Unveiling Mormonism

In this part 1 of 2 episodes, Bryan and Layne pull back the curtain on Mormonism’s temple recommend—walking through the 16 worthiness questions, why they emphasize loyalty and performance over Jesus’ finished work, and what the Bible says about true access to 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.

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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In this episode, Bryan and Layne take listeners inside one of the most important—and least understood—practices in Mormonism: the temple recommend interview.

For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), receiving a temple recommend is like getting a spiritual passport. Without it, you cannot enter Mormon temples, where sacred ordinances such as baptisms for the dead, eternal marriages, and endowments are performed. To get one, every member must answer the same 16 “worthiness questions” in interviews with both their local bishop and their stake president.

Layne, who held temple recommends for decades before leaving Mormonism, explains what these questions are, what they test, and how they compare with the Bible’s teaching about salvation, worthiness, and grace.

A temple recommend is a physical card (now often digitized) that allows a Mormon to enter any LDS temple worldwide. It is valid for two years, after which the member must repeat the interview process to renew it.

For many Mormons, obtaining a recommend is the pinnacle of religious devotion. From childhood classes to teenage priesthood offices, LDS culture builds anticipation for the temple. Preparation includes six weeks of temple prep classes and then the recommend interview.

The interview itself consists of 16 standardized questions. These questions are designed to measure whether someone is “worthy” to enter the temple. But as Layne explains, they often test external performance more than internal faith.

The first few questions sound straightforward:

1. Do you have faith in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?
2. Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His role as Savior and Redeemer?

At face value, many Christians could answer “yes.” But the problem arises in the definitions. A biblical Christian would describe God as one eternal Being in three persons—the Father, Son, and Spirit. Yet Mormonism defines them as three separate gods. Similarly, Mormons often emphasize Jesus’ suffering in Gethsemane rather than His finished work on the cross.

The result? The questions aren’t just about belief in God or Christ—they’re about belief in the LDS version of God and Christ.

Other questions reveal more clearly the institutional loyalty expected:

• Do you have a testimony of the “restoration” of the gospel through Joseph Smith?
• Do you sustain the current prophet and apostles as seers and revelators?
• Do you support or promote any teachings contrary to those of the LDS Church?

One “wrong” answer can disqualify you from temple access. As Layne puts it, these questions measure whether you are following the system—not whether you truly trust in Jesus.

Some questions also probe deeply into personal morality:

• Do you live the law of chastity (sexual purity)?
• Is your family life in harmony with church teachings?
• Do you keep the Sabbath day holy by attending church and avoiding prohibited activities?

For young people, this can mean sitting in closed-door interviews with male bishops who ask about pornography use or sexual struggles. Layne reflects as a father how troubling this practice is—especially for daughters as young as 12 who are required to answer these questions alone with an older man.

While purity matters, the Bible makes clear that true cleansing comes through Christ’s sacrifice, not through checking boxes in an interview.

The temple recommend questions highlight the contrast between Mormonism and the Bible. In Mormonism, worthiness is measured by performance, institutional loyalty, and adherence to man-made rules. In the Bible, worthiness is found only in Christ:

• “It is finished.” John 19:30 (NLT)
• “God saved you by his grace when you believed… Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
• “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)

The gospel is not about earning access to God through interviews or rituals. It’s about receiving His finished work by faith.

For LDS members, the pressure to qualify for a temple recommend can be overwhelming. Many live in fear of failing to measure up. Some bend the truth to get a “yes.” Others are tormented by conscience, wondering if they’re ever “good enough.”

The good news of the Bible is that no one is good enough—and that’s why Jesus came. His perfect righteousness, not ours, is what gives us access to God.

As Layne reflects, “These questions are laying out my righteousness. But the gospel points me to Christ’s righteousness.”

• A temple recommend is required for Mormon temple worship and is renewed every two years.
• Members must answer 16 questions about belief, morality, and loyalty to LDS leadership.
• Many questions sound biblical but carry LDS definitions that differ from historic Christianity.
• The system measures outward performance, but the Bible emphasizes inward faith in Christ.
• True worthiness before God is found in Jesus’ finished work, not in our answers to man-made tests.

