Is Mormonism a cult or a branch of Christianity?

The most common definition of a cult is a group where coercion is used.

According to the Cult Information Centrem, characteristics of a cult include, but are not restricted to:

1.) Members lie about the doctrine in order to get more members

2.) You have to pay to join (not always monetary)

3.) The others will make it difficult for you to leave, using tactics ranging from emotional blackmail to all-out violence

4.) The leader(s) don't have accountability

This definitely applies to some branches of Mormonism such as the FLDS, but I would not know how much of the more 'mainstream' LDS can truly be considered a cult.

Mormonism is generally thought of a branch of Christianity. It differs from the usual Christianity by an extra Testament. But then, Christianity itself differs from Judaism by an extra Testament and is NOT classified as a branch of Judaism. The deciding factor seems to be self-identification - Mormons consider themselves Christians, and indeed worship Jesus. Christians, on the other hand, do not consider themselves Judaists.

To many christians the definition of cult literally is, anything outside their own faith.

So in that respect, sure we are.

I guess the answer to your question is, how do you define Christianity, and how do you define cult.

From the horses mouth, (im lds), we believe in christ, we teach of christ, we follow christ to the very best of our ability. We dont badmouth other religions and we try to reach out to others in practice instead of only a sunday doctrine. We repent, we serve, we look to God for all direction.

People are welcome to come and go as they want. I do, and have. AS have several of my friends. I tend to define a cult as a group which is so extreme one cant leave without severe persecution. And as much as ex-mos like to pretend their persecution is of note, it actually boils down to their mom making comments worrying about their eternal state and maybe a couple calls from a bishop or missionary making sure everything is ok. Hardly harassment. More like people who have cared about you and known you since you were a child being sincerely worried about your abrupt change in belief. Would seem rather calous for people to not give a crap about such a hufe life choice. But no, there is no "brain control" or creepy tactics. Its a freaking church.

But like I said, the answer will depend wholly on who you ask and how they define those 2 words.

Mormon is a sort of Christian,and there bible is seemlier,regardless of the undeniable fact that it has cult ties dating back long be for they settled in Salt Lake city.having greater desirable than one spouse became allowed by way of a guy if he could desire to help them.The church bandied this theory because of the fact of regulations of marriage and society.There are spin off cults and a guy can no longer legally marry a woman of 13-15 with mothers permission who continuously supplies it

Our church is restored.

Dictionary definitions of a cult have these elements in common:

Relatively small group

Excessive devotion to a person or idea

Unethical techniques

Control by threats and isolation

Powerful group pressures

Fear of consequences of leaving

Abnormal dependency on the group

Strange beliefs

To someone who knows Mormonism, these descriptions don’t match up with our characteristics, but let’s consider them one by one.

Small? We have 14 million members in 132 countries. In America, there are more Mormons than there are Presbyterians or Jews.

The average American thinks that most Mormons live in Utah, but over half of all Mormons are not residents of the United States, and only 14% live in Utah, a percentage that is decreasing. For some name-callers, however, size doesn’t matter: they even label Catholics a cult.

Excessive devotion? We are devoted to the Savior, but in appropriate measure we think He would approve of.

Unethical techniques? Ask the pie-throwers to name one.

Control by isolation? Even if we wanted to, this would be impossible with 14 million members in 28,000 congregations throughout the world.

Control by threats? Again, evidence? Our missionaries may be exuberant, but we do not threaten.

Dependency on the group? Our goal is just the opposite. We want our members to be self-reliant and independent so they in turn can help others.

Powerful group pressure? Only if that’s the way our critics prefer to define love.

Strange? There they’ve got us. We plead guilty to all the strange things that were done by Christians in New Testament times that were lost during the great falling away in the aptly named Dark Ages, among them temple worship, vicarious baptism for the dead, prophets and apostles, unpaid clergy, and continual revelation from God to guide His church.

Let others call us a cult if they feel such tactics will, more effectively than doctrine, attract followers. When Mormons hear that word spit at us, we can only wonder whether our accusers are all that confident in their own positions and legitimacy.

Ridicule Comes With the Territory

Calling us a cult today cannot be the first time in history that a religion has been ridiculed with that word or an equivalent pejorative.

