Lifting The Veil

When we ask whether a church is a cult, we need to be careful about what we mean. The word cult is often used as an insult, but it can also describe a religious movement that departs from historic Christian teachings or, in another sense, an organization that exercises excessive control over its members. Those are two separate questions, and both deserve an honest examination. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church, presents itself as the restored church of Jesus Christ. Its members believe they follow Him and seek to live moral, family-centered lives. Many are sincere, generous, and devoted to their faith. We should acknowledge that rather than judge every Mormon by the beliefs or actions of an institution. But sincerity alone does not establish whether a church's teachings are biblically true. If we claim to follow Jesus Christ, we must be willing to examine every religious organization, including our own, against the teachings of Scr...

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...

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 ...

Religious disagreement becomes difficult when criticism of a belief system is treated as an attack on the people who hold those beliefs. That distinction is especially important when discussing Mormonism, its claims of exclusive priesthood authority, its history of polygamy, and its differences with biblical Christianity. I recently encountered a Mormon who told me that I have “no priesthood nor authority to teach,” citing Galatians 1:8 as though that passage somehow gives the Mormon Church exclusive authority to teach religious truth or prevents me, as a Christian, from examining and challenging Mormon doctrine. The same person invoked the persecution of Mormons in the 1800s, claimed that Mormons were driven from Illinois for the “legal and constitutional” practice of polygamy, and compared that history with modern disputes involving same-sex marriage and Mormon temples. Each of those claims deserves an answer. And whenever someone tells me what I, as a Christian, supposedly can or ca...

This isn’t just about statistics or lawsuits. This is about something much deeper—truth, accountability, and whether a church that claims to speak for God actually reflects His character. As Christians, we don’t measure a belief system only by what it claims, but by its fruit and how it handles sin—especially when it involves the most vulnerable. Jesus spoke very strongly about this. He said that if someone causes a child to stumble, it would be better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and be thrown into the sea¹. That’s not mild language. That’s a warning of severe judgment. So any church that claims to follow Christ should take abuse—and how it is handled—extremely seriously. Now to be clear, abuse is not unique to one group. It has happened in many churches and institutions. But that doesn’t excuse anything. The real question is: how is it handled when it happens? There are documented cases of abuse within LDS congregations, including situations involving men in le...

There’s something deeply appealing about the idea that we lived with God before we were born—that we were trained, assigned roles, and sent here with a mission already in hand. It gives people a sense of identity and significance. It tells us we were chosen because of who we already were. But that idea, however meaningful it may feel, isn’t what the Bible actually teaches. Scripture does say that God knew us before we were born. In Book of Jeremiah 1:5, God tells Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.” That’s often taken as proof of a premortal life. But read carefully—God is not describing Jeremiah’s past experience. He’s describing His own knowledge. An eternal God doesn’t need us to exist beforehand in order to know us fully. That distinction matters. The Bible consistently presents God as the one who plans, calls, and appoints—not based on what we did before birth, but based on His own will. In Epistle to the Ephesians 1:4, it says we were chosen “before the foun...

As Christians, we care deeply about truth. That’s why the rise of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and its theology often draws concern from those of us grounded in Scripture. But let’s be very clear: calling all Mormons “Satanists” or “children of the devil” is not how Jesus taught us to speak. That kind of judgment isn’t righteous boldness—it’s self-righteousness disguised as zeal¹. The Bible commands us to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15)², not with hatred, contempt, or slander. Yes, Jesus called out hypocrisy and sin—but always with the purpose of redemption, not condemnation. He ate with sinners, spoke gently with outcasts, and saved the very people others wanted to stone³. His harshest rebukes were reserved for the proud religious elite, not those honestly searching for truth in the wrong places. Christians today can and should reject LDS theology where it departs from Scripture⁴. But there is a crucial difference between discernment and division. S...

