What if Your LDS Testimony is False?

A Latter-day Saint testimony is so powerful that it often grounds their faith in the Restored Gospel. If you asked a Latter-day Saint (Mormon) why they believe what they believe, most will probably say, “Because I’ve received a testimony.” In Mormonism, a testimony is a supernatural, spiritual experience from God confirming the truth of their beliefs.

And yet, are we meant to make this kind of subjective spiritual confirmation the bedrock of our faith? While spiritual experiences are certainly a part of every faith, they are also insufficient for determining truth. Followers of Jesus need to test all things and beware the accuracy of our own feelings and experiences.

In this video, we take a look at the insufficiency of an LDS Testimony. The Bible commands us to rely on more than our own experiences; feelings alone simply aren’t enough to determine truth.

The Doctrine Behind the LDS Priesthood Ban that Nobody Talks About

How did LDS Leaders justify the practice of barring black Latter-day Saints from holding the priesthood?

Prior to 1978, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were not permitted to hold Priesthood Authority because of their skin color. LDS leaders justified this practice in a way unique to Mormonism’s theological framework. Many people don’t realize that the Priesthood Ban wasn’t just a cultural policy, it was repeatedly defended theologically by LDS prophets and apostles using the LDS doctrine of a premortal life (the pre-existence).

Latter-day Saints have a unique claim: to be led by modern day Apostles and Prophets. Yet when the teachings of these prophets are so often tossed aside, it raises the question about whether we can really trust them.

In this video, I cover (1) the theological justification for the priesthood ban, (2) what LDS leaders taught about the preexistence and how it relates to our circumstances here on earth, (3) how the modern LDS church responds today, and (4) why Christians disagree with the notion of a preexistence.

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?

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 the LDS Doctrine of a Premortal Life Biblical?

Did we really live with God before our earthly life? Mormonism teaches that we existed in a pre-mortal life as spirit children of Heavenly Father—but is this what the Bible teaches?

In this video, we examine the LDS doctrine of preexistence (premortality) and compare it with the clear teaching of the Bible. This doctrine is essential to get right, because it shapes the way we view both God and man.

If we really were born to Heavenly Father in a pre-existence, then Mormonism’s view of Heavenly Father and our future exaltation makes some logical sense. If, however, we were created by God here on earth, then the LDS view of exaltation, progression, and eternal life needs to be re-examined.

What we believe about God and man really matters, and we should search the Bible to rightly understand a proper theological understanding of man’s nature.

Does the King Follett Sermon Prove Smith a Fraud?

The King Follett Discourse: Can one sermon make or break Joseph Smith’s prophetic claims? The King Follett Sermon (KFD) was Joseph Smith’s final General Conference talk, and his most famous and controversial sermon of all time. He preached it at the LDS General Conference to provide comfort to grieving members, make bold declarations about God’s nature, and instruct people on man’s essential nature. But what most people don’t realize? He staked his own authenticity as a prophet on its truthfulness.

Discover how Smith’s statements about God once being a man, children reigning as eternal children, and humanity’s divine potential sparked centuries of debate among Latter-day Saints and Christian critics alike. We’ll explore how LDS leaders have interpreted (and sometimes modified) the discourse, confront the controversies surrounding Smith’s teachings, and ask: If these doctrines are false, what does that mean for Joseph Smith himself?

If you’re curious to learn more about the LDS Church’s reception of the King Follett Discourse, it’s history, controversies, and textual notes – check out William V. Smith’s book – “The King Follett Sermon: A Biography”.

To learn more about the KFD, check out this article by Mormonism Research Ministry: http://mrm.org/kfd

5 Changes to LDS Teaching & Practice

What teachings and practices have changed in Mormonism in the last 200 years? In the brief history of the LDS Church, there have been a number of substantial changes in both teachings and church policy.

In this video, I examine 5 more distinct teachings that Mormon Prophets and Apostles used to teach that are no longer taught or practiced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

If Mormonism’s “prophets” teach the inventions of their own mind, they demonstrate that they are false prophets (Ezekiel 13/Jeremiah 23). If so many essential elements of Mormonism can so easily change, how can we have any confidence that the modern prophets and apostles are accurate in their teachings?

Is “Laying on of Hands” Essential for Exercising Authority?

Is the LDS “Laying on of Hands” essential? The physical act of placing one’s hands on another’s head is critical in Mormonism. When Latter-day Saints exercise authority, ordain someone, or give priesthood blessings, they do so by laying their hands on another. According to some Latter-day Saints, without the laying on of hands, true authority cannot properly be exercised. But is this act really required?

The LDS Church seems to think so. In the book of Acts, there are several examples of the apostles laying their hands on others to give the gift of the Holy Spirit. Mormons appeal to such examples to demonstrate the importance of laying hands on another. What many Latter-day Saints don’t realize, however, is that such examples are less consistent than they may realize. Laying on of hands absolutely occurs, but does the Bible really teach that this physical act is absolutely required?

In this video, we’re going to do a survey of the New Testament to see how authority is exercised. Are Christians required to lay their hands on another’s head, as LDS Church practices dictate? Or are there other ways we see authority being expressed?