Is There a Crisis in the LDS Church? Feminism. Race. Sexuality. 

Thank you for this interview! As a former Mormon, reading the Bible for the first time, (without leaning on Joseph Smiths translation) it became very clear to me the untruths of the religion. This is my prayer and encouragement for all, read God’s Word,THE BIBLE. He will lead you to truth, Jesus Christ.

I am in the process of witnessing to two Mormon missionaries who visited my home. They are coming back tonight at 7 for the third lesson and I have been preparing through prayer and careful study of the Gospel to offer them a clear explanation of the free gift of grace through faith in Christ. It is therefore quite serendipitous to have this video premiere today and I will be watching eagerly.Thank you for your efforts, Dr. McDowell.

My 5th great grandfather was a Mormon “prophet.” I can tell you that LDS is structured largely on the rituals and teachings of Freemasonry.

I have been pondering how to respond to this video for a week now. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saint's. Since as long as I can remember (four decades now) I have been taught in this Church that Christ died for my sins and nothing that I can do will save me absent his Great Sacrifice. I know he is my Savior. I know that he is my God I also know he is my King. As my King he requires my obedience. Mat 7:21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. My Granma was a good Baptist. I went to church with her as a kid when I would visit in the summer. I loved vacation Bible School. I didn't learn anything there that was a surprise. I've read all the scriptures that you will try to beat me over the head with to convince me your interpretation is correct. I do not think they mean what you think they mean. You are still my brothers and sisters in Christ. The Last Days are here and it is no time to be playing silly buggers debating the nature of the unity of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit when there are churches that are disintegrating over simple chastity. May the Lord Jesus Christ, born of Mary, crucified under Pilate, raised to sit on the throne of Heaven as King, who will come again to Judge the world, bless all who read this with his love and Power. .

The Church you belong to (whatever that is) does not prevent or limit you from being saved by Jesus Christ. Christ is bigger than any church, he is working through all churches to accomplish his goals. He is working through all people that serve His ends. Jesus Christ will come again and rule for 1000 years. Worthy Mormons will be a part of that just as worthy people from all sects of Christianity and whomever else he judges to be worthy for the first resurrection. Also, it is interesting to note that the Living Prophet tells the church to follow Jesus Christ. Its not as if they are being told to do things that are crazy or outside of scripture. It is nice to have counsel for current events to interrupt scripture. As a Active LDS member I will say Eric is well versed in fringe cultural teaching that have been left behind by old leaders. The church is set up to have an open cannon. Sometimes people say things (Such as Brigham Young) that were NOT canonized, and yet those are the things so desperately clung to by those seeking to defame the church. Such as multiple heavenly mothers as Eric goes on about. Pure speculation on his part. Surely you can find someone who said that, but that was also speculation and not cannon. It's hard to listen to someone literally get everything wrong. The ex members love to sew discord among themselves and the church by holding onto false teachings they think are cannon but are not. The LDS cannon is very much open. We believe in scripture. The doctrine of Christ is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, baptism and repentance. That is what the Book of Mormon teaches, that is what the Bible teaches. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches us how to set up and run the church. The Pearl of Great Price tells us Gods Plan for mankind. The canon is open because all has not be revealed. THere is always more to know. We are here for spiritual Progress. We are Gods children. Its confusing, as so much has been said by members who over time have their own folklore, but it isn't doctrine. If you are a Truth seeker you will dig deeper than the superficial statements made. We seek to follow Jesus Christ. That is the bottom line. To become more Christlike. To be born again.

When your current prophet can counter prior prophets, including the founder, you have a cult.

