People everywhere respect honest, personal growth. We also appreciate people who are trying to be respectful, understanding, friendly, and, in short, Christlike.
What about what the channel “Mormon stories” says? They are pretty biased, and are quite SJW like, and they have been really pushing how controlling the church is with women. What is your view in that and how true is this? I know LDS females who are very independent and strong. Yet others are saying they don’t let women make decisions for themselves, is this true? But if that is so is that not the belief structure? And if it’s true then it true and how it’s supposed to be. Is that not like someone going into the military and complaining about getting shouted and told what to do? What do you expect? But isn’t this how all churches are? Women are in way second class. Some say because women are more emotional thinkers and men are more logical. (I even know a few females who said they don’t think women shouldn’t have the vote for that reason.) But men make selfish emotional choices, leaving their partners who are pregnant and cheating (they are full of testosterone.) So what is true here? And what is the issue with women in LDS churches and all religions? And is it fair and justified? I know people will say that’s how God wants it to be, how do you argue that with non believers? Why does God want that? Any help is much appreciated!
Hey Pastor Jeff, thank you for being honest and humble in addressing this issue. Being humble seekers of righteousness is the only way to approach conversations of faith. Love you brother.
Brother - I am a devout catholic who has been in ministry for a while and over the last 2 years, I have met with and befriended several Latter Day Saint missionaries! I am in the same boat as you, trying to get to know all I can about the LDS faith in order to love them more and understand them more! I recently found your videos and your interview on Saints Unscripted, which I am a fan of as well. My missionary friends have been some of the nicest and loving and open people I have ever met! I appreciate your desire to get to know them as people and as sons and daughters of God rather than trying to disprove their whole belief system! A catholic Saint named, St. Bernadette of Lourdes, says, "My job is to inform, not to convince." Thanks for all that you do brother! God bless!
Thanks for your lovely words! I'm a Latter-day Saint and am working towards the same thing as you-loving all others, knowing them better, and seeing them as my brothers and sisters.
I'm grateful to all Christians and the good they do in the name of Christ. Some of my most spiritual moments have been in singing the hymns passed down through the centuries by other faiths, that demonstrate great Faith in Christ, and have brought such beauty into my life. Lately, I've been singing in a choir where our conductor has studied (in Europe) the great chants (style of singing and the music itself) of the ancient Christian church. It's beautiful and inspiring. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but I feel a great sense of gratitude for other Christians that brought such rich history and Faith in Christ through the centuries.
I served a mission in Germany and always had great conversation with Catholic clergy. And as a cultural thing at least where I grew up the Catholics and LDS kids were the ones that would stick up for each other being Christians. Love my Catholic friends and their families.
As someone raised LDS I never understood WHY other religion spent time on Sundays talking about us. We never discussed other religions during our Sabbath. The time was spent learning more about Christ and his teachings. I often felt sad that it appeared the religion I belonged to was being gossiped/spoken about unfairly. I appreciate you recognizing that THAT isn’t the way to learn about people different then you. I found your channel today and I appreciate the journey you are on.
I have experienced the same. I grew up in the LDS church. I went to church with a friend of mine to a non-denominational church for years and that's what I heard throughout those years. I went to this non-denominational church on the first Sunday that it started. The pastors speak against the Mormon church, talking about how Mormons believe in the Big Bang theory and they don't believe creation. It was so much the opposite of what I was taught in the LDS church. I finally, (after years of going to this non-denominational church) stopped going. My spirit and soul couldn't justify this kind of thinking anymore and the books that were written against the Mormon church that were being sold inside the book store of the non-denominational church just floored me. Not any other church in our town has been criticized and pretty much crucified by the pastors and leaders of this church. I was also told that my baptism in the Mormon church "didn't count". I have never heard anyone speak against any other church whilst attending an LDS church. You know them by their fruits.
As a Latter-day Saint, I’m astonished. Openly talking about how you’ve acted in the past, then proceeding to talk about how you’ve corrected yourself and changed your approach to this.. is amazing to say the least. Since you’ve been genuinely exploring the Latter-day Saint movement’s culture and doctrine, I must say thank you, as it’s certainly rare to encounter people like you. I have the utmost respect for what you believe, and your current approach to us Latter-day Saints- that being, with respect, love, and sincerity. God bless you and may you continue your journey. ❤
Thank you so much. As a Latter Day Saint who has to deal daily with harsh criticism and needling of my religion by my own friends, this video actually makes me cry because this is very healing. Thank you so much for learning about my faith, my religion, with love. You have no idea how healing it is or how much I appreciate it. Thank you and God bless.
In today's cancel culture, apologies for past actions are expected, but then so is the public rejection of the confessor. I am really encouraged to see all the kind words in the comments I've read so far, and mostly, I presume, from Latter-day Saints. Kudos to them! They have my respect.
TFS. I was raised Catholic and I became Mormon at 18 y.o. I felt the Spirit reading the BOM and could not deny it. It was true! I served a mission at 21 y.o. I'm 43 now and my son got baptized. And yes, I have found life-long friends in the church. ❤️
This guy is amazing! Jeff is truly a man of God. I'm a Latter-day Saint and proud recovering basher myself. Jeff, if you read this, I hope you can continue to be the kind and open person you have been. Because it's truly inspiring people on all the religious spectrum to be better like-minded seekers of the human family and family of God living in a hyperfocused differential world. #loveyoubro
LOL geez something just occurred to me, that a lot of people here have been bashers LOL and it's like the recovering alcoholic or AA, and we're just admitting our faults.
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t your early prophet Ellen G White have numerous visions and re-wrote and reinterpreted the Bible? Do SDA’s have their own Bible?
As someone who has LDS, JW, and SDA in my family it is so refreshing to see Jeff's loving approach and a reminder of the need to allow Christ to be at work in our lives.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and an alumnus of your fine SDA Loma Linda University, I want to declare to everyone how accommodating and kind your majority student members treated me, while attending. I felt very much at home. Thank you for accepting me into a program that launched my career in medicine, to provide for my family also.
Thank you Pastor Jeff I’m a Latter Day Saint in Scotland and I get mocked daily I found your channel and it has made me stronger in my faith in our Heavenly Father I have pointed your channel to the “ Mormon “ bashers I have came across recently so bless you and your family in this great channel 🙏🏻🏴
I think I speak for most of us when I say that we love you Brother. What you're doing is very honest and honorable. Thank you for this message that was spoken with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Your efforts show and I believe you're being a light to so many people. It's very Christlike what you are trying to do. Thank you.
I have been watching Hello Saints, and I truly respect your open mindedness in exploring the LDS church. As a member for 46 years, I have tried many times to explain the church to many people, and my attempts have been rejected. Being willing to listen and understand is a gift from God. We are taught to love one another, not just those of our own congregation, everyone. God bless you.
Yeah LDS are taught to love one another. That is until one departs from the faith as I did after 43 years. I was in the bishopric of my ward when my faith started to shift. A couple years later I was out. I still live in the same house but now only a couple neighbors will even talk to us. I still wave as they walk by. I still show up to help someone move but most turn their backs. Not what I expected.
@@rabbithole2015 I am very sorry that you had that experience. I have lived in the "mission field" all of my life, and been in branches mostly. I have never seen that type of attitude. I have had members treat me poorly at times, and felt as if they would rather I vanished! But, a dear friend helped me a lot. She taught me that I attend Sunday meetings to worship God, not to be seen by others. And, the Church is true, but the members are human. That has been my mantra over the years. Again, I am so sorry that you were treated poorly. I never would have done that.
@@susanpixley4100 I live in Utah so I'm sure it is very different here compared to where you are. Everyone in the neighborhood is lds and when one leaves they don't make it easy. I didn't leave because of the members though. I left because unlike you I feel the church is demonstrably false. I read the CES Letter and my faith in the lds church cane crashing down.
@@rabbithole2015 even then we're taught to love, but many of us are not good at showing it. From the other perspective, it feels that you not only left the church, but left us. Its easy to feel that because you no longer think the church is true, if we do, then you think we're stupid ignorant, no longer want to be OUR friends, etc. If our relationship was built on a what we thought was a mutual understanding of God and then one person no longer believes that same way, taking away the foundation of what we had in common, that relationship was probably severely damaged and needs to be forged in new ways. 1. Some other reasons for what you have experienced: people often don't know how to address the change or how to act. Similar things happen with other big changes, like a terminal illness diagnosis, a divorce - most of the time we're not shunning the person, we're just self conscious and don't know what to do, so we do nothing or do the wrong thing. 2. As you know, as latter-day saints we are involved, and often times it's so much within our own faith. So if someone leaves the circle, we might not know how to make time for them that sounds terrible and it is not right. 3. It feels threatening. Some possible thoughts: It's scary, unknown, you might want to try and convince me why the church is wrong and I don't want to do deal with that. Anyway - I have friends who've left. I still love them. It's a bit awkward. We push through. I have compassion for what you and your family have gone through ♥️
@@lacydean3215 Thank you. What you say makes sense. I can say that when am around my lds friends and family the topic never comes up. Sometimes it is a it awkward, especially at events that have a strong lds influence. I don't think I would try to convince them the church is false. I would welcome some questions though. But I get that could be somewhat threatening. I make the biggest change in my life and nobody asks why.
Today for our primary class, I slightly deviated from the lesson plan when one of the 8 year olds wanted to talk about how repentance changes people. We talked about how we can look back at things that we did and realize that we don't want to be that person anymore; but more importantly, we can look to the future at who we want to be a we walk with the Lord, and the wonderful things He's gonna do for us. Jeff, I have so much respect for you, my friend, and I always have. You give outstanding content, but your journey leading to the creation of this channel is just as important. Thank you for being open, thank you for being real. May the Lord continue to bless you and lead your way, and may we always be so blessed to take part in it with you!
Thank you for your words, you are a very special Pastor, and very great. I am LDS Menber, you have my gratitude and respect for your love, affection and respect that you have for all LDS members and the great respect you give to us. Today your words have reached my heart, I know that you are very sincere and a good follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is something very difficult but I can feel your great spirit, today you showed in your video who you really want to be and that is a good servant of christ. I want to wish you the best and I will always support you by following your videos and I will keep you in my prayers every day, so that you can always be protected with the Holy Spirit, and you can face everything that is not good. It is my sincere wish for you with much love and respect that you deserve your brother in Christ.
Latter Day Saint here. I echo a thanks to you. We ALL needed this reminder! I feel we who are religious just want to follow our Savior and feel validated that we are doing it right. No one wants to hear they are wrong in how they follow Christ. Even the apostles were all so different, and didn't agree at times, but one in loving and following Jesus. It's easy to overlook how even though we are different in beliefs, we are all just trying to follow our Savior. Anyone who believes they are the only ones who count in this, will have a hard time accepting, and loving fellow believers. We need to love people. Believers or not. We need to see each other as Christ does. He loves it when we are humble enough to make room at the table for those whom we don't agree with. It's what He taught and the table is big enough for everyone. Love you pastor Jeff. ❤️
My belief is that repentance is a process, not a singular act. It takes a great deal of humility to so publicly air your 'dirty laundry', but it's so refreshing to see. It's something that everyone needs to see more of and do more of. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Pastor Jeff for those courageous and honest words. I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a convert from Roman Catholicism, and I've been following your channel for a few months now, and you put out such great content. I love that you say it's a "journey" for you as you explore Mormonism in a sincere effort to better understand our faith and beliefs. You are an incredible man of God who I can tell has an honest love and zeal for Jesus Christ. I can't wait to watch your series on the Book of Mormon. Please keep up the amazing work with Hello Saints, and keep being awesome! God Bless!