What role does the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit) really play in a believer’s life? In this episode, Bryan and Layne explore how Mormonism, the Book of Mormon, and the Bible describe the work of the Spirit—and why those descriptions matter.

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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 LDS view of the Holy Ghost – As Layne shares from his own experience, many Mormons grow up seeing the Holy Ghost primarily as a “burning in the bosom,” a feeling that validates the truth of the LDS Church. But in practice, that “confirmation” is not enough—modern Mormonism teaches you also need prophets, temples, ordinances, and authority.
• The contrast in the Book of Mormon – Interestingly, passages like 2 Nephi 32:5 and Moroni 10:4-5 describe the Holy Ghost much more like the Bible does: as sufficient to lead believers into all truth, without extra rituals or institutions.
• The biblical picture of the Holy Spirit – The Bible consistently teaches that the Spirit is given when we believe (Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 3). He permanently indwells every believer, guiding us into truth, glorifying Jesus, and assuring us of salvation. The Spirit is a He, not an it, the third Person of the Trinity.
• How modern LDS doctrine complicates things – Later revelations in the Doctrine & Covenants change the role of the Spirit. Instead of being sufficient on His own, the Spirit is portrayed as temporary, conditional, and dependent on temple ordinances and priesthood authority. This shift points believers back to an institution rather than to Christ.
• Why the simplicity of Christ matters – Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon highlight the “plain and precious” truth: the Holy Spirit Himself is enough to guide and teach. Jesus promised that the Spirit would never leave believers (John 14:26, John 16:13). Mormonism adds layers of requirements that move away from that simplicity.

• The Holy Spirit’s role is to glorify Jesus and point us to Him—not to a prophet, a church, or an institution.
• According to both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, the Spirit is sufficient to guide believers into all truth.
• Modern Mormonism shifts the focus, teaching that prophets, temples, and ordinances are necessary for the fullness of the Spirit.
• The Bible teaches that the Spirit permanently indwells every believer at the moment of faith—no rituals, worthiness interviews, or temple covenants required.
• True freedom and assurance come when we embrace the simplicity of Christ and the sufficiency of His Spirit.

If you’re LDS, former LDS, or just curious, this conversation raises an important question: Is the Holy Ghost enough, or do we need more than the Spirit to truly connect with God? Bryan and Layne show how the answer you give will shape your entire understanding of salvation, faith, and your relationship with God.

In today’s episode, Bryan and Layne explore how the Jesus of the Book of Mormon compares with the Jesus of modern Mormonism and the unchanging Jesus of 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.

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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When it comes to Jesus, definitions matter. In this episode, we explore three portraits: the Jesus often taught in modern-day Mormonism (LDS), the Jesus presented in the Book of Mormon (published in 1830), and the Jesus revealed in the Bible. Understanding the differences isn’t just academic—it’s the difference between a gospel of human progress and the good news of divine rescue.

The Modern LDS View (as many were taught)

Many lifelong Latter-day Saints were taught a framework where Jesus (Jehovah) is a created spirit-son of Elohim and a Heavenly Mother, the elder brother of all humans—and even of Lucifer. In that system, God the Father Himself once progressed to Godhood, and Jesus is likewise on a path of progression. This view filters into temple endowment language about “organizing” existing matter, reinforcing the idea that God is more architect than Creator. The result? A Jesus who feels closer to us by nature, but further from us in power—a Savior on the way up, rather than the eternal Lord who stoops down to save.

The Book of Mormon’s Higher Christology

Interestingly, the earliest Book of Mormon language often sounds more like historic Christian claims about Christ’s full deity. For example, passages highlight worship directed to Jesus and language that closely parallels biblical titles for God. Whatever one concludes about its origins, the Book of Mormon’s Christological tone (especially early editions) frequently reads closer to biblical Trinitarian language than to later LDS teachings. That’s a crucial observation for anyone comparing sources within the broader Latter-day Saint tradition.

