Pastor's TRUE Motives Engaging Latter-day Saint Church
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- Опубліковано 11 лип 2024
- Welcome to the very first Hello Saints Podcast! Pastor Jeff and his wife, Joy, discuss an emotionally healthy approach to interfaith dialogue. You can listen to the podcast on all podcasting platforms!
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Hello Saints! My name is Jeff McCullough and I'm a Christian Pastor.
This channel is devoted to fighting criticism with curiosity as I invite dialogue between mainstream Christians and Latter-day Saints. Are Mormons Christians? What do Evangelicals and Latter-day Saints agree and disagree about? Join me as I compare and contrast the lifestyle, culture and beliefs of Mormons and non-LDS Christians.
If you enjoyed this video, you might enjoy a similar video I made touring a Latter-day Saint Temple for the first time: • Pastor's FIRST TIME In...
#LatterDaySaints #LDS #mormonism - Розваги
So excited about the new podcast! Any guest suggestions?
I'd invite an LDS apostle, and then a well qualified ex-mormon.
Jeff.. David Alexander is moving to the US. Maybe you could ask him to come on your show? :>)
Two missionaries, from a perspective of what they would like to share with you if they met you at a park and answered some basic questions
@@rodneyjamesmcguireI agree on an Apostle. Regarding a well qualified ex Mormon ( ex member of the LDS faith), what are the criteria? Someone who is full of animosity, rage, someone who claims to have been abused by everyone in the church, someone who has not only left the LDS faith, but has also become atheist, someone who leaves "but can't leave it alone"? , and finally... Someone who has left to join a radical LGBT agenda, and pushes that on everyone? 😢
Hank Smith and John Bytheway!
When you’re a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints you learn to build certain walls of defense up because it feels like you are being attacked at various times by every other group around you. There are ex LDS, anti LDS, other Christians, and the secular world throwing barbs -sometimes all at the same time. In all my years of being an active member of the church, it seems like there are few occasions to have a productive sincere conversation with someone outside of the faith or from someone who has left the faith that doesn’t either try to undermine or disparage our beliefs. I’ve even felt that sometimes people will put up a veneer of friendliness only to be subtly trying to undermine your faith or the church itself. I think an interfaith dialogue with sincere conversations without trying to undermine beliefs would be very interesting and productive. I’ve always felt that I wanted to reach out to other Christians because I share so much of their same beliefs and faith, but it seems that every effort to do so leads to the same place of slinging pejoratives.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I’ve had a very similar experience.
It’s really simple. It’s that the LDS send out thousands of missionaries telling people to their face that their faith is only partially true, their baptism is unauthentic or unauthorized, and that they can’t be with their family in heaven unless they are Mormon. Of course people will react negativity toward you. Just STOP being rude and trying to convert other Christians to your “one true church” and “the Lords church”.
As another comment stated, having someone go to your personal place of living, and tell you to your face that your marriage, baptism, and doctrine isn't fully authentic, the Bible is lacking the full truth etc etc. Fundamentally, Biblical Christians are very different and those particular differences we are quite passionate about. This may cause people to put walls up or act negatively. ESPECIALLY if they are a passionate biblical Christian. Not condoning these actions of course, just sort of stating the obvious.
I as a Biblical Christian (BC), understand that LDS view themselves as having the full truth, that doesn't offend me, because BC feel the same way towards LDS.
My issue I find, is the constant LDS comments on platforms like the one we're commenting on. For example (like the one above mine) stating if we would accept the truth we would know the full gospel. That can be insulting to BC, as the Bible to us is the full truth, we have the full gospel, we ARE passionate about our positions just as much as LDS are and to some, it can feel like a personal attack.
BC are persecuted all around the world too and are just as eager to spread the gospel. Sometimes it seems that LDS rely on the idea that persecution is only towards the LDS church and validates their gospel.
I believe many would be more inclined to listen about similarities if there is more of an acceptance of differences respectfully.
Comments how BC are lacking in the truth, or if only BC were getting baptized in the church etc. (Of course I disagree with that) but it can keep people at a distance, and cause anger towards the LDS. This can go both ways as well, like if an LDS went on a BC platform discussing LDS beliefs, there would be the same type of comments.
This is why I like watching Jeff. His eagerness to research and share with respect and kindness can be a great example for many.
@@melodylady99the difference is, LDS doctrine believes you can be wrong about core beliefs, and still inherit a beautiful portion of God’s heaven. Our God is expansive and generous. Evangelicals and other “Christians” believe LDS are going to hell for our beliefs, or at least that’s what we are told over and over again.
@@melodylady99 yes. This is exactly what I’m talking about. My Catholic dad passed away and a Mormon co-worker wrote me a 5 page hand written letter telling me that I should convert to his faith in order to be with my dad in heaven. Who does that? It was so inappropriate. He truly believed he was doing me a favor. I did respond only by saying thank you as it was his version of kindness… like sending flowers. My point is that Mormons should not be surprised by what they call persecution. They certainly have faced some legitimate persecution but most is just a push back against disrespectful Mormon behavior. Truth be told it does go both ways. My JW family also claims to be the True Church and they send their missionaries out to preach their truth and along the way speak negatively about the LDS faith. My wife is an atheist party because of all the faith A vs faith B feuding in her family. She never picks sides.
My wife and I had the (completely random) opportunity to meet Pastor Jeff last week. He took a few minutes to talk to us. Thank you Jeff! You were gracious enough to stop to talk to us, you were respectful, and it was a pleasure to meet you. Keep the videos coming. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we will see differently sometimes, but that's ok. I like to focus on the faith and beliefs we have in common. 👍⭐
@@WatchList-xf8icI’m not quite understanding what you’re saying. Could you maybe type it one more time?? 😂
I've been a member of the LDS faith for over 45 years now (convert). To the best of my knowledge, Latter-Day Saints simply don't disparage other faith communities. In fact, we are profoundly appreciative of their faith, love of God, love of others around them, and their strife to betterment, and reaching up while on their knees.
