What is the difference between Mormons and Christians?
I have often been asked this question. It often feels like a request to help people justify their biases. They seem to want to hear things that they can say - "Well I don't believe that! Now, I don't need to concern myself with THAT anymore."
I have to recognize that the person asking the question is not likely intending this distinction, but most likely trying to understand better something they know little about - Mormons - by comparing and contrasting it to something that they feel that they know something about - Christianity.
I can ascertain this with significant assurity at this point, because I have realized that those who feel the necesity to exclude Mormons from the umbrella of Christianity never ask the differentiating question. They have already been 'informed'. They don't need - or want - any additional explanation. But I will leave the discussion of "Mormons aren't Christians" for another time.
So with this question, I need to visualize how Mormons differentiate themselves in the world of Christianity. Some fear exclusion to such an extent, that there response to the question is to eliminate the perception of any difference. In search of common ground, we minimize the differences and magnify the similarities. To head down that path, forces a confrontation with result of the First Vision. If there is no difference between Mormons and the rest of the Christian world, then there is no need for the existance of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The whole purpose of its existence is points to that singular request "which church is true?" and the subsequent response of "none of them." Recognizing that this is not a very politically correct response- it is a bit polemic, if we can't see the difference between what we believe as Mormons and what other Christians believe, we have failed to comprehend the magnitude of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is useful to recognize that our similarities are often much greater than our differences in order to engage in discussion of differences. We must recognize though that too much preoccupation on discussing our similarities weakens the opportunity to declare and defend bold and exciting truths.
Similarity
The most significant declaration of similarity is our mutual belief in Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of the Father. We mutually believe that He lived a perfect life, and organized a church to teach the world how to follow His example as disciples. We solemnly agree that through the grace of his atoning sacrifice, He has paid for our sins and provided conditions for obtaining mreciful reprieve from the demands of justice and the punishments affixed to non-compliance with eternal laws. Without His atoning Grace, none of us would be able to return to live with our Father in Heaven. We joy in the celebration of His birth and in the glorious Good News of His resurrection.
This is significant common ground that is a necessary baseline of understanding prior to discussing differences. Some suggest that Momorns only pay lipservice to these ideas in order to cloak themselves for inclusion into the Christian Community. That leads for a frustrating discussion. I have found it difficult to be informed by others that my true beliefs are not my stated beliefs. While I recognize that I may not be a PhD in Mormon Studies, I find it safe to say that I am the World Expert on the Randy Ostler belief system. To have someone attempt to clarify to my what my beliefs 'truly are' bursts any attempt to contain the abusuridty. I only bring this out because, too often I have had to redirect others when they have attempted to clarify for me what my beliefs are.
Differentiators
One of the most visible differentiators is Mormon's compliance to the teachings found in the Word of Wisdom (Doctrine and Covenants, section 89). Avoidance of Alcohol, Coffee, Tea and Tobacco creates a notable demarcation of activity. It makes us 'peculiar'. Yet, I fear that it becomes somewhat of a Pharisaic differentiation that is inconsistent with Savior's condemnation of attempted self-elevation through meticulous adherence to visible activities.
Mormons also hold to high standards of ethics and morality. Unfortunately there will always be evidence of those not living up to the standard of expectation, but the standard is there, the principles are taught clearly and unequivicably. Inidividual's failure to comply is part of the human experience. Overcoming such failures part of thier individual obligations. Judgment is the Lord's. While it is true that the LDS church teaches high standards, to attempt to differentiate ourselves here is again Pharasaic. It presumes the standards and morals of others are not similar to ours. How could we assume such a thing?
Mormons share a belief with the Protestant wing of the Christian community that God inspired men to write, preserve and promote the writing of scripture for the benefit of teaching, correcting and admonishing of mankind. We differ in that we don't believe that the Bible contains all of God's revealed truth, nor all of his inspired assitance to preserve such truths. God has not been muzzled. He has not chosen to shun us by hiding His face or witholding His inspiring guidance.
Out of fear of loss of control of the standardization of God's will, new scripture is anathema to those who have mastered the liturgy of dead prophets. Such cannot be corrected in their wisdom and sophistry once the prophet is dead. Living prophets have always been a threat to the student of the law. It was so during the life of the Savior, it remains so now. Christ's adomonition to us was that the Holy Spirit would guide us to all truth. It is through living in harmony with His Spirit that truth and error may be differentiated. While this is a clear differentiation, it matters little if it is not reflected in some difference in the lives of the adherent.
What then is the difference between Mormons and the rest of the Christian Community? What is the answer to the question?
Mormonism teaches discipleship through a covenant relationship with God. Discipleship, spiritual growth and sancitification (a regularly misunderstood prinicple) require faithful fidelity and adherence to covenants we make with God. Being good is Good. Being faithful through adversity is better, but consecrated commitment to the individually tailored requests that God asks of us stretch our souls in ways that cannot be achieved without first learning to make and keep commitments.
Our baptismal covenant is a promise of discipleship. Our weekly sacrament covenant is a recommitment to our discipleship and a persistent reminder of the life and grace of Jesus Christ. In our remembrance, we are promised His Spirit. His Spirit guides us to truth, helps us differentiate between good and evil and acts as a sanctifying agent on our souls as we harmonize our will to be consistent with having the Comforter with us.
Temple covenants teach us what is expected of us to gain Eternal life. Compliance with those covenants give us claim on Christ's greatest blessings as joint-heirs of the Father.
This coventant relationship with God differentiates us significantly from the Catholic who is taught to maintain proximity and faithfulness to the Catholic church in order to maintain access to the supererogating absolution directed solely through the Catholic church.
This covenant relationship differentiates us signficantly from the Evangelical whose recognition of the Spiritual truths of the gospel in their lives becomes the salient 'saving' event in their lives. The cognition of salvation through Jesus Christ becomes a stumbling block rather than the starting block of entering into a life of discipleship. A misunderstanding of the relationship between doing God's will and accepting Jesus fully compensating Grace become at odds with each other rather than reinforcing truths.
President Howard W. Hunter asked that we might make the temple the symbol of our religion. I think this is consistent with the recognition that it is our covenant relationship that differentiates us. In the temple, we are blessed to seal those covenants and seal up our hearts to God unto Eternal Life.
