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."
How Can We Know the Truth
Our thoughts, our feelings, and our desires, are very important. But we should not place sole reliance on subjective means to determine what is true.
Jesus teaches us that to determine truth we must ABIDE in HIS WORD.
The Bible frequently tells us to study diligently and meditate on God’s word. People go into error, not because they lack an emotional experience, but because they lack knowledge of the Scriptures.
Stay in the Boat – Part 1
Many faithful Mormons are having concerns about the Church’s doctrines, policies, and history. What do you think the LDS leadership’s attitude are toward those doubting members?
Where do We Seek Truth?
We find out that Jesus is that Truth (John 14:6). Thus, to seek truth in all things is by Him and in Him.
Baptism for the Dead – Part 1
Mormons believe that individuals who have died can hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ in the spirit world. And through proxy baptism performed for them in an LDS temple, they can attain eternal life in the presence of God.
Matthew 1; Luke 1 – Come Follow Me
The Gospel According to Matthew starts out by giving us the genealogy of Jesus Christ in chapter 1:1-18. It is a genealogy of the legal
Holy Ghost or Elevation Emotion – Part 1 – Moroni 10:4
Is praying as explained in Moroni 10:4 to know if the Book of Mormon is true or not, the correct way for a person to know truth? Are we to rely upon our feelings and emotions to determine truth? Or, is the best approach to knowing if something is right, is to use the Bible as the standard of truth?
Romans 4-6 – Come Follow Me
What is justification? What does it mean to be Justified? Simply put, to justify is to make one right with God. Justification is God’s declaring
Testing the Book of Mormon – Part 4
The Book of Mormon had three “witnesses” who signed their names claiming to have heard the voice of God, seen an angel and even seen the Gold Plates.
And before their deaths, all three of them – Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris renounced Mormonism and were condemned as reprobates by the Mormon Church.
Atonement – Part 4
It should disturb us when religious leaders, who call themselves prophets and apostles, distract our attention from Christ’s suffering atonement on the cross – causing people to focus on things that are not right or true.
Atonement – Part 3
Neither the Bible nor any Mormon Scripture specifically state that the atonement occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane. Because to have the atonement occur in the garden would be contrary to the narrative of the entire Word of God.
John 1 – Come Follow Me
Joseph Smith made many additions and clarifications in verses 1-34 in the JST, which is the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. You can read
The Law of Tithing – Part 3
LDS members are required to put their trust in the Church leaders and their decision not to disclose the Church’s finances.
Matthew 21-23; Mark 11; Luke 19-20; John 12 – Come Follow Me
Why does the lesson manual avoid certain teachings of the Savior?
Christ is teaching that in the resurrection, men and women will not be in a married state. In Luke 20:34-36, Jesus taught that the redeemed “…neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die anymore: for they are equal unto the angels: and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” Nowhere in the Old Testament or the New Testament does it speak of eternal marriage or sealing for time and eternity.
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?
2 Nephi 6-10
According to the Book of Mormon, who is the keeper at Heaven’s gate – Peter, Christ, or Joseph Smith? Are there references in the Book of Mormon to masonic symbols used in LDS temple architecture? Is the term “Christ” mentioned in the Old Testament era of the Book of Mormon an anachronism? All these questions and more – answered in this episode.
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
Pre-mortality?
This talk raises numerous issues of concern. No where in the Bible or Book of Mormon is premortal life taught. No human had seen the Father because no one else pre-existed.
Seer Stone in the Hat
“Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face … A piece of something resembling parchment would appear… One character at a time would appear, …, then it would disappear, and another character with the interpretation would appear, Thus the Book of Mormons was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by any power of man.”
Galatians 1-3⚠️
Paul warned the Galatian saints about those who would corrupt or change the gospel of Jesus Christ by preaching another kind of gospel which included faith PLUS works to be justified before God. Can you think of any religious organization that teaches that today?
2 Nephi 11-25
Is Christ – God, The Eternal Father❓ Do we worship Jesus❓ How did the name Lucifer get into the Bible – and, how did it end up in the Book of Mormon❓ Why is the definition of grace in the Book of Mormon – so different from the definition of grace in the Bible❓ We will discover the answer to these questions today.
Acts 10-15 – Come Follow Me
Does the Bible prove there are anachronisms in the Book of Mormon?