Mormon theology....drumming up old memories. I spent ages 15 through 22 as a Mormon. Didn't serve a Mormon mission however, because I was too honest. I was in sexual sin, pornography, which disqualified me from being Temple worthy, and thus disqualified me from serving a Mormon mission. I was absolutely devastated. I got the impression, from as many young men I knew who served a Mormon mission, that I should have lied, that I was practically encouraged to lie about my sin, in order to serve the Mormon Church, and the Mormon God. I was broken up about it for years, that I had been honest about my sin, and because of my honesty, I was deprived of being able to serve God. However, it was a blessing in disguise. I served in the military instead, and met someone while in the service, only in passing really, who recommended a book about the true history of Joseph Smith. Which led me away from Mormonism, and into a non-denom church, where I was shared the true, biblical gospel and was subsequently saved. That was about 2 decades ago now. I don't know who that kid is/was who recommended the book, but I hope I get to see him in Heaven so I can thank him for planting the seeds that led me away from falsehood, and allowed me an opportunity to be open to truth. All glory to God above all things, but I'd like to thank that fella for his contribution to God's work.

It's interesting listening to non members talk about the church. Something they appear to know a little about.

The Mormon Church has nothing to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's absurd.

So I’ve been following the Daybell trial in Idaho (which is an off shoot cult from LDS) and suddenly my feed is full of stories and interviews involving the Mormons! And then this video comes up! It’s been heavily on my heart to pray for the Mormons as a result, especially the missionaries! Mormon missions are seriously no joke!

Nothing seems to have really changed with Mormon doctrine. It’s the same empty rules and rituals.

Best reason people are leaving is because it's a proven fraud.

I was raised mormon and married in the temple at 19 years old. My first time through the temple I immediately felt an unsettling feeling. I turned to my mom and said this is not of God. When we were done I asked my soon to be father in law about the odd things we did and he told me to just have faith. I decided to get the answers for myself. When I researched the background of how church really started which we were NOT taught I came to the truth this was not anything close to what the true gospel is. This is a great discussion. I have many loving Mormon family members but we have to tell them the truth. ❤

Thank you for remembering the VERY unique dynamic of faith here in Utah. So much has changed in the last 30 years. I hold out hope & pray that, as the LDS church changes, a true understanding of God's grace and His nature emerges from within. God knows & I don't, but I predict a coming fissure that may allow such a thing to happen. Based on conversations, I think there are some in the LDS church who yearn for it - perhaps similar to the "unknown god" as referenced by Paul at the Areopagus in Acts 17.

I really respect Eric Johnson, he and his wife were very hospitable to my husband and I while we were traveling in Salt Lake City in 2018 during a ministry trip. They let us spend the night in their wonderful home and drove us to the airport..we were literally strangers to them! At the time we had no idea the extent of Eric’s writings and research..he was just a kind brother in Christ who wanted to help whoever he could. ❤️

The “no coffee” thing doesn’t have anything to do with caffeine, I’m not sure why this guy thinks that. People are allowed to drink pop that has tons of caffeine. I’m not a Mormon, but I know it’s not a caffeine issue.

A little insight as to why so many ex Mormons leave Christianity all together? I grew up believing and knowing that I belonged to the only true church on earth. As I got older I learned that I was lied to my entire childhood. At this point what church or even scripture in the Bible can be trusted? Growing up in a high demand and highly controlled religion makes all the simple things of life complex.

I randomly stumbled across this video and can only say as an active, believing Latter-Day Saints, this seems well intentioned and informed, but they are missing a lot of crucial details-too many to innumerate in this venue. If you want Latter-Day Saint information why not ask them or have one on while discussing them? I am a millennial and some was true and some was not. I just pray that our Christian cousins are Christ like enough to not judge the worlds way. God bless.

LDS church has always struck me as more oriented around lifestyle than doctrine. A church like that will change much more than one oriented around doctrine. The scary thing is I see the same thing at work in young Evangelicals. If Christianity is a lifestyle then the authority of scripture is more limited.

It is very refreshing to listen to you, gentlemen discussing the Mormon, church, history, and downs. You are very very orientated to fax the truth.

Why did you say that women can’t make it to the celestial kingdom without a man? A man can’t go to the celestial kingdom without a wife as well.

