THE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Compared to Mainline Christian Religions.
Growing up as the middle child of seven is a difficult task in it's own. However, growing up in a highly religious Latter Day Saint home proved to be the more enduring task. When I was younger I was often asked if I was a Christian. I was taught by both my parents and my Sunday school teachers that, yes indeed Mormons are Christians. .
However, I have found that it has only been in the last 30 years that the members of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also referred to as Mormons due to their belief in the Book Of Mormon) have wanted to be called Christians. Historically speaking, members preferred not to be included with any other Christian denomination. In fact, Joseph Smith, the church's founder prophesized against all other religions stating "all wrong . all their creeds were an admonition in his sight, and that those professors (Christians) were all corrupt" (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith, 2:18) .
In the early days of the church, members of the Mormon religion had favored to be referred to as Modern day Saints. However, in the past 15 years the LDS church has spent much time, energy and money on moving the church into the mainstream of Christianity. One of the main reasons I feel that they have worked so diligently to present themselves as Christians is it makes it easier for them to be accepted as traditional Christians. Therefore, it greatly aids in proselytizing the members of Christian denominations into the LDS church. There are many political and economic benefits of Mormons being included in the mainstream of Christianity and overcoming the stigma of being a cult. .
The name Christian was first used, as Acts 11:26 records, to identify the disciples of Jesus Christ. The word "Christian" is the Greek word "christianos," and it means an adherent of Jesus Christ.