that Brigham Young taught that god the father came down and had relations with Mary, his spirit daughter, to produce the body of Jesus.  Though many Mormons will not entertain such incestuous thoughts about God and Mary, this is what Brigham Young taught and as far as we know, this has not been denied by the Mormon church.\n     Nevertheless, Jesus was born, got married, and had children.2  He died on the cross and paid for sins -- but not on the cross only.  According to Mormonism, the atonement of Christ was not only on the cross.  It began in the Garden of Gethsemane before he went to the cross. \n      In Mormonism, men and women have the potential of becoming gods. President Lorenzo Snow said, "As god once was, man is. As God is, man may become." In order to reach this exalted state of godhood, a person must first become a good Mormon, pay a full ten percent tithe to the Mormon church, follow various laws and ordinances of the church, and be found worthy.  At this point, they receive a temple recommend whereupon, the Mormon is allowed to enter their sacred temples in order to go through  set of secret rituals: baptism for the dead, celestial marriage, and various oaths of secrecy and commitment. Additionally, four secret handshakes are taught so the believing Mormon, upon entering the third level of Mormon heaven, can shake hands with god in a certain pattern. This celestial ritual is for the purpose of permitting entrance into the highest level of heaven.3 For those who achieve this highest of heavens, exaltation to godhood awaits them. Then, he or she, will be permitted to have his or her own planet and be the god of his own world and the Mormon system will be expanded to other planets.
166473
You have done research on "Mormons", yet you say they don't believe in the resurrected Jesus Christ!? Mormons ARE Christians because they DO believe in Jesus Christ. Why would they name their church "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" if they didn't believe in Him? Obviously your research skills are extremely flawed!\nTheir doctrines do not contradict the Bible. They believe in the Bible. They follow biblical teachings. They have another book of scripture that is a companion to the Bible. Again... your research skills need work. \nAs for the original question "are Mormons an occult religion?" The answer is no. the 'Mormon' religion is open to everyone.
1095045
Yeah you're right. The answers are pathetic. They pretend to know the things that they do not have any idea about. at least they should be polite and tolerant, sometimes they remind of the "christian" persecuters of the pioneers. haha :-) it's just funny why persecute us for our belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world? Why persecute Joseph Smith for him telling that He spoke to God and the Son? Does not God answer prayers? or call his prophets anymore? Have miracles ceased? Have revelations and visions ceased? not with our church!!! Faithful and charitable and tolerant some of today's so called Christians are :-) We believe in Christ. full stop!!!
277172
It's not a weird notion.  There is no evidence of a lot of things that transpired during the times of Christ.   Sure the Bible talks about it and is the ONLY accepted history of that time.   I'm inclined to think that the apostles did run with their interpretation of Christ's teachings.   I'm not so sure it was to create an alternate Jewish religion, but an alternate politically correct on of the time.   Jesus didn't come to Earth to have people worship him as God.  That was furthest from his teachings.  His teachings were to show people the way to the Father through his teachings.  Even the perverstion of "The only way to heaven is through Christ."   It simply means that to get to heaven is to be like Christ and follow his teachings.   It does not mean to worship him as God.   Never has, never did, never will.
9801
I think most people would admit that there are at least discrepancies in the Bible. Even between one version to another certain verses can mean totally different things. Really a lot has been lost from the Bible, however the LDS still believe it to be truth as far as it has been translated correctly. \n\nLDS people 'switch to their scriptures' when explaining their religion because they believe that the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon is the keystone of their religion. \n\nIt still doesn't 'prove' anything. Nothing can 'prove' the LDS religion except for faith. The Book of Mormon is often the path that people follow in developing that faith. \n\nIf you want to learn more about the Book of Mormon and why the LDS care so much about it, then by all means read it. It's an interesting read, often complex in it's story and plot, but simple in the gospel principals it bears testimony of. \n\nYou can find out more about the LDS faith and get a Book of Mormon by visiting www.mormon.org.
1117590
Anti-Mormons often twist our doctrines out of context to make people falsely believe that Latter-Day Saints denigrate Jesus and consider Satan and the Lord to be equals. Of course, anyone familiar with our beliefs about Jesus Christ knows that we have the utmost respect and reverence for Our Savior and Redeemer.\n\nFirst, Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God the Father (and is therefore divine) and the mortal virgin Mary. Satan, a malignant spirit, does not share this parental heritage of Jesus, and cannot be considered divine in any respect. Therefore, in the usual way that we speak of brothers and sisters, Jesus and Satan are not brothers.\n\nHowever, Latter-day Saints believe that God is our Father in Heaven. Before we came to this world, we all lived as spirits under his care and guidance. We believe that God begat or created the spirits of Jesus, Lucifer, and all of the human family as his children. Our Heavenly Father is literally the father of our spirits. Jesus Christ is considered the preeminent "firstborn" or "firstbegotten" (see Hebrews 1:4-6; Firstborn in the Spirit)\n\nEven though God the Father created all of our spirits, we were not equal in that premortal state. Jesus was a member of the Eternal Godhead, through his own innate worthiness, and created the universe under the Father’s direction. The Godhead is comprised of our Heavenly Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Since the Fall of Adam, the Father has represented himself to the world through Jesus Christ. Jesus was Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament.\n\nLucifer, who was never a member of the Godhead like Jesus, rebelled against God, and was forever cast out. He became Satan, our adversary. Unlike Jesus or us, Lucifer will never be born into a physical body. \n\nLatter-day Saint scriptures summarize this issue as follows:\n\nAND I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying--Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.\n\nBut, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me--Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.\n\nWherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;\n\nAnd he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice. (The Pearl of Great Price, Moses 4:1-4)\n\nSo it can be said that Jesus and Lucifer were brothers, in the sense of both being spiritually begotten by the Father, but it is a misrepresentation to say so without giving the contextual background. Whatever similarities in background exist between Jesus and Satan pale compared to the differences. Jesus is the Beloved and Chosen, who is the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh.