I have a question, Jeff. Why is it Jesus, His apostles and some of the earliest fathers of 'Christianity' and a few hundred years after the last apostle died, taught that God became man so man can become God, yet... today only one denomination or category today teaches the same but none of the others do? Thanks.
I still have a question of who got to decide which Solas were important and which were not. Who got to decide what had to be the biblical interpretation of each doctrine? Who gave them authority to make those decisions and how do we know those interpretations are correct? Our answer would be God revealed them to modern prophets and especially Joseph Smith. What claims do these reformers have to making sure 100% that they got core belief interpretation right and that another reformation isn’t needed in one of the core doctrines? Would it be a claim of reformers that the reformation is complete and all the reasons for it are done?
Not a question but an observation - I think it's interesting that Christians seem to be much more comfortable with the disunity amongst Christian denominations than LDS do. I would say that the many differing denominations and schisms in mainline Christianity is a much bigger issue to Latter Day Saints than it is to other Christians.
In my experience Evangelicals hold the following beliefs: 1. They do not believe in evolution. 2. Let me repeat, they do not believe in evolution. 3. Baptism is not necessary. 4. All are saved by grace. 5. Going to church is optional. 6. They believe in the Holy Trinity as far as the nature of God, as do Catholics. 7. The bible is the only revelation that has come from God and holds all the answers a Christian needs.
I belong to a dozen or more "Evangelical - Latter-day Saint" discussion groups on Facebook, pretty much from its inception, though the list has grown. Very frequently (and I'm almost tempted to say it's universal, though not quite), Evangelicals will condemn both Catholics and Latter-day Saints as works-based religions whose members are both destined to hell because of that (they claim Latter-day Saints believe that our works save us, which is untrue-we believe good works are necessary to salvation which is something entirely different, as God's grace is what saves us, not our works, and engaging in good works is impossible without God's grace). Given the frequency with which Catholicism is condemned along with Latter-day Saints as being essentially equivalent in our approach to religion (those dastardly works & priesthood organizations), would it not be correct to say that Catholicism and Evangelicalism are no more compatible than is Evangelicalism and Latter-day Saint theology? That there is no set of "core" beliefs that tie Evangelicalism & Catholicism together as equally "Christian"? The working definition, as far as I can tell, for the Evangelicals in these groups is that anyone who doesn't believe as they do in the core doctrines [where the Bible delineates "core" (necessary) from peripheral (unnecessary) is another question]). And it seems that it's primarily our belief in the necessity of good works, something we share with our Catholic friends, is what makes us "damnable."
As a Latter-day Saint we believe that when the Lord said other churches were an abomination to Him, He was not referring to the people within them. He was referring to the incorrect teachings and doctrines that were not perfectly aligned with the True Church of Jesus Christ as found in perfectly interpreted parts of The New Testament. We as LDS believe there is truth found in many religions, and amazing Christlike people within them. We can acknowledge our differences but still work together on those things we agree on.
As a Catholic, I feel there are many good Christlike people in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. However, the LDS Church has incorrect teachings and doctrines that are not perfectly aligned with the true church of Jesus Christ.
@@kevins4254and we would feel the same way about your church but we can all agree that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and we should celebrate that fact together as brothers and sisters.
@@kevins4254can you name one? I don't want to be contentious. There are many misconceptions about our doctrine so I'm just curious. The Trinity is something that I don't feel is biblical because even though Jesus says the Father and He are one, he also says we can be one with him and we are not the same being as Them. But if there's something else, I'd be interested to hear it.
Much needed video!. While we do believe we are led by living prophets and have authority to perform ordinances such as baptism that are so important this quote is also extremely important: Apostle Orson F. Whitney (1855-1931) stated, “God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. … It is too vast, too arduous, for any one people.” We are grateful for ALL our brothers and sisters in other religions earnestly seeking to do Christ's work on the earth. Thank you!❤️❤️
Jesus Christ is my living Prophet, Priest, and King. Acts 3:21 There will be no restoration as long as Jesus Christ is in heaven. When Christ returns, then the kingdom of Israel will be restored. Acts 1:6 Joseph Smith had 50 men anoint him king of the earth during the Millennium, which they thought would soon take place. However, the Bible says that Jesus Christ will reign during the Millennium. Ezekiel 37:24
@@bbqbros3648 Yes. All believers, men, women, children, and even black people have been priests now for 2,000 years. It is not a position in a church. It is who we are in Christ. I Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10; The true and living God of the Bible never banned black people from the priesthood until 1978. God is not racist.
18:34 I’m totally ok not being called a protestant Christian. I am content to be called a restorational Christian. We can still work together to follow Jesus’s teachings to love and serve and invite. 💟🙏
Good luck with that. If you are a protestant, you are NOT LDS. We do not exist as a break off, of a break off, of a break off, of a break off. 99% of those who are protestants do NOT accept you as one of them and will not want anything to do with you. Extremely naive!!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church restored by our beloved prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration continues and is being led by a living prophet President Russell M Nelson. We are the restored gospel, the name of our church was revealed to our prophet and now we have thousands of churches taking Jesus Christ name. Being a restored Christian is unfounded and sadly has no authority or priesthood keys.
I consider anyone who Protests Christ church , The Catholic Church to be a Protestant. Oriental orthodox, Assyrian church of the East, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, LDS , Jehovah's witnesses, SDA, non denominational, etc etc You are a Protestant, if you protest the church that Jesus Christ established, the Catholic church The one true church that Jesus Christ established on the rock of St Peter , and never fell away into apostasy or lost authority, Christ promises that he would be with us until the end of time , that the gates of hell would never prevail against his Church, and that he would send his spirit to guide his Church. Proud to be a Catholic, to be a member of the body of Christ that has stood tall for 2,000 years. I love my Catholic faith.. Glory to Jesus Christ 🙏☦️❤️
You cannot claim to have restored anything that existed in the primitive church (the Church governed by the apostles after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ) when you did not restore but eliminated things practiced in the primitive church. Example: You have no women prophetesses. In Luke 2:36 it records, "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, ..." You don't allow women to function as prophets. There are 9 gifts of the Spirit, but you largely ignore those (I Cor 12). You think the gift of prophecy is only for THE prophet. Yes, you believe in personal revelation, but the prophet's revelations trump those. Paul told how the use of prophecy was to be used in the Church, but you don't allow that. I Cor. 11:4-5 explains that men and women can have the gift of prophecy and how it is to be used in the church service.( I Cor: 14.) And you added things like Pope / Sole prophet of the church that didn't exist in the primitive church. A sole prophet or pope was eliminated with the atonement of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2). So JS "restored" the office of Sole prophet for the church that did not exist in the NT. You need to read the Bible and see how drastically it and the D & C don't agree. Choose one but don't say they are inspired by the same God because God is not the author of confusion and contradiction. I know these are but a few of the contradictions because I was an LDS convert for 27 years. I started to read my bible and pray daily and put down the D & C and BoM. I was led out by the Holy Spirit
I would even go so far as to say that these two groups are so different and make such radically different truth claims that one is truly Christian, and the other is truly not. Yet there cannot exist the possibility that both are simultaneously true Christians.
Thanks Jeff! I love the historic breakdown. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints myself, i believe that individuals such as john Calvin, Martin Luther and William Tyndale were inspired individuals. They didn’t agree with the way the Catholic Church was controlling everything and decided to do something about it. Because of them it created an environment where freedom of religion. Because of their actions it allowed all of our religions to come into formation. They are great historic figures and should be respected by all as pioneers in their time. Thanks again for the video.
“...John Calvin, Martin Luther and William Tyndale were inspired individuals. They didn’t agree with the way the Catholic Church was controlling everything...” My perception of the ostensibly protestant denominations mentioned in this video is that there are two groups of denominations with very different views of the teachings of Jesus. Some think the teachings of Jesus favor a progressive or liberal political perspective. Some think the teachings of Jesus favor a conservative political perspective. And some denominations are split (or are splitting) along that political divide. Both groups of denominations are trying to use politics to “control everything” which, to me, means that both groups of denominations are as far from the real gospel of Jesus as the Roman Church was in the days of William Tyndale, Martin Luther and John Calvin. My perception (and, again, this is just my perception) is that Joseph Smith wanted to be president of the United States because he wanted to “control everything”. Maybe there are religious institutions that don’t try to do that but it seems to me that the answer is to move toward personal religion and away from institutional religion. By the way, I’ve attended the worship services of several “independent” or “non-denominational” congregations over the last several decades and, to me, they all seemed as creedal and hierarchical as the large religious organizations - just on a smaller scale.
@@jesselenz5452 I agree! In addition, the church of Jesus Christ still stands strong today, is very organized, and is not corrupt because the prophet of God administers the affairs of the church. The work of the Lord will continue and no unhallowed hand can stop it from progressing until the great Jehovah shall say the work is done.
The LDS Church has a very similar model of controlling everything to the Catholics. "Follow the infallible prophet" who "can't lead us astray" - that is relying on the arm of flesh. And history proves to be a very dangerous model.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ I do definitely call myself a Christian, meaning I have taken upon myself the name of Jesus Christ as a disciple of Him and His teachings and life. I consider the church to be the restored church of Jesus Christ as he established it during his ministry with all the priesthood, keys, authorities, structure, that existed in the original church....with a prophet, 12 apostles, etc. I consider myself Judeo Christian in that respect as we are following much of the covenants, temples, etc. that existed originally.
Why was Joseph Smith so anti Christian? Joseph Smith said . . . (Regarding Joseph Smith’s alleged first vision where celestial personages appeared to him) . . . “My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right - and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong, and the personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in His sight: that those professors were all corrupt . . .” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 5-6). “What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world,” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 270). (In questions directed to Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism . . . ). First-“Do you believe the Bible?” If we do, we are the only people under heaven that do, for there are none of the religious sects of the day that do.” Third-“Will everybody be damned, but Mormons?” Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness.” (Teachings, page 119). Brigham Young said. . . “But He did send His angel to this same obscure person, Joseph Smith jun., who afterwards became a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and informed him that he should not join any of the religious sects of the day, for they were all wrong,” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, 1855, p. 171). John Taylor said . . . “We talk about Christianity, but it is a perfect pack of nonsense . . . Myself and hundreds of the Elders around me have seen its pomp, parade, and glory; and what is it? It is a sounding brass and a tinkling symbol; it is as corrupt as hell; and the Devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century,” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, 1858, p. 167). The Book of Mormon says. . . “And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth” (1 Nephi 14:10). “And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose foundation is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence. . .” (1 Nephi. 14:17).
what are your thoughts on Paster Jeff's explanation of the person of Jesus verses the nature of Jesus? Do you by chance see the difference in how traditional Christians see the nature of Jesus differently then do LDS Christians?
When Jesus Christ established His Church who was the prophet? In the New Testament we read that deacons are to be married men. "Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well." 1 Timothy 3:12 Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have deacons who are married men?
I agree that when we focus on experiences with Christ and whether that relationship is real, we stop being so different. The reason why it bothers me so much when Latter Day Saints are not classified as "Christians" in general is that it seems like what you are telling me is my differences in beliefs on secondary issues are so radically different that "mainstream" Christians do not want to be associated with me. The fact that belief in the ministry, suffering and resurrection of Christ isn't the core requisite of being Christian, tells me more about the "in" group and what they prioritize than it does about my faith. Why is belief in the Nicene Creed (and subsequent dogmas) a necessary threshold to being a Christian but belief in the resurrection is not? We can all agree that there are different interpretations of the significance of the suffering and resurrection of Christ, but all agree it is important to believe that it happened. Luckily I do not rely on "mainstream Christians" understanding of Christ to determine whether I have an authentic relationship with my Savior or not. I do not need permission from outside groups to believe that I will see my deceased loved ones again. If those core beliefs are not requisite for being "Christian" then that says more about the state of Christianity in general and how distracted it has become from it's original core. "They draw near to me with their lips but their hearts are far from me."
Well I think that it is also a different God. The God of Christianity have different understanding of God, but they all agree in its nature. However, Joseph taught different: "These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they are simple. It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did; and I will show it from the Bible." Source: emp.byui.edu/jexj/new/talks/talks/JS%20KingFollettDiscourse.pdf
I attended many other Christian denominations while serving an LDS Mission in the United States. Many of us missionaries did this to become familiar with those we would come in contact with. I was thankful for the kindness shown to us.
I must admit, I learned a great deal about the other Christian religions from your video. I have always divided Christian religions into Catholic, Protectant, and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As always your discussions are respectful of other beliefs without diminishing your own. Thank you again for your honest and respectful lessons.
Once again, an inspiring and uplifting video. Thank you. As a Latter-day Saint, I tend to look at things in a very individual way. Because we believe we are all literal children of Heavenly Father, it comes down to having an individual, personal relationship with the Savior. I believe if we are individually doing the best we can and sincerely making our best effort to be more like the Savior, that is the most important thing. I am convinced that you are doing the Lord's work and accomplishing much good. I wanted to emphasize a point that I was trying to express. We believe this entire life is a very personal, intimate, individual experience. Everything is about our personal relationship with the Savior. The Savior knows each of us personally and intimately and he works with us in an individual way.
This is in no way meant to be a criticism, but you just made a great case for why the Restoration was necessary. The confusion and disagreements between the many Christian churches, causes contention between them. Contention is not of God. With that said, our 11th Article of Faith states, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” Which is why you very seldom see Latter-day Saints attack the way others worship. Those who do, don’t understand our religion. You mentioned that we as saints may not understand about speaking in tongues, again, anyone who was raised in the church most likely memorized the 13 Articles of Faith. Our 7th Article of Faith states, “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.” Those who study our church history, know that these things happened, and most likely still do in some cases. Lastly, when Joseph Smith had his first vision, Jesus Christ told him, “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” I believe most Christians have great intentions, and I totally appreciate what you’re doing. But the truth is, the kingdom of God had to be restored before the second coming of Christ to clear up all the confusion and so more souls could be saved. We, as members, have the opportunity to assist our Savior through full-time missionary work, member missionaries, and temple service. I testify that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration. God chooses broken vessels to do his work. Proof of this is shown throughout the Bible. Jesus Christ leads his church through a living prophet, Russell M. Nelson. I’m thankful to be part of the kingdom of God on earth. God bless you, Jeff, I believe your intentions are good. If there are members in our church watching who are struggling with their testimonies, I hope and pray your videos affirm their faith in the Restoration.
I know you've been spending a lot of time researching The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Even so, I'm honestly impressed how well-versed you are in our history (including noting how early church leaders experienced things like the Gift of Tongues, which I would argue most church members don't know about) and how respectfully you approach it. I think you're point is well made about how we can still come together despite the differences we face. While we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ do believe to be part of the one true church, one thing my parents always taught me growing up is that we don't have a monopoly on truth or goodness. Great things can come from all people regardless of the church to which they belong. And no matter what church or denomination someone may follow, it's still better that they follow Jesus Christ since He is ultimately the way, the truth, and the life. Thanks as always, Pastor Jeff. You're doing a great work
Thanks for the great video, Pastor Jeff @HelloSaints. You do amazing work! Elder Boyd K. Packer (who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) gave a great talk in October 1985 about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' position that it is "the only true church" on the earth today (the talk is actually called "The Only True Church"). In this talk, Elder Packer says: "We know there are decent, respectable, humble people in many churches, Christian and otherwise. In turn, sadly enough, there are so-called Latter-day Saints who by comparison are not as worthy, for they do not keep their covenants. But it is not a matter of comparing individuals. We are not baptized collectively, nor will we be judged collectively. Good conduct without the ordinances of the gospel will neither redeem nor exalt mankind; covenants and the ordinances are essential. We are required to teach the doctrines, even the unpopular ones. Yield on this doctrine, and you cannot justify the Restoration." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does NOT believe nor teach as doctrine that the people belonging to other Christian denominations are evil, bad or "abominable" OR that they are destined to go to hell or be damned. On the contrary, we wholeheartedly believe that every Christian denomination has plenty of amazing people who love the Lord, keep His commandments and live exemplary Christlike lives (such as Pastor Jeff). There are Christians all over the world living good lives and doing amazing things to further Christ's work and bring souls to Him, irrespective of denomination. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doesn't slam other churches or religions. It simply teaches that it is the only church on earth with: 1) Priesthood authority that can be traced back to Jesus Christ Himself 2) Performance of all the covenants and ordinances (i.e. baptism, conferring the Gift of the Holy Ghost, etc.) essential for salvation 3) Correct & pure doctrines that haven't been changed or altered or misinterpreted Do members of the church think they are "better" or more "righteous" or more "deserving of salvation" than others? No, absolutely not. (If you've met members who give this impression, I'm sorry.) Nor do we think we have the market cornered on goodness or truth. We are merely thankful to be blessed with what we believe is the FULNESS of the Lord's Gospel and the joy it brings to our lives, which is why we serve as missionaries and share the Gospel with others. As President Gordon B. Hinckley (former Prophet/President of the church) put it, "We say in a spirit of love, bring with you all that you have of good and truth which you have received from whatever source, and come and let us see if we may add to it." Going back to what Elder Packer said, we DO believe that there are essential covenants and ordinances required for salvation, and that they must be administered through the authority of the Priesthood. But we also believe that God will judge each of us based on the light and knowledge we have and that ALL people will have ample opportunity to receive the fulness of the Gospel and make/enter into these essential covenants and ordinances. What constitutes "ample opportunity"? I don't think that's been revealed, but I personally believe that everyone will have a completely clear, transparent, "wide open" opportunity to accept the fulness of the Gospel in its simplicity and purity, with all false doctrines & false notions & false rumors & engrained ideologies & cultural impact & human biases & everything of that nature removed. For many, this opportunity may not come until after we pass away (which is why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints performs baptisms and other essential ordinances for those who have passed away, so they can accept those proxy ordinances performed on their behalf). One final tidbit/insight from Elder Packer's talk. He points out: "Do you realize that the notion that all churches are equal presupposes that the true church of Jesus Christ actually does NOT exist anywhere?"
I am a high school teacher. And a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I just taught this same lesson in my classes. I think all youth need to understand the importance of religion in the building of the new world
I hope you didn’t reference Brad Wilcox’ talk that said “people who go to other churches are just ‘playing church’ like we used to play school as children.”
Followers of Jesus Christ need to hold on to oneanother . Our focus should be on our Savior not on differences. We are in a battle with Satan! We need the faith and strength from each other to help each other in this journey back to our Heavenly Father.
If you don’t believe that Jesus is God, you literally don’t believe in the same God. This ecumenical ideology has no legs. The idea that you can literally believe anything and because you say you believe in Jesus you’re Christian isn’t logical or biblical. In this philosophy, Islam could be considered born again. It’s absurd. Either he is Triune, or he’s not. I don’t understand what’s so difficult about accepting that we are not in the same religion at all. Because we’re not.
You're the best, Pastor Jeff. As a Latter-day Saint myself, you have allowed me to expand my vision and understanding of other Christians' beliefs that they hold so dear. As such, you have also developed within me the feeling of "holy envy" that serves as a tender and sweet motivator to improve my relationship with my Savior and more strongly bind myself to Him. You are a blessing!