The Bible’s Timeless Witness about Jesus

Scripture presents an unchanging Christ—from eternity past to eternity future. “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1-3 NLT. Jesus isn’t created; he is the eternal Son through whom all things were made. “So the Word became human and made his home among us” John 1:14 NLT. The New Testament repeatedly ascribes to Jesus names, works, and worship belonging to God alone. He is “the exact likeness of God,” the preeminent One through whom and for whom all things were created Colossians 1:15-17 NLT. He bears the personal divine name “I AM” John 8:58 NLT and claims the titles “Alpha and Omega…the Almighty” Revelation 1:8 NLT.

This has massive implications. If Jesus is uncreated, then salvation rests not on our ascent to Godhood, but on God’s descent to rescue sinners. The torn temple veil at Jesus’ death dramatizes this shift from ritual ladders to a Person—direct access to the Father through the finished work of the Son (Matthew 27:51) NLT.

Why This Matters for You

If your background trained you to “follow the prophet,” the Bible gently but firmly redirects your trust: “Long ago God spoke…through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son” Hebrews 1:1-3 NLT. Christianity is not a pyramid of worthiness requirements; it’s a cross-shaped gift of grace. “God saved you by his grace when you believed…It is a gift from God” Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT. And that gift is received personally: “Those who listen to my message and believe…have eternal life” John 5:24 NLT.

A Path Forward

If you’re LDS or formerly LDS, consider this: Which Jesus can actually save—an exalted being on the way up, or the eternal Son who came down? The Bible’s Jesus doesn’t evolve with leadership changes or new essays; he is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) NLT.

This episode exposes how Joseph Smith’s view of God shifted dramatically between the Book of Mormon and his later teachings—raising big questions about the nature of God and the foundations of Mormon theology.

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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 take a deep dive into how Joseph Smith’s view of God evolved from the publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830 to his famous King Follett Discourse in 1844—just months before his death. Layne and Bryan explore the stark contrast between the eternal, unchanging God of the Book of Mormon and the progressive, exalted man described in later Mormon scriptures.

Whether you’re LDS, a former Mormon, or simply curious about church history, this episode will challenge assumptions and invite you to ask critical questions about the nature of God, the reliability of scripture, and what it all means for faith today.

• Joseph Smith’s Changing Theology
• How his earliest writings portray God as eternal and unchanging—while later teachings suggest God was once a man who progressed to godhood.
• The Book of Mormon vs. Later Mormon Scriptures
• Why the God described in the Book of Mormon looks much more like the God of the Bible than the God of the Doctrine and Covenants or Pearl of Great Price.
• The King Follett Discourse
• What Joseph Smith taught about God just three months before his death—and why it marked a major theological shift.
• Contradictions and Questions
• How LDS leaders respond when members raise concerns about conflicting teachings across Mormon scripture.
• A Call to “Test Everything”
• Why the Bible encourages believers to examine claims critically instead of blindly following authority.

Your view of God shapes everything—your faith, your worship, and ultimately, your eternal hope. If the God of the Book of Mormon and the Bible is eternal, unchanging, and unique, what does that mean for the progressive, exalted man described in later LDS teachings?

This episode invites you to wrestle honestly with these questions and discover why your view of God matters more than you might think.

In today’s episode, we compare what the Book of Mormon says about salvation with what the Bible teaches, exposing the extra layers Mormonism has added and pointing back to the simplicity of the gospel in Christ.

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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].

Donate Now

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In this episode, Bryan and Layne continue their deep dive into the Book of Mormon and what it teaches about salvation—specifically looking at 3 Nephi 11. Jesus’ words in this passage lay out four simple principles: faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost. Layne shares how, as a former Mormon missionary, this message was taught plainly at first but later complicated by the added layers of temple rituals, exaltation, and ongoing revelations in Mormonism.

Together, they unpack key questions:

• Why does Jesus in the Book of Mormon keep the doctrine of salvation simple, yet Mormonism adds dozens of extra requirements?
• How does the LDS plan of salvation differ from what the Bible clearly teaches about salvation by grace through faith?
• Why does the Book of Mormon present Jesus as the unchanging God, yet later Mormon doctrine redefines His nature?

This conversation challenges listeners—especially those with an LDS background—to examine whether they are truly following Jesus or simply following the changing words of modern prophets. In the end, Bryan and Layne point back to the Bible’s consistent and clear message: salvation is found in Christ alone, not in works, rituals, or added revelation.

