From Evangelical to Latter-day Saint Missionary?! w/ Alan Arreaga 

Our Heavenly Father does have a sense of humor. At 65 I was raised as a Southern Baptist . Converted to Roman Catholic as a teenager, went to seminary and was ordained as an Orthodox priest and was elected to the office of Archbishop in the Orthodox Church. Last year I was led to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . I"m now in Utah serving a Service Mission for the Church. From NC to Utah. I never would have imagined it to be possible.

I was raised an Evangelical Christian and later became a LDS church member.

It’s interesting, I grew up in So Cal too but was one of those LDS members that had friends like Alan. Even though I grew up in the church I wasn’t sheltered and went to other faiths and had many Protestant, Catholic and Evangelical friends and I was exposed to pretty much everything you could imagine on your shelf about the church during the “God Makers” heyday. So my eyes were wide open and nothing could surprise me as I served my mission in all places South Carolina, in the Bible Belt where once again I was bombarded by anti-Mormon literature and preaching. I can identify with Alan because of my upbringing and my experiences on my mission. Normally most wouldn’t say this but it made me stronger in my faith because I had to rely on the Spirit and the Lord even more to understand His teachings and will. I believe this is what happened with Alan too. When it’s all said and done he had to put it all on the table and on the Lord and say “I want to follow you and surrender to your will wherever that leads me”, similar to what David Alexander came to and went through and like you mentioned there’s a very similar correlation to both of their experiences. I don’t believe that’s a coincidence. I believe it’s from God. Such a powerful experience and I’m glad you were willing to allow Alan to share his faith journey and experience. You’re doing a mighty work Steven and I believe those of faith in Christ are going to be better for it and that you will experience unforeseen witnesses, blessings and miracles in your life because of your humility and love you bestow. Thanks brother!

Steven, I want to thank you for having this respectful dialog. I am grateful for hearing this story. Thank you.

I enjoyed Alan's story very much. His faith journey reminds me of my own from Evangelicalism back to LDS. Prayers for Alan and his mission! Don't ever forget the spiritual witness you had, because the adversary will send everything possible, but angels will be there to support you!

Thank you, Steven. I appreciate this interview. We are happy for Alan, but my message is for you. You, of course, know that we Latter Day Saints would love to have you join us as a member of our church. Having said that, we totally respect you, your beliefs, and your religion. Thanks for being kind to your Latter Day Saint brothers and sisters. We appreciate your approach and work.

I really hope Heavenly Father sends him back to Utah for his LdS Mission.

Steven - I admire you so much. Been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all my life. My wife grew up Protestant and joined The LDS church 20 years ago. Your approach is truly Christlike...so needed in the world. Thank you for being an example to all people on how to treat others with differences. Great interview!

I gained my testimony of the LDS church, and of Joseph Smith, being a prophet of God from my study of the Bible. It really is all in there. It also means that I have really interesting conversations with people who try to proselytize to Mormons to break their faith. What are they going to tell me? The Bible is wrong? Chuckles.

Come on Ward Radio! Great interview opp here! Great Christlike discussion. Thank you both!

I love The LDS People it brings instant Joy to me every time i see those missionary's out in the world in Two,s doing what every one should do ❤

Wonderful story. I found the anti-Mormon tracts as lacking as I'm well read and brought an extensive library with me on my mission. The anti-Mormon tracts were so poorly researched that their references were easy to disprove when I had the books they referenced. Ultimately little doctrinal arguments fail because most will argue on turn of phrases rather than understanding the underlying ideas. Short comments will not sway intelligent people's beliefs as well educated typically have read the arguments both ways. I can argue philosophies from either point. But arguments do not equal faith. The statement I like the most about "Mormons" is "Don't let them talk you into praying because that's how they get you."

Alan, so awesome to listen to you, thanks for sharing your story, and you will be a great missionary. I actually am not a active member, have drawn away several years due to reasons that have nothing to do with the church of itself, but then had (and have) a deep health crisis, from where on I could do no more music... so I started to get more into theological stuff, studying the Bible, the scholarship of it, and noticed that there are quite a few evengelicals (not all of course) that really feel the need to dim the light of others (especially LDS).. And so I started to dig deeper into the Bible, the scholarship, and more and more noticed myself defending the church, all from the Bible, also discovering what a beautiful faith it is. Not just that, but the most vital lesson I learned is that what matters most are the "good fruits" that are brought forth within us, because this is what Jesus taught us how to discern spiritual truth from deception. and that once that happens, it doesn't really matter what religion we follow, for those that do the will of the Father are like the Samaritian, who showes mercy and love, though he may have erred in dosctrine, or was considered to be a pagan by the Jews. For that, he was the one whom Christ considered "good", not for getting all doctrine right, and so forth Anyways, thanks for the video, keep it rolling, and hopefully you run at times into the Apologia or "God loves Mormons" dudes, I always feel sorry for all the LDS members that run into them being secretly filmed, mostly not being prepared to stand their ground...

Congratulations, have a wonderful mission and continue loving your family and being the best you can be!

Lake Utah and the Jordan River emptying into the Great Salt Lake matches the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River emptying into the Dead Sea. Welcome to the fullness of the Gospel centered in the promised land!

Great show!! Thanks for having him on 👍🏻

Good for you Alan; dear brother Arreaga.

welcome to the true church.

WONDERFUL CONVERSION! ❤❤❤

Steve I really do appreciate your show You should add a book to your list “The Second Coming of the Lord” Gerald Lund

Love this!

Also we have the restored gospel.

Just as an interesting little note: the Greek Orthodox and many Eastern traditions (I haven’t looked into all of them) believe marriage is eternal. They also never adopted the doctrine of original sin, AND they believe in theosis (that our purpose is to learn and become like God), and that there is an “age of reason,” (what we call accountability in the LDS church, though it is undefined in Greek Orthodox, and set to 8 for LDS.) Fun fact: couched in the prophecy of the virgin birth in Isaiah 7:15-16 is the phrase “before the child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good.” Which, again, is undefined but definitely lends credence to an age of reason, as does brain development! Brain development says moral reasoning (or whatever the wording is…) usually develops between the ages of 8-10 years old. (Also agrees with 1 John 2:12 that the “[sins of little children are forgiven them] for his name’s sake,” implying that infant baptism is very unnecessary.) I don’t believe that everything Jesus taught was written plainly in the gospels or the letters and epistles. Isn’t there an exchange with Christ and the Apostles about why he teaches in parables and doesn’t speak plainly? And He answers that they (Apostles) have been taught the mysteries, but for the rest, they need to have a think on the words and see what understanding can be had from them? Bad paraphrasing, and I’m sure I’m missing some things and someone out there will gladly jump on what I said and rip it apart, BUT doesn’t change the fact that LDS are not the only sect of Christianity that believe marriage is eternal, or that we’re not inherently sinful creatures by fault of our birth 🙃 And Greek Orthodox has just as much of a claim to being “the original” church as Roman Catholic. Also, (I have never witnessed for myself, but have heard accounts from well-researched scholars) I think there are some similarities between LDS temple theology, worship and ceremonies, and orthodox Christian liturgical proceedings (meaning from Eastern and Western traditions). Tom Roberts converted from being a priest from an eastern catholic tradition to LDS a few years ago. Before being a priest he grew up in a “Protestant-lite” home; like he says his family did well to go to church 2x a year; he was the “weird” religious one. He’s an interesting guy! Anyway, all of these similarities don’t prove or disprove the veracity of the LDS church, but they are interesting, thought provoking, and go to show that our doctrines are not “un-Christian,” as they are not all only “our” doctrines 🙃

You're a brave man, Steve. Your evangelical friends are not going to like this episode, and we'd never see this on Pastor Jeff's channel. They will want you to return quickly to critical guests and authors. I know that you are Switzerland but some will say you are harboring terrorists.😅

Alright, Steve, I'm going to push back a little on the idea of not getting Married until at least 25 or 30. I definitely had that thought when I was in my 20s and into my 30s. And I was nearly 27 when I got married. I feel that was the right time for me. But my view on that has changed, because as I've seen family members wait to get married in their late 30's or 40's it is a way harder adjustment at that point in life. Because when you're in your 20's your life is still malleable and you're still figuring out the direction you want to go. If you get married young, you figure it out together. When you're older you tend to have settled. You have a career, maybe you've bought a house, you like things a certain way. It is much hard to give those things up. I think it is up to individuals when they get married, but to push them one way or the other I think is pushing one's own agenda. I think there are those who are mature enough in their early 20s to make that commitment. I also think that taking on the responsibility of marriage can force maturity upon a person. The fact of the matter is that whether you get married young or later, the key to a successful marriage is the work both parties put into it.

So happy for you Alan. The Holy Ghost is real and he testifies of all truth. That is what you felt. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and it is such a precious gift. I was born and raised in the church of Jesus Christ but. Still had to gain my own personal testimony. I know beyond a taught that the restoration is true and I treasure it. Stay close to your Savior and you will grow and learn. Carol

Welcome to: The Fellowship of the Saints.

His story has parallels to Alma the Younger in book of mormon. What an amazing guy 😊

Very interesting story of conversion.

The LDS Church is the only church that has consistently been attacked from many other churches! As members of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints 🙏🏻💜✨👍🏻 have never spoken badly about other churches! I'm not sure what other faiths are 😮 thinking that it's ok to put down Gods children just because they don't believe in what you believe!