I simply do not understand why so many other Christian groups choose to attack the latter-day saints.
Let's dialog tons about our differences ...but there shouldn't be any room for darts or ill will
.
There is a lot of animosity unfortunately, but the roots go far back.
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).
Your church is founded on the condemnation on every single christian church. Joseph Smith anathematized any and all christians who did not believe that he was a messenger of God. He said we're deceived by satan. So stop it with the crocodile tears why don't you. Either you believe him and should be honest about your views or you don't believe him which should make you want to leave mormonism.
This modern tolerance story the LDS now shares stands in stark contrast to the actual roots of mormonism. An honest observer can see this clearly
First, I’d argue the founding message of Mormonism is disparaging to all other faiths. It is codified in Joseph Smith - History as saying that “their creeds are an abomination and the professors are all corrupt.” That is a direct attack and disparagement of all of Christianity.
Second, Christians point out the falsities and heresies of Mormon theology because it is what we are called to do in the Bible. Mormonism generally has a persecution complex (which is somewhat well founded but taken to an extreme) and sees any criticism of its theology, including the calling out of where it is blatantly false and unbiblical, as an attack.
@@jlewis8145what have our modern leaders said? You gotta understand these men had their homes destroyed, many had family members and friends hurt or killed by mobs who claimed to be Christian. They were forced out of their homes, and kicked out of America….i also know Joseph smith received a revelation that all other Christian faiths were an abomination. I do not believe this is meant to cause prejudice, or to be mean even though it may have. It was basically saying that no other church on earth has the full gospel (which is what we believe). I believe words like abomination hit different today, vs even.
Now aside from that, our current leadership, and even modern leadership dating back 20 years or more have told us to never treat members of other churches (or people who are not members of any church) poorly.
I think the point the original poster is trying to get across, is there is a lot more open prejudice toward members of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints within Christian churches in the modern day, than there has been within our church. We don’t have sermons tearing down the faiths of others, and as long as I’ve been alive (I’m 33) I’ve never heard anyone speak openly about other faiths being an “abomination”
@@jlewis8145 Name a modern leader. The only three you included experienced horrific things at the hands of a mob that called themselves Christian. John Taylor was not only in the room when Joseph, and Hyrum were murdered by an angry mom, but he nearly died at their hands as well. I don’t blame them for holding a bit of a grudge….or a bit of prejudice.
I would like for you to look into what our leaders have said about mainstream Christianity in the past 40/50 years.
My brother-in-law used to have to go to Sweden for work. Once, a Swede that he worked with would tell him what they thought about Americans. Then his coworker asked "What do Americans think of Swedes?" He answered, "We don't really think of Swedes". This anecdote comes to mind when I hear about evangelicals talking about LDS people.
Growing up LDS, (on the east coast) we rarely talked about other religions. I find it strange that you think that that's a focus of ours when it's not. We focus on Christ, improving ourselves, and strengthening our families and relationships
Great way to say it…I didn’t really think about evangelicals other than to wonder-why do they dislike is so much and why are they so vocal and harsh about it?!
This is the irony. We DON'T condemn other people's faith because other people's faith and salvation are between them and God. It is none of my business. Yet, for some strange reason, evangelicals believe it is their business to condemn me.
In my entire life, I have never been to any church function that teaches about another faith. It is not our place and I'd like to keep it that way. On the other hand, we learn about other faiths on our own time. Well said.
We do spend a ton of time and thought on non-members. One of the missions of the church is to Proclaim the Gospel. Many of us devote a portion of our lives to doing just that. You mean that much to us. @@allieooop3923
@@allieooop3923 People are awesome!
As a Protestant living in Utah, I have learned so much from this channel. Living here for the last 8 years has opened my eyes to misinformation or incomplete information I had about the LDS faith, but that has grown exponentially since I came across your channel last year. Thank you for sharing your journey and thanks to all the LDS members that have come on your channel to clear things up.
Thanks for this. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, with extended family of evangelical and protestant variety, I was raised to believe that we're all on the same page with our love for and adoration of Christ-- whatever the religion. I see and honor all acts of faith from all walks of it. We're all just walking each other home, I feel that so passionately. I really appreciate people like yourself who carry that spirit of edification and brotherhood. There have been a few times I've had negative feelings watching your videos, usually when some of your explanations come across as condescending and put me in some outlandish category of christianity or make me feel less Christian than I really am. I forgive you for that and am grateful for your continued efforts to bridge the gap and establish brotherhood. We as fellow believers need each other so dearly!
I appreciate this, as a LDS member, from my anecdotal experience evangelical Christians have been bully’s unwilling to learn about our faith, and quick to condemn. I am sure evangelicals may say the same about us. You have really been a bridge between our faiths and although we disagree on many things you are showing we can still love one another and be friends without an agenda.
Hello Pastor Jeff; I want to whole heartedly express my support for your current mission. I am an LDS member, but I'm not sitting around hoping you and Joy join up; although if you did I would celebrate enthusiastically for you. I also completely believe you when you say you are not trying to "provide offramps". What I see you doing now is using your credibility as an Evangelical Pastor to show other faiths that, while our doctrines are not exactly the same as yours, we are also not the demonic cult that some think we are. I grew up in a non-denominational church, but most Latter Day Saints really don't know that much about your faith, so I think your insight is also valuable for that reason. This may be exactly what we need from you and others like you right now. Our nation and our world are heading into what looks like some seriously hard times and we need like minded friends to help each other through even though we have small disagreements on doctrine. I appreciate your approach of honestly comparing and contrasting our differences. I also appreciate that you point out where you agree with much of our doctrine and I think that we agree on much more than we disagree.
Jeff and Joy, keep up the great work. As a lifelong active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I appreciate you and how you sincerely have sought to understand a faith and culture different than your own. As you have been building bridges between faiths that are different in many ways I appreciate how you identify similarities namely that all our faiths originate with and are focused foremost on our love for our Savior Jesus Christ. You seek understanding in a respectful and kind way understanding how contention drives away the spirit and causes people to build walls. You fight criticism with curiousity with the way you convey your beliefs and how and why evangelicals believe differently while also being very respectful and understanding to our faith and culture giving respect to those things that are sacred to us while truly being interested in understanding why we believe what we do. Well done. Proud of you and Joy. Glad you moved out here and am excited you have made Utah home. Welcome home as I believe you indeed were led here to do this work.
