Mormons Vs Evangelicals : A New UNCOMPROMISING Path Forward 

As a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (24-year-old African-American male) I feel that many Latter-day Saints don't fully appreciate one of the best aspects of our community: its distinct difference from the Evangelical community. I don't understand why so many Latter-day Saints seek acceptance from Evangelicals, especially since much of the negativity and negative stereotypes about Christians stem from the Evangelical community. I joined the church because I believe it is the true church, and I have found that members of the Latter-day Saints are often the most Christ-like people I've encountered. So, I really don't understand this push to be accepted by Evangelicals. Who cares what they think?

One of my favorite quotes by Joseph Smith came when he was asked, "Wherein do you differ from other Christian denominations?" and he responded, "We believe the Bible and they do not."

Jacob. Dallas Jenkins and David Boice were better examples of what connections should look like. David joined the church but even if he didn't he would be the ideal example.

Why do members of the church feel like they need to fit in with the world of evanjectuals in the first place? Didn’t the Lord tell Joseph Smith what he thought about the creeds of his day? I know there are some people who say oh we must be nice, but in the end there's only one fullness of the Gospel. It's like political issues of our day you can talk and be nice but in the end one is right and one is wrong no gray area's.

I have no problem building relationships with guys like Jeff. He seems like a great guy and personally would love having anyone with a similar heart that I could talk about the Bible with. I’m not necessarily interested in paying for it though.

You’re right Jacob! PJ is not a wolf in sheep clothing. Clearly he is a wolf that has lulled a lot of “Saints” into thinking he is a “friendly” wolf. No wolf is friendly. Very cunning approach. His videos talking at people is not a conversation, it’s a sly sermon. Sure nice guy, but determined to point out where the good/ “well meaning saints” are sadly mistaken. Sure it is a less abrasive approach, but he is definitely “poisoning be degrees.”

When Jeff said on his latest HS video his event was free, I thought "might be interesting." When he said full access comes only with donations . . . got it. We're back to Latter-day Saints paying a professional clergyman to teach us. Not the Lord's way. Not worth my attention.

sitting this one out - i dont give pastor jeff any time

Pastor Jeff. The ONLY way you can convince me and anyone like me who do not follow your method. You must publicly and openly declare that Latter-day Saints are Christians. If you can do that honestly with your words being witness to God then we will respect your friendship. Anything less is a rejection of the willingness to connect honestly.

I always tell other Christians that I refuse to debate who's wrong or right until they can show that they can represent my theology and history accurately. A lot of my debates have ended rather abruptly after I made this rule 😂😂

This reminds me of the fable of the snake that asked the man to take it home. Then when the snake bit him the snake said you knew what he was to paraphrase. If PJ was sincere it might be different but he's not. He's out to peal the weak saints off.

CWIC is so quick to give PJ the benefit of the doubt and listen to him, but then in his very same interview yesterday throws some lds under the bus as he talks about how some lds who are skeptical are not very nice. At the same time CWIC talks to us about how nice is not a virtue and Christ was not nice. It would be great if many LDS members got the same benefit of doubt and kind treatment that PJ gets. Instead, he calls his own foolish and shortsighted, and not thinking clearly and ignorant. I don’t have an issue with PJ, but we just keep platforming him like crazy. Its bizarre. Hes no CS lewis or some deep thinker that needs to be constantly platformed as if he’s on the level of Jordan Peterson

This guy is just nice enough and nice looking enough and makes it seem like he's actually interested in us enough to lead people away from the Church. Priestcraft. Grift. Long-con. Look, he's here to minister to us. It all goes one way. He stated his intentions very early on. He's moved to Utah and is starting a church. This isn't about mutual understanding, and was only ever about understanding us enough and getting screen time and notoriety so he could pluck low hanging fruit among us and lead them into his version of Evangelical Christianity.

Just to be clear: we DO need the kind, healthy discussions and relationships they're talking about. It's not rocket science. It's not the breaking news they're treating it as either. Then there's Jeff's money angle. That loses me every time.

I'll just put it this way: I found the restored gospel of Jesus Christ more years ago than either of these two are old and no one, Saint or Evangelical, can diminish my testimony of it one jot or tittle. Their plans or intentions toward me and my faith are irrelevant to me. And quite frankly, I don't have time at my age to spend (waste) listening to anyone but the prophets, seers, and revelators the Lord has called to lead His true Church.

