If you expect a simple, black-and-white answer to the question “Is Mormonism Christian?” you’ll be disappointed. I’m not going to offer that here. I will, however, offer my opinion about whether the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints is a Christian church. “Mormonism,” however, is less a clear and distinct idea than “the LDS Church.” The LDS Church is an organization with spokesmen and at least somewhat authoritative statements. Mormonism, however, is a bit amorphous and is always evolving. Yesterday’s Mormonism is not necessarily today’s Mormonism or future Mormonism. And Mormonism in the local Ward (congregation) is not necessarily the same as Mormonism among Mormon scholars at Brigham Young University or in the local LDS/Mormon Institute.
Of course somewhat the same could be said about the LDS Church, the Salt Lake City headquartered 13 million member worldwide organization most people call “the Mormon Church.” (There are other Mormons and other churches that trace their roots back to Joseph Smith.) The LDS Church headquartered in Salt Lake City also changes over time. (For example it banned “plural marriage” or polygamy in 1890.)
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