Hi Jeff, I am LDS convert of many years because of a very special spiritual experience when I prayed to find the true church. God answered my prayer in a profound way and continues to answer my prayers today. I did not have the strength to live the commandments of not drinking alcohol etc.. But I did know God lived and he reached out to me through Jehovah's Witnesses and then Born Again Christians. Studying and worshipping with born again Christians was a great help studying the bible and developing my faith in Jesus and understanding his grace and love. May I suggest if you want success..... work with the lapsed LDS people who struggle with commandments such as the word of wisdom and non members, give them great faith in Jesus, keep it simple and don't preach anti Mormon stuff. As you preach Jesus with love and respect for your new neighbours you can be a great instrument in Gods hands. I know the LDS church is the true church of Jesus and it will take a leading role at the second coming of Jesus which may be close, but if you bring people closer to Jesus you will also be blessed. Preach Jesus while respecting the church.
We have so much to do as disciples of Christ to prepare ourselves and the world for His return. Our differences need to be respected and sought with curiosity rather than contention if we are going to have a broken heart and contrite spirit, a true disciple’s heart, at his return. Satan wants to label and divide us, thus leading us away from power of unity in Christ. This approach allows us to link arms in defense of Christ against the devil and prepare our world for Jesus’s return. Keep up the great work Jeff and Joy!
I am attending a Bible study at an all black Baptist Church. Actually the only time that I have missed for the last 4 years is because of time conflicts. We all feel the love between us and never have ever engaged in debate or have had any awkward moments. And they extended a request for teachers and after the open discussion I asked the pastor if I was allowed to teach, and he even extended the offer to me. I have also been called upon to pray before the congregation a couple of times.
"Never have...any awkward moments "
Life is brim full of less than comfortable "awkward moments," isn't it? And, don't they stretch us and grow us? Isn't that a desirable thing?
"Never have...any awkward moments "
Life is brim full of less than comfortable "awkward moments," isn't it? And, don't they stretch us and grow us? Isn't that a desirable thing?
"Never have...any awkward moments "
Life is brim full of less than comfortable "awkward moments," isn't it? And, don't they stretch us and grow us? Isn't that a desirable thing?
"Never have...any awkward moments "
Life is brim full of less than comfortable "awkward moments," isn't it? And, don't they stretch us and grow us? Isn't that a desirable thing?
"Never have...any awkward moments "
Life is brim full of less than comfortable "awkward moments," isn't it? And, don't they stretch us and grow us? Isn't that a desirable thing?
I'd actually pay to watch an hours worth of bloopers! 😂😂😂❤❤❤ You both are so cute!
On the topic of casually condemning another: Many years ago, a co-worker came into my office and started a conversation by asking, "How do you know that you are saved?" To this day, I have no idea what prompted that question, but it led to a good conversation about the LDS view of salvation and being born again. He ended the conversation by sharing his views on salvation. We are saved, he told me, if God chooses to save us. He knew he was saved because God had chosen him for salvation. And, since God had not chosen me (or any of my Mormon family and friends), I would go to hell. My co-worker told me he was fine with my being damned, because, if he felt otherwise, he'd be putting his desires over God's.
Bless his heart.
That’s more of a Calvinist view. But, the Bible does teach that we are all predestined to become children of God through our faith!
Ephesians 1:4-5 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,”
well he sounds like an arrogant piece of work.... I hope he has found some severe humility and quick. I give final judgement to God and God alone.
Wow. Yeah, bless his heart.
Sounds like the majority of evangelicals that I’ve come across. I prefer my view of a God that wants to do everything in his power to save all his children. Why would any parent pick and choose to only save some of their children, let alone a perfect parent such as our Heavenly Father?
Hello Jeff and Joy. Have ya all considered going to a series of Sunday meetings and investigator classes to 'explore' the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from the inside out??
Thank you so much for what you do. I served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the contention you described is definitely out there. I would try not to encourage such reactions cause when someone puts up a brick wall, there is no common ground and space for the spirit to whisper to our hearts and be heard. You walk away feeling yucky. I love learning of other’s beliefs and how it impacts their lives for good. I know that if we want others to understand us, we need to be willing to listen and learn in return just as you are doing. Christ is in the center of it all.
Buffalo NY! Woohoo! I am a minister here in Buffalo, that’s so awesome! Love the channel! Keep it up!
I so appreciate your willingness to have these kinds of conversations and as I’ve listened to various sessions on the channel, I believe it has caused a deeper spiritual conversation about my faith and experiences. I cannot wait to see where you (& Joy) go next!
I do like your videos, even though I find them incredibly frustrating at the same time. They remind me of conversations I have had with Baptists periodically, as well as with some Jewish friends. However, I do find my own faith in the doctrines and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to be reinforced. I can definitely endorse inroads being made to bring better understanding and for us to become friends and even 'cousins' in faith (so to speak).
One thing I cannot endorse are any efforts to build 'offramps' from the faith. We believe the truth speaks for itself, and from what I can tell, you believe the same, we just come to different conclusions based on interpretation of scripture, and in our case, the addition of modern revelation. There is nothing wrong with a compare and contrast either, as well as in the context of creating understanding, if only to know where we all stand.
I am very glad you brought up Saints Unscripted Reel, it was very good. His experience in this regard is very much the norm for what we experience in many of our interactions with evangelicals, which seems to be the strongest opposition we tend to get in Faith centered spaces, even more so than the Baptists (which is saying something lol, I mean, afterall, Westboro is part of their overall faith group, though I am very aware that many Baptists don't agree with their methods per se either, :P ).
One thing I am still very leery of is whether or not you are indeed trying to build offramps.