I’ve said this on other channels: Talking about religion is less important than acting upon our beliefs. I’d like to see all this chatting turned into action. Hours and hours spent talking when there are so many people in need of ministering. Let’s go serve together and talk as we go.

I guess if this is the content (PJ all day every day) for the next week or two, I can find time to do something else with my time 😂.

Lds presenters please make sure you talk about how we believe in building Zion and the gathering of Israel.

When is the Trent Horn debate? Do you have an eta on that?

Jacob, I appreciate all you do, truly. But, please, follow what the Lord has directed through His prophet. We are Latter-day Saints, not Mormons. We must set the example of taking seriously what the Lord speaks through His prophets.

Thanks, Jacob, for conducting this interview. Your discussions with Jeff are some of my favorite. I think you both model healthy disagreement well without swinging the pendulum too far either way.

Very well said Jacob on the relationships with God and others being on different levels. We can't be in the presence of God without developing the kind of relationship with him that allows that. The gospel principles and covenants prepare us for the highest relationship with him and each other.

Pastor Jeff only makes me more grateful for my LDS theology. I just don’t understand the “wanting to be excepted “ stance so many members take. We are different. We’re supposed to be different. I’m all for Jeff learning more about our religion but I don’t remember wanting to learn about his🤔

When will this news cycle end?

I will be glad when we can get past defining and working out the "relationship," and just enjoy each other company. Pastor Jeff seems like an enjoyable persona to be around. It would be fun to sing and perform music together, work shoulder to should in service to others, go on hikes, etc.

2:31 Pastor Jeff mentions how someone expressed a change of heart over lunch. I immediately thought of the Savior, most of his teachings are centered around food. The Wedding Supper, multiple visits with friends and foes eating with them, being accused of eating with publicans, feeding the 5000 and 7000, cursing the fig tree, last supper and the broiled fish with honeycomb easter feast along with lakeside grilled fish with some of the apostles. He always used food as a lesson.

This was a fantastic conversation and model for healthy relationships between people who disagree… but who don’t misunderstand. Excellent!

Jacob. Adversial positions acknowledge that both contestants accept each other as fighters. If Pastor Jeff does not believe we are Christian then it is one sided and dishonest.

Thank you to both of you!

Too much Venmo me this and Paypal me that going on in this space!

Jacob tends to presentism, in the sense that he considers everything immediately applicable, including final judgement -- forgetting his own temple tradition of proxy ordinances on behalf of all. Latter-day Saint theology is heavily universalist, not exclusive or exclusionary. Indeed, that is the brilliance of the Father's Plan of Salvation. Speaking here and now of celestial or telestial relationships, or the like, is thus just plain silly.

Evangelicals like pastor Jeff can figure it all out in spirit prison, hasta la vista baby.

He’s a sheep in wolves clothing

Did we not just hear Elder Holland say that taking our religion seriously is “an urgent matter?”

Love to see this conversation! Flipping the question: who are the LDS activity engaging with the evangelical community in an exemplary way?

I grew up in the 60's and 70's in a LDS household and attended church. All of my parents' friends were LDS and many of my personal friends were LDS. Back then Christianity in America outside of Catholicism was dominated by Billy Graham, Campus Crusade for Christ, four spiritual laws, Hal Lindsey and Late Great Planet Earth. Evangelicals were called "Jesus Freaks", then the Moral Majority came along, there was Frank Schaffer etc. Let me explain something to you. No Mormon wanted anything to do with that stuff. Back then it would have been virtually impossible to find an LDS who identified as "Christian". Not one time ever did any one of them that I was around call themselves a Christian. The idea was unthinkable. Being a Christian is a good thing, right? When I accepted Christ as my savior and was born again and became a Christian not one LDS that I knew, family or friend, was happy for me. They all thought I had gone insane. So, what is different these days? Mormons are so keen to call themselves Christians and they think they have a right to because they "follow Christ." Fine, call yourselves whatever, but don't blow a gasket when you come across those who go are not satisfied with this banal thinking and suggest that a Christian is a Monotheistic Trinitarian who has put their full faith and trust in the incarnate second person of the Trinity for their salvation. This definition of Christian is monolithic in Christianity. If any LDS doesn't think so, then take the test. Go to any Christian Church, institution or organization and present yourself as the polytheist that you are and see how far you get.