I recently read a statement from a Latter-day Saint claiming that by “every biblical measure,” members of their faith are Christians. On the surface, it sounds reasonable: they worship Jesus, follow His teachings, repent, get baptized, and strive to live morally. But when you take a closer look at what the Bible actually says, the claim doesn’t fully hold up. Belief in Jesus It’s great that you believe in Jesus—that’s the starting point for all Christians. Mormons believe in Jesus—the Son of God, born of Mary, who suffered, died, and rose again. That’s essential. But here’s the catch: biblical Christianity teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, one with the Father. Mormon theology, by contrast, presents Jesus and the Father as separate beings and even teaches that humans can eventually become gods¹. That’s a major departure from Scripture. So while they believe in Jesus, their understanding of His nature doesn’t match what the Bible teaches. Following Jesus Trying to live like ...

Tithes, Investments, and Ethical Questions: How Religious Wealth Aligns—or Conflicts—with Biblical Stewardship The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), commonly known as the Mormon Church, claims over 17 million members worldwide. Alongside spiritual instruction, the church manages an enormous financial empire—collecting billions in tithes, holding extensive real estate, and maintaining a portfolio of businesses and investments. While some of this wealth supports humanitarian and missionary work, the majority is retained, raising the question: how much of this wealth is truly advancing God’s mission? Estimates suggest that the LDS Church collects $7–8 billion annually from member tithing. These funds are claimed to support local congregations, temples, missionary efforts, and church operations. In addition, Ensign Peak Advisors, the church’s investment arm, reportedly manages a portfolio exceeding $100 billion, including stocks, bonds, and other securities. Critics...

To all Mormons—and to anyone who thinks they can improve on God’s Word—hear me out. The Bible is sufficient. It is complete. It is enough. God does not need any man-made religions, cults, or human inventions to “help” Him out. He has revealed Himself fully, clearly, and perfectly through His Word, His creation, His Spirit, and His Son, Jesus Christ. Some people think adding new scripture, new rules, or modern revelations somehow improves upon God’s plan. Let me be clear: that is a dangerous path. It’s the road of every extra-biblical, man-made religion—whether Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, Christian Science, Islam, or any other system that tries to insert itself between you and God. These are human inventions. They do not give you God. They give you confusion, more rules, and false hope. God has already provided everything we need to know Him. Jesus Christ is the final Word, the living Word, the ultimate revelation. Adding to that is not guidance—it’s rebellion. It’s twi...

In the world of spiritual claims, few are as audacious—and dangerously misleading—as the assertion that the Book of Mormon is necessary to complete God's Word. Let's be crystal clear: this is not faith, humility, or divine insight. It is human hubris masquerading as revelation. And it is time someone called it exactly what it is: false, unverified, and unnecessary. Some argue that rejecting the Book of Mormon proves a lack of humility or faith. Nonsense. True faith is obedience to God's Word, not devotion to a man-made text. 1 John 4:1 warns us: "Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world." Rejecting fabricated claims is not pride; it is spiritual discernment. For over 1,600 years, Christians preserved the biblical canon, rigorously testing every claim of revelation. No one waited for a 19th-century "restoration"...

The LDS Church claims it is “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30) and teaches that “all men must come unto this church or be damned” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 136). That’s not a casual statement—it’s a bold, dangerous claim. By saying this, the Church places itself above Christ, above the Bible, and above every faithful Christian who has followed God for centuries. But the Bible is clear: God alone has ultimate authority. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Salvation is through Christ alone—not any human institution. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The Bible alone is sufficient for faith, doctrine, and living a righteous life (Grudem, 1994; E...

Within Mormonism, a striking double standard is evident: while the movement criticizes Christianity for having tens of thousands of denominations, it overlooks the fact that Mormonism itself has splintered into numerous factions, each claiming exclusive authority from Joseph Smith. From the mainstream LDS Church to the Community of Christ, Fundamentalist LDS groups, and other smaller sects, the pattern is clear—authority is claimed, fractured, and disputed. This raises a simple question: if Mormonism’s critique of Christianity’s diversity is valid, shouldn’t it apply equally to the movement itself? For a faith that claims to restore the “true church of Jesus Christ,” how can internal divisions be reconciled with the idea of divine guidance and unity? The inconsistency is glaring. While Mormon leaders emphasize obedience to the chain of authority, they ignore the historical fact that these very claims have led to dozens of competing organizations, each asserting their version of Smith’s...