Unveiling Mormonism

By PursueGODSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity

Unveiling Mormonism episodes

May 19, 2025Baptism for the Dead: When Did Mormonism Start Doing This?
Most people assume baptism for the dead has ancient roots—but it didn’t even exist in early Mormonism. In this epidsode, we trace the origins of the LDS temple ordinance and compare it to what the Bible really teaches.
We’ll look at:
The Book of Mormon’s warning against postmortem salvation
Joseph Smith’s evolving revelations in the 1840s
Why 1 Corinthians 15:29 is not what the LDS Church claims it is
And what the Bible says about death, judgment, and salvation

⛔ Don’t miss why this doctrine is more dangerous than it seems.
📖 Scriptures referenced:
Alma 34:32–35
1 Corinthians 15:29
Hebrews 9:27
2 Corinthians 6:2
Luke 16:19–31
Doctrine & Covenants 124, 128

✝️ Trust in Christ—not temples or rituals—because eternity starts the moment you die.
--
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
--
Notes
10 min
May 16, 2025How Eternity Works - The PursueGOD Truth Podcast
Welcome back to the podcast! Join us today as we talk about eternity. Eternity is not just a vague spiritual concept—it’s a concrete reality taught throughout Scripture. Everyone will spend eternity somewhere, and the Bible gives us a clear roadmap to understand what happens after we die.
--
The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
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
--
How Eternity Works: A Biblical Breakdown of the Afterlife
Eternity is not a vague hope—it’s a concrete reality. Every human being will live forever in one of two places, and the Bible tells us everything we need to know about what happens after we die. Let’s walk through what Scripture reveals about the nature of the afterlife, judgment, and how to prepare for the day we take our final breath.
Understanding the Biblical Concept of the Afterlife1. Sheol and Hades: The Temporary Realm of the Dead
In the Old Testament, Sheol is described as the “realm of the dead”—a shadowy place where both the righteous and unrighteous awaited judgment. In Greek, the word used is Hades. Jesus gives us a vivid picture of this realm in Luke 16:19-31, telling the story of a rich man in torment and a poor man named Lazarus resting in “Abraham’s bosom.”

“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead.” (Luke 16:22-23 NLT)
This story reveals three key features of Sheol:
A place of torment for the unrighteous
A place of comfort for the righteous
A great chasm separating the two, uncrossable after death (Luke 16:26)

Peter refers to another compartment—Tartarus—a gloomy prison for fallen angels awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4). This concept shows the complexity of the pre-resurrection afterlife.
2. Jesus Changes Everything: The Cross and the Empty Tomb
After His death, Jesus didn’t just remain in the grave—He descended to the realm of the dead. He told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Peter writes that Jesus “preached to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19), and Paul echoes that Jesus “led a crowd of captives” to Heaven (Ephesians 4:8). Paradise was emptied and relocated—those who had died in faith now dwell directly in God’s presence.

“We are... willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)
Today, believers go straight to be with Jesus. Hades remains only as a place of waiting for the unrighteous dead.
3. Gehenna: The Final Destination of Judgment
The term Gehenna—used frequently by Jesus—refers to the Valley of Hinnom, a site associated with child sacrifice and later used as a garbage-burning pit. Jesus used it to describe final judgment.

“Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 NLT)
Jesus also spoke of “outer darkness” where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12). This isn’t a metaphorical inconvenience—it’s eternal separation from the presence of God.
In the end, Hades itself is thrown into the lake of fire—what Revelation calls the “second death” (Revelation 20:14-15). This is the final judgment for all who rejected Christ.
What the Bible Says About Judgment and Salvation
“Each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
There are no second chances after death. No reincarnation. No purgatory. No spirit-world missionaries offering a postmortem gospel.
We all fall short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23). Unrepentant sinners, those who reject Christ, and even the self-righteous will face the same end—eternal separation from God.

“They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.” (2 Thessalonians 1:9)
The Good News: Jesus Came to Rescue Us
But judgment isn’t the end of the story. Galatians 1:4 says that Jesus “gave his life for our sins… to rescue us from this evil world.” He lived a sinless life, died in our place, and rose again to defeat death.

“God... freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” (Romans 3:24 NLT)
How to Be Ready for Eternity
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Salvation is a gift offered to all, but it must be received by faith. The one question that determines your eternal destiny is this: Did you trust in Jesus?
Those who believe will enter eternal life with God. Those who reject Him will face judgment. The choice is yours.
What Will Heaven Be Like?
Heaven isn’t floating in the clouds—it’s a renewed creation, rich in beauty, community, and the full presence of God.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes… All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4 NLT)
In this new heaven and earth, we’ll enjoy perfect fellowship, unbroken relationships, and life as it was meant to be. Most importantly, God will dwell with us.

“Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people.” (Revelation 21:3 NLT)
Eternity is real. Are you ready for it?
34 min
May 12, 2025Preaching to the Dead? Mormon Theology Gone Wrong
Did Jesus really preach the gospel to the dead? And is there a second chance to accept salvation after we die?
In this video, we explore the origin of the Mormon doctrine of spirit-world missionary work, based on Doctrine and Covenants 138 and Joseph F. Smith’s 1918 vision. Using 1 Peter 3:18-20 and 1 Peter 4:6, Mormonism teaches that people can accept the LDS gospel after death—but does that line up with what the Bible actually says?
We’ll contrast the LDS interpretation with the biblical view and explain why this second-chance theology isn’t just wrong—it’s dangerous.
📖 Scriptures referenced:
Hebrews 9:27
1 Peter 3:18-20
1 Peter 4:6
Luke 16:19-31
John 3:18
2 Corinthians 6:2

🧠 Key topics covered:
Spirit Prison and Postmortem Evangelism
LDS Teachings on Baptism for the Dead
Evangelical Interpretation of 1 Peter 3–4
The Finality of Death and Judgment in Scripture

--
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
--
12 min
May 09, 2025How Healthy Families Work - The PursueGOD Truth Podcast
Tune into the podcast today for a special Mother's Day edition of our How Stuff Works series, as we explore how exactly a healthy family works!
--
The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
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
--
How Healthy Families Work (Mother’s Day Message)
Series: How Stuff Works | Message Theme: Biblical Family Health
Overview:
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate, honor, and reflect. But it also surfaces a truth we all need to acknowledge: there are no perfect families. The Bible is full of flawed family dynamics—jealousy, rivalry, favoritism, rebellion—and yet, God still worked through those families to accomplish His purposes. This message explores how even in our mess, God calls us toward something better: the pursuit of a healthy family. Not perfect—healthy.
This Mother’s Day message outlines three biblical traits that characterize healthy families. These traits are not reserved for "ideal" households but are accessible to any family that’s willing to trust God, lean into His Word, and do the work.
Dysfunction in the Bible: You’re Not Alone
Before we dive into healthy family traits, it’s important to recognize that dysfunction is nothing new. The Bible gives us raw and honest pictures of broken family systems:
Adam & Eve’s family: Jealousy led to murder (Genesis 4). Cain couldn’t handle being overshadowed by his brother Abel.
Isaac & Rebekah’s family: Favoritism and deception led to betrayal (Genesis 27). Jacob and Esau’s rivalry split their household.
David & Bathsheba’s family: Lust and abuse of power caused trauma, loss, and rebellion (2 Samuel 11-15).
Zebedee’s family (James & John): Even Jesus' disciples struggled with ambition and pride (Mark 10:35-37; Luke 9:54).

These examples remind us that family pain is part of the human experience. But they also reveal that God works with broken people to tell a story of redemption.
Trait #1: Families Who Are Jesus-Centered
Healthy families don’t center around trends—they center around truth. That truth is Jesus.
Why it matters:
Every family is centered on something—money, sports, school, success, or even the family itself.
When Jesus is the center, God’s Word becomes the foundation, and the Holy Spirit empowers the people in the family to grow and serve.

What it looks like:
Time: Prioritizing church, small groups, and faith-based community.
Finances: Giving generously, and including kids in those conversations.
Atmosphere: Creating a culture of worship, spiritual conversation, and daily discipleship at home.

Key Scripture:
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NLT) – “Repeat [these commands] again and again to your children… Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road…”
Trait #2: Husbands and Wives Who Choose Love
The health of a family often hinges on the strength of the marriage.
What culture says: Love is a feeling that fades over time.
What God says: Love is a covenant and a choice.
What it looks like:
Choosing each other daily, even when emotions run dry.
Showing affection openly—kids notice this!
Modeling sacrificial love that mirrors Christ’s love for the Church.

Key Scripture:
Ephesians 5:25-26 (NLT) – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her…”
Trait #3: Dads and Moms Who Transfer Ownership
Healthy parenting is about preparation, not perfection. The goal is to gradually transfer responsibility to your kids.
Three parenting styles:
Controlling parents: Never let go of decisions.
Uninvolved parents: Don’t care enough to stay engaged.
Healthy parents: Coach and guide while gradually releasing control.