I wonder if Jeff will change his mind about the "superfluous" nature of our ordinances as new apocryphal texts from the first and second centuries reach the mainstream. It's amazing how we find the same ordinances that were restored in the last two centuries, documented in early church texts.

While I don't claim my engagement with LDS to be superior -- and I'm far from alone in sincere Protestant attempts at respectful interfaith dialogue -- nevertheless, I've been engaging this community respectfully and thoughtfully for nearly a decade. Frankly, I can't imagine coming across as anything but civil while, simultaneously, being willing to also broach the wide and gaping differences that divide our communities. Although I've watched Hello Saints with keen interest from its inception, often pleased with the civil tone you've displayed, of late, Pastor Jeff, I don't find myself listening much at all. Why? More and more, your channel's tone is one of -- finally! -- having arrived on the scene to now provide that (seemingly and glaringly) absent, much needed conciliatory tone and engagement. Simultaneously, you exude the desire for a clean break from us, your (embarrassing?) brothers and sisters in Christ. Meanwhile, I DO pray for these, your endeavors, and I only want the best for you, Joy, and your family.

Any way to get a transcript of this conversation, it is phenomenally enlightening, would love to study it more closely.

I had to read how to influence people from Dale Carnegie when I was an 18 year old girl at Beauty College.. our Teacher told us it would help with our customers .. he was a Genius♥️

What's so amazing to me is that Protestants are so quick to offer deathbed salvation to those who live their whole life in sin- automatic ticket to heaven, all they have to do is have faith in God's name... and yet, Latter- Day Saints are bound for hell. Here's the kicker.... we also have declared faith in Jesus, so why the double standard?

When he corrected the prophet while reCting to general conference, i unsubscribed and saw him for who he is and what he's trying to do.

Ugh.

PJ already said lds are not Christians so how can he say that are saved?

Several people commenting here are correct. When PJ can call us Christian then we can be on level ground. His refusal to accept that what we teach is the teachings of Jesus. He can claim there are differences in the way we read the Gospel out of that but in the end we know Jesus. But the minute he accepts that his only problem with our church is that we have more words of Jesus he'll have a hard time differentiating his religion from ours and his $$$ is going to be harder to maintain.

Well done you guys! Well done!

Pastor Jeff a modern day Nehor

Marketing planning complete get all LDS RU-vidrs to put more eyeballs on “hello saints” tragically even Jacob needs validation from marketer Jeff. All this summit will do is promote evangelical beliefs into Jeff’s target market Utah.

It's the third commandment Exodus 20:7 I would strongly recommend memorizing the ten commandments perfectly as well as the 9 Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 (Numbered as well has been a blessing for me) These should be recited often and should be known as well as the back of our hands, especially the Fruits of the Spirit

i would like to talk with either of you or both of yall about the differences i have with both of you & your theology & the common gol we have of goodness

Love Pastor Jeff and this ongoing dialogue.

I have a very good evangelical friend. We have been friends for years and have settled that we agree to disagree about religion and so we don’t discuss it. She has asked me questions once in awhile and I have answered them but I don’t get into discussions about it. I am not trying to persuade her to My side nor is she me. Truth be told I don’t feel she has anything better to offer me than I already have.

Unless someone who is without the fulness of the gospel is satisfied with what they have, and don't yet see the need for more, there's not much to talk about theologicaly.

The trouble with most LDS me being one is, they are asked to pray about the book of Mormon. As in James 1:5 and Moroni 10:4 when they get their answer they then go with it. So when ambushed on the street by Jeff Durban they don't have the knowledge to debate him. As we did not become members by trying to mentally work out why the gospel is true, we accept it because God told us. So most members I know avoid conversation for this reason. We as LDS needs both a spiritual witness and also knowledge to know why the difference makes a difference and why did God sent an angel to earth with that difference. What exactly is it and dose it agree with the Bible? Revelation 14:6. I personally had to have both, but those who don't and debate or even discuss it can cause them to doubt and question their experiences. Therefore potentially dangerous. Both you guys are grounded in your beliefs so it don't matter no one is going to convert the other. Therefore it's good to have a respectful conversation and weed out all the things that are not true on both sides which people believe through here say and Chinese whispers. So we'll done in ironing out all those creases. Why did Christ say love thy neighbour not just that but hang all the law and the prophets? The prophets were to encourage Israel to keep the commandments if you love your neighbour as yourself, you wouldn't steal from him, commit adultery with his wife, you wouldn't bare false witnesse etc so loving thy neighbour includes the ten commandments plus adds that if we truly love our neighbours then we will feed the hungry clothe the naked take in the stranger (parable of sheep and goats) so not only not doing bad things commandments, but I want you to do good charity etc, for if we have not charity we are nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. He dose also say on the sermon on the mount; Matt 5:48 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. So, we have to do compassionate service and it's a doing thing. Sheep and goats require us to do these things to prove we love our neighbours. Question for LDS to Jacob. Have you ever watched the church video called the mediator? At the end when the young man accepts Christ as his new creditor, he now owes Christ the debt rather than the Father but Christ provides a way for him to pay, He says it won't be easy but it will be possible. If we have no money to pay the Father how do we pay Christ? We can work for Him, missionary work, Temple and family History work, and our callings in church, although in His words still be unprofitable servants. Because Christ paid for our sins, do we now owe nothing, or do we owe Christ?