Layne, a former Mormon of 40 years, has a deep love for the LDS community and a heart to help them see how the Book of Mormon points to the biblical Jesus.

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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, Bryan sits down with Layne to explore his unique approach to sharing Jesus with Latter-day Saints—by starting with the Book of Mormon itself. Layne, a former Mormon of 40 years, has a deep love for the LDS community and a heart to help them see how the Book of Mormon points to the biblical Jesus.

The conversation centers on 3 Nephi 11, where Jesus of the Book of Mormon lays out His doctrine: faith in Him, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit—warning not to add or take away from these essentials. Layne shares how these simple principles in the Book of Mormon contrast sharply with the later, expanded LDS requirements found in other scriptures and modern church teachings.

Along the way, Layne reflects on:

• Why the Book of Mormon sounds more like historic Christianity than modern Mormonism.
• How LDS members are often conditioned to trust the prophet over their own study of scripture.
• Why progressive revelation has allowed doctrines to shift far from the original text.
• His own journey from “all-in Mormon” to “all-in for Jesus.”

This is just the beginning of a multi-part series where Bryan and Layne will examine what the Book of Mormon says about the nature of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and salvation—and compare it with both the Bible and current LDS teaching.

Key Topics in This Episode:

• Layne’s story and heart for the Mormon people.
• Understanding the “testimony wall” and how to lower it.
• Context of 3 Nephi 11 in LDS scripture.
• Jesus’ four unchanging principles—and His warning about adding more.
• The gap between the Book of Mormon and later LDS doctrines.

Quote to Think About:

“You don’t need a system—you need a Savior. Jesus already finished it fully and completely.”

The story of the missing 116 pages isn’t just an early Mormon mishap—it’s a revealing glimpse into how Joseph Smith used “divine revelation” to cover his tracks and shape a theology on the fly.

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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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• One of the most embarrassing and revealing scandals in Mormon history is the story of the missing 116 pages of the original Book of Mormon manuscript.
• This event not only highlights the human invention at the heart of Mormon origins but also shows how Joseph Smith used convenient “revelations” to cover his tracks.
• Even South Park famously mocked this story—because it’s so unbelievable that even secular audiences can see through it.

• In 1828, Joseph Smith began dictating what he claimed was a divine translation of ancient golden plates, with Martin Harris as his scribe.
• Harris, facing skepticism from his wife and others, begged to take the manuscript home to prove the work's authenticity.
• Smith claimed to receive divine permission after initially being told “no” twice.
• Harris lost the first 116 pages—they were never recovered.

LDS Scripture:

Doctrine & Covenants 3 (July 1828):

• This is Joseph Smith’s first recorded revelation after the disaster.
• It is a sharp rebuke from God, calling Joseph to repentance for his disobedience but also offering reassurance that the work would still move forward.
• This marks the first time Smith claimed to receive a dictated revelation directly from God, setting a pattern for how Mormon “scripture” would develop.

If Smith was truly translating by the gift and power of God, why not simply redo the translation?

• If the translation was truly by “the gift and power of God,” shouldn’t it have produced the same result, word for word, no matter what?
• Why would God, all-powerful and sovereign, allow a human scheme to thwart the process?
• If the book was engraved on plates, why not simply translate them again as-is?

Smith claimed that evil men would alter the original pages to expose him as a fraud if he attempted a retranslation.

The supposed solution: God had prepared a backup record—the Small Plates of Nephi—which covered the same historical period but with a spiritual focus.

LDS Scripture:

Doctrine & Covenants 10 (Summer 1829):

• Smith claimed God told him not to retranslate but to use the Small Plates, which God had foreseen would be necessary.

The Small Plates are described in 1 Nephi 9:2-5:

Nephi claims to have written two records:

• Large Plates (political/historical)

The Book of Lehi was part of the large plates of Nephi — a record Mormon had abridged.

• Small Plates (spiritual teachings)

Nephi says he doesn’t fully know why—only that it’s for a “wise purpose,” which Smith later claimed referred to the future loss of the 116 pages.

