In this series, we interview Casey Cheney on her story coming out of Mormonism. She is a member of First Baptist Church of Provo, and has been a hard-working hero behind the scenes making Distinctive Christianity happen! Listen in and hear her story of conversion to Mormonism, and then her re-committing to the Biblical Jesus and the Triune God of Scripture.

Message from Casey:

Dear faithful, former, and questioning LDS listeners,

I hope one thing you have come to learn through listening to this podcast is how much Pastor Brendon, Skyler, myself, and all other guests yearn for you to come to know the God of the Bible. I realize that this is a scary prospect, to even begin to question what you believe or to put your faith once again in something greater than yourself.

As you begin to read the Bible, I urge you to really read it for what it says, not wearing the lenses of the LDS church. You will come to see that there is one God in the 3 persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You will recognize how to identify a false prophet (see Deuteronomy 13 and 18) which will then show you that your own church was built by a man (and men) who gave false prophecies, which automatically disqualifies them from any office of prophet. You will see that those same men created a god after their own image, which Deuteronomy and Galatians tell us are "other gods" and we should flee from such teachings. 

You will come to understand just how sinful we are and that we need God to save us through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The LDS church puts so much stock into doing all that we can do to be exalted, but our deeds are like "filthy rags" to God. NOTHING we can do will ever save (or exalt) us. Good deeds flow out of our faith in and our salvation through Jesus ... they earn us nothing. The only thing we earn every day is the just and righteous wrath of God as we continually sin against Him. Only through faith in the true Jesus are we saved, He paid our debt, He reconciled us to God. Put your faith in the only Jesus who saves completely.

You will learn that God does not dwell in a temple made with hands. The veil at the temple was torn at the crucifixion of Jesus, granting us personal and immediate access to God with Jesus as our mediator. We, as believers in the One True God, are His living temple. You will also learn that it was in times past that God spoke through His prophets, but He NOW speaks only through His Son, the living Word who has been revealed in the 66 books of the Old and New Testament.

Your prophet, Brigham Young said, "Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it and see if it will stand the test." If you truly compare the theology and doctrine of the LDS church, you will see it is in direct conflict with what God has spoken in the Bible.

The Christian faith has stood the test of time. The doctrine and theology has not changed. God is faithful and trustworthy. Just because you have been deceived does not mean that Truth is not out there. Your leaders have created a fear of Truth not being out there with comments like without the LDS church, "where will you go?" The answer to that question is, into Christianity to follow the Triune God of the Bible, to the only faith that will save.

I have many LDS friends who are sincere in their faith. They've had experiences that they can only explain through the lens of the LDS church, I have too. My friends, sincerity does not equal Truth. You can sincerely believe something and be very, very wrong. Deadly wrong, even. Once God removes the scales from your eyes, you, too will see that you are wrong. Your church cannot save you, only the God of the Bible can. 

I plead with you to flee from your false church, false prophets, and false gospel. Stop worshipping a "god" who looks like you and look to Someone far greater. Stop being the "god" of your own world as you continue to "work" to try to earn your place, you will NEVER succeed, you will only succeed in earning death and just damnation. Begin by asking those questions that have been nagging you, dive into the Bible, and break down those walls (and shelves) as you discover the Truth.

Sincerely,

Casey Cheney

Recommended Resources:

Alistair Begg

• Power and message of the cross: https://youtu.be/SL8mJQ39zjw?si=gJHFonFzTJtL9j0v

Apologia Studios

• The Gospel for Mormons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQNObk2qAwo

Ligonier Ministries

• Trinity playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL30acyfm60fXOTsaES-fe_G_Vi9v836DM
• Faith alone playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL30acyfm60fWpVFe1JbevGeBEh9YKnuF5
• Grace alone playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL30acyfm60fXLUCD2Anxzn55e_3gFpWiA
• What is the Gospel playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL30acyfm60fVKoF19CmJWgy9GpzoWMz3O
• Mystery of the Trinity playlist (R.C. Sproul): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL30acyfm60fUn9Yl_IUO9PLddhIjCtMgv

Mike Winger

• Evidence for the Bible playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuhA0RPKZFHVcjIMN_-F596&si=IOoM86VNAPRtc_JU
• Mormonism refuted playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHto0RUyfROfdl2l6jDMwvSi
• Stop saying all roads lead to God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toFfthC-Xto
• Jesus vs Joseph Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJMAMAbPB94
• The Trinity: can we defend it Biblically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0cLKtR5kfE

Ancient Paths TV

• LDS Videos playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpi3wmTbuMp45XO_rkcbfNJQMsLZ8Ptyb&si=aCfomiArrYYwSka5
• Joseph Smith behind the Mask: https://youtu.be/MsVM89lM0tQ?si=Y_SU4Uj8VW4J7mrk
• Temples made with hands: https://youtu.be/kTef-yb-VZk?si=-E2a7LvyTa9gcCJX

Living Hope Ministries

• The Bible vs Joseph Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7tyCH3rBtU
• The Bible vs the Book of Mormon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1mFdO1wB08

Fighting for the Faith:

• Hearing the Voice of God, pt. 1: https://youtu.be/3du-8JT4X_Y?si=CXEBi0BkL21BacvE
• Hearing the Voice of God, pt. 2: https://youtu.be/d_ehhsYF8NA?si=RYp_XxiKlSs6sM9s
• Apostles 101: https://youtu.be/4R67FC-ZhWU?si=ujYe_vm6rZPodgSS
• Diseased Trees and Bad Fruit (not directly LDS related): https://youtu.be/3bxpk75Gnyk?si=LJe516sYW_U7zC-M

Long for Truth

• Mormonism and the New Apostolic Reformation: https://youtu.be/PCL9Jimd8PU?si=yGgTvV5otOlbWC4_

Bethel (Bethel Church in Redding California, Bethel Music, Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry) ... not to be confused with other churches that use the name Bethel.

• video of "impartation" to other church members, demonic:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xkV6BloXOg&t=42s

R.C. Sproul booklets: There are tons more but these are a good start

• What is the Gospel
• Does God exist?
• Who is Jesus?
• Who is the Holy Spirit?
• What is the Trinity?
• Can I trust the Bible?
• What does it mean to be born again?
• Can I know God's will?
• Can I have joy in my life?
• How can I be right with God?
• Are people basically good?
• What is faith?

Stories about leaving the LDS Church (from those born & raised)

• A Mormon's Unexpected Journey by Carma Naylor (2 v.)
• Where is Jesus? by Brenton Laidler

Stories about leaving the LDS Church (from converts into the LDS church)

• Out of Mormonism by Judy Roberston
• Unveiling grace by Lynn Wilder

Other useful books

• Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Mormons by Ron Rhodes & Marian Bodine
• Mormonism 101 by Bill McKeever & Eric Johnson
• Introducing Christianity to Mormons by Eric Johnson
• The Historical Jesus and the Historical Joseph Smith by Tom Hobson
• Where does it say that? Photo reprints of Hard-to-Get Mormon Documents Compiled by Bob Witte

Other useful websites

• Cultwatch: https://cultwatch.com/mormon.html
• God Loves Mormons: https://godlovesmormons.com/
• Mormonism Research Ministry: https://www.mrm.org/