Nice timing! 12:38 MT

1:20:00 wow. That’s what I have hoped Pastor Jeff would do. There ARE people in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who need help finding Christ. I was one who didn’t understand Christ until I read the Peacegiver and met other evangelicals on my mission. But it wasn’t just them either. It was them and other people in the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS who have been converted to Christ and saved.

Someone needs to remind David Alexander how we treat people. He has created so much hostility for Jeff from our own members or anyone who doesn't agree with him. Maybe have him on your show and go over Christ-like attitude 😅.

I’m not appreciative of pastor jeff’s haircut

I think all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as almost all evangelicals can agree that the mark of the beast prophecied of in Revelation is still in the future, and probably not far off. Until we deal with that threat, let's all be on the same page. We need to work together because that's too dangerous to deal with alone.

Evangelicals want fun and friendly when they are in the minority, but if you want to know what Evangelicals are like when they are in the majority, ask a native Californian. The next time you interview PJ ask a native Californian to provide you with questions about evangelical behavior and their form of Christianity. PJ is not a wolf in sheep's clothing. He's just a wolf and a businessman exploiting the naïve.

18:47 for those unaware he’s talking about Apologia Church :)

Please do a collaboration with Jared Halverson and Jeff! Everyone is anxiously waiting haha! I’d bet that’s who he had lunch with!

I would ask. What is the standard by which anyone calls themselves Christian? I am a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. I follow Christ and have received baptism. In tired of the debate. God and Jesus will sort us out sin enough. A confessing with our lips that we are our aren't will be shown in our actions. The scriptures clearly say we are judged by our works. Works follow our faith in Jesus.

To be fair, when "Pastor" Jeff supported a woman disrupting LDS Sunday services, I think most of us who call him a wolf in sheep's clothing were justified. He never backtracked either. never apologized or condemned her bullshit. Just delisted the video, which you can still find with the way back machine. I find it personally frustrating Jacob, that you didn't call him on that, while backhanding those of us who are leery of him. Also when he says "Here is where we agree, oh this doesn't check out" I watched six of his videos in a row, where he never once said something positive about our faith, and repeatedly misrepresented our doctrine. Even after being corrected on it. So no, I don't trust him, and I think he's a liar. He might be a NICE liar, but he's still a liar.

Jacob is a very effective apologist for the restored Gospel ( you should watch some of his debates ). While I agree too many latter day saints try to find common ground, or try to convince evangelicals that we believe in the same God ( which tuly we do not !) I dont think he, Jacob, is looking for acceptance from Evangelicals or protestants. He clearly deliniated the difference between debate and conversation mode in our communication with others not of our faith, and what he said about relationships was very good. We are always going to have those around us, family and friends, who are not LDS, and it is important that we build the best relationship we can, but understanding, because of our world views, there will be some limits beyond which the relationship can go no further( Jacob's explanation on this was excellent )- but we ought to build the best relationships we can, without compromising the glorious truths of the restoration. Isnt this what Jesus did when he mingled and rubbed shoulders with those who were not ( yet ) his disciples ? Yes we should be bold, not over bearing, wise as serpents, harmless as doves. Building the best relationship of tolerance and understanding that we can with some one - understanding their position, without ever compromising our own, will build bridges, that one day may lead to their conversion. I am not going to Judge Pastor Jeff's sincerity - Thats not important. What is important is that I stand firm in my faith and build bridges of relationship around me with those who may not yet have the same views as me. Relationship does not mean I compromise my testimony of the restored gospel at the alter of protestant acceptance, but I will from the deck of the "Good Ship Zion" throw out a life line of frienship, consideration, and kindness.

