What Is A Mormon? Apostle Ballard Speaks
Channel: Following Jesus - TheLDSLife
Date: 2010-09-24

Why do those outside of the LDS church consider Mormons as if they belonged to an "Evil Cult?" Do people even know what the word Cult means? 
Anti-Mormon literature and others who are critics or in some cases "Full-Time" laborers in the cause to "KEEP FOLKS FROM INVESTIGATING" the LDS church use the word "Cult" and hope that folks will steer clear from it.
They make videos with scary music, blog, and also proselyte in hopes to prevent ANYBODY and EVERYONE they can from actually doing their own investigation into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They do this both willingly and some do this based on what they are told to do parroting the leaders of these Anti-Mormon Think Tanks. 
As the scriptures say, "Let no man deceive you by any means..." and this is MY prayer for you that you will not look to the "Right" or the "Left" when it comes to learning about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. But that you study with us and then look "Upward!" 
Put your faith and trust in God and let him be that WITNESS for you. Let him witness to your soul regarding the truthfulness of the message we have been commanded to offer the world. (See 1 John 5:9)
When men rely on the "Arm of Flesh" to understand spiritual things, they do just what Jeremiah warns us against. (See Jer 17:5) 
So ASK GOD with humility, if you lack wisdom regarding the LDS church and do so with a hopeful heart. Be willing to learn that it's possible... just maybe... that you've been given INCORRECT information about Mormons and that the Lord in fact has called us to continue representing the savior as laborers in his vineyard. (Also Read James 1: 5-6...)

P.S. The word "Cult" in and of itself is NOT an evil word;

Cult means:

1) a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.  (this could pertain to ANY Christian church.)

2) a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.  (Zion is a great example of a synonym for the word, "Cult."

3) a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols. (once again... could also pertain to Christianity if one considers the "Cross" as a symbol of their faith.)

4) a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society...under the direction of a charismatic leader. 
The Jews considered Jesus to be such a man and his teachings were ANYTHING BUT orthodox. Just because it is considered as "False" by someone elses opinions does not mean that something IS.

5) the members of such a religion or sect. 

In some cultures, they ask you flat out. "What cult do you belong to?"
And if you reply, "I belong to the Mormon Cult." many would then say,
"Ah, yeah. That's a good one. Love those Mormons!" 

Cult is a word that has been hijacked and distorted.
Other words also hijacked and distorted
like the word, "Gay."  
It depends on how the word is used.