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 

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

Responding the the Mormon Missionary Message

What are the best ways for Christians and Mormon Missionaries to interact? How can Christians be prepared to respond to the Mormon Missionary Message if they’re ignorant of LDS beliefs and teachings? In this video, we interview Ross Anderson and Corey Miller to hear their thoughts on how Christians can helpfully engage Latter-day Saints.

Pastor Ross Anderson and Dr. Corey Miller just released a book which discusses how to respond to the Mormon Missionary Message. The book is written by former Latter-day Saints who are now evangelical Christians—most of whom are former Mormon Missionaries. Each chapter walks through a different lesson from the LDS Missionary manual “Preach My Gospel” in order to help equip Christians to talk with these young Mormons.

RESPONDING TO THE MORMON MISSIONARY MESSAGE [Amazon]: https://www.amazon.com/Responding-Mormon-Missionary-Message-Conversations/dp/1622459334

Christians should “always [be] prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). For those who want to evangelize Mormons, understanding Mormon beliefs is incredibly helpful.

The Relationship of Faith & Works in Christianity

If we’re justified by faith, can we do whatever we want? In Paul’s grand exposition of the Gospel in Romans, he anticipates this exact question. The beginning of Romans 6 asks “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” Paul’s resounding response – “By no means!” Mormons often bring up this exact objection to Christianity when they quote James 2 and say “Faith without deeds is dead”

The realities of salvation change us, such that if we’ve been justified by faith—we will certainly act differently. Good works are a certain result of a man who has been justified, and yet—they’re not a prerequisite for eternal life.

The relationship between faith and works are parsed out in Romans 6-8, which is the topic of this podcast episode. Bradley and Garrett walk through those 3 chapters of Romans and explain what Paul has said about our deeds. While works are not prerequisites of eternal life—they are important in the Christian life.

IF YOU MISSED PART 1 – CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST EPISODE ON ROMANS 1-5 HERE: https://youtu.be/7o43E9081nY

How Romans 1-5 Reveals the Flaws in Mormonism

Does the Bible and the LDS Church preach the same Gospel? This question is integral to what we think of Mormonism. If the Mormon Church genuinely preaches the Gospel—then our disagreements are minor. If, however, Mormon teaching offers a Gospel that diverges from what the New Testament states—then we have a significant problem.

Paul wrote in Galatians 1, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” Thus, it’s worth investigating whether the LDS Church teaches a Gospel compatible with the teaching of the New Testament Apostles.

In this video, Bradley and Garrett take a closer look at the relationship between the Bible and the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints—specifically through the lens of the book of Romans. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is a fantastic summary of the Gospel, and thus helpful for investigating Mormon beliefs.

Join us in this verse-by-verse study of Romans 1-5 as we look at what the Apostle Paul had to say about the heart of the Gospel: Justification.

LINK TO VIDEO ABOUT DAVID’S FORGIVENESS: https://youtu.be/iNaZfSCeP2g

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.'” (Romans 1:16-17).

The Neglected Importance of Preaching [w/ Dr. Ed Romine]

Do Mormons preach? Dr. Ed Romine contends that Latter-day Saints do not regularly practice “preaching” in their week-to-week dealings. Why? Partially because Latter-day Saints don’t have a high view of Scripture, but also because it’s not a part of the regular cultural practice of the LDS Church.

Preaching is a command of Scripture, it’s an expectation for Christians and for Christian churches. In this episode, Bradley, Garrett, and Dr. Romine talk about the neglected importance of preaching within the LDS Church. A healthy church cannot thrive without the regular preaching of the Word.

TO CONTACT DR. ROMINE, PLEASE EMAIL: edromine90@gmail.com

If you’ve left (or are leaving) the LDS Church – I’d encourage you to watch this video. It’s important to have a list of priorities to look for when considering new churches. The faithful week-in-week-out preaching of the Word of God is a significant mark of a healthy church.

Dr. Ed Romine received an MDiv and a ThM from Southwestern Baptist Seminary, as well as a ThM and PhD from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He currently serves as a Pastor at First Baptist Church in Provo, Utah (https://fbcprovo.org/)

If you’d like to support Ed Romine’s ministry, please go to at https://fbcprovo.org/giving/ and specify “Romine Support” in your giving.