I think you make a good point about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints setting itself apart from day one. That being said, I think this is a point where our communities may be talking past each other again. One thing I find so interesting about the Latter-Day Saint faith is that while it claims to have the fullness of the gospel and includes essential ordinances for salvation, it is far from exclusive. The practice of proxy ordinances, Christ's ministry in the spirit world, and teachings of Joseph Smith that outline how each of us is accountable based on our own opportunities and experience show that God cares for and provides salvation to all of His children, regardless of their faith. Many Protestant Christians are so quick to condemn Latter-Day Saints to a degree that I think is confusing to Latter-Day Saints, because while their faith may disagree with them in some regards, it does not ultimately condemn Protestant Christians in return. Most Protestant Christians view Latter-Day Saints faith as invalid, false or harmful. Latter-Day Saint theology does not view mainstream Christianity as false, but as incomplete regarding certain doctrines. Therefore, while the Latter-Day Saint will believe that their faith can further edify a mainstream Christian's life, mainstream Christians are not seen as irredeemably wrong or immoral. In fact, it is my impression that most Latter-Day Saints believe that their Christian friends of other denominations will ultimately still be followers of Christ in the next life and that all of us, Latter-Day Saint or otherwise will make any necessary amendments to our understanding of God and Hist plan. This is also why Latter-Day Saints don't see a problem in putting themselves and Protestants in the same community. This is why content created by Pastor Jeff is so valuable and important. Genuine curiosity, humility, respect and genuine love and respect for your fellow man is essential and it's obvious when it's absent. Interfaith dialogue and exploration of faith should be for the glory of God, not our own glory. We need people like you. We need peacemakers. For the LDS community, your channel is the first time most of us have EVER had someone genuinely reach out and not just condemn. Please don't underestimate the value of your work.
Latter day saints don't have a problem being part of the protestant community? What are you on with? As the lord said, not Joseph smith, join none, they're abomination. Lds isn't a denomination. As per scripture, denominations don't exist
Agreed! I appreciate his transparency and hope this video helps put an end to some of the unfair skepticism he's faced from Latter-day Saints and Evangelicals alike. In seeking common ground, the differences we have are important to respectfully acknowledge. We sometimes lose sight of that. Knowing some of the origins of those differences should help facilitate more Christlike communication between faiths.
“The only True and Living Church”. Most overlook the crucial “AND” part. Yes we are true, but truth is found amongst the world as well. However nowhere is truth AND “life” found. For the restored church believes in Restoration. And it’s continuous. It’s living.
Note to pastor Jeff. Joseph smith received the preisthood keys from Peter, James and John. Chirst's apostles, who received it from Christ himself. Therefore, we literally have been given the priesthood from Christ through his apostles.
This whole video and many comments just further confirms my testimony as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The need for the restoration through Joseph Smith is evident in this video. God is not the author of confusion and that’s exactly what’s going on here. One church, one baptism and that’s what was restored through Joseph Smith and the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Thank you Jeff
There are over 100 sects of Mormonism. Which one is correct? Thousands of people have sincerely prayed to God and God has told them that Russell Nelson is a false prophet and that Warren Jeffs is a true prophet. Thousands of other people have sincerely prayed to God and God has told them that Russell Nelson and Warren Jeffs are false prophets and that Stephen Veazey is a true prophet of God. There are 100 sects of Mormonism. Obviously going by your feelings and even praying is not the way to determine what is true. The Bible never tells us to pray about spiritual truth. Instead, the Bible tells us to compare all things with Scripture (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 3:16) because it is through the word of God that we have spiritual truths revealed to us. Furthermore, the Bible tells us that our hearts are desperately wicked and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), and that we are to be very cautious about trusting it--which is why praying about truth and getting a feeling is so dangerous. Praying about what is true, is counter to Scriptural truth, and it essentially subjects truth to a feeling. Because of this, the Mormons have believed in a false God (who came from another planet), a false Christ (who was brother of the devil and us in the preexistent), and a false gospel (deliverance of sin by faith and works).
Great job! I was one of those LDS people who had a born-again experience on my mission almost 50 years ago. I remained part of the LDS church for 20 years until I had a dream where Jesus told me that his true Church were all those who had surrendered their hearts to Him and were born of his Spirit. I'm not a member of the LDS church anymore, but see that God works wonders in the lives of all individuals who accept his son and truly seek to follow Him. During the time I haven't been a member of the LDS church, I've been very relucant to go to evangelical churchs, even though I feel close to them theologically, because of the hostile way in which I was spoken to by evangelicals while I was LDS. Your building bridges is helpful for people like me., who want to have these discussions, but want to do so with love and respect. God bless you in your efforts.
Perhaps you needed the dream to learn that not only do you need the marriage certificate, you need a good marriage relationship, so to speak. But the relationship is not enough either. That true love relationship needs to be bound in heaven through the same Priesthood Keys given to Peter.
@@ramsrnja Actually, the Book of Mormon doesn't mention anything about such priesthood keys and it contains the "fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ" and Jesus told me that he "employes no servants at the gate." He is the way the truth and the life. I've come to understand that earthly institutions can be valuable tools for fellowship, spreading the message, etc. but God doesn't delegate his authority to human beings. We're supposed to trust in Jesus Christ, and not trust in other human beings for salvation. Jesus is the "way, the truth, and the light," not a particular religious institution. At least that's what I've come to believe.
@stevenhorne Jesus doesn't delegate all of his authority, but he does delegate some. The Book of Mormon has numerous references to Priesthood authority. In the index, look up the references to "office," "ordain," "order," "ordinance," Priesthood," "priest," "church, " "authority, " etc. How do you understand Jesus telling Peter he will give him the Keys of the Kingdom, that whatever he binds or loosens on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven. What is Peter binding, and what are these keys Jesus says he will give him?
@@stevenhorneEphesians 4:11 - 14. The church isn't the church without the offices, that hold the authority. The church isn't just a bunch of random people
They aren't all like that. And my experience growing up in the LDS church was the LDS people only like you if you're one of them. I think that's pretty standard behavior for human beings. I had a non-LDS friend as a teenager, who hated all Mormons except me. Why because I was the only one who was actually a friend to him. The rest all were friendly if they thought they could convert him and when they found he wasn't interested, shut him out. @@suem6004
Great historical summary! Really helps me understand why there was so much confusion on doctrines and beliefs with so many different churches that were subject to fickle things like popularity, politics, and the will of individual people. It makes me so grateful for the Restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. :)
@@jonathanduran8669the first vision, the method by which the Book of Mormon came into being, priesthood authority, race, blood atonement, polygamy, prophetic infallibility, etc. I could go on.
Very helpful to learn a few things about the differences in the denominations and where Evangelicals fit in. I can see where they are coming from of walking the line with Latter-Day Saints given the doctrinal differences, however it was very confusing for me as an LDS teenager raised in the Bible Belt being excluded from things such as Christian Fellowship of Athletes, and my best friend being excluded from certain Home School groups. I did go to a large interdenominational Christian “lock in” event where the head Pastor acknowledged any Latter-Day Saints that were present (though our congregation wasn’t explicitly invited). For me him acknowledging us as Latter-Day Saints (instead of “Mormons”) was a signal to me that he was more educated about the Church and respectful, and I really appreciated that.
This whole video on Christian history is very interesting so thank you for it. I find the interpretation of Evangelical to be interesting. I always took evangelical to be a religion that has a strong missionary effort. So one that actively proselytes. One other key thing to note when comparing Catholicism and the Church of Jesus Christ is that we both draw our priesthood lineage through Peter. Catholics by him with the thought that the priesthood was never lost. And then the Church of Jesus Christ when Peter, James, and John appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey and conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Nice historical overview, thanks for the video. I’d only point out that from an LDS perspective that our teaching and those statements you read were not arrived at in the same way that Evangelical teachings were. I think its important, as you know, to mention that LDS don’t see Joseph Smith like John Calvin, Luther, or any other Christian teacher. We see Joseph Smith like Moses who as a shepherd saw a vision from God. Those statements that are understandably so troublesome for Evangelicals and other Christians that you read were not worked out by someone who wanted to adhere more closely to what he thought the Bible was teaching, it was received as an oracle from God. Those words that President Oaks quoted were spoken by Jesus Christ in revelation, as were the words spoken to Joseph Smith in his vision. This is equivalent to Moses who was tending the flock of Jethro and came to Horeb and saw a flame of fire. This is how LDS see Joseph Smith. So it naturally creates an impasse for other Christians. We can’t engage each other on the same playing field. So we agree that the Church of Jesus Christ is its own thing, but that is also our message to the rest of the world - that these things that happened in the past have been restored and God is working in the world again through a prophet. If you don’t accept that, then I think its fine and we can have relationships and friendships with mutual respect and do a lot of good in the world with what we do agree on.
Thank you, Pastor Jeff. I sincerely appreciate your approach and your work. Perhaps, I am missing something, but it appears that your understanding is members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not consider themselves to be born again. We absolutely are born again and strive to be "children of Christ". Thank you again for your work. God bless you.
No Latter day Saint is born again. People that are born again would never worship an exalted man from another planet, deny Christ and say that he is a created being the brother of Satan, and believe that they can work their way into heaven. The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 129). Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, (Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 8; Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15).
@@jlewis8145 Who made you Jesus to be able to categorically judge your fellows? Only Christ can truly know who does and does not have a relationship with him, so it is not our place to judge one another.
@@jlewis8145 what evangelicals mean by born again, is having a testimony of Jesus, and the Spirit of the Lord entering your heart. We just don’t call it born again, we call it having a testimony.
@@jlewis8145 also you misunderstand that because even though Jesus’s Spirit was born, it does not mean that he was created. He has been with the father from the beginning just the same as all of us. For we are eternal beings. Before we were born as spirits we were intelligence in the mind of God and existed there. So Jesus was always with Father in the beginning, even before his spirit body was created.
I used to be a part of a non-denominational church in the state of Florida. After moving to a different Heart of Florida I joined the Baptist Church. And then, at fourteen when I moved to Utah I became a Latter-Day Saint.
church of the people vs the church of Christ... Jeff did a very good job on this video. It was a very good overview of the development of today's Christian denominations. One thing that stuck out to me was how this development followed these popular movements, either to modify or conserve the core theology. This demonstrates why having a paid clergy is so dangerous. If a paster/preacher's livelihood is tied to their populariy, there will always be individuals who are willing to teach what the people want to hear instead of what God needs them to hear. This can create drift away from true doctrines and practices.
Pastor Jeff, I wish you well on your continued education on different faiths. your journey into Christ's Restored church will serve you well one day. Labels we put on different faiths are just that labels. They do not define the Souls of men, for we are all Children of our Father in Heaven. First and foremost, now and for the Eternities no Earthly denomination will have power to segregate us from Eachother in the world to come. nor place us in any order of special importance Before our maker. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday saints. our mandate from God is clear. It is to assist the Savior to bring souls back to our Father in Heaven. it is to Unite, not segregate. it is to enlighten and empower. never to judge nor discriminate against any one in another Faith. God will be the Judge of men. We do have a belief that stands us apart from every other christian Church. that is the claim of our membership in Christs only restored Church in the Latter days. We stand for and by this divine designation. We Stand with Jesus Christ. We Stand up for Jesus Christ. And we will never appologize for What this recognition implies. For we are all sons and Daughters of our Father in Heaven first. this is the master label, this unites all of us first, now, and last. If we are not recognized by other christian faiths as what men call "a true Christian faith" for me...this label is secondary. And if I am Labeled a non-Christian by subsequent result. I must humbly accept your definition. it is by that definition that our divine distinction is manifested. I stand by my Faith. I have a strong testimony of the truthfullness of the restoration of this Church, the book of mormon, of temples, of Family seallings, of Eternal destinations. Of missionary work in this last Dispensation. these truths ring gloriously within my soul. I am content to stand as a member of this True Church.
22:15 Respectfully, this is an incorrect statement from an LDS Christian standpoint, and I will tell you why: The creeds (such as Nicene) was founded by politicians and other church leaders in a group together, and was voted upon. It was not prophetically manifested. That is why the Creed (not the people) was an abomination. Because Doctrine is not something that men get to decide on. It is something that God reveals. God revealed scripture or not because men held a council and decided on it. Also not ALL the beliefs are incorrect. But Sola Scriptura is a misunderstood doctrine that has become its own creed. Of course we are not to add to or take away from God’s word, and that includes not interpreting it ourselves, but by the help of prophets (2 Peter 1:20-21) called of God to do that properly. For they have strict commands to not do contrary to the will of God, or else the face the angel with the sword that Balaam faced. God can add to His own word and do as He pleases, as the Bible says. And these creeds they believe are not all incorrect, but have truth mixed with philosophies of men.
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Hello I’m LDS, I have been all my life. My biggest argument with sola scriptura or maybe the wrong thing but that you are freely saved by faith, but you aren’t. Faith without works is dead. James 2:26. It’s taught all through the scriptures and the Book Of Mormon as well. This life isn’t easy. We have work to do, and the faith to do it. But we must act on the things God asks.
...the reformed Christian view is that faith is only true faith if it shows good works, so I think you are misunderstanding this. You are saved by Grace through faith. This means Jesus saved you and you cannot add to the work He did on the cross. As a Christian your faith is evident by the good works you do. You still do good works, it just doesn't earn you the salvation Jesus did for you on the cross. Sola Scripture just means the Bible has the final word on Christian doctrine. As an LDS you would say the current prophet has the final word on doctrine. That's why Christians reference the Bible as the final word where as LDS reference the prophet. If the prophet differs from scripture, LDS go with the prophet, ie. modern day revelation, right? For example, the book of Mormon uses wine for sacrament, but you don't use wine anymore due to current revelation.
That's one perspective. Here's another: 1 Corinthians 12:15-26 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
@@HelloSaintswasn’t this context when Paul was preaching to the Corinthians - who came from Pagan backgrounds, as well as Jewish-Christian hybrids and there were a lot of conflicts as to how to bring the people together in unity as members of Christ’s church? The LDS church, as a global church has to deal with this as well - plus with most members being converts from other religions, this can be a challenge. However, I have moved around a lot, and visited congregations in different countries, and the beauty is the unity I see. Whatever congregation I go to, I know that the same doctrine will be taught in Canada, US, Europe, Asia, South America.
@mycatwould yup! That is the context...which is why the various denominations that come from various backgrounds and faith persuasions is so applicable when considering this passage. We believe the body of Christ is made up of all who are born again, regardless of denomination. The distinct parts, some of which are very different, function uniquely with Christ as our head.
@@HelloSaintshow do you reconcile that with Ephesians 4:5-6 “5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” If the multiplicity of “members” of Christ’s body believe in different things about God, some require baptism, some don’t, some do it by sprinkling, others by immersion; and with varying doctrine, often depending on who is the pastor of the congregation and their school of thought…even to where there are LTBTQ pastors and congregations who teach “love is love” is biblical. I can totally understand how someone in your position can see and interpret this to be directed to the body of Christ as any believers, and I think there is a point there, as all who believe in Christ should be unified in their pursuit of living a Christlike life. But if you speak with that guy (I forget his name) who visited 52 churches in 52 weeks, I wonder how unified in doctrine he would find the many other denominations. And I know he’s visited a few LDS congregations - and I wonder how they would compare. In the church we have a standardized lesson plan. As you know, this year “Come, Follow Me” is focusing on the New Testament. Every LDS congregation in the world is studying the same thing. Next year: Book of Mormon, then Doctrine and Covenants/Pearl of Great Price; then back to the Old Testament…and repeat. Every 6 months we have a General Conference. Many of our lessons or talks given by members in Church are based on those Conference addresses, so anywhere in the world you go, in the LDS church (as it was meant to be via Paul’s instruction), you will see that each congregation believes in the same God, the faith / doctrine is the same; and there is a requirement of baptism, by immersion for the remission of sins by members 8 years and older (age of accountability) - performed by those holding the priesthood by the laying on of hands by those with the authority to do so.
@@HelloSaintsalso not trying to debate with spirit of contention; just trying to be part of the conversation and understand your perspective. Love what you’re doing. Also - you guys gotta take in a BYU football home game if you can make it…and hopefully they’ll win, because the energy is intense! I have lots of family in Utah - I’m in Canada, but love visiting Utah. Hope your family is settling in well.
Don’t forget, Joseph Smith Jr. received his priesthood authority through an angelic visitation from resurrected people, including John the Baptist, and the Apostles Peter, James, and John. So the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was given authority through Peter. Joseph Smith Jr. didn’t take it, and create it, he received it from Peter.
Great video! It was a lot to take in about the history of mainstream Christianity. I love how every time you referenced the name of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints that you used the full name of the church. Very respectful! You should do a video on your church so we can get perspective on how you do things in your denomination.
2:30 a question I have about this. Do evangelicals see Martin Luther as a prophet? What gives him authority to declare the 5 solas? How do you view this? Latter-day Saint Christians view Martin Luther not as a prophet, but as people who were inspired to break down the “great and abominable church” spoken of in 1 Nephi that led to the Restoration of Christ’s Church. Great and abominable church does refer to the Catholic church at the time these reformations occurred. They were completely corrupt and had their power struggles with other kings and governments. (Doesn’t mean Catholic people were great and abominable, just their church).
Was Paul a prophet when he corrected the chief Apostle Peter? Yet he was right in doing so. Of the Apostles only John was a prophet, along with the prophet Agabus, and the daughters of the Apostle Phillip. However prophets held very little sway in the Church Yeshua founded. Their is no evidence of the amount of authority some give prophets these days. Its also a problem with Jesus Culture, Bethel, and the New Apostolics. After Yeshua prophets took a back seat. Hebrews chapter 1 guves a clear definition why. In fact the whole book of Hebrews is all about how Yeshua/Jesus is greater and fufills the role of prophet, high priest, sacrifice, temple, and patriarch. He is the summation of it all. What Martin Luther did was piint back at what is already clear in the writing of the Apostles.
@@darkforgiven360 not sure about that… was he right? Or was he simply disagreeing and that led to division in the Early Church that divided it up. It says in modern revelation that the disciples of old “forgave not each other in their hearts”. So we view this as evidence that even Good Paul and Peter let their pride get the better of them. And while they did the best they could and their sacrifice to try to let Christianity permeate the world, they too fell victim to discord and the breaking up of what Christ founded.
@@darkforgiven360 to the point of Yeshua being the main dude. Yes. That’s what we teach. He is the one who spoke to Joseph and who reveals His will to prophets in modern times. The words they speak come from the Lord when acting as prophets.
@@darkforgiven360 to your point of “what martin Luther did was point back” at what the apostles had written: to that I would say “his interpretation of what was written by the apostles”. It still goes back to the nomenclature and definitions and interpretation of the individual. And because he never declared himself to be a prophet, he had no authority to do so (2 Peter 1:20-21). And it’s fine if you disagree. I’m just telling you how we see it
It's very simple why there are so many Christian denominations. It's like a story given to a school house of children and when retold by them, you'll get a school house full of variating versions of it. That's why each class room needs a teacher with a principle to keep the storyline in order. A prophet and the teachers. :>)
@@godsoffspring4195Yes, I know you said prophet, but If the prophet says something different than what scripture says, which one do you go with? Who's more authoritative?
