Unveiling Mormonism PursueGOD Podcasts

In this episode, Bryan, Bo and KD talk through the second and third Articles of Faith.
Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here. 
What Mormons Believe about Sin:
LDS:“We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.”
At first glance this seems much more fair than the Christian take. But as we dig deeper we see that this LDS concept creates a pattern of judgment and works based behavior/religion 
AC: We believe God created mankind in His own image. At the beginning of human history, however, man chose to disobey the sovereign God and so brought sin onto the earth. All people everywhere have since been born into this sinful nature and are subject to God’s righteous judgment: death and eternal separation from Himself. (Gen. 1:26; Gen. 3; Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Jer. 17:9; John 3:18; Eph. 2:1-3).
What Mormons Believe about Salvation:
LDS:“We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”
AC: We believe God’s plan from the beginning of time was to be in relationship with all people. Since sin makes that relationship impossible for everyone, God established a way to credit righteousness. He accepts Jesus Christ’s death on the cross as a payment for the sin of humanity. Those who repent of their sin and believe in God’s work are forgiven and restored to relationship with God. This is salvation, and it is God’s work from beginning to end, so that we are saved purely by grace. (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; John 3:16-17; Rom. 3:24-26; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:1; 1 John 5:11-13; John 1:12).Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT) 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
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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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.
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This is a story of how God restored the things that Mormonism stole. 
ParentingMarriageCommunityRelationship with GodConstantly trying to fit into a box of someone else’s making
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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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.
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In 1842 Joseph Smith published 13 articles of faith for his new Mormon church. In this episode we talk about the first article, which is all about God. How does it compare to biblical Christianity?
Find the official LDS Article of Faith at their website here. 
LDS:“We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.”
This sounds trinitarianLDS:Father has a body of flesh and bones, D&C 130:22.I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory, JS—H 1:17.ordained in … the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods, D&C 121:32.
AC: We believe in a sovereign, triune God. By His power He spoke the world into existence. God alone is self-determined, self-governed, and self-sufficient. He is eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each possesses all the attributes of deity. All are equal in power and glory. (Rom. 1:18-20; John 1:18; 1 Cor. 2:16; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; Isa. 46:10).
AC: We believe Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be the Son of God. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed many signs and wonders, died on a cross, and rose from the dead in a glorified body. He ascended to the right hand of God the Father where He continually makes intercession for His people. At the appointed time He will come again to earth to consummate God’s plan in salvation history. (Matt. 1:20-23; John 1:1,2; Rom. 3:24, 25; Rom. 8:34; Phil 2:5-10; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 1:1-3; Heb. 7:25).
LDS:Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father, Alma 11:38.called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first, D&C 93:14.
AC: We believe in the Holy Spirit’s effective role in God’s plan for His Kingdom. Without the influence of the Holy Spirit no one can participate in Kingdom Life. The Spirit’s first (and necessary) work is in conversion: to enlighten sinners and awaken them to their need for a Savior. At the point of salvation the Holy Spirit immediately indwells believers and begins empowering them to live to please God. The Spirit also gives them a new identity, assuring them of their proper standing with God. (John 14:16,17,26; 16:7-15; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Gal. 5:22-26; Eph. 1:13-14).
LDS: my Spirit shall be in your hearts, D&C 84:88.Holy Ghost … is a personage of Spirit, D&C 130:22.
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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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.
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Notes
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Today we continue our study of Acts, covering Acts 1:6-11. Here’s the question we’ll answer as we look at the text: Does God favor one nation over another?
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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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.
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This is an important question in today’s world:
Issue of immigrationChristian nations vs. Muslim nations, etc.It was a question on the minds of the disciples in Acts 1Jesus had just spent 3 yrs with themAlmost exclusively did ministry among IsraelitesMatthew 15:21-24 (NLT) 21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” 23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” 24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”Note three things:Jesus was silent!?Disciples wanted him to send her awayJesus was sent to help only IsraelJesus ends up healing the daughterBut it was the exception, not the ruleSeems nationalistic, right?!The point: disciples thought God favored IsraelVery nationalistic in their ideologyThe “Chosen ones”Deuteronomy 7:6 (NLT) For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.Seems like American Christians todayWe are the new chosen onesWe have the only true GodWe have a better ideologyWe are God’s favoritesBut what does the Bible say about this?
Let’s warm up with a history lesson on Israel:
Theocracy First King - SaulUnited Monarchy (c. 1000–930 BCE)King David (c. 1010–970 BCE) : David united the tribes of Israel and established Jerusalem as the capital.King Solomon (c. 970–930 BCE) : Solomon, David's son, built the First Temple in Jerusalem. After his death, the kingdom split into two.Divided Monarchy (c. 930–722 BCE for Israel, c. 930–586 BCE for Judah)Kingdom of Israel (Northern Kingdom) : Fell to the Assyrian Empire in 722 BCE.Kingdom of Judah (Southern Kingdom) : Continued until it fell to the Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE.Assyrian Rule (c. 722–605 BCE)- The Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE, leading to the exile of many Israelites.Babylonian Rule (c. 605–539 BCE)- The Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar II, destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple in 586 BCE, initiating the Babylonian Captivity.Persian Rule (c. 539–332 BCE)- Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BCE and allowed the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple (Second Temple...

In this bonus episode, Bo and KD continue their discussion on Mormonism and women. They explore the cultural aspects of Mormonism as it relates to women, including the recitation of the Young Women's theme, the concept of exaltation, and the pressure on women to find a worthy husband. They also discuss the emphasis on modesty and the challenges of dressing in a way that is garment-appropriate. The conversation highlights the control and judgment that can arise from these cultural expectations.
Takeaways:
The pressure to find a worthy husband and the fear of not being able to achieve exaltation can create anxiety and control in Mormon women.The emphasis on modesty and the requirement to wear garments can lead to judgment and policing of women's clothing choices. In Mormonism, women are expected to prioritize having children, and infertility can be a source of judgment and unsolicited advice.Leaving the Mormon church can be particularly difficult for women, as it is seen as breaking up the eternal family.It is important to prioritize God above all else and recognize that being part of God's family is more important than the Mormon concept of an eternal family.
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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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.
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In this episode Bryan, Bo, and KD discuss the Mormon perspective on the fall of Adam and Eve and how it shapes their view of women. They contrast this with the biblical view that emphasizes the equality and value of both men and women as image bearers of God. The conversation also touches on the Mormon belief in becoming gods and the role of women in Mormonism.
Mormonism has a different interpretation of the fall and the role of women compared to biblical Christianity.The biblical view emphasizes the equality and value of both men and women as image bearers of God.Toxic masculinity and controlling behavior from husbands and a desire for control and subversion from wives are the result of the curse.Jesus is the solution to this hostility, as he crushed Satan's head and overcame sin and death.In biblical Christianity, there is no difference between men and women at the foot of the cross, and all believers have access to God through 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 podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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Mentioned in this episode:
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