For Latter-day Saints: Is the Restored Gospel the Biblical Gospel?

Truth has nothing to fear from honest examination.

Thank you for taking the time to read this page.

You may have been raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You may have served a mission, received a temple recommend, participated in baptisms for the dead, made temple covenants, or been sealed to your family.

Your beliefs may be deeply connected with people you love, cherished memories, and your hope of being together as a family forever.

Examining those beliefs may therefore feel frightening or disloyal.

But truth does not ask us to stop loving our families. Truth asks us to love God enough to place His Word above every organization, tradition, teacher, prophet, and personal experience.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV

The central question is not:

“Are Latter-day Saints sincere?”

Many certainly are.

The question is:

Does the restored gospel proclaimed by Joseph Smith agree with the gospel Jesus Christ and His apostles revealed in the Bible?

Your eternal destiny is too important to leave that question unexamined.

Important Areas of Agreement

We should begin fairly by recognizing meaningful areas of agreement.

Latter-day Saints commonly affirm that:

• God is our Heavenly Father.
• Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior of the world.
• Jesus was born of the virgin Mary.
• Jesus lived without sin.
• Jesus performed miracles.
• Jesus suffered and died for humanity.
• Jesus rose from the dead.
• Salvation is possible only because of Christ’s atoning work.
• People must exercise faith, repent, obey God, and follow Jesus.
• The Holy Ghost testifies of truth.
• The Bible is the Word of God.
• Marriage, family, moral conduct, prayer, and service matter.
• Jesus Christ will return.

These points are significant.

However, two religious systems may use many of the same words while assigning those words very different meanings.

Both may speak of:

• God
• Jesus
• Grace
• Salvation
• The gospel
• Scripture
• Prophets
• Eternal life

But we must ask what each system means by those words.

Paul warned that people could proclaim:

“…another Jesus, whom we have not preached… or another gospel, which ye have not accepted…”
— 2 Corinthians 11:4, KJV

Therefore, agreement in vocabulary is not enough. We must compare the actual teachings.

What Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Officially Teach?

Official Latter-day Saint resources teach that:

• God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings united in purpose.
• Human beings lived before birth as spirit children of Heavenly Father.
• Jesus was the Firstborn spirit Son of God in the premortal existence.
• Lucifer was another spirit son who rebelled.
• Jesus organized the world from matter or elements that already existed.
• Human beings may progress toward becoming like Heavenly Father.
• Christ’s Church and priesthood authority were lost through a great apostasy.
• God restored the true Church and priesthood through Joseph Smith.
• The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price are additional scriptures.
• Saving and exalting ordinances require proper priesthood authority.
• Temple endowment and eternal marriage are necessary for the highest degree of exaltation.
• Ordinances may be performed on behalf of deceased people.
• Living prophets provide continuing revelation for the Church.

You may examine the Church’s own explanations here:

• Godhead
• Premortality
• Covenants and Ordinances
• Salvation
• Book of Mormon Translation
• First Vision Accounts

These teachings raise several questions that must be answered from Scripture.

Was the True Gospel Lost From the Earth?

Joseph Smith’s claim to have restored Christianity depends upon the belief that Christ’s original Church fell into a widespread apostasy and lost essential truth and priesthood authority.

Christians certainly can become corrupt. Churches can depart from Scripture. False teachers appeared even during the days of the apostles.

But did Jesus’ entire Church disappear from the earth, requiring a nineteenth-century restoration?

Jesus said:

“Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
— Matthew 16:18, KJV

If Christ’s Church completely vanished and all priesthood authority was lost, would that not mean that the gates of hell prevailed against it for many centuries?

Jesus also promised His disciples:

“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
— Matthew 28:20, KJV

Paul said that God would receive glory in the Church throughout every age:

“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
— Ephesians 3:21, KJV

The New Testament predicts apostasy, deception, and false teachers. But it never predicts that the gospel would completely disappear, the Church would cease to exist, and God would leave the world without a true witness until Joseph Smith.

Instead, Scripture says:

“The word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”
— 1 Peter 1:25, KJV

Did Jesus Need Joseph Smith to Restore His Authority?

