Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints identify unequivocally as Christians and followers of Jesus Christ, despite the Church's refusal to accept post-New Testament creeds as binding statements of faith, according to official Church documentation.
Distinction From Creedal Christianity
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains through its official FAQ that members, who are more properly referred to as Latter-day Saints, affirm their Christian identity. However, this identity does not imply complete doctrinal agreement with other Christian traditions, such as Catholics or evangelicals.
In a 2010 Church Newsroom essay, Nate Nielson noted that identifying as Christian does not require aligning perfectly with other Christian denominations. Nielson explained that some Christians use the term "Christian" as a shorthand for "creedal Christian," a narrower term referring to adherence to specific creeds formulated centuries after the biblical writings and which are not themselves considered canonical.
Rejection of Post-New Testament Creeds
The Church's position on historical creeds, such as the Nicene Creed, is one of non-adherence. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Nicene Creed is a Christian statement of faith accepted as authoritative by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and major Protestant churches.
Nate Nielson stated in his 2010 essay that the Church is not interested in parsing semantics or embracing the Nicene Creed or other post-New Testament creeds to gain acceptance within the world of Christian orthodoxy. He noted that while common ground exists between Latter-day Saints and creedal Christians, the differences between the two remain substantial.
Historical Shifts in Doctrine
A 2016 Gospel Topics essay titled "Are 'Mormons' Christian?" outlines the Church's doctrinal stance, stating that Latter-day Saints do not accept the confessions and formulations of post-New Testament Christianity. The essay attributes the development of these later creedal formulations to shifts in early Christian thought and the interaction with Greek philosophy.
Scholars have noted that the view of God held by the earliest Christians changed significantly over several centuries. Early views were more personal, anthropomorphic, and less abstract than the views that emerged from creeds written hundreds of years later. This ideological shift began in the second century A.D. following the loss of apostolic authority, resulting from the merger of Christian doctrine with Greek philosophy.
Beliefs Regarding the Godhead
Regarding the nature of the Godhead, the Church affirms belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The Church's first Article of Faith states a belief in God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
While the roles ascribed to members of the Godhead largely correspond with the views of other Christian religions, specific differences exist. Latter-day Saints believe that God and Jesus Christ are glorified, physical beings and that each member of the Godhead is a separate being. Despite not accepting post-New Testament creeds, the Church maintains that its members rely deeply on each member of the Godhead in daily devotion and worship, similar to early Christians.
Restoration Versus Reformation
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not claim to descend from the historical lines of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestant traditions. Instead, the Church describes its identity as a "restored" church rather than a "reformed" one.