I say this becuase at the end of each of your videos (for the most part) you always circle the format back around toward reproving our perspective on scriptures, albeit in a nice way, but the format remains. All this will do long term is peel away those who need external validation for their beliefs both for and against either of our faith traditions. In fact, I read a few comments recently where an evangelical converted to the LDS church becuase of your videos. I also saw a comment of the opposite occurring where a member of the LDS faith stopped going to church for the same reasons.
The point is, you are not presenting a neutral comparison. Which is fine, it is your channel, and I don't expect you to present a neutral perspective, nor should anyone else. But everyone needs to be very aware that this is the case. This is not a neutral ground, despite the degree of respect your are presenting.
This is not about building off-ramps. It’s about understanding one another as we look to Jesus together.
@@HelloSaintsWell said.
@@HelloSaints Sure, but we will both always come at that from our own perspective of who He is, and what He did for us, and there is a lot of similarity and even downright identical aspects to those perspectives, but those differences will always be a sticking point for either 'side'. In the end, we (each of the individual viewers) will either agree to disagree (neutrality), change their faith (conversion), or galvanize into further dispirited camps.
So what is the purpose? I know many that watch this channel from the LDS perspective that hope you will convert. I have seen more than a few Evangelicals that hope the same for us toward your perception of Christianity.
I would hope, and I have seen this to a degree when you have Cwic media on (as an example), that if your goal is to build bridges of understanding, then perhaps you would present your own perspectives in the light of 'we will agree to disagree', but I suspect that is much harder for both of us to do than it is to say, especially becuase we both believe that we are the ones who have the whole (or as close to the whole as possible at this time) truth.
But I think thats where you may need to shift a little bit in the channels approach. Otherwise, it is still easily seen as building offramps.
I think for members of the church it is wise to follow the council of Jesus when he warned against teachers who do not ‘enter through the gate’. In other words it would be unwise to follow any one trying to be a teacher who is not willing to enter the gate of baptism. Thats nothing against Jeff, but anyone trying to interject themselves into the church membership as a teacher who hasn’t made the same covenants will have a natural conflict of interest and shouldn’t be trusted in that regard.
That being said, I think the idea of forming relationships and friendships with people like Jeff who are sincere is a valuable thing if it builds bridges of understanding and respect. We have much in common with others of faith and can gain from better communication!and understanding.
If Jeff is building "off ramps", he's not doing a good job of it. In fact, I've seen many LDS posters say his videos strengthen their faith. Jeff has gone above and beyond to explore the LDS faith. He has conducted interviews with several different LDS UA-camrs, he has visited meeting houses, he has visited LDS historical sites, he has gone to temple open houses, he has attended general conference, and shared his thoughts as he studies the Book of Mormon. It would be impossible for him to accomplish his goal of open dialogue between faiths without voicing his own honest thoughts. Plus, he's doing this in a way that allows people to totally choose if they want to hear his thoughts or not. He's not out knocking on doors while people are trying to eat dinner. I'm not LDS or Protestant, but I sincerely respect the way Jeff is trying to achieve his noble goal of bringing people together.
There are LDS Christians and Non-LDS Christians.
What God expects of us is to live as best we can according to the knowledge that He has given us. If we do so, and rely upon the Holy Ghost, we will eventually be drawn to a united understanding in Christ.
26 For what man among you having twelve sons, and is no respecter of them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one: Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other: Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there-and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just?
27 Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.
Doctrine and Covenants 38:26-27
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, _art_ in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
John 17:21-23 KJV
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 KJV
28 And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.
29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.
3 Nephi 11:28-30
I love what you’re doing. With the direction the world is going, I’m hoping all believers can realize we are ultimately on the same team.
Good analogy, Jeff. Jesus talking to the woman at the well is profound in teaching all people, not matter their faith, speak kindly of one another and to another.
We are taught we should always be on guard. From the beginning of the LDS faith we have been persecuted, and our leaders make sure we never forget that.
I love your expressions of growing out of where you were and ready for more. This is the path of progression God created from the beginning and will continue after the second coming thru the millennium and after the final judgement. God has a plan for us to grow and progress for eternity if we choose to get on the covenant path with Him and follow His way. Beautiful and perfect!
The Nauvoo and Kirtland temples were not a waste or a complete loss. They served a very important purpose for what was needed at that time. There were important revelations and restoration of Priesthood keys in the Kirtland temple and in the Nauvoo temple the saints participated in sacred temple ordinances which gave them the strength to cross the plains to Utah. God had an important purpose for those temples which was fulfilled before they were lost.
I love your sincere and humble heart. Thanks for sharing. Keep searching and asking. If you want to find answers, read the Book of Mormon and pray and ask God if it is the word of God. He will answer you. ❤
So well done, Pastor Jeff and Joy! Thank you for leading out on a conversation that can, hopefully, lead everyone towards Jesus. As a dad, I can tell you the subtle (and major) differences between each of my five daughters. Dinner time can be complete and utter chaos. There's a common respect between all of them, though, and they're constantly on the lookout for each other. I think God looks at all His kids and recognizes how different they are. I believe He's asking each of us to respect one another, and look out for one another. And even though it can be chaotic sometimes, I believe there is plenty of room at the Table of Christ for different people and differences of opinions.
Your podcast as well as others like Greg Matson, and Jacob Hansen is a wonderful blessing to me. I've learned and come to have a better understanding my own faith and beliefs of not only mine but others such as yourself. This understanding I gained gained has taught me to be respectful of are differences and come to believe some of the difference we seem to be semantics. As a Latter Day Saint, I have seen that much of my misconceptions regarding you faith and beliefs are not so different in many respects. having said this, the Big one that I can not for whatever reason understand fully is the Trinity, that is to say God, and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit being one and the same. As you know LDS believe they are separate beings of flesh and bones except for the holy spirit who has no flesh and bones. I don't say this to prove you wrong or disrespect others different beliefs in anyway. I know God love all of his children, and when he comes again there will be much to learn for all of us. Keep doing what you do, you are a blessing to so many of us. God Bless you and your lovely wife for teaching us how to love and respect each other more than we would otherwise be able to do.
