In this episode, we explore the shift from a system where the thinking is done for you to the "solid food" of studying the Bible for yourself. Drawing from Hebrews 5, we discuss the stinging rebuke to those who remain spiritually "dull" and why it’s time to move past the milk to a direct, living relationship with Jesus. It’s time to stop being a consumer of a religious institution and finally launch into the mission of God.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

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Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

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In 2018, the story of Michael Rotondo went viral—a 30-year-old man sued by his parents because he refused to move out, pay rent, or help around the house. A judge finally had to step in and order him to "launch." While we laugh at the absurdity, the author of Hebrews delivers a similar stinging rebuke to believers who have been in the faith for years but are still "spiritually living in their parents' basement."

For those coming out of the LDS Church, this passage hits a specific nerve. Many have spent decades in a system that often keeps members in a state of perpetual spiritual infancy, relying on a central organization to dictate what to think, what to eat, and how to interpret every verse of Scripture. When the "thinking has been done for you," spiritual muscles atrophy.

In Hebrews 5:11-14, the author stops a deep theological discussion on Melchizedek to sigh: "You are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen." The Greek word for "dull" is nothros, meaning sluggish or lazy. Maturity requires moving past "predigested" milk to the "heavy meat" of the Word.

Biblical maturity requires Inductive Bible Study. Instead of "proof-texting"—searching for verses to confirm what a leader has already said—true study follows three steps:

1. Observation: What does the text actually say? (Not what a manual says it says).
2. Interpretation: What did it mean to the original audience?
3. Application: How does this change my life today?

Maturity isn't just about knowledge; it's about discernment. Hebrews 5:14 says the mature have "trained themselves" (gymnaso—the root of "gymnasium"). It’s about learning to recognize right and wrong based on the character of God, not just a handbook of instructions.

The "mic drop" moment of the passage is this: "You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others." The goal of the Christian life isn't just self-improvement; it's multiplication. The cure for spiritual dullness isn't more consumption—it's contribution. We don't mentor others to become worthy; we do it because Jesus is worthy, and He has already transferred His perfection to our account.

It's time to stop being a consumer and start being a contributor. The eviction notice is on the door: it's time to grow up and launch.

In a culture often focused on maintaining a perfect outward appearance, the Word of God serves as a precise scalpel that penetrates past our masks to expose the hidden motives of the heart. This isn't a process of condemnation, but a necessary surgery led by our High Priest, Jesus, who was pierced for our transgressions so that we could be truly healed.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

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In this episode, we unpack seven powerful reasons for the incarnation, showing how Jesus didn’t just make salvation possible—He came down to accomplish it.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

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Why Did Jesus Have to Become Human? (Hebrews 2)

Last week we explored the “cosmic Jesus”—the Creator and Sustainer of all things, the exact imprint of God’s nature. But Hebrews 2 brings the focus down from the throne of the universe to the dust of humanity, asking a deeply personal and essential question: Why did Jesus have to become human?

In this episode, we unpack seven powerful reasons for the incarnation straight from Hebrews 2. Jesus became human to represent us, to take on a body capable of dying so He could pay for our sin, and to decisively break the power of the devil through His death. He didn’t just make a way for us to save ourselves—He accomplished the work fully and finally.

We also explore how Jesus frees us from the fear of death, becoming not just a distant Savior but our compassionate High Priest who understands our struggles firsthand. As both fully God and fully man, He is the perfect bridge between us and God—the priest who is also the sacrifice. And because He experienced real temptation and suffering, He is able to help us in our daily battles with sin and doubt.

This conversation also highlights a key contrast between biblical Christianity and Mormon theology. Rather than a system where we climb a ladder of effort and obedience to reach God, Hebrews presents a radically different picture: God came down to us. The incarnation isn’t about Jesus progressing to something greater—it’s about God rescuing humanity.

If you’ve ever felt like God is distant, or wondered if you’ve done enough to be accepted, this episode offers hope. Jesus didn’t come to help you earn salvation—He came to be your salvation. The ladder didn’t go up. It came down.

