Lifting The Veil

One of the more controversial subjects in the Book of Mormon is its description of a “skin of blackness” being placed upon the Lamanites. This subject is sometimes explained very differently by modern Mormons, so it is important to go back to the actual text and look at what it says rather than simply accepting a modern explanation. In 2 Nephi 5, the Book of Mormon describes a separation between Nephi and his followers and the Lamanites. The text says the Lamanites had become hardened because of their rebellion, and then states that the Lord caused a “skin of blackness” to come upon them so they would not be enticing to the Nephites. The passage then calls this a “curse” and describes the physical difference as a way of distinguishing the two groups. The language is important because the text does not simply say that the Lamanites were spiritually different. It specifically describes a change involving their skin and connects that change with the curse placed upon them. Alma 3 contains...

When the differences between Mormonism and historic biblical Christianity are examined carefully, the disagreement goes far beyond different traditions, worship styles, or interpretations of secondary doctrines. At the heart of the matter are fundamentally different teachings about who God is, who Jesus Christ is, what Scripture is, how salvation is received, and what the gospel actually means. Those are not minor differences, because the answers to those questions determine what kind of God we worship and what kind of hope we place in Christ. This is why Christians should approach the subject seriously but also with love. Mormons are not being criticized because they are insincere or because they do not care about Jesus. Many sincerely believe that they are following Him, and many live lives marked by admirable qualities such as family devotion, moral discipline, service, and religious commitment. Sincerity, however, does not establish the truth of a doctrine. The question that ultima...

Mike Jensen wrote an article about Mormon theology and seemed very impressed with the Mormon idea of a war in heaven over free agency and liberty. But just because something sounds good doesn't mean it is biblical. Mormonism teaches that we all lived with God before we were born, that Jesus and Lucifer were spirit brothers, and that Jesus and Lucifer presented different plans for saving us. But where does the Bible actually teach that? The Bible never says Jesus and Satan are brothers. It never says we all lived with God before coming to earth. It never says Jesus and Lucifer presented two different plans of salvation. And it never says the war in heaven was a battle over human freedom. The Bible gives us a very different picture of Satan. Isaiah 14:13–14 says: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God... I will be like the most High.” And Jesus said about Satan:  “He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth” (John 8:44). That...

Before I begin, I want to get one thing straight. One of the most common objections I hear is, "How can you say Mormonism isn't Christianity? We believe in Jesus Christ." The answer is simple. Christianity isn't defined by simply using Jesus' name. It is defined by believing in the Jesus Christ revealed in Scripture and the gospel preached by His apostles. The New Testament warns about "another Jesus" and "another gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:8-9). The issue has never been sincerity—it has always been truth. The Mormon church teaches doctrines that are not found in the Bible, including that the Father has a body of flesh and bones, that all people lived in a premortal existence, that additional scripture stands alongside the Bible, that temple ordinances are necessary for exaltation, and that faithful men and women can become gods. Those teachings come from Joseph Smith's later revelations—not from Christ and His apostles. This ...

I’m a Bible-believing Christian and was recently challenged by a dyed-in-the-wool Mormon to prove some things about the Book of Mormon to him. I accepted his challenge, and here are the results of my research. When it comes to eternal matters—who Jesus is, how salvation works, and whether God’s Word can be trusted—we need to be willing to examine what we believe and why. The conversation began with a simple but serious challenge: Show that the Book of Mormon teaches a different Jesus, promotes exaltation to godhood, and emphasizes salvation through works. I took each point in turn, matching the Book of Mormon and LDS doctrine with what the Bible clearly teaches. And, as the great entertainer, Jackie Gleason used to say, "And away we go!" 1. “Show me a different Jesus in the Book of Mormon.” The Jesus of the Bible is eternal, uncreated, and fully God (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15–19). He has always existed, coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Book of Mormon refers of...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims that the Book of Mormon is a prophetic fulfillment of Ezekiel 37:16–17, alleging that the “stick of Joseph” refers to their extra-biblical scripture and that the “joining” of it with the “stick of Judah” (which they say is the Bible) foretells a latter-day restoration of the gospel. This interpretation is deeply flawed—both textually and historically—and represents a common tactic in Mormon theology: retroactively inserting LDS beliefs into the biblical text where they do not belong. Let’s begin with what Ezekiel 37 actually says. "Son of man, take a stick and write on it, ‘For Judah and the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph (the stick of Ephraim) and all the house of Israel associated with him.’ Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand.” —Ezekiel 37:16–17 (NIV) This passage is not, and never was, about two sets of scriptures. God commanded ...

Among the many unique teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), the doctrine of the Three Nephites stands out for its remarkable claim: that three ancient disciples of Jesus Christ were granted immortality and continue to minister secretly among humanity to this day. This teaching, found exclusively in LDS scripture—the Book of Mormon—asserts that these “translated” beings never taste death and work quietly to bring souls to Christ (3 Nephi 28). While this belief may inspire faith within Mormon circles, it starkly contrasts with biblical teachings and exemplifies how LDS doctrine diverges from historic Christianity. The story originates in the Book of Mormon, specifically in the book of 3 Nephi. Here, Jesus grants special power to twelve disciples in the Americas. Three of these disciples request to remain on earth until Jesus’ Second Coming to continue their ministry without experiencing death. According to LDS belief, these three Nephites remain immortal on ...