Jesus declared after His resurrection:

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
— Matthew 28:18, KJV

Christ never lost His authority.

He remains the Head of His Church:

“And he is the head of the body, the church…”
— Colossians 1:18, KJV

He remains the eternal High Priest:

“But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.”
— Hebrews 7:24, KJV

The word translated “unchangeable” carries the sense of a priesthood that does not pass from one person to another.

Jesus Christ possesses the permanent and sufficient priesthood.

Every believer may come to God through Him:

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
— Hebrews 7:25, KJV

No nineteenth-century prophet was needed to restore authority that Jesus never lost.

Was Joseph Smith a True Prophet?

Latter-day Saint belief depends heavily upon Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling.

If he was truly appointed by God, his revelations deserve serious attention.

If he was not, then teachings based upon his authority cannot safely guide anyone’s eternal destiny.

The Bible commands us to test those who claim to speak for God.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
— 1 John 4:1, KJV

God told Israel:

“When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken…”
— Deuteronomy 18:22, KJV

A claimed prophet must also agree with revelation God has already given.

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
— Isaiah 8:20, KJV

A spiritual experience, vision, burning feeling, or apparent miracle cannot establish a messenger as true if his doctrine contradicts Scripture.

Paul warned that even a supernatural messenger must not be accepted if he brings another gospel:

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
— Galatians 1:8, KJV

Notice that Paul specifically includes an angel from Heaven.

The appearance of an angel does not automatically prove that a message came from God.

The message must agree with the gospel already revealed.

Was the Gospel Still Open to Change?

Paul did not say that the gospel could later be expanded into a restored system of priesthood offices, temple ordinances, eternal marriage, baptism for the dead, and exaltation through additional covenants.

He said:

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
— Galatians 1:8, KJV

He repeated it immediately:

“If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
— Galatians 1:9, KJV

The biblical gospel had already been delivered.

Jude wrote:

“Ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
— Jude 3, KJV

It was delivered once—not lost and then substantially reconstructed eighteen centuries later.

Is the Bible Insufficient Without Additional Scripture?

Latter-day Saints accept the Bible “as far as it is translated correctly” and also recognize the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as scripture.

The Bible does not teach that its message would become so corrupted that a new American prophet would be required to restore essential truth.

Jesus said:

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
— Matthew 24:35, KJV

God said through Isaiah:

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
— Isaiah 40:8, KJV

Paul wrote:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16–17, KJV

Inspired Scripture equips the believer completely.

It does not leave the man of God spiritually incomplete until later books arrive.

How Should the Book of Mormon Be Tested?

Latter-day Saints are commonly encouraged to read the Book of Mormon, pray about it, and seek an inward spiritual confirmation that it is true.

Prayer is important. The Holy Spirit truly guides believers into truth.

But Scripture does not teach that a strong inward feeling is the final test of doctrine.

Our hearts can mislead us:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
— Jeremiah 17:9, KJV

False spiritual influences can also produce powerful experiences.

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14, KJV

Therefore, subjective impressions must be tested by the written Word of God.

The Bereans were called noble because:

“They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
— Acts 17:11, KJV

They did not accept even an apostle’s message merely because it felt peaceful or spiritually powerful.

They searched the Scriptures.

Is God One Eternal God—or One Among Multiple Gods?

The Bible teaches unmistakably that there is only one true God.

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”
— Deuteronomy 6:4, KJV

“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me…”
— Isaiah 45:5, KJV

God said:

“Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”
— Isaiah 43:10, KJV

This statement rules out an eternal progression of separate gods before or after the God revealed in Scripture.

God also said:

“Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.”
— Isaiah 44:8, KJV

If other exalted gods existed, the all-knowing God could not truthfully say that He knows of none.

The God of the Bible is not one God within a larger population of divine beings.

He alone is God.

Was God Once a Man Who Progressed to Godhood?

Historic Latter-day Saint teaching has included the idea that Heavenly Father possesses an exalted body and that human beings may eventually become as He is.

The Bible does teach that God’s children will be glorified, transformed into Christ’s likeness, reign with Him, and share His inheritance.

But becoming like Christ in holiness and glory does not mean becoming independent gods of the same order as the Creator.

