This week we tackle a big question: Who really speaks for God? With the Catholic Church appointing a new pope this year, and the Mormon prophet passing away just this weekend, both traditions are again highlighting their unique systems for choosing a spiritual leader. Catholics gather in Rome and elect a pope. Mormons promote their longest-serving apostle to prophet. But both groups agree on one thing: their leader is God’s one true mouthpiece on earth.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• How prophets are chosen in the Bible — God personally calls His messengers (Exodus 3, Isaiah 6, Jeremiah 1).
• How Mormons pick their prophet — by seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
• How Catholics choose their pope — by election among cardinals.
• What each group believes about their leader — both claim he speaks with divine authority.
• Why both systems are unbiblical — Hebrews 1:1–2 shows that in these last days God speaks through His Son.
• Real-world examples of the danger of unchecked authority — LDS prophets reversing “eternal” teachings, Catholic popes pushing indulgences.
• The biblical test of prophets — Deuteronomy 13 and 18 show how to spot false authority.
• The biblical model of leadership — pastors and elders serving under Christ and His Word (1 Peter 5, Titus 1, Acts 17).
• The good news — Jesus is the final Prophet, Priest, and King. We don’t need a pope in Rome or a prophet in Salt Lake City. We need Christ.

Key Verses:

• Hebrews 1:1–2
• Isaiah 8:20
• Deuteronomy 13:1–5; 18:21–22
• 1 Peter 5:2–3
• Acts 17:11
• 1 John 4:1

Takeaway:

Catholics say, “Follow the pope.” Mormons say, “Follow the prophet.” But Jesus says, “Follow me.”

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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.

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In this episode, Bryan and Layne unpack the final temple recommend questions—showing how LDS “worthiness” tests create pressure and why the Bible offers true confidence through Jesus’ finished work, not our performance.

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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.

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Temple Recommend Questions (Part 2): Worthiness and the Gospel

In this episode, Bryan and Layne continue their conversation about the 16 temple recommend questions every Latter-day Saint must answer in order to be considered “worthy” to enter the temple. Picking up at question nine, they explore the topics of honesty, tithing, the Word of Wisdom, divorce obligations, temple covenants, serious sins, and the final worthiness questions.

Layne shares from his own experience as a former Mormon how these interviews shaped his view of God and created constant pressure to prove his worthiness. Together, Bryan and Layne contrast that system with the Bible’s message of grace—where worthiness is not earned by man but fully given through Christ.

You’ll hear how:

• Honesty and integrity matter, but only Jesus was perfectly honest.
• Tithing becomes a “fire insurance” requirement in Mormonism, but the Bible calls us to joyful generosity.
• The Word of Wisdom mixes biblical wisdom with added, shifting rules.
• Temple covenants are heavy and impossible to keep perfectly—yet Jesus kept the law on our behalf.
• True confession begins with God, not with a bishop or stake president.
• Our worthiness is found in Christ alone, not in passing a list of man-made questions.

This episode helps listeners see the difference between the pressure of man’s system and the freedom of Christ’s finished work.

In this part 1 of 2 episodes, Bryan and Layne pull back the curtain on Mormonism’s temple recommend—walking through the 16 worthiness questions, why they emphasize loyalty and performance over Jesus’ finished work, and what the Bible says about true access to God.

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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.

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In this episode, Bryan and Layne take listeners inside one of the most important—and least understood—practices in Mormonism: the temple recommend interview.

For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), receiving a temple recommend is like getting a spiritual passport. Without it, you cannot enter Mormon temples, where sacred ordinances such as baptisms for the dead, eternal marriages, and endowments are performed. To get one, every member must answer the same 16 “worthiness questions” in interviews with both their local bishop and their stake president.

Layne, who held temple recommends for decades before leaving Mormonism, explains what these questions are, what they test, and how they compare with the Bible’s teaching about salvation, worthiness, and grace.

A temple recommend is a physical card (now often digitized) that allows a Mormon to enter any LDS temple worldwide. It is valid for two years, after which the member must repeat the interview process to renew it.

For many Mormons, obtaining a recommend is the pinnacle of religious devotion. From childhood classes to teenage priesthood offices, LDS culture builds anticipation for the temple. Preparation includes six weeks of temple prep classes and then the recommend interview.

The interview itself consists of 16 standardized questions. These questions are designed to measure whether someone is “worthy” to enter the temple. But as Layne explains, they often test external performance more than internal faith.

The first few questions sound straightforward:

1. Do you have faith in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?
2. Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His role as Savior and Redeemer?

At face value, many Christians could answer “yes.” But the problem arises in the definitions. A biblical Christian would describe God as one eternal Being in three persons—the Father, Son, and Spirit. Yet Mormonism defines them as three separate gods. Similarly, Mormons often emphasize Jesus’ suffering in Gethsemane rather than His finished work on the cross.