UNDERSTANDING is very important and how can we judge another religion when knowing nothing about it wise as a serpent innocent as a dove .

Alma 37:9 repentance is to know the Lord our God and to rejoice in Jesus Christ our redeemer.

What was the channel Alan mentioned about defending the LDS beliefs with the Bible?

I saw the Godmakers many years ago and had gone to an evangelical meeting where they were bashing the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Since I had been through the temple I knew that what they were saying was false. Interesting that you are still talking about it nearly 40 years later.

You received a testimony form the holy Ghost. That is more important than anything anyone says.

You should watch David Alexander evangelical Christian to LDS here on RU-vid.

I’m finding this type of back and forth conversion pretty common. My dad was Catholic, converted to LDS then went back to bring Catholic. 1/2 my wife’s family converted from LDS to JW after discussing with their missionaries. Whatever makes you happy I guess.

Future Mormon gods, we salute you...

When are you going to join Steve.? I notice you discuss the Book of Mormon a lot but don't seem to venture into the issue of the Book of Abraham, a book that has presented more problems.

28:34 Is it possible that the most important thing to God is humility and sincerity? Do we misinterpret the answers to our prayers, at least in part? I believe the Book of Mormon is from God, but I believe the LDS temple is not. I don't believe it's all or nothing in either direction. Hope that makes sense.

Getting married young is not a doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

❤🎉😂

So, are you not a member of any church?

Definitely not trying to scare you at all just suggest your staying if our doctrines and practices is not accurate at all. Tapping out, do what you like.

I’ll help you. I have a garden hose at high pressure

This is excruciatingly sad to see.

My guess is that he'll be inactive or out of Mormonism in 5 years after returning from his mission.

Sounds like a shill to me. Too many inconsistencies in the story. What sort of vetting is done, @MormonBookReviews, before bringing professing "former evangelicals" on the show?

When you seek answers from the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible, God can't help you because you have turned your back on Him. Therefore this leaves the door open for Satan (II Corinthians 11:14-15) to step into your life with a false christ or prophet showing you signs and wonders to lead you away from the real Jesus of the Bible who is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity. God Himself warns us about this in: MATTHEW 24:23-24 "Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect..." Mormons teach and believe that their jesus is the brother of Satan, which contradicts what God says in His Bible that Jesus is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity. So Mormons, which Jesus do you believe in? A. Your jesus of the Book of Mormon, who is the brother of Satan. OR B. The Jesus of the Bible, who is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity.

I was raised Lutheran. Joined the LdS church at 14. In my 30s I joined the RLDS church. Id never go back to being a LdS/Mormon. Although I could be a Lutheran again.

They say 24 - 1 turn LDS than regress into superstitious Christianity. :>)

This kids a liar. Saw his interview on another channel, and he gives a completely different Utah story. Not to mention, he doesn't seem to know his Bible at all. All of his theology just comes from what youtubers say.

