Talking to Mormons is a source for anyone wanting to learn more about Mormonism and Christianity.
Danny's story
Danny use to be a Mormon High Priest, and had the responsibility to instruct and prepare young men and women for their future missions. He served a full-time Mormon mission as a young adult. At the time he truly believed that the LDS Church was the true church.
Having been an active Mormon for sixty years, Danny is fully aware of the heart and mind of those who are convinced the gospel of Joseph Smith is true. Fortunately through scripture study, prayer, and the Holy Spirit, God opened his eyes and understanding, and brought him into a loving, saving, relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.
Danny now receive inquiries from Christians around the world who request information about the methods and teachings of these Mormon missionaries. He also talks to Mormons, who themselves are looking for answers to questions and concerns about their LDS doctrines and practices. Many Mormons would identify themselves as Christians, but don’t really understand the difference.
It is because the demand for this information is so great, Danny decided to initiate a project never before attempted in this format; entitled – Talking To Mormons.
What does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Teach?
Origins
"It originated from an experience I had a couple of years go, when two Mormon missionaries paid a visit to my home. They came with the intention of encouraging me to return to activity in the LDS Church. As I turned their attention to the Bible for the reasons I found Mormonism to be different from the gospel of Jesus Christ, they were amazed at what they read and learned. Within the same week they returned to my home unannounced to ask me to teach them more. I was spiritually touched and overwhelmed by the honesty and humility they showed in their sincere desire to know truth. It made me realize that these respectful and open conversations between Christians and Mormons are quite possible."
Word of Wisdom Part 1
During early LDS meetings the men would spit nasty tobacco juices on the floor. After words, Joseph’s wife Emma had to clean the dirty floor boards. She was so disgusted that she asked her husband to do something about it. Her complaints led the Prophet to ask God whether tobacco use was appropriate for Latter-day Saints. And the Lord’s response came in the form of a revelation that covered far more than just tobacco. It also restricted the consumption of wine, liquor, meat, and hot drinks.
Whats in a Name?
Nelson is admitting that Church leadership was wrong in allowing the Church’s choir to be known as “The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.” For allowing the words “Mormons” and “Mormonism” to appear on official LDS websites, in periodicals, and in correlated manuals.
Gospel Topic Essays
I think the reason the church came out with the essays at that time was because convert rates in the LDS Church had been declining greatly while a steady stream of members are leaving the faith.
I’m not sure these essays are designed to restore people’s faith as much as they are designed to prevent people from leaving the church.
God: Spirit or Body – Part 2
When Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon around 1828 to 1829, his theological background was in Protestant Christianity. At that time, everyone who followed Mormonism believed in the one God, who was a spirit. Many years later, Smith changed his theology and then altered the Book of Mormon passages to accommodate his changed thinking – separating God from Jesus. This is an Excerpt.
Garden or the Cross?
Thinking Jesus atoned for our sins by praying hard in the Garden of Gethsemane is missing the whole point of the Old Testament, the purpose of temples and the willing, selfless, loving sacrifice of Jesus.
Moroni 1-6
Did Moroni travel all the way to Utah just to dedicate a piece of land for a temple site? What is the correct meaning and function of the terms “elders” “priests” and “teachers”? Why was wine changed to water in the sacramental prayers? And why isn’t un-leaven bread used for the sacrament in the LDS Church? Did the ancient church keep membership records of those who were baptized?
Acts 22-28 ~ Come Follow Me
Is there any comparison between Paul’s vision of Christ on the road to Damascus and Joseph Smith’s vision in the woods in New York?
Giving the Sabbath a Rest
There is no other Sabbath rest besides Jesus. He alone satisfies the requirements of the Law, and He alone provides the sacrifice that atones for sin. Believers today, being under the New Covenant, are not bound to keep the sign of the Old Covenant. The New Covenant is better.
Mosiah 7-10
Were Book of Mormon temples used primarily for assemblies rather than for sacred ordinance work? Were grammatical errors present in the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon? Did a resurrected God with a physical body come down to earth to take on flesh as a man? How important were the Urim and Thummin in translating the Book of Mormon? Were plants and crops mentioned in the Book of Mormon present in the pre-Columbian era? We will attempt to answer all of these questions in today’s podcast.
Sabbath Established
Mormons believe that Sabbath-day observance was established during the days of Adam and Eve. I noticed the increased emphasis church leaders are putting on Sabbath
Luke 12-17; John 11 – Come Follow Me
To what length will our Father- God go to – in order to have a loving relationship with each one of us?
Mosiah 29 – Alma 4
What is priestcraft? Who is the second “antichrist” mentioned in the Book of Mormon? Who was president of the country, president of the church, and head of the army – all at the same time? How was “silk” used by the Nephites when it was not present in the pre-Columbian era? How is it even possible to turn white people into a dark people? Stay tuned for the answers to these questions.
The Apostasy – Part 2
The LDS Scriptures teach that the Apostle John never died? And that he was permitted to live on earth without tasting death until Christ’s return?
????Philippians
Are we to work for our salvation❓ Or, are we to work out our salvation❓ What is the difference? Paul will explain that salvation comes by putting our faith in the Jesus Christ – who did the work for us.
Jacob 5-7
Do olive trees grow in vineyards? Or, do olive trees grow in groves? Are the titles – Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit – used anachronistically in the Book of Jacob? Did the Nephites speak and write using French words? We will address each of these questions in today’s lesson.
2 Corinthians 8-13 ~ Come Follow Me
if anyone – like missionaries come to your door with another gospel about a different kind of Jesus than what you know from the Bible – take the time to share with them the truth by correcting their false doctrines.
