A christian, I am.

I haven't blogged for awhile now. I have tried to write when something is on my mind a lot or is really important to me. The subject of whether or not I am a Christian is something very important to me. Now people have always believed that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are not Christians and the reasons why are many. Recently on FB I saw a video of a Mr. Jeffress claiming these same things and that got me thinking. So I decided to defend myself and my beliefs on my blog. Not because what he believes is important but for myself I would like to defend my position that being LDS or a mormon is being a Christian. Definition of a christian is this (from dictionary.com)
1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith.
2. of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ: Spain is a Christian country.
3. of or pertaining to Christians: many Christian deaths in the Crusades.
4. exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike: She displayed true Christian charity.
We as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ(2 Nephi 25:26) because we know that without Jesus Christ we are nothing. We can not return back to the presence of our Heavenly Father without Jesus Christ. We are not perfect and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God. We cannot be saved without the Atoning Sacrifice of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. We do believe that we are to try and become like Jesus and do our best to follow Him and receive important ordinances and make covenants with Him in order for us to return to Him as well. This does not take away from His Sacrifice for us though, as some believe. No matter what we do here on earth no matter how good we are, we are not perfect and therefore unfit for His kingdom without this sacrifice, nor could we overcome death and have immortal life without Him. But Jesus, Himself taught there was more to eternal life than just believing in Him. He was asked once by a rich young man "Good Master, what shall I do that I might inherit eternal life?" Jesus said "Thou knowest the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, honour thy father and mother." The young man said "Master, all these have I observed from my youth." "Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." "And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions." Mark 10: 17, 19-22. Jesus did not tell this man just have faith in me as your Savior and you shall inherit eternal life. His answer to this man tells us we need to do good works as well as have faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.

Our Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is the only church set up the way Jesus Christ set His church up when He was here on earth. It is the only church with a man called of God to restore it to the earth given the priesthood keys from those who held them last even John the baptist who held the Aaronic priesthood keys and then Peter, James, and John who held the Melchezidek priesthood keys, and later Elijah who held the sealing keys, with a Prophet and apostles, temples as they had anciently, with baptism by immersion as Jesus was baptized, with the Holy ghost given through laying on of hands.

What I know is this: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christ's church. It is true. It teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ as he taught it. It has all the Priesthood keys as was had when Christ was here, and that were given to Peter, James and John When Christ died. I know Joseph Smith was visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, who are 2 separate beings, and they called him to restore the gospel to the earth. Just as Adam was called, and Moses also being visited by God, and Samuel hearing the voice of the Lord calling him so did the Lord call Joseph Smith to be the prophet of the restored church in our time. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have read it many times. It teaches and testifies of Jesus Christ and His divine mission. I know that Jesus is my Savior and Redeemer and without His atoning Sacrifice I would be doomed to eternal misery, but because of His love and His Suffering for my sins and His dying on the cross for me and His resurrection, I can be saved from death and hell if I follow His example keep His commandments and receive the ordinances necessary to return to Him. I know that I am a Christian. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.