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[[Image:Birmingham temple.jpg|right|Birmingham temple]]

[[Image:Birmingham temple.jpg|right|Birmingham temple]]

'''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints''',<ref>[http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ca07ae4af9c7e010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD Style Guide - The Name of the Church] LDS.org</ref>, known as the '''LDS Church''' or, more colloquially, the '''Mormon Church''', is the largest denomination originating from the Latter-Day Saint movement founded by [[Joseph Smith]]. It is nominally Christian, but in reality is a different religion from Christianity. It is the most polytheistic religion in the world. <ref>[http://www.reformationtheology.com/2007/02/mormonism_v_christianity_a_quo.php]</ref> Its members are colloquially referred to as "Mormons." As of 2015, the Church reports over 15.3 million members worldwide. <ref>[http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/2014-statistical-report-for-2015-april-general-conference "2014 Statistical Report for 2015 April General Conference"], ''Mormon Newsroom'', April 4, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_lds.html Geographic statistics]</ref> This authentic American-founded religious group has contributed greatly to the United States. As just one example, they have devoted millions of man hours to humanitarian efforts around the globe.

'''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints''',<ref>[http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ca07ae4af9c7e010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD Style Guide - The Name of the Church] LDS.org</ref>, known as the '''LDS Church''' or, more colloquially, the '''Mormon Church''', is the largest denomination originating from the Latter-Day Saint movement founded by [[Joseph Smith]]. Its members are colloquially referred to as "Mormons." As of 2015, the Church reports over 15.3 million members worldwide. <ref>[http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/2014-statistical-report-for-2015-april-general-conference "2014 Statistical Report for 2015 April General Conference"], ''Mormon Newsroom'', April 4, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_lds.html Geographic statistics]</ref> This authentic American-founded religious group has contributed greatly to the United States. As just one example, they have devoted millions of man hours to humanitarian efforts around the globe.

==Overview==

==Overview==

==Mormons' relationship to Christianity==

==Mormons' relationship to Christianity==

According to the [[Lutheran Missouri Synod]], "The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, together with the vast majority of Christian denominations in the United States, does not regard the Mormon church as a Christian church." <ref>http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2239</ref> In addition, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] states that the Mormon religion is "not consistent with biblical Christianity." <ref>http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/02/southern_baptist_convention_wa.php</ref> The [[United Methodist Church]] has stated that the the Morman faith has "some radically differing doctrine on such matters of belief as the nature and being of [[God]]; the nature, origin, and purpose of [[Jesus Christ]]; and the nature and way of [[salvation]]." <ref>http://www.apologeticsindex.org/news/an200513.html#21</ref> According to Beliefnet.com there are a number of differences between the Mormon faith and traditional Christianity. <ref>http://www.beliefnet.com/features/mormonism.html</ref> Dr. James White, a Christian pastor, has stated that Mormonism is more different from Christianity than Islam because Mormonism is polytheistic, while Islam is monotheistic, and whether a religion is monotheistic or polytheistic is the basic element to a religion, according to White.  He went on to say that part of the reason that Mormonism was, he felt, often mistaken for Christianity was his perception that Mormonism uses the same words Christians use, but it gives them completely different meanings. <ref>http://www.reformationtheology.com/2007/02/mormonism_v_christianity_a_quo.php</ref> The Roman Catholic Church does not accept Mormon baptisms as Christian baptisms. <ref>http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2012-01/are-mormons-christian-its-complicated</ref>

According to the [[Lutheran Missouri Synod]], "The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, together with the vast majority of Christian denominations in the United States, does not regard the Mormon church as a Christian church." <ref>http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2239</ref> In addition, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] states that the Mormon religion is "not consistent with biblical Christianity." <ref>http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/02/southern_baptist_convention_wa.php</ref> The [[United Methodist Church]] has stated that the the Morman faith has "some radically differing doctrine on such matters of belief as the nature and being of [[God]]; the nature, origin, and purpose of [[Jesus Christ]]; and the nature and way of [[salvation]]." <ref>http://www.apologeticsindex.org/news/an200513.html#21</ref> According to Beliefnet.com there are a number of differences between the Mormon faith and traditional Christianity. <ref>http://www.beliefnet.com/features/mormonism.html</ref> Dr. James White, a Christian pastor, has stated that Mormonism is more different from Christianity than Islam because, he states, Mormonism is polytheistic, while Islam is monotheistic, and whether a religion is monotheistic or polytheistic is the basic element to a religion, according to White.  He went on to say that part of the reason that Mormonism was, he felt, often mistaken for Christianity was his perception that Mormonism uses the same words Christians use, but it gives them completely different meanings. <ref>http://www.reformationtheology.com/2007/02/mormonism_v_christianity_a_quo.php</ref> The Roman Catholic Church does not accept Mormon baptisms as Christian baptisms. <ref>http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2012-01/are-mormons-christian-its-complicated</ref>

==Beliefs==

==Beliefs==