I love your channel and am excited about this podcast! I would love for you to have Jared Halverson as a guest and hear what amazing conversations you would have with him! He has a channel called Unshaken Saints.
Yes! Pastor Jeff- you really should try to get Jared Halverson on your podcast! He has a very unique perspective as a Latter-day Saint because he actually went to a divinity school and specialized in anti-religious rhetoric. His podcast he does is great, but I would highly recommend looking up his talk about “proving contraries”. He would be such a fantastic guest to have on!
I third this!
YES YES YES!! He is THE ONE I want to hear you chat with most, can I call you Jeff? 😅 I love this conversation and I adore your wife. I grew up in Missouri as a Latter Day Saint. 3 years before my family moved there you could still legally shoot a “Mormon” on site. That’s the religious climate we moved to. It was challenging for our family. My sister attended church with some evangelical friends and they had pre planned a bash session towards our faith. She was maybe 14 and humiliated and infuriated. It was heartbreaking but we pressed forward and ended up making many dear friends of various Christian faiths. I have always adored my friends of other denominations and to this day treasure them. I have never once experienced any derogatory dialogue in our church towards anyone of any other faith. I currently write CCM and worship songs with many evangelical friends and work with a community out of Nashville. I’m sad to say I have another LDS friend who has very recently experienced shunning and persecution from some of our evangelical friends. Telling her she’s not actually a Christian. If you knew her, you’d know. She is. What you are doing is critical for this to change. I keep wondering why other Christian’s think they need to create more contention in this world. As Christian’s, we of all people should ban together to fight the real evil and not war within ourselves. Sure, we have some differences. But essentially, we’re on the same team. Team Jesus. I pray that what you’re doing influences many different faith traditions. I’m dying of curiosity about some things but only feel safe discussing them with my catholic friends because they are never hostile 😂. Thank you for pushing through the difficult conversations and courageously showing the best way to coexist. You’re a world changer! I hope to meet you both someday 😊
Perfect choice to include your wife. Not just as a female but to include someone who is a great witness of your growth in this experience and is completely invested in the cause. God bless you and your family for your service :)
This is a very tender and sweet soul bearing interaction, I love it. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, I feel that we have a common thread for our love and affection for the Lord Jesus Christ. And that has been amplified by the multi series, The Chosen produced by Dallas Jenkins, who is an evangelical. My wife and I have seen all four seasons and I think that we have rerun the first three seasons nearly 30 times or more and the content never gets old and you can feel the spirit so strong. Your honesty in this podcast is so refreshing, sweet and sincere, best wishes on your quest that is taking you in uncharted waters. God bless.
Yes! Pastor Jeff I am a huge fan of what you're doing. Your search reignited my own search for a connection with my faith. I envy you getting to grow on this journey alongside your wife. You guys are phenomenal people and the light of the Lord shines forth through your works. Thanks to you both!
I love when Joy is on the channel! Definitely keep bringing her back! To me, both of you come across as very sincere. I appreciate the respect and curiosity you both have. It really is ok that we disagree about some interpretations and doctrines. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and I can see your love for Him. I appreciate the way you minister and share His light with the world.
Because of your channel, I’ve started watching Greg Matsen too. He really loves what you’re doing, as I’m sure you’re aware. I love listening to the conversations you two have. He represents our beliefs well I think and he gets what you’re doing and supports it. I hope you’ll have him on the podcast many, many times.
Thank you, Pastor Jeff, for sharing this insight with us and including your sweet wife in the conversation! You both make a wonderful couple... united in your effort to help all of us understand and learning about the "why" in each other's religion! You have opened a much needed door, where folks can sit down and share their beliefs and understandings, open, honest, and respectfully! This has been much need in this world! Again, I thank you and all involved, including your beautiful wife!❤ I look forward to each video!🤗
Jeff & Joy, I really appreciated our conversation at the theater last Saturday. Thank you for taking time with me - it sparked a much needed conversation with my daughter afterwards. You two are darling!
It was so great to meet you! Thank you for sharing your story with us.
You should also have Don Bradley as a guest. He knows tons about LDS history, is an author and even left the church for a while, but came back.
@@OmegaMan28 wow, you don’t sound biter at all. 😳
I'm looking forward to the long form discussions you'll be able to have in this format.
I think it's great that instead of being fearful of another religion, you are embracing your curiosity and examining the similarities and differences between your religion and another religion. I have found that we are more alike than different.
Love Love love love listening to conversations you share with your dear wife. She is awesome! That relationship is where we learn the most of our saviors love for us and Heavenly Fathers plan
Looking forward to watching your future podcasts!
it was nice to catch this video and see your wife in person. Looking forward to the podcasts
I really appreciate this conversation ❤ I'm looking forward to the podcast.
I love dialogs. I have missed it since I retired. I appreciate your channel because of the way you address controversial subjects with curiosity.
You are demonstrating how to be respectful even when we disagree.
Thank-you
I feel that you have good hearted motives for engaging with the LDS community.. You're both clearly very spiritual and have warm hearts and trust builders. Keep up the good work ❤
While following your UA-cam channel over the last couple of years, I've often wondered how and why you are so incredible. Now that I've had 40 minutes listening to your wife, I have no more questions. She is amazing and the two of you are synergistically helpful. Keep it up.
I appreciate you sharing your journey and exploration with the world. There are sooooo many voices that disparage members of my faith and it is refreshing to hear you approaching differences with love and compassion. We are all here trying to get through life with all of our adopted baggage, it is delightful to see you look at things objectively. It's easy for both sides to fall into conflict but we are all children of God driving toward our greater faith and constant berating is not helpful for either side. I'm looking forward to the things you have coming up, you do a great job.
I'm already a binge podcaster user so I'm excited to keep following you and seeing more deep dives in these long form segments. Much love to you brother Jeff and sister Joy!
Your journey was to find acceptance from your peers; it’s the fear of failing them that has stopped you from the one thing you know you must do now.