In this powerful series premiere, we kick off a nine-week deep dive into the Book of Hebrews—a text that serves as "ground zero" for anyone standing at the crossroads between religious systems and the person of Jesus Christ. For those navigating the "covenant path" of the LDS Church, the pull of tradition, community, and structured "plan of salvation" charts can be overwhelming. However, the author of Hebrews dismantles the need for "precept upon precept" by presenting a theological sledgehammer: Jesus is not a step in your progression; He is the end of it. We explore how the first four verses of Hebrews redefine revelation, replace fragments with fullness, and introduce a Savior who didn't just come to help—He came to finish the work and sit down.

The Gravity of "Better"

• The First-Century Crisis: Understanding the original audience—Jewish believers in AD 65 tempted to retreat from the "shame" of the cross back to the safety and tangibility of the Temple.
• The Modern Parallel: For those leaving the LDS faith, the "vacuum of tradition" is real. We discuss the temptation to keep Jesus "in your pocket" while still clinging to the shadows of the old system for comfort.

Fragments vs. The Fullness

• The Slow-Release Trailer: Historically, God spoke through prophets in "many times and many ways" (dreams, bushes, still small voices).
• The Final Word: Hebrews 1:1-2 declares that God has now spoken "in Son." If Jesus is the final period at the end of God’s sentence, the need for "continuous revelation" or additional volumes of scripture is rendered obsolete. Why use a flashlight when the sun has risen?

The Anatomy of a God: The Seven Attributes We contrast the "Elder Brother" Christology of Mormonism with the majestic, uncreated Christ of Hebrews 1:

1. The Heir: He is the "Why" behind the universe, not one of many potential heirs to "worlds without end."
2. The Creator: As the agent of creation (aionas), He stands outside of time and "progression."
3. The Radiance: He is the light flowing from God, not a reflection of it.
4. The Expression: The charaktēr (exact imprint) of God’s essence. This challenges the "separate beings" doctrine.
5. The Sustainer: He holds your very atoms together by His word, not by learned priesthood keys.
6. The Savior: "After making purification..." — a finished action in the past tense.
7. The Ruler: He sat down. In a system where the work is never done (no chairs in the Temple), Jesus signals total victory by taking His seat.

Addressing the "Cheap Grace" Objection

• The distinction between doing "works" to get to Jesus versus "works" as an act of worship because of Jesus.
• The mathematical reality: "Jesus + Anything = Nothing." Adding to the finished work of Christ is a subtraction of its power.

• Hebrews 1:1-4 (The Exordium)
• D&C 130:22 (Contrast regarding the nature of God)

If Jesus is who Hebrews says He is, He isn't just "better" than your old life—He is everything. You don't need a middleman, a recommend, or a correlation committee. You need the Son. Stop trying to earn a place in a kingdom that already belongs to the Heir. Look at the Seated King, and finally... just breathe.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

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• Hebrews (Series) - pursueGOD.org

In this episode, AJ and Brandi return to the studio to dive into one of the most jarring and controversial chapters of Mormon history: the Doctrine of Blood Atonement. AJ recounts the "shelf-breaking" moment at BYU when he first discovered that early prophets—specifically Brigham Young—taught that certain sins were beyond the reach of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, requiring the sinner to shed their own blood for salvation. The discussion explores the massive disconnect between 19th-century Mormonism and modern LDS teachings, the theological implications of a "prophet who can lead you astray," and how the biblical definition of atonement offers a stark, grace-filled contrast to the works-heavy requirements of the LDS faith.

• The BYU Moment: AJ shares how a simple student question in a Book of Mormon class led to a dismissive response from a professor, sparking a late-night research session that left him "sick to his stomach."
• The Infallibility Crisis: Growing up with the song "Follow the Prophet," AJ was taught that a prophet could never lead the church astray. Discovering Blood Atonement shattered this belief, as he realized a prophet had taught something he considered the "antithesis of the gospel."

