Why Do Some People Not Consider Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Christians?

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-01-02-the-only-true-god-and-jesus-christ-whom-he-has-sent?category=topics/jesus-christ&lang=eng

A Jewish friend told me that she thought it was strange that some Christians do not consider members of our church Christian. This is my response to her.

Yes, it is strange that many do not consider us Christians especially since our name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint. We follow the original "Christian" beliefs. We believe that there is one God of this world -- Jesus Christ. He created the world and reveled his teachings to righteous people-- Adam, Noah, Abraham and the other prophets, that He came to teach people how to live and died for our sins, and that he will come again someday in glory. He did all these things under the direction of His Father. We believe that these teachings (the Gospel) were restored in our day through the Prophet Joseph Smith. 

We are not Protestants. We are not protesting against the Catholic church leaders. We believe in direct personal revelation from God and that He leads His Church-- not men. Many Christians do not consider these beliefs "Christian". Many view the people of Moses time as "primitive" and the Gospel teachings of love were only known when Christ preached them during his ministry. The consider the God of the Old Testament as different from Christ in the New Testament. 

Searching for Truth and Revelation from God

I just watched this video and really enjoyed it. I identified with Willford Woodruff's search for truth.

Wilford Woodruff's search for the true Church explains the Apostasy and need for the Restoration. It emphasizes four essential elements of the true Church that were lost because of the Great Apostasy. (16:33)

Do I, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Believe in Traditional Religion?

A friend expressed to me how she could not believe in traditional religion, recounting Christianity's history of voting on doctrine, political maneuvering, conquest (Crusades), and cruelty (Inquisition). She also stated that though she did believe in God, she could not believe that one person's ideas about religion were better than another person's ideas. I agree completely with her.

What!? You are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How could you not believe in traditional religion? Aren't you the most traditional, conservative religion around? 

We do believe in truth and do not give in when we know something is right, but our faith is not based on tradition. Throughout time there have been many good people who have set up religions based on what they believed was right. I think some have done a lot of good, but by the time I was eleven I knew that was not enough for me. I didn't want to choose between the many philosophies of men one that I liked the best and join that church. What I was looking for was revelation of truth from God.

Are Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Christian?

Some people have asked me if members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Christians.  Are we traditional Christians? -- No, but are we Christians -- Yes!  This is Jesus Christ's church which is why our name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To me being a Christian is a person who believes in Jesus Christ as our Savior and tries to follow His example of loving and serving others.