Absolutely! Mormons believe that it is self-evident, through their core doctrines, practices, and commitment to Jesus Christ, that members of The Church of Jesus Christ, are Christians in the truest sense.
The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.[1]
Like other Christians, Mormons believe Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God. Their everyday lives are centered in Him. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” [Romans 8:16]. Christ, however, was the Only Begotten in the flesh, and Mormons worship Him as the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. Mormons believe in His infinite atoning sacrifice and literal resurrection, and that “salvation is everlastingly in Jesus Christ.”[2]
Personal Response by Stephen Robinson
What is usually meant that Mormons are not Christians is that Mormons are not “our kind of Christians.”It is a historical fact that Latter-day Saints believe the New Testament and worship Jesus Christ.However, they are not traditional, historic evangelical or Orthodox Christians. Non-Christian religions, such as Islam and Judaism, consider Latter-day Saints to be Christian because they accept and worship Jesus.
Mormons accept the entire the New Testament, including Jesus’ tolerance of non-standard preachers in his own day, “Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us” (see Luke 9:49-50).
In the end only the individual Latter-day Saint can answer such a questions because Christianity in any denomination it is a matter of personal faith in and commitment to Christ.
Stephen E. Robinson, Are Mormons Christians? (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1991).
Personal Response by Karen Merkley
I have to say that I marvel that Mormons’ Christ-centeredness can be so under-received or unknown, but then shouldn’t really, because Christ himself was misperceived. In the wheel of Christianity, Mormonism is the hub. We are centered in a true knowledge of Christ and the fulness of His gospel.
I’m a Mormon-Italian-American, mother of two beautiful girls, and convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love Jesus Christ and recognize Him as my personal Savior. Am I a Christian? Certainly an imperfect one, but certainly, “yes.”
I glanced at a few definitions of “Christian” on the Internet:
- A religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
- Following the teachings or manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus Christ
- A person who believes in Christianity; also an adjective
www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/festivals-christmas.htm - Religious organizations that provide opportunities for people to satisfy their inner needs and enhance their spiritual growth through organized worship or through other devotional activities under the auspices of one of the group of religious faiths that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ …
nccs2.urban.org/ntee-cc/x.htm - “Christ’s ones,” that is, believers in Christ. In Acts 11:26 it says that “the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. …
*answering-islam.org/Testimonies/TruePath/glossary.htm - a strongly Hellenized religion that began as a Jewish theological contention that a certain Jesus (Yeshu) of Nazareth (b. ca. 4 BC) was the prophesied Messiah (Greek, Christos). …
www.hotcakencyclopedia.com/ho.GlossaryNonIndianNation.html - Christian, as distinguished from Jewish
encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861674910/gentile.html - This is simply the word to denote a person who is a follower of Jesus and his teachings.
www.highwaychurchofchrist.com/dictionary/
By any of those, we fit. I fit. But I don’t need them to tell me that I’m Christian. My relationship with Jesus Christ defines my Christianity; Christianity does not define my relationship with Jesus Christ. I can’t even think of my life apart from my life in Christ. I wake up to Him every day, live for Him, and go to bed after talking with the Father in His name. Like hundreds of thousands of Mormons, I look to the Lord constantly for guidance, revelation, power, vision, strength, and forgiveness.
I know, like other Christians, that amassing treasure, flirting with worldly pleasures, and seeking fame, are like jumping on an endless carousel, spinning carnal circles around peace. There “is a more excellent way” through Jesus Christ who offers the greatest trove of riches, joy, stability and rest we can ever receive (1 Cor: 12:31).
My personal relationship with the Savior grows. I remember the August evening, under a clear sky, brightened by a full moon, when an undeniable witness of Him was infused into my soul. It was a gift-a testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ and an overwhelming feeling of His personal love for me. I recall pouring over His words in the New Testament, learning of Him and His teachings. I was overcome that He, who had spared my life physically, died to save me spiritually. After recording the principal points of His doctrine and teachings, I began to search for the Church that adhered to the same. I recall finding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I embraced it, and became a Christian–a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I recall other triple-lutz turning points-letting go of clutching the covers of my life so tightly, and letting the Lord take more and more control. I recall the moment, twenty-some years ago, that I knelt down and turned my will over to His in a more complete way. I remember letting go of what others think of me, and having Him define me. I remember deciding to put His work first, and to make all of my work, His.
I have felt His closeness in the white hot flame of the refiner’s fire. I’ve been constantly awed as He shines the high beams on His word, and I receive memo after memo of His love, will, direction and counsel. I have joy in my relationship with Him. I’ve known his grace and atoning power as I’ve continued to overcome my weaknesses and grow in my discipleship. I have felt His love and signature across the pages of my life.
Related Scriptures
D&C 76:41-42: This verse sites the reason for Jesus Christ’s coming to earth.
John 10:17-18: This verse explains one of the ways Jesus qualified to be the Savior.
2 Nephi 9:6-26; 3 Nephi 27:13-20: These verses explain the purpose of the atonement of Jesus Christ.
D&C 19:18-19: This verse describes what Jesus Christ felt under the weight of our sins in the Garden of Gethsamene.