Who are the “Other Sheep Not Of This Fold” Jesus Mentioned?

Who are Jesus’ “other sheep” that “are not of this fold”? Many Latter-day Saints believe this verse refers to Christ’s appearance to the Nephites in the Book of Mormon. But is that really what Jesus meant?

Mormonism claims that the events of the Book of Mormon were the fulfillment of prophecy – that Jesus would personally come to other Israelites who were in the Americas. In John 10:16, Jesus says “I have other sheep that are not of this fold.” Should we understand those other sheep to be the Nephites? I don’t think so. Jesus was referencing a far broader group than a group of people living in the Americas.

When we look at the rest of the Bible, it becomes clear that the fulfillment of this text wasn’t an unknown event on the other side of the planet, but something that was fulfilled in the days of Acts through the work of Jesus’ Apostles.

The house of Judah, the lost sheep of Israel, and the other sheep of the Gentiles were all brought into the New Testament Church in fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy.

Check out this newest video explaining how John 10, Ezekiel 34-37, and Acts are all threaded together in God’s divine plan of redemption.

Does God Exaggerate in Isaiah 40-48?

Does God exaggerate about Himself? The Bible is full of statements that say God is the only God. But could those be linguistic expressions—hyperbole that really explained how God was the greatest God for us?

Some Latter-day Saints point out that Babylon uses similar language to God. If Babylon can say “I am, and there is no other besides me” while other cities exist, might God be using it the same way? Could this, then, allow for other exalted beings to exist in the cosmos, as Mormonism claims? Mormon beliefs teach that men can become gods, or at least like God. Yet, God says that there is no being like Him. So what is God really saying? Should we take His statements as hyperbole, or as absolute theological truths?

In this video, I explain why God’s statements in Isaiah 40-48 should be taken straightforwardly, and why I cannot agree with the LDS teaching of exaltation and eternal progression.

Is Marriage Eternal?

Will there be Marriage in Heaven? Latter-day Saints claim that we can be sealed to our spouse for “time and all eternity”, but does the Bible really teach that marriage is eternal?

In this video, we take a deep dive into what the Bible says about marriage and the afterlife. There are 5 key biblical reasons to reject the LDS doctrine of eternal marriage. The idea that we must be married in order to progress and receive the fulness of eternal life does not align with either the teachings of Jesus or those of His apostles.

In Matthew 22, Jesus was asked a question about marriage by the Sadducees. In his response, he makes clear that marriage will not persist into the next life. Marriage is not an eternal institution. Rather, it’s a created illustration meant to image Christ’s love for the Church. Marriage, like many earthly blessings, points us forward to a far greater joy: eternal union with Christ.

How to KNow False Prophets – 1 Kings 13

How can we know if we’re being deceived by false prophets? In 1 Kings 13, this Old Testament story of Israel reveals the danger of false prophets and the importance of discerning true revelation.

In this video, we walk through the story of Jeroboam and the “man of God” who was led astray by false prophesy, and how that story should encourage Latter-day Saints to reevaluate whether or not they have been led astray by false prophets and Apostles. We must have discernment about those who claim to be false prophets so that we’re not misled.

Many false prophets have gone out into the world, many people who teach things that don’t accord with truth. God has given us tests to know who is really from him—and we should take that seriously.

“And the LORD said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.” (Jeremiah 14:14).

Why does the Bible say “You are gods”?

Who are the “gods” in the “divine council” in Psalm 82? Latter-day Saints (Mormons) claim that we are “gods in embryo,” and frequently use Psalm 82 to support that belief. But does the phrase “You are gods” really mean that we have divine potential?

Psalm 82:6 says, “I said, ‘You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you'”.

In this video, I explain the two major Evangelical Christian interpretations of this text, and why neither of these fit with the LDS understanding of Psalm 82. Regardless of if these “gods” are human rulers or heavenly beings—neither support the notion that humans can progress to become gods.

When we interpret the Bible, it’s important to bring the entirety of it to help us understand difficult texts. John 10 is a clear interpretation (by Jesus) of Psalm 82 and should inform how we read that text.

A Book of Mormon vs. Bible Contradiction

What is grace? Mormons and Christians both believe in grace. But one verse from the Book of Mormon implies a significant difference between the grace of the New Testament, and grace in LDS theology.

