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.

If you’re LDS, please don’t miss this in the Old Testament

A quick word to Latter-day Saints studying through the Old Testament in 2026. As an Evangelical, it’s exciting that my LDS friends are studying through the Bible—especially given that they can use modern translations! I wanted to share a helpful tip that has revolutionized the way I read through the Old Testament. If you want to truly understand what God was doing in Old Testament times, you NEED to understand this simple truth.

May the Lord bless your studies in the Bible this year.

A Summary of the Entire Bible in 21 Minutes 

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells one story of God’s work of redemption. Most people view the Bible as a collection of different stories that are only tangentially related. One of the most important things for a Christian (or even a Latter-day Saint!) is to understand how those stories thread together the tapestry of redemptive history.

In this video, I walk through the story of the entire Bible in 21 minutes, giving a summary of the Bible’s themes and motifs. God made a promise in the beginning to bring a Savior who would crush Satan and death—and He has not failed to keep that promise.

This video was made for Christians, but also for those who are LDS (Mormon) or even perhaps for exMormons who are leaving the LDS Church. Theology is important, and because the Bible is God’s Word—we should consider what highlighted themes are present throughout it.

2 Essential Tips for Bible Translation

Dr. James Renihan, president of IRBS (International Reformed Baptist Seminary) and professor of historical theology, explains two principles of Bible interpretation which are critical to a right reading of Scripture.

Often times, Mormons will say that our reading of Scripture is “just your interpretation.” How can we know which interpretation is correct? Christians must apply certain interpretive principles to rightly understand what God has revealed. In this video, Dr. Renihan provides two historic guardrails for Bible interpretation: the analogy of Scripture, and the analogy of faith.

God has spoken in His Word, and Scripture is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” If Scripture can do these things—then we really are able to rightly interpret the Bible. Understanding principles like these will help protect Christians from misinterpreting the Bible.

The Surprising Archeology of David & Goliath

Did the battle between David and Goliath really happen? In this video, Chip Thompson walks through the archeological evidence. Archeology is a helpful way of demonstrating the Bible’s truthfulness, and many people are often shocked to find that the archeology supports the Biblical narrative!

The story of David and Goliath has almost mythic qualities. Many believe that the story didn’t happen at all, while others think that the details of the story have been blown out of proportion. So did the battle between David and Goliath happen? We think so! In this video, Chip points to artifacts from the Merneptah Stele, to the Tel Dan Inscription, from sling stones, to various pottery shards, to GIANT spear tips in order to demonstrate that this battle between the future King of Israel—David—and the champion of the Philistines—Goliath—actually happened as the Bible records.

If the Bible is really history, then we should expect there to be historical and archeological artifacts which support the Biblical story—which is exactly what archeologists find! Numerous stories from Scripture are well supported by archeology. In this series of videos, Chip Thompson (from the Solid Rock Cafe in Ephraim, Utah) explains why the archeological record demonstrates that we can indeed trust Scripture.

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.” (1 Samuel 7:45-47)

Special thanks to Chip Thompson from the Solid Rock Cafe in Ephraim, Utah! He’s put together a GREAT Bible Museum in the coffee shop. If you’re ever in the area, be sure to stop by and take a look at all the artifacts!

https://www.solidrockcafeut.com/

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)

Understanding And Trusting Bible Translations

Can we trust the Bible, despite the existence of so many different translations? Latter-day Saints often explain that the Bible is generally trustworthy, but can’t be fully trusted because it has been translated so many different times—”a translation of a translation of a translation…” But Christians, knowing that there are so many different Bible versions, have no problems fully trusting the Bible. Should we be skeptical of a book that has so many different translations made of it?

In this month’s podcast episode, Luke Wayne (of CARM.org), Bradley, and Garrett explain the nature of Bible translations, and why we CAN indeed trust them, despite the existence of so many of them! Quite honestly, the story of Bible TRANSLATION is fairly straight-forward. Translating isn’t a mystical act, but scholars—who know the original Biblical languages: Greek & Hebrew—have accurately rendered them into our modern languages. Just as the Book of Mormon has been accurately translated into different languages, so too has the Bible been accurately translated into different languages. There’s no reason to doubt the work of translating from one language to another.

If the Bible is our guide to life, and contains the Gospel—which is the message of eternal life—being sure that we can trust it is of paramount importance. This issue is worth studying.

Biblical Canon: Are We Missing Books in the Bible?