The result? The questions aren’t just about belief in God or Christ—they’re about belief in the LDS version of God and Christ.

Other questions reveal more clearly the institutional loyalty expected:

• Do you have a testimony of the “restoration” of the gospel through Joseph Smith?
• Do you sustain the current prophet and apostles as seers and revelators?
• Do you support or promote any teachings contrary to those of the LDS...

What role does the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit) really play in a believer’s life? In this episode, Bryan and Layne explore how Mormonism, the Book of Mormon, and the Bible describe the work of the Spirit—and why those descriptions matter.

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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.

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• The LDS view of the Holy Ghost – As Layne shares from his own experience, many Mormons grow up seeing the Holy Ghost primarily as a “burning in the bosom,” a feeling that validates the truth of the LDS Church. But in practice, that “confirmation” is not enough—modern Mormonism teaches you also need prophets, temples, ordinances, and authority.
• The contrast in the Book of Mormon – Interestingly, passages like 2 Nephi 32:5 and Moroni 10:4-5 describe the Holy Ghost much more like the Bible does: as sufficient to lead believers into all truth, without extra rituals or institutions.
• The biblical picture of the Holy Spirit – The Bible consistently teaches that the Spirit is given when we believe (Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 3). He permanently indwells every believer, guiding us into truth, glorifying Jesus, and assuring us of salvation. The Spirit is a He, not an it, the third Person of the Trinity.
• How modern LDS doctrine complicates things – Later revelations in the Doctrine & Covenants change the role of the Spirit. Instead of being sufficient on His own, the Spirit is portrayed as temporary, conditional, and dependent on temple ordinances and priesthood authority. This shift points believers back to an institution rather than to Christ.
• Why the simplicity of Christ matters – Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon highlight the “plain and precious” truth: the Holy Spirit Himself is enough to guide and teach. Jesus promised that the Spirit would never leave believers (John 14:26, John 16:13). Mormonism adds layers of requirements that move away from that simplicity.

• The Holy Spirit’s role is to glorify Jesus and point us to Him—not to a prophet, a church, or an institution.
• According to both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, the Spirit is sufficient to guide believers into all truth.
• Modern Mormonism shifts the focus, teaching that prophets, temples, and ordinances are necessary for the fullness of the Spirit.
• The Bible teaches that the Spirit permanently indwells every believer at the moment of faith—no rituals, worthiness interviews, or temple covenants required.
• True freedom and assurance come when we embrace the simplicity of Christ and the sufficiency of His Spirit.

If you’re LDS, former LDS, or just curious, this conversation raises an important question: Is the Holy Ghost enough, or do we need more than the Spirit to truly connect with God? Bryan and Layne show how the answer you give will shape your entire understanding of salvation, faith, and your relationship with...

In today’s episode, Bryan and Layne explore how the Jesus of the Book of Mormon compares with the Jesus of modern Mormonism and the unchanging Jesus of 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.

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When it comes to Jesus, definitions matter. In this episode, we explore three portraits: the Jesus often taught in modern-day Mormonism (LDS), the Jesus presented in the Book of Mormon (published in 1830), and the Jesus revealed in the Bible. Understanding the differences isn’t just academic—it’s the difference between a gospel of human progress and the good news of divine rescue.

The Modern LDS View (as many were taught)

Many lifelong Latter-day Saints were taught a framework where Jesus (Jehovah) is a created spirit-son of Elohim and a Heavenly Mother, the elder brother of all humans—and even of Lucifer. In that system, God the Father Himself once progressed to Godhood, and Jesus is likewise on a path of progression. This view filters into temple endowment language about “organizing” existing matter, reinforcing the idea that God is more architect than Creator. The result? A Jesus who feels closer to us by nature, but further from us in power—a Savior on the way up, rather than the eternal Lord who stoops down to save.

The Book of Mormon’s Higher Christology

Interestingly, the earliest Book of Mormon language often sounds more like historic Christian claims about Christ’s full deity. For example, passages highlight worship directed to Jesus and language that closely parallels biblical titles for God. Whatever one concludes about its origins, the Book of Mormon’s Christological tone (especially early editions) frequently reads closer to biblical Trinitarian language than to later LDS teachings. That’s a crucial observation for anyone comparing sources within the broader Latter-day Saint tradition.

The Bible’s Timeless Witness about Jesus

Scripture presents an unchanging Christ—from eternity past to eternity future. “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1-3 NLT. Jesus isn’t created; he is the eternal Son through whom all things were made. “So the Word became human and made his home among us” John 1:14 NLT. The New Testament repeatedly ascribes to Jesus names, works, and worship belonging to God alone. He is “the exact likeness of God,” the preeminent One through whom and for whom all things were created Colossians 1:15-17 NLT. He bears the personal divine name “I AM” John 8:58 NLT and claims the titles “Alpha and Omega…the Almighty” Revelation 1:8 NLT.