Moroni 10:32 (from the Book of Mormon) says, “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ…”

This verse teaches that grace is conditioned on us “denying yourselves of all ungodliness” and loving God. But I don’t think that’s accurate. In this video, I explore an apparent contradiction of definitions for grace between the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Not only is this subject important, but we’re also told to test the prophets and apostles. If Joseph Smith (through the Book of Mormon) taught a different form of grace than the form of grace revealed in the New Testament, then he is shown to be a false prophet.

We are justified by his grace as a gift, NOT preconditioned on our works.

1 Peter 2 Poses a Problem for a Mormon Garden Atonement

Was it in the Garden of Gethsemane? Or on the cross? Christians and Mormons have long disagreed about the nature of the atonement and where it took place. Christians don’t see the garden as being a part of the formal atonement, whereas for Latter-day Saints—it’s far more significant!

I’ve heard different Mormons tell me different things about the role of the Garden in the atonement. Some have said it was almost completely accomplished at Gethsemane, and was only completed at the cross, while others have said it was mostly at the cross—but it began in the Garden.

In either case – this verse from 1 Peter 2 really poses a problem for the LDS understanding of atonement. Peter states that Isaiah 53 was fulfilled at the cross—Isaiah 53 being the text that prophesies that the Messiah would bear our griefs and sorrows and iniquities.

If all of these things were accomplished on the cross (as Peter says), then Christ’s suffering in the Garden wasn’t the chief cornerstone of the atoning work of the Lord Jesus.

Does 1 Corinthians 8 teach that there are many gods?

Are there many lords and many gods, but only one God “for us”? This tends to be the teaching of many Latter-day Saints—especially concerning 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, which says,

“For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist”

Does Paul mean to indicate that there are a whole host of exalted beings, but only one God that we worship? I don’t think so. In this video, I explain why 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 can’t be used to support the LDS notion of exaltation or a plurality of gods. That idea is totally foreign to the Bible, and Mormons really can’t use this verse to try and prove that point.

God, on numerous occasions and in a number of different spots in the Bible, clearly indicates that there is no God besides Him. There only ever has been, and only ever WILL be, One Creator God.

Be Ye Perfect: Did Jesus Teach that Men Could Become Gods?

Latter-day Saints believe that we are to “be perfect” as our “Father in Heaven is perfect.” Now, while both Mormons and Christians agree that Jesus commanded “be ye perfect” in Matthew 5, we disagree about what EXACTLY Jesus was meaning.

Many members of the LDS Church teach that to “be perfect” is to be just like God—even with respect to our nature. Christians believe that there only ever HAS been and ever WILL be One Creator God who is uncreated and unchanging. In contrast, Mormons believe in exaltation—a process in which men can themselves becomes gods.

Because we are commanded to be PERFECT, many argue that Jesus is referencing exaltation in this text, and that perfection is indeed possible for mankind. In this video, Luke Wayne explains how Christian interpret this text, and WHY we’re so confidence that Jesus wasn’t speaking about the LDS doctrine of exaltation. Upon closer examination, the LDS interpretation of this passage in Matthew 5 simply isn’t tenable, and when you take into consideration the parallel text in Luke, Jesus’ meaning becomes quite clear.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)

The Bereans: A “More Noble” Way of Testing Truth

Who were the Bereans, and why should all Mormons know about them?

Latter-day Saints claim that we ought to pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true. We recently made a video explaining why followers of Jesus should NOT pray to know whether the Book of Mormon is true or not: https://youtu.be/BZ3hAoQqloc. Yet there was one New Testament story that didn’t make its way into the video: the story of the Bereans.

During the Apostle Paul’s missionary journey, he came upon the city of Berea—and proceeded to preach the Gospel of grace to them. When the Bereans were confronted with these claims, they acted in a “more noble” manner than some of the Jews in Thessalonica (where Paul had just been). They searched the Scriptures to see whether or not Paul’s teachings were true.

This story helps us recognize the Biblical standard for evaluating truth claims. The Bereans didn’t simply take Paul at his word. They didn’t gather to pray about its truthfulness. They didn’t claim to feel any “spiritual confirmation” or “burning in the bosom” that communicated the truthfulness of this Gospel message. The Bereans SEARCHED Scripture to discern if these things were true—and were called “more noble” because of that.

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. (Acts 17:10-12)