Why Christians Wear Crosses

At the LDS Church’s General Conference in October 2022, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave a talk titled “Lifted Up Upon The Cross.” In this talk, he explained why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doesn’t use the cross as a symbol or icon. In fact—Holland explained that the lack of such an icon helps prove the validity of the Restoration of Christ’s True Church.

As Evangelical Christians, we delight in our use of the cross as an icon! And we often feel that the devaluing of the cross as a symbol stems ultimately from a lack of emphasis upon the cross in Mormon theology and beliefs. Thus, in this podcast episode, Garrett and Bradley take a look at Holland’s talk on the Mormon Church’s use of the cross and respond to his talking points.

Though the ICON of the cross isn’t an inherently necessary component of Christianity, the THEOLOGY of the cross certainly is. The cross is the focal point of God’s wrath, love, and the work of atonement. On the cross, our sins were paid for, our wrath averted, and our righteousness secured. It is the very heart of Christianity – and worthy of emphasis within broader Christian culture.

May the Lord grow our appreciation for His Work at the cross.

Interview: “Introducing Christianity to Mormons” by Eric Johnson

In this episode of the GLM Podcast, we interview Mormonism Research Ministry’s (MRM.org) Eric Johnson about his new book — “Introducing Christianity to Mormons.”

Often, Mormons are unaware of Christian doctrines and beliefs! Joseph Smith claimed that all the Christian creeds were an abomination, but very few Latter-day Saints understand what those creeds said. Yet – knowing and understanding Christianity (and Christian claims) is an important task in “testing the prophets and apostles.”

Thus – Eric Johnson’s “Introducing Christianity to Mormons” sets out to explain the basics of the Christian faith to Latter-day Saints. It’s a basic overview of Christian doctrine, with an eye towards an LDS worldview and framework. Each chapter is framed by a conversation that Eric Johnson has had with Latter-day Saints.

Here’s the Amazon link to Eric’s new book, releasing on September 13, 2022: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0736985492/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_22PQ3GKD9KR9S127S1Q3 

The King Follet Discourse vs. Isaiah 40-48

Joseph Smith’s King Follet Discourse summarizes the LDS Church’s view of God. Mormon prophet Joseph Smith wrote, “We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see.” But the Bible teaches something quite different.

In this video, Bradley and Garrett walk through Isaiah 40-48, and demonstrate how Joseph and the Mormon Church are wrong about the nature of God.

Mormon critics of our channel often state that we’re taking these verses in Isaiah out of context, and that they’re not really speaking about God universally. Therefore, we want to take a TOP LEVEL view of these 8 chapters, and evaluate whether or not we, as Christians, are taking Isaiah out of context. In this Bible study in Isaiah, we hope to demonstrate that a right theology of God is critical to the Christian faith.

Mormons do not have a right view of God, and thus are worshiping a false god of their own creation. Such statements are STRONG, but in light of Isaiah, appropriate.

Those Exmormons who are leaving Mormonism should know that Joseph’s views did not align with the Bible. Just because Mormon doctrine is false does not necessarily mean that Christianity is false. Test the prophets, hold fast to what is good.

PART 2: Response to Renlund’s April 2022 Conference Talk

LDS Apostle Dale Renlund gave a talk titled “Your Divine Nature and Eternal Destiny” during General Conference in April 2022. The topic of his talk was the Young Women’s Theme, which outlines the fundamental elements of the LDS faith and doctrine. Yet, does the Young Women’s Theme (and Renlund’s commentary on it) match up with what the Bible teaches?

In this video, Bradley, Garrett, and Luke Wayne (of CARM.org) evaluate this General Conference talk and compare the teachings against what the Bible teaches. (This video is part 2 of our response to this April 2022 Conference Talk.) Renlund speaks of the need to “qualify for exaltation,” and we examine whether this statement aligns with what Scripture teaches….or not.

Followers of Jesus are commanded to “test everything, and hold fast to what is good.” It’s important for everyone who believes in Jesus to TEST anyone who claims to be a prophet or apostle by evaluating their teachings against what the Bible commands.

[👇👇👇 PART 1 of our Response to Renlund’s talk 👇👇👇] https://youtu.be/zhFGRi7h3zg

LDS YOUNG WOMEN’S THEME: “I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I strive to become like Him. I seek and act upon personal revelation and minister to others in His holy name. I will stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places. As I strive to qualify for exaltation, I cherish the gift of repentance and seek to improve each day. With faith, I will strengthen my home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, and receive the ordinances and blessings of the holy temple.”