Trinity is the truth “A Transcendental Critique of Mormonism” The Transcendental Argument can be summarized in this way: it argues that all alternatives to Christianity render knowledge and intelligibility of human experience impossible, and since it is self-defeating to hold the position that knowledge and intelligibility of human experience is not the case, Christianity must therefore be necessarily true. How the first premise (the incompatibility of alternative belief systems with the reality of human intelligibility) is argued will depend on the particular alternative worldview held by the Christian apologist’s interlocutor, which informs the apologist which worldview to critique. In the following, I make a Transcendental critique of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) theology, utilizing the problem of the One and the Many (how their deities’ lack of unity/transcendence entails insurmountable problems proving the falsity of their system). On LDS theology, the heavenly father was once a man like us, whom his god created, spent time on his previous planet as a man, did enough good, and as a result, became the god of our planet, and we have the opportunity to do likewise. On LDS theology, presumably, his god had a god, and that god had a god, and so on into an infinite regress. These finite deities cannot ground universal, unchanging, immaterial laws, such as logic and morality, due to their being physical, changing, and having a finite beginning. A law (whether moral or logical), if unchanging and applicable/true at all times, must therefore always be, whereas each of these gods come into existence at a finite point in history as men (then do enough ‘good’ to become gods). However, each finite god is always preceded by the existence of moral and logical laws and thus doesn’t ground them (is not the source of these laws). Another reason they can’t ground these laws is that the LDS deities are said to be corporeal (physical), and laws of logic and morality are not. How can the law that ‘murder is wrong’ be physical? What about the law of non-contradiction? Are either of these made up of atoms, have a specific mass, or possess a particular texture? Supposing these immaterial, unchanging, eternal, and transcendent laws could somehow exist in a Mormon universe (but not grounded in any god), the finite deities couldn’t gain knowledge of them because they lack universal experience. To know if a law will hold true at all times in all places requires experience of all times and all places, which they don’t have since each god is not eternal and omnipresent but comes into existence as a part of the universe (each god experiences manhood on one planet and godhood on another (thus experiences two planets)) with a chunk of the universe’s history already having taken place so that no god has knowledge/experience of all places at all times. Neither does LDS theology have any being who does have such necessary universal experience and is personal to communicate these laws to the LDS deities’ finite minds (such a conception would resemble a description of the God of Christianity). Limited experience entails that each finite god could have his beliefs contradicted by something outside the scope of the deity’s experience. This means that all the deity's beliefs are fallible, and/or the deity might change his mind about previous beliefs. This undermines the reliability of any belief this supposed god discloses to humans, such as in sacred texts (or allegedly sacred texts). With word-revelation undermined this severely, this would leave man to the autonomous ‘man is the measure of all things’ position or method of obtaining knowledge (no different than secular epistemology (theory/method of knowledge)), which in turn reduces into either self-defeating position of skepticism or relativism. Thus, we see that LDS theology is incompatible with logic, morality, and knowledge, rendering the human experience wholly unintelligible. However, your ability to understand anything in this writing whatsoever demonstrates that human experience is, in fact, intelligible, and thus LDS theology is undoubtedly false. By contrast, in Christianity, we as humans have finite minds. Yet, we can gain knowledge of universal laws due to God, who either communicates them to us or implants/preprograms them as immediate knowledge. This he can and does via his transcendence infinitude omniscience and omnipresence (that he grounds and perfectly knows these), omnipotence & personalism (that he communicates them). Additionally, moral laws are not some mysterious, impersonal something out there to which God submits. His nature or character is the ground of goodness (which can be the case for an eternal, unchanging, and immaterial being). Thus, everything he does is good by nature and definition. Thus, he grounds moral laws, too. Lastly, God’s omniscience means that everything, not God (i.e., creation), results from God’s creative decree; and since God knows himself exhaustively, he also knows his creative decree exhaustively. As a result of this, as well as God’s universal experience (omnipresence), he has an infinite knowledge encompassing all particular information from eternity, such that there will not be any new info which might appear to God that could alter his perceptions or beliefs at any point in time, let alone after he gives word revelation (Scripture). We can know, therefore, that what he reveals is sure, and so word-revelation will be infallible as well. Thus, we see that, unlike the LDS gods, the absolute and transcendent Triune God of Christianity makes sense of the intelligibility of human experience, as I’ve shown in relation to logic, morality, and knowledge. However, the most critical difference is that the Gospel laid out in the Bible is that, unlike in LDS theology (and all other religions, for that matter), salvation is all of the Triune God, in which the Father sent the eternal and equally divine Son to take on flesh, live a perfect life of obedience, then die in place of sinners taking on their punishment and imputing to them the perfect righteousness the Son merited. The Holy Spirit is poured out in those who repent and believe, applying the benefits the Son procured on the cross, including the faith and repentance that those sinners respond to the Gospel with. May the reader also be blessed with the benefits of the cross through faith and repentance. Soli Deo Gloria! November 22, 2023 ❤️

You know when it really comes down to it mormons are trinitarian. They believe that God is the father but they also believe Jesu the son is the father of creation. They also believe that all spirit is matter. Mormons believe in source but they donr talk about it cause if they did they would reveal that what they believe is not so far removed from what protestants evangelicals or catholics believe. Its just a few morw generations is all till you arive at the source of all life which joseph basically said is the Holy Ghost and everything past preent and future exists upon this self existant principal. Its the same shit for real ots jist packaged differently. Im mormonism the father is the son and the son is the father and the spirit which is all matter is what binds them and us as one as they are one i in them and thou in me that they might be one with us. Joseph in his 8th vision account lol said that the father and the son were identical. It's goofy bro. Enjoy your family my man don't put a wedge inbetween yall cause at the very end all things will be gathered Into one heir is only one true God and no mormon who understands mormonism at its deepest level would ever refute that idea. A man cannot serve 2 masters.

Interesting my faith journey is taking me out of mormonism. Where will I go what will I do i dont rightly know but i do know joseph smith wont be the author and finisher of my faith. when i had a lil girl and i kearned the truth of what joseph and brigham did i couldnt reconcile that history with the jesus revealed in the new testament. How i tell my lil girl yeah and joseph matried girls abojt 2 years older then you isnt that neato?! Kid thise lds missionary girls aint gonna marry you they aint gonna fill the voids and they wont keep in touch. But steve is right you have to go on the journey it took me 43 years to realize that the story of nephi slaying laban wasnt alright and i should have listened to my child intuition that knew thT simple fact a long time ago. Good luck to you kid trying to defend the abhorrent things joseph and many of the "prophets" even up to today have done. Good luck to yous.