What it looks like:
Teaching kids to manage time, money, relationships, and faith.
Letting them fail safely so they can learn.
Moving from discipline to dialogue as they mature.

Key Scripture:
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) – “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Conclusion: Embrace the Mess and Trust God
There are no perfect families. But there are Jesus-centered families. There are love-choosing couples. There are parent-coaches who raise their kids with vision.
Whether you’re a mom, dad, grandparent, or mentor—you can be part of creating a healthy family. It doesn’t happen by default. It happens by design. And it starts with a decision: to let God lead your home.
Challenge for the Week:
Pick one of the three traits and work on it this week.
Maybe that’s inviting Jesus more clearly into your family rhythms.
Or choosing love when it’s easier to walk away.
Or letting go just a little more as your kids grow.

Healthy families don’t happen overnight—but they can happen one choice at a time.
42 min
May 05, 2025Three Prophecies Joseph Smith Got Wrong
Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, claimed to speak for God—but what happens when those prophecies don’t come true? In this episode, we examine three specific prophetic claims made by Joseph Smith that completely failed the biblical test of a true prophet. From doomed cities that never fell, to a failed mission to sell Book of Mormon copyright in Canada, to a temple that was never built—these aren’t just footnotes in history. They raise serious questions about the foundation of Mormonism. And we’ll end by looking at what the Bible says about how to spot a false prophet.
Key Topics Covered:
The failed prophecy about New York and Boston’s destruction
The embarrassing Canadian copyright revelation that went nowhere
The unfulfilled temple prophecy in Independence, Missouri
Why these weren’t just offhand comments—but repeated and reinforced by LDS leaders
What Deuteronomy 18 says about failed prophecy

--
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
11 min
April 28, 2025 Brigham's Story: How God Found Me Before I Found the Truth
In this episode, Brigham shares how God broke through and led him to real faith in Jesus — even before he knew all the problems with Mormonism. His story shows how God meets us right where we are and keeps pulling us closer.
--
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
--
Notes
32 min
April 25, 2025 How the Trinity Works | Understanding God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - The PursueGOD Truth Podcast
How can God be three and one at the same time?
In this episode of our How Stuff Works series, we explore the mystery of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Using real-world discoveries like Copernicus’ heliocentric model and the outdated belief in bloodletting, we show how truth isn’t something we invent—it’s something we uncover.
Just like scientists observed the universe and aligned their beliefs with reality, we can observe Scripture and align our faith with how God has revealed Himself.
The Trinity isn’t a contradiction—it’s a deep truth waiting to be understood.

🔍 Join us as we explore how the Trinity works—and why it matters for your faith today.

📺 Watch the full How Stuff Works series for more!
--
The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
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
--
24 min
April 21, 2025 Mormonism Exposed by the Book of John
The Gospel of John offers one of the clearest pictures of who Jesus really is—and it stands in direct contradiction to the teachings of Mormonism. In this video, we explore five key doctrines where LDS beliefs clash with Scripture, including Jesus’ eternal identity, salvation by faith, the nature of God, and the false idea of a second chance after death.
What did Joseph Smith do with John 1:1? How does John 8:24 challenge the LDS idea of spirit world conversions? And why does Jesus say He is the only way to God?
We’re diving deep into the Bible to expose the truth and hold fast to the gospel as it was originally given. If you want to understand the real Jesus and compare Mormon theology with Scripture, this video is for you.
📖 Key verses: John 1:1, John 6:47, John 14:6, John 4:24, John 8:24
👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe for more Bible-centered truth and apologetics content.
#MormonismExposed #BookOfJohn #LDSDoctrine #ChristianApologetics #JosephSmith #JesusIsGod #BibleTruth #FalseTeaching #ExposingMormonism #ChristianityVsMormonism
--
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
--
17 min
April 14, 2025 Did Mormon Prophets Believe in Moon Men?
Did early Mormon prophets really believe the moon was inhabited? According to historical records, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young taught that men lived on the moon and dressed like Quakers—seriously. While the LDS Church dismisses these claims as speculation, they raise an important question: Should true prophets ever get it this wrong?
In this episode, we unpack the infamous "moon men" doctrine, explore the historical sources behind it, and offer a biblical critique of prophetic authority. Can a prophet be wrong about science, the universe, and still speak for God?
📖 Want to go deeper?
➤ More on LDS Claims vs. the Bible

➤ Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Test of a True Prophet

➤ Free Bible Studies and Apologetics Resources
👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe for more respectful but bold biblical analysis.