@@BrianTerrillI agree, I'm just saying it's concerning to have a person or persons who have equal or even more authority than God's word already reveled in scripture. That's what started the reformation in the first place.
Abomination is a harsh word. And for a long time, members of the church were taught in a way that did vilify members of other faiths. I’m not sure that was the intention, but it was the effect. I think this modern push is a way to recognize that, although we believe other churches are missing important doctrine and priesthood authority, they still do have many truths. More importantly, the people in those churches are good people, trying to follow God and we have more in common with most religions (I will add Jewish and Islam too) than differences. But you’re right. At the end of the day, we still have this belief that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church on earth with priesthood authority and God’s living prophets.
After 54 years of being a member of the LDS church I have never been taught to vilify members of other churches or anyone else for that matter. There are key doctrinal differences between us and mainstream Christianity. Pointing them out and discussing them is light years away from vilification of others.
I disagree that it's a harsh word. I think the Lord through Joseph Smith Jr was saying the creeds, what they are based their doctrine on is the abomination, not the people or the groups. When the creeds were being developed they were an abomination of the true doctrine which was preached. They came close to it but it wasn't the truth and that is why we have so many denominations. They are not the abomination but what they are based on.
@@casualobserver9113 I agree with you! As a member and Hawaiian descent the church has never made or have made any comments or advise us to vilify other religions. I have no clue what girlfriend is talking about!!
@@geralddavis3326 I get what you’re saying and when I typed out my comment, I initially tried to say something along those lines. But it does literally mean disgusting. It’s a harsh word. I even think using that word literally as we understand it to describe the basis of other churches is harsh because they have a lot of truths. I agree, though, I think the word was meant to convey that none of the churches on earth had the fullness of the gospel.
@@casualobserver9113 hearing about the “great and abominable church” and that there’s only the Church of the Lamb of God and the church of the devil can create an animosity between us and people of other faiths, particularly clergy in those faiths. I’m saying I’m not sure it was the intention (or meaning of those scriptures) but just that for a lot of years, we were taught to be more us versus “them”. And “them” was everyone else. While we still believe priesthood authority and the restoration are critical, I’m just acknowledging Pastor Jeff’s observation that there’s been a shift in the way church leaders talk about other faiths, that we’re more similar than we are different, that we aren’t here to take away but to add to, etc. Sorry, but that’s a definite shift I’ve noticed in my lifetime. I agree with him there.
My take with the main difference between us and the Catholic church in regards to the keys of St Peter is that according to their catechism, there is no new revelation for the church till the Lord returns, but they have multiple extra Biblical teachings regardless. If the notion of no new revelation were true, then Sola scritura would be an absolute. As far as Christ telling Joseph Smith, the churches were an abomination in his sight, well they are. Christianity isn't suppuse to be so divided up as it is: "10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10) This unity also has to be based on truth, and when all these sects finally agree on something other than the Bible, it's the extra-bilical creeds that are not true.
@@sonlighter01I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
“Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory.” - President Nelson “He whose Church this is will pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen. We will have the knowledge and power of God to help us take the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.” - President Nelson The Lord will continue His work. It will become more and more apparent as time goes on that This is the Lords living church. We support, praise and love our Christian Brothers and Sisters. We will forever invite you to come and see. The choice is yours. Choose to worship God in your way. Great! Choose to worship with us? Great! We as converted members of Christs Church, unapologetically proclaim the news of the Restored Gospel! God Bless you!!!
This was excellent! I highly recommend traveling back to Nauvoo in the summer to see the Nauvoo and British Pageants; two theatrical performances that draw tens of thousands of audience members each July. These pageants very specifically highlight all of the historical events you mentioned - specifically The Great Awakening - and how it directly leads to Joseph Smith restoring the Gospel upon the earth. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the Pageants in general!
24:46 I love what Dallas and you and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are doing to help people engage in being able to help people follow Jesus’s teachings. That is the key point that will help bring peace to earth and bring in the Millennial reign.
This is great. It goes both ways and is beneficial for lds to see the Evangelical side as well to better understand each other, and to stomp ignorant opinions about one another.
Being raised as a strict Wesleyan Methodist until I was around 15 when we changed to high Anglican. I could never reconcile the Nicene Creed with the Bible. Why do Christians hold to the trinity and Christ only being spiritual ie not physical? The evidence is in the New Testament that post resurrection he had, as Thomas found out, a physical body.
@@meshugim there is dichotomy with the creeds, that’s probably why it’s not making sense to you. Because it doesn’t make sense. The church of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) doesn’t evolve from the creeds/philosophies or politics of men. That’s why people say we’re not Christians which is wrong. We are. We get the authority and priesthood from the apostles, way before the creeds developed. 😊
Jeff, you should try reaching out to Jennifer Roach from FAIR - she is an LDS woman helping LDS understand evangelical perspective, from her own experience as an evangelical. Might be a cool conversation.
Thanks for this great lesson on the history of Christianity. I feel educated. I'll also say that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not built on the idea that other churches are an abomination. This is a statement that according to Joseph Smith, God made with His own mouth, and if Joseph was telling truth (I believe he was), then he or the Church cannot be blamed for what God said, because God can say whatever He wants regardless of how harsh it seems. What the Church is built on is a foundation of prophets and apostles with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone.
The Book of Mormon echoes a similar teaching. There are only two churches - one is the church of the devil and the other is the church of the Lamb (1 Nephi 14:10). The teaching of the First Vision account is also found in D&C 1:30.
Pastor Jeff one thing you might have missed is that the church is referred to as the only true and living church referring to continued revelation. That refers back to Matt 16 and the statement he made to Peter that His church was to be founded on revelation. Most of Christian church today believe in the Bible and nothing else. We believe God still communicates with man. Hence it is the only living church. Those that believe that the Bible is all we have and all we need have assigned themselves to a mute God. The reason I pray is I believe God hears and ANSWERS prayers. I am sure that other Christians believe this also but then they state that the Bible is all they need for salvation. Their church has truth and dedicated wonderful people but they deny direct revelation and that is a direct contradiction to prayers being answered. Does that make sense to you?
The LDS church makes of fun of Jesus Christ and says that he is a created being the brother of Satan. The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 129). Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, (Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 8; Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15).
@@jlewis8145 Who created Angels? God. Therefore Angels are brothers and sisters. In Christian theology, Satan is generally believed to have been created by God as an angel. The exact details and interpretations of this belief can vary among different Christian denominations and theologians, but the basic idea is that Satan was originally a good angel created by God. However, Satan rebelled against God and became a fallen angel, leading a group of other angels in rebellion as well. This event is often referred to as the "Fall of Lucifer" or the "rebellion of the angels." The primary source for this belief comes from passages in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament and the New Testament. For example, in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 14:12-15) and the Book of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 28:12-17), there are passages that are traditionally interpreted as referring to the pride and rebellion of a powerful being who is often associated with the figure of Satan. In the New Testament, Jesus also refers to the devil and his angels as being cast out of heaven (Matthew 25:41).
How in the world does one's view of a television show define how Christian they are?? The more I read the comments on these videos, the more bizarre the LDS comments become. It's frankly disturbing.
@@peaceful525 Jesus Christ was not an angel. Jesus Christ is an uncreated being who has always existed with God the Father from all eternity. He took on human flesh 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ existed before Lucifer. John 17:5 Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. Micah 5:2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” John the Baptist, who was six months older than Jesus, said Jesus existed before he did. John 1 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” Jesus Created Lucifer John 1:1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Jesus; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. 14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth. Col. 1:16 For by Jesus all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him and for Him.
When I was serving my mission in the Georgia Atlanta Mission; I remember reading about a church breaking off from their parent church, because the pastor's wife had an argument with the other pastor's wife.
The “reformation” in the 17th century led to the 30 Years Holy war that you failed to mention. These wars were one of the most hideous fruits of these divisions that resulted in the deaths of millions of Europeans and was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts in European history, “. . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:5-6)
...if a Christian goes to war about what they believe and that seems to be evidence for how messed up they are, then what are we to believe of the Nephites and Laminates? 100s of thousands were slain in the Book of Mormon. I love your quote of Ephesians 4:5-6 It's one of my favorites. Just curious, how is the Father of all, over all, through all and in us all? and at the same time a man of flesh and bone separate from the body of Jesus Christ?
As a Latter-day Saint this has helped me understand where my pastors and Christian friends are coming from, thank for giving me that deeper understanding and reminding me what matters most having a relationship with Jesus Christ
Thanks so much pastor Jeff. I think you are spot on about being honest with ourselves about what we each represent. In the end a person needs to be confident about their path here on earth to return to God. Just as the experiences you are having today the Church of Jesus Christ LDS are at a higher and holier level than what we both probably experienced a few years ago, continuing this journey with faith in Jesus Christ will one day see these paths converge having a focus on Jesus Christ. I would hope along the way a member of another faith would hold their belief to their same standard and test that it must be the true faith. Ambiguity breeds contentment and a tendency to stifle growth our Father in Heaven desires for his children while on earth. I think that was the spirit of where a Jesus Christ was coming from when he told he disciples “let the dead buddy the dead” not that he wasn’t respectful of those who mourn (see beatitudes) but that holding on to traditions and “just the way things are” hinders our return to Him
Thanks for posting this video Pastor Jeff! What comes to my mind when I watch this video is the talk called “Why 1820”, by Hyrum Smith which in it, gives a timeline of the creation of denominations. Have a wonderful day everyone!
Depends on how you define denomination. No I'd say it's another branch of Christianity. The way evangelicals like to explain it sounds comparable to saying "there are three trees. Catholic, Christian, and Mormon." When the best explanation would actually be "Christianity is the tree, and the branches are Catholic, PROTESTANT, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" So it's a branch of Christianity rather than a denomination of Protestant or Catholic Christianity.
Thanks Pastor! I think you did a fantastic job of separating the denominational changes from the reformation to today. As an institute teacher in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, i might add a little insight that might help clarify a slightly different divergent point from modern day Christianity and the restored Church of Christ establish through Joseph Smith and other modern day prophets. The restoration of Christs church came as a result of the separation of denominations as you point out. However, the divergent point in the 1500’s you used as a starting place is only one diverging point that separates Christ’s ancient church and religions of our day. Latter-Day saint theology actually looks much farther back. Following the death of the original apostles, the ancient church of Christ fell into apostasy. This is a fairly foundational doctrine of the LDS faith. Proof of this falling away can be seen in the 300’s when governmental leaders in conjunction with church officials met to VOTE on MAJOR doctrinal points, such as the makeup of the Godhead. The Latter Day Saint belief is that early Christianity did not have confusion about the makeup of the Godhead as the early Christian leaders (apostles) received their revelation directly from Christ to clarify points of confusion. It wasn’t until the priesthood authority to lead the church was taken (with the death of the apostles) that the ancient leaders of the Christian church were left to their own best thinking and communal discussions to establish those important doctrines. Christ himself spoke of a great falling away, before a restoration of truth and His eventual return in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3. Latter Day Saints believe that the great falling away (apostasy) came, not as a result of wicked beliefs per-se, but simply out of a lack of inspired leadership directed by Christ himself. The creeds and divergent belief systems that sprang from this lack of leadership lead to many different factions of Christianity once the reformation began, but the groundwork for the falling away happened much earlier. I appreciated your careful and studied approach to the divisions amongst Christianity and the Latter Day Saints, but your premise that the church sprang out of these later divisions is a little off. Ultimately, there are 3 options: 1. Christ’s established organization complete with prophets and apostles is STILL in existence today… and there has not been a falling away. (The Catholics claim this option as the source for their leadership authority) 2. There is no need for Christ’s established organization with prophets and apostles leading His church in our day. (I believe this is the general belief of most modern day Christian sects. Generally, I believe the vast majority of these faiths do not claim direct authority from Christ or one who was given priesthood authority through the laying on of hands in direct succession from Him) Or, 3. There WAS a falling away and Christ’s true church either has been or will be restored. (This is the claim the Latter-day Saints make about being Christ’s restored church AND HAVING his authority on earth again). Again, I think you do a nice job of carefully and cautiously investigating what other faiths believe! Thank you for being a Christ like teacher who can find the good in others who believe something different. Maybe this has helped clarify the difference in my faith and others?
Excellent video Pastor Jeff! I invite anyone reading this to check out a talk given by Elder Bednar titled, “gather together in one all things in Christ” he points out the importance of braiding all of these principles together to make a stronger “gospel rope”. Each of these denominations have a good strand of gospel truth and are doing great work with what they have. As members of the restored church we are constantly reminded by living prophets to continuously weave these principles throughout our lives. They give more strength when used together then alone. On another note, I think you use the term “born again” the way we would say “personal conversions”. We all have to experience our own conversion to Christ and build a personal relationship with him. Through that and through the witness of the Holy Ghost we can be guided and know the truth in all things❤
I wonder if this is true. Don't we believe in completely different Christ's and God's. The Christ you follow is Satan's brother. The Christ you follow is not part of "the Trinity". The Christ you follow died for everyone and not just born again believers. The Father God you follow is a God that has endless equals. There are endless God's and you are moving up slowly to be one yourself. Your God has a wife. This is not a "you're right, I'm wrong situation". It is a statement of fact that we just follow completely different God's and because of this we have two different plays going on here. Same characters but a completely different play.
@@johnstark-StarkAvionicsyou are correct. Lds & what is accepted as christianity are two very different things. Lds follows what the bible actually teaches and 'christianity' follows roman philosophers
Jeff -- if I understand your use of Sanctification correctly, then I would say that Latter Day Saints would call that Conversion. Being more fully converted and devoted to God. It doesn't happen in one day when you're baptized. It's a life long process learning God's will as we surrender our own faults and weaknesses (sins). Great video! "... hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day."
I noticed in your list of "primary" beliefs, sola fide isn't one of them. That being the case, it seems like the only "primary" belief Latter-day Saints don't hold to is a triune god. Is that correct?
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I can attest we believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
I believe so. And to mischaracterize God, misunderstand who Jesus is/his mission, would be big ones to miss. Muslims who also believe in Jesus, would be in the same outside position of LDS believers on that topic vs Christians
I always thought the Trinity meant the three were literally one being in 3 forms. I've learned now that that is a specific believe called oneness or modulism. Typically the Trinity just means three beings within the title God. LDS believe three beings within one Godhead. So it really isn't that different
@@lizkt it’s different in the sense that each is God, while be different persons. This to align with what’s taught about there being no other Gods but God. That is where LDS theology differs in that there are unlimited Gods, however God the father is OUR God here on this earth
That's what I thought too, that if you believed in the Trinity, you thought they were all the same being or entity. LDS believes that the three beings together are God.
"Only true AND living church"... people focus on the "only true" part and leave out the "and living" part. We don't proclaim to be the only true church, any doctrine that testifies of Christ could be considered "true" (see Moroni 7:16) but we claim to be the only true church that is ALSO living, meaning it is directed by revelation, growing, changing, receiving additional knowledge and light. Great video, I learned a lot!
The appearance of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ in the "First Vision" and the Savior bringing back the fulness of His church, and restoring His organization to bring us to a unity of the faith, if all true, is the message, not from Joseph Smith but the Savior Himself. That message is either from the adversary or God. That message, which is an absolutely remarkable assertion, that if true, would require of every person who loves God, to validate its truthfulness beyond their own personal perceptions. It is too great a story to dismiss because others may condemn it for whatever reason.
I get a very strong sense from your statement at 24:27, that you do not agree with those evangelicals, who say that having an authentic born-again experience with the Savior is our common and most important saving experience. To be clear, I want to ask you point-blank: Is my experience coming to Christ and accepting Him fully as my Lord and Savior - upon Whom I am fully dependent for all spiritual blessings, including salvation, now and in eternity - enough for me to enter into the Lord's kingdom in the next life? If, as I expect, your answer is "no", then I have another question. According to your understanding, what specific doctrines or practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would the Lord require me to give up in order to be saved?
Every Latter-day Saint needs to give up the God and Christ they worship and their gospel of grace plus works. According to the teachings of the LDS church, 'God' is an exalted man from another planet that had to work his way to Godhood, lives near a star named Kolob, practices polygamy, had sex with his own spirit daughter Mary to conceive 'Christ,' damns people who deny the eternal principle of polygamy (D&C 132), threatened to destroy Emma if she didn't abide by her husband's adultery (D&C 132:54, 64), is going to have women sharing their husbands with other women for all eternity and the other women will be separated from their families so they can serve as part of an LDS man's harem of women. That's not the true and living God of the Bible. God would never say and do those things. ***** Latter-day Saints would also need to give up the Christ that they worship. According to the teachings of the LDS church, Christ is a created being the brother of Satan. According to the Bible, Christ is God in the flesh. I Timothy 3:16; John 1:1-14 Christ is eternal. Christ is an uncreated being who has always existed with God the Father from all eternity. John 17:5; Even Heavenly Father said that his son was God. Hebrews 1:8 But of the Son he says, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.... Merry Christmas! 🎄 Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. **** Finally, Latter-day Saints would need to give up their false gospel of grace plus works. They need to admit that there is nothing they could do to measure up to God's standard of perfection. Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect. No amount of good works, practice, tithing, church attendance, temple work, etc. could ever justify them before a holy God. Like the thief on the cross, all anyone needs to do is repent of their sins and put their faith in what Christ did for them on the cross. Christ has done the one work that was necessary to reconcile us to God when he shed his blood on the cross, died, and rose again. That is the true, original gospel. I Corinthians 15:1-4 I urge you to read the New Testament as a child. Nothing is more important than where you spend eternity. God bless you.
I want to be considered a Christian. But I don't want to be considered a protestant or evangelical. To me Christian means to follow Jesus and not to be a protestant specifically. I would also consider Catholics to be Christians. For me there are many religions that are Christian. Sadly though most people today think Christian= to be protestant
Very few 'Christian' religions use the name of our Saviour in there title. I have always used the Churches entire name when stating my religious beliefs and not the old school nickname we came to be known as. I have never understood why other Christians refused to say we weren't when his name is in the title. If we based a religions beliefs, doctrine, etc on a title then it wouldn't make sense. Anyway enough of my ramblings
I consider anyone who isn't a Catholic to be a protestant because you are protesting Christ Church. Everyone : Oriental orthodox, Assyrian church of the East, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelicals , LDS , Jehovah witness, SDA , etc etc If you're not a member of Christ Church then you are a Protestant
Excellent video! I really appreciate Pastor Jeff’s approach and the historical perspective he brought to how Christian denominations have evolved over time. Jesus Christ would want us to respect each other, no matter our differences in religious belief and doctrine. Even though I am personally a life long faithful Latter-Day Saint, I love having discussions with individuals of other faiths (Other Mainstream Christian Denominations, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, even Agnostic and Atheist). I think I developed that comfort with discussion about faith while serving an LDS mission in Italy. I have found that I have been able to connect with almost anyone of a different faith. We usually share some values that we can work together on and agree on. It is really quite enjoyable and enlightening. We just agree to disagree on some things. We respect each others God given free agency. Some of my best friends are not of my own faith. We have interesting discussions. That is how Jesus would want it to be. We should love everyone, not matter what our faiths happen to be.
