AboutMichael Kelley Expertise For a different viewpoint on Mormonism for your questions, try me. I am a staunch believer in the Book of Mormon and belong to another church (the Church of Christ)that is set up identically to the Biblical church. If there are things about traditional Mormonism that trouble you or you have questions about, just ask and you might find the answers from the Book of Mormon to be quite surprising. I have been studying the scriptures diligently for 16 years under the school of hard knocks... I may not have all of the answers but will sure go find them if I don`t. I`m strongest on Biblical and Book of Mormon doctrines, and am also somewhat familiar with Mormon history and archaeology.
I posted the following on the community of Christ website, and I have the same question for you.
Hello,
I was on a different forum and I mentioned your websites support for the environment. I mentioned that you were the only Mormon branch that had anything environmental. An LDS responded and said you weren't Mormons. I looked in the dictiionary and they only had 2 definitions, The ancient character who wrote the Book of Mormon, and members of the LDS church. I was wondering if you feel the term Mormon should be reserved for only LDS members?
Answer Hi John,
I will be happy to answer your questions. Please note I am ex-LDS and belong to the original Church of Christ that believes in the Book of Mormon (BoM).
Most LDS are unaware of other factions that believe in the Book of Mormon (and Bible). Today there are some 100 different factions, most are small and obscure. The Church of Christ is probably the 3rd largest of the factions.
I have a different outlook on what a "Mormon" is. Technically we are not what modern day folks term as a Mormon because we have no affiliation with the Utah LDS church. However... who was the ancient prophet "Mormon" as described in the Book of Mormon? He was instrumental in compiling the ancient writings of the Nephites, and including his own writings, created the compilation of books and thus the book was titled the Book of Mormon. Mormon's religion was fundamental Christianity... identical to Biblical Christianity in every point.
Unfortunately, because of many mistakes of Joseph Smith, and even worse ones by Brigham Young, many false doctrines were introduced into the restoration or LDS church. These false doctrines are not once mentioned in the Book of Mormon, and even in many ways strongly taught AGAINST. Doctrines such as polygamy (which the BoM describes as a whoredom and abomination to God), 1st President, a Changing or Evolving God, man becoming Gods, Celestial Marriage, Baptism for the Dead, 3 Degrees of Glory etc. are all false doctrines not supported by the BoM in the least degree.
So the net result is in many ways the LDS Utah church have abandoned the teachings of Mormon and the Book of Mormon and have instead followed the teachings of Smith, Young and their latter day prophets.
In reality the LDS are NOT true Mormons (or what Mormon was... a fundamental Christian)... they are Smith-ites or Young-ites. I find it ironic the faction that follows Mormon the LEAST use his name the most. The Church of Christ (and to certain degrees the other factions) are much more in line with the teachings of Christ and the Christian named Mormon. Church of Christ members prefer to be called Christians... just as the ancient prophet Mormon was.
I hope this helps answer your questions, feel free to ask others if you wish.
