Tag: LDS Church history

Social Media Gainsayers: The Anti-Mormon Playbook Has Not Changed—Only the Platforms Have

Timothy R. Berman1 Comment

How Ex-Mormon Influencers, Evangelical Critics, and Online Ministries Repackage the Same Arguments for YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Podcasts, and Livestreams

In 1989, anti-Latter-day Saint ministries, often referred to as Counter-cult or Anti-Mormon groups, relied heavily on printed tracts, cassette tapes, books, traveling seminars, church presentations, and controversial films—most notably, The Godmakers. Pastors would announce special meetings from their pulpits, offering “classes” on how to witness to Mormons. If you strolled into any brick-and-mortar Christian bookstore, you’d find a substantial collection of books specifically discussing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among the more notable titles were Kingdom of the Cults by the late Walter Martin, Letters to a Mormon Elder by James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries, Mormonism 101 by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, and Mormons Answered Verse by Verse by David A. Reed and John R. Farkas. In addition to these apologist works, you’d also discover a range of small group and individual study guides about the LDS faith.

As if that weren’t enough, it wasn’t uncommon for members of the faith to be invited over to a family friend’s or relative’s home for dinner, only to be introduced to a friendly couple. The gentleman would often start the conversation with, “I used to be a Mormon, but I’ve found Jesus.” This felt like a kind of religious intervention aimed at coaxing you to leave the church. I experienced this firsthand in my early twenties when my mother-in-law invited my then-wife and me over for dinner. That evening plunged me into the world of Anti-Mormonism and apologetics. I had already purchased They Lie in Wait to Deceive by the Browns (I had all four volumes at that time), The Truth About the Godmakers by Gilbert Scharff, and The Gainsayers: A Converted Anti-Mormon Responds to the Critics of the LDS Church by Derrick T. Evenson—this last book serving as the foundation for my Social Media Gainsayers series.

This atmosphere left minimal opportunity for individuals to hear a meaningful response from Latter-day Saints. The urgency of the message was unmistakable: “They are stealing your people. They must be stopped,” as Ed Decker wrote in his letter to pastors, promoting his book and film, The Godmakers. Fast forward more than three decades, and we see that the media landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation. Pamphlets have turned into Facebook posts, and cassette tapes have been replaced by podcasts. Traveling seminars have morphed into YouTube livestreams and channels, while the controversial film The Godmakers has resurfaced on social media platforms, mainly appearing as “The Mormon Banned Cartoon.” Church basement presentations have transitioned into TikTok debates and live discussions. The once-printed quotations, often stripped of context, have been condensed into fifteen-second video clips and responses. What used to be the anti-Mormon bookstore shelf has now become algorithmically generated playlists.

The technology has changed, distribution has accelerated, and the audience is now global. Yet, the underlying playbook remains startlingly familiar. Today’s social media gainsayers might identify themselves as Ex-Mormons, evangelical Christian pastors, Christian apologists, cult experts, deconstruction coaches, religious commentators, or former “insiders.” Though they use differing methods, it’s crucial to note that not every critic of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is manipulative, dishonest, or deceptive.

Legitimate criticisms deserve legitimate responses. Difficult historical questions should never be ignored, and former members have every right to share their personal experiences. Likewise, Christians have every right to express their disagreements with Latter-day Saint theology. The challenge arises when personal experiences are framed as universal facts, theological disagreements are marketed as scandals, and mockery and insults take the place of honest discussions. Unfortunately, algorithms often amplify the most hostile narratives.

That’s when criticism turns into gainsaying. As Latter-day Saints, we bear the responsibility to stand firm in our faith and testimony, for it is through “sound doctrine that we both exhort and convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9, KJV).

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Apostasy to Restoration: Lesson 7 – Religion in the Roman Empire

Timothy R. BermanLeave a comment

When T. Edgar Lyon first penned Lesson 7 of Apostasy to Restoration in 1960, he invited Latter-day Saints to step into a world where religion was not just a private conviction but a fundamental component of the machinery of empire. This bold assertion set the stage for a deeper exploration of the intricate interplay between faith, culture, and politics. Sixty years later, the landscape of scholarship has transformed dramatically, yet Lyon’s central insight remains strikingly relevant: to truly understand the need for a Restoration, we must first immerse ourselves in the complex milieu that shaped the early Christian Church.

This updated lesson builds upon Lyon’s foundational work, integrating modern archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed historical research, and contemporary Latter-day Saint scholarship to form a more nuanced understanding of the context in which early Christianity emerged. What emerges from this scholarly synthesis is a clearer, richer, and more compelling picture of the Roman religious world—a world that was teeming with a pantheon of gods, replete with elaborate rituals, and governed by a political theology that made the act of Christian discipleship both radical and perilous.

In a society where loyalty to the state was intricately tied to acts of sacrifice and devotion, where citizens adeptly navigated multiple cults without a hint of contradiction, and where the pursuit of salvation was often sought through clandestine mystery rites and the favor of emperors, the Christian proclamation of “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” represented a profound challenge to the status quo—it was nothing less than a revolutionary stance. This declaration was, in essence, a radical reformation of the religious landscape, directly opposing the established norms that dictated the relationship between the individual, the divine, and the state.

Understanding that world is essential for grasping why the early Church fractured amidst various pressures and why a Restoration was not merely desirable but indeed inevitable. The tensions between emerging Christian beliefs and the entrenched systems of power were not just obstacles to be overcome; they underscored the urgent need for a return to core principles that could unify and reinvigorate the faith community. Lyon’s insights encourage us to reflect on our own circumstances in today’s religious environment, prompting critical questions about the nature of faith, the role of community, and the ongoing quest for spiritual authenticity in an increasingly complex world. As we navigate the remnants of an ancient tapestry interwoven with faith and politics, we find ourselves inspired to reconsider the implications of our shared history and the enduring quest for a true Restoration.

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