I appreciate that you're having this open & honest talk with someone of a different denomination. Both of you have been very civil in your discourse which is not always the case in such conversations. Continue to live these principles of free speech & freedom of religion!

Would that God would call. Me to minister to my Protestant friends always

38:30. It was more than misdirected focus. They were whited sepluchre. Saying, but not doing, indeed corrupt and in instances doing just just the opposite.

We are all sheep and in the end, we will all lineup behind one of two shepherds! Jesus is 100% sure that we are all sheep! I think that Elder Maxwell would say that there is a place for what Pastor Jeff and Saints unscripted are doing together. It is a specialist job that you guys do and it is unique and awesome in its own way! However, I would not recommend it to everyone!

How can Mormonism reconcile with God when they believe that Jesus is just an exalted man. Christians believe Jesus is God, he did not have to exalt Himself, that He is eternal, there is a vast difference between Christianity and Mormonism, with all due respect, there is a huge contrast!

In summary? "Boundaries *not* Barriers" - . . .

It is not a new path forward pastor Jeff is now discussing the book of mormon on his podcsst and people wont understand it well enough to know if he gets it right when the missionarys give a book of mormon they tell the person to pray about it and give the longer to study it they are blessed with the authority to teach only those who are searching sincerly and humbly for truth if you preached on his religion he wouldnt like Keep prayerful and humble jacob you have been used not for the good of our church but for his

It’s not about who is right or wrong, Christ doesn’t put a cap on his love! His vision and plans are so much bigger then lds or evangelical, if we could see how Christ church should truly be, we would be crushed for how far we are from it. His church is no institution or building with certain name on it but it’s people, we are the temple where God can dwell. Pastor Jeff don’t judge the Book of Mormon based of the false doctrines of the LDS, we ain’t perfect and have many things we could learn from you. The Book of Mormon is a stand alone book, and offers further evidence of the resurrected Lord, every Christian should hope and pray that it’s true. Lds if we would look to the Book of Mormon and throw out the rest, stop overshadowing it with the d&c and manuals and presidents of the church, these have become our idols! Look and live, the fountain of living water wants us to go to him, no more high priest to look to the temple veil was torn from top to bottom, stop rejecting the new covenant! Many lds are giving up there dead religion to find Christ.

Boring episode. People talking about talking.😢

I want to see an evangelical engage in a sincere conversation with someone like Bruce Porter, or Jeffrey R Holland etc… But they never do, they stand outside the conference center attacking the mom or dad on their way to church The average member in general is not at the same level as a General Authority or a scholar, it is so disingenuous to go up to the average member expecting them to be able to defend their faith as a GA or a scholar can…

Too bad Robert Boylan isn’t part of the summit

While I believe Jeff is genuine, and I don't necessarily fully agree with the general conception of wolves and sheep... For the sake of this conversation and the general perception of Jeff's audience/intentions; A wolf in wolfs clothing isn't much better.

Both of these guys not really saying anything. They have their own followings, more power to them, but they are not the prophet and never will be.

Paster jeff shouldnt do podcasts about our religion we dont do podcasts on his religion even though he does it in a nice way he doesnt interoperate corectly why wouldhe when he doesnt have a testomony of it we can teach our Latterday saint doctrine on our podcasts as long as we keep the commandments and covernants and follow Jesus Christ and the prophet all the history and other principles that he is debating about are not necessary to argue about trust in the lord with all thy heart and lean not to thy own understanding in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path these debates are out of order and not necessary our prophet recieves reverlation for us

Jacob, you are a nice guy, but let’s be honest, this conversation is almost totally useless… remember the mission? We don’t spend time in a missionary purpose with people that are not interested in the restoration. Jeff was clear that he is against it… don’t fuel those empty relationships that only will make people confuse lds with evangelicals. We don’t want to look like them …

Oh my gosh yes to the hidden camera guy ambushing people going to the temple! I hated that video with the young man and he was so polite and patient with that “pastor” or whoever he is. Not an example of Christ at all!

Body language, anyone?

Is Pastor Jeff also a Freemason?

Didn't Jacobs wife leave the church?