It's funny that back in the 70s I served a mission for the Mormon church. Went through the temple and all that entails. I left the church about 10 years later. After a recent DNA test I discovered I have sub saharan African DNA. I never would have been allowed in the Temple back in the day if they had known. How many other people who have African DNA have been admitted to the temple and given the priesthood. How would they have ever known. I'm so ashamed I was ever a part of that racist organization.

46,000 denomanations, and only the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints gets this kind of attention. ??

Nice job guys. I’m a nuanced Mormon and you’ve got all of this spot on.

The research by Jana Reiss is interesting but there needs to be a follow up study. I have observed a decline in church activity pre- and post COVID. However there are many pre-COVID members who are now inactive for no apparent reason. They simply are not attending church anymore. This is despite claiming they have a testimony.

I pray that everyone leaves that religion. That was the craziest thing I've ever heard, and I was raised Jehova's Witness! It's taken years to get that out of my head. But, God is leading me where I need to be.

I've been studying Mormons for years. What I notice is that recently they're desperately trying to emphasize that they're Christians. However, they won't be Christians until they radically change their interpretation of Christ and salvation.

I am a Latter-Day Saint and believe in the Savior. The Lord Jesus Christ

Thank you for this podcast. As a faithful Catholic, I can affirm that while the infallible teaching of the Church on sacramental marriage can never be changed (one man and one woman for life)… there are infiltrators in the hierarchy of the Church who are actively trying to subvert the moral teaching on the practice of homosexuality, abortion, and contraception. I am not a fan of this pope either. I hope we will have a more faithful pontiff in the future. We miss JP II! On a side note, I must always chuckle whenever I hear about the Mormon aversion to drinking coffee and alcohol. I start every day with my morning pot of coffee (decaf usually). And I enjoy Corona beer 🍺 in the summer after I finish cutting my lawn…! 😊😊😊. P.S. I agree that you have to give Mormons a better option if they do choose to leave their church. Atheism is a poor substitute, even though many ex-Mormons are now atheists. 🤔

There are at least 15 reasons why LDS Gen-Z and Millennials are leaving. It is estimated that 86% of youth will leave the church after age 18. To give one clear cut answer is not possible. We had a parents meeting about this very issue on Sunday. The tendency is to focus on external forces like the influences of secularism, social media, negative statements about the church on the internet, drugs, alcohol, dating outside the faith, having non-LDS friends, attending university, social stress, and older leadership, etc. The focus should be on what is happening in the home without blaming the parents. The person needs at a young age to have the seeds planted for a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. As they go from age 13 through 47 (Gen-Z to Millennial) they need to foster that relationship. Get them the younger the better. The youth will stay active, go on mission, marry in the temple, and hopefully stay active for a lifetime. Finding the right keys to unlock that door is the stumbling block at the moment.

This podcast lacks any substance. No purpose other than bad intent. Vague caricatures, and loads of assumptions and misunderstanding. 🙄

I use and read your book "Introducing Christianity to Mormons" love it bought three books for friends to read

As a millennial Latter-day Saint I agree with the full use of the name of the church, especially in the context of official church publishings and speach used by even the lowest level leaders of the church. There are several faith traditions and churches that use the book of Mormon. Hearing leaders use the title Mormon when exclusively refering to members of the church was like hearing a priest say "Christians, otherwise know as Roman Catholics, believe this". Casual conversation and non journalistic publications is a different game, as long as everyone knows who we are speaking about.

Truly enjoyed this video and I learned so much. For some reason I had no idea LDS were experiencing the same issues my Baptist denomination is experiencing. Thank you.

I’m excited for this one!

“True Religion” is a relationship, communion, fellowship, and reality for people who believe (James 1: 27). False religion is based on fraud, lies, and deceit. 😊

I'm from Susquehanna, PA. It's funny to hear my hometown/river referenced here. Susquehanna is a major Mormon pilgrimage site. This is important stuff for me personally.