God declares:

“For I am the LORD, I change not…”
— Malachi 3:6, KJV

Moses prayed:

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
— Psalm 90:2, KJV

God did not progress from mortality into deity.

He has eternally been God.

He says:

“I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”
— Isaiah 44:6, KJV

Will Faithful Human Beings Become Gods?

Believers receive extraordinary promises.

We will be made like Christ:

“We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
— 1 John 3:2, KJV

We will share His glory:

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…”
— Romans 8:17, KJV

We will partake of the divine nature:

“That by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…”
— 2 Peter 1:4, KJV

But the surrounding passage explains this in terms of escaping corruption and growing in virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, kindness, and love.

Believers participate in God’s life and holiness by grace. They never become additional self-existent creators worthy of worship.

There remains one God eternally.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Timothy 2:5, KJV

Are Jesus and Lucifer Spirit Brothers?

Official Latter-day Saint teaching describes all human beings as spirit children of Heavenly Father. It describes Jesus as the Firstborn Son in the premortal life and Lucifer as another spirit son who rebelled.

In that framework, Jesus, Lucifer, and humanity all belong to a broad family of premortal spirit children, though Jesus is regarded as unique and divine.

The Bible places Jesus in an entirely different category.

Jesus is not one spirit child among many.

He is the Creator of everything that exists:

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
— John 1:3, KJV

Paul says of Jesus:

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible…”
— Colossians 1:16, KJV

This includes:

“…thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”
— Colossians 1:16, KJV

Satan is a fallen created being.

Jesus is the uncreated Lord through whom all angelic beings were made.

They are not brothers in nature or origin.

Did Jesus Merely Organize Matter That Already Existed?

Latter-day Saint teaching commonly describes creation as the organization of preexisting elements.

The Bible presents God as the ultimate source of all created existence.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
— Genesis 1:1, KJV

Of Christ, Scripture says:

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
— John 1:3, KJV

And:

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever.”
— Romans 11:36, KJV

God is not a craftsman working with eternally independent materials that exist alongside Him.

Everything owes its existence to Him.

Are the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Three Separate Gods?

Latter-day Saints speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as three distinct beings united perfectly in purpose.

The Bible distinguishes the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, yet repeatedly insists that there is only one God.

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”
— Deuteronomy 6:4, KJV

The Father is called God.

The Son is called God:

“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever…”
— Hebrews 1:8, KJV

The Holy Ghost is called God:

“Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost… thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”
— Acts 5:3–4, KJV

Yet Scripture never concludes that there are three Gods.

The one eternal God has revealed Himself as Father, through His eternal Word who became flesh, and by the Holy Ghost.

We should not solve the mystery by contradicting God’s repeated declaration that He alone is God.

Is Jesus Christ Fully and Eternally God?

Yes.

John wrote:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
— John 1:1, KJV

The Word became flesh:

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”
— John 1:14, KJV

Thomas addressed the risen Jesus:

“My Lord and my God.”
— John 20:28, KJV

Jesus existed before creation and shared divine glory:

“Glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
— John 17:5, KJV

He is not a being who progressed into divinity.

He is eternally divine.

Is Salvation by Grace After “All We Can Do”?

The Book of Mormon states:

“…for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”

— 2 Nephi 25:23

Latter-day Saints explain grace in different ways, and official Church teaching strongly affirms that resurrection and forgiveness are possible through Jesus Christ.

Nevertheless, the system also requires faith, repentance, baptism by proper authority, confirmation, enduring faithfully, and—for the highest exaltation—temple covenants and eternal marriage.

The Bible presents salvation not as a reward added after we have done everything possible, but as God’s gift to those who cannot save themselves.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV

Paul makes the contrast unmistakable:

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.”
— Romans 11:6, KJV

Grace is not God completing the portion of salvation that remains after our greatest effort.

Grace saves sinners who have no righteousness sufficient to offer God.

Does Grace Mean Obedience Is Unnecessary?

No.

The Bible does not teach that someone may claim faith while refusing to follow Christ.

True saving faith produces repentance, obedience, holiness, and good works.

“Faith without works is dead.”
— James 2:26, KJV

But Scripture preserves the proper order.