It’s really encouraging to see someone live out what they believe. By that I mean going to places that might be foreign to you and building genuine relationships with people who might reject you or where you come from. Not forming relationships trying to convert people, but living like Jesus showed us how to live. Awesome stuff
You are lovely people, and I am so thankful for what you are doing. As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints, I am so thankful for good people like you who are doing so much to live and exemplify the Gospel of Jesus Christ I have a group of eight girlfriends 37:53 from my California high school who have gotten together together about once a year since we got into our sixties. We are of different religious faiths, but as Christians, we realize that we have more in common than not in common, and we have been there for each other through death and other challenges in our families. I think your goal to understand people of different faiths is very refreshing. Our group respects one another, and that seems to be how you two operate. I think this is what our world needs today. Thank you for what you are doing.
Wow! Exciting podcast and very interested to see where this continues to go. I hope we hear more of a female perspective, too, as you mentioned. I am a…oh I don’t know, in-between a Latter-day Saint and a Christian as I attend a Christian church but haven’t officially left the LDS church. I’m still exploring what God wants from me, for sure! My husband and I do not have any living children and one of the difficulties we have experienced, most strongly within the Latter-day Saint church is a feeling of misplacement by being childless not by choice. We struggle, tremendously with this and as a result feel a little more at home within a mainstream Christian church which focuses more on the individual relationship with Christ instead of the family relationship to Christ. I’m praying your podcast continues to have great success and that God leads you in all you do.
I'm sorry you feel marginalized in LDS congregations. I'm a member of the Church, divorced and childless, ...not by choice, but by consequence of others choices. I have felt marginalized, as well, not because members have intended that, but because of the doctrine, practices, focus and culture, of the Church, and understand how that feels. But I have allowed that pain point to cause me to focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ, and more diligently develop and maintain a relationship with Him and learn what He wants me to do with my life. Without a family, I have more time to serve. So, I look for opportunities to do so. I find great fulfillment in those opportunities. Also, I have more time to study and learn the doctrine, teachings, and scriptures of our Savior. For me, it has been a process of faith development....learning to trust the Lord and His timing. It has not been easy but it has definitely been worth it. In turning to Him, it allows Him to fill the void. And His response is very comforting and healing. May you find the peace in your circumstances that only HE can give.❤
Love your channel. I have watched many of your posts. I came from a Lutheran background and joined the LDS church during college - over 50 years ago. In the end our faith in Jesus Christ and trust in his atoning sacrifice is key. I have found it. Keep up the good work.
I loved this video so much! What you’re doing is such a good thing Jeff! ❤ I hope you have Joy on often, because I learned alot from her perspective. I’m taking a class on IFS right now, and it’s so interesting! I love how you applied those ideas to the collective also.
Jared Halverson is already doing amazing interfaith work, and I bet you’d love a conversation with him Jeff. I hope you invite him into your podcast. Thanks again for what you’re doing! ❤
So good to see your better half Jeff and to get her name Joy . I sent a comment when you went to see a temple open house and recorded you r car your impressions . I so enjoyed her words, aI hope you have her on your podcasts more. You are a great couple .
Jeff and Joy, Thanks so much for recognizing how Christ is touching your lives to bring civility and dialogue into the uncomfortable space between the christian sects, especially our two. On all sides, we have put up walls for too long and not allowed ourselves to enter into meaningful, Christlike dialogue and useful interaction. Even in our differences, we have so much to offer the Lord and to each other as we engage and serve Jesus together in this world. My Evangelical friends and I have spent years learning together that there IS common ground for Christlike love and interaction rather than falling to contention when our difference collide. I so appreciate your response to the Lord’s promptings to serve him, and us, in this way. Your ministry is definitely be much more, as joy said. This will indeed blow up, in a good way for all of us. Thanks for inviting us to be part of your journey. I especially look forward to learning more about Evangelicals now that you have open doors of trust.
Love you both. It's ok to investigate religions and know the differences.. I think it's a fantastic idea. I've been lds a long time. I just recently really jumped into the Bible and Christianity and can see the complete difference between Mormonism and Christianity and it's huge. God bless you both.
It’s healthy to be honest about the differences between our two religions
Really love you both, thank you for your kindness ❤
This was beautiful! I loved the way you treated emotional and spiritual safety in the context of Jesus' compassion. I also resonated with the IFS analogy for interfaith dialogue. I have no doubt that you are building bridges and mending hearts.
The more you share the set with your beautiful wife, the more I like you and your content. She is a gem !
As a man married to an angel, I know one when I see one. Keep it up Pastor Jeff.
Evangelical here! I love this channel. I find the LDS beliefs to be very interesting because they are so similar and yet often so different than my own. I'm a bit of psychology nerd so I find it really fascinating that we can live such parallel lives often right next to each other geographically, but have so much difference in church culture.
Anyway, glad to be here!
It was beautiful to hear perspectives from both of you. Your non judgemental curiosity I think is opening doors of understanding on both sides. God bless you both in this work.
Love you Pastor Jeff and Joy! Thank you for doing this podcast. It's refreshing to feel like we are brothers and sisters in Christ!
I believe that you were Divinely guided to do this. You are lights to both the LDS and evangelical communities. Thank you for what you are doing.
You guys are adorable - thank you for the honesty and vulnerability in bringing followers of Christ together.
I think I just cried for half of that conversation. Thank you Joy! Thank you Pastor Jeff! Thank you for starting a revolutionary new kind of conversation. For showing that religious dialogue can be a beautiful thing for both parties. I don't have words to say how thankful I am for you guys, and that you moved all the way to Utah to further this. I sincerely believe that this is what is spoken of in 1 John 4. "Let us love one another...for God is Love." Love is neither enmeshment nor stonewalling. It's something else that transcends both. And I think Jesus smiles on this channel/podcast. Here's to emotionally healthy conversations. May it become a long standing trend, and you both be very blessed!
