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Unveiling Mormonism

Unveiling Mormonism

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Join Ross Anderson and Bryan Dwyer, pastors with over 50 years of combined ministry experience in Utah, as they take a deep dive on everything Mormon – from theology to history to culture. New topic every Monday.Copyright 2026 PursueGOD Ciencias Sociales Cristianismo Espiritualidad Ministerio y Evangelismo
Episodios
  • Is Jesus Enough? (Hebrews 1)
    Apr 7 2026
    In this powerful series premiere, we kick off a nine-week deep dive into the Book of Hebrews—a text that serves as "ground zero" for anyone standing at the crossroads between religious systems and the person of Jesus Christ. For those navigating the "covenant path" of the LDS Church, the pull of tradition, community, and structured "plan of salvation" charts can be overwhelming. However, the author of Hebrews dismantles the need for "precept upon precept" by presenting a theological sledgehammer: Jesus is not a step in your progression; He is the end of it. We explore how the first four verses of Hebrews redefine revelation, replace fragments with fullness, and introduce a Savior who didn't just come to help—He came to finish the work and sit down.Key Themes & Discussion PointsThe Gravity of "Better"The First-Century Crisis: Understanding the original audience—Jewish believers in AD 65 tempted to retreat from the "shame" of the cross back to the safety and tangibility of the Temple.The Modern Parallel: For those leaving the LDS faith, the "vacuum of tradition" is real. We discuss the temptation to keep Jesus "in your pocket" while still clinging to the shadows of the old system for comfort.Fragments vs. The FullnessThe Slow-Release Trailer: Historically, God spoke through prophets in "many times and many ways" (dreams, bushes, still small voices).The Final Word: Hebrews 1:1-2 declares that God has now spoken "in Son." If Jesus is the final period at the end of God’s sentence, the need for "continuous revelation" or additional volumes of scripture is rendered obsolete. Why use a flashlight when the sun has risen?The Anatomy of a God: The Seven Attributes We contrast the "Elder Brother" Christology of Mormonism with the majestic, uncreated Christ of Hebrews 1:The Heir: He is the "Why" behind the universe, not one of many potential heirs to "worlds without end."The Creator: As the agent of creation (aionas), He stands outside of time and "progression."The Radiance: He is the light flowing from God, not a reflection of it.The Expression: The charaktēr (exact imprint) of God’s essence. This challenges the "separate beings" doctrine.The Sustainer: He holds your very atoms together by His word, not by learned priesthood keys.The Savior: "After making purification..." — a finished action in the past tense.The Ruler: He sat down. In a system where the work is never done (no chairs in the Temple), Jesus signals total victory by taking His seat.Addressing the "Cheap Grace" ObjectionThe distinction between doing "works" to get to Jesus versus "works" as an act of worship because of Jesus.The mathematical reality: "Jesus + Anything = Nothing." Adding to the finished work of Christ is a subtraction of its power.Memorable Quotes"If you are a Mormon today and you are tired... it’s because you are trying to stand up where Jesus has already sat down.""Jesus is not a 'great addition' to your life. He isn't a 'step' in a progression. Jesus is the End."Scripture ReferencesHebrews 1:1-4 (The Exordium)D&C 130:22 (Contrast regarding the nature of God)TakeawayIf Jesus is who Hebrews says He is, He isn't just "better" than your old life—He is everything. You don't need a middleman, a recommend, or a correlation committee. You need the Son. Stop trying to earn a place in a kingdom that already belongs to the Heir. Look at the Seated King, and finally... just breathe.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate NowHebrews (Series) - pursueGOD.org
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    17 m
  • Blood Atonement and the Prophet’s Authority
    Mar 31 2026
    In this episode, AJ and Brandi return to the studio to dive into one of the most jarring and controversial chapters of Mormon history: the Doctrine of Blood Atonement. AJ recounts the "shelf-breaking" moment at BYU when he first discovered that early prophets—specifically Brigham Young—taught that certain sins were beyond the reach of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, requiring the sinner to shed their own blood for salvation. The discussion explores the massive disconnect between 19th-century Mormonism and modern LDS teachings, the theological implications of a "prophet who can lead you astray," and how the biblical definition of atonement offers a stark, grace-filled contrast to the works-heavy requirements of the LDS faith.Key Discussion Points1. The Discovery and the "Shelf"The BYU Moment: AJ shares how a simple student question in a Book of Mormon class led to a dismissive response from a professor, sparking a late-night research session that left him "sick to his stomach."The Infallibility Crisis: Growing up with the song "Follow the Prophet," AJ was taught that a prophet could never lead the church astray. Discovering Blood Atonement shattered this belief, as he realized a prophet had taught something he considered the "antithesis of the gospel."2. Defining Blood AtonementThe Core Doctrine: Taught primarily by Brigham Young and Jedediah Grant in the 1850s, it suggested that sins like murder, apostasy, and adultery were so "grievous" that Christ’s blood was insufficient to cover them.Literal vs. Rhetorical: While some modern apologists argue the language was metaphorical, historians (including faithful LDS scholars like Richard Turley) acknowledge instances where the doctrine was taken literally and carried out.The Motivation: Ironically, it was framed as an act of "love"—shedding a person's blood to save their soul from eternal damnation.3. The Changing Narrative at BYUInoculation vs. Secrecy: Brandy and AJ discuss the shift in how the Church handles "difficult" history. While AJ’s generation faced silence and "weirdness" from professors, younger generations are being "properly inoculated" with the information early to prevent future shocks.The Internet Factor: The group agrees that the transparency isn't necessarily a choice but a necessity in the information age; the Church can no longer "cover up" what is easily accessible on Wikipedia or historical archives.4. Biblical Atonement vs. LDS AtonementWhere it Happened: The guests note the cultural Mormon emphasis on Gethsemane as the primary site of atonement, whereas the Bible and traditional Christianity point to the Cross.Sufficiency: The biblical view (e.g., Colossians 1:20, Hebrews 9:22) asserts that Jesus’ sacrifice was "finished" and all-sufficient.The "Ladder" Analogy: Brandy describes the LDS view of Christ providing a "ladder" that the believer must then climb through obedience, whereas the biblical view is that Jesus is the way, not just a provider of the means to work.Notable Quotes"I can no longer in good faith ever say the prophet can't lead you astray because I have a clear example of that happening here." — AJ"Mormonism blinds people to the gospel. When you say things like 'trust alone for Jesus's righteousness,' they're going to go, 'That's too easy.'" — Brandi"If the president of the church should ever lead people astray, God would take him away... So when you learn of something like blood atonement, it is so damaging." — AJResources MentionedBooks: Vengeance is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath by Barbara Brown Jones and Richard Turley.Podcasts: Sunstone Mormon History Podcast, Mormon Stories.Websites: MRM.org (Mormonism Research Ministry), PursueGod.org.Scripture References1 John 1:9: Confession and cleansing from all unrighteousness.Hebrews 9:22: The necessity of the shedding of blood for remission.Colossians 1:20: Peace made through the blood of the cross.John 19:30: "Tetelestai" — It is finished.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate NowMormonism Archives - pursueGOD.orgConnect with Brandi on Instagram
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    46 m
  • American Quran: The Surprising Parallels Between Joseph Smith and Muhammad
    Mar 24 2026

    In this episode, Bryan unpacks the striking parallels between Mormonism and Islam to show how both systems ultimately shift the focus away from the finished work of Jesus and back onto human effort, contrasting it with the true gospel of grace found in the Bible.

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    The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

    Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

    Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

    Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

    Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

    Donate Now

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    This episode takes a deeper look at the striking parallels between Mormonism and Islam, highlighting how both begin with the claim that the original message of Christianity was corrupted and needed to be restored. Each introduces a new prophet—Joseph Smith and Muhammad—along with new scriptures revealed through angelic encounters, ultimately reshaping core biblical truths about who Jesus is and how salvation works. The conversation walks through how these systems, while different in many ways, both shift the focus away from the finished work of Christ and toward human effort, obedience, and religious performance.

    Grounding the discussion in passages like Galatians 1 and Ephesians 2, this episode challenges listeners to examine the reliability and sufficiency of the Bible and the true gospel message. Rather than needing a restored or updated version of Christianity, Scripture points us back to the once-for-all revelation of Jesus. The takeaway is clear and encouraging: salvation is not something we achieve through striving, but something we receive by grace through faith. In a world full of competing truth claims, this episode helps clarify why the gospel of Jesus stands alone—and why it’s still enough today.

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    16 m
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