Hey Jeff, Latter Day Saint here. I recommend you ask your lds friends what we mean when we say we are the “one true church”. What did Joseph mean when he recalled what God and Christ said by “all are an abomination” There seems to be some idea that it’s a moral corruption. That is not the case.
Another thing to remember is that there was a lot there was of disagreement about who (what Christian denomination) understood the scriptures correctly and it could be quite contentious. There also the fact that it's the early 1800s and the manner of speech was different. Yes, we can get focused on the "abomination" statement without understanding what was happening that led to the young Joesph having the question and asking it. There have also been misunderstandings and changes of thought about who or what is the abominable church? Even our beloved church leaders (Prophet and Apostles) learn as we do, precept upon precept. They also need to seek revelation, it isn't given until it is asked and even then it is all in the timing ❤
22:26 I can’t say you’re wrong here but I focus on this phrase from 2 Nephi 28:14 “…save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ;…”. I know it’s not the full inclusion you’d like to have but it’s a start and I believe you are a humble follower of Christ. Love your work and keep it up. God bless.
Having been LDS since "birth," I find Pastor Jeff's explanation of where I fit among other denominations to be revelatory and fascinating. Thank you for your work, Pastor Jeff.
Are you saying you were converted at birth? That is very unique if even possible when we come here to this earth losing all knowledge of the pre-existence as we pass through the veil. I don't think Jeff passed on anything revelatory that isn't already known. Maybe you didn't know.
It entirely depends upon how you want to define Christian. If you choose to use the measuring stick of adherence to popular doctrines like the Nicene Creed and the Trinity, created after Rome overcame the church and took control in the fourth century C.E., then no, it is not. If you use the measuring stick of adherence to first century Christian doctrine in Jerusalem, then most definitely.
Thanks for another very well done video. You know A LOT more about this than most members of the church. We are taught about Martin Luther and John Calvin, among others, who we believe were inspired and paved the way for the restoration. But yeah, I had no idea exactly how all the denominations of today have trickled down from various movements. We also do discuss the great awakenings as being crucial to the restoration event. And it’s right in Joseph Smith’s account that there was a lot of religious fervor and the many denominations were very active in trying to convert people to their particular interpretation of the scriptures. But because they all disagreed on fundamental doctrine, he was confused about which was right. I don’t think it’s an accident at all that he was right there in the midst of the Second Great Awakening when he received the First Vision.
20:00 just as the Lord has always moved in key historical moments. But I hope people come to realize is that the Lord has many avenues to help people coming to Him. And even if they don’t agree with our theology, perhaps they can see how the Lord moved in us to create this movement for a specific purpose of having people come unto Christ. Our missionaries all over the world have helped many people gain faith in Christ, even if they don’t join us.
My Question to you Pastor Jeff is Do you think the LDS Church Worships the same Jesus Christ or a Different Jesus Christ? No filler words or an explanation just a yes or no would be nice to hear
Very much appreciate this video. The truth is we are different and though we follow Jesus Christ we are not traditionally "Christian" and that's okay. As members of the church, our ultimate goal would be conversion of the whole world. However, we know that's not going to happen and are also happy (with Christ) at anyone moving his children to a deeper relationship with him. I truly believe, like you've said, that it is about the relationship we have with God that is so important. If we make the covenants (that are only authorized by the keys that the church uniquely holds) out of a checklist mentality, it does us little good. God wants us to become as he is not just meet a certain standard of behaviors. That relationship with Christ is that gives the covenants their power.
I wonder if this is true. Don't we believe in completely different Christ's and God's. The Christ you follow is Satan's brother. The Christ you follow is not part of "the Trinity". The Christ you follow died for everyone and not just born again believers. The Father God you follow is a God that has endless equals. There are endless God's and you are moving up slowly to be one yourself. Your God has a wife. This is not a "you're right, I'm wrong situation". It is a statement of fact that we just follow completely different God's and because of this we have two different plays going on here. Same characters but a completely different play.
@johnstark1883 no you're mistaken. Not different characters. Just a fundamental disagreement on the nature of them. The idea of the godhead is very similar to the idea of the trinity except in the fact that we believe they are three separate beings perfectly united in one common purpose. Honestly most of the mainstream Christians I talk to aren't opposed to this idea and I think you'd be hard pressed to show definitively in the Bible where it says they are one being. I don't worship many gods. I worship and pray to one God. Whether he has equals in another realm and dimension I don't know and that's not specifically part of the doctrine of the church. I think it makes sense because a key part of fatherhood is to help your children be able to become as they are. So why would we be asked to call him father if not for that? Also if there is a father, doesn't it stand to reason that there would be a mother? We're talking about the same concepts. There is just different character attributes and depth to which we take our theology. Ultimately we would rejoice if an atheist began believing in a God or a Hindu converted to any Christian sect because they began to come closer to Christ. They are developing the relationship with him that will bring greater peace and happiness to them and him. Why would we not rejoice?
@@coxrocks25 I am hardly infallible so being mistaken is certainly a possibility. So if God are 3 separate being then you do worship 3 Gods. They are either 1 or they are 3. Since we call them 3 persons in 1 being we just have 1 God. You have 3 beings so 3 God’s. Please explain because I don’t get this. On the other point, are you saying that God the father is the first and no one was before him? This is radically different than what LDS members say that I have talked to. They say God the father came from being exalted when he was a mortal on another planet.
@@coxrocks25 from the LDS official website: Lorenzo Snow, the Church’s fifth President, coined a well-known couplet: “As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be.”
@johnstark1883 we worship and pray to Heavenly Father. He is the father of our spirits and the primary figure of the godhead. We do not worship each of them as separate individuals like a Greek pagan would pray to Zeus and Athena and Poseidon and have separate temples to them. We don't even pray to them like the catholics pray to the saints. That seems more polytheisc than our view to me. We only pray to God the Father, and he is the center of our worship. Jesus Christ has a special role as the Savior, and the Holy Ghost has a special role as well to testify to our spirits of the mission is Jesus Christ. They work in perfect unity to bring about their plan for our own exaltation and happiness. As to whether or not God was the first God, that's more of a logical deduction from many prominent saints more than it is a specific doctrine. If God's purpose is to enable us to return to him and become as he is, it makes sense that there would be other gods like him, but if there are we do not worship them as such. Just like if you were a kid, you wouldn't recognize your neighbor's dad as your dad. There are many things about the eternal realm that are just not revealed to us at this time. So whether God is the first God or the billionth God doesn't impact my relationship with him and how I need to live here to enable me to return to him and learn the rest of the mysteries he knows. Many saints do take those logical deductions as gospel doctrine and it's not correct. So I very much believe you could have heard some members discuss it as such.
@HelloSaints, I would be interested to hear your response to the claims in one of the videos you attached that 1. Yes, there are indeed multiple churches that claim to be the one true church, although the breakoffs can't and don't make that claim 2. There are many differences between the churches, even to the point that they will split off from other churches
Would also love your thoughts on how certain other churches recoil so much at the creeds of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the point that they don't even consider us Christian, and then wonder why LDS Scripture from God condemns them in such bold terms (their creeds are an abomination, they draw near with their lips but their hearts are far from me, they have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof).
@@HelloSaints It would seem to some that you are skirting the question (and it's a significant question with eternal ramifications on either side of the divide). To any of those reading this, I would strongly recommend looking at RC Sproul's discussion of the visible and invisible churches.
@@HelloSaints ... You asked that right here in your heading.... "Why are there so many Christian denominations? Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints one of them? Pastor Jeff explains." So... Are the Saints one of those many Christian denominations? Can you please explain??
Ya'll, I answered the question clearly at 20:16 mark in this video. Historic Christians and Latter-day Saints do not consider the LDS church another denomination. It self professes to be it's own, unique organization.
@@HelloSaints ... Hi Jeff, thanks for the response. I guess you mean, it's self professes to be it's own, unique *CHRISTIAN* organization?? That's what Boy.z is getting at and should be indeed included as another Christian denomination who follows the Christ. LDS absolutely do consider themselves another Christian denomination. This is the missing link he is searching for in regards to 'skirting' in your quote. He is just wondering if you'll simply admit the Saints are Christians.
This is a really well done video. Thank you! I feel like it might be a good idea to clear the air on the topic relationships between Christian denominations raised in this video. In describing the difference between Latter-day Saints and mainstream Christians, Pastor Jeff makes it sound like mainstream Christians see themselves as one group of believers and that they don't comment on the truthfulness of other denominations' practices and/or doctrine. As a Latter-day Saint who lives outside of Utah, I can confidently say this is not true! Mainstream Christians often call out other denominations for heretical teaching or un-Christian practice. The reason the different denominations exist in the first place is because they disagree on these important matters! In fact, I think if pressed, Pastor Jeff could confidently say that he does not believe in the Catholic Church's claims to Papal authority, or that the progressive policies/actions of some other Protestant denominations are in line with the teachings of the Bible. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not unique in making claims that its approach to Christianity is closer to the truth than that of other Christians. What is unique about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the WAY in which we are different. We make claims about modern revelation, the scriptural cannon, and church authority that can feel completely foreign to mainstream Christians. Although Joseph Smith lived during the Second Great Awakening (as Pastor Jeff pointed out), the brand of Christianity he was called to start is so different from other Christian sects that it doesn't feel like it belongs within the history and tradition of Christianity Pastor Jeff outlined in this video. That makes total sense to me. In the spirit of Jeff's closing remarks on this video, I think that Latter-day Saints CAN link arms with other Christians to fight evil in the world and spread the message of Christ's gospel generally. We just haven't had as much practice doing this as mainstream Christians have had with each other. I think over time, as we build bridges, it will become more obvious where we can collaborate and how we can build mutual respect around the core experience of personal salvation through Jesus Christ even when we disagree on matters of doctrine and practice.
Acts 5: 38-39: …if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
The modern definition of “Christian” is manmade and based off of creeds. To borrow your words, “let’s be honest”: Creeds are extra-biblical which seems silly for Protestant criteria which demands sola scriptura. The simple definition of a Christian is found in acts and means those who are followers of Christ (glad you noted that). One true church is in regards to authority-God’s priesthood. It doesn’t mean truth isn’t found, in part, in places elsewhere. But ordinances (like baptism) require proper authority otherwise you’re just going for a swim. Nice breakdown of the history though. We do believe the dominoes were set up and paved the way for an ideal time for the restoration to come forth. So thank you Martin Luther and others! 🎉
Hey Pastor Jeff. Do you think it would be fair when trying to unpack the LDS church on your videos to have someone from the LDS church who might have a little bit more knowledge on the belief? I’m not sure how you get “clarity” when you say you aren’t an expert in all Christian denominations.
This was excellent..as a former Mormon and now a newly baptized Evangelical, I appreciate this breakdown of the different Christian churches...Thanks so much and keep up the great videos.
Agreed! I actually thought this was Jeff's best video yet. I'm also a former Mormon and have always struggled while watching these videos with how he seems to sidestep the issue of Mormons initially separating themselves from the Christian church. I also very much agree with the idea that you can still be Mormon and a Christian by being Mormon and going through the born again experience. It's not that I think Mormons aren't Christians… It's that I think Mormonism doesn't teach Christianity and I think that's an important distinction. Always nice to find another former Mormon who is now an evangelical! God bless!
In what ways did the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints not teach Christianity to you? Is it our belief in the testimonies of Jesus Christ given in the Old and New Testament as well as from another nation in the Book of Mormon? Is it our doctrine that we believe in, and follow Jesus Christ and his teachings, trying to emulate his life through serving our neighbors in our community as well as globally, ministering among our ward members as well as those not belonging to our church? Is it the temple, which focuses on bringing us closer to God through covenant relationship with him? Is it our focus on Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and it’s power to not only help us overcome spiritual and physical death, but also enable us to overcome life’s daily challenges?
@@jordanpease3329. It was hard understanding what "Christianity" was after being a Mormon. I always thought I knew Christ..but honestly I didn't. And being baptized, put everything in perspective. As you know, we were baptized to be Mormon. Now I was baptized to be a follower. Iv never been happier. God bless you also. Thanks for responding and I totally agree w your comments.
@@jordanpease3329 ... "I also very much agree with the idea that you can still be Mormon and a Christian by being Mormon and going through the born again experience" Hmmm... can you please explain what it means to go through the born again experience?? Thanks.
As a Latter Day Saint, I think you do a good job trying to understand my church. I think your discussion (and some of my fellow saints) could benefit from from a deep dive into the Articles of Faith. For example, this video’s discussion could benefit from the 11th article which states: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” The older I get, the more I realize the wisdom in allowing all to worship Diety in their own way. I also recognize the wisdom of allowing others to make their own decisions about how they want to conduct their relationship with God.
Luke 9:49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. I believe we should all focus more on our commonality and less on our differences. This world would be a better place and I feel Father in Heaven would be pleased :-) Thank you for sharing your podcasts!!
👍👍👍 You are the epitome of a peace maker. I have been told, over the years I've been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, by protestants that I'm not a Christian and am not saved and will go to hell. So the impact you and others may feel that “All Their Creeds Were an Abomination” is well and understood on my behalf. As hard as it is that protestants may feel linking arms with a latter day Saint that believes in only one true church and that their creeds are an abomination before the Lord. It is just as hard for me or other LDS to link arms with protestants knowing that the christain next to him believes he is going to hell. Only Christ's grace can fill our gaps as we link arms to live the 1st and 2nd great commandments. I love your channel Pastor Jeff!!!!
21:40 note that the Lord is pleased with the good of other churches. But WELL pleased is stating they are the one He most approves of. Like Jacob who had a favorite son… named Joseph…
@@zionmama150 of course and I will defend the church that Jesus Christ established on the rock of St Peters 2,000 years ago and has been the pillar of truth. Never lost authority, and never fell into a great apostasy. Our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, said that he would send his spirit down to guide us , that he would be with us until the end of time , and that the gates of hell would not prevail against his Church. There was no need for a restoration some 1800 years later. Remember, for the LDS church to be true , the Catholic Church must be wrong What I love about Christ Church is that it doesn't teach anything about how our church finally got it right after some guy finally received revelation some thousands of years after Christ but it is the only church on this side of heaven that teaches and knows that Jesus Christ established his Church and it has stood the test of time for 2,000 years. I testify that this is really the one true church that Jesus Christ established on the rock of St Peters in 33 AD. Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!!!! ☦️☦️☦️🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️
This is truly ironic. LDS members frequently say to evangelicals “let’s focus on the faith we share in Christ and not on our differences” but they’re quick to deny this request and usually a sharp rebuke forms afterwards. And now we have an evangelical preacher saying in this film “we’d love to just link arms but we can’t because of your teachings that say we can’t from the 1800’s.” Like you’re trying to turn it back on us. Evangelicals don’t need any help from 19th century LDS quotes to not see us as Christian’s and focus on our similarities. This is just an excuse, one taken out of context. Humor me and say that our faith is right and that quote really is Christ speaking. Would not Christ say that incorrect creeds are an abomination? The creeds that change the nature of the Godhead? Yes, that makes sense. The creeds are an abomination, not the people who believe them. We can still focus on Christlike love and our faith in Christ that we share. Or SHOULD be able to….
@@HelloSaints I watched it in its entirety like I do with most of your videos. I typically defend you in the comments against saints who think you’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I still don’t think that about you, but I think you’re wrong on this issue. wrong for using that quote to justify what is predominately the evangelical gatekeeping and snubbing of LDS members in any attempt to unite as Christians. If this quote was significant in this issue then more LDS would use it to justify the ostracizing of evangelicals from Christianity. But we don’t because that’s not what we believe the intention of that quote from Christ was meant to do.
Christ would say that incorrect creeds are an abomination. Christ even told the Pharisees that they were of their father the devil because they refused to believe that he was God. John 8 Christ said that their sins would not be forgiven and they would be condemned. John 8:24
Well I guess Joseph Smith hit a World Series Home Run to win it’s second title. It looks like he may got a little help from someone, since he never really played baseball before 😂
It's worth pointing out that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DO NOT believe that everyone who isn't a member of their church is going to burn for eternity. We believe that God looks upon the heart, and that those who genuinely seek to know Him and do His will are going to be saved, including people who are members of other faiths, even non-Christian ones.
I hope this brief explanation was helpful. What other questions do you have about historic Christian denominations and categories?
I have a question, Jeff. Why is it Jesus, His apostles and some of the earliest fathers of 'Christianity' and a few hundred years after the last apostle died, taught that God became man so man can become God, yet... today only one denomination or category today teaches the same but none of the others do?
Thanks.
I still have a question of who got to decide which Solas were important and which were not. Who got to decide what had to be the biblical interpretation of each doctrine? Who gave them authority to make those decisions and how do we know those interpretations are correct? Our answer would be God revealed them to modern prophets and especially Joseph Smith. What claims do these reformers have to making sure 100% that they got core belief interpretation right and that another reformation isn’t needed in one of the core doctrines? Would it be a claim of reformers that the reformation is complete and all the reasons for it are done?
Not a question but an observation - I think it's interesting that Christians seem to be much more comfortable with the disunity amongst Christian denominations than LDS do. I would say that the many differing denominations and schisms in mainline Christianity is a much bigger issue to Latter Day Saints than it is to other Christians.
In my experience Evangelicals hold the following beliefs:
1. They do not believe in evolution.
2. Let me repeat, they do not believe in evolution.
3. Baptism is not necessary.
4. All are saved by grace.
5. Going to church is optional.
6. They believe in the Holy Trinity as far as the nature of God, as do Catholics.
7. The bible is the only revelation that has come from God and holds all the answers a Christian needs.
I belong to a dozen or more "Evangelical - Latter-day Saint" discussion groups on Facebook, pretty much from its inception, though the list has grown. Very frequently (and I'm almost tempted to say it's universal, though not quite), Evangelicals will condemn both Catholics and Latter-day Saints as works-based religions whose members are both destined to hell because of that (they claim Latter-day Saints believe that our works save us, which is untrue-we believe good works are necessary to salvation which is something entirely different, as God's grace is what saves us, not our works, and engaging in good works is impossible without God's grace).
Given the frequency with which Catholicism is condemned along with Latter-day Saints as being essentially equivalent in our approach to religion (those dastardly works & priesthood organizations), would it not be correct to say that Catholicism and Evangelicalism are no more compatible than is Evangelicalism and Latter-day Saint theology? That there is no set of "core" beliefs that tie Evangelicalism & Catholicism together as equally "Christian"?
The working definition, as far as I can tell, for the Evangelicals in these groups is that anyone who doesn't believe as they do in the core doctrines [where the Bible delineates "core" (necessary) from peripheral (unnecessary) is another question]). And it seems that it's primarily our belief in the necessity of good works, something we share with our Catholic friends, is what makes us "damnable."
As a Latter-day Saint we believe that when the Lord said other churches were an abomination to Him, He was not referring to the people within them. He was referring to the incorrect teachings and doctrines that were not perfectly aligned with the True Church of Jesus Christ as found in perfectly interpreted parts of The New Testament. We as LDS believe there is truth found in many religions, and amazing Christlike people within them. We can acknowledge our differences but still work together on those things we agree on.