Matthew 18; Luke 10 – Come Follow Me
How often do we need to forgive others?
don’t put a limit on the number of times you forgive another. We have the Lord’s prayer which does not make repentance a qualifier for forgiveness, when the Lord says in Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
3 Nephi 12-16
How are the Sermon at the Temple similar and different from the Sermon on the Mount? Were the Twelve Disciples also Apostles? What did Jesus mean, when He commanded the people of Nephi to be perfect? How can we tell the difference between a false prophet and a true prophet?
Polygamy – Part 1
God never commanded polygamy in the Bible.
God emphasized monogamy in marriage.
God commanded men not to have multiple wives.
Romans 1-3 – Come Follow Me
We will now begin to study the epistles in the New Testament. The manual introduces them by saying, “The Bible epistles are letters written by
Name of the Church – Part 2
Why would Jesus instruct Joseph Smith in 1830 to call it the “Church of Christ”, then change it in 1834 to the “Church of Latter Day Saints” and, then change once again in 1838? Why wouldn’t Jesus get it right the first time? Why would He take the name of Christ completely out of the name of the church for four whole years?
Apostasy of Church and Scripture
Latter-day Saints believe the Apostles were killed and there was no one with authority capable of preserving the church. Therefore, they believe Jesus failed in His promise to preserve His church and His written word.
1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
The word “inspiration” is from the Greek word meaning “God-breathed.” So, we know then, that the Bible originated from God.
Kinderhook Plates – Part 1
Joseph Smith said, “I have translated a portion of them and find they contain the history of the person with whom they were found.” 13 yrs latter it was found that the plates were engraved by R. Wiley and B. Whitten to trick the public, and Joseph Smith fell for it.
Acts 1-5 – Come Follow Me
When were the “times of restitution of all things” accomplished? Was it fulfilled in Joseph Smith’s day or Jesus Christ’s?
John 2-4 – Come Follow Me
There is so much great material in these three chapters, but we are limited on what we can cover in this lesson. We start off
Who was Melchizedek? – Hebrews 7-8 ~ Come Follow Me Podcast
Who was Melchizedek? Was he a priesthood to be handed down and transferred to other men? How was Melchizedek (King of Salem) a representation of the coming Messiah? We are about to find our answers.
Joseph Smith Translation – Matthew 1; Matthew 25; Mark 12-13; Luke 21
Will you and I be prepared someday to meet the Lord?
The ONLY marriage extolled or celebrated in the New Testament is the spiritual marriage of the believer to Christ. See 2 Corinthians 11:2 and Revelation 21:2. Jesus didn’t view marriage as something that would extend into the next life.
Ether 12-15
Does Moroni have good reason to be worried that the Gentiles would mock his written words? Where in America will the New Jerusalem be built? If two million Jaredites died in battle at hill Ramah – located in New York State – why hasn’t there been any artifacts like weapons, armor, or skeleton remains found? Once a man’s head is decapitated, can he still breathe?
Testing the Book of Mormon – Part 2
The Book of Mormon claims to have a parallel timeline with the Bible.
But, when put to the test, does it hold true?
Let’s look at the historical evidence.
Matthew 10-12; Mark 2; Luke 7 – Come Follow Me
Since God is love, when is there a time when His Law must be broken to show mercy to someone suffering, it is permissible.
2 Nephi 26-30
Why would a book claiming to be scripture want to be associated with having a “familiar spirit”???? Is Jesus Christ – Eternal God???? How reliable is the Bible? Why was the word “white” changed to “pure” in referencing the righteous Lamanites???? We will answer these questions and more in this lesson.
Book of Abraham – Part 1
Have you ever prayed to know if the Book of Abraham is true?
Does the promise in the Book of Mormon – to pray and ask God if it is true – doesn’t apply to the Book of Abraham?
How can you trust that the Book of Abraham is the word of God?
Is priesthood required to heal the sick? – James 3-5 – Come Follow Me
How important is our verbal communication with each other? James has a lot to say about that. How are the sick to be administered to? Is priesthood required to heal the sick and ill?
Word of Wisdom – Part 2
God is not dealing with us in the physical – He is dealing with us in the spiritual. We are free from the law of religion, because we have the Holy Spirit. If we are led by the Holy Spirit, we do not need to subject ourselves to the regulations of the flesh.
I Never Knew You – Part 2
Works based, Performance based religions emphasize man’s efforts for salvation. But Jesus says to believe on him that he has done the work for us.
The Cross – Not Gethsemane
If the LDS Church is really a restoration of true Christianity, why don’t the leaders emulate the apostolic emphasis of the New Testament? Neither Jesus nor any author of the New Testament claims Gethsemane had anything to do with the atonement of Christ. Instead there is an abundant number of references to the cross where Christ suffered and died to pay the debt for our sin.
Enos – Words of Mormon
Did Joseph Smith end up possessing the sword of Laban as some witnesses say he did? Ever wondered why the Lamanites never kept records to tell their side of the story? Were there specific animals mentioned that were not introduced to the Americas for another thousand years. Is there any archaeological evidence of weapons of war in the New World? Did people speak in tongues previous to the day of Pentecost?
Alma 39-42
Did the atonement of Christ apply to inhabitants of other worlds? Is there or is there not forgiveness for murder? Is fornication a crime? Did God himself, atone for our sins? Does missionary work continue in the Spirit World?
1 & 2 Thessalonians
Both Paul and Jesus prophesied that He, the Lord, would return soon – even within that generation. If that is true – why do most Christians and Mormons believe that event is yet to happen, now two thousand years later? Were Paul and Jesus mistaken or worse yet – were they purposely misleading the Thessalonians?