Very informative facts. This man knows the facts.

“From the beginning, the revealed truth of the Holy Trinity has been at the very root of the (Catholic) Church’s living faith, principally by means of Baptism. It finds its expression in the rule of baptismal faith, formulated in the preaching, catechesis, and prayer of the Church. Such formulations are already found in the apostolic writings (Scripture), such as this salutation taken up in the Eucharistic liturgy- The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13: 13, 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6, Ephesians 4: 4-6.” Catechism of the Catholic Church 249. 😊

LDS here, never heard of a teaching that I had to earn my right to be born. I do believe in the preexistence.

When Black men were denied the Priesthood, it also meant black women (who don't get the Priesthood anyway), were also not allowed to go to the temple. I guess the prophets didn't have discernment to know Brigham Young was racist. As far as coffee goes, I have come to the conclusion that coffee has more health benefits for humans than not drinking coffee. Soda has ZERO health benefits.

Praying my family gets out of this and into Christianity 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻pray for the Nelson family, please.

Let me get this straight. Young Mormons are leaving the church because of their conscience. But you said people shouldn't trust their feelings because people have an evil nature. So are you suggesting they should not trust their conscience and stay in the Mormon church?

I left the church about a year ago but still maintain my conservative values 🇺🇸

Yeah, well, if polygamy is practiced in the eternities, what if all of us don't have the same Heavenly Mother?

I don't think there will be major changes. People will leave to follow another faith that suits their sense of what is right and wrong. The church will maintain a course and as other churches shift with every wind of culturally changing sensibilities the church will attract people who understand that to follow the wills and laws of man does not lead men to salvation.

The whole prophet paradigm is incorrect. It is the same paradigm in many offshoots of the lds church and in the Vallow/Daybell case. They all use the same method to determine whether someone is a "true" prophet and it isn't the method mentioned in the bible.

Sean does a much better job at being balanced here. If you only listened to Eric then you would think that there was something exceptional about these trends among LDS millennials and Gen Z. The reality is that my church is affected by national trends, but it has done a much better job at weathering them than mainstream Christianity has. The only churches that may be doing better at resisting these trends are the SDA's and the JW's. And contrary to what Eric says, there is a way for Orthodox Latter-day Saints to reject Brigham Young's teachings on black people without the help of "post modernism".

I had a classmate who was a gay Mormon. They are definitely getting more progressive.

This is very informative and I love that he is sharing this I love that you interviewed him! There is just one thing, the phrase he keeps using, "you have to understand." It's like, "Um" But possibly worse it is very distracting :-( because this gentleman is doing a great thing I would not want his message to be lost because of that.

I’m a member of the 9 word church that is the subject of this video. I’m about 10 minutes in so far where Eric has mentioned President Nelson’s emphasis on members of the church using the full name of the church rather than Mormon. There are multiple reasons for this, but I get the impression that this is largely geared to members of the church. From what I can gather, I would say it’s a call to center our focus & identity in Jesus rather than various cultural aspects of the church. I enjoy the channel & look forward to the rest of the conversation.

I don’t think that is a question ‘do you abstain from coffee and tea’. I’ve never been asked that.

Marie Osmond has said she didn't see anything wrong with gay marriage.

Look at what the leaders do, not what they say. The more progressive leaders are getting their way, having given in to pressure from lgbt activism over the last 20 yrs.

It doesn’t really matter what they call us. Jesus’ church will always be named after him. People waste their time on things that don’t matter! I and out of church. Let’s focus on Jesus and stop wasting energy

This program makes sense. But evangelicals walk the ecumenical line. I am glad they are accepting of others. Grace is a tricky thing because older line Protestant believers, like me, feel Grace is hand in hand the with commandments and living them. Not necessarily obeying the commandments so much as integrating them into one's life. We are on the same page on Grace, but saved is relative to the behaviors one lives by--therefore repentance is genuine.

