EDITORIAL:
Name change can't cover differences
___Beware of sects in saints' clothing.
___That's a caution Baptists and other historic Christians should take to heart in light of the latest public relations move by the Mormons.
___The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints never has embraced its more commonly used name, the Mormon Church. "I don't mind being called a Mormon, but I don't want it said that I belong to the Mormon Church," Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the ruling Council of the 12 Apostles, told the New York Times.
___But now the Mormons are seeking to emphasize only part of their name, a move seemingly designed to move them--at least in public perception--into the mainstream of American religion.
___In addition to its full name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the group now wishes to be called by a couple of attractive-but-misleading names: the Church of Jesus Christ, or even more simply, the Church.
___"This has been their pattern for years," notes Maurice Smith, a retired interfaith witness specialist with the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board who now teaches at Wayland Baptist University's San Antonio campus.
___The group, founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith (1805-1844), originally wanted the name "the Church of Christ," but that moniker had been claimed by Alexander Campbell and his followers, Smith said. For a time, they went by "the Church of Jesus Christ" and eventually settled on "the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." They always resisted being called the "Mormon Church."
___"The Mormons for years claimed they were not Christians, but in recent years they have claimed they are Christians," Smith reported. "This is another step, another move to gain credibility."
___That could result in dire consequences for people who mistake Mormonism for historic, biblically based Christianity. They use much of the same language of Christianity, but with different meanings.
___"Their main purpose is to enable people to progress to godhood--the path of spiritual progression," Smith said. "They mention the Bible, but most of their doctrine comes from another holy book, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' which, along with the Bible (except its 'errors'), 'The Book of Mormon,' the 'Pearl of Great Price' and the proclamations of their present president, all are considered authoritative."
___In light of Mormons' name change and attempts at mainstreaming, Baptists need to be aware of basic doctrinal differences between historic Christianity and Mormonism. A chart prepared several years ago by the Home Mission Board's interfaith witness department includes differences relating to:
___ Supreme Being. Historic Christianity, including Baptists, views the one God as Creator and Lord of history, who eternally exists as the Trinity--Father, Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Mormons believe God is an exalted man with a physical body who was a man in pre-existence.
___ Jesus. Christians understand Jesus is one eternal Person with two natures, fully human and fully divine, who was the supreme example of God's character and love for humanity. Mormons teach Jesus is the spiritual and physical offspring of God by procreation, who pre-existed as God's spirit child and is the brother of Lucifer.
___ Work of Jesus. Christians believe Jesus lived, died and was resurrected in a given time and place. They also believe he is the Messiah, Lord and Savior, who lived a sinless life and willingly died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Mormons believe Jesus' death guarantees immortality to all, regardless of their faith, but one's "exaltation" must be completed by works.
___ Humanity. Christians recognize humanity is part of creation but distinct from the rest of creation and from God, and that human beings are created in God's image --unique, precious and possessing dignity. Mormons claim humans are pre-existent offspring of God, basically good and more or less "gods in embryo."
___ Solution to sin. Christianity proclaims salvation is God's gift of grace through Christ's atonement, received through personal faith in Christ. Mormons teach "exaltation" or godhood is attainable through obedience to Mormon teachings--repentance, faith, baptism, endowments, celestial marriage and tithing. They also believe some non-Mormons can be saved through baptism for the dead.
___The differences between Mormonism and Christianity are significant and cannot be covered by a name change. Christians must remain vigilant to contend for truth. The eternal destiny of souls is at stake.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
The Baptist Standard
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