Reality Check:

• The Small Plates narrative was written after the loss and looks like a retroactive invention to cover for the problem.

Key Fact:

• The Small Plates (1 Nephi–Omni) were not part of the original translation but were added later in 1829 as a theological replacement for the missing material.

• The lost material only affected pages 1–116 (the so-called Book of Lehi).
• When Smith resumed translating in April 1829, he skipped ahead and continued with Mosiah—what would have been page 117+ of the original work.
• These pages were never shared with Harris or anyone else and remained intact.
• Later, Smith dictated the Small Plates material (1 Nephi–Omni) and inserted them at the beginning of the Book of Mormon.

In a preface to the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon, Smith writes of the lost 116 pages:

I translated, by the gift and power of God, and caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen pages, the which I took from the Book of Lehi, which was an account abridged from the plates of Lehi, by the hand of Mormon; which said account, some person or persons have stolen and kept from me, notwithstanding my utmost exertions to recover it again -- and being commanded of the Lord that I should not translate the same over again, for Satan had put it into their hearts to tempt the Lord their God, by altering the words that they did read contrary from that which I translated and caused to be written; and if I should bring forth the same words again, or, in other words, if I should translate the same over again, they would publish that which they had stolen, and Satan would stir up the hearts of this generation, that they might not receive this work: but behold the Lord said unto me, I will not suffer that Satan shall accomplish his evil design in this thing: therefore thou shalt translate from the plates of Nephi, until ye come to that which ye have translated, which ye have retained; and behold ye shall publish it as a record of Nephi; and thus I will confound those who have altered my words. I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work;

Quick Timeline:

Loss of 116 pages (Book of Lehi)

Summer 1828

D&C 3: First revelation, rebuke, and call to repent

July 1828

Translation resumes (Mosiah forward)

Spring 1829

D&C 10: “Backup plan” revealed

Summer 1829

Dictation of Small Plates (1 Nephi–Omni)

Late 1829

Book of Mormon published

March 1830

The South Park episode “All About Mormons” (Season 7, Episode 12) hilariously retells this story:

• Martin Harris’ wife hides the manuscript to see if Smith can retranslate.
• The show highlights the ridiculousness of Smith’s excuses, using the iconic chant: “Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum”.

Even non-Christians can see that this is not how real divine revelation works.

That's a fair and provocative way to put it — and it captures what many critics have suggested:

Once Joseph Smith “got away with” explaining the loss of the 116 pages by appealing to divine revelation and an alternative source, he felt emboldened to apply the same strategy to the Bible — offering “restorations” and new material under the claim of divine authority.

Critics argue this:

The 116 pages incident set a precedent: Smith claimed God had provided a backup and that retranslation was off-limits — and it worked. His followers accepted the explanation and moved forward.

Emboldened by that success, Smith then extended the same method to the Bible, saying:

• The Bible was corrupted over time (just like the lost pages could be tampered with).
• He was authorized to restore the original text by revelation — just as he’d done with the Book of Mormon.

This culminated in the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), which contains:

• New verses (e.g., prophecy about Joseph Smith in Genesis),
• Doctrinal revisions (e.g., clarity on the Godhead),
• Entire new chapters (e.g., Book of Moses, Enoch material).

💬 To critics, this looks like a pattern of theological improvisation — with Smith claiming divine revelation whenever a textual problem or doctrinal opportunity arose.

The Bible declares that God’s Word is eternal and preserved:

• Isaiah 40:8 — God's Word stands forever.
• Matthew 24:35 — His words will never pass away.
• Psalm 12:6-7 — God protects His Word from corruption.

Irony: The Bible never needed “backups” because God’s sovereign hand preserved it through centuries of faithful transmission.

The Apostle Paul warns of false gospels in Galatians 1:6-9—which is exactly what we see in the origins of Mormonism.

The missing 116 pages incident is rarely discussed in LDS circles today because it undermines the claim of divine authenticity.

It shows:

• The human error and inconsistency behind the Book of Mormon’s origins.
• The pattern of retroactive revelation to solve theological problems.

Christians can gently ask:

• Would the true God of the Bible lose His revelation?
• Does this incident resemble the way God preserved Scripture?