We trust the Bible—but how do we know we HAVE the Bible? Why do we, as Christians, feel confident that we have all the books we should have in the canon? Are there lost books that we’re missing? What about the Apocrypha? Didn’t corrupt priests pick and choose the books they wanted at the Council of Nicaea? These are good questions that need to be answered—regardless of whether you’re a Latter-day Saint or a Christian.

(The “canon” is the collection of individual books that comprise the both Old and New Testaments.) If Christians say that we must trust the Bible, and subject our lives to it, then shouldn’t we be confident that we’re not missing some? Mormonism claims that the Book of Mormon is “Another Testament of Jesus Christ,” which would imply that Christians are missing books in the Bible. So, do we have the right books in the Bible? Should there be more Scripture than what Christians have in the canon?

In this episode of The GLM Podcast, Bradley, Garrett, and Luke Wayne of CARM.org talk through the nature of canonicity, and explain why Christians can be confident that we have the books we ought to have in our Bibles. Looking at the history of the canon, the council of Nicaea, and the self-authentication of inspired Scripture, this video examines whether or not the canon can be trusted.

“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3).

Should Mormons and Christians debate Scripture?

The Bible is the foundation of everything that Christians believe. This is why Christians often direct conversations about doctrine towards the Bible – sometimes even excitedly pressing on points of Biblical disagreement!

When interacting with their Christian neighbors about doctrine, many well-intentioned Latter-day Saints often say things like “we don’t want to Bible bash” or “we don’t want to argue”. 

The spirit of what our LDS friends are saying is well taken — we want to be kind and not quarrelsome with our neighbors, but is it right to avoid even spirited discussions about doctrine and the Bible? Should we argue over Biblical interpretation, or is that dishonoring to God?

First, the Bible commends those who INVESTIGATE what Scripture says

In Acts 17, Paul and Silas were sent away from the city of Thessalonica under the cover of darkness to escape Jews trying to stop their ministry. When they came to Berea, they immediately began preaching the Gospel in the Jewish synagogue. The book of Acts records:

“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.” (Acts 17:11).

When the Jewish Bereans heard the Gospel, they used Scripture as the test to determine if what Paul said was true. The Bereans didn’t simply accept Paul at his word, nor did they resign themselves to pray to know if his words were true. They believed that if Paul was genuine, his words would coincide with what the Old Testament had already revealed.

 Investigating truth claims by Scripture is important to do for followers of Jesus—Scripture is inspired by God, and will give us everything we need for our Christian lives.

Second, The Bible commends those who DEFEND TRUTH with Scripture

Speaking of the qualifications for elders in the church, the Apostle Paul writes that elders

“…must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9).

This is the ideal for all Christians — that we would hold firm to the word, instruct people with it, and rebuke those who contradict it. Peter commands Christians to

“always (be) prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15).

It is good for followers of Jesus to have reasons for why we believe what we believe, and to defend those beliefs! As Christians, our beliefs are rooted in what God has revealed in Scripture. Therefore, our reason to believe, our defense of the faith, will be inherently Biblical! And that is a good thing, defending one’s beliefs using Scripture is a Biblically approved practice!

Last, The Bible commends those who REFUTE OTHERS using Scripture 

In the early church, there was a Jew named Apollos who was considered “competent in the Scriptures” (Acts 18:24). After slight correction by faithful Christians, Apollos began to

“…powerfully (refute) the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. (Acts 18:28)

He was commended for his work in refuting the Jewish rejection of Jesus the Messiah using Scripture. It was good for him to engage in arguments about what the Bible really taught! Likewise, Paul commands Timothy to

“preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

 Scripture commands Christians to rebuke rebellious, deceitful people so that there will be soundness of faith (Titus 1:13), and to “exhort and rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15). Jude even appeals to Christians to “contend for the faith”, literally to argue and defend the faith! (Jude 3).

And while we certainly can be spirited about these discussions, a healthy dialogue on conflicting interpretations of Scripture doesn’t need to be contentious!

Followers of Jesus should be quick to defend the truth using Scripture! We shouldn’t shy away from vigorous dialogue, from correcting, and rebuking when necessary! Paul writes

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth”, (2 Timothy 2:24–25).

The Inspiration and Sufficiency of Scripture

Followers of Jesus ought to have an uncompromising commitment to the Word of God. Christians are quick to believe every single WORD of Scripture. Christians often encourage their Latter-day Saint neighbors and friends to read and study Scripture, to look at every word, and to trust what it says.