Paul first says:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works…”
— Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV

Then he says:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”
— Ephesians 2:10, KJV

We are not saved by good works.

We are saved unto good works.

Good works are the fruit of new life, not the payment that purchases it.

Is Justification a Process of Becoming Worthy?

The gospel does not instruct sinners to become worthy enough for Christ.

It tells the ungodly to trust the One who justifies them.

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
— Romans 4:5, KJV

Abraham:

“Believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
— Romans 4:3, KJV

Paul desired to be found in Christ:

“Not having mine own righteousness… but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”
— Philippians 3:9, KJV

A sinner’s acceptance before God rests upon Christ’s righteousness—not personal worthiness, temple worthiness, covenant performance, or religious achievement.

Are Temple Ordinances Necessary for Exaltation?

Official Latter-day Saint teaching identifies temple endowment and eternal marriage among the ordinances required for exaltation.

But Jesus never told Nicodemus:

“Except a man receive a temple endowment and be sealed by priesthood authority, he cannot enter the highest kingdom.”

He said:

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3, KJV

Jesus told the repentant thief beside Him:

“To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
— Luke 23:43, KJV

The thief had no opportunity to:

• Be baptized by restored priesthood authority
• Receive confirmation
• Receive a temple endowment
• Be sealed in a temple
• Perform ordinances for the dead
• Endure in Church membership

He came to Christ in repentant faith, and Jesus promised him paradise.

Christ was sufficient.

Do We Need Temple Garments, Signs, Tokens, or Sacred Passwords to Enter God’s Presence?

The New Testament teaches that believers enter God’s presence through the blood of Jesus Christ.

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.”
— Hebrews 10:19, KJV

Jesus opened the way:

“By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us…”
— Hebrews 10:20, KJV

Our access to God does not depend upon secret knowledge, temple signs, ritual clothing, or ordinances unavailable to most Christians throughout history.

Jesus said:

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…”
— John 10:9, KJV

Jesus Himself is the door.

Is Eternal Marriage Required for the Highest Salvation?

Marriage is a precious gift from God. Christian husbands and wives should love one another faithfully, and families are deeply important.

But Jesus did not teach that marriage is required to reach the highest level of eternal life.

When asked about marriage after the resurrection, He said:

“For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.”
— Matthew 22:30, KJV

Paul was unmarried and commended singleness as a gift that can allow greater devotion to God.

Jesus Himself never married.

If celestial marriage were required for the highest exaltation, unmarried believers—including faithful apostles and servants of Christ—would be excluded from God’s fullest inheritance.

But Scripture says every true believer is complete in Christ:

“And ye are complete in him…”
— Colossians 2:10, KJV

Does the Bible Teach Three Degrees of Glory?

Latter-day Saint teaching describes celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms of glory.

First Corinthians 15 does mention celestial and terrestrial bodies while explaining differences in glory.

But the passage concerns kinds of bodies and the resurrection—not three eternal kingdoms into which nearly all humanity will be assigned.

Jesus repeatedly described two final outcomes:

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
— Matthew 25:46, KJV

He spoke of:

• The narrow way and the broad way
• Life and destruction
• Wheat and tares
• Sheep and goats
• Resurrection unto life and resurrection unto damnation

Scripture does describe differing rewards among believers and differing degrees of judgment. But it does not teach the Latter-day Saint system of three kingdoms in which nearly everyone receives a measure of glory.

Does Baptism for the Dead Save Those Who Died Without the Ordinance?

Latter-day Saints perform proxy baptisms for deceased people, believing that the dead may accept those ordinances in the spirit world.

First Corinthians 15:29 mentions people who were being baptized for the dead:

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?”
— 1 Corinthians 15:29, KJV

Paul refers to “they,” not “we,” and does not command or endorse the practice.

His point is that even the actions of those people were inconsistent if no resurrection existed.

A passing reference to what others were doing cannot establish an essential ordinance—especially when no apostle instructs any church to perform it.

Scripture teaches that each person must respond to God in this life:

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
— Hebrews 9:27, KJV

No living person can exercise saving faith or repentance on behalf of someone who has died.