As a Catholic, I feel there are many good Christlike people in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. However, the LDS Church has incorrect teachings and doctrines that are not perfectly aligned with the true church of Jesus Christ.
All in the eyes of the Beholder. Peace!
@@kevins4254and we would feel the same way about your church but we can all agree that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and we should celebrate that fact together as brothers and sisters.
@kevins4254 can you please elaborate on what teachings/doctrine that is incorrect within the LDS faith?
@@kevins4254can you name one? I don't want to be contentious. There are many misconceptions about our doctrine so I'm just curious.
The Trinity is something that I don't feel is biblical because even though Jesus says the Father and He are one, he also says we can be one with him and we are not the same being as Them.
But if there's something else, I'd be interested to hear it.
Much needed video!. While we do believe we are led by living prophets and have authority to perform ordinances such as baptism that are so important this quote is also extremely important:
Apostle Orson F. Whitney (1855-1931) stated, “God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. … It is too vast, too arduous, for any one people.”
We are grateful for ALL our brothers and sisters in other religions earnestly seeking to do Christ's work on the earth. Thank you!❤️❤️
Exactly, we believe that the Martin Luther and all the other reformers were necessary for the Restoration. Joseph was born at that time for a reason.
I love Martin Luther!@@dreamfire5210
Jesus Christ is my living Prophet, Priest, and King.
Acts 3:21
There will be no restoration as long as Jesus Christ is in heaven.
When Christ returns, then the kingdom of Israel will be restored. Acts 1:6
Joseph Smith had 50 men anoint him king of the earth during the Millennium, which they thought would soon take place.
However, the Bible says that Jesus Christ will reign during the Millennium. Ezekiel 37:24
@@bbqbros3648 Yes. All believers, men, women, children, and even black people have been priests now for 2,000 years. It is not a position in a church. It is who we are in Christ. I Peter 2:5, 9;
Revelation 1:6; 5:10;
The true and living God of the Bible never banned black people from the priesthood until 1978. God is not racist.
18:34 I’m totally ok not being called a protestant Christian. I am content to be called a restorational Christian. We can still work together to follow Jesus’s teachings to love and serve and invite. 💟🙏
Good luck with that. If you are a protestant, you are NOT LDS. We do not exist as a break off, of a break off, of a break off, of a break off. 99% of those who are protestants do NOT accept you as one of them and will not want anything to do with you. Extremely naive!!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church restored by our beloved prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration continues and is being led by a living prophet President Russell M Nelson. We are the restored gospel, the name of our church was revealed to our prophet and now we have thousands of churches taking Jesus Christ name.
Being a restored Christian is unfounded and sadly has no authority or priesthood keys.
I consider anyone who Protests Christ church , The Catholic Church to be a Protestant.
Oriental orthodox, Assyrian church of the East, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, LDS , Jehovah's witnesses, SDA, non denominational, etc etc
You are a Protestant, if you protest the church that Jesus Christ established, the Catholic church
The one true church that Jesus Christ established on the rock of St Peter , and never fell away into apostasy or lost authority, Christ promises that he would be with us until the end of time , that the gates of hell would never prevail against his Church, and that he would send his spirit to guide his Church.
Proud to be a Catholic, to be a member of the body of Christ that has stood tall for 2,000 years.
I love my Catholic faith..
Glory to Jesus Christ 🙏☦️❤️
@@Lola-sz8zu I’m talking about types of Christians and categories of Christians. I am not talking about names of churches.
You cannot claim to have restored anything that existed in the primitive church (the Church governed by the apostles after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ) when you did not restore but eliminated things practiced in the primitive church. Example: You have no women prophetesses. In Luke 2:36 it records, "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, ..." You don't allow women to function as prophets. There are 9 gifts of the Spirit, but you largely ignore those (I Cor 12). You think the gift of prophecy is only for THE prophet. Yes, you believe in personal revelation, but the prophet's revelations trump those. Paul told how the use of prophecy was to be used in the Church, but you don't allow that. I Cor. 11:4-5 explains that men and women can have the gift of prophecy and how it is to be used in the church service.( I Cor: 14.) And you added things like Pope / Sole prophet of the church that didn't exist in the primitive church. A sole prophet or pope was eliminated with the atonement of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2). So JS "restored" the office of Sole prophet for the church that did not exist in the NT. You need to read the Bible and see how drastically it and the D & C don't agree. Choose one but don't say they are inspired by the same God because God is not the author of confusion and contradiction. I know these are but a few of the contradictions because I was an LDS convert for 27 years. I started to read my bible and pray daily and put down the D & C and BoM. I was led out by the Holy Spirit
I prefer to separate us into "Nicene Christians" and "Non Nicene Christians." I think that's where we can both agree that we're different.
Yes, I agree!
I love it. Just perfect! Bulls eyes!!
First thing I thought of. Jeff didn't take it far enough back. I don't think he gets that, when he quoted Joseph Smith Jr.
I would even go so far as to say that these two groups are so different and make such radically different truth claims that one is truly Christian, and the other is truly not. Yet there cannot exist the possibility that both are simultaneously true Christians.
But there’s no such thing as a non Nicean Christian. The councils and creeds defined Christianity.
Thanks Jeff! I love the historic breakdown. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints myself, i believe that individuals such as john Calvin, Martin Luther and William Tyndale were inspired individuals. They didn’t agree with the way the Catholic Church was controlling everything and decided to do something about it. Because of them it created an environment where freedom of religion. Because of their actions it allowed all of our religions to come into formation. They are great historic figures and should be respected by all as pioneers in their time. Thanks again for the video.
“...John Calvin, Martin Luther and William Tyndale were inspired individuals. They didn’t agree with the way the Catholic Church was controlling everything...”
My perception of the ostensibly protestant denominations mentioned in this video is that there are two groups of denominations with very different views of the teachings of Jesus. Some think the teachings of Jesus favor a progressive or liberal political perspective. Some think the teachings of Jesus favor a conservative political perspective. And some denominations are split (or are splitting) along that political divide. Both groups of denominations are trying to use politics to “control everything” which, to me, means that both groups of denominations are as far from the real gospel of Jesus as the Roman Church was in the days of William Tyndale, Martin Luther and John Calvin.
My perception (and, again, this is just my perception) is that Joseph Smith wanted to be president of the United States because he wanted to “control everything”.
Maybe there are religious institutions that don’t try to do that but it seems to me that the answer is to move toward personal religion and away from institutional religion. By the way, I’ve attended the worship services of several “independent” or “non-denominational” congregations over the last several decades and, to me, they all seemed as creedal and hierarchical as the large religious organizations - just on a smaller scale.
@@rogermetzger7335Joseph did not want to control everything, every other candidate was ignoring the persecution of the saints.
@@jesselenz5452 I agree! In addition, the church of Jesus Christ still stands strong today, is very organized, and is not corrupt because the prophet of God administers the affairs of the church. The work of the Lord will continue and no unhallowed hand can stop it from progressing until the great Jehovah shall say the work is done.
@@spideyN8RHa ha! Persecution of the " Saints"? 😂
The LDS Church has a very similar model of controlling everything to the Catholics. "Follow the infallible prophet" who "can't lead us astray" - that is relying on the arm of flesh. And history proves to be a very dangerous model.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ I do definitely call myself a Christian, meaning I have taken upon myself the name of Jesus Christ as a disciple of Him and His teachings and life. I consider the church to be the restored church of Jesus Christ as he established it during his ministry with all the priesthood, keys, authorities, structure, that existed in the original church....with a prophet, 12 apostles, etc. I consider myself Judeo Christian in that respect as we are following much of the covenants, temples, etc. that existed originally.
Why was Joseph Smith so anti Christian?
Joseph Smith said . . .
(Regarding Joseph Smith’s alleged first vision where celestial personages appeared to him) . . .
“My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right - and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong, and the personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in His sight: that those professors were all corrupt . . .”
(Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 5-6).
“What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world,” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 270).
(In questions directed to Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism . . . ).
First-“Do you believe the Bible?”
If we do, we are the only people under heaven that do, for there are none of the religious sects of the day that do.”
Third-“Will everybody be damned, but Mormons?”
Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness.” (Teachings, page 119).
Brigham Young said. . .
“But He did send His angel to this same obscure person, Joseph Smith jun., who afterwards became a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and informed him that he should not join any of the religious sects of the day, for they were all wrong,” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, 1855, p. 171).
John Taylor said . . .
“We talk about Christianity, but it is a perfect pack of nonsense . . . Myself and hundreds of the Elders around me have seen its pomp, parade, and glory; and what is it? It is a sounding brass and a tinkling symbol; it is as corrupt as hell; and the Devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century,” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, 1858, p. 167).
The Book of Mormon says. . .
“And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth” (1 Nephi 14:10).
“And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose foundation is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence. . .” (1 Nephi. 14:17).
Just wondering, what part of LDS Temple worship is the same as found in the Old Testament of the Bible?
what are your thoughts on Paster Jeff's explanation of the person of Jesus verses the nature of Jesus? Do you by chance see the difference in how traditional Christians see the nature of Jesus differently then do LDS Christians?
When Jesus Christ established His Church who was the prophet?
In the New Testament we read that deacons are to be married men. "Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well." 1 Timothy 3:12 Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have deacons who are married men?
Joseph Smith specifically said that the Christian church wasn't true. So stop calling yourself a Christian.
I agree that when we focus on experiences with Christ and whether that relationship is real, we stop being so different.
The reason why it bothers me so much when Latter Day Saints are not classified as "Christians" in general is that it seems like what you are telling me is my differences in beliefs on secondary issues are so radically different that "mainstream" Christians do not want to be associated with me. The fact that belief in the ministry, suffering and resurrection of Christ isn't the core requisite of being Christian, tells me more about the "in" group and what they prioritize than it does about my faith. Why is belief in the Nicene Creed (and subsequent dogmas) a necessary threshold to being a Christian but belief in the resurrection is not? We can all agree that there are different interpretations of the significance of the suffering and resurrection of Christ, but all agree it is important to believe that it happened.
Luckily I do not rely on "mainstream Christians" understanding of Christ to determine whether I have an authentic relationship with my Savior or not. I do not need permission from outside groups to believe that I will see my deceased loved ones again. If those core beliefs are not requisite for being "Christian" then that says more about the state of Christianity in general and how distracted it has become from it's original core. "They draw near to me with their lips but their hearts are far from me."
Well I think that it is also a different God. The God of Christianity have different understanding of God, but they all agree in its nature.
However, Joseph taught different:
"These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they are simple. It is the first principle of
the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may
converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like
us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus
Christ himself did; and I will show it from the Bible."
Source: emp.byui.edu/jexj/new/talks/talks/JS%20KingFollettDiscourse.pdf
I think many don't think we believe in Christ at all. They were told lies about are church. They think we worship Joseph smith or something.
I attended many other Christian denominations while serving an LDS Mission in the United States. Many of us missionaries did this to become familiar with those we would come in contact with. I was thankful for the kindness shown to us.
I must admit, I learned a great deal about the other Christian religions from your video. I have always divided Christian religions into Catholic, Protectant, and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As always your discussions are respectful of other beliefs without diminishing your own. Thank you again for your honest and respectful lessons.
You should have former Evangelical Jennifer Roach from Fair on your channel. You and her talking about this subject would be fascinating.
I concur this!! This would be a great discussion with you both! Please do this!
She's said several times that she's not interested.
@@BellDavidE I know she’s not, but I wish she would be
Once again, an inspiring and uplifting video. Thank you. As a Latter-day Saint, I tend to look at things in a very individual way. Because we believe we are all literal children of Heavenly Father, it comes down to having an individual, personal relationship with the Savior. I believe if we are individually doing the best we can and sincerely making our best effort to be more like the Savior, that is the most important thing. I am convinced that you are doing the Lord's work and accomplishing much good.
I wanted to emphasize a point that I was trying to express. We believe this entire life is a very personal, intimate, individual experience. Everything is about our personal relationship with the Savior. The Savior knows each of us personally and intimately and he works with us in an individual way.
This is in no way meant to be a criticism, but you just made a great case for why the Restoration was necessary. The confusion and disagreements between the many Christian churches, causes contention between them. Contention is not of God. With that said, our 11th Article of Faith states, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” Which is why you very seldom see Latter-day Saints attack the way others worship. Those who do, don’t understand our religion.
You mentioned that we as saints may not understand about speaking in tongues, again, anyone who was raised in the church most likely memorized the 13 Articles of Faith. Our 7th Article of Faith states, “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.” Those who study our church history, know that these things happened, and most likely still do in some cases.
Lastly, when Joseph Smith had his first vision, Jesus Christ told him, “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” I believe most Christians have great intentions, and I totally appreciate what you’re doing. But the truth is, the kingdom of God had to be restored before the second coming of Christ to clear up all the confusion and so more souls could be saved. We, as members, have the opportunity to assist our Savior through full-time missionary work, member missionaries, and temple service.
I testify that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration. God chooses broken vessels to do his work. Proof of this is shown throughout the Bible. Jesus Christ leads his church through a living prophet, Russell M. Nelson. I’m thankful to be part of the kingdom of God on earth.
God bless you, Jeff, I believe your intentions are good. If there are members in our church watching who are struggling with their testimonies, I hope and pray your videos affirm their faith in the Restoration.
I know you've been spending a lot of time researching The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Even so, I'm honestly impressed how well-versed you are in our history (including noting how early church leaders experienced things like the Gift of Tongues, which I would argue most church members don't know about) and how respectfully you approach it.
I think you're point is well made about how we can still come together despite the differences we face. While we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ do believe to be part of the one true church, one thing my parents always taught me growing up is that we don't have a monopoly on truth or goodness. Great things can come from all people regardless of the church to which they belong. And no matter what church or denomination someone may follow, it's still better that they follow Jesus Christ since He is ultimately the way, the truth, and the life.
Thanks as always, Pastor Jeff. You're doing a great work
Thanks for the great video, Pastor Jeff @HelloSaints. You do amazing work!
Elder Boyd K. Packer (who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) gave a great talk in October 1985 about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' position that it is "the only true church" on the earth today (the talk is actually called "The Only True Church").
In this talk, Elder Packer says: "We know there are decent, respectable, humble people in many churches, Christian and otherwise. In turn, sadly enough, there are so-called Latter-day Saints who by comparison are not as worthy, for they do not keep their covenants. But it is not a matter of comparing individuals. We are not baptized collectively, nor will we be judged collectively. Good conduct without the ordinances of the gospel will neither redeem nor exalt mankind; covenants and the ordinances are essential. We are required to teach the doctrines, even the unpopular ones. Yield on this doctrine, and you cannot justify the Restoration."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does NOT believe nor teach as doctrine that the people belonging to other Christian denominations are evil, bad or "abominable" OR that they are destined to go to hell or be damned. On the contrary, we wholeheartedly believe that every Christian denomination has plenty of amazing people who love the Lord, keep His commandments and live exemplary Christlike lives (such as Pastor Jeff). There are Christians all over the world living good lives and doing amazing things to further Christ's work and bring souls to Him, irrespective of denomination.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doesn't slam other churches or religions. It simply teaches that it is the only church on earth with:
1) Priesthood authority that can be traced back to Jesus Christ Himself
2) Performance of all the covenants and ordinances (i.e. baptism, conferring the Gift of the Holy Ghost, etc.) essential for salvation
3) Correct & pure doctrines that haven't been changed or altered or misinterpreted
Do members of the church think they are "better" or more "righteous" or more "deserving of salvation" than others? No, absolutely not. (If you've met members who give this impression, I'm sorry.) Nor do we think we have the market cornered on goodness or truth. We are merely thankful to be blessed with what we believe is the FULNESS of the Lord's Gospel and the joy it brings to our lives, which is why we serve as missionaries and share the Gospel with others. As President Gordon B. Hinckley (former Prophet/President of the church) put it, "We say in a spirit of love, bring with you all that you have of good and truth which you have received from whatever source, and come and let us see if we may add to it."
Going back to what Elder Packer said, we DO believe that there are essential covenants and ordinances required for salvation, and that they must be administered through the authority of the Priesthood. But we also believe that God will judge each of us based on the light and knowledge we have and that ALL people will have ample opportunity to receive the fulness of the Gospel and make/enter into these essential covenants and ordinances. What constitutes "ample opportunity"? I don't think that's been revealed, but I personally believe that everyone will have a completely clear, transparent, "wide open" opportunity to accept the fulness of the Gospel in its simplicity and purity, with all false doctrines & false notions & false rumors & engrained ideologies & cultural impact & human biases & everything of that nature removed. For many, this opportunity may not come until after we pass away (which is why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints performs baptisms and other essential ordinances for those who have passed away, so they can accept those proxy ordinances performed on their behalf).
One final tidbit/insight from Elder Packer's talk. He points out: "Do you realize that the notion that all churches are equal presupposes that the true church of Jesus Christ actually does NOT exist anywhere?"
I am a high school teacher. And a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I just taught this same lesson in my classes. I think all youth need to understand the importance of religion in the building of the new world
I hope you didn’t reference Brad Wilcox’ talk that said “people who go to other churches are just ‘playing church’ like we used to play school as children.”
@@debfox nope.
Followers of Jesus Christ need to hold on to oneanother . Our focus should be on our Savior not on differences. We are in a battle with Satan! We need the faith and strength from each other to help each other in this journey back to our Heavenly Father.
If you don’t believe that Jesus is God, you literally don’t believe in the same God. This ecumenical ideology has no legs. The idea that you can literally believe anything and because you say you believe in Jesus you’re Christian isn’t logical or biblical. In this philosophy, Islam could be considered born again. It’s absurd. Either he is Triune, or he’s not. I don’t understand what’s so difficult about accepting that we are not in the same religion at all. Because we’re not.
You're the best, Pastor Jeff. As a Latter-day Saint myself, you have allowed me to expand my vision and understanding of other Christians' beliefs that they hold so dear. As such, you have also developed within me the feeling of "holy envy" that serves as a tender and sweet motivator to improve my relationship with my Savior and more strongly bind myself to Him. You are a blessing!
I think you make a good point about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints setting itself apart from day one. That being said, I think this is a point where our communities may be talking past each other again.
One thing I find so interesting about the Latter-Day Saint faith is that while it claims to have the fullness of the gospel and includes essential ordinances for salvation, it is far from exclusive. The practice of proxy ordinances, Christ's ministry in the spirit world, and teachings of Joseph Smith that outline how each of us is accountable based on our own opportunities and experience show that God cares for and provides salvation to all of His children, regardless of their faith. Many Protestant Christians are so quick to condemn Latter-Day Saints to a degree that I think is confusing to Latter-Day Saints, because while their faith may disagree with them in some regards, it does not ultimately condemn Protestant Christians in return.
Most Protestant Christians view Latter-Day Saints faith as invalid, false or harmful. Latter-Day Saint theology does not view mainstream Christianity as false, but as incomplete regarding certain doctrines. Therefore, while the Latter-Day Saint will believe that their faith can further edify a mainstream Christian's life, mainstream Christians are not seen as irredeemably wrong or immoral. In fact, it is my impression that most Latter-Day Saints believe that their Christian friends of other denominations will ultimately still be followers of Christ in the next life and that all of us, Latter-Day Saint or otherwise will make any necessary amendments to our understanding of God and Hist plan. This is also why Latter-Day Saints don't see a problem in putting themselves and Protestants in the same community.
