In my recent video, I share my insights and reflections on the April 2025 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. General Conference is a significant event held twice a year, where church leaders deliver messages that are not only meant to be inspirational, but also brim with theological implications. Join me as I delve into the themes and theology presented during this conference, including the emphasis on an inner testimony, the role of authority in the church, and the intriguing discussions surrounding the church’s soteriology (teachings on salvation).
The video and this blog post aim to provide a deeper understanding of the conference’s impact on members and the Christian community at large.
Whether you are a member of the LDS Church or simply interested in Christian teachings, this video offers valuable insights into the “modern-day revelations” and guidance provided by LDS church leaders.
This whole study came about when we had a few LDS missionaries show up to my doorstep and it just got me reinterested in studying their worldview. I had already read their standard works, the Book of Mormon, etc. (their basic scriptures). So I thought, you know, what would be a really interesting way to stay most up to date with the kinds of things that are being told from their church would be to watch the most recent general conference. So the whole video is basically just
me commenting on the general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The conference is about 10 hours long in total and I watched the whole thing. And I’ve got some stuff to say.
WHAT IS GENERAL CONFERENCE?
“General conference is the worldwide gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Twice a year, during the first weekend of April and the first weekend of October, Church leaders from around the world share messages, or sermons, focused on Jesus Christ and His gospel.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/feature/general-conference?lang=eng)
THE FLAVOR OF THE CONFERENCE:
These are some of my initial reactions and things that stood out. I’ve actually been in the building that this was hosted in. It’s just this huge auditorium. There’s this huge organ in the background. It’s quite the production.
One of the very first things they do is they do is this voting ritual. They’re basically voting to sustain members of the church, like high ranking members, the apostles and whatnot, and announcing new ones. It’s staged like it’s voting, but it’s very clearly just a performance—that was a little odd.
The other thing they mentioned at the beginning was the budget—they said something briefly about how they’ve brought in a lot of money and they thank the donors, but give no specifics on how much money was given or how the money was used. If you look it up, their budget is not public. A lot of Christian churches make their spending fully public. My best friends go to a church and that is all 100% public even down to each individual’s salary. But all the LDS church provides are what they call “general financial principles”.
The recurring themes of the conference talks are very spiritualized/charismatic, a big focus on feelings, encouraging reflection on that that inner voice. There was also a heavy focus on how the LDS Church is the way to happiness; it seemed more self-centered.
The last curious note on the flavor of the conference is how one speaker spends quite a few minutes cautioning against using A.I. There’s obviously some unspoken motivation to that part of his speech, but I don’t know what it could be. Could be against using A.I. to generate images of Christ or of Joseph Smith. But it really gave me this feeling that someone’s using A.I. specifically related to the LDS church in a way that that is not savory to them. The LDS Church has been kind of specific in wanting to be the official channel of putting out Biblical imagery. So maybe it could just be that, but it was interesting and stood out.
WHAT AUTHORITY DOES THE CONFERENCE HAVE FOR THE LDS CHURCH’S MEMBERS?
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/article/general-conference-gods-word-for-today
“…it’s more than just an inspirational broadcast. General conference is a chance to hear from modern-day prophets about God’s message for us today. Their talks are like scriptures for our own time.”
Teachings of the Living Prophets Student Manual, quoting from Bruce R. McConkie (LDS apostle)
“The word of the Lord, as spoken by other servants at the general conferences and stake conferences, or wherever they may be when they speak that which the Lord has put into their mouths, is just as much the word of the Lord as the writings and the words of other prophets in other dispensations”
SOTERIOLOGY ISSUES & MISQUOTING SCRIPTURE:
(Link to the recordings of the entire conference: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLClOO0BdaFaNGcCKLoeHcb4pdBi8485nN&si=Ur7XNE6SS9DMd7H-)
At about 46 minutes into the first session of the conference, the speaker “quotes” Mattew 22:1-14, but gets the quote exactly wrong—apparently on purpose. Here’s the quote with the full original passage/parable for context:
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
General Conference Version (Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President): “Many are called, but few choose to be chosen.”
