The Truth About Mormons

As a Mormon, it's been frustrating to hear others tell me what I am and what I'm not. As a patriotic American, I firmly believe that it's up to the individual, and not uninformed "experts", to decide what he or she is. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Christians. It says it in our name. How can anyone doubt that, given that the first few words of the title are "Church of Jesus Christ"?

Yes, my beliefs may be a little different than those of Mr. Jeffress. I believe that Christ is a separate being from Heavenly Father, but that they are one in purpose. (Is this so radical?) I believe that only through the Atonement of Christ can we be saved, by grace after all we can do. I also believe that Christ is the head of the Church and that the gospel was restored through Joseph Smith. I do not worship Joseph Smith or any of our prophets. I revere them as great, mortal men who were neither perfect nor divine.

This is a well-loved hymn of our church that clearly states how we feel about the Savior and Redeemer of the World:

I believe in Christ; he is my King!
With all my heart to him I'll sing;
I'll raise my voice in praise and joy,
In grand amens my tongue employ.
I believe in Christ; he is God's Son.
On earth to dwell his soul did come.
He healed the sick; the dead he raised.
Good works were his; his name be praised.

Here are a few articles from people who have really stepped back to examine just one more prejudiced attack on an American minority:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/post/amos-and-andy-and-the-book-of-mormon/2011/06/15/AGRlHPWH_blog.html 


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203633104576623254205029400.html


http://nation.foxnews.com/mitt-romney/2011/10/08/anti-mormon-pastor-anderson-cooper-romney-may-belong-cult-he-better-obama

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/frame_game/2011/10/mitt_romney_s_mormon_cult_controversy_anti_mormonism_is_the_prej.html

While Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and members of other religions are not Christian, I would never group them in the "cult" category either, Mr. Jeffress. Most are good people. Every religion has extremists, and those groups probably have as many extremists as Christian churches do.

As Americans, we're trying to make it through racial prejudice. Let's try to make it through religious prejudice too!