Christianity in all of its various forms has had a strong run for almost 2000 years, but homophobia, authoritarianism, paternalism, white supremacy, insistence on inerrancy of scripture , denial of scientific knowledge, denial of personal freedom and equal rights, etc. that afflict the institution are not ok with young people in the western world. Churches are mostly empty in Europe. North America is strongly heading in that same direction. These fellows and those fighting “culture wars” trying to restore religious control over people haven’t figured out you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube.

I find it odd that y'all care so much about this. Why do you care about a different church group's crisis or perceived crisis?

Wish i never heard about mormonism

Could this be signaling the collapse of the LDS church?

Sean! Its been a while since I've tuned in. I really loved your coversations with deconverters. I was surprised with the similarities between Christianity deconversion and my mormon collapse of belief. If you want a chance to witness to a bunch if exmormons let me know! I have a platform. I am skeptical of critical social justice, which tends to be the go to place for other exmos.

Im Indiginious to this land( Navajo), in our culture, we go by clans, and believe in matriarch and there is true reason, thats for a whole other conversation, when i was on indian placement program, i used to be insulted and told we believe in paganistic beliefs. Now today the tables are turning. Good video, its beginning to sound like raggedy ann, peirre, secretary press to the whitehouse.

At this point, calling The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "The Mormon Church" seems disingenuous based on current changes.

Why? Because the second "m" is silent.

The post Mórmons primarily are not going into a new Biblical cult. Most leave religious cults all together. I being Gen X left in 2013 and have also discovered that the Abrahamic triad of faiths is also false.

Jesus is enough! The work He did on the cross for our sins is enough!

I appreciate the attention but Of course you leave out any actual representation from actual Church members, even though so many would like to discuss this topic with you. It is not just an LDS problem, it is just what anti-mormon want to focus on to show disparity even when their own churches are bleeding and conforming to progressive Christianity. Is it not written to take out the mote from you own eye before taking the beam out of others. Do these people just want Christianity to suffer by dismissing their own scriptures and create divisive comments on other Churches they clearly dont understand?

I’m related to the Scott’s in Utah and Idaho . A very prominent Mormon family.

You need to have Scott Adams back on to set you two straight again.

The temple recommend interview question regarding god’s law of health is specifically: “Do you understand and obey the Word of Wisdom?” That is it. It’s not all the added fluff that these guys are talking about. It’s an interesting discussion though.

Can someone tell me where to find the anonymous essays he mentioned?

Some, just can't leave THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, alone. Even the time of JESUS CHRIST, they just can't leave, JESUS CHRIST'S CHURCH alone.

mormons pick and choose when the profits are speaking as men or speaking for god. "God is the same yesterday, today, and forever" except for when talking to mormon profits.

The reason evidence is not that big a deal when it comes to this it's because faith is not a head issue it's a hard issue As jesus said the world hates him because he declares its ways as evil

Can anyone explain the reference to “the silent” or “silence” he is referencing along with boomers and gen x? I’ve not heard that before…

Y’all should have a conversation with Jacob Hansen at the thoughtful faith channel about this and talk about some of your arguments. There’s some good things in this video but plenty of incorrect suppositions and double standards that y’all should address.

The people don't need to go to the general conference. They watch from their churches and homes on that thing called the internet that millennials are experts with. 🤦‍♀️ Listen to the current prophet first, because they tell people what is most important to focus on in the moment. Noah had important information for the people at his time, but they would not repent. Why would you use the name of the church instead of Mormon? Because power over the adversary comes through using the name of Christ.

26:43 “if your wrong even once” Wait, didn’t Moses strike the stone in a way that caused him not to be allowed into the Promised Land? So is he not a true prophet?

Don’t you guys have better things to do?