Elvis read the Book of Mormon shortly before his dead, at the end he wrote "I WANT MORE. I WANT MORE". During The organizing of his home to prepare it to be a museum, his daughter found the Book, and came to SLC to deliver it to the Church. I believe that is exhibiting in the Museum o
Of Genealogy. Who can not want more of the Master's visit to Mesoamerica? Didn't God disperse ancient Israel all over the earth, and the universe as in Enoch? Those who read the Book of Mormon with sincere honesty receives the Witnees of the Holy Ghost. That's a Promise, not of men, but of God. I am speaking in behalf of my own personal testimony, and not in behalf of any organization, even though I belong to one.
Are you aware that the mormon god is no longer a polygamist and has switched to monogamy??? So they're coming around, they just need a little more time.
@@sgee-vc1hz Let's not ignore the Word of God in the Bible. According to Christ in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Abraham still is the head of Paradise. He is there with all his wives, and their children. Are we going to runaway when we get to the gate of Paradise if we do, because of his plural wives? Or will we disapprove of Jacob with all his sisters wives Leah and Rachel, and their maids who his two wives, gave him also as wives? And so on is all trough the Old and New Testament. The PRIMITIVE CHURCH, had two types of male members. The ones that had converted con sus plural families, and the ones of the new generations with one wife. A Bishop had to be a man with one wife. Why? Because the administration of the branches of the Church was a great responsibility, and the administration of a plural marriage home was also great. The Gospel in the Bible is an Oriental Gospel, and not Western. Christ comes with new laws, laws that come to take away blessings, because of undesirable behaviors of men,, but in the restauration, especially in the pressing last moments of the Milenium, let's see what Isaiah has to tell us about Plural Marriage: AND IN THAT DAY SEVEN (perfection)WOMEN SHALL TAKE HOLD OF ONE MAN, SAYING, WE WILL EAT OUR OWN BREAD, AND WEAR OWN APPAREL: ONLY LET US BE CALLED BY THY NAME, TO TAKE AWAY OUR REPROACH. ISAIAH 4:1 Again: Why a reproach. Because no one who is single qualifies to enter the Celestial Kingdom. They can enter other kingdoms, but not the Celestial Kingdom, because it is a Kingdom of eternal families. The world sees with indifference the fact that millions of men and women, are lost in fornication, adultery, cheating, and lies in relations out of wedlock. Te ancient patriarchs were righteous and holy men married to all their wives. This is my personal understanding. I am not speaking in behalf of any organization, even though I belong to one.
@@zioncityofgod4818 Thanks ZC, that Bible passage refers to the state of affairs after 120,000 men were killed in one major battle. it talks about the desperation of women and children after husbands were killed - Certainly does Not condone polygamy in this life or the next.
This video reminded me of the first meeting I attended of URI (United Religion Initiatives). I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and we attended by an invitation from our Stake President. I didn’t know what to expect from meeting with a group of people of different faiths and beliefs from our community; but, like you mentioned, I quickly realized that, when you choose to be kind, and when you allow yourself to find common ground with others, you can develop relationships, camaraderie and true friendships with people of all faiths! There were Jews, Christian, Muslims, Atheist, Buddhist, Pagans…you name it! …in this organization, and our most recent activity was Gratitude por-luck meal. It was wonderful! We also get to visit each other’s congregations and learn more about the ways we all worship. I think that, as Christians, we truly follow Christ’s example when we choose to find what is good in others, and respectfully and sincerely hear about the beliefs that they cherish most, even if some of these beliefs differ from our own. You can always find common ground when there is true love for one another!
“Kindness is a choice…” Thats a great attitude as we begin this Christmas season, we could all take a page from Pastor Jeff’s book as we go through this life together. Thanks for sharing your journey in this public forum, I enjoy your work.
Thank you, I always knew Jesus was the Savior though we were not a Church going family. After going through a very hard time in my life I looked for a Church. I had a friend who was a Latter Day Saint, (did not know that was Mormon). She and her family had such a peace about them and I always enjoyed being there. I asked if I could go to Church with her after exploring other Churches and not feeling at home. Half way through the service it was as if it was only me and the speaker in the entire room and that they were awaking my soul. From that moment on I knew I was at home. I was an active member for 27 years. I am an attending a different Church now which I love yet have to tell you the teaching I received and what I know is true are still from The Latter Day Saints. I have kept my garments and one day know I will become an active member again.
Also, as a P.S., you are SO BRAVE for making this video and just saying where you felt you might have gone wrong in the past. That can be really hard to do! I don't feel it was "wrong" necessarily, but to be able to say you have regrets and would do things very differently now- what a Beautiful example to us ALL of true Humility, thank you for this kind and in my opinion Brave example to the rest of us, as we ALL have many things from the past we could or should change, and always striving to be kinder. So thank you for that! ❤️
@@stonetexdesign Another Shay? That's awesome! Thanks for the comment also! Is yours just Shay? Probably- mine is short for Shayna, but usually go by Shay. Very cool, have a great day Shay S!! 😁
Dear Pastor Jeff, I really appreciate you and this channel and your transparency and desire to learn truth and to understand a misunderstood people. I appreciate the effort you have made and the lengths you have gone to to do so. Thank you for being honest and thank you for being real. Thank you for being such a good example for us all. Thank you for leading out in setting an example we all need to follow when confronted with that which we don't understand. You have an inquisitive mind and think deeply on things. I have enjoyed hearing your perspectives on different topics and doctrines on this channel. This episode also demonstrates that you have a sensitive spirit and are capable of living in compassion and charity. Thank you. Thank you for choosing to not contend but to understand. In so doing you have become more Christlike and have set an example for us all. Thank you. May God Bless you!
Outstanding video Jeff, but more importantly, an outstanding and Christlike attitude!! As I watched and listened to you from Boise, ID I felt the beautiful and reassuring presence of the Holy Spirit fall upon me gently and it warmed my soul. 🥰 I was raised in a Protestant denomination until age 20 when I was introduced to LDS missionaries. I’ve now been a devoted member of the LDS Church for 40 yrs. I’m very pleased to see you take up this journey and I’m excited to see each of your new videos! 👍🏻 God bless us all in the coming days, weeks and months as we walk together in faith, hope and charity! 🙏🏼
Thank you Pastor Jeff for this heart warming video. As a Latter-Day Saint, during my high-school years the only bullying I received was by evangelicals who had been attending classes on how to prove a "Mormon" wrong. The interactions I had were discussing and hurtful and full of inaccuracies. At the time I did not know enough to counter their arguments. I did not have the zeal to study. I am grateful to you now for taking on this quest using love and curiosity to learn more about the Gospel we know and love. It is very refreshing.
Thank you, Pastor Jeff, that was a beautiful reminder to use love, kindness and patience to break down barriers instead of anger, hate or frustration. I have enjoyed going on this journey with you so far.
First off Annie you're not a Mormon. You need to get yourself out of that mindset immediately. Unless you consider yourself to be a Book. The name of the Church is " The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints". Every time you refer to yourself as a Mormon you insult yourself and our Savior. That kind of mindset has been a serious problem for the Church and our members for over 180 years. The First Presidency came out with the edict that we are no longer going to be refered to as Mormons. That is NOT the name of the church. It never has been. Second, by doing so you cintinue this false narrative of the church. I hope you understand what I'm trying to convey to you here.
@@dennisowen3717 It's a good point but you conveyed it to her somewhat stridently. Besides, the bashers always say "Mormon." So, Annie is not wrong in what she said. I agree that this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that we should say so, and refer to ourselves as Saints or Latter-day Saints, as a matter of faithfulness. Let's just be kind as we do that.
@@dennisowen3717 "edict" is rather absolute and harsh. I don't recall it being a commandment. The Church's website doesn't have it listed as a mandate for membership, either. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were encouraged to tell others that they are members of the Church of Jesus Christ. It was meant to illustrate that the membership worship Jesus Christ, not a prophet in the Book of Mormon named Mormon. That can eliminate confusion among those who are of other Christian denominations. Christ is the Savior. As disciples, we identify ourselves as such. It certainly is no condemnation if the terms "Mormon" or "LDS" are used, but many people do not know what those terms even mean.
Sheesh. Poor Annie. She feels she's been bashed all her life for her religion. Now, she's getting bashed by fellow Saints for not expressing herself in line with more recent teachings about the name of the Church. Hang in there, Annie. Continue to speak your heart.
For me, this is your best video yet. I was reminded, moved, and taught all at the same time. In this moment, you were an instrument for the Lord. Thank you!
Wow Pastor Jeff, just wow. An absolute breath of fresh air! Can you imagine the incredible good that could be accomplished and that is accomplished if Christian brothers and sisters stopped fighting each other and looked for other causes to embrace. For 2,000 years Christian Orthodoxy has been so fluid, always changing. Yet, the person who believes himself to be a possessor of the current orthodoxy often uses it as a battering ram rather than as a tool of compassion and care. Ironically, the least Christian people towards other Christians are often those who profess to be following the Prince of Peace himself. Pastor, please continue your good and inspired work on this channel. God Bless:)
Wow. That was truly apologetic! Apology accepted, and I learn from your fighting criticism with curiosity. So I am humbled, and want to be a better version of myself. Our Savior's love really was powerful, and this gesture was surely leaning that direction. And anyone who inspires me to be more like the Savior is a friend of mine.
What a refreshing breath of spiritual air! As a Mormon convert who deals with degrading Mormon remarks, I eventually turned & began questioning evangelism. Which only led to spiritual harshness; somewhat like what you went through. Thank you for your honest inward thoughts. For they have been my thoughts and I didn't realize what I was doing till you explained it. Once again, Thank you. Truly appreciated.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I enjoy watching "Hello Saints" and have seen kindness grow in you. Thank you for sharing your journey. Merry Christmas
Jeff, I was raised and lived in Salt Lake City. I was raised and was baptized a member of The Evangelical Luthern church. Two of our uncles were wonderful Lutheran Pastors and my three brothers and I and several cousins were acolytes throughout our youth. Our family were devout Lutheran. I had questions that I could not get answers to from our pastor or study. Most of our neighbors or friends were LDS and were and were very kind to our family. I stopped attending the Lutheran church in my late teens. I dated and married a beautiful LDS girl in 1969. I joined and was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints in 1976. I found the answers I was seeking. Changing ones religion is not an easy decision to make. I have never looked back or regretted joining the church. I believe in and live the doctrine and practices of the church. I have a strong unbendable testimony of the Savior and the church. I have served in many leadership positions, Bishop, Elders Quorum President, Stake High Council member, Stake and Ward Mission Leader, High Priest Group leader, and many more callings. I also have served as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River temple for the last 7 years. I will never talk badly about or criticize another religion or person's beliefs. I do not bash. Everyone has the right to believe as they choose and according to the dictate of their conscience to believe what they may and choose. I appreciate how kind and understanding you are as you investigate and tell people about your investigating and how you perceive our church and explain your point of view and compare it to our beliefs. When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment He said to Love your God with all your heart mind and strength. The second is like unto it. That you Love your neighbor as yourself. I think you try to do that and you do it well. We are all neighbors and should love and respect everyone. Thank you. My wife and I watch all your UA-cam videos and really enjoy your fairness and kindness to our church. I firmly believe that the different Christian churches and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have much more in common than not. They are not wrong but have different doctrines and understanding that ours. Please keep doing what you are doing. Thank you so much. Gerald K Wahlberg Taylorsville, Utah
Jeff, this is your best video yet. We strive to be welcoming and supportive of anyone who is seeking to change their hearts and try to be more like a Disciple of Christ. And upon watching this, it brought a warm smile to my face, and a sense of brotherhood to my heart. I am so pleased you are bridging this gap and that you are finding a happier version of yourself through this journey. May you stay a forever friend no matter where your journey takes you. God Bless, Brother.
