Is the Church a cult?
Short answer
No. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a cult in the ordinary modern sense of a coercive, manipulative, or systematically abusive religious organization. It is a Christian church centered on Jesus Christ, scripture, covenants, agency, repentance, service, and family life (John 17:3; 2 Nephi 25:26).
The word cult is sometimes used merely to mean a religious system of worship, but in popular usage it usually implies coercive control, isolation, exploitation, or unquestioning devotion to a human leader. Church doctrine instead teaches individual moral agency and accountability before God (2 Nephi 2:27; D&C 121:39-46), and members are taught to seek personal spiritual confirmation rather than surrender conscience to another person (James 1:5; Moroni 10:4-5).
That does not mean every member or leader is righteous, nor does it erase real cases of abuse or institutional failures. Abuse is condemned by God, must be reported and addressed, and is never justified by Church membership or doctrine (Matthew 18:6; D&C 121:41-44). The Church’s teachings and ideals should be judged by the gospel of Jesus Christ, while specific allegations should be examined carefully and honestly rather than accepted or dismissed merely because of a label.
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
41. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; 42. By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile— 43. Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; 44. That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
4. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
39. We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. 40. Hence many are called, but few are chosen. 41. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; 42. By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile— 43. Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; 44. That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. 45. Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. 46. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.
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