Acts 10 is another landmark chapter that brings in a very important part of Christian history – especially for the non-Jewish pagan Gentiles – the reception of the Good News.
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?
Mosiah 4-6
Are there similarities in King Benjamin’s Address and 19th century revival meetings? Could Benjamin be teaching an “impossible gospel” concerning sinning, repentance and forgiveness? In appointing priests, was Mosiah II giving those men the Aaronic priesthood? The answer to these questions and more in today’s lesson.
Thoughts on Resurrection
Will we have the same exact bodies in the resurrection? We have been conditioned to believe that we will have our same body in the resurrection. As Latter-day Saints, we learned this from the following Book of Mormon passage:
The Necessity of Relationship
What is more important – working to keep God’s commandments, or developing a personal relationship with God?
False Prophecies of Joseph Smith – David W. Patten’s Mission
As a “Prophet of God” Joseph Smith’s prophecies repeatedly failed. Why did David Patten die before he fulfilled his mission.
Book of Mormon: Holy Ghost or Elevation Emotion? – Part 3
When you read the Book of Mormon is the “burning in the bosom” you feel the Holy Ghost or is it, what Psychologists define as Elevation Emotion? Elevation Emotion is a result of the hormone Oxytocin. We learn to discern the Holy Spirit from Elevation Emotion by not trusting our hearts, but by trusting in the Bible for truth
Ephesians 1 – Part 1 ➡️Predestination⬅️
When Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians about predestination, what is he talking about? Who is he referring to? This teaching has been greatly misinterpreted by both Mormons and Calvinists. Let’s closely examine who Paul is describing in the beginning chapter of this amazing epistle.
Mosiah 25-28
How should the Church deal with sinners and apostates? Does the Book of Mormon teaching of no paid clergy, apply to current LDS General Authorities? Are there striking parallels between the conversion and ministry of Alma and that of apostle Paul? Does the Book of Mormon offer more options than heaven or hell?
3 Nephi 27 – 4 Nephi
What does it mean to be “twinkled?” If, the Three Nephite Disciples were left on earth to bring many souls to Jesus, how can the LDS Church claim there was a complete apostasy? Why did Jesus make such a big deal about the name of His church? Why does Jesus prefer fair and delightsome people over those of a darker skin color?
Helaman 7-12
How is Nephi’s praying vocally from a garden tower by a public highway different from the Zoramites praying from their Rameumptom? Did Nephi quote the Joseph Smith Translation when speaking about Moses parting the Red Sea? What is the true meaning of “sealing powers?”
Baptism for the Dead – Part 2
Mormons teach that because Paul mentions baptism for the dead it should be an endorsement for this sacred ordinance.
Matthew 19-20; Mark 10; Luke 18 – Come Follow Me
What was the original meaning of marriage? And what was Jesus’ teaching on the, subject of divorce?
Romans 7-8 – Come Follow Me
Romans 7:4 “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another,
Did Joseph Smith Write Himself into Scripture?
Did Joseph Smith write himself into Mormon scripture in order to convince people he was a prophet?
It’s apparent that these scriptural passages came through one man. And it’s the same man who is the object of those prophecies – Joseph Smith.
Doesn’t that seem self-serving and arrogant of Joseph Smith to write himself into the narrative of what is called Mormon scripture?
Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon – Part 2
President Russell M. Nelson asks three important questions concerning the Book of Mormon: “First, what would your life be like without the Book of Mormon? Second, what would you not know? And third, what would you not have?” Well, let’s see if we can find the answers to those questions.
Alma 13-16
How does the Book of Mormon justify there being many “high priests” of the “high priesthood” when that clearly contradicts what the New Testament teaches? Did Abraham pay tithing of all he possessed to Melchizedek, or tithing of all from the spoils of war? Did LDS Bishops and Stake presidents ever receive a percentage of the tithing they collected for the services they performed?
Atonement – Part 1
The acts of our sinful nature are replaced with the fruit of the Spirit – which is love.
Mormon 1-6
What are the striking similarities in the lives of Mormon and Joseph Smith, Jr.? Is it reasonable that the Nephites would choose an inexperienced 16 year-old to lead their entire army? Could the Book of Mormon be considered racist Scripture?
Matthew 13; Luke 8, 13 – Come Follow Me
The point is, whether the seed takes root and produces fruit or not. This is nutrient rich “heart soil” – a heart that is willing to totally submit to God.