That was a very courageous admission and example. Thank you for making these videos, and showing us how we are different and similar to the rest of Christianity. Your respectful approach and direct but kind analysis of our differences are both enlightening and refreshing. As a member of the church, there is much I don't know about the beliefs of mainstream Christianity. Thanks.
Mainstream Christianity is pretty diverse too. I'm a Catholic theologian, so Pastor Jeff will have some different ideas to me too. Mormons/LDS theologically are firmly much more Protestant influenced, however thier moral teachings tend to be more Catholic. I think this has led to past, excellent conversion rates, as everybody can find something they like and that rings "true" for them, in the LDS church. Converting from other religions is much harder.
@@heathermcdougall8023 I see what you're saying. I was thinking, kind of, funtionally there are things similar between Roman Catholicism and the Mormon Church. The final say-so of their persons at the top of the organizations, the mediation between members and God, things like those.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I really do appreciate this video. My father grew up in my religion and my mother converted to it from another Christian religion when my parents married. Over the years it has been hurtful when friends and especially family members get very accusatory and antagonistic regarding my religion. Sometimes they attack even more when a preacher has come to their congregation and preached against my religion, which I hold dear. They have expressed loyalty to them and their opinions of my religion over my own beliefs and testimony if my own religion. They will argue that what I believe is not what I believe. I don't expect them to agree with me in everything but I know we have many common beliefs that, in my opinion, it would be better to build on. I don't want to feel attacked or be treated rudely by my own family, who in any other context do not act harsh or attack me. Isn't it more Christlike to act in love and to come together as followers on what we hold common? So, I thank you. I feel especially in the times we are in now we should join our faith in God and focus on bringing others and ourselves to Him through love.
Oh man, you have gained my respect and admiration for sharing this. The vulnerability you just displayed here is outstanding. We are all on a journey to become a better version of ourselves everyday. Thank you for your example. Love you, fellow brother in Christ.
Your story reminds me of Saul’s conversion. This is beautiful and I felt the Holy Spirit so strongly in your video. May God bless you and your family this Christmas season.
Pastor Jeff, you are a wonderful son of Christ. You typify what my mom taught me when I was growing up. Her faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been the center of her life. She has been an example of showing His love to all she met. She routinely befriended other Christians, as well as those of other faiths, with curiousity and the purpose of gaining a better understanding of their beliefs. I, too, am firm in my faith and have experienced the joy of learning of the faiths and beliefs of others. Since being a missionary and have grown older, I have had the blessing to meet many of other faiths. Those relationships and the examples they showed have strengthened me and have helped my faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. You are a wonderful ambassador for us. I enjoy and appreciate your content. You approach our faith with kindness, reverence, and respect while also sharing your faith in Christ. Our world is a better place with you in it! As I watched this video and as I have been typing this comment, a scripture came to my mind. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 You are someone that I would enjoy sharing our faith in Christ together. I'm sure my mom would as well. Thank you!
In The Church, we have a Primary song (for children ages 3-11) that goes, "I want to be kind to everyone, for that is right, you so. So, I say to myself, "Remember this, kindness begins with me."" Thank you, Pastor Jeff. Thank you for your kindness.
Pastor Jeff, as a Latter-day Saint, I am moved that you would open up with such honesty about your motivations and growth. I have nothing but respect and admiration for your efforts as well as where your heart is. We are all journeying through life making mistakes and trying to grow. Thank heavens for Jesus Christ! And thank you for honesty and gentleness and the effort you are making. It shows love that you even want to understand even if our beliefs remain different... it's beautiful. Thank you. It makes me want to hear from you more on what you believe as well. Thank you brother.
A month ago I did some digging and found some of your past sermons. Only listened to a bit, certainly not the one your other listener found. Always good to take responsibility - I think you explained it well. "I might still believe certain things about the LDS, but it's always good to be kind." Loving the journey Jeff
Pastor Jeff. I am a faithful Latter-Day-Saint. I have watched several of you more recent videos, and though I obviously don’t know you, I have such great respect for your character and your fair mindedness. There is so much truth that I feel that we share with Evangelicals like you. Thank you so much for your channel. There is so much darkness in the world. The light of truth will always win out in the end. I consider you a brother in Christ! Thank you.
I have only made it the 3 minute mark, and I already have mad respect for you. You are very eloquent. This happens to everyone in all faiths. You are a human who like all humans did better when he knew better. We all know this feeling but not all of us have our past misgivings on video. So I applaud you and what you have done on this channel. Latter Day Saints have also said things about other faiths to elevate our own. And it’s wrong.
I feel this. I am a Christian who was thrust into a Mormon home at an early age (through my mother passing away and my father remarrying). Being autistic, this drove me into intense theological study. But because of the relationships I had with my new stepfamily, especially my new stepmother, as well as the fact that [as I mentioned] I am autistic, and struggle with the concepts of tact and compassion anyway (not that I lack empathy, I just don't always express it correctly), the "gentleness and respect" part of the verse you mentioned was a stumbling block, one that I continue to struggle with. I am currently finding my way back to God after a long period of disillusionment (I won't bore you with the details; I never lost my faith but I had hard questions I had to work out) and I am hoping to find a "renewing of my mind"-and heart-on my renewed journey, to be better able to present the "faith once delivered to the saints" to "anyone that asks you for the reason" (including my stepfamily)... but this time, with a gentler spirit. May God continue to bless your ministry.
There are several testimonies here from Latter-day Saint converts from other branches of Christianity. I am one of those; I was raised in evangelical churches and accepted Jesus as my savior at a young age. It was not until in my 40s (and after a trip through atheism as well) that I became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. That fact has blessed my life and the lives of our family more than I can begin to say.
I’m excited to take this journey with you in reading the book of Mormon, Pastor Jeff. I was 16 years old when I first read it. I had many questions and many things I did not understand, that I have come to understand overtime and in conjunction with reading the Bible. Though I could not understand everything fully, the Holy Spirit spoke to my spirit, and gave me a witness that Jesus is the Christ, and that the book of Mormon is true. It is the same spirit that I felt when listening to your words today. Continue in the spirit of love., Meekness, and brotherly kindness. Your brother in Christ.
Much respect for all you’re doing on this channel. Thank you for putting in the time and effort that it requires of you (and your family, I imagine). As a lifetime member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I value being able to learn from others with different perspectives and this is a great reminder that you can be open minded while maintaining personal convictions. Thank you.
I appreciate what you had to say! Thank you for sharing your journey! I am so happy that someone outside of being a Latter-Day Saint wants to explore and learn about us in such a genuine way! Thank you! 💕
The scriptures teach us that 'God's kindness leads us to repentance". I think we should be kind to each other as well. Thank you Pastor Jeff for being transparent. I also listened to your sermons. I am grateful you see the need to remove that one. We all learn from our mistakes. God bless your journey!
I think this is great! No matter what the subject is (religion, politics, sports, books, etc) we are always going to interact with those that have differences of opinion. It’s so important to look to learn and respect others. You may come away feeling like they are wrong, but it’s ok to disagree with respect and kindness which so many people have forgotten. Its also so important to allow others to change their view point and apologize for past wrongs, real or perceived, and give them forgiveness. We’ve all done our said things we regret so I sure won’t be holding others past over them because I don’t want them to hold mine over me!
Thank you so much for alway being real and sincere in anything you share, even in this courageous acknowledgment of who you were versus who you want to be or who you are becoming while on this adventure to explore all the commonalities and differences between your beliefs and those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Your earnest sincerity pulled at my heart and made me teary-eyed. I'm so grateful to have found this channel. Thank you so very much for choosing to be respectful and kind to members like me =]
Thank you for your humility, Pastor Jeff. With understanding comes great wisdom. I think you are in a much better place now to share your feelings and beliefs on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints far more than when you originally have that sermon. Thank you for sharing this journey with us! Keep the faith, brother!
Jeff: Thank you for sharing this obviously sincere and humble declaration of regret for past judgmental thoughts towards members of the church to which I belong. Not that I needed a confession or an apology. I didn't. No, instead I thank you for letting us watch you become so much more Christ-like. That struggle in each of us is a difficult and personal effort. At times a painful effort. Yet you were humble enough to share it with thousands of strangers. I was uplifted. As far as I can tell, Jesus never condemned anyone for his or her sincerely held beliefs, but only for hypocrisy towards those beliefs. I've long wondered at "Christians" who condemned me, without knowing me, simply because of my beliefs. (Oh, to be certain, they could have condemned me for my hypocrisy had they known me.) You are no longer among them-though I bet you were never all that bad in this regard because it is obvious you are just too nice a person to have done that too much. Now you are even more like Jesus, and my admiration for you climbs immeasurably because of that. Again, thank you for sharing that account of such personal growth. Thank you for being a "friend to the Saints". May God's greatest blessings flow to you and your family.
Thanks for your candor, Jeff. I’ve been guilty of the same thing myself and then the spirit reminded me that we are all sons and daughters of God and that he loves each and every one of us. You’ve never offended me personally, but you have my forgiveness and gratitude. On a separate note, I ran across a talk the other day called “His Grace is Sufficient” by Brad Wilcox. You can find it here on UA-cam. It reminded me of a video you did a while back on grace. If you find the time, I think you might enjoy it. I’d also like to say that our (I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) beliefs are that Christ will embrace you, me, and many other good people of all faiths and denominations when he returns, and that we will all learn and grow together under his guidance during 1,000 years of peace. If I never get the pleasure of thanking you in person for your channel in this life, I look forward to doing so then.
Your humble honesty and integrity made me cry. Thanks for your Christ-like example Pastor Jeff. You are a mighty leader among your Christian community-I hope they’re taking notes - and thanks for embracing my LDS community. We’re all faithful Christians at the end of the day. God bless you.
I don't normally comment, but I was so moved by this video that I felt I was being prompted to do so today. I was born into the covenant, meaning I was born into a family that had been members of the LDS faith for generations. I had many doubts but never expressed them because I didn't want to cause distance within my family. This fall, after some deep soul searching and contemplation, I accepted Christ. When looking for a church home it was incredibly important to me that the pastor preach as you have described in this video. When I think about Christ and being a Christian the overwhelming sense, I have is to live a Christ like life. I believe this video is an excellent example of that. I have met plenty of people who say they are Christians and behave so abhorrently. I applaud your intention to learn and understand a religion that is foreign to your understanding and do it with kindness and a Christlike curiosity. Thank you for the content you're sharing and the manner in which you conduct yourself.
Thank you for teaching about beliefs without being judgmental. I was a Presbyterian as a baby, a Baptist in Elementary school. I studied with friends who were adventists. I lived in a Morman Community in 7th grade. I married a Pentecostal. I have had very close friends who were Catholics, Church of Christ, Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran. I feel that God put me in a position to have close relationships with people who were of other denominations for a reason. That is to realize that it is all about relationship with Christ not the label that you are called by.
The last shall be first, and the first shall be last. Jesus started ONE faith, and soon we will again be in ONE faith. (without all the various denominations)
Thank you so much for this series of videos! I am a catholic priest in the Netherlands, and have been always very interested and curious about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints, and I agree absolutely of the way to approach members of this Church, so I am very pleased to follow you in this Journey to get to know them better. A few years ago I got in contact with missionaries after giving a review on their website on some beautyful LDS music, and even went a sunday to their stakehouse, assisting at their 3 hours meeting. Along with the missionaries I got in contact with an adult (american) marriage, that took care of the young missionaries, and altough the are back in the USA now, we still have contact several times a year, sharing about our life and faith. I really appreciate them, even with the differences we have in our beliefs. So again thank you for your Great videos about them, to get to know more about their culture and beliefs.