Many people in today’s world believe that the Bible is merely a collection of human records and religious thought, but Christians believe Scripture to be far more than that. 

So, what is the Bible? Why is it that followers of Jesus implicitly trust it and believe it to be totally sufficient for everything we need in our Christian lives?

#1) All Scripture is God-breathed, or inspired.

Paul writes in 2 Timothy that

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16).

 Scripture is writings that have been “breathed-out”, or inspired, by God. Both the Old and New Testaments are referred to as Scripture (2 Peter 3:16).

 This means that the Bible is more than just some man-made book…The ultimate origin of Scripture is God Himself.When the New Testament authors quote human-written passages from the Old Testament, they will on occasion attribute those writings to the Holy Spirit.

 We see this in the book of Hebrews, when the author of Hebrews says that Psalm 95 was written both by David (Hebrews 2:7), AND by the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 3:7). So who actually wrote the words of Psalm 95? David, or the Holy Spirit? The answer is both! The Apostle Peter writes in 2 Peter,

“For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21).

The Bible is a collection of writings that preserve the writing styles, cultures, and personalities of its various authors, all the while being directly inspired by the Holy Spirit. The words these men wrote in Scripture were the very words of God!

Because these Biblical authors wrote the “Word of God”, the God-breathed words of Scripture, we really can trust and rely on the Bible! We can be confident that it doesn’t error and isn’t inconsistent, because God doesn’t error, and God isn’t inconsistent. 

Everything that God intended for His people to have, we have. God hasn’t failed in providing His people with everything they need for faith and life.

#2) Every single Word of Scripture is trustworthy and inspired .

Because the Bible is inspired and finds its origin in God, we can trust every single WORD that it says down to the grammatical tenses of verbs.

Jesus demonstrated this level of trust in Scripture when He was correcting the Sadducees’ thinking about the resurrection. Jesus said,

“And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.” (Matthew 22:31–33).

Jesus hangs his entire argument on the fact that Scripture records God saying “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”. God didn’t say He WAS the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but that He IS their God currently. Jesus made his entire argument hinge on the tense of a single word! 

If our perfect Lord trusted Scripture enough to argue with the Jewish religious leader using the tense of a single word, then we can also feel confident to trust and rely every individual word of Scripture. 

#3) Scripture is sufficient for all we need in the Christian Life

Paul reminds Timothy in 2 Timothy that

“from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15). 

These “sacred writings” were able to make Timothy “wise for salvation”. But Paul doesn’t limit Scripture’s effectiveness to JUST salvation, he continues on:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:15–17).

The Bible teaches people, it reproves and corrects them…and trains them in righteousness. Paul says Scripture does all this “that the man of God may be complete”. The Bible is able to make us complete, to make us not lack any good thing that we might need for our Christian lives! We can be equipped for EVERY good work we ought to do through Scripture. 

This means that there are NO rituals and traditions we are obligated to adhere to that are not contained in the Bible! Scripture equips us for EVERY good work that we need to do. New revelation is unnecessary for living a life that is pleasing to God (Hebrews 1:1-2).

As Christians, we don’t require anything but the revealed Word of God to make us wise to salvation, to correct us, and to make us complete and mature in the faith. Psalm 19 also speaks to this same idea:

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:7–11).

God’s Law (or God’s instruction) is perfect. It is without error. It never contradicts itself and is never factually incorrect, because it’s chief author is God Himself!

It revives us, gives us new life, it makes us wise, enlightens our eyes, and is more to be desired than even gold or honey. This is why Christians spend so much time studying God’s Word, and even go so far as to learn the original Biblical languages, in order to take what God has revealed seriously.

Anything that boldly contradicts what God’s Word says is simply not true. This is one of the reasons that Christians must reject the Mormon faith: there are numerous teachings of the LDS Church that blatantly violate and contradict what the Bible plainly and clearly says.

Because God’s Word is our ultimate standard of truth, we must reject the LDS Scriptures and Prophets as they contradict what God has previously revealed in the Bible.

As followers of Jesus, if we are ever presented with something in the Bible that contradicts what we’ve previously believed, we need to be humble enough to change our beliefs to match with what God has revealed.

Inspired Scripture is our infallible and inerrant guide, and we can fully lean on it for all that we need in our Christian life.