This has massive implications. If Jesus is uncreated, then salvation rests not on our ascent to Godhood, but on God’s descent to rescue sinners. The torn temple veil at Jesus’ death dramatizes this shift from ritual ladders to a Person—direct access to the Father through the finished work of the Son (Matthew 27:51) NLT.

Why This Matters for You

If your background...

This episode exposes how Joseph Smith’s view of God shifted dramatically between the Book of Mormon and his later teachings—raising big questions about the nature of God and the foundations of Mormon theology.

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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.

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In this episode, we take a deep dive into how Joseph Smith’s view of God evolved from the publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830 to his famous King Follett Discourse in 1844—just months before his death. Layne and Bryan explore the stark contrast between the eternal, unchanging God of the Book of Mormon and the progressive, exalted man described in later Mormon scriptures.

Whether you’re LDS, a former Mormon, or simply curious about church history, this episode will challenge assumptions and invite you to ask critical questions about the nature of God, the reliability of scripture, and what it all means for faith today.

• Joseph Smith’s Changing Theology
• How his earliest writings portray God as eternal and unchanging—while later teachings suggest God was once a man who progressed to godhood.
• The Book of Mormon vs. Later Mormon Scriptures
• Why the God described in the Book of Mormon looks much more like the God of the Bible than the God of the Doctrine and Covenants or Pearl of Great Price.
• The King Follett Discourse
• What Joseph Smith taught about God just three months before his death—and why it marked a major theological shift.
• Contradictions and Questions
• How LDS leaders respond when members raise concerns about conflicting teachings across Mormon scripture.
• A Call to “Test Everything”
• Why the Bible encourages believers to examine claims critically instead of blindly following authority.

Your view of God shapes everything—your faith, your worship, and ultimately, your eternal hope. If the God of the Book of Mormon and the Bible is eternal, unchanging, and unique, what does that mean for the progressive, exalted man described in later LDS teachings?

This episode invites you to wrestle honestly with these questions and discover why your view of God matters more than you might think.

In today’s episode, we compare what the Book of Mormon says about salvation with what the Bible teaches, exposing the extra layers Mormonism has added and pointing back to the simplicity of the gospel in Christ.

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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.

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In this episode, Bryan and Layne continue their deep dive into the Book of Mormon and what it teaches about salvation—specifically looking at 3 Nephi 11. Jesus’ words in this passage lay out four simple principles: faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost. Layne shares how, as a former Mormon missionary, this message was taught plainly at first but later complicated by the added layers of temple rituals, exaltation, and ongoing revelations in Mormonism.

Together, they unpack key questions:

• Why does Jesus in the Book of Mormon keep the doctrine of salvation simple, yet Mormonism adds dozens of extra requirements?
• How does the LDS plan of salvation differ from what the Bible clearly teaches about salvation by grace through faith?
• Why does the Book of Mormon present Jesus as the unchanging God, yet later Mormon doctrine redefines His nature?

This conversation challenges listeners—especially those with an LDS background—to examine whether they are truly following Jesus or simply following the changing words of modern prophets. In the end, Bryan and Layne point back to the Bible’s consistent and clear message: salvation is found in Christ alone, not in works, rituals, or added revelation.

Layne, a former Mormon of 40 years, has a deep love for the LDS community and a heart to help them see how the Book of Mormon points to the biblical Jesus.

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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.

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In this episode, Bryan sits down with Layne to explore his unique approach to sharing Jesus with Latter-day Saints—by starting with the Book of Mormon itself. Layne, a former Mormon of 40 years, has a deep love for the LDS community and a heart to help them see how the Book of Mormon points to the biblical Jesus.

The conversation centers on 3 Nephi 11, where Jesus of the Book of Mormon lays out His doctrine: faith in Him, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit—warning not to add or take away from these essentials. Layne shares how these simple principles in the Book of Mormon contrast sharply with the later, expanded LDS requirements found in other scriptures and modern church teachings.

Along the way, Layne reflects on:

• Why the Book of Mormon sounds more like historic Christianity than modern Mormonism.
• How LDS members are often conditioned to trust the prophet over their own study of scripture.
• Why progressive revelation has allowed doctrines to shift far from the original text.
• His own journey from “all-in Mormon” to “all-in for Jesus.”

This is just the beginning of a multi-part series where Bryan and Layne will examine what the Book of Mormon says about the nature of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and salvation—and compare it with both the Bible and current LDS teaching.

Key Topics in This Episode:

• Layne’s story and heart for the Mormon people.
• Understanding the “testimony wall” and how to lower it.
• Context of 3 Nephi 11 in LDS scripture.
• Jesus’ four unchanging principles—and His warning about adding more.
• The gap between the Book of Mormon and later LDS doctrines.

Quote to Think About:

“You don’t need a system—you need a Savior. Jesus already finished it fully and completely.”