I appreciate you realizing your mistakes and striving to do better. I believe that’s an important goal that Jesus wants all of us to have. I grew up in Denton, Texas and there were many churches around that bashed our faith despite a rather large LDS population in the area. In 8th grade a girl told me I was going to hell and when she saw the look on my face she realized that was not the way to approach that belief. We have been friends for almost 30 years now. When we were in our early 20s, we were going to a Bible study at a friend’s church. At the end of the 6 month study, the leader made a derogatory comment about Mormons and both my friends looked at me with an apologetic face. The leader had no idea I was “Mormon” this whole time. My experiences have always encouraged me to learn about other faiths and make friends where I can because I don’t want to treat others the way I was treated.
Pastor Jeff, it takes a man of great character to come and fully admit something that happened in the past that one wasn’t proud of doing or saying. In fact, it endears the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to you as you are open and honest with us. We all need the Savior’s grace and Atonement in each of our lives, and I am foremost in that need. Thank you for being such an awesome, respectful example of what we all need to be, with whatever faith we may be affiliated. God bless you brother!
I am lds. Served a mission. You can impact me and influence me more and have touched my heart. I love this version of you. I hope to emmulate this as well!
Love your confession full of humble words and attitude. We love you, our fellow Christian brother. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with the world.
I am grateful for your example and your efforts. Regardless which church we attend, we are all fallen and need to make the choice to be kind. Not one of us perfect, and each of us in need of daily repentance. What a gift our Savior has given us! What a beautiful example of using that gift. God bless you.
"Kindness is a choice" -- "Respect requires intentionality." Wonderful words! Thanks for being vulnerable, and walking the walk! I look forward to seeing more videos.
We all are on a journey. I'm so grateful for my savior, Jesus Christ, and that through him, I can change and be better. We are all children of God and all we can do is try and follow Jesus and look to him for redemption of our sins when we fall. Love this channel. God bless you pastor Jeff.
I grew up outside Utah with very few members my age. I had amazing friends from many backgrounds and faiths. Some of the most spiritual and wonderful conversations of my life were with friends from other churches. It was because we were taking about Jesus, and other amazing aspects of our faith without trying to hurt our change eachother. We often went to eachothers church activities and simply enjoyed what each of us brought to the table. On the other hand I had friends who would try to change me and even tricked me into being cornered by pastors at their church activities. It hurt and did nothing but put rifts in our friendships. There really is such a difference in coming together to lovingly and excitedly talk about our faiths. The difference is to learn from others as opposed to being cornered and attacked. I think it is amazing what you are doing to change that hateful approach and go forward with love.
Your channel is a breath of fresh air for all of us. As a latter-day Saint, I appreciate the respect with which you’ve made this channel. We all could do better to be more like you when we talk about the differences in our religions. I believe in these end days, we all need to come together.
Pastor Jeff, thank you for opening your heart and being honest on how you have changed your view on the LDS as a whole. I believe that there's so much to learn about the LDS faith and I believe that at the end of your Journey, you will no be disappointed. "Ye shall know them by their fruits" Matthew 7:16
Pastor Jeff, I am grateful for your genuine approach in your journey of exploration and understanding about the beliefs, doctrines, history, and cultural nuances and how they may differ or match those of your faith. As a long-time member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I have had participated in doctrinal "bashing" (both giving and receiving) and As I have come to see your love and genuine concern for understanding differences, it has helped me reflect on how we call can become one in bringing all unto Christ so that they can develop a personal relationship with Him. (regardless of label) I can't say enough how impressed I am at your approach and sincerity in your endeavor, and I appreciate your love and kindness and respect you share in your videos. You are a great example to me of how Christ would want us to treat one another as we are all Asking, Seeking, Knocking on our journey home!
"I don't want to be who I was" and "choosing to be kind" encapsulate Jesus' gospel. It's what we're all trying to be better at. Thank you for giving us all an example of following Christ. It makes me want to be better, too. ❤️
Pastor Jeff - Thank you for posting this video; I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability in doing so. Some years ago I found myself transitioning from LDS worship to a large evangelical church in Southern California. While that process required many adjustments, I soon found that I could not only survive there, but I could actually continue growing spiritually in that new place. About a year after I had entered into a very rich fellowship at that church with members and leadership alike, I was asked to give a presentation on the LDS faith. When it became apparent that the request was really intended to "expose" the LDS faith as a cult, and I would be expected to denigrate my former church, I responded that I neither could, nor would, do that. Feeling, like you, that no good would come of such an effort, my counteroffer was to share how I had come to Christ within the LDS space. I was one of the few who had been born again within the LDS church in a single moment through the supernatural power of God and my life had never been the same. I was willing and anxious to share how my journey within the LDS faith had actually prepared me to embrace Christians in the evangelical world as I continued seeking Christ and His truth. So my question to them was this: If you have come to love and respect me for the faith and commitment I have demonstrated in this new place (as I believed they had), why would you ask me to denigrate the very religion that helped prepare me for my conversion to Christ and then helped shape my life and gifts through His teachings? To their credit, they heard me and allowed me to share my story while factually and honestly highlighting some clear differences on both sides. That experience remains one of the most memorable blessings of my spiritual life and it taught me much about the need to eliminate contention within our spiritual dialogue. So I thank you for fighting criticism with curiosity and for the respect you show those of the LDS (or any other) faith.
You're awesome. Thanks for your candidness and honesty. We will all be better Christians as we follow your pattern. This is coming from an active Latter-day Saint who gets to teach young latter-day Saints about Jesus from the scriptures in seminary every day. I am reminded to talk kindly of our fellow Christian friends. You are doing this right. Thanks
Found this channel by accident. I really enjoyed it. As a l.D.S member. I want to thank you for changing your ways and want to learn more about the L.D.S. I am now a new subscriber to you.
Im a Latter day saint and I think what you have been doing has been incredible. Thanks for your honesty and willingness to another’s perspective. I wish more people would be better at that including me. This channel has been very well done so far
What a blessing this has been for you. And for us as followers of this channel. I am grateful for the atonement and the change of heart Jesus Christ brings to our hearts. I am proud for you Brother, though we still differ in doctrine, we are believers in our Brother and our Savior Jesus Christ. Love you Bother
You don’t cease to amaze me! Thanks so much for you honesty and the courage to say these things! You set a great example of discipleship of our savior and love for others. We’re no the ones to judge you . We are all imperfect and striving to be more like Jesus. Thanks again!
Pastor Jeff! This is beautiful. I wish there were more people as understanding about and respectful of our church as you are. I can’t wait to continue watching your journey as you start reading the Book of Mormon! I believe doing that will help you understand our faith more than anything else, no matter whether you accept it as truth or not
Pastor Jeff, I appreciate your approach to learning more about the church. I look forward to your journey of reading through the Book of Mormon with and honest and sincere desire to see how you can come close to our Savior Jesus Christ. The promise in the Introduction that if one will read, ponder and pray to know the truth that God will manifest the truth by the power of the Holy Ghost is real. I have experienced this. Millions of others have as well. I pray that God will use you as an instrument in His hands to continue to bring about His great purposes.The church and its people nor the history of such is perfect. However, His gospel message is and you seem to be a seeker of truth. I hope you lean on the Lord in this process and not fear the reproach of men. God is a God of miracles!
Pastor Jeff, this is Jody Bedont, I loved this video! Thank you for posting it. Life is all about change and you demonstrated that so eloquently in this video. I continue to learn from your posts. Thank you for sharing what you do!
My wife and I volunteer at an addiction recovery facility that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the bible. And in the words of Leo Thorsen, who runs the day to day operations; "We try to keep our personal religious beliefs out of our love for Jesus." And it works. I am very happy to hear your words today. I have been on the receiving end of lectures from "christians" because I am a member of the LDS church. Thank you.
Jeff, I'm an evangelical and I've also been on a similar journey seeking to understand mormonism over the past year. I've been reading the BoM, watching videos, and talking to LDS church members and often feel disoriented with the information and my response to it. I am so grateful I've had this channel and been able to see how you respond, empathize, and fight criticism with curiosity. You are doing well and your honesty in this video just proves that all the more.
I know that it definitely can be disorienting because there is a lot of confusion and different beliefs even among my LDS friends and neighbors. The one thing they all adhere to is that the BofM is true and JS translated it from golden plates. All the rest (who is God, where did He come from, Who is Jesus, where did He come from, how are we saved?, Where is truth found, etc) seems to shift a bit from person to person. The best thing for us is to be the minority here in UT and be neighborly and inquisitive. When the question eventually arrives on whether we want to join their church or not, we'll be seeing what God will do among these friendships and which ones will last despite the differences, and praying our responses will continue to be friendly, honest and neighborly.
Jeff, I've started it time and time again, I'm very impressed with you. Though we do not know one another, and you know nothing of me, I would call you friend and stand by your side if need be, based on what I know of you. I was born to an LDS family grew up in the LDS faith. I went on MY own journey to find what I believe which caused me to study religion like crazy. To TRULY become open to another's view is very difficult because you have to be able to not only realize where we're wrong but also allow others to be wrong while trying to help them see what we've found to be correct. I love the fact that you do this incredibly well. I am not going to be arrogant enough to accept your apology because I don't feel it's my place. You're an amazing example of growing and being Christ-like. Feel the appreciation that you deserve sir.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ provided a way for all to repent and change. The ability to be more Christ like and change from anything in the past is the gift. You're all good in my books because you are willing to change and grow because of the gift the Savior gave us.
I am amazed with the kind words spoken here and your message here today sounds like you have experienced the type of personal growth a lot of us are going through. Finding common ground is critical to peace among the different faiths. The Adversary would have us at war with one another. I am a Latter Day Saint, but I have a deep respect for my Protestant and Baptist friends and the Jehovah's Witness missionaries that occasionally visit my home. We have had many wonderful conversations where the Spirit has been there. We all love and worship the same God and the same Son. Sharing that love with each other is pleasing to the Lord🥲 I am so excited about the series on reading the Book of Mormon! I wish you would read it faster so we can hear what you think, lol! There are so many wonderful principles and life changing stories. Having read it more than a dozen times throughout my 45 year old life, it has become an important guide for me and my family as we maneuver through these last days before Christ 2nd Coming. These stories were handpicked by Mormon because he saw visions of our day and what we were going to face. It has been immensely helpful!
Thank you, Pastor Jeff! I think everyone who has strong beliefs, on either side of the debate, has at one time or another been harsher than necessary in their defense. It's a mark of strong character to be willing to publicly acknowledge those missteps and seek to bridge the gap. Thank you for your courage and compassion.
This video is also a reminder to me as well. Kindness and respect are two qualities that people nowadays don't have anymore. Thank you, Pastor Jeff for reminding me today. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Philippines. I am also a youtuber and my contents are about Philippine history and tourism. I've been watching since October. Thanks again for the reminder.
This is the first time I have recorded and released a video on the spot. I felt it was important to share this moment with you all.
that was sincere and heartfelt, thank you for sharing.
Beautiful job, Thank you!
People everywhere respect honest, personal growth. We also appreciate people who are trying to be respectful, understanding, friendly, and, in short, Christlike.
What about what the channel “Mormon stories” says?
They are pretty biased, and are quite SJW like, and they have been really pushing how controlling the church is with women.
What is your view in that and how true is this?
I know LDS females who are very independent and strong.
Yet others are saying they don’t let women make decisions for themselves, is this true?
But if that is so is that not the belief structure?
And if it’s true then it true and how it’s supposed to be.
Is that not like someone going into the military and complaining about getting shouted and told what to do?
What do you expect?
But isn’t this how all churches are?
Women are in way second class.
Some say because women are more emotional thinkers and men are more logical.
(I even know a few females who said they don’t think women shouldn’t have the vote for that reason.)
But men make selfish emotional choices, leaving their partners who are pregnant and cheating (they are full of testosterone.)
So what is true here?
And what is the issue with women in LDS churches and all religions?
And is it fair and justified?
I know people will say that’s how God wants it to be, how do you argue that with non believers?