Can One Person Receive an Ordinance for Another Person’s Salvation?

Scripture emphasizes personal accountability.

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
— Romans 14:12, KJV

Faith cannot be transferred by proxy.

Repentance cannot be transferred by proxy.

New birth cannot be transferred by proxy.

Jesus said:

“He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life…”
— John 5:24, KJV

The person who hears and believes receives life.

Are Families Forever Because of a Temple Ceremony?

The desire to remain with loved ones is deeply understandable.

But our eternal hope cannot rest upon a ceremony performed in a temple.

It must rest upon Jesus Christ.

Every person who belongs to Christ becomes part of God’s eternal family:

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
— Galatians 3:26, KJV

Notice how we become children of God:

By faith in Christ Jesus.

Not everyone is already God’s spiritual child in the same saving sense.

Jesus told certain religious leaders:

“If God were your Father, ye would love me…”
— John 8:42, KJV

Spiritual adoption occurs through Christ:

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
— John 1:12, KJV

The greatest way to love your family is not merely to undergo a sealing ceremony.

It is to know Jesus Christ truly, proclaim His biblical gospel faithfully, and encourage each family member to receive Him personally.

Is a Living Prophet Necessary to Interpret God’s Word?

God gave prophets throughout biblical history. The New Testament also recognizes prophetic gifts.

But no modern prophet has authority to contradict or substantially redefine the gospel already delivered through Christ and His apostles.

Jesus is God’s supreme and final revelation:

“God… hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…”
— Hebrews 1:1–2, KJV

Christ appointed His apostles as foundational witnesses:

“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”
— Ephesians 2:20, KJV

A foundation is laid once. It is not repeatedly replaced by new foundations.

Every teacher, president, apostle, prophet, pastor, and religious organization must remain subject to Scripture.

Should a Prophet’s Teaching Ever Be Accepted Without Examination?

No.

Paul told believers:

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV

The Bereans examined Paul’s message by Scripture.

John commanded Christians to test the spirits.

Jesus warned of false prophets.

Therefore, questioning a prophet’s doctrine is not rebellion against God.

It is obedience to God when the examination is conducted humbly and according to Scripture.

Is the Biblical Gospel Simple Enough to Receive Now?

Yes.

When the Philippian jailer asked:

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
— Acts 16:30, KJV

Paul and Silas answered:

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
— Acts 16:31, KJV

They did not provide a list of restored ordinances leading eventually to exaltation.

When Peter preached to Cornelius, everyone who believed received forgiveness:

“Through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
— Acts 10:43, KJV

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Ghost fell upon them.

They received the Spirit before water baptism and without confirmation through a restored Melchizedek Priesthood holder.

God demonstrated that they had received His saving grace through faith in Christ.

Can You Know You Have Eternal Life?

A system centered upon continued worthiness, ordinances, covenants, temple eligibility, and enduring faithfully can leave a person wondering whether enough has been done.

Scripture gives assurance based upon Christ:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…”
— 1 John 5:13, KJV

Jesus said:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
— John 6:47, KJV

He did not say:

“The worthy temple member may eventually qualify for eternal life.”

He said the believer hath everlasting life.

Our assurance is not confidence that we have performed enough.

It is confidence that Jesus has accomplished enough.

Jesus Finished the Work of Redemption

On the cross, Jesus declared:

“It is finished.”
— John 19:30, KJV

He did not merely make salvation possible for those who would later complete a complex system of authorized ordinances.

He obtained eternal redemption:

“By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
— Hebrews 9:12, KJV

His sacrifice is complete:

“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
— Hebrews 10:14, KJV

Nothing Joseph Smith, a priesthood holder, a temple ceremony, or our personal merit can add to Christ’s finished payment.

What Must You Do?

1. Ask Which Authority You Ultimately Trust

If a teaching from Joseph Smith or a later prophet conflicts with the plain teaching of Scripture, which authority will you follow?

