A Comprehensive Biblical and Historical Examination of the Iconography of the Cross. The crucified Jesus stands as Christianity’s central symbol of redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life—a paradoxical image that has defined the faith for two thousand years. Yet the stark contrast between the brutality of Roman execution and the message of divine love it represents…
Category: Christianity
King James Copycat? The Truth Behind Joseph Smith’s “Translation” of the Bible
Questions of religious truth are ultimately matters of faith as well as evidence. But faith that is unwilling to examine evidence is not strengthened faith but rather faith that fears examination. Introduction In the summer of 1830, just months after the publication of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith embarked on one of the most…
A Critical Examination of the LDS “Burning in the Bosom”
The Test That Cannot Fail A Critical Examination of the LDS “Burning in the Bosom” Method for Discerning Religious Truth A Traditional Christian Response to the Latter-day Saint Approach to Revelation and the Book of Mormon Introduction Among the many religious movements that have emerged from American soil, few have developed such a sophisticated and…
The LDS Enigma of Orson Pratt: Did This Much Controversy Surround the NT Apostles?
A Theological and Historical Examination. Introduction: A Claim Worth Examining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints makes a remarkable assertion on its official website regarding its Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Jesus Christ calls Apostles to represent Him in our day just as He did in the Bible. They leave behind their regular…
When Arguments Fail, Love Remains: Reaching LDS Hearts with Grace
A Devotional on Reaching Our LDS Friends with Grace The Ring doorbell announced their arrival. Two white shirts, two black name tags, two young men who had no idea what they were walking into. They introduced themselves with a smile, the young “Elder’s” companion shifted nervously beside him. I had studied Latter-day Saint doctrine for…
“God Told Me”—Did He Really?
Is It God Who Is Really Speaking to You? The voice seemed so clear. Sarah sat in her pastor’s office, tears streaming down her face. “God told me to marry him,” she said. “I opened my Bible, and there it was—‘For I know the plans I have for you.’ It seemed like confirmation.” Now, three…
Sheltered by the Cross: A Fresh Vision for Gospel Witness
There is a moment in every conversation about faith when words run out. Not because we lack information, but because information was never going to be enough. The story of William—a young man preparing for his Mormon mission, armed with arguments and fortified by years of religious training—illustrates this truth with striking clarity. Here was…
Moroni’s Golden Plates: History, Controversies, and Unanswered Questions.
A Scholarly Examination from Inquisitive and Historical Perspectives Introduction to the Golden Plates and Their Significance The golden plates represent the foundational artifact claim of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), serving as the purported ancient record from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon between 1827 and 1829. According…
Prophets and Apostles in the Latter-day Saint Tradition
A Comprehensive Biblical and Theological Analysis Examining LDS Prophetic Claims Against Traditional Biblical Standards 1. Introduction The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) rests upon a foundational claim that distinguishes it from the traditional Christian tradition: the assertion that God continues to speak through living prophets and apostles who possess the same…
Absence of Scriptural Precedent for Latter-day Saint Temple Rituals
Temples Without Biblical Foundation: A Theological Analysis of the Absence of Scriptural Precedent for Latter-day Saint Temple Practices Introduction The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints places extraordinary emphasis on temples and the rituals performed within them. These magnificent structures, numbering over 200 currently dedicated worldwide, serve as the locus of Mormonism’s most sacred…