Why does God want that?
Any help is much appreciated!
Hey Pastor Jeff, thank you for being honest and humble in addressing this issue. Being humble seekers of righteousness is the only way to approach conversations of faith. Love you brother.
Brother - I am a devout catholic who has been in ministry for a while and over the last 2 years, I have met with and befriended several Latter Day Saint missionaries! I am in the same boat as you, trying to get to know all I can about the LDS faith in order to love them more and understand them more! I recently found your videos and your interview on Saints Unscripted, which I am a fan of as well. My missionary friends have been some of the nicest and loving and open people I have ever met! I appreciate your desire to get to know them as people and as sons and daughters of God rather than trying to disprove their whole belief system! A catholic Saint named, St. Bernadette of Lourdes, says, "My job is to inform, not to convince."
Thanks for all that you do brother! God bless!
Thanks for your lovely words! I'm a Latter-day Saint and am working towards the same thing as you-loving all others, knowing them better, and seeing them as my brothers and sisters.
I'm grateful to all Christians and the good they do in the name of Christ.
Some of my most spiritual moments have been in singing the hymns passed down through the centuries by other faiths, that demonstrate great Faith in Christ, and have brought such beauty into my life.
Lately, I've been singing in a choir where our conductor has studied (in Europe) the great chants (style of singing and the music itself) of the ancient Christian church. It's beautiful and inspiring.
I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but I feel a great sense of gratitude for other Christians that brought such rich history and Faith in Christ through the centuries.
Thank you for your openness and kindness.
I served a mission in Germany and always had great conversation with Catholic clergy. And as a cultural thing at least where I grew up the Catholics and LDS kids were the ones that would stick up for each other being Christians. Love my Catholic friends and their families.
As someone raised LDS I never understood WHY other religion spent time on Sundays talking about us. We never discussed other religions during our Sabbath. The time was spent learning more about Christ and his teachings. I often felt sad that it appeared the religion I belonged to was being gossiped/spoken about unfairly. I appreciate you recognizing that THAT isn’t the way to learn about people different then you. I found your channel today and I appreciate the journey you are on.
I have experienced the same. I grew up in the LDS church. I went to church with a friend of mine to a non-denominational church for years and that's what I heard throughout those years. I went to this non-denominational church on the first Sunday that it started. The pastors speak against the Mormon church, talking about how Mormons believe in the Big Bang theory and they don't believe creation. It was so much the opposite of what I was taught in the LDS church. I finally, (after years of going to this non-denominational church) stopped going. My spirit and soul couldn't justify this kind of thinking anymore and the books that were written against the Mormon church that were being sold inside the book store of the non-denominational church just floored me. Not any other church in our town has been criticized and pretty much crucified by the pastors and leaders of this church. I was also told that my baptism in the Mormon church "didn't count".
I have never heard anyone speak against any other church whilst attending an LDS church. You know them by their fruits.
As a Latter-day Saint, I’m astonished. Openly talking about how you’ve acted in the past, then proceeding to talk about how you’ve corrected yourself and changed your approach to this.. is amazing to say the least.
Since you’ve been genuinely exploring the Latter-day Saint movement’s culture and doctrine, I must say thank you, as it’s certainly rare to encounter people like you. I have the utmost respect for what you believe, and your current approach to us Latter-day Saints- that being, with respect, love, and sincerity. God bless you and may you continue your journey. ❤
Thank you so much. As a Latter Day Saint who has to deal daily with harsh criticism and needling of my religion by my own friends, this video actually makes me cry because this is very healing. Thank you so much for learning about my faith, my religion, with love. You have no idea how healing it is or how much I appreciate it. Thank you and God bless.
Ditto.
In today's cancel culture, apologies for past actions are expected, but then so is the public rejection of the confessor. I am really encouraged to see all the kind words in the comments I've read so far, and mostly, I presume, from Latter-day Saints. Kudos to them! They have my respect.
TFS. I was raised Catholic and I became Mormon at 18 y.o. I felt the Spirit reading the BOM and could not deny it. It was true! I served a mission at 21 y.o. I'm 43 now and my son got baptized. And yes, I have found life-long friends in the church. ❤️
This guy is amazing! Jeff is truly a man of God. I'm a Latter-day Saint and proud recovering basher myself. Jeff, if you read this, I hope you can continue to be the kind and open person you have been. Because it's truly inspiring people on all the religious spectrum to be better like-minded seekers of the human family and family of God living in a hyperfocused differential world. #loveyoubro
LOL geez something just occurred to me, that a lot of people here have been bashers LOL and it's like the recovering alcoholic or AA, and we're just admitting our faults.
Huge respect for this!! I'm a seventh day adventist and I love how you approach things. God bless you my friend
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t your early prophet Ellen G White have numerous visions and re-wrote and reinterpreted the Bible? Do SDA’s have their own Bible?
As someone who has LDS, JW, and SDA in my family it is so refreshing to see Jeff's loving approach and a reminder of the need to allow Christ to be at work in our lives.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and an alumnus of your fine SDA Loma Linda University, I want to declare to everyone how accommodating and kind your majority student members treated me, while attending. I felt very much at home. Thank you for accepting me into a program that launched my career in medicine, to provide for my family also.
Thank you Pastor Jeff I’m a Latter Day Saint in Scotland and I get mocked daily I found your channel and it has made me stronger in my faith in our Heavenly Father I have pointed your channel to the “ Mormon “ bashers I have came across recently so bless you and your family in this great channel 🙏🏻🏴
I think I speak for most of us when I say that we love you Brother. What you're doing is very honest and honorable. Thank you for this message that was spoken with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Your efforts show and I believe you're being a light to so many people. It's very Christlike what you are trying to do. Thank you.
I have been watching Hello Saints, and I truly respect your open mindedness in exploring the LDS church. As a member for 46 years, I have tried many times to explain the church to many people, and my attempts have been rejected. Being willing to listen and understand is a gift from God. We are taught to love one another, not just those of our own congregation, everyone. God bless you.
Yeah LDS are taught to love one another. That is until one departs from the faith as I did after 43 years. I was in the bishopric of my ward when my faith started to shift. A couple years later I was out. I still live in the same house but now only a couple neighbors will even talk to us. I still wave as they walk by. I still show up to help someone move but most turn their backs. Not what I expected.
@@rabbithole2015 I am very sorry that you had that experience. I have lived in the "mission field" all of my life, and been in branches mostly. I have never seen that type of attitude. I have had members treat me poorly at times, and felt as if they would rather I vanished! But, a dear friend helped me a lot. She taught me that I attend Sunday meetings to worship God, not to be seen by others. And, the Church is true, but the members are human. That has been my mantra over the years. Again, I am so sorry that you were treated poorly. I never would have done that.
@@susanpixley4100 I live in Utah so I'm sure it is very different here compared to where you are. Everyone in the neighborhood is lds and when one leaves they don't make it easy. I didn't leave because of the members though. I left because unlike you I feel the church is demonstrably false. I read the CES Letter and my faith in the lds church cane crashing down.
@@rabbithole2015 even then we're taught to love, but many of us are not good at showing it. From the other perspective, it feels that you not only left the church, but left us. Its easy to feel that because you no longer think the church is true, if we do, then you think we're stupid ignorant, no longer want to be OUR friends, etc. If our relationship was built on a what we thought was a mutual understanding of God and then one person no longer believes that same way, taking away the foundation of what we had in common, that relationship was probably severely damaged and needs to be forged in new ways. 1. Some other reasons for what you have experienced: people often don't know how to address the change or how to act. Similar things happen with other big changes, like a terminal illness diagnosis, a divorce - most of the time we're not shunning the person, we're just self conscious and don't know what to do, so we do nothing or do the wrong thing. 2. As you know, as latter-day saints we are involved, and often times it's so much within our own faith. So if someone leaves the circle, we might not know how to make time for them that sounds terrible and it is not right. 3. It feels threatening. Some possible thoughts: It's scary, unknown, you might want to try and convince me why the church is wrong and I don't want to do deal with that.
Anyway - I have friends who've left. I still love them. It's a bit awkward. We push through. I have compassion for what you and your family have gone through ♥️
@@lacydean3215 Thank you. What you say makes sense. I can say that when am around my lds friends and family the topic never comes up. Sometimes it is a it awkward, especially at events that have a strong lds influence. I don't think I would try to convince them the church is false. I would welcome some questions though. But I get that could be somewhat threatening. I make the biggest change in my life and nobody asks why.
Today for our primary class, I slightly deviated from the lesson plan when one of the 8 year olds wanted to talk about how repentance changes people. We talked about how we can look back at things that we did and realize that we don't want to be that person anymore; but more importantly, we can look to the future at who we want to be a we walk with the Lord, and the wonderful things He's gonna do for us.
Jeff, I have so much respect for you, my friend, and I always have. You give outstanding content, but your journey leading to the creation of this channel is just as important. Thank you for being open, thank you for being real. May the Lord continue to bless you and lead your way, and may we always be so blessed to take part in it with you!
Thank you for your words, you are a very special Pastor, and very great.
I am LDS Menber, you have my gratitude and respect for your love, affection and respect that you have for all LDS members and the great respect you give to us.
Today your words have reached my heart, I know that you are very sincere and a good follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is something very difficult but I can feel your great spirit, today you showed in your video who you really want to be and that is a good servant of christ.
I want to wish you the best and I will always support you by following your videos and I will keep you in my prayers every day, so that you can always be protected with the Holy Spirit, and you can face everything that is not good. It is my sincere wish for you with much love and respect that you deserve your brother in Christ.
Latter Day Saint here. I echo a thanks to you. We ALL needed this reminder! I feel we who are religious just want to follow our Savior and feel validated that we are doing it right. No one wants to hear they are wrong in how they follow Christ. Even the apostles were all so different, and didn't agree at times, but one in loving and following Jesus. It's easy to overlook how even though we are different in beliefs, we are all just trying to follow our Savior. Anyone who believes they are the only ones who count in this, will have a hard time accepting, and loving fellow believers. We need to love people. Believers or not. We need to see each other as Christ does. He loves it when we are humble enough to make room at the table for those whom we don't agree with. It's what He taught and the table is big enough for everyone. Love you pastor Jeff. ❤️
My belief is that repentance is a process, not a singular act. It takes a great deal of humility to so publicly air your 'dirty laundry', but it's so refreshing to see. It's something that everyone needs to see more of and do more of. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Pastor Jeff for those courageous and honest words. I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a convert from Roman Catholicism, and I've been following your channel for a few months now, and you put out such great content. I love that you say it's a "journey" for you as you explore Mormonism in a sincere effort to better understand our faith and beliefs. You are an incredible man of God who I can tell has an honest love and zeal for Jesus Christ. I can't wait to watch your series on the Book of Mormon. Please keep up the amazing work with Hello Saints, and keep being awesome! God Bless!
Elvis read the Book of Mormon shortly before his dead, at the end he wrote "I WANT MORE. I WANT MORE". During
The organizing of his home to prepare it to be a museum, his daughter found the Book, and came to SLC to deliver it to the Church. I believe that is exhibiting in the Museum o
Of Genealogy. Who can not want more of the Master's visit to Mesoamerica? Didn't God disperse ancient Israel all over the earth, and the universe as in Enoch? Those who read the Book of Mormon with sincere honesty receives the Witnees of the Holy Ghost. That's a Promise, not of men, but of God. I am speaking in behalf of my own personal testimony, and not in behalf of any organization, even though I belong to one.
Are you aware that the mormon god is no longer a polygamist and has switched to monogamy??? So they're coming around, they just need a little more time.
