-
One of Scripture’s most striking themes is the progressive expansion of who belongs to God’s kingdom and serves as His priests. This unfolding vision highlights God’s amazing grace in inviting more and more people into His worship and service. It also shows the Biblical pattern of progressive revelation culminating in the cross of Christ and…
-
Gavin Ortlund is one of my favorite Christian content creators. He is incredibly erudite and well-read in church history and theology. But even more importantly, I love the way he carries himself with an irenic spirit of humility and mutual respect. Gavin recently released a phenomenal video on the history of infant baptism (paedobaptism) in…
-
One of the most striking promises in Scripture is found in 1 Corinthians 15:51–52: “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” When Christ returns, those who have died in Him will be…
-
“Members partake with their right hand when possible.”—General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 18.9.3 Imagine this: An apostle of God visits your church meeting. He tells you that God has impressed something specific on his heart—something he feels prompted to say, just for you. You lean in, expecting a…
-
(Image created with OpenAI’s ChatGPT) My kids have been playing K-Pop Demon Hunters on repeat this week, and as I have watched and rewatched it, I have been struck by the films surprising spiritual depth. While the film is not a Christian film, its themes still resonate with Biblical truths especially regarding the nature of…
-
One of the passages I frequently cited when teaching about the Great Apostasy as an LDS missionary was Acts 20:28–31: “Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after…
-
Just today, someone posted a clip of President Dallin H. Oaks speaking in what appears to be a recent sacrament meeting. In the clip, Oaks bears his testimony: “We know that we are children of heavenly parents. So we know that we have a Heavenly Mother—or mothers.” Unsurprisingly, the line is getting attention—especially for its…
-
A Tale of Two Testimonies: From “I Know the Church Is True” to “Jesus Saved Me” How LDS and Evangelical Christians Use the Word “Testimony” Very Differently This evening we went to a baptismal service at a local church. Before each person was baptized, they were asked to share their “testimony.” Each one, without exception,…
-
I’ve recently had a few conversations with Latter-day Saint friends and defenders where I’ve heard some variation of the following criticisms: Both of these arguments sound compelling on the surface, and indeed I once embraced them and found great meaning in the LDS narrative of a restoration. But they both stem from the same foundational…
-
Coal in the Stocking: A Harmless Bluff? Every December, parents everywhere tell their kids that if they misbehave, Santa will leave coal in their stockings instead of presents. It’s an empty threat, of course. The coal never comes. Eventually, the kids realize it was just a bluff—a tool to encourage good behavior during the holidays.…