#MoonMen #MormonHistory #JosephSmith #BrighamYoung #LDSChurch #FalseProphets #EvangelicalApologetics #BibleVsMormonism #ChristianTruth
--
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
--
Notes
9 min
April 11, 2025Billions in Debt: The Truth About God’s Forgiveness - The PursueGOD Truth Podcast
Welcome back to the podcast! Today, we’re wrapping up our “Generous” series—not with a lesson about money, but about something even more valuable: forgiveness.
--
The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
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
--
Forgiveness and the $18 Billion Debt: What Jesus Really Meant in Matthew 18
The average American household carries over $100,000 in debt, with over $6,000 in credit card balances alone. Debt is normal in our culture. But imagine this: someone walks up and says, “I just paid off your mortgage, your student loans, your credit cards, your car, and your kids’ college tuition.” You’d be speechless.
Now picture yourself turning around and blowing up at someone who still owes you ten bucks from last week’s lunch. That’s the exact contrast Jesus paints in Matthew 18. It’s extreme. It’s uncomfortable. And it’s meant to be.
Forgiveness Isn't Optional—It's Essential
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”
Peter thought he was being generous. Jewish tradition taught you only needed to forgive someone three times. So Peter more than doubled that—and Jesus blew it all out of the water. “Seventy times seven” wasn’t a number—it was a mindset. Forgiveness isn’t a ritual; it’s a daily posture.
Jesus’ Parable: The $18 Billion Dollar Debt
Matthew 18:23-24 (paraphrased)
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who called in his debts. One servant owed him 10,000 talents.”
In biblical terms, 10,000 talents is about 200,000 years’ worth of wages—roughly $18 billion today. Jesus was making a point: the debt was absurdly unpayable.
Why so much? The man was likely a tax farmer—someone who paid the empire upfront and then overcharged the people to make his profit. Corruption was baked into the job.

Matthew 18:25-27
“Since he couldn’t pay, the master ordered he and his family be sold. The man begged for mercy. The master had compassion and forgave the debt completely.”
The Greek word used here for compassion—splagchnistheis—refers to deep, gut-level mercy. This is the same word used for Jesus in Matthew 9:36 when he looked at the lost crowds and felt moved to act.
The Twist: The Man Who Couldn’t Forgive $30,000
Matthew 18:28-30
“But the forgiven servant went out and found a fellow servant who owed him 100 denarii (about $30,000 today). He choked him and demanded instant payment.”
It’s infuriating, right? This man had just been forgiven a ridiculous debt. Then he turns around and can’t forgive someone else a fraction of what he owed.
His fellow servant even used the same words: “Be patient with me and I will pay it.” But this time, the plea fell on deaf ears.

Matthew 18:31-34
“When the king heard what happened, he was furious. He threw the first servant into prison to be tortured until the debt could be paid.”
Which—spoiler alert—it never could. Endless torture was the point.
The Point of the Parable: Forgive Like You’ve Been Forgiven
Matthew 18:35
“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”
This story is ultimately about your heart. About your capacity for compassion. About understanding that you owed God $18 billion—and He forgave you. So now, will you forgive the $30k someone else owes you?
What Forgiveness Is (and Isn’t)
Let’s get practical. Forgiveness doesn’t mean…
That what happened was okay.
That you’re pretending it didn’t hurt.
That the other person gets off the hook.

Forgiveness does mean…
You’re releasing the power that pain has over your heart.
You’re choosing to stop letting bitterness control you.
You’re giving a double gift—one to yourself, and one to the offender.

Hebrews 12:15 (NLT)
“Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
Forgiveness frees you. You can forgive even if they never say sorry. You can forgive and still have healthy boundaries. And most importantly, forgiveness reflects the heart of God.

Romans 12:18 (NLT)
“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
Final Challenge: Picture That Person—and Forgive
You were in spiritual debt up to your eyeballs. God forgave all of it. So now think about that person who hurt you. Picture their face. Say their name. Ask God for the compassion—splagchnistheis—to forgive them from your heart.
This is what relational generosity looks like. And followers of Jesus should be the most generous people in the world.
27 min

About Unveiling Mormonism

From the publisher's feed

Join Ross Anderson and Bryan Dwyer, pastors with over 50 years of combined ministry experience in Utah, as they take a deep dive on everything Mormon – from theology to history to culture. New…