This is why content created by Pastor Jeff is so valuable and important. Genuine curiosity, humility, respect and genuine love and respect for your fellow man is essential and it's obvious when it's absent. Interfaith dialogue and exploration of faith should be for the glory of God, not our own glory. We need people like you. We need peacemakers. For the LDS community, your channel is the first time most of us have EVER had someone genuinely reach out and not just condemn. Please don't underestimate the value of your work.
Like it says in our article of faith "let them worship how, where or what they may"
Latter day saints don't have a problem being part of the protestant community? What are you on with? As the lord said, not Joseph smith, join none, they're abomination. Lds isn't a denomination. As per scripture, denominations don't exist
One of the best videos from Pastor Jeff during his Hello Saints journey. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and perspective.
Agreed! I appreciate his transparency and hope this video helps put an end to some of the unfair skepticism he's faced from Latter-day Saints and Evangelicals alike. In seeking common ground, the differences we have are important to respectfully acknowledge. We sometimes lose sight of that. Knowing some of the origins of those differences should help facilitate more Christlike communication between faiths.
“The only True and Living Church”.
Most overlook the crucial “AND” part. Yes we are true, but truth is found amongst the world as well. However nowhere is truth AND “life” found.
For the restored church believes in Restoration. And it’s continuous. It’s living.
This comment is way underrated.
Note to pastor Jeff. Joseph smith received the preisthood keys from Peter, James and John. Chirst's apostles, who received it from Christ himself. Therefore, we literally have been given the priesthood from Christ through his apostles.
This whole video and many comments just further confirms my testimony as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The need for the restoration through Joseph Smith is evident in this video. God is not the author of confusion and that’s exactly what’s going on here. One church, one baptism and that’s what was restored through Joseph Smith and the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Thank you Jeff
There are over 100 sects of Mormonism. Which one is correct?
Thousands of people have sincerely prayed to God and God has told them that Russell Nelson is a false prophet and that Warren Jeffs is a true prophet.
Thousands of other people have sincerely prayed to God and God has told them that Russell Nelson and Warren Jeffs are false prophets and that Stephen Veazey is a true prophet of God.
There are 100 sects of Mormonism. Obviously going by your feelings and even praying is not the way to determine what is true.
The Bible never tells us to pray about spiritual truth. Instead, the Bible tells us to compare all things with Scripture (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 3:16) because it is through the word of God that we have spiritual truths revealed to us. Furthermore, the Bible tells us that our hearts are desperately wicked and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), and that we are to be very cautious about trusting it--which is why praying about truth and getting a feeling is so dangerous.
Praying about what is true, is counter to Scriptural truth, and it essentially subjects truth to a feeling. Because of this, the Mormons have believed in a false God (who came from another planet), a false Christ (who was brother of the devil and us in the preexistent), and a false gospel (deliverance of sin by faith and works).
Great job! I was one of those LDS people who had a born-again experience on my mission almost 50 years ago. I remained part of the LDS church for 20 years until I had a dream where Jesus told me that his true Church were all those who had surrendered their hearts to Him and were born of his Spirit. I'm not a member of the LDS church anymore, but see that God works wonders in the lives of all individuals who accept his son and truly seek to follow Him. During the time I haven't been a member of the LDS church, I've been very relucant to go to evangelical churchs, even though I feel close to them theologically, because of the hostile way in which I was spoken to by evangelicals while I was LDS. Your building bridges is helpful for people like me., who want to have these discussions, but want to do so with love and respect. God bless you in your efforts.
Perhaps you needed the dream to learn that not only do you need the marriage certificate, you need a good marriage relationship, so to speak. But the relationship is not enough either. That true love relationship needs to be bound in heaven through the same Priesthood Keys given to Peter.
@@ramsrnja Actually, the Book of Mormon doesn't mention anything about such priesthood keys and it contains the "fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ" and Jesus told me that he "employes no servants at the gate." He is the way the truth and the life. I've come to understand that earthly institutions can be valuable tools for fellowship, spreading the message, etc. but God doesn't delegate his authority to human beings. We're supposed to trust in Jesus Christ, and not trust in other human beings for salvation. Jesus is the "way, the truth, and the light," not a particular religious institution. At least that's what I've come to believe.
@stevenhorne Jesus doesn't delegate all of his authority, but he does delegate some. The Book of Mormon has numerous references to Priesthood authority. In the index, look up the references to "office," "ordain," "order," "ordinance," Priesthood," "priest," "church, " "authority, " etc. How do you understand Jesus telling Peter he will give him the Keys of the Kingdom, that whatever he binds or loosens on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven. What is Peter binding, and what are these keys Jesus says he will give him?
@@stevenhorneEphesians 4:11 - 14. The church isn't the church without the offices, that hold the authority. The church isn't just a bunch of random people
They aren't all like that. And my experience growing up in the LDS church was the LDS people only like you if you're one of them. I think that's pretty standard behavior for human beings. I had a non-LDS friend as a teenager, who hated all Mormons except me. Why because I was the only one who was actually a friend to him. The rest all were friendly if they thought they could convert him and when they found he wasn't interested, shut him out.
@@suem6004
Great message! I am a pastor's kid (now 69). You did a wonderful job of explaining the various denominations and the historical background.
Great historical summary! Really helps me understand why there was so much confusion on doctrines and beliefs with so many different churches that were subject to fickle things like popularity, politics, and the will of individual people. It makes me so grateful for the Restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. :)
The doctrines and beliefs of the LDS Church have changed significantly since Joseph Smith founded it.
@@kevins4254 what doctrines have changed?
@@jonathanduran8669the first vision, the method by which the Book of Mormon came into being, priesthood authority, race, blood atonement, polygamy, prophetic infallibility, etc.
I could go on.
Very helpful to learn a few things about the differences in the denominations and where Evangelicals fit in. I can see where they are coming from of walking the line with Latter-Day Saints given the doctrinal differences, however it was very confusing for me as an LDS teenager raised in the Bible Belt being excluded from things such as Christian Fellowship of Athletes, and my best friend being excluded from certain Home School groups. I did go to a large interdenominational Christian “lock in” event where the head Pastor acknowledged any Latter-Day Saints that were present (though our congregation wasn’t explicitly invited). For me him acknowledging us as Latter-Day Saints (instead of “Mormons”) was a signal to me that he was more educated about the Church and respectful, and I really appreciated that.
This whole video on Christian history is very interesting so thank you for it. I find the interpretation of Evangelical to be interesting. I always took evangelical to be a religion that has a strong missionary effort. So one that actively proselytes. One other key thing to note when comparing Catholicism and the Church of Jesus Christ is that we both draw our priesthood lineage through Peter. Catholics by him with the thought that the priesthood was never lost. And then the Church of Jesus Christ when Peter, James, and John appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey and conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Nice historical overview, thanks for the video. I’d only point out that from an LDS perspective that our teaching and those statements you read were not arrived at in the same way that Evangelical teachings were. I think its important, as you know, to mention that LDS don’t see Joseph Smith like John Calvin, Luther, or any other Christian teacher. We see Joseph Smith like Moses who as a shepherd saw a vision from God. Those statements that are understandably so troublesome for Evangelicals and other Christians that you read were not worked out by someone who wanted to adhere more closely to what he thought the Bible was teaching, it was received as an oracle from God. Those words that President Oaks quoted were spoken by Jesus Christ in revelation, as were the words spoken to Joseph Smith in his vision. This is equivalent to Moses who was tending the flock of Jethro and came to Horeb and saw a flame of fire. This is how LDS see Joseph Smith. So it naturally creates an impasse for other Christians. We can’t engage each other on the same playing field. So we agree that the Church of Jesus Christ is its own thing, but that is also our message to the rest of the world - that these things that happened in the past have been restored and God is working in the world again through a prophet. If you don’t accept that, then I think its fine and we can have relationships and friendships with mutual respect and do a lot of good in the world with what we do agree on.
Very, very well said! Thank you.
Thank you, Pastor Jeff. I sincerely appreciate your approach and your work. Perhaps, I am missing something, but it appears that your understanding is members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not consider themselves to be born again. We absolutely are born again and strive to be "children of Christ". Thank you again for your work. God bless you.
Yes, once they have a testimony they are born again.
No Latter day Saint is born again.
People that are born again would never worship an exalted man from another planet, deny Christ and say that he is a created being the brother of Satan, and believe that they can work their way into heaven.
The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 129).
Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, (Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 8; Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15).
@@jlewis8145 Who made you Jesus to be able to categorically judge your fellows? Only Christ can truly know who does and does not have a relationship with him, so it is not our place to judge one another.
@@jlewis8145 what evangelicals mean by born again, is having a testimony of Jesus, and the Spirit of the Lord entering your heart. We just don’t call it born again, we call it having a testimony.
@@jlewis8145 also you misunderstand that because even though Jesus’s Spirit was born, it does not mean that he was created. He has been with the father from the beginning just the same as all of us. For we are eternal beings. Before we were born as spirits we were intelligence in the mind of God and existed there. So Jesus was always with Father in the beginning, even before his spirit body was created.
I used to be a part of a non-denominational church in the state of Florida. After moving to a different Heart of Florida I joined the Baptist Church. And then, at fourteen when I moved to Utah I became a Latter-Day Saint.
😞
Cool!! 😎
church of the people vs the church of Christ...
Jeff did a very good job on this video. It was a very good overview of the development of today's Christian denominations.
One thing that stuck out to me was how this development followed these popular movements, either to modify or conserve the core theology.
This demonstrates why having a paid clergy is so dangerous. If a paster/preacher's livelihood is tied to their populariy, there will always be individuals who are willing to teach what the people want to hear instead of what God needs them to hear. This can create drift away from true doctrines and practices.
Pastor Jeff, I wish you well on your continued education on different faiths. your journey into Christ's Restored church will serve you well one day. Labels we put on different faiths are just that labels. They do not define the Souls of men, for we are all Children of our Father in Heaven. First and foremost, now and for the Eternities no Earthly denomination will have power to segregate us from Eachother in the world to come. nor place us in any order of special importance Before our maker. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday saints. our mandate from God is clear. It is to assist the Savior to bring souls back to our Father in Heaven. it is to Unite, not segregate. it is to enlighten and empower. never to judge nor discriminate against any one in another Faith. God will be the Judge of men. We do have a belief that stands us apart from every other christian Church. that is the claim of our membership in Christs only restored Church in the Latter days.
We stand for and by this divine designation. We Stand with Jesus Christ. We Stand up for Jesus Christ. And we will never appologize for What this recognition implies. For we are all sons and Daughters of our Father in Heaven first. this is the master label, this unites all of us first, now, and last. If we are not recognized by other christian faiths as what men call "a true Christian faith" for me...this label is secondary. And if I am Labeled a non-Christian by subsequent result. I must humbly accept your definition. it is by that definition that our divine distinction is manifested. I stand by my Faith. I have a strong testimony of the truthfullness of the restoration of this Church, the book of mormon, of temples, of Family seallings, of Eternal destinations. Of missionary work in this last Dispensation. these truths ring gloriously within my soul. I am content to stand as a member of this True Church.
22:15 Respectfully, this is an incorrect statement from an LDS Christian standpoint, and I will tell you why: The creeds (such as Nicene) was founded by politicians and other church leaders in a group together, and was voted upon. It was not prophetically manifested. That is why the Creed (not the people) was an abomination. Because Doctrine is not something that men get to decide on. It is something that God reveals. God revealed scripture or not because men held a council and decided on it.
Also not ALL the beliefs are incorrect. But Sola Scriptura is a misunderstood doctrine that has become its own creed. Of course we are not to add to or take away from God’s word, and that includes not interpreting it ourselves, but by the help of prophets (2 Peter 1:20-21) called of God to do that properly. For they have strict commands to not do contrary to the will of God, or else the face the angel with the sword that Balaam faced. God can add to His own word and do as He pleases, as the Bible says.
And these creeds they believe are not all incorrect, but have truth mixed with philosophies of men.
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
@@Compulsive-Elk7103 a church that is Christ’s would bare his name.
Hello I’m LDS, I have been all my life. My biggest argument with sola scriptura or maybe the wrong thing but that you are freely saved by faith, but you aren’t. Faith without works is dead. James 2:26. It’s taught all through the scriptures and the Book Of Mormon as well. This life isn’t easy. We have work to do, and the faith to do it. But we must act on the things God asks.
...the reformed Christian view is that faith is only true faith if it shows good works, so I think you are misunderstanding this. You are saved by Grace through faith. This means Jesus saved you and you cannot add to the work He did on the cross. As a Christian your faith is evident by the good works you do. You still do good works, it just doesn't earn you the salvation Jesus did for you on the cross.
Sola Scripture just means the Bible has the final word on Christian doctrine. As an LDS you would say the current prophet has the final word on doctrine. That's why Christians reference the Bible as the final word where as LDS reference the prophet. If the prophet differs from scripture, LDS go with the prophet, ie. modern day revelation, right? For example, the book of Mormon uses wine for sacrament, but you don't use wine anymore due to current revelation.
That makes perfect sense, thank you. I knew something of my understanding was off but I just had to share my thoughts 😅
Thanks!
Your explanation of the development of denominations is exactly why the Gospel needed to be Restored and not Reformed yet again!
That's one perspective. Here's another:
1 Corinthians 12:15-26
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
@@HelloSaintswasn’t this context when Paul was preaching to the Corinthians - who came from Pagan backgrounds, as well as Jewish-Christian hybrids and there were a lot of conflicts as to how to bring the people together in unity as members of Christ’s church? The LDS church, as a global church has to deal with this as well - plus with most members being converts from other religions, this can be a challenge. However, I have moved around a lot, and visited congregations in different countries, and the beauty is the unity I see. Whatever congregation I go to, I know that the same doctrine will be taught in Canada, US, Europe, Asia, South America.
@mycatwould yup! That is the context...which is why the various denominations that come from various backgrounds and faith persuasions is so applicable when considering this passage. We believe the body of Christ is made up of all who are born again, regardless of denomination. The distinct parts, some of which are very different, function uniquely with Christ as our head.
@@HelloSaintshow do you reconcile that with Ephesians 4:5-6 “5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
If the multiplicity of “members” of Christ’s body believe in different things about God, some require baptism, some don’t, some do it by sprinkling, others by immersion; and with varying doctrine, often depending on who is the pastor of the congregation and their school of thought…even to where there are LTBTQ pastors and congregations who teach “love is love” is biblical.
I can totally understand how someone in your position can see and interpret this to be directed to the body of Christ as any believers, and I think there is a point there, as all who believe in Christ should be unified in their pursuit of living a Christlike life. But if you speak with that guy (I forget his name) who visited 52 churches in 52 weeks, I wonder how unified in doctrine he would find the many other denominations. And I know he’s visited a few LDS congregations - and I wonder how they would compare.
In the church we have a standardized lesson plan. As you know, this year “Come, Follow Me” is focusing on the New Testament. Every LDS congregation in the world is studying the same thing. Next year: Book of Mormon, then Doctrine and Covenants/Pearl of Great Price; then back to the Old Testament…and repeat. Every 6 months we have a General Conference. Many of our lessons or talks given by members in Church are based on those Conference addresses, so anywhere in the world you go, in the LDS church (as it was meant to be via Paul’s instruction), you will see that each congregation believes in the same God, the faith / doctrine is the same; and there is a requirement of baptism, by immersion for the remission of sins by members 8 years and older (age of accountability) - performed by those holding the priesthood by the laying on of hands by those with the authority to do so.
@@HelloSaintsalso not trying to debate with spirit of contention; just trying to be part of the conversation and understand your perspective. Love what you’re doing.
Also - you guys gotta take in a BYU football home game if you can make it…and hopefully they’ll win, because the energy is intense! I have lots of family in Utah - I’m in Canada, but love visiting Utah. Hope your family is settling in well.
Congratulations on a great presentation. This was well thought out and presented! Thank you!
Don’t forget, Joseph Smith Jr. received his priesthood authority through an angelic visitation from resurrected people, including John the Baptist, and the Apostles Peter, James, and John. So the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was given authority through Peter. Joseph Smith Jr. didn’t take it, and create it, he received it from Peter.
Great video! It was a lot to take in about the history of mainstream Christianity. I love how every time you referenced the name of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints that you used the full name of the church. Very respectful! You should do a video on your church so we can get perspective on how you do things in your denomination.
2:30 a question I have about this. Do evangelicals see Martin Luther as a prophet? What gives him authority to declare the 5 solas? How do you view this?
Latter-day Saint Christians view Martin Luther not as a prophet, but as people who were inspired to break down the “great and abominable church” spoken of in 1 Nephi that led to the Restoration of Christ’s Church. Great and abominable church does refer to the Catholic church at the time these reformations occurred. They were completely corrupt and had their power struggles with other kings and governments. (Doesn’t mean Catholic people were great and abominable, just their church).
Was Paul a prophet when he corrected the chief Apostle Peter? Yet he was right in doing so.
Of the Apostles only John was a prophet, along with the prophet Agabus, and the daughters of the Apostle Phillip. However prophets held very little sway in the Church Yeshua founded. Their is no evidence of the amount of authority some give prophets these days. Its also a problem with Jesus Culture, Bethel, and the New Apostolics. After Yeshua prophets took a back seat. Hebrews chapter 1 guves a clear definition why. In fact the whole book of Hebrews is all about how Yeshua/Jesus is greater and fufills the role of prophet, high priest, sacrifice, temple, and patriarch. He is the summation of it all.
What Martin Luther did was piint back at what is already clear in the writing of the Apostles.
@@darkforgiven360 not sure about that… was he right? Or was he simply disagreeing and that led to division in the Early Church that divided it up. It says in modern revelation that the disciples of old “forgave not each other in their hearts”. So we view this as evidence that even Good Paul and Peter let their pride get the better of them. And while they did the best they could and their sacrifice to try to let Christianity permeate the world, they too fell victim to discord and the breaking up of what Christ founded.
@@darkforgiven360 to the point of Yeshua being the main dude. Yes. That’s what we teach. He is the one who spoke to Joseph and who reveals His will to prophets in modern times. The words they speak come from the Lord when acting as prophets.
@@darkforgiven360 to your point of “what martin Luther did was point back” at what the apostles had written: to that I would say “his interpretation of what was written by the apostles”. It still goes back to the nomenclature and definitions and interpretation of the individual. And because he never declared himself to be a prophet, he had no authority to do so (2 Peter 1:20-21).
And it’s fine if you disagree. I’m just telling you how we see it
It's very simple why there are so many Christian denominations. It's like a story given to a school house of children and when retold by them, you'll get a school house full of variating versions of it. That's why each class room needs a teacher with a principle to keep the storyline in order.
A prophet and the teachers. :>)
Or a Pope and some Cardinals, right? Wasn't that kinda the whole problem in the first place? (With respect to Catholics, and you as well) ;)
@@DavidJones-pu7qs ... Nope. I said a prophet and teachers. Nothing about a pope and clergy. Big difference.