Well if that doesn’t just invert the meaning of the text entirely on its head. Imagine telling someone you chose them (for a job, sports team, marriage, whatever) and they said “well actually I chose to be chosen.” What a slap in the face to the chooser! The chosen one is, in effect, saying, “No you didn’t choose me, I chose you.”
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One of the major themes of the conference is a focus on making and keeping covenants and ordinances. A sample of this is in the following quotes which are from the talks that were most directly teaching on soteriology (how to be saved/receive salvation) at length:
Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“For me the foyer was a perfect preparation for the temple ordinance rooms that allow us to receive ordinances of exaltation, make sacred covenants, and to fully accept and experience the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement.”
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John A. McCune, General Authority Seventy
“There is a measure of the love and joy of Father & Christ reserved for those who have made and kept Covenants.”
“Our ability to sense a full measure of God’s love, or to continue in His love is contingent upon our righteous desires and actions.”
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Ricardo P. Gimenez, General Authority Seventy
“Many voices will try to influence you and, if possible, lead you to believe that some fundamental truths of the restored gospel are unnecessary—starting with the essential truth of the need for a Restoration in these last days, including the necessity of having God’s kingdom on Earth represented by the Restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You may hear voices insistent that only a personal relationship or understanding of the Savior is sufficient and that religion or the Restored Church is unnecessary or non-essential. I invite you to be slow to consider, or even be immune to being influenced by these misleading ideas, and to be quicker to remember what the Savior has been telling and teaching us since ancient times, beginning with the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for us and in connecting our love for Them as the reason to follow Them. God the Father and His Son came and spoke with Joseph Smith to restore Jesus Christ’s Church and to initiate the dispensation of the fulness of times, His kingdom on Earth. Therefore, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the means established by Heavenly Father to access covenants that enable us to return home. Thus, we need more than just a personal relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son. We require essential priesthood ordinances through which we make covenants with them. These provide a covenantal connection with Them and grant us access to their covenantal love, making it possible to attain the highest kingdom of glory, prepared for all those who are true and faithful to their covenants.”
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Now compare those quotes with Paul’s letter to the Romans, also considered Scripture by the LDS Church (copied from the LDS website, their preferred version is KJV):
| Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles “For me the foyer was a perfect preparation for the temple ordinance rooms that allow us to receive ordinances of exaltation, make sacred covenants, and to fully accept and experience the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement.” — John A. McCune, General Authority Seventy “There is a measure of the love and joy of Father & Christ reserved for those who have made and kept Covenants.” “Our ability to sense a full measure of God’s love, or to continue in His love is contingent upon our righteous desires and actions.” — Ricardo P. Gimenez, General Authority Seventy “Many voices will try to influence you and, if possible, lead you to believe that some fundamental truths of the restored gospel are unnecessary—starting with the essential truth of the need for a Restoration in these last days, including the necessity of having God’s kingdom on Earth represented by the Restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You may hear voices insistent that only a personal relationship or understanding of the Savior is sufficient and that religion or the Restored Church is unnecessary or non-essential. I invite you to be slow to consider, or even be immune to being influenced by these misleading ideas, and to be quicker to remember what the Savior has been telling and teaching us since ancient times, beginning with the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for us and in connecting our love for Them as the reason to follow Them. God the Father and His Son came and spoke with Joseph Smith to restore Jesus Christ’s Church and to initiate the dispensation of the fulness of times, His kingdom on Earth. Therefore, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the means established by Heavenly Father to access covenants that enable us to return home. Thus, we need more than just a personal relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son. We require essential priesthood ordinances through which we make covenants with them. These provide a covenantal connection with Them and grant us access to their covenantal love, making it possible to attain the highest kingdom of glory, prepared for all those who are true and faithful to their covenants.” | Romans 5:1-11 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,by whom we have now received the atonement. — Romans 3:19-24 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: — Romans 11:5-6 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. |
And again compare those same quotes with the letter to the Hebrews from the Christian New Testament (again copied from the LDS website):
| Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles “For me the foyer was a perfect preparation for the temple ordinance rooms that allow us to receive ordinances of exaltation, make sacred covenants, and to fully accept and experience the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement.” — John A. McCune, General Authority Seventy “There is a measure of the love and joy of Father & Christ reserved for those who have made and kept Covenants.” “Our ability to sense a full measure of God’s love, or to continue in His love is contingent upon our righteous desires and actions.” — Ricardo P. Gimenez, General Authority Seventy “Many voices will try to influence you and, if possible, lead you to believe that some fundamental truths of the restored gospel are unnecessary—starting with the essential truth of the need for a Restoration in these last days, including the necessity of having God’s kingdom on Earth represented by the Restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You may hear voices insistent that only a personal relationship or understanding of the Savior is sufficient and that religion or the Restored Church is unnecessary or non-essential. I invite you to be slow to consider, or even be immune to being influenced by these misleading ideas, and to be quicker to remember what the Savior has been telling and teaching us since ancient times, beginning with the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for us and in connecting our love for Them as the reason to follow Them. God the Father and His Son came and spoke with Joseph Smith to restore Jesus Christ’s Church and to initiate the dispensation of the fulness of times, His kingdom on Earth. Therefore, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the means established by Heavenly Father to access covenants that enable us to return home. Thus, we need more than just a personal relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son. We require essential priesthood ordinances through which we make covenants with them. These provide a covenantal connection with Them and grant us access to their covenantal love, making it possible to attain the highest kingdom of glory, prepared for all those who are true and faithful to their covenants.” | Hebrews 10:1-23 1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) |
When comparing the modern-day “revelations” given by the LDS Church with the Scriptures given at the time of Christ’s walk on Earth it’s pretty clear that the former have innovated a new gospel. They have changed the message of salvation. But one last example from the conference will help to serve this point. This is another misquoted New Testament text:
Romans 8:28-39
General Conference Version (Garrit W. Gong, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) of verse 28: “We know that all things work together for good for those who keep their covenants.”
Original version with context:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(For more commentary and reflections on these quotes compared to the Bible passages, check out the video.)
SIMILARITY BETWEEN LDS & OTHER FALSE RELIGIONS
In the video I share a charcutier board of examples from the conference that show how the LDS Church is just one of many different brands of false religion that share the same fundamental flaws. I illustrate that below with some examples that are expanded on from the video, some mentioned in the video aren’t laid out here. These are not all the similarities, but these are the ones that stand out based on the General Conference talks.
- Doubletalk being the only true religion while downplaying other worldviews that fundamentally disagree with theirs
- E.g., Apostle Gerrit W. Gong (4th session) quotes approvingly from who he calls a “devout Muslim believer” who “reverently says” something nice about Jesus. Ignoring the fact that Muslims deny that Christ is anything but a mere man, which puts their worldview squarely at odds with the LDS worldview and condemns them to hell according to the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi 14).
- Also in the 4th session is a mention made about “our heart’s desire” overcoming our lack of obedience if we did not have opportunity to obey God. This sounds similar to the Roman Catholic “baptism of desire” concept. These are man-centered “gospels” that offer excuses for man’s rebellion, in opposition to Romans 1 which teaches all men are without excuse.
- The way to receive the best God has to offer is to follow their unique prophet, their unique revelation, and join their unique club.
- However, Scripture teaches the gospel transcends factional devotion to the true biblical Apostles and even Christ himself! (1 Corinthians 1:10-17) It is not loyalty to a person or group that saves you, it is God’s grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8)
- In tandem with the above, they elevate their prophets to a status of functional divine inerrancy. In word they may say that their prophet or their organization can err in theory, but at the same time say that it is the person or organization that is permanently appointed by God as “His voice on Earth” (as Russell M. Nelson is called in this conference). Being the very Word of God is a designation for Christ alone. All other men speak only insofar as moved by God—they can be used as his instruments, they are not his very voice. There is no office, no organization, no man besides Christ himself taught in the New Testament as being the appointed voice of God. Again, the gospel—Christ’s death/resurrection and the call to repentance—is God’s power for salvation (Romans 1:16); not even the best of Apostles are an indispensable authority in comparison. (Galatians 1:8)
- Similarly to the above, they elevate their own teachings to be on equal footing with the Scriptures. They either outright add “scriptures” which they claim are equally inspired (such as the Mormons do with the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price) or they have additional teachings that serve functionally as additional scriptures (such as the Watchtower publications for Jehovah’s Witnesses) and some, like Roman Catholics will give their additional teachings (e.g., papal bulls, ecumenical councils) scripture status officially but are often neglected by modern devotees.