@@sgee-vc1hz Let's not ignore the Word of God in the Bible. According to Christ in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Abraham still is the head of Paradise. He is there with all his wives, and their children. Are we going to runaway when we get to the gate of Paradise if we do, because of his plural wives? Or will we disapprove of Jacob with all his sisters wives Leah and Rachel, and their maids who his two wives, gave him also as wives? And so on is all trough the Old and New Testament. The PRIMITIVE CHURCH, had two types of male members. The ones that had converted con sus plural families, and the ones of the new generations with one wife. A Bishop had to be a man with one wife. Why? Because the administration of the branches of the Church was a great responsibility, and the administration of a plural marriage home was also great. The Gospel in the Bible is an Oriental Gospel, and not Western. Christ comes with new laws, laws that come to take away blessings, because of undesirable behaviors of men,, but in the restauration, especially in the pressing last moments of the Milenium, let's see what Isaiah has to tell us about
Plural Marriage:
AND IN THAT DAY SEVEN (perfection)WOMEN SHALL TAKE HOLD OF ONE MAN, SAYING, WE WILL EAT OUR OWN BREAD, AND WEAR OWN APPAREL: ONLY LET US BE CALLED BY THY NAME, TO TAKE AWAY OUR REPROACH.
ISAIAH 4:1
Again: Why a reproach. Because no one who is single qualifies to enter the Celestial Kingdom. They can enter other kingdoms, but not the Celestial Kingdom, because it is a Kingdom of eternal families.
The world sees with indifference the fact that millions of men and women, are lost in fornication, adultery, cheating, and lies in relations out of wedlock. Te ancient patriarchs were righteous and holy men married to all their wives.
This is my personal understanding. I am not speaking in behalf of any organization, even though I belong to one.
@@zioncityofgod4818 Thanks ZC, that Bible passage refers to the state of affairs after 120,000 men were killed in one major battle. it talks about the desperation of women and children after husbands were killed - Certainly does Not condone polygamy in this life or the next.
This video reminded me of the first meeting I attended of URI (United Religion Initiatives). I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and we attended by an invitation from our Stake President. I didn’t know what to expect from meeting with a group of people of different faiths and beliefs from our community; but, like you mentioned, I quickly realized that, when you choose to be kind, and when you allow yourself to find common ground with others, you can develop relationships, camaraderie and true friendships with people of all faiths! There were Jews, Christian, Muslims, Atheist, Buddhist, Pagans…you name it! …in this organization, and our most recent activity was Gratitude por-luck meal. It was wonderful! We also get to visit each other’s congregations and learn more about the ways we all worship. I think that, as Christians, we truly follow Christ’s example when we choose to find what is good in others, and respectfully and sincerely hear about the beliefs that they cherish most, even if some of these beliefs differ from our own. You can always find common ground when there is true love for one another!
“Kindness is a choice…” Thats a great attitude as we begin this Christmas season, we could all take a page from Pastor Jeff’s book as we go through this life together. Thanks for sharing your journey in this public forum, I enjoy your work.
Thank you, I always knew Jesus was the Savior though we were not a Church going family. After going through a very hard time in my life I looked for a Church. I had a friend who was a Latter Day Saint, (did not know that was Mormon). She and her family had such a peace about them and I always enjoyed being there. I asked if I could go to Church with her after exploring other Churches and not feeling at home. Half way through the service it was as if it was only me and the speaker in the entire room and that they were awaking my soul. From that moment on I knew I was at home. I was an active member for 27 years. I am an attending a different Church now which I love yet have to tell you the teaching I received and what I know is true are still from The Latter Day Saints. I have kept my garments and one day know I will become an active member again.
come back, Deb. we need your spirit and help in this dark world. we love and miss you.
Also, as a P.S., you are SO BRAVE for making this video and just saying where you felt you might have gone wrong in the past. That can be really hard to do! I don't feel it was "wrong" necessarily, but to be able to say you have regrets and would do things very differently now- what a Beautiful example to us ALL of true Humility, thank you for this kind and in my opinion Brave example to the rest of us, as we ALL have many things from the past we could or should change, and always striving to be kinder. So thank you for that! ❤️
Hey love your comment! Love your name, even spelt the same, thx, Shay S.
@@stonetexdesign Another Shay? That's awesome! Thanks for the comment also! Is yours just Shay? Probably- mine is short for Shayna, but usually go by Shay. Very cool, have a great day Shay S!! 😁
Dear Pastor Jeff, I really appreciate you and this channel and your transparency and desire to learn truth and to understand a misunderstood people. I appreciate the effort you have made and the lengths you have gone to to do so. Thank you for being honest and thank you for being real. Thank you for being such a good example for us all. Thank you for leading out in setting an example we all need to follow when confronted with that which we don't understand. You have an inquisitive mind and think deeply on things. I have enjoyed hearing your perspectives on different topics and doctrines on this channel. This episode also demonstrates that you have a sensitive spirit and are capable of living in compassion and charity. Thank you. Thank you for choosing to not contend but to understand. In so doing you have become more Christlike and have set an example for us all. Thank you. May God Bless you!
Outstanding video Jeff, but more importantly, an outstanding and Christlike attitude!! As I watched and listened to you from Boise, ID I felt the beautiful and reassuring presence of the Holy Spirit fall upon me gently and it warmed my soul. 🥰
I was raised in a Protestant denomination until age 20 when I was introduced to LDS missionaries. I’ve now been a devoted member of the LDS Church for 40 yrs.
I’m very pleased to see you take up this journey and I’m excited to see each of your new videos! 👍🏻 God bless us all in the coming days, weeks and months as we walk together in faith, hope and charity! 🙏🏼
Thank you Pastor Jeff for this heart warming video. As a Latter-Day Saint, during my high-school years the only bullying I received was by evangelicals who had been attending classes on how to prove a "Mormon" wrong. The interactions I had were discussing and hurtful and full of inaccuracies. At the time I did not know enough to counter their arguments. I did not have the zeal to study. I am grateful to you now for taking on this quest using love and curiosity to learn more about the Gospel we know and love. It is very refreshing.
Thank you, Pastor Jeff, that was a beautiful reminder to use love, kindness and patience to break down barriers instead of anger, hate or frustration. I have enjoyed going on this journey with you so far.
Watching this brought tears to my eyes. Pastor here is so sincere and genuine, such a Christlike person.
A breath of fresh air after being bashed all my life for being Mormon. I’m 66. Thank you!
First off Annie you're not a Mormon. You need to get yourself out of that mindset immediately. Unless you consider yourself to be a Book. The name of the Church is " The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints". Every time you refer to yourself as a Mormon you insult yourself and our Savior. That kind of mindset has been a serious problem for the Church and our members for over 180 years. The First Presidency came out with the edict that we are no longer going to be refered to as Mormons. That is NOT the name of the church. It never has been. Second, by doing so you cintinue this false narrative of the church. I hope you understand what I'm trying to convey to you here.
@@dennisowen3717 It's a good point but you conveyed it to her somewhat stridently.
Besides, the bashers always say "Mormon." So, Annie is not wrong in what she said.
I agree that this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that we should say so, and refer to ourselves as Saints or Latter-day Saints, as a matter of faithfulness. Let's just be kind as we do that.
@@dennisowen3717 "edict" is rather absolute and harsh. I don't recall it being a commandment. The Church's website doesn't have it listed as a mandate for membership, either.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were encouraged to tell others that they are members of the Church of Jesus Christ. It was meant to illustrate that the membership worship Jesus Christ, not a prophet in the Book of Mormon named Mormon. That can eliminate confusion among those who are of other Christian denominations. Christ is the Savior. As disciples, we identify ourselves as such. It certainly is no condemnation if the terms "Mormon" or "LDS" are used, but many people do not know what those terms even mean.
Sheesh. Poor Annie. She feels she's been bashed all her life for her religion. Now, she's getting bashed by fellow Saints for not expressing herself in line with more recent teachings about the name of the Church. Hang in there, Annie. Continue to speak your heart.
@@Skinhorse61 It's not bashing just a simple reminder of the truth and facts.
Thank you! We all have a past and we are all growing and progressing. I appreciate you explaining your past a bit so we can trust you more fully.
For me, this is your best video yet. I was reminded, moved, and taught all at the same time. In this moment, you were an instrument for the Lord. Thank you!
Wow Pastor Jeff, just wow. An absolute breath of fresh air! Can you imagine the incredible good that could be accomplished and that is accomplished if Christian brothers and sisters stopped fighting each other and looked for other causes to embrace. For 2,000 years Christian Orthodoxy has been so fluid, always changing. Yet, the person who believes himself to be a possessor of the current orthodoxy often uses it as a battering ram rather than as a tool of compassion and care. Ironically, the least Christian people towards other Christians are often those who profess to be following the Prince of Peace himself. Pastor, please continue your good and inspired work on this channel. God Bless:)
Wow. That was truly apologetic! Apology accepted, and I learn from your fighting criticism with curiosity. So I am humbled, and want to be a better version of myself. Our Savior's love really was powerful, and this gesture was surely leaning that direction. And anyone who inspires me to be more like the Savior is a friend of mine.
What a refreshing breath of spiritual air! As a Mormon convert who deals with degrading Mormon remarks, I eventually turned & began questioning evangelism. Which only led to spiritual harshness; somewhat like what you went through.
Thank you for your honest inward thoughts. For they have been my thoughts and I didn't realize what I was doing till you explained it.
Once again, Thank you. Truly appreciated.
Hey Jeff! We forgive you ❤️
Your channel is a testament of the change you've made. Thank you for it.
There's nothing to forgive!
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I enjoy watching "Hello Saints" and have seen kindness grow in you. Thank you for sharing your journey. Merry Christmas
Jeff, I was raised and lived in Salt Lake City. I was raised and was baptized a member of The Evangelical Luthern church. Two of our uncles were wonderful Lutheran Pastors and my three brothers and I and several cousins were acolytes throughout our youth. Our family were devout Lutheran. I had questions that I could not get answers to from our pastor or study. Most of our neighbors or friends were LDS and were and were very kind to our family. I stopped attending the Lutheran church in my late teens. I dated and married a beautiful LDS girl in 1969. I joined and was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints in 1976. I found the answers I was seeking. Changing ones religion is not an easy decision to make. I have never looked back or regretted joining the church. I believe in and live the doctrine and practices of the church. I have a strong unbendable testimony of the Savior and the church. I have served in many leadership positions, Bishop, Elders Quorum President, Stake High Council member, Stake and Ward Mission Leader, High Priest Group leader, and many more callings. I also have served as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River temple for the last 7 years.
I will never talk badly about or criticize another religion or person's beliefs. I do not bash. Everyone has the right to believe as they choose and according to the dictate of their conscience to believe what they may and choose. I appreciate how kind and understanding you are as you investigate and tell people about your investigating and how you perceive our church and explain your point of view and compare it to our beliefs. When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment He said to Love your God with all your heart mind and strength. The second is like unto it. That you Love your neighbor as yourself. I think you try to do that and you do it well.
We are all neighbors and should love and respect everyone.
Thank you. My wife and I watch all your UA-cam videos and really enjoy your fairness and kindness to our church. I firmly believe that the different Christian churches and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have much more in common than not. They are not wrong but have different doctrines and understanding that ours.
Please keep doing what you are doing. Thank you so much.
Gerald K Wahlberg
Taylorsville, Utah
Jeff, this is your best video yet. We strive to be welcoming and supportive of anyone who is seeking to change their hearts and try to be more like a Disciple of Christ. And upon watching this, it brought a warm smile to my face, and a sense of brotherhood to my heart. I am so pleased you are bridging this gap and that you are finding a happier version of yourself through this journey. May you stay a forever friend no matter where your journey takes you. God Bless, Brother.
That was a very courageous admission and example. Thank you for making these videos, and showing us how we are different and similar to the rest of Christianity. Your respectful approach and direct but kind analysis of our differences are both enlightening and refreshing. As a member of the church, there is much I don't know about the beliefs of mainstream Christianity. Thanks.