• The Core Doctrine: Taught primarily by Brigham Young and Jedediah Grant in the 1850s, it suggested that sins like murder, apostasy, and adultery were so "grievous" that Christ’s blood was insufficient to cover them.
• Literal vs. Rhetorical: While some modern apologists argue the language was metaphorical, historians (including faithful LDS scholars like Richard Turley) acknowledge instances where the doctrine was taken literally and carried out.
• The Motivation: Ironically, it was framed as an act of "love"—shedding a person's blood to save their soul from eternal damnation.

• Inoculation vs. Secrecy: Brandy and AJ discuss the shift in how the Church handles "difficult" history. While AJ’s generation faced silence and "weirdness" from professors, younger generations are being "properly inoculated" with the information early to prevent future shocks.
• The Internet Factor: The group agrees that the transparency isn't necessarily a choice but a necessity in the information age; the Church can no longer "cover up" what is easily accessible on Wikipedia or historical archives.

• Where it Happened: The guests note the cultural Mormon emphasis on Gethsemane as the primary site of atonement, whereas the Bible and traditional Christianity point to the Cross.
• Sufficiency: The biblical view (e.g., Colossians 1:20, Hebrews 9:22) asserts that Jesus’ sacrifice was "finished" and all-sufficient.
• The "Ladder" Analogy: Brandy describes the LDS view of Christ providing a "ladder" that the believer must then climb through obedience, whereas the biblical view is that Jesus is the way, not just a provider of the means to work.

• Books: Vengeance is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath by Barbara Brown Jones and Richard Turley.
• Podcasts: Sunstone Mormon History Podcast, Mormon Stories.
• Websites: MRM.org (Mormonism Research Ministry), PursueGod.org.

• 1 John 1:9: Confession and cleansing from all unrighteousness.
• Hebrews 9:22: The necessity of the shedding of blood for remission.
• Colossians 1:20: Peace made through the blood of the cross.
• John 19:30: "Tetelestai" — It is finished.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

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• Mormonism Archives - pursueGOD.org
• Connect with Brandi on Instagram

In this episode, Bryan unpacks the striking parallels between Mormonism and Islam to show how both systems ultimately shift the focus away from the finished work of Jesus and back onto human effort, contrasting it with the true gospel of grace found in the Bible.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

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This episode takes a deeper look at the striking parallels between Mormonism and Islam, highlighting how both begin with the claim that the original message of Christianity was corrupted and needed to be restored. Each introduces a new prophet—Joseph Smith and Muhammad—along with new scriptures revealed through angelic encounters, ultimately reshaping core biblical truths about who Jesus is and how salvation works. The conversation walks through how these systems, while different in many ways, both shift the focus away from the finished work of Christ and toward human effort, obedience, and religious performance.

Grounding the discussion in passages like Galatians 1 and Ephesians 2, this episode challenges listeners to examine the reliability and sufficiency of the Bible and the true gospel message. Rather than needing a restored or updated version of Christianity, Scripture points us back to the once-for-all revelation of Jesus. The takeaway is clear and encouraging: salvation is not something we achieve through striving, but something we receive by grace through faith. In a world full of competing truth claims, this episode helps clarify why the gospel of Jesus stands alone—and why it’s still enough today.

This episode uncovers the history of the secretive Danite group in early Mormonism and contrasts their use of intimidation and violence with the radically different way of Jesus, whose kingdom advances through truth, not force.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

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In this episode, we explore a little-known chapter of early Mormon history: the rise of the Danites, a secret group formed in 1838 during the Missouri conflict. Recently published historical documents have confirmed that this group existed and operated as a kind of paramilitary society within early Mormonism, using secret oaths and intimidation to silence dissenters—even other Mormons.

We also examine how religious movements can drift when loyalty to leaders begins to outweigh commitment to truth and biblical principles. Looking at passages like 2 Corinthians 10:3–4 and John 18:36, the episode contrasts the violent methods used by the Danites with the way of Jesus, whose kingdom advances not through force but through truth, humility, and sacrificial love.