@@DavidJones-pu7qspope and cardinals aren't Biblical, prophets and apostles are
@@godsoffspring4195Yes, I know you said prophet, but If the prophet says something different than what scripture says, which one do you go with? Who's more authoritative?
@@BrianTerrillI agree, I'm just saying it's concerning to have a person or persons who have equal or even more authority than God's word already reveled in scripture. That's what started the reformation in the first place.
Abomination is a harsh word. And for a long time, members of the church were taught in a way that did vilify members of other faiths. I’m not sure that was the intention, but it was the effect. I think this modern push is a way to recognize that, although we believe other churches are missing important doctrine and priesthood authority, they still do have many truths. More importantly, the people in those churches are good people, trying to follow God and we have more in common with most religions (I will add Jewish and Islam too) than differences. But you’re right. At the end of the day, we still have this belief that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church on earth with priesthood authority and God’s living prophets.
After 54 years of being a member of the LDS church I have never been taught to vilify members of other churches or anyone else for that matter. There are key doctrinal differences between us and mainstream Christianity. Pointing them out and discussing them is light years away from vilification of others.
I disagree that it's a harsh word. I think the Lord through Joseph Smith Jr was saying the creeds, what they are based their doctrine on is the abomination, not the people or the groups. When the creeds were being developed they were an abomination of the true doctrine which was preached. They came close to it but it wasn't the truth and that is why we have so many denominations. They are not the abomination but what they are based on.
@@casualobserver9113 I agree with you! As a member and Hawaiian descent the church has never made or have made any comments or advise us to vilify other religions. I have no clue what girlfriend is talking about!!
@@geralddavis3326 I get what you’re saying and when I typed out my comment, I initially tried to say something along those lines. But it does literally mean disgusting. It’s a harsh word. I even think using that word literally as we understand it to describe the basis of other churches is harsh because they have a lot of truths. I agree, though, I think the word was meant to convey that none of the churches on earth had the fullness of the gospel.
@@casualobserver9113 hearing about the “great and abominable church” and that there’s only the Church of the Lamb of God and the church of the devil can create an animosity between us and people of other faiths, particularly clergy in those faiths. I’m saying I’m not sure it was the intention (or meaning of those scriptures) but just that for a lot of years, we were taught to be more us versus “them”. And “them” was everyone else. While we still believe priesthood authority and the restoration are critical, I’m just acknowledging Pastor Jeff’s observation that there’s been a shift in the way church leaders talk about other faiths, that we’re more similar than we are different, that we aren’t here to take away but to add to, etc. Sorry, but that’s a definite shift I’ve noticed in my lifetime. I agree with him there.
My take with the main difference between us and the Catholic church in regards to the keys of St Peter is that according to their catechism, there is no new revelation for the church till the Lord returns, but they have multiple extra Biblical teachings regardless. If the notion of no new revelation were true, then Sola scritura would be an absolute.
As far as Christ telling Joseph Smith, the churches were an abomination in his sight, well they are. Christianity isn't suppuse to be so divided up as it is:
"10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10)
This unity also has to be based on truth, and when all these sects finally agree on something other than the Bible, it's the extra-bilical creeds that are not true.
It was the creeds specifically that God called an abomination, not the churches that held to them, and not the members of those churches.
@@sonlighter01I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Thank you for your video as always. It is good to gain understanding of our evangelical brothers and sisters.
This was a great historical overview. Thank you!
“Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory.”
- President Nelson
“He whose Church this is will pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen. We will have the knowledge and power of God to help us take the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.”
- President Nelson
The Lord will continue His work. It will become more and more apparent as time goes on that This is the Lords living church.
We support, praise and love our Christian Brothers and Sisters.
We will forever invite you to come and see. The choice is yours.
Choose to worship God in your way. Great!
Choose to worship with us?
Great!
We as converted members of Christs Church, unapologetically proclaim the news of the Restored Gospel!
God Bless you!!!
This was excellent! I highly recommend traveling back to Nauvoo in the summer to see the Nauvoo and British Pageants; two theatrical performances that draw tens of thousands of audience members each July. These pageants very specifically highlight all of the historical events you mentioned - specifically The Great Awakening - and how it directly leads to Joseph Smith restoring the Gospel upon the earth. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the Pageants in general!
24:46 I love what Dallas and you and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are doing to help people engage in being able to help people follow Jesus’s teachings. That is the key point that will help bring peace to earth and bring in the Millennial reign.
This is great. It goes both ways and is beneficial for lds to see the Evangelical side as well to better understand each other, and to stomp ignorant opinions about one another.
Being raised as a strict Wesleyan Methodist until I was around 15 when we changed to high Anglican. I could never reconcile the Nicene Creed with the Bible. Why do Christians hold to the trinity and Christ only being spiritual ie not physical? The evidence is in the New Testament that post resurrection he had, as Thomas found out, a physical body.
Check out the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There you will find your answers
@@SoCalSaint492 I have been a member for 55 years, I just can’t understand why people don’t see the dichotomy in the creed
@@meshugim there is dichotomy with the creeds, that’s probably why it’s not making sense to you. Because it doesn’t make sense. The church of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) doesn’t evolve from the creeds/philosophies or politics of men. That’s why people say we’re not Christians which is wrong. We are. We get the authority and priesthood from the apostles, way before the creeds developed. 😊
Jeff, you should try reaching out to Jennifer Roach from FAIR - she is an LDS woman helping LDS understand evangelical perspective, from her own experience as an evangelical. Might be a cool conversation.
Thanks for this great lesson on the history of Christianity. I feel educated.
I'll also say that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not built on the idea that other churches are an abomination. This is a statement that according to Joseph Smith, God made with His own mouth, and if Joseph was telling truth (I believe he was), then he or the Church cannot be blamed for what God said, because God can say whatever He wants regardless of how harsh it seems.
What the Church is built on is a foundation of prophets and apostles with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone.
The Book of Mormon echoes a similar teaching. There are only two churches - one
is the church of the devil and the other is the church of the Lamb (1 Nephi 14:10).
The teaching of the First Vision account is also found in D&C 1:30.
Pastor Jeff one thing you might have missed is that the church is referred to as the only true and living church referring to continued revelation. That refers back to Matt 16 and the statement he made to Peter that His church was to be founded on revelation. Most of Christian church today believe in the Bible and nothing else. We believe God still communicates with man. Hence it is the only living church. Those that believe that the Bible is all we have and all we need have assigned themselves to a mute God. The reason I pray is I believe God hears and ANSWERS prayers. I am sure that other Christians believe this also but then they state that the Bible is all they need for salvation. Their church has truth and dedicated wonderful people but they deny direct revelation and that is a direct contradiction to prayers being answered. Does that make sense to you?
👍👍👍👍
Ive heard many protestants critical of The Chosen and zero LDS critical of the series. Why is that? Maybe LDS are MORE Christian than protestants. 😊
The LDS church makes of fun of Jesus Christ and says that he is a created being the brother of Satan.
The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 129).
Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, (Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 8; Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15).
@@jlewis8145 Who created Angels?
God.
Therefore Angels are brothers and sisters.
In Christian theology, Satan is generally believed to have been created by God as an angel. The exact details and interpretations of this belief can vary among different Christian denominations and theologians, but the basic idea is that Satan was originally a good angel created by God. However, Satan rebelled against God and became a fallen angel, leading a group of other angels in rebellion as well. This event is often referred to as the "Fall of Lucifer" or the "rebellion of the angels."
The primary source for this belief comes from passages in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament and the New Testament. For example, in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 14:12-15) and the Book of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 28:12-17), there are passages that are traditionally interpreted as referring to the pride and rebellion of a powerful being who is often associated with the figure of Satan. In the New Testament, Jesus also refers to the devil and his angels as being cast out of heaven (Matthew 25:41).
How in the world does one's view of a television show define how Christian they are?? The more I read the comments on these videos, the more bizarre the LDS comments become. It's frankly disturbing.
@@peaceful525 Jesus Christ was not an angel.
Jesus Christ is an uncreated being who has always existed with God the Father from all eternity. He took on human flesh 2,000 years ago.
Jesus Christ existed before Lucifer.
John 17:5 Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
Micah 5:2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”
John the Baptist, who was six months older than Jesus, said Jesus existed before he did.
John 1 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’”
Jesus Created Lucifer
John 1:1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.
2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God.
3 All things were made and came into existence through Jesus; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.
14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father,
[the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth.
Col. 1:16 For by Jesus all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him and for Him.
@@peaceful525 It is scary. Thankfully, the LDS church is false.
When I was serving my mission in the Georgia Atlanta Mission; I remember reading about a church breaking off from their parent church, because the pastor's wife had an argument with the other pastor's wife.
Give you a shout from Woodstock, Georgia.
The “reformation” in the 17th century led to the 30 Years Holy war that you failed to mention. These wars were one of the most hideous fruits of these divisions that resulted in the deaths of millions of Europeans and was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts in European history,
“. . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:5-6)
...if a Christian goes to war about what they believe and that seems to be evidence for how messed up they are, then what are we to believe of the Nephites and Laminates? 100s of thousands were slain in the Book of Mormon.
I love your quote of Ephesians 4:5-6 It's one of my favorites. Just curious, how is the Father of all, over all, through all and in us all? and at the same time a man of flesh and bone separate from the body of Jesus Christ?
@@BGCflyerand those that started the wars were not following Christ
As a Latter-day Saint this has helped me understand where my pastors and Christian friends are coming from, thank for giving me that deeper understanding and reminding me what matters most having a relationship with Jesus Christ
Thanks so much pastor Jeff. I think you are spot on about being honest with ourselves about what we each represent. In the end a person needs to be confident about their path here on earth to return to God. Just as the experiences you are having today the Church of Jesus Christ LDS are at a higher and holier level than what we both probably experienced a few years ago, continuing this journey with faith in Jesus Christ will one day see these paths converge having a focus on Jesus Christ. I would hope along the way a member of another faith would hold their belief to their same standard and test that it must be the true faith. Ambiguity breeds contentment and a tendency to stifle growth our Father in Heaven desires for his children while on earth. I think that was the spirit of where a Jesus Christ was coming from when he told he disciples “let the dead buddy the dead” not that he wasn’t respectful of those who mourn (see beatitudes) but that holding on to traditions and “just the way things are” hinders our return to Him
Thanks for posting this video Pastor Jeff!
What comes to my mind when I watch this video is the talk called “Why 1820”, by Hyrum Smith which in it, gives a timeline of the creation of denominations.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Is that in a published source so we can find it?
Depends on how you define denomination. No I'd say it's another branch of Christianity. The way evangelicals like to explain it sounds comparable to saying "there are three trees. Catholic, Christian, and Mormon." When the best explanation would actually be "Christianity is the tree, and the branches are Catholic, PROTESTANT, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints"
So it's a branch of Christianity rather than a denomination of Protestant or Catholic Christianity.
Yep. It's a 'restoration of all things'.
Thanks Pastor!
I think you did a fantastic job of separating the denominational changes from the reformation to today. As an institute teacher in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, i might add a little insight that might help clarify a slightly different divergent point from modern day Christianity and the restored Church of Christ establish through Joseph Smith and other modern day prophets.
The restoration of Christs church came as a result of the separation of denominations as you point out. However, the divergent point in the 1500’s you used as a starting place is only one diverging point that separates Christ’s ancient church and religions of our day. Latter-Day saint theology actually looks much farther back. Following the death of the original apostles, the ancient church of Christ fell into apostasy. This is a fairly foundational doctrine of the LDS faith. Proof of this falling away can be seen in the 300’s when governmental leaders in conjunction with church officials met to VOTE on MAJOR doctrinal points, such as the makeup of the Godhead. The Latter Day Saint belief is that early Christianity did not have confusion about the makeup of the Godhead as the early Christian leaders (apostles) received their revelation directly from Christ to clarify points of confusion. It wasn’t until the priesthood authority to lead the church was taken (with the death of the apostles) that the ancient leaders of the Christian church were left to their own best thinking and communal discussions to establish those important doctrines.
Christ himself spoke of a great falling away, before a restoration of truth and His eventual return in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3. Latter Day Saints believe that the great falling away (apostasy) came, not as a result of wicked beliefs per-se, but simply out of a lack of inspired leadership directed by Christ himself.
The creeds and divergent belief systems that sprang from this lack of leadership lead to many different factions of Christianity once the reformation began, but the groundwork for the falling away happened much earlier.
I appreciated your careful and studied approach to the divisions amongst Christianity and the Latter Day Saints, but your premise that the church sprang out of these later divisions is a little off.
Ultimately, there are 3 options:
1. Christ’s established organization complete with prophets and apostles is STILL in existence today… and there has not been a falling away. (The Catholics claim this option as the source for their leadership authority)
2. There is no need for Christ’s established organization with prophets and apostles leading His church in our day. (I believe this is the general belief of most modern day Christian sects. Generally, I believe the vast majority of these faiths do not claim direct authority from Christ or one who was given priesthood authority through the laying on of hands in direct succession from Him)
Or,
3. There WAS a falling away and Christ’s true church either has been or will be restored. (This is the claim the Latter-day Saints make about being Christ’s restored church AND HAVING his authority on earth again).
Again, I think you do a nice job of carefully and cautiously investigating what other faiths believe! Thank you for being a Christ like teacher who can find the good in others who believe something different. Maybe this has helped clarify the difference in my faith and others?
Excellent video Pastor Jeff! I invite anyone reading this to check out a talk given by Elder Bednar titled, “gather together in one all things in Christ” he points out the importance of braiding all of these principles together to make a stronger “gospel rope”. Each of these denominations have a good strand of gospel truth and are doing great work with what they have. As members of the restored church we are constantly reminded by living prophets to continuously weave these principles throughout our lives. They give more strength when used together then alone. On another note, I think you use the term “born again” the way we would say “personal conversions”. We all have to experience our own conversion to Christ and build a personal relationship with him. Through that and through the witness of the Holy Ghost we can be guided and know the truth in all things❤
Well said!
I wonder if this is true. Don't we believe in completely different Christ's and God's. The Christ you follow is Satan's brother. The Christ you follow is not part of "the Trinity". The Christ you follow died for everyone and not just born again believers. The Father God you follow is a God that has endless equals. There are endless God's and you are moving up slowly to be one yourself. Your God has a wife. This is not a "you're right, I'm wrong situation". It is a statement of fact that we just follow completely different God's and because of this we have two different plays going on here. Same characters but a completely different play.
@@johnstark-StarkAvionicsyou are correct. Lds & what is accepted as christianity are two very different things. Lds follows what the bible actually teaches and 'christianity' follows roman philosophers
Jeff -- if I understand your use of Sanctification correctly, then I would say that Latter Day Saints would call that Conversion. Being more fully converted and devoted to God. It doesn't happen in one day when you're baptized. It's a life long process learning God's will as we surrender our own faults and weaknesses (sins). Great video!
"... hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day."
I noticed in your list of "primary" beliefs, sola fide isn't one of them. That being the case, it seems like the only "primary" belief Latter-day Saints don't hold to is a triune god. Is that correct?
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I can attest we believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
I believe so. And to mischaracterize God, misunderstand who Jesus is/his mission, would be big ones to miss. Muslims who also believe in Jesus, would be in the same outside position of LDS believers on that topic vs Christians
I always thought the Trinity meant the three were literally one being in 3 forms. I've learned now that that is a specific believe called oneness or modulism. Typically the Trinity just means three beings within the title God. LDS believe three beings within one Godhead. So it really isn't that different
@@lizkt it’s different in the sense that each is God, while be different persons. This to align with what’s taught about there being no other Gods but God. That is where LDS theology differs in that there are unlimited Gods, however God the father is OUR God here on this earth
That's what I thought too, that if you believed in the Trinity, you thought they were all the same being or entity. LDS believes that the three beings together are God.
"Only true AND living church"... people focus on the "only true" part and leave out the "and living" part. We don't proclaim to be the only true church, any doctrine that testifies of Christ could be considered "true" (see Moroni 7:16) but we claim to be the only true church that is ALSO living, meaning it is directed by revelation, growing, changing, receiving additional knowledge and light.
Great video, I learned a lot!
Great information on the history of various Christian religions. Thank you!
You’ve got a great gift of distilling complexity down to bite sized understandable topics. This is great video and one I’ll be book-marking.
The appearance of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ in the "First Vision" and the Savior bringing back the fulness of His church, and restoring His organization to bring us to a unity of the faith, if all true, is the message, not from Joseph Smith but the Savior Himself. That message is either from the adversary or God. That message, which is an absolutely remarkable assertion, that if true, would require of every person who loves God, to validate its truthfulness beyond their own personal perceptions. It is too great a story to dismiss because others may condemn it for whatever reason.
I get a very strong sense from your statement at 24:27, that you do not agree with those evangelicals, who say that having an authentic born-again experience with the Savior is our common and most important saving experience. To be clear, I want to ask you point-blank: Is my experience coming to Christ and accepting Him fully as my Lord and Savior - upon Whom I am fully dependent for all spiritual blessings, including salvation, now and in eternity - enough for me to enter into the Lord's kingdom in the next life? If, as I expect, your answer is "no", then I have another question. According to your understanding, what specific doctrines or practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would the Lord require me to give up in order to be saved?
Every Latter-day Saint needs to give up the God and Christ they worship and their gospel of grace plus works.
According to the teachings of the LDS church, 'God' is an exalted man from another planet that had to work his way to Godhood, lives near a star named Kolob, practices polygamy, had sex with his own spirit daughter Mary to conceive 'Christ,' damns people who deny the eternal principle of polygamy (D&C 132), threatened to destroy Emma if she didn't abide by her husband's adultery (D&C 132:54, 64), is going to have women sharing their husbands with other women for all eternity and the other women will be separated from their families so they can serve as part of an LDS man's harem of women.
That's not the true and living God of the Bible. God would never say and do those things.
*****
Latter-day Saints would also need to give up the Christ that they worship. According to the teachings of the LDS church, Christ is a created being the brother of Satan.
According to the Bible, Christ is God in the flesh. I Timothy 3:16; John 1:1-14 Christ is eternal. Christ is an uncreated being who has always existed with God the Father from all eternity. John 17:5;
Even Heavenly Father said that his son was God.
Hebrews 1:8
But of the Son he says, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever....
Merry Christmas! 🎄
Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
****
Finally, Latter-day Saints would need to give up their false gospel of grace plus works. They need to admit that there is nothing they could do to measure up to God's standard of perfection. Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect. No amount of good works, practice, tithing, church attendance, temple work, etc. could ever justify them before a holy God.
Like the thief on the cross, all anyone needs to do is repent of their sins and put their faith in what Christ did for them on the cross. Christ has done the one work that was necessary to reconcile us to God when he shed his blood on the cross, died, and rose again. That is the true, original gospel. I Corinthians 15:1-4
I urge you to read the New Testament as a child. Nothing is more important than where you spend eternity.
God bless you.
I want to be considered a Christian. But I don't want to be considered a protestant or evangelical. To me Christian means to follow Jesus and not to be a protestant specifically. I would also consider Catholics to be Christians. For me there are many religions that are Christian. Sadly though most people today think Christian= to be protestant
Very few 'Christian' religions use the name of our Saviour in there title. I have always used the Churches entire name when stating my religious beliefs and not the old school nickname we came to be known as. I have never understood why other Christians refused to say we weren't when his name is in the title. If we based a religions beliefs, doctrine, etc on a title then it wouldn't make sense. Anyway enough of my ramblings
@@elk2804 you were ahead of the game then when we were asked to use the entire name! Good for you!