Jesus said:

“The scripture cannot be broken.”
— John 10:35, KJV

2. Recognize That Religious Sincerity Cannot Save You

Missionary service, Church attendance, tithing, moral living, temple work, family devotion, and sincere effort cannot remove your guilt.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23, KJV

3. Stop Trusting in Personal Worthiness

No one is worthy enough to earn acceptance before God.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”
— Titus 3:5, KJV

4. Repent

Turn from sin, self-righteousness, false doctrine, and every spiritual authority that contradicts God’s Word.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”
— Acts 3:19, KJV

5. Believe the Biblical Gospel

“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3–4, KJV

6. Receive Jesus Christ Himself

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
— John 1:12, KJV

7. Place Your Entire Trust in His Finished Work

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV

Jesus Christ is enough.

A Prayer From an Honest Heart

Repeating a prayer cannot save you. Jesus Christ saves. But you may express sincere repentance and faith in words such as these:

God, I want to know You as You truly are. I confess that I am a sinner and cannot earn eternal life through worthiness, ordinances, covenants, temple service, or religious works. I believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Lord and Creator who died completely for my sins and rose bodily from the dead. I turn from my sins and from every belief that contradicts Your Word. I place my complete trust in Jesus Christ alone as my Lord and Savior. Forgive me, give me a new heart, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and teach me to follow You faithfully according to the Holy Bible. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The power is not in repeating these exact words.

The question is whether you have genuinely turned to the biblical Jesus Christ in repentance and faith.

What If Examining These Teachings Threatens Your Family Relationships?

This may be the most difficult part.

You may fear disappointing:

• Your spouse
• Your parents
• Your children
• Your bishop
• Your missionary companions
• Your closest friends
• Generations of faithful Latter-day Saint relatives

Following Jesus does not require you to become hostile, disrespectful, or cruel toward anyone.

Continue loving your family.

Speak gently.

Do not mock beliefs they consider sacred.

Show patience and humility.

But no relationship can safely be placed above Jesus Christ and His truth.

“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me…”
— Matthew 10:37, KJV

Your family needs more than your participation in a religious system.

They need the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Continue Examining the Scriptures

Do not base your eternal destiny merely upon this page.

Read the Bible prayerfully without first assuming that Joseph Smith and later Church leaders must be correct.

Begin with:

• Isaiah 43–46
• The Gospel of John
• Romans 3–5
• Galatians 1–3
• Ephesians 1–2
• Philippians 3
• Colossians 1–2
• Hebrews 1 and 7–10
• 1 John
• Jude

As you read, ask:

Does the Bible teach that God was once a man who progressed into godhood?

Does God say that other gods existed before Him or will exist after Him?

Does Scripture call Jesus a premortal spirit child—or the Creator of all things?

Did Jesus promise that His Church would disappear from the earth?

Does the New Testament require temple endowment and eternal marriage for the highest salvation?

Did the apostles teach baptism for the dead as a required ordinance?

Is salvation a gift received through faith—or a reward dependent upon worthiness and required ordinances?

Would Paul permit an angel to introduce a substantially different gospel?

Our Purpose

Our purpose is not to insult Latter-day Saints or pretend that everyone outside their Church automatically understands the true gospel.

Many people in traditional Christian churches also trust in church membership, baptism, good works, family heritage, religious experiences, or a prayer repeated without genuine repentance and faith.

Every person must examine the foundation.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
— 2 Corinthians 13:5, KJV

Our purpose is to help every person make sure they are going to Heaven by comparing every belief with the Holy Bible.

Jesus Christ did not lose His Church or His authority.

His gospel did not disappear from the earth.

He did not need a nineteenth-century prophet to complete His saving work.

He is not the spirit brother of Satan.

He is the eternal Word and Creator of all things.

There is no succession of gods before or after the one true God.

Human beings do not become additional gods equal in kind to their Creator.

Temple ordinances cannot add to Christ’s finished sacrifice.

Personal worthiness cannot replace Christ’s righteousness.

A religious organization cannot mediate between you and God.

Jesus Christ is the one Mediator.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Timothy 2:5, KJV

He is able to save completely:

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him…”
— Hebrews 7:25, KJV

Eternal life is found in Him:

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
— 1 John 5:11–12, KJV

Do not merely belong to a church bearing the name of Jesus Christ. Come personally to the biblical Jesus Christ, trust His finished work completely, and follow Him according to His Word.