Ultimately, this conversation reminds us that God’s kingdom doesn’t need secrecy, intimidation, or violence to advance. Jesus didn’t ask for secret oaths or blind allegiance—He gave His life so that people could be free and walk in the light of truth.

In this episode, Bryan sits down with two siblings who grew up on an ostrich farm in a strict Mormon home. Their stories took very different paths—one running into rebellion, the other chasing perfection—but both eventually discovered the life-changing difference between performance-based religion and the gospel of grace.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

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James and Madi grew up in an unexpected setting—an ostrich farm—inside a deeply committed LDS home led by parents who valued hard work, obedience, and doing “all you can.” As James hit his teen years, the pressure of performance-based religion collided with real-life struggles, leading to conflict, shame, and eventually being asked to leave home at 15. Madi, only seven at the time, watched it all happen and absorbed a powerful message: don’t mess up. She doubled down on Mormon checklists and perfection, while James spiraled into instability, early fatherhood, and chasing acceptance wherever he could find it.

As the years passed, James carried that same performance mindset into the Marine Corps, then into adulthood—along with addiction and a strained marriage. Madi’s story took a different path: religious OCD, emotional despair, theological questions she couldn’t get answered, and eventually stepping away from the church entirely. But when James and his wife encountered Jesus through a local Christian church, everything shifted—his identity, his marriage, and his sense of being loved without conditions. Watching that transformation sparked Madi’s own journey of deconstruction, as she began to see the profound difference between Mormon doctrine and the gospel of grace—and the hope of becoming a disciple-maker for others coming out of the same world.

In this provocative episode of Unveiling Mormonism, Pastor Bryan challenges the very bedrock of the LDS faith: the necessity of a modern priesthood. By comparing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ definitions of the Aaronic and Melchizedek offices against the biblical text of the NLT, we explore whether Joseph Smith truly restored an ancient order or created a new organizational hierarchy. From the "toll collectors" of religious systems to the liberating New Testament doctrine of the Priesthood of All Believers, this conversation shifts the focus away from human "keys" and back to the finished, unchangeable work of Jesus Christ.

1. The Hook: The High Stakes of the Middleman
2. Religion often positions itself as the "toll collector" on the bridge between humanity and God. In Mormonism, the priesthood is presented as the essential authority required to access the highest heaven. We ask the "edgy" question: Does the bridge still need a middleman?
3. The Aaronic Priesthood: Ritual or Bloodline?
4. An investigation into the Old Testament requirements for the Aaronic Priesthood reveals stark differences from the LDS "preparatory" office for 12-year-olds.
5. Lineage: Biblical priests required specific DNA (descendants of Aaron).
6. Maturity: Service began at age 25–30, not 12.
7. Purpose: The biblical office was defined by animal sacrifice—a "shadow" that pointed toward the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
8. The Melchizedek Mystery: Who Really Holds the Keys?
9. In the New Testament, the Melchizedek Priesthood isn't a category of office for thousands of men; it is a unique, untransferable ($aparabatos$) office held by Jesus alone. Because Jesus lives forever, He requires no successor or local "holder" of His authority.
10. The Priesthood of All Believers: No More Middlemen
11. Exploring the radical shift in 1 Peter 2:9, where the "royal priesthood" is extended to every believer—regardless of gender, age, or status. The tearing of the Temple veil signaled the end of the religious hierarchy, granting every person direct access to the throne of grace.
12. Closing the Loop: The Finished Work
13. The bridge to God isn't built of "worthiness interviews" or human rituals. It was built by the cross. For the follower of Jesus, standing with God is tied to the Savior, not a system.

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• Keyword: Priesthood
• Why Is The “Priesthood Of All Believers” So Important?
• What Is the Melchizedek Priesthood in Mormonism?
• How Does the Mormon Aaronic Priesthood Compare to the Bible?

The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now