The people are puppets 😢

The prophet and authorities are the only ones who can choose the principles of the church with changes from much prayer 🙏 and revelation from God other wise it wouldnt be the church of jesus christ of latterday saints

It is a self-defeating argument to say the Bible says people are wicked. It has truth in context, people can also be good on many levels. What it does is undermine the person saying it, it’s a non-argument because in some way you are saying that you are good for proclaiming you and everyone else are wicked and recognizing it above others. It is a plain case of calling good evil and evil good. An evangelical doesn’t have a claim to be called or ordained to interpret the Bible for everyone else but they continually claim only what they state is Biblical. Biblical culture has simple meanings for terms like son or child that are used often, it means you grow to be like your parent, but evangelical doctrine doesn’t make people children of God(John 1: 12), at best people are made out in evangelical interpretation to be ransomed manufactured servants whose reward in heaven is they get to stop suffering. At the root of tolerance for wickedness, transgenderism by misinterpreting the image of God, and disregard for authority can all be found consistent with what evangelicals say are most important points in their claim for what is Biblical.

The LDS doctrine is very hard to live. I believe we do have a Heavenly Mother; that Father in Heaven does not give anyone on earth a chance to disrespect Her, thus She Is protected. ❤❤❤

This guy is speaking partial truths. Only about half of what he is saying is true. And noone in ANY meeting has ever said anything about praying to our heavenly mother. We ONLY believe in praying to God The Eternal Father. Most do NOT realize the purpose for churches anyway.

I know you are doing your best, but you are not correct. If you are going to put this up, have someone who knows

You guys don’t even have your facts correct. It was not a hat for one, changing history is not right

There is no plausible reason for polygamy in Heaven. It's very laughable as if 1 woman is not enough to populate in eternity. It's eternity. No time limit. So silly.

Y’all look up the salamander letters.

We are latter day saints not Mormons !

Are you guys Christian’s?

Reading the comments, it's so interesting to note that most of the people who leave the LDS church can't seem to thereafter leave it alone.

Please, we’re Latter Day Saints, not ‘Mormons’. Thanks

gogogo! Thank you for sharing taht!

It’s almost like what you all promise aren’t any facts and up for interpretation. Hmmm

Look at both of these pastors Sean and Eric. Two Queens who missed the boat they thought they were sure but now they're afloat they sold their soul for a pie-in-the-sky now let's rearrange society so the narcissist and I Two Queens who sit in the pulpit wishing they had not been late They could have been at that wedding with their true love at the gate But no they followed Evangelical Christians cuz they believe what they were saying but they were that being gay was such an evil sin now you must lie and start betraying Go become straight we know you can do it Jesus Christ everything is possible now just go do it But oh now they sit the Queen's speak trying to figure out what happened to society as a weep😢

I Need Hellllp.

President Harold B Lee of the Quorom of the 12 apostles once said a liberal Mormon is simply one who does not have a testimony. I have found that to be true in most cases. The lack of understanding of the churches principles cause these members to loose faith in god and put more faith in man. It’s very sad.

GC SAME OLD SAME OLD....

I never understood why lds needed anything more than the Bible. I guess it's the same with anything that follows the trinity but has extra literature treated like gospel. I'm just happy the word of God is spread. I respect people that take the time to go and share the gospel. Idk my faith starts at genesis and end at revelations. So grow up with the new king James then the niv and now have the digital Bible that has 20 different translations lol. It's all about 99% the same message. Anything that can translate the core truth. Jesus is God and died for our sins as the ultimate sacrifice so as a gentile I can follow God's laws and when I fall short I'm forgiven. The holy spirit resides in me and gives me a truth that feels like pure love, guides me, and helps me share the news of everlasting life. Idk why it's complicated. 10 commandments love the lord your God and love your neighbor as you would yourself. It's interesting to hear why Fellowship needs all these extra documents. Doesn't the holy spirit give Christians discernment? I don't know enough about lds or jehovah witness or catholics to make comments beyond its interesting. I'm in the Bible belt southern Baptist and Presbyterian ugh non denominational or idk I really like voddie baucham and skip heigtzig from calvary.

BYU has a pride month