The Missing 116 Pages episode reveals the human fingerprints all over Mormonism’s origins.

D&C 3 shows the first time Joseph Smith used a “thus saith the Lord” revelation to maintain control of the story—a pattern that continued throughout his life.

The Bible stands alone as the tested, preserved, and trustworthy Word of God, never needing patches or do-overs.

Layne spent 40 years fully committed to Mormonism, but realizing that the temple veil was torn revealed that true access to God is through Jesus alone—not a religious system.

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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].

Donate Now

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This episode explores the true biblical meaning of covenant—and how it offers freedom through Christ, not the pressure of performance found in Mormonism.

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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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Mormons often speak of “making covenants” and “keeping covenants” as central to their spiritual journey, particularly in temples.

“Keeping my covenants helps me stay on the covenant path.”

• This is one of the most common phrases in modern LDS teaching.
• The “covenant path” is seen as the lifelong journey of obedience to temple covenants, commandments, and church requirements to eventually achieve exaltation (godhood).

“I need to stay worthy to enter the temple by keeping my covenants.”

• Mormons must follow strict behavioral guidelines to maintain a temple recommend—this includes tithing, the Word of Wisdom, chastity, loyalty to church leaders, and more.
• Failure to keep these standards can result in losing temple privileges.

“We renew our covenants every Sunday by taking the sacrament.”

• Mormons are taught that by taking the sacrament (communion), they are renewing the covenants they made at baptism—and by extension, all temple covenants as well.
• This creates a weekly cycle of striving to stay “worthy” of God’s blessings.

“By keeping my covenants, I can qualify for eternal life and exaltation.”

• In LDS belief, eternal life (not just salvation but godhood in the highest heaven) is conditional on faithful covenant-keeping.
• This includes baptism, priesthood ordination (for men), temple endowment, celestial marriage, and ongoing obedience.

“I want to be a covenant-keeper so I can be with my family forever.”

• LDS doctrine teaches that only those who keep all covenants faithfully to the end will achieve celestial marriage and eternal family unity.

• But what is the true biblical meaning of covenant? And how does it expose the flaws in Mormon doctrine?
• This is a vital conversation for anyone transitioning from Mormonism to true biblical Christianity.

• In Scripture, a covenant is a divinely initiated relationship where God sets the terms and fulfills the promises.

Key biblical covenants:

• Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9)
• Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17)
• Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24)
• Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7)
• New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:20)

In Genesis 15, God formalizes His covenant with Abraham:

• God promises land, descendants, and blessing.
• In the ancient Near East, covenant ceremonies involved both parties walking through slain animal pieces, symbolizing: “If I break this covenant, may I die.”

But in Genesis 15:

• Abraham falls asleep (Genesis 15:12).
• God alone, symbolized by a smoking firepot and flaming torch, walks through the pieces (Genesis 15:17).

This signifies:

• God Himself takes full responsibility for fulfilling the covenant.
• It’s unconditional—Abraham does nothing to “keep” it.
• A precursor to salvation by grace through Christ, not by human works or performance (Romans 4:3-5).

Mormonism’s view:

• Covenants are a series of promises we make to God: baptism, temple, marriage, obedience to laws and ordinances (2 Nephi 31:5-21; D&C 132).
• D&C 82: 8 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a new commandment, that you may understand my will concerning you; 9 Or, in other words, I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation. 10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.
• D&C 132: 4 For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory. 
• 7 And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed…whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force…
• Keeping covenants = earning exaltation.
• 19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them… by him who is anointed… they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation….
• 20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting…

The New Covenant is the central promise of God fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

It was foretold in the Old Testament:

• Jeremiah 31:31-34 — “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant… I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts.”
• It promises:
• Forgiveness of sins
• New hearts empowered by God’s Spirit
• Intimate relationship with God

Jesus inaugurates this covenant:

• Luke 22:20 — “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood.”

The New Covenant is:

• Unconditional for the believer—secured by Christ alone.
• Internal not external—written on the heart, not on stone tablets.
• Everlasting—eternal life with God that can never be lost (Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 13:20).