Joy is a marvellous woman! I can sense her spirit, and it's beautiful! I really appreciate her knowledge and experience of the emotional side of things! I, myself, am learning to heal from misunderstandings of certain parts of Christian theology. I'm also really appreciating understanding more of the mainstream Christian understandings. I had a sister-in-law who is Evangelical and, whilst we obviously disagreed with some doctrine, we both knew that we both loved the Lord! That is what bonded us! We respected each other, as a result. Safe, honest spaces without hidden agendas are essential for true interfaith relationships - that's the only way the Holy Ghost will be able to have an influence on either parties.
Greetings, Pastor Jeff!
You have been placed for such a time as this! Joy, I love how you articulated, support Jeff's gifts and talents as you both pursue this much needed niche, for evangelicals & IDS folks. Thank you, and God Bless you & your family. I pray over this ministry, your family and your marriage as you seek to bridge a huge gap through curiosity, in truth in love. :))
Something my priest group did when I was 17 was to visit other churches. We visited a baptist church, a mosque, and a Hindu temple. The goal was to try and create understanding of these other faiths in preparation for serving a mission. It was a new idea and I’m not sure it kept growing, but I think doing activities like that would help humanize people.
I loved this podcast! I truly believe you were inspired to start this journey you are on. I am a Latter-Day Saint, and I am grateful that people like you, Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen, and others are listening to the promptings of the Spirit and bringing new ways for followers of Christ to come together and share and spread His message. God bless you in your endeavors!
Thank Heavens for you and your wife. You kept mentioning the importance of honesty. I believe you are an honest couple. I have been a member of the LDS church all my life. I lived back east and I was glad just to be around other believers in Christ. I believe as long as we are on the path of becoming better people the Lord is happy with us. We both believe in the return of Christ to this earth. When he comes again this earth will be changed from a Telestial glory into a Terrestrial Glory planet. People will not even need to be a Christian in order to remain on the earth. All they need to do is keep the 10 commandments and they will be able to see their saviour and have a similar experience to the people talked about in 3 Nephi chapter 11. Yes as LDS our goal is to make it to the Celestial Kingdom but first we need to make it to the Terrestrial Kingdom. In one of your other videos you had trouble with chapter 8 and all the destruction. The reason that they were killed off was because they were not living the 10 commandments. They were Isrealites and they knew what the 10 commandments were. They were not worthy to meet their saviour. The people who were spared kept the 10 commandments. They then got to see a resurected God descend from the sky. When the gospel went to the gentile nations through Paul and others they were taught the commandments for the first time. That is why God had more mercy on them. Judgment only comes when a people deliberately chose to disobey. Like I'm the days of Noah and the Ark. It may not be your time to join our church as God wants you to teach others to at least believe in Christ so that they can live to see Christ come back to earth. If you are interested I would open the opportunity for us to meet. Just respond and I will send you my contact info. I believe that as long as you are bringing people to Christ you are doing a great work in getting people who don't believe in our church to at least keep the 10 commandments so that they can meet Christ and let him gather them as a chicken gathers her chicks under her wings of protection. The earth is about to change to those people who are kind to each other and act like human beings and those who only care about themselves and have no love for their fellow men. Keep up the good work and welcome to Utah brother.
One day you could explore the Church outside the US
Love your analogy of outgrowing your pot.
You're a stud. Thank you for talking so kindly about the LDS Faith. I feel that you are my brother in Christ. Thank you
You might consider why the reluctance of Modern Christianity to even consider a modern day prophet and further revelation. We sing about that "Old time Religion, but we are far from the days of real prophets Including Jesus and Paul as having callings similar to the prophets of old. "For the Lord God does nothing save he reveal his secrets to his servants the Prophet" If there are no more prophets, revelation is over, and then is God effectively dead? Or as in the LDS message that God has once again stretched out his hand to raise up a people with a renewed message of Love and hope? We invite you and your wife to join us.
Wonderful approach to connect with all God’s children. Thank you
I love that statement that by criticizing other religions with judgements of who has it right and who has it wrong does indeed miss the mission of Jesus Christ. "By this shall men know you are my disciples, if you love one another". What is the basis of the gospel? Matthew 22:37. Did he say to his disciples "I will make you fishers of certain types of men". No, "I will make you fishers of men" applied to all ages, races, genders and existing religious beliefs. Getting into the nitty gritty of who thinks who is more right becomes a pride matter, not a faith matter. Love your podcast so far
Thank you for teaching us how to respectfully and genuinely approach others with different religions, culture s, race, etc. If everyone in the world took this same approach to truly be like Jesus, the World would have peace. I am grateful that the Lord has guided you to take this path and teach us. Thank you!
Jeff, where did you get your hoodie?? I want one!
Amazon find!
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08CDJSW58?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&customId=B078RV2JNJ
I enjoyed the podcast with your wife! I realized as a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ, whenever I have heard evangelicals say they are saved, it subconsciously ruffles my feathers because it feels arrogant, though I know its never meant to come off that way. To me, I won't know if I'm saved until the judgment day when Christ himself says I am so I never presume to say I'm saved, even though I've been baptized and have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Its just another difference in the way we view things I suppose.
So wonderful to have you as brother and sister in Christ.
Amazing, I love your approach to looking at other people/religions. If we all looked at each other as followers of Christ, the world would be an amazing place.
So you have a schedule of where you will be preaching or speaking in the future?
I’m willing to guess that the greater majority of your LDS followers agree that your efforts are indeed the response to a call from our Savior to bring people who love Him together across a divide of misunderstanding.
You two are an incredibly cute couple and we love you both so much. Looking forward to your podcasts.
I would love to hear more Evangelical content.
I have actually been converted to pretty much all your beliefs by The Book of Mormon. But I am finding myself in a difficult space with my husband and family still being firmly LDS. I would love to explore other churches, but am finding it difficult to do so. I would love to have some preaching specific to the transition from LDS to Evangelical.
I would closely At the UA-cam video, looking closer at "pastor" Jeff and "hello saints".
"Thats not Jesus, that's religion." That struck a chord with me, thank you
As saints, we love you guys. Thank you 🙏
Normally don’t comment much but man, love those outtakes at the end!!!! I think they just made my day, needed the laughs!!!