Mainstream Christianity is pretty diverse too. I'm a Catholic theologian, so Pastor Jeff will have some different ideas to me too. Mormons/LDS theologically are firmly much more Protestant influenced, however thier moral teachings tend to be more Catholic. I think this has led to past, excellent conversion rates, as everybody can find something they like and that rings "true" for them, in the LDS church. Converting from other religions is much harder.
@@heathermcdougall8023 There seem to be many things similar between Roman Catholicism and Mormonism.
Well said Pastor Jeff! 💙🙏💙
@@dnzswithwombats Morally there are.However, theologically they are very different.
@@heathermcdougall8023 I see what you're saying. I was thinking, kind of, funtionally there are things similar between Roman Catholicism and the Mormon Church. The final say-so of their persons at the top of the organizations, the mediation between members and God, things like those.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I really do appreciate this video. My father grew up in my religion and my mother converted to it from another Christian religion when my parents married. Over the years it has been hurtful when friends and especially family members get very accusatory and antagonistic regarding my religion. Sometimes they attack even more when a preacher has come to their congregation and preached against my religion, which I hold dear. They have expressed loyalty to them and their opinions of my religion over my own beliefs and testimony if my own religion. They will argue that what I believe is not what I believe. I don't expect them to agree with me in everything but I know we have many common beliefs that, in my opinion, it would be better to build on. I don't want to feel attacked or be treated rudely by my own family, who in any other context do not act harsh or attack me. Isn't it more Christlike to act in love and to come together as followers on what we hold common? So, I thank you. I feel especially in the times we are in now we should join our faith in God and focus on bringing others and ourselves to Him through love.
Thank you for your humility and humanity. This is love and light. This is how I believe our Savior wants us to be with our neighbor.
Oh man, you have gained my respect and admiration for sharing this. The vulnerability you just displayed here is outstanding. We are all on a journey to become a better version of ourselves everyday. Thank you for your example. Love you, fellow brother in Christ.
Your story reminds me of Saul’s conversion. This is beautiful and I felt the Holy Spirit so strongly in your video.
May God bless you and your family this Christmas season.
Pastor Jeff, you are a wonderful son of Christ. You typify what my mom taught me when I was growing up. Her faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been the center of her life. She has been an example of showing His love to all she met. She routinely befriended other Christians, as well as those of other faiths, with curiousity and the purpose of gaining a better understanding of their beliefs.
I, too, am firm in my faith and have experienced the joy of learning of the faiths and beliefs of others. Since being a missionary and have grown older, I have had the blessing to meet many of other faiths. Those relationships and the examples they showed have strengthened me and have helped my faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
You are a wonderful ambassador for us. I enjoy and appreciate your content. You approach our faith with kindness, reverence, and respect while also sharing your faith in Christ. Our world is a better place with you in it!
As I watched this video and as I have been typing this comment, a scripture came to my mind. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
You are someone that I would enjoy sharing our faith in Christ together. I'm sure my mom would as well. Thank you!
In The Church, we have a Primary song (for children ages 3-11) that goes, "I want to be kind to everyone, for that is right, you so. So, I say to myself, "Remember this, kindness begins with me."" Thank you, Pastor Jeff. Thank you for your kindness.
" ...for that is right you see" :) just helping others who may not know the song here the rhyming words 🙈
Pastor Jeff, as a Latter-day Saint, I am moved that you would open up with such honesty about your motivations and growth. I have nothing but respect and admiration for your efforts as well as where your heart is. We are all journeying through life making mistakes and trying to grow. Thank heavens for Jesus Christ! And thank you for honesty and gentleness and the effort you are making. It shows love that you even want to understand even if our beliefs remain different... it's beautiful. Thank you. It makes me want to hear from you more on what you believe as well. Thank you brother.
A month ago I did some digging and found some of your past sermons. Only listened to a bit, certainly not the one your other listener found. Always good to take responsibility - I think you explained it well. "I might still believe certain things about the LDS, but it's always good to be kind." Loving the journey Jeff
Pastor Jeff. I am a faithful Latter-Day-Saint. I have watched several of you more recent videos, and though I obviously don’t know you, I have such great respect for your character and your fair mindedness. There is so much truth that I feel that we share with Evangelicals like you. Thank you so much for your channel. There is so much darkness in the world. The light of truth will always win out in the end. I consider you a brother in Christ! Thank you.
I have only made it the 3 minute mark, and I already have mad respect for you. You are very eloquent. This happens to everyone in all faiths. You are a human who like all humans did better when he knew better. We all know this feeling but not all of us have our past misgivings on video. So I applaud you and what you have done on this channel. Latter Day Saints have also said things about other faiths to elevate our own. And it’s wrong.
I feel this. I am a Christian who was thrust into a Mormon home at an early age (through my mother passing away and my father remarrying). Being autistic, this drove me into intense theological study. But because of the relationships I had with my new stepfamily, especially my new stepmother, as well as the fact that [as I mentioned] I am autistic, and struggle with the concepts of tact and compassion anyway (not that I lack empathy, I just don't always express it correctly), the "gentleness and respect" part of the verse you mentioned was a stumbling block, one that I continue to struggle with.
I am currently finding my way back to God after a long period of disillusionment (I won't bore you with the details; I never lost my faith but I had hard questions I had to work out) and I am hoping to find a "renewing of my mind"-and heart-on my renewed journey, to be better able to present the "faith once delivered to the saints" to "anyone that asks you for the reason" (including my stepfamily)... but this time, with a gentler spirit.
May God continue to bless your ministry.
There are several testimonies here from Latter-day Saint converts from other branches of Christianity. I am one of those; I was raised in evangelical churches and accepted Jesus as my savior at a young age. It was not until in my 40s (and after a trip through atheism as well) that I became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. That fact has blessed my life and the lives of our family more than I can begin to say.
I’m excited to take this journey with you in reading the book of Mormon, Pastor Jeff. I was 16 years old when I first read it. I had many questions and many things I did not understand, that I have come to understand overtime and in conjunction with reading the Bible. Though I could not understand everything fully, the Holy Spirit spoke to my spirit, and gave me a witness that Jesus is the Christ, and that the book of Mormon is true. It is the same spirit that I felt when listening to your words today. Continue in the spirit of love., Meekness, and brotherly kindness. Your brother in Christ.
Thank you for being a bigger man then most people, it’s truly inspiring
Much respect for all you’re doing on this channel. Thank you for putting in the time and effort that it requires of you (and your family, I imagine). As a lifetime member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I value being able to learn from others with different perspectives and this is a great reminder that you can be open minded while maintaining personal convictions. Thank you.
I appreciate what you had to say! Thank you for sharing your journey! I am so happy that someone outside of being a Latter-Day Saint wants to explore and learn about us in such a genuine way! Thank you! 💕
The scriptures teach us that 'God's kindness leads us to repentance". I think we should be kind to each other as well. Thank you Pastor Jeff for being transparent. I also listened to your sermons. I am grateful you see the need to remove that one. We all learn from our mistakes. God bless your journey!
We all need this sort of journey and we all look back and recognize things we could have done better
I think this is great! No matter what the subject is (religion, politics, sports, books, etc) we are always going to interact with those that have differences of opinion. It’s so important to look to learn and respect others. You may come away feeling like they are wrong, but it’s ok to disagree with respect and kindness which so many people have forgotten.
Its also so important to allow others to change their view point and apologize for past wrongs, real or perceived, and give them forgiveness. We’ve all done our said things we regret so I sure won’t be holding others past over them because I don’t want them to hold mine over me!
What a beautiful reminder for all of us.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for alway being real and sincere in anything you share, even in this courageous acknowledgment of who you were versus who you want to be or who you are becoming while on this adventure to explore all the commonalities and differences between your beliefs and those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Your earnest sincerity pulled at my heart and made me teary-eyed. I'm so grateful to have found this channel. Thank you so very much for choosing to be respectful and kind to members like me =]
Brother, we all in this together as followers of Jesus Christ. Love the share.
Thank you for your humility, Pastor Jeff. With understanding comes great wisdom. I think you are in a much better place now to share your feelings and beliefs on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints far more than when you originally have that sermon. Thank you for sharing this journey with us! Keep the faith, brother!
Jeff: Thank you for sharing this obviously sincere and humble declaration of regret for past judgmental thoughts towards members of the church to which I belong. Not that I needed a confession or an apology. I didn't. No, instead I thank you for letting us watch you become so much more Christ-like. That struggle in each of us is a difficult and personal effort. At times a painful effort. Yet you were humble enough to share it with thousands of strangers. I was uplifted. As far as I can tell, Jesus never condemned anyone for his or her sincerely held beliefs, but only for hypocrisy towards those beliefs. I've long wondered at "Christians" who condemned me, without knowing me, simply because of my beliefs. (Oh, to be certain, they could have condemned me for my hypocrisy had they known me.) You are no longer among them-though I bet you were never all that bad in this regard because it is obvious you are just too nice a person to have done that too much. Now you are even more like Jesus, and my admiration for you climbs immeasurably because of that. Again, thank you for sharing that account of such personal growth. Thank you for being a "friend to the Saints". May God's greatest blessings flow to you and your family.
Thanks for your candor, Jeff. I’ve been guilty of the same thing myself and then the spirit reminded me that we are all sons and daughters of God and that he loves each and every one of us. You’ve never offended me personally, but you have my forgiveness and gratitude.
On a separate note, I ran across a talk the other day called “His Grace is Sufficient” by Brad Wilcox. You can find it here on UA-cam. It reminded me of a video you did a while back on grace. If you find the time, I think you might enjoy it.
I’d also like to say that our (I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) beliefs are that Christ will embrace you, me, and many other good people of all faiths and denominations when he returns, and that we will all learn and grow together under his guidance during 1,000 years of peace. If I never get the pleasure of thanking you in person for your channel in this life, I look forward to doing so then.
Your humble honesty and integrity made me cry. Thanks for your Christ-like example Pastor Jeff. You are a mighty leader among your Christian community-I hope they’re taking notes - and thanks for embracing my LDS community. We’re all faithful Christians at the end of the day. God bless you.
I don't normally comment, but I was so moved by this video that I felt I was being prompted to do so today. I was born into the covenant, meaning I was born into a family that had been members of the LDS faith for generations. I had many doubts but never expressed them because I didn't want to cause distance within my family. This fall, after some deep soul searching and contemplation, I accepted Christ. When looking for a church home it was incredibly important to me that the pastor preach as you have described in this video. When I think about Christ and being a Christian the overwhelming sense, I have is to live a Christ like life. I believe this video is an excellent example of that. I have met plenty of people who say they are Christians and behave so abhorrently. I applaud your intention to learn and understand a religion that is foreign to your understanding and do it with kindness and a Christlike curiosity. Thank you for the content you're sharing and the manner in which you conduct yourself.
Thank you for being a living example of John 13:34. Your love of God shines brightly for us all.
Thank you for teaching about beliefs without being judgmental. I was a Presbyterian as a baby, a Baptist in Elementary school. I studied with friends who were adventists. I lived in a Morman Community in 7th grade. I married a Pentecostal. I have had very close friends who were Catholics, Church of Christ, Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran. I feel that God put me in a position to have close relationships with people who were of other denominations for a reason. That is to realize that it is all about relationship with Christ not the label that you are called by.
Agree!
As a fellow church visitor of multiple denominations, I couldn't agree more 👍
The last shall be first, and the first shall be last. Jesus started ONE faith, and soon we will again be in ONE faith. (without all the various denominations)
Thank you so much for this series of videos! I am a catholic priest in the Netherlands, and have been always very interested and curious about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints, and I agree absolutely of the way to approach members of this Church, so I am very pleased to follow you in this Journey to get to know them better. A few years ago I got in contact with missionaries after giving a review on their website on some beautyful LDS music, and even went a sunday to their stakehouse, assisting at their 3 hours meeting. Along with the missionaries I got in contact with an adult (american) marriage, that took care of the young missionaries, and altough the are back in the USA now, we still have contact several times a year, sharing about our life and faith. I really appreciate them, even with the differences we have in our beliefs. So again thank you for your Great videos about them, to get to know more about their culture and beliefs.