The Bible often refers to God’s covenants as everlasting because:

• God Himself is faithful and unchanging.
• The New Covenant through Jesus is the final and eternal covenant—it will never be replaced or superseded.

Examples:

• Hebrews 13:20 — Jesus is the “great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the everlasting covenant.”
• Isaiah 55:3 — Speaks of an “everlasting covenant” linked to the faithful love promised to David.

Mormon Doctrine (Doctrine & Covenants 132:6-7, 19-20):

• The “new and everlasting covenant” is identified primarily as celestial marriage—the requirement to be married in an LDS temple for exaltation (godhood).
• In LDS teaching, it is conditional: you must keep your covenants, be sealed in the temple, and live righteously to achieve the highest heaven.

The Bible’s teaching:

• The true “everlasting covenant” is Jesus Himself and His finished work—not marriage, temple rites, or human performance.
• Eternal life is a gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), not a reward for keeping temple covenants.

In the Old Testament, the covenant with Israel is inseparable from the land of Israel (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

The Messiah was to come through the line of David, in the land of Israel, as fulfillment of God’s unbroken promises.

The Book of Mormon claims Lehi’s family was called to a new promised land in the Americas (1 Nephi 2:2).

Theological problem:

• This contradicts God’s own covenantal pattern.
• God does not create separate covenant peoples and lands—the covenant is fulfilled in Christ in Israel (Galatians 3:16).
• The New Covenant extends the blessings of Israel to all nations, not to a splinter group in the Americas.

Jesus declared: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20).

The New Covenant:

• Secured solely by Christ—not by our works (Hebrews 8:6-13).
• Brings forgiveness, transformation, and eternal life.
• The Genesis 15 principle is fulfilled: God does it all—we simply receive it by faith (Romans 4:16).

Coming to grips with grace-based covenant means:

• No more temple worthiness interviews to prove yourself.
• No more fearing failure to keep covenants.
• Resting in the finished work of Jesus—God’s covenant keeper (Hebrews 10:14).

Verses to cling to:

• Romans 8:1—No condemnation for those in Christ.
• John 19:30—“It is finished.”

We’re wrapping up our series in Galatians by looking at what grace looks like in real life—especially when someone falls short. From restoring others gently to boasting only in the cross, this final chapter gives us a powerful picture of what it means to live out grace in community.

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👉 Big Picture:

The entire letter has been Paul’s passionate plea: stop adding to the gospel. Salvation is not Jesus plus anything—not circumcision, not temple work, not “after all you can do.” It is faith alone in Christ alone. He’ll come back to this at the end of the letter, but first…

What happens when you DO screw up in a grace-filled community?

• That’s what Paul answers next 
• Along with:
• Financial generosity in that community
• Should you pay your pastors?
• And some final thoughts

Galatians 6:1-5 (NLT) 1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Key Point:

• Spirit-led living means being a community of restoration: when someone sins, we help them back—not with condemnation, but with gentleness and humility.

Contrast with LDS Approach:

• In Mormonism, serious sin often leads to public confession to leadership, loss of temple access, and time-based restoration that can feel shaming and hierarchical.
• In the Bible, restoration is immediate through grace and repentance (James 5:16).

👉 Biblical Truth:

We are all saved by grace and need to be carriers of grace for one another.

Galatians 6:6 (NLT) 6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.

Key Point:

• Those who receive spiritual instruction are to share generously with their teachers—this includes financial support.

Expositor’s Commentary Insight:

• Paul is likely referring to money and material support.
• The context of doing good (v.10) and Paul’s broader emphasis on helping the poor (Galatians 2:10) points to generosity as a heart issue.

LDS Accusation: “Hirelings of Satan”

• Joseph Smith called Christian pastors “hirelings of Satan” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 385) for receiving pay.
• The LDS system’s unpaid clergy is presented as more righteous, but the Bible never condemns paid ministry—only false motives (1 Corinthians 9:13-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18).

👉 Biblical Truth:

It’s not about whether a teacher is paid—it’s whether they are faithful to the gospel.

Galatians 6:7-8 (NLT) 7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

Key Point:

• You reap what you sow—whether in your generosity or in your moral choices. This is both a spiritual principle and a financial one (2 Corinthians 9:6).

