Here’s Why I Can’t Call Mormonism “Christian”

Latter-day Saints are often accused of believing in “another Gospel.” Is this statement warranted? While the beliefs of many Latter-day Saints are diverse, the statements from LDS leaders paint a more consistent (and troubling) picture. From the very earliest years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith was altering the traditional Protestant understanding of the Gospel in some important ways.

The question is, did Smith’s alterations change the Gospel so much that evangelicals are right to accuse Mormonism of having taught a different Gospel? Are those teachings outdated and no longer relevant?

In this video, we look at Joseph Smith’s teaching about murder and forgiveness—in order to get a clearer view of Joseph Smith’s gospel. Latter-day Saints often mock our usage of Galatians 1:8, and the language of “other gospels”—but do Joseph’s teaching deserve that label?

What is The Atonement in Mormonism vs. Christianity?

What is Mormonism’s view of the Atonement, and how does it differ from an evangelical understanding of atonement?

Even beyond disagreements about where the atonement occurred—the Garden of Gethsemane vs. the Cross—there are actually significant disagreements about what Jesus’ Atonement actually accomplished. The LDS Church teaches that part of the atonement is universally applied to all people, while another part only applies to those who walk the covenant path. Evangelicals have historically seen Christ’s atonement as all-or-nothing, it either completely applies to you, or doesn’t at all.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taught a variety of different things regarding Christ’s atonement over the years, but what does the Bible actually say? Did the atonement occur in the Garden of Gethsemane? Did it occur on the Cross at Calvary? What did Jesus’ Atonement actually accomplish?

Romans 5:9-10 – “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

Did the Nauvoo Expositor Slander Joseph Smith?

Was the Nauvoo Expositor full of slanderous lies, or did it tell the truth?

The Nauvoo Expositor is the spark that led to Mormonism’s founding Prophet, Joseph Smith’s, untimely death. Because of it purported slanders, Smith convinced the Nauvoo City Council to declare it a public nuisance and destroy the paper—after only a single edition. Mormonism has, for years, stated that the Nauvoo Expositor was full of lies, slanders, and falsehoods about Joseph Smith. But is that really true?

I argue that the paper was mostly correct in what it asserted. In accusing the Expositor of slander, Joseph Smith and Mormons have been slandering the Nauvoo Expositor.

In this video, I evaluate the claims of the Nauvoo Expositor line by line. What did it claim? How did Joseph Smith respond? What specific things did he say were slanderous or libel in the Nauvoo Expositor? And why should this matter for Latter-day Saints?

VIDEOS REFERENCED:

John Taylor’s 1886 Revelation, and the “New and Everlasting Covenant”: https://youtu.be/Kkd3myu0D5I

The King Follett Discourse: https://youtu.be/yftxJnonOKY 

Why Mormonism Shouldn’t Ban Coffee, Tea, or Alcohol

Should Christians obey the “Word of Wisdom”? Latter-day Saints are required to adhere to a set of rules laid out by LDS Apostles summarized in the Word of Wisdom. These requirements restrict faithful Mormons from drinking certain beverages such as alcohol, coffee, and tea. Because obedience to the Word of Wisdom is required to gain entrance into a Temple, these restrictions are—essentially—prerequisites for eternal life. But is this what the Bible teaches?

Does God restrict the consumption of coffee, tea, and alcohol? Christians are to enjoy God’s good gifts—to include coffee! While Mormonism’s Apostles and Prophets restrict what we can enjoy, the Bible tells us that such restrictions are unbiblical. While members of the LDS Church are told to abstain, true Christians are free in Christ to enjoy coffee, tea, and even alcohol.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)

Check out our newest video – is the Word of Wisdom biblical?

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.

Are There Really Three Kingdoms of Glory?

Mormonism and Christianity teach vastly different things about where we go after we die. The LDS Church teaches that all mankind is saved through the atonement of Christ, and will be resurrected into one of three different Kingdoms of Glory.

Christianity has historically taught that there are only two potential destinations for mankind: Heaven, or hell. So, where do Christians get their understanding of heaven and hell? What will heaven be like?

In this video, we explain the LDS beliefs about different levels of heaven, and where Mormonism’s teaching diverges from historic Christian understandings about eternity. We’ll also consider what the Bible has to say about where we go after we die.

The Bible speaks to this issue plainly and consistently—if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we will dwell with God for all eternity in heaven. If we do not, we will be judged for our works, and be condemned to the eternal Lake of Fire.

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.

LDS Leaders Denied John Taylor’s 1886 Polygamy Revelation—Until now

This 1886 revelation about polygamy was just released on the LDS Church website. The revelation, given by LDS President John Taylor, seems to indicate that polygamy is an unchangeable and irrevocable practice of Mormonism. But is that was it really says?

Mormon fundamentalists (polygamists) have cited this 1886 Revelation to prove that plural marriage is an eternal, unchangeable law. But the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has denied its existence for around 100 years—that is, until June 2025. It seems that the Mormon polygamists were right about this John Taylor plural marriage revelation. But what does that mean for Mormonism? Should plural marriage have continued after the LDS Manifesto of 1890? Was John Taylor proven to be a false prophet? Or does this revelation mean very little?

In this video, we take a closer look at the John Taylor 1886 Revelation about Mormon polygamy and the doctrine of Plural Marriage. What does it say? What’s the history surrounding it? Why does it matter for Mormon fundamentalism? And why should this matter for modern Latter-day Saints?

If you want to learn more about the revelation, check out this article by Mormonism Research Ministry: https://mrm.org/1886-revelation

Do Christians Misrepresent Mormonism?

Do Evangelicals intentionally misrepresent LDS beliefs? Or are most Christians ignorant of the fact that a lot of prior Mormon teachings aren’t “official” doctrines?

I am often accused of straw-manning Mormonism, presenting unofficial teachings and then knocking those teachings down. I’m not alone in this—a lot of evangelicals are accused of misrepresenting Mormonism and lying about the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even though I know that many Latter-day Saints don’t deem the teachings I present as official LDS beliefs, I continue to critique those beliefs. But, I don’t believe this is a misrepresentation.

In this video, I explain why it’s difficult for Evangelicals to understand what constitutes official Mormon doctrine, and how there’s a variety of LDS positions on binding doctrine in the LDS Church. I also explain how Evangelicals are thinking when we critique these beliefs—and why I don’t think that means we’re misrepresenting of lying about Mormonism.

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.