Your respect just in turning from calling us "Mormons" I think speaks volumes about you and your integrity. You can just tell that you're genuine and willing to learn and respect the value of the church to the Christian community. Even if we are more cousins than actual Christians we can still work together to help Christ bring forth his kingdom.
I’m not throwing every prophet before Nelson, under the bus.
Nelson says that the word Mormon “is a win for Satan.”
I met Kimball as a kid, I knew he entered the room before I saw him, the power of God was with him. Monson had the “I am Mormon” campaign.
Basically Nelson is saying that Satan had power over those prophets, since they allowed the word Mormon to be used.
As a kids we were taught to say, “if someone asks you if you’re Christian you say, no, I am Mormon.” I moved all over the nation as a military brat and multiple wards taught this.
I will always call myself Mormon. I am loyal to the prophets I grew up with and will not disrespect them by implying they were following satan.
@JesusismyLifeCoach a core tenant of the church is to follow the current living prophet. President Nelson isn't saying that other prophets were lead by the devil. He's simply leading us to a higher and holier way to honor the lord and his name. I've had amazing experiences opening up additional conversations by doing this. I would encourage you to give it a try.
@JesusismyLifeCoach Saying “I am Mormon” is not factually correct. Mormon has been dead for about 1,620 years (see the Book of Mormon chapter 8:1-3 in the Book of Mormon).
If you read President Nelson’s talk about fully embracing the full and Correct name of the Church, you will know that “Mormon” was a derogatory nickname that our persecutors branded us with in the earliest days of the Church which we later adopted to differentiate ourselves from other Christian traditions.
But, as president Nelson states, “Joseph Smith did not name the Church restored through him; neither did Mormon. It was the Savior Himself who said, “For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (D&C 115:4)
President Nelson continues…. “For much of the world, the Lord’s Church is presently disguised as the “Mormon Church.” But we as members of the Lord’s Church know who stands at its head: Jesus Christ Himself. Unfortunately, many who hear the term Mormon may think that we worship Mormon. Not so! We honor and respect that great ancient American prophet. But we are not Mormon’s disciples. We are the Lord’s disciples.
In the early days of the restored Church, terms such as Mormon Church and Mormons were often used as epithets-as cruel terms, abusive terms-designed to obliterate God’s hand in restoring the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days.”
I am quite certain that President Nelson does not see the prophets before him as allowing Satan to have the upper hand in adopting the nickname Mormon. He worked together with many of them for decades. I’m certain that this change is the Lord’s revealed will, not President Nelson’s idea/pet project.
Thank you for the origin story :-) please keep the videos coming always enjoyable and informative :-)
I have watched Hello Saints from the beginning. I was reared in the Evangelical United Brethren Church (which was absorbed by the Methodists in the late 1960s). My sweet grandpa was an EUB/Methodist minister, so I completely understand the Evangelical perspective. Kurt and Alanna Francom are dear friends.
Love to hear about IFS. Really great modality for healing
Love your channel :)
Living in the last days it is refreshing to have you explore and get acquainted with our beliefs and I believe it is important that all Christians should be working together. I believe that is what Heavenly Father wants. He loves all his children. The way the world is becoming “woke” we all of different Christian faiths need each other more than at any other time in history.
Pastor Jeff… I appreciate your ministry and pray that God will continue to use you as you present The Truth Who is Jesus who died for all of us. May all people of different belief systems come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
As Latter Day Saints, we do not Demonize People of other faiths
Not so fast. There's a Latter-day Saint YT channel out there where the host regularly calls me a tool of Satan.
As I read the Book of Mormon, I'm convinced all people and religions who choose to follow the teachings of God and the Savior are all under the same banner of being on the same team. This will be the beginning of a beautiful relationship, Pastor Jeff!
I freaking love this! I am so grateful you have reached across the lines that really shouldn’t be there. I agree with you and Joy! That’s not Jesus. Jesus wanted us to love each other and understand each other because we are all ultimately trying to get back to him and feel of His unconditional love. Thank you so very much! Much love!!
I think it is important to keep in mind how many times Jesus told us not to judge one another. For evangelicals to suggest that Mormons are going to hell is the opposite of that teaching and for Mormons to tell Evangelicals that they are short of the mark is also inappropriate. None of us can judge another person's relationship with Christ.
What your wife said "we matter too" sounded very LDS. For us, that attitude we all matter comes from our understanding of the nature of God as the father of us all, and all of us being actual family with each other. When we says we are all children of God, for us, it's literal.
Keep it up, Brother.
Jeff and Joy...I would love an opportunity to share some thoughts with you about my life journey that includes a time within Mormonism, also a born again experience and mental health issues are part of my life journey...
Jeff and Joy…thank you for opening the door to this dialogue between believers. One of the things I’ve felt strongly about is this need to build bridges between Christians as we prepare for the return of Jesus Christ. How can He come back to a house divided?
I’ve similarly been doing a deep dive into those of other faiths to find the connective tissue we share as believers..to link arms with those who love Jesus.
We love and appreciate the work you are doing.
Jesus Christ said that he would divide people and families.
Matthew 10
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Luke 12
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Yes that’s true. But I have always read that as a division between those who choose to follow Him and those who don’t. For those outside of faith looking in, they see dysfunction and discord between faiths that all profess to follow Jesus. Why would they want to come to Jesus when they see that? We can disagree on doctrine without being disagreeable. That’s what I hear Pastor Jeff saying here.
@@jlewis8145Jesus also said that contention was not of him but that the spirit of contention was of the devil. Jesus said the father would be against the son meaning he knew that the Jews would disown non believers. He didn't want families to argue with each other but he knew that would happen and so he wanted his believers to know the cost of joining his church. That's why he said this.
@@jennifermiyakawa3973 The Bible tells us about a different God, a different Christ and a different gospel. Read the New Testament.
We can disagree on doctrine without being disagreeable.
There is no confusion if you follow Jesus.
Jesus Christ said, Follow me. Jesus is the good Shepherd. Jesus will never let you down.
John 10:27-29
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.