Am I a Christian?

I was told I’m not a Christian.

I was looking to attend a Christian University and when the counselor I was speaking to heard I was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she got kind of upset.  She seemed truly disappointed to break the news to me.  “You can’t attend this university if you are not Christian.”

Yes!

I was so excited to respond to that.

“I’m sorry if there’s confusion, but I am very Christian.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” I emphasized.

She didn’t seem convinced.

“I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, He is the Savior of the world, He is my Savior.  He died so I can live.  He came to this earth to sacrifice His mortal life for me.  Christ has always been and will always be my Savior.”

We went around in circles like this for a bit.

Finally, she said with exasperation, “Do you believe Jesus Christ visited the Americas?”

An emphatic, “Yes, I do.”

Her reply, “Oh you see, we don’t believe there is any evidence of this in the Bible.  I’m sorry.  You don’t believe in the same Christ we do.”

The same Christ?

Speaking of “evidence” in the Bible that Christ may have visited the Americas leads me to Ezekiel 37:16 which reads:

“Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, for Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and for all the house of Israel his companions.”

These sticks are the Book of Mormon and the Bible.  One from Judah and one from Joseph. 

More “evidence” in John 10:16:

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

I put quotes around “evidence” because evidence is a funny thing.  Anyone can read those two scriptures and explain them away.  The real evidence is in the Book of Mormon.  Read it.

How can someone who has never read the Book of Mormon with its constant references to Jesus Christ, its beautiful and simple doctrine of Jesus Christ, and its eloquent teachings of Jesus Christ, tell me I’m not Christian?  By their fruits you shall know them.

Do other Christians think Christ wouldn’t visit all His children across the globe?  Do other Christians think Christ didn’t have time to show love to His other sheep?  Do other Christians think Christ only loved the Jews in Israel?

Maybe we don’t believe in the same Christ.

But I do know that we believe in the same Christ.  I know other Christians are confused about the nature of Jesus Christ and I know the Book of Mormon can shed light on His true nature and teach “Christianity” so much about our Savior whom they profess.  He is everyone’s Savior.  That is why I was so anxious to tell her about the Book of Mormon and explain to her that the Bible DOES testify of the Book of Mormon and show evidence that Christ visited the Americas.

I know she didn’t hear all of what I was trying to say that day.  I know she was clouded by biases and preconceived notions.  That’s ok.  I know she’ll get a chance to learn about Jesus Christ’s love for all His children and His visit to the Americas.  Someday.

Read the Book of Mormon for yourself.  Let me know if it’s not the purest, most beautiful, most amazing description of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today.