I consider anyone who isn't a Catholic to be a protestant because you are protesting Christ Church.
Everyone : Oriental orthodox, Assyrian church of the East, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelicals , LDS , Jehovah witness, SDA , etc etc
If you're not a member of Christ Church then you are a Protestant
Excellent video! I really appreciate Pastor Jeff’s approach and the historical perspective he brought to how Christian denominations have evolved over time. Jesus Christ would want us to respect each other, no matter our differences in religious belief and doctrine. Even though I am personally a life long faithful Latter-Day Saint, I love having discussions with individuals of other faiths (Other Mainstream Christian Denominations, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, even Agnostic and Atheist). I think I developed that comfort with discussion about faith while serving an LDS mission in Italy. I have found that I have been able to connect with almost anyone of a different faith. We usually share some values that we can work together on and agree on. It is really quite enjoyable and enlightening. We just agree to disagree on some things. We respect each others God given free agency. Some of my best friends are not of my own faith. We have interesting discussions. That is how Jesus would want it to be. We should love everyone, not matter what our faiths happen to be.
Hey Jeff, Latter Day Saint here. I recommend you ask your lds friends what we mean when we say we are the “one true church”. What did Joseph mean when he recalled what God and Christ said by “all are an abomination”
There seems to be some idea that it’s a moral corruption. That is not the case.
Another thing to remember is that there was a lot there was of disagreement about who (what Christian denomination) understood the scriptures correctly and it could be quite contentious. There also the fact that it's the early 1800s and the manner of speech was different. Yes, we can get focused on the "abomination" statement without understanding what was happening that led to the young Joesph having the question and asking it. There have also been misunderstandings and changes of thought about who or what is the abominable church? Even our beloved church leaders (Prophet and Apostles) learn as we do, precept upon precept. They also need to seek revelation, it isn't given until it is asked and even then it is all in the timing ❤
Awesome video!!! God bless you!!!
22:26 I can’t say you’re wrong here but I focus on this phrase from 2 Nephi 28:14 “…save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ;…”.
I know it’s not the full inclusion you’d like to have but it’s a start and I believe you are a humble follower of Christ.
Love your work and keep it up. God bless.
Having been LDS since "birth," I find Pastor Jeff's explanation of where I fit among other denominations to be revelatory and fascinating. Thank you for your work, Pastor Jeff.
Are you saying you were converted at birth? That is very unique if even possible when we come here to this earth losing all knowledge of the pre-existence as we pass through the veil. I don't think Jeff passed on anything revelatory that isn't already known. Maybe you didn't know.
@@geralddavis3326 I totally agree!! He definitely is unaware
Lds doesn't fit in among other denominations. Denominations don't exist, as per scripture. Ephesians 4:11 - 14
We are Christians
I much agree with your presentation - we can still be friends! We can still learn from each other! Thank you!
It entirely depends upon how you want to define Christian. If you choose to use the measuring stick of adherence to popular doctrines like the Nicene Creed and the Trinity, created after Rome overcame the church and took control in the fourth century C.E., then no, it is not.
If you use the measuring stick of adherence to first century Christian doctrine in Jerusalem, then most definitely.
Great summary. I enjoy following this discussion and supporting on Patreon.
Thanks for another very well done video. You know A LOT more about this than most members of the church. We are taught about Martin Luther and John Calvin, among others, who we believe were inspired and paved the way for the restoration. But yeah, I had no idea exactly how all the denominations of today have trickled down from various movements.
We also do discuss the great awakenings as being crucial to the restoration event. And it’s right in Joseph Smith’s account that there was a lot of religious fervor and the many denominations were very active in trying to convert people to their particular interpretation of the scriptures. But because they all disagreed on fundamental doctrine, he was confused about which was right. I don’t think it’s an accident at all that he was right there in the midst of the Second Great Awakening when he received the First Vision.
Are you LDS or Fundamentalist?
@@Lola-sz8zu I’m not sure what you mean by fundamentalist. I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
3rd great awakening? Ryan Reeves doesn't have a video on that. 😅
Can someone provide greater details therewith?
20:00 just as the Lord has always moved in key historical moments. But I hope people come to realize is that the Lord has many avenues to help people coming to Him. And even if they don’t agree with our theology, perhaps they can see how the Lord moved in us to create this movement for a specific purpose of having people come unto Christ. Our missionaries all over the world have helped many people gain faith in Christ, even if they don’t join us.
I learned something about our evangelical brothers and sisters. Thanks Jeff!
What a great explanation. You just described the Great Apostacy.
Lol
Sounds more like an “I’m holier than you” attitude.
My Question to you Pastor Jeff is Do you think the LDS Church Worships the same Jesus Christ or a Different Jesus Christ? No filler words or an explanation just a yes or no would be nice to hear
Very much appreciate this video. The truth is we are different and though we follow Jesus Christ we are not traditionally "Christian" and that's okay. As members of the church, our ultimate goal would be conversion of the whole world. However, we know that's not going to happen and are also happy (with Christ) at anyone moving his children to a deeper relationship with him. I truly believe, like you've said, that it is about the relationship we have with God that is so important. If we make the covenants (that are only authorized by the keys that the church uniquely holds) out of a checklist mentality, it does us little good. God wants us to become as he is not just meet a certain standard of behaviors. That relationship with Christ is that gives the covenants their power.
I wonder if this is true. Don't we believe in completely different Christ's and God's. The Christ you follow is Satan's brother. The Christ you follow is not part of "the Trinity". The Christ you follow died for everyone and not just born again believers. The Father God you follow is a God that has endless equals. There are endless God's and you are moving up slowly to be one yourself. Your God has a wife. This is not a "you're right, I'm wrong situation". It is a statement of fact that we just follow completely different God's and because of this we have two different plays going on here. Same characters but a completely different play.
@johnstark1883 no you're mistaken. Not different characters. Just a fundamental disagreement on the nature of them. The idea of the godhead is very similar to the idea of the trinity except in the fact that we believe they are three separate beings perfectly united in one common purpose. Honestly most of the mainstream Christians I talk to aren't opposed to this idea and I think you'd be hard pressed to show definitively in the Bible where it says they are one being. I don't worship many gods. I worship and pray to one God. Whether he has equals in another realm and dimension I don't know and that's not specifically part of the doctrine of the church. I think it makes sense because a key part of fatherhood is to help your children be able to become as they are. So why would we be asked to call him father if not for that? Also if there is a father, doesn't it stand to reason that there would be a mother? We're talking about the same concepts. There is just different character attributes and depth to which we take our theology. Ultimately we would rejoice if an atheist began believing in a God or a Hindu converted to any Christian sect because they began to come closer to Christ. They are developing the relationship with him that will bring greater peace and happiness to them and him. Why would we not rejoice?
@@coxrocks25 I am hardly infallible so being mistaken is certainly a possibility. So if God are 3 separate being then you do worship 3 Gods. They are either 1 or they are 3. Since we call them 3 persons in 1 being we just have 1 God. You have 3 beings so 3 God’s. Please explain because I don’t get this. On the other point, are you saying that God the father is the first and no one was before him? This is radically different than what LDS members say that I have talked to. They say God the father came from being exalted when he was a mortal on another planet.
@@coxrocks25 from the LDS official website: Lorenzo Snow, the Church’s fifth President, coined a well-known couplet: “As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be.”
@johnstark1883 we worship and pray to Heavenly Father. He is the father of our spirits and the primary figure of the godhead. We do not worship each of them as separate individuals like a Greek pagan would pray to Zeus and Athena and Poseidon and have separate temples to them. We don't even pray to them like the catholics pray to the saints. That seems more polytheisc than our view to me. We only pray to God the Father, and he is the center of our worship. Jesus Christ has a special role as the Savior, and the Holy Ghost has a special role as well to testify to our spirits of the mission is Jesus Christ. They work in perfect unity to bring about their plan for our own exaltation and happiness.
As to whether or not God was the first God, that's more of a logical deduction from many prominent saints more than it is a specific doctrine. If God's purpose is to enable us to return to him and become as he is, it makes sense that there would be other gods like him, but if there are we do not worship them as such. Just like if you were a kid, you wouldn't recognize your neighbor's dad as your dad. There are many things about the eternal realm that are just not revealed to us at this time. So whether God is the first God or the billionth God doesn't impact my relationship with him and how I need to live here to enable me to return to him and learn the rest of the mysteries he knows.
Many saints do take those logical deductions as gospel doctrine and it's not correct. So I very much believe you could have heard some members discuss it as such.
@HelloSaints, I would be interested to hear your response to the claims in one of the videos you attached that
1. Yes, there are indeed multiple churches that claim to be the one true church, although the breakoffs can't and don't make that claim
2. There are many differences between the churches, even to the point that they will split off from other churches
Would also love your thoughts on how certain other churches recoil so much at the creeds of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the point that they don't even consider us Christian, and then wonder why LDS Scripture from God condemns them in such bold terms (their creeds are an abomination, they draw near with their lips but their hearts are far from me, they have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof).
It didn't sound to me like you really answered your own question. Are members of the LDS church Christians?
When did I ask that question?
@@HelloSaints It would seem to some that you are skirting the question (and it's a significant question with eternal ramifications on either side of the divide). To any of those reading this, I would strongly recommend looking at RC Sproul's discussion of the visible and invisible churches.
@@HelloSaints ... You asked that right here in your heading.... "Why are there so many Christian denominations? Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints one of them? Pastor Jeff explains."
So... Are the Saints one of those many Christian denominations? Can you please explain??
Ya'll, I answered the question clearly at 20:16 mark in this video. Historic Christians and Latter-day Saints do not consider the LDS church another denomination. It self professes to be it's own, unique organization.
@@HelloSaints ... Hi Jeff, thanks for the response. I guess you mean, it's self professes to be it's own, unique *CHRISTIAN* organization?? That's what Boy.z is getting at and should be indeed included as another Christian denomination who follows the Christ. LDS absolutely do consider themselves another Christian denomination.
This is the missing link he is searching for in regards to 'skirting' in your quote.
He is just wondering if you'll simply admit the Saints are Christians.
This is a really well done video. Thank you! I feel like it might be a good idea to clear the air on the topic relationships between Christian denominations raised in this video. In describing the difference between Latter-day Saints and mainstream Christians, Pastor Jeff makes it sound like mainstream Christians see themselves as one group of believers and that they don't comment on the truthfulness of other denominations' practices and/or doctrine. As a Latter-day Saint who lives outside of Utah, I can confidently say this is not true!
Mainstream Christians often call out other denominations for heretical teaching or un-Christian practice. The reason the different denominations exist in the first place is because they disagree on these important matters! In fact, I think if pressed, Pastor Jeff could confidently say that he does not believe in the Catholic Church's claims to Papal authority, or that the progressive policies/actions of some other Protestant denominations are in line with the teachings of the Bible. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not unique in making claims that its approach to Christianity is closer to the truth than that of other Christians.
What is unique about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the WAY in which we are different. We make claims about modern revelation, the scriptural cannon, and church authority that can feel completely foreign to mainstream Christians. Although Joseph Smith lived during the Second Great Awakening (as Pastor Jeff pointed out), the brand of Christianity he was called to start is so different from other Christian sects that it doesn't feel like it belongs within the history and tradition of Christianity Pastor Jeff outlined in this video. That makes total sense to me.
In the spirit of Jeff's closing remarks on this video, I think that Latter-day Saints CAN link arms with other Christians to fight evil in the world and spread the message of Christ's gospel generally. We just haven't had as much practice doing this as mainstream Christians have had with each other. I think over time, as we build bridges, it will become more obvious where we can collaborate and how we can build mutual respect around the core experience of personal salvation through Jesus Christ even when we disagree on matters of doctrine and practice.
Do you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven and that you have eternal life?
Have you done all that you can do?
Acts 5: 38-39: …if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
What a great explanation of the thinking in both mainstream churches and the LDS. I appreciate the spirit of this channel.
The modern definition of “Christian” is manmade and based off of creeds. To borrow your words, “let’s be honest”: Creeds are extra-biblical which seems silly for Protestant criteria which demands sola scriptura. The simple definition of a Christian is found in acts and means those who are followers of Christ (glad you noted that).
One true church is in regards to authority-God’s priesthood. It doesn’t mean truth isn’t found, in part, in places elsewhere. But ordinances (like baptism) require proper authority otherwise you’re just going for a swim.
Nice breakdown of the history though. We do believe the dominoes were set up and paved the way for an ideal time for the restoration to come forth. So thank you Martin Luther and others! 🎉
Hey Pastor Jeff. Do you think it would be fair when trying to unpack the LDS church on your videos to have someone from the LDS church who might have a little bit more knowledge on the belief? I’m not sure how you get “clarity” when you say you aren’t an expert in all Christian denominations.
This was excellent..as a former Mormon and now a newly baptized Evangelical, I appreciate this breakdown of the different Christian churches...Thanks so much and keep up the great videos.
Agreed! I actually thought this was Jeff's best video yet. I'm also a former Mormon and have always struggled while watching these videos with how he seems to sidestep the issue of Mormons initially separating themselves from the Christian church. I also very much agree with the idea that you can still be Mormon and a Christian by being Mormon and going through the born again experience. It's not that I think Mormons aren't Christians… It's that I think Mormonism doesn't teach Christianity and I think that's an important distinction. Always nice to find another former Mormon who is now an evangelical! God bless!
In what ways did the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints not teach Christianity to you? Is it our belief in the testimonies of Jesus Christ given in the Old and New Testament as well as from another nation in the Book of Mormon? Is it our doctrine that we believe in, and follow Jesus Christ and his teachings, trying to emulate his life through serving our neighbors in our community as well as globally, ministering among our ward members as well as those not belonging to our church? Is it the temple, which focuses on bringing us closer to God through covenant relationship with him? Is it our focus on Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and it’s power to not only help us overcome spiritual and physical death, but also enable us to overcome life’s daily challenges?
@@jordanpease3329. It was hard understanding what "Christianity" was after being a Mormon. I always thought I knew Christ..but honestly I didn't.
And being baptized, put everything in perspective. As you know, we were baptized to be Mormon. Now I was baptized to be a follower. Iv never been happier. God bless you also. Thanks for responding and I totally agree w your comments.
@@janedunlap3518You could have come to know Christ within the Church. I have at least, along with countless others.
@@jordanpease3329 ... "I also very much agree with the idea that you can still be Mormon and a Christian by being Mormon and going through the born again experience"
Hmmm... can you please explain what it means to go through the born again experience?? Thanks.
As a Latter Day Saint, I think you do a good job trying to understand my church. I think your discussion (and some of my fellow saints) could benefit from from a deep dive into the Articles of Faith. For example, this video’s discussion could benefit from the 11th article which states: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”
The older I get, the more I realize the wisdom in allowing all to worship Diety in their own way. I also recognize the wisdom of allowing others to make their own decisions about how they want to conduct their relationship with God.
Luke 9:49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
I believe we should all focus more on our commonality and less on our differences. This world would be a better place and I feel Father in Heaven would be pleased :-)
Thank you for sharing your podcasts!!
👍👍👍 You are the epitome of a peace maker.
I have been told, over the years I've been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, by protestants that I'm not a Christian and am not saved and will go to hell.
So the impact you and others may feel that “All Their Creeds Were an Abomination” is well and understood on my behalf.
As hard as it is that protestants may feel linking arms with a latter day Saint that believes in only one true church and that their creeds are an abomination before the Lord. It is just as hard for me or other LDS to link arms with protestants knowing that the christain next to him believes he is going to hell.
Only Christ's grace can fill our gaps as we link arms to live the 1st and 2nd great commandments.
I love your channel Pastor Jeff!!!!
21:40 note that the Lord is pleased with the good of other churches. But WELL pleased is stating they are the one He most approves of. Like Jacob who had a favorite son… named Joseph…
False
@@Compulsive-Elk7103 every time you come here you just give so much negative energy. I hope you can find happiness.
@@zionmama150you give negative energy
I have the love of Jesus Christ and will defend his Catholic Church
Glory to Jesus Christ 🙏☦️❤️
@@Compulsive-Elk7103 i’m glad you have a testimony of Christ’s divine mission. That is helpful to get through life.
@@zionmama150 of course and I will defend the church that Jesus Christ established on the rock of St Peters 2,000 years ago and has been the pillar of truth. Never lost authority, and never fell into a great apostasy.
Our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, said that he would send his spirit down to guide us , that he would be with us until the end of time , and that the gates of hell would not prevail against his Church.
There was no need for a restoration some 1800 years later.
Remember, for the LDS church to be true , the Catholic Church must be wrong
What I love about Christ Church is that it doesn't teach anything about how our church finally got it right after some guy finally received revelation some thousands of years after Christ but it is the only church on this side of heaven that teaches and knows that Jesus Christ established his Church and it has stood the test of time for 2,000 years.
I testify that this is really the one true church that Jesus Christ established on the rock of St Peters in 33 AD.
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!!!! ☦️☦️☦️🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️
This is truly ironic. LDS members frequently say to evangelicals “let’s focus on the faith we share in Christ and not on our differences” but they’re quick to deny this request and usually a sharp rebuke forms afterwards.
And now we have an evangelical preacher saying in this film “we’d love to just link arms but we can’t because of your teachings that say we can’t from the 1800’s.”
Like you’re trying to turn it back on us.
Evangelicals don’t need any help from 19th century LDS quotes to not see us as Christian’s and focus on our similarities. This is just an excuse, one taken out of context.
Humor me and say that our faith is right and that quote really is Christ speaking. Would not Christ say that incorrect creeds are an abomination? The creeds that change the nature of the Godhead? Yes, that makes sense. The creeds are an abomination, not the people who believe them. We can still focus on Christlike love and our faith in Christ that we share. Or SHOULD be able to….
I don't think you watched the entire video. I pointed out areas where we can't link arms... and areas where we can.
@@HelloSaints I watched it in its entirety like I do with most of your videos. I typically defend you in the comments against saints who think you’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
I still don’t think that about you, but I think you’re wrong on this issue. wrong for using that quote to justify what is predominately the evangelical gatekeeping and snubbing of LDS members in any attempt to unite as Christians.
If this quote was significant in this issue then more LDS would use it to justify the ostracizing of evangelicals from Christianity. But we don’t because that’s not what we believe the intention of that quote from Christ was meant to do.
Christ would say that incorrect creeds are an abomination. Christ even told the Pharisees that they were of their father the devil because they refused to believe that he was God. John 8 Christ said that their sins would not be forgiven and they would be condemned. John 8:24
Well I guess Joseph Smith hit a World Series Home Run to win it’s second title. It looks like he may got a little help from someone, since he never really played baseball before 😂
It's worth pointing out that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DO NOT believe that everyone who isn't a member of their church is going to burn for eternity. We believe that God looks upon the heart, and that those who genuinely seek to know Him and do His will are going to be saved, including people who are members of other faiths, even non-Christian ones.