If Adam and Eve had had contemporary critics, our first parents surely would have been mocked as members of a nudist cult. And can you imagine the fun mockers must have had when Noah built a boat and gathered animals?

The Savior Himself did not escape it. He was mocked, scourged, spit upon, and put to death by the most cruel method devised by man because He dared to form what the elite, powerful, and supposedly wise of His day undoubtedly considered a cult.

Not every person who is smeared with ridicule is a prophet of God, but every prophet of God has been and will be smeared.

It is not a true christian religion.

If you read the book of mormon, they do not believe that jesus is divine. They believe jesus was a prophet.

Mormons will tell you they are christian, and they may believe it.

In some ways, it does constitute a cult. it requires a 10% tithe, or so I believe. It keeps non believers away from its secret ceremonies that included weddings. It also baptises dead people, non christians. There have been problems because they have baptized posthumously people who were jewish, catholic. probably hindus etc

Both.

By the way, *all* religions are cults. By definition.

Peace.

Dear Mormons, you believe that God the Father was a man before becoming God and do not accept the triunity of God, so you are preaching a FALSE GOSPEL. Preachers and believers of False Gospels are on the wide road to eternal torment.

Almighty God was, is and will always be triune (one God in three persons, not three gods). God is comprised of the Father, the Son (Lord Jesus) and the Holy Spirit, each serving a function. There is only one God (Isa 43:10-11; 44:6,8; 45:21-22; 46:9; John 17:3; 1 John 5:20-21). The Father is God (1 Peter 1:2; Philippians 2:11), the Lord Jesus Christ is God (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1; 20:28; Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:7-8; 2 Peter 1:1; Titus 2:13) and the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; Acts 28:25-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 3:17).

Since Christianity began there were always souls on the earth who belonged to Christ and had worshiped and fellowshipped together. THERE WAS NEVER A NEED FOR ANY PARTICULAR BUILDING OR FOR RESTORATION. The Church has always been a spiritual body of souls belonging to Lord Jesus Christ who is the head of that body (Colossians 1:18; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:15-16). It's good to worship and fellowship with believers and help and edify one another in love. Church is not made of earthly material.

Mormons, you hold in your temples rituals largely borrowed from Free Masonry, trust in "blessed" clothing for protection, believe the lie that women should not be allowed any position of authority in the Church and embrace the false doctrine of Christians being required to tithe.

On Tithing: God Does Not Command Us to Give 10% or Any Fixed % of Our Salary or Property

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lypPT-x68BI

IT IS VITAL TO OUR SALVATION THAT WE BELIEVE AND PREACH GOD’S TRUE AND UNCORRUPTED GOSPEL (GALATIANS 1:8).

IN THE BOOK OF MORMON AND OTHER LDS DOCTRINES, THERE ARE SEVERAL CONTRADICTIONS WITH THE BIBLE AS WELL AS WITH OBJECTIVE FACTS.

MORMON DOCTRINES VERSES THE BIBLE

THE BIBLE TELLS US THE CHURCH BEGAN IN 33 AD (MT 16:18 ACTS 2)

The Book of Mormon says the Church began in 147 BC, (Mosiah 18:17)

IN THE BIBLE, "DISCIPLES WERE FIRST CALLED CHRISTIANS IN ANTIOCH" 40 AD, (ACTS 11:26)

Alma 46:13-16 supposedly written in 73 BC refers to Nephites as Christians

THE BIBLE SAYS JESUS IS THE ONLY HEAD OF THE CHURCH (COL 1:18)

Joseph Smith is head of Mormon church because Mormons trust in Smith’s false doctrines (D&C 28:2-6)

THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRIST BROUGHT END TO AARONIC PRIESTHOOD AND IS THE ONLY HIGH PRIEST AFTER MANNER OF MELCHIZEDEK. (HEB 5:9; II TIM 2:2)

LDS teach only they have authority to baptize, ordain, etc - have two-part system of priesthood - Melchizedek and Aaronic

THE BIBLE REVEALS THAT WE ARE SPIRITUALLY DEAD UNTIL OUR SPIRITUAL REBIRTH. (I PET 1:23; II COR 5:17)

According to Mormon teachings, baptism into LDS Church is how persons are born again

THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT JESUS WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM WHICH IS ABOUT 10 KM SOUTH OF JERUSALEM (MT 2:1 + MT 21:17)