I appreciate you realizing your mistakes and striving to do better. I believe that’s an important goal that Jesus wants all of us to have. I grew up in Denton, Texas and there were many churches around that bashed our faith despite a rather large LDS population in the area. In 8th grade a girl told me I was going to hell and when she saw the look on my face she realized that was not the way to approach that belief. We have been friends for almost 30 years now. When we were in our early 20s, we were going to a Bible study at a friend’s church. At the end of the 6 month study, the leader made a derogatory comment about Mormons and both my friends looked at me with an apologetic face. The leader had no idea I was “Mormon” this whole time. My experiences have always encouraged me to learn about other faiths and make friends where I can because I don’t want to treat others the way I was treated.
Pastor Jeff, it takes a man of great character to come and fully admit something that happened in the past that one wasn’t proud of doing or saying. In fact, it endears the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to you as you are open and honest with us. We all need the Savior’s grace and Atonement in each of our lives, and I am foremost in that need.
Thank you for being such an awesome, respectful example of what we all need to be, with whatever faith we may be affiliated. God bless you brother!
I am lds. Served a mission. You can impact me and influence me more and have touched my heart. I love this version of you. I hope to emmulate this as well!
Love your confession full of humble words and attitude. We love you, our fellow Christian brother. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with the world.
I am grateful for your example and your efforts. Regardless which church we attend, we are all fallen and need to make the choice to be kind. Not one of us perfect, and each of us in need of daily repentance. What a gift our Savior has given us! What a beautiful example of using that gift. God bless you.
"Kindness is a choice" -- "Respect requires intentionality." Wonderful words! Thanks for being vulnerable, and walking the walk! I look forward to seeing more videos.
We all are on a journey. I'm so grateful for my savior, Jesus Christ, and that through him, I can change and be better. We are all children of God and all we can do is try and follow Jesus and look to him for redemption of our sins when we fall. Love this channel. God bless you pastor Jeff.
I grew up outside Utah with very few members my age. I had amazing friends from many backgrounds and faiths. Some of the most spiritual and wonderful conversations of my life were with friends from other churches. It was because we were taking about Jesus, and other amazing aspects of our faith without trying to hurt our change eachother. We often went to eachothers church activities and simply enjoyed what each of us brought to the table.
On the other hand I had friends who would try to change me and even tricked me into being cornered by pastors at their church activities. It hurt and did nothing but put rifts in our friendships.
There really is such a difference in coming together to lovingly and excitedly talk about our faiths. The difference is to learn from others as opposed to being cornered and attacked. I think it is amazing what you are doing to change that hateful approach and go forward with love.
Your channel is a breath of fresh air for all of us. As a latter-day Saint, I appreciate the respect with which you’ve made this channel. We all could do better to be more like you when we talk about the differences in our religions. I believe in these end days, we all need to come together.
Pastor Jeff, thank you for opening your heart and being honest on how you have changed your view on the LDS as a whole. I believe that there's so much to learn about the LDS faith and I believe that at the end of your Journey, you will no be disappointed. "Ye shall know them by their fruits" Matthew 7:16
Pastor Jeff, I am grateful for your genuine approach in your journey of exploration and understanding about the beliefs, doctrines, history, and cultural nuances and how they may differ or match those of your faith. As a long-time member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I have had participated in doctrinal "bashing" (both giving and receiving) and As I have come to see your love and genuine concern for understanding differences, it has helped me reflect on how we call can become one in bringing all unto Christ so that they can develop a personal relationship with Him. (regardless of label) I can't say enough how impressed I am at your approach and sincerity in your endeavor, and I appreciate your love and kindness and respect you share in your videos. You are a great example to me of how Christ would want us to treat one another as we are all Asking, Seeking, Knocking on our journey home!
"I don't want to be who I was" and "choosing to be kind" encapsulate Jesus' gospel. It's what we're all trying to be better at. Thank you for giving us all an example of following Christ. It makes me want to be better, too. ❤️
Pastor Jeff - Thank you for posting this video; I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability in doing so. Some years ago I found myself transitioning from LDS worship to a large evangelical church in Southern California. While that process required many adjustments, I soon found that I could not only survive there, but I could actually continue growing spiritually in that new place. About a year after I had entered into a very rich fellowship at that church with members and leadership alike, I was asked to give a presentation on the LDS faith. When it became apparent that the request was really intended to "expose" the LDS faith as a cult, and I would be expected to denigrate my former church, I responded that I neither could, nor would, do that. Feeling, like you, that no good would come of such an effort, my counteroffer was to share how I had come to Christ within the LDS space. I was one of the few who had been born again within the LDS church in a single moment through the supernatural power of God and my life had never been the same. I was willing and anxious to share how my journey within the LDS faith had actually prepared me to embrace Christians in the evangelical world as I continued seeking Christ and His truth. So my question to them was this: If you have come to love and respect me for the faith and commitment I have demonstrated in this new place (as I believed they had), why would you ask me to denigrate the very religion that helped prepare me for my conversion to Christ and then helped shape my life and gifts through His teachings? To their credit, they heard me and allowed me to share my story while factually and honestly highlighting some clear differences on both sides. That experience remains one of the most memorable blessings of my spiritual life and it taught me much about the need to eliminate contention within our spiritual dialogue. So I thank you for fighting criticism with curiosity and for the respect you show those of the LDS (or any other) faith.
You're awesome. Thanks for your candidness and honesty. We will all be better Christians as we follow your pattern. This is coming from an active Latter-day Saint who gets to teach young latter-day Saints about Jesus from the scriptures in seminary every day. I am reminded to talk kindly of our fellow Christian friends. You are doing this right. Thanks
Found this channel by accident. I really enjoyed it. As a l.D.S member. I want to thank you for changing your ways and want to learn more about the L.D.S. I am now a new subscriber to you.
Wow, so refreshing. I think we could all learn from this example of softening our tone and apologizing when we cross the line. Well done.
Im a Latter day saint and I think what you have been doing has been incredible. Thanks for your honesty and willingness to another’s perspective. I wish more people would be better at that including me. This channel has been very well done so far
What a blessing this has been for you. And for us as followers of this channel. I am grateful for the atonement and the change of heart Jesus Christ brings to our hearts. I am proud for you Brother, though we still differ in doctrine, we are believers in our Brother and our Savior Jesus Christ. Love you Bother
You don’t cease to amaze me! Thanks so much for you honesty and the courage to say these things! You set a great example of discipleship of our savior and love for others. We’re no the ones to judge you . We are all imperfect and striving to be more like Jesus.
Thanks again!
Pastor Jeff! This is beautiful. I wish there were more people as understanding about and respectful of our church as you are. I can’t wait to continue watching your journey as you start reading the Book of Mormon! I believe doing that will help you understand our faith more than anything else, no matter whether you accept it as truth or not
I’m a member of the lds church and the amount of respect I have for u is immense, thank you so much for this channel
This guy has so much I can respect. Can’t wait to hear and and follow his journey through the Book of Mormon.
Thank you, pastor. I would be proud to call you my friend. God bless you on your journey.
Pastor Jeff, I appreciate your approach to learning more about the church. I look forward to your journey of reading through the Book of Mormon with and honest and sincere desire to see how you can come close to our Savior Jesus Christ. The promise in the Introduction that if one will read, ponder and pray to know the truth that God will manifest the truth by the power of the Holy Ghost is real. I have experienced this. Millions of others have as well.
I pray that God will use you as an instrument in His hands to continue to bring about His great purposes.The church and its people nor the history of such is perfect. However, His gospel message is and you seem to be a seeker of truth. I hope you lean on the Lord in this process and not fear the reproach of men. God is a God of miracles!
Pastor Jeff, this is Jody Bedont, I loved this video! Thank you for posting it. Life is all about change and you demonstrated that so eloquently in this video. I continue to learn from your posts. Thank you for sharing what you do!
Humility and the willingness to change one's mind is so essential for growth - Kudos
My wife and I volunteer at an addiction recovery facility that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the bible. And in the words of Leo Thorsen, who runs the day to day operations; "We try to keep our personal religious beliefs out of our love for Jesus." And it works. I am very happy to hear your words today. I have been on the receiving end of lectures from "christians" because I am a member of the LDS church. Thank you.
Jeff, I'm an evangelical and I've also been on a similar journey seeking to understand mormonism over the past year. I've been reading the BoM, watching videos, and talking to LDS church members and often feel disoriented with the information and my response to it. I am so grateful I've had this channel and been able to see how you respond, empathize, and fight criticism with curiosity. You are doing well and your honesty in this video just proves that all the more.
I know that it definitely can be disorienting because there is a lot of confusion and different beliefs even among my LDS friends and neighbors. The one thing they all adhere to is that the BofM is true and JS translated it from golden plates. All the rest (who is God, where did He come from, Who is Jesus, where did He come from, how are we saved?, Where is truth found, etc) seems to shift a bit from person to person. The best thing for us is to be the minority here in UT and be neighborly and inquisitive. When the question eventually arrives on whether we want to join their church or not, we'll be seeing what God will do among these friendships and which ones will last despite the differences, and praying our responses will continue to be friendly, honest and neighborly.
Jeff, I've started it time and time again, I'm very impressed with you. Though we do not know one another, and you know nothing of me, I would call you friend and stand by your side if need be, based on what I know of you. I was born to an LDS family grew up in the LDS faith. I went on MY own journey to find what I believe which caused me to study religion like crazy. To TRULY become open to another's view is very difficult because you have to be able to not only realize where we're wrong but also allow others to be wrong while trying to help them see what we've found to be correct. I love the fact that you do this incredibly well. I am not going to be arrogant enough to accept your apology because I don't feel it's my place. You're an amazing example of growing and being Christ-like. Feel the appreciation that you deserve sir.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ provided a way for all to repent and change. The ability to be more Christ like and change from anything in the past is the gift. You're all good in my books because you are willing to change and grow because of the gift the Savior gave us.
I am amazed with the kind words spoken here and your message here today sounds like you have experienced the type of personal growth a lot of us are going through. Finding common ground is critical to peace among the different faiths. The Adversary would have us at war with one another. I am a Latter Day Saint, but I have a deep respect for my Protestant and Baptist friends and the Jehovah's Witness missionaries that occasionally visit my home. We have had many wonderful conversations where the Spirit has been there. We all love and worship the same God and the same Son. Sharing that love with each other is pleasing to the Lord🥲
I am so excited about the series on reading the Book of Mormon! I wish you would read it faster so we can hear what you think, lol! There are so many wonderful principles and life changing stories. Having read it more than a dozen times throughout my 45 year old life, it has become an important guide for me and my family as we maneuver through these last days before Christ 2nd Coming. These stories were handpicked by Mormon because he saw visions of our day and what we were going to face. It has been immensely helpful!
Thank you, Pastor Jeff! I think everyone who has strong beliefs, on either side of the debate, has at one time or another been harsher than necessary in their defense. It's a mark of strong character to be willing to publicly acknowledge those missteps and seek to bridge the gap. Thank you for your courage and compassion.
I'm a lifelong latter-day Saint and your approach is refreshing. I've just subscribed!
This video is also a reminder to me as well. Kindness and respect are two qualities that people nowadays don't have anymore. Thank you, Pastor Jeff for reminding me today. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Philippines. I am also a youtuber and my contents are about Philippine history and tourism. I've been watching since October. Thanks again for the reminder.