- They change their teachings over time and use more doublespeak to cover up how old doctrine contradicts new doctrine.
- E.g., Ezra Taft Benson taught that the living LDS prophet is a more important living voice of God than the deceased prophets, Jehovah’s Witnesses outright discard “old light”—past teachings that are done away with (they don’t even publish their own founders’ books anymore!), or the Roman Catholic notion of “development of doctrine”.
- They teach that their faction is uniquely tied to the original teachings of the first century apostles (apostolic succession in Roman Catholicism, restoration in Mormonism). But no evidence is provided that any of their unique teachings were ever taught by Christ or His apostles. Their claim to apostolicity is just a different way of wording their unevidenced claim to being God’s one true organization. “We’re the one true organization because we’re the only ones who teach what the apostles taught. Believe that we teach what the apostles taught because it’s clear that we’re God’s one true organization.” But of course, we all have what the apostles taught right there in our Bibles! The secular world even recognizes the New Testament texts are the sources of the first century apostolic teaching. So what do false religions have that are not already contained in these texts? Secret teachings apparently only known by that sect. Secret teachings that inevitably end up contradicting the originals documented publicly since their initial writing in the first century. One must wonder what those poor first Christians did in ancient Rome who only had the benefit of the gospel Paul himself preached and not the LDS temples with their “ordinances and covenants”.
CONCUSION:
It is clear that the LDS Church has perverted God’s Word. Their feelings have become their god. That their fruit is rotten is made clear by the second session teaching given on abortion—the little life in the mother’s womb is an image-bearer of God worthy of protection, this much is taught—but pray to the LDS god and he may tell you it’s OK to kill that little one depending on the circumstances. This is the doctrine of devils. They speak in these talks of encountering the dead and performing spiritual works for the dead. This is a dark creed. Here is proof that your theology matters. “Now we know that God heareth not sinners; but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (John 9:31)” The LDS god is a different god—so who is answering their prayers? Who are they encountering with all their spiritual feelings and “burning in the bosom”? It could be nothing—just emotions…but there are spiritual entities besides God. And I can’t imagine talking with the dead and embracing your sin and idolatry does much to repel those entities.
This is not Christianity—this is a false gospel. Those who are caught up in it have not been freed from their enslavement to sin—they are trying to dig their way to heaven with the shovel of blasphemy and with every labor they work towards the completion of their own grave.
Galatians 1:6-9
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 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.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
CALL TO ACTION:
LDS friends, repent. Ask God to give you a heart that yearns after His Word, not your feelings/experiences. Open His Word given two thousand years ago and be honest with what it teaches. God has spoken through Christ and His Apostles—the main thing God has ever done was 2,000 years ago—go read what they wrote, that is God speaking to you; say “yes” to what he says there. Your feelings are being manipulated by man and Satan. Flee from them into the sure Word of the Father.
Christian brothers and sisters, you too, repent. You’re likely more Mormon than you realize. In what ways have you fancied yourself one who has earned your place with God? How often do you go to His Word for your answers instead of the advice of the world or your feelings? Has God answered your question in Scripture, but you have failed to give him your ear and time? Thank God that he has chosen to bestow the gracious and free gift of eternal life upon you. Thank God that he paid the ultimate price in order to bring you into his presence, that you are not required to perform in order to be with him—recognize that you have failed and would fail again without him sustaining you. He is the author and finisher of your faith. Take this time to inventory the storehouse of your heart and empty out any idols that may have crept in unawares. If you are a mature Christian, with a firm foundation in the Scriptures, don’t shut out the LDS missionaries that come to your door—let them in, show them kindness, and share with them the true gospel of everlasting peace that can be had NOW with the one and only Mighty God, creator of all things—including all things that call themselves a god.
Whether you are LDS, Christian, or something else, I sure hope this blog has blessed you. I hope that my love for LDS people is as evident as my criticism of their worldview. I am happy to discuss with anyone from any worldview about these topics. Please feel free to comment below if you’d like to get in touch! God bless.
Name the Unknown 