LDS Distortion:

• Mormonism turns this into a works-for-reward system: obey the commandments, earn blessings, climb the ladder to exaltation.
• Biblical Christianity says: salvation is never earned. Good works flow from salvation, not toward it (Titus 3:5).

👉 Biblical Truth:

Sow to the Spirit, not the flesh. The harvest is spiritual, not merely temporal reward.

Galatians 6:9 (NLT) 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Key Point:

• Doing good can be tiring—but Paul says: Don’t give up. The harvest will come.

Contrast with LDS Perfectionism:

• The LDS system demands lifelong “worthiness” with no assurance of salvation. It leads to weariness and shame.
• In Christ, we persevere with joy—not because we fear losing heaven, but because we are secure in grace.

👉 Biblical Truth:

We don’t work to become accepted—we work because we are accepted.

Galatians 6:10 (NLT) 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Key Point:

• Generosity and kindness are not limited to insiders—we’re called to do good to all, but especially fellow believers.

Expositor’s Insight:

• This echoes almsgiving and financial generosity—another sign that Paul had material support in mind throughout this passage.

LDS Contrast:

• The LDS community often focuses on helping fellow members, while non-members are seen as projects for conversion.
• Biblical love and generosity extend beyond church walls—to neighbors, enemies, strangers (Matthew 5:44).

👉 Biblical Truth:

True generosity reflects the boundless grace of God.

Galatians 6:11-18 (NLT) 11 NOTICE WHAT LARGE LETTERS I USE AS I WRITE THESE CLOSING WORDS IN MY OWN HANDWRITING.

12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 13 And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.

14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 

Key Point:

• Paul takes the pen himself (v.11) to personally emphasize his closing thoughts.

• He warns again against those who boast in external religion—in his day, circumcision; in ours, temple works, missions, and LDS ordinances.

• How Mormons Commonly Boast (Explicitly or Implicitly):
• 1. Boasting in Temple Worthiness
• A key measure of “worthiness” in Mormonism is holding a valid temple recommend—which requires adherence to a strict code of behaviors (tithing, Word of Wisdom, sexual purity, church attendance, sustaining LDS leaders).
• Many Latter-day Saints subtly boast in their temple status, seeing it as a badge of spiritual superiority over non-temple-worthy members or outsiders.

• 2. Boasting in Missionary Service
• LDS young adults who have served full-time missions are often given elevated status within the community. Returned missionaries are admired, and their service is seen as a spiritual rite of passage.
• There is unspoken pride in having served a mission, with some viewing non-returned missionaries as less committed or “less faithful.”

• 3. Boasting in Genealogical Work and Proxy Ordinances
• Mormons often highlight their participation in baptisms for the dead and other proxy temple ordinances for deceased ancestors.
• Success in genealogical research or number of ordinances completed can become a spiritual measuring stick—something to quietly brag about in lessons or talks.

• 4. Boasting in Church Callings (Leadership Roles)
• LDS culture often places high value on leadership positions—bishoprics, Relief Society presidencies, stake leadership, or area authorities.
• Holding important callings can become a source of spiritual pride, with those without leadership roles sometimes seen as less faithful or capable

• 5. Boasting in Family Size and Obedience to LDS Family Ideals
• Mormons frequently boast—sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly—in having large families, temple marriages, and obedient children.
• The “ideal Mormon family” is often presented as a benchmark of righteousness, leaving singles, childless couples, or those from broken homes feeling spiritually “less than.”

The Real Boast:

• Paul says: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v.14).
• He makes it clear: external signs (circumcision then; temple garments now) mean nothing—what matters is being a new creation in Christ (v.15).

Galatians 6:15-18

15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.

17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.

18 Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

The True Israel:

• Paul speaks peace over those who follow this rule—those who understand that salvation is by grace, not law (v.16).

Final Thought:

• Paul closes with grace—the same way he started (v.18).
• The gospel of grace is the true gospel—anything else is slavery.

👉 Biblical Truth:

The Christian life is grace from start to finish. Our only boast is the cross, not our own performance.