The Book of Mormon says "He shall be born of Mary at Jerusalem" (Alma 7:10)

IN THE BIBLE IT SAYS THAT THERE WERE 3 HOURS OF DARKNESS AT CRUCIFIXION (LK 23:44)

The Book of Mormon says there were 3 days of darkness at crucifixion (Hel 14:20-27)

THE BIBLE CLEARLY STATES THAT GOD IS SPIRIT WITHOUT FLESH &BONES (JN 4:24; LK 24:39)

Mormon doctrines teach that God has flesh and bones like man: (D&C 130:22)

THE BIBLE TEACHES THERE IS NO PRE-EXISTENCE OF THE SOUL - GOD CREATED OUR BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT (ZECH 12:1; PS 139:13-16)

Mormon doctrines teach that everyone pre-existed - we all exist eternally

ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, THERE IS NO MARRIAGE IN HEAVEN (MATTHEW 22:30)

LDS doctrines claim the ability to bear children in Heaven and the must of having a Temple Marriage

THE BIBLE SAYS MARY WAS ". . . WITH CHILD OF THE HOLY GHOST." (MATT 1:18)

LDS believe God, as a resurrected, physical man, is literal Father of Jesus - same manner in which men are conceived on earth

BOOK OF MORMON VERSES FACTS

BOOK OF MORMON: Native Americans wrote many official records (Hel 3:13), scrolls (Mor 5:23) and other writings (Mor 9:2; 2 Nephi 9:18)

SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORICAL FACT: Native Americans never wrote books but used simple pictures to communicate

BOOK OF MORMON: Native Americans are descended from Jews

SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORICAL FACT: Being "mongoloid", they are descended from East Asia

BOOK OF MORMON: God cursed Native Americans with dark skin. Anyone who marries a Native American shall get dark skin too (2 Nephi 5:21-23; Jacob 3:3-9; Mormon 5:15-17; Alma 3:6-10)

SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORICAL FACT: If this were true, there would be no part Native Americans, only full-blooded Native Americans. The statement is genetically false

BOOK OF MORMON: When Native Americans accept Mormon teachings they will become, "white and delightsome people" (2 Nephi 30:5-7; 3 Nephi2:15)

SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORICAL FACT: This is white supremacist racism and implies a correlation between skin colour and righteousness (at one time, Mormons wouldn't baptize Negroes)

BOOK OF MORMON: Horses, cows, oxen & asses were all native to North America (1 Nephi18:25)

SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORICAL FACT: Horses, cows, oxen & asses were all introduced to North America by European settlers

6 Reasons the Mormon Church’s structure is not like the early Christian church

1. There were more than 12 Apostles in the early church

2. Once a foundation is built, it no longer needs to be rebuilt

3. The LDS Church’s organizational structure is backward when it places Prophets over Apostles. God set Apostles to be first in the Church OVER Prophets

4. The position of “Seventy” did not exist in the early church

5. The office of “Priests” did not exist in the early church

6. Deacons were not 12 year old boys in the early church

http://www.4mormon.org/church-organization/

In the Mormon Church there are symbols and temple rituals borrowed largely from Freemasonry. This is because the founder, Joseph Smith was a Freemason (this is common knowledge). His doctrines therefore cannot be trusted.

http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/so...

Testimonies from ex-Mormons Bishops and others who left the Church founded by Joseph Smith for true Christianity:

http://www.4mormon.org/ex-mormons/ex-mormon-testim...

REDEMPTION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

Because mankind is incapable of meeting God’s standard of perfection necessary to abide in God’s presence (Romans 3:19-20,23), God sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the total debt for the believer’s sins and mercifully credits to his account Christ’s righteousness (Romans 3:21-28,5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Jesus’ gracious act of atonement was complete and covers all sin (Colossians 2:13-14; 1 John 1:9). Salvation is not based on good deeds but according to the mercy of God (Titus 3:4-5). Believers are justified by faith; it is a gift by God’s grace (Romans 4:3-8; Ephesians 2:8-9). A true, living faith will result in a desire to live a holy, loving life of good works (Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:6; James 2:14-26), but failure to be absolutely successful at righteous living does not negate the believer’s justified status.

https://victoryinjesuschrist.wordpress.com/

BOTH.