Eric Johnson - Introducing Christianity to Mormons: A Practical and Comparative Guide to What the Bible Teaches

Table of Contents

For many years, there has existed a tremendous need for a book explaining the biblical gospel of grace to LDS individuals transitioning out of their LDS faith tradition and, with hopeful and tender hearts, seeking Truth Himself. With expert knowledge of the Bible and a loving approach to sharing Truth, Eric Johnson has met this need. It should be a standard for many years to come in introducing biblical Truth to LDS.

Dr. Lynn Wilder
Author, Unveiling Grace: The Story of How We Found Our Way out of the Mormon Church

Introducing Christianity to Mormons is a unique book. Eric has studied and taught Christian beliefs for years, and so he captures the heart of core doctrines with clarity. And yet he has spent his life studying the LDS Church and engaging Mormons, so he presents Christian beliefs in a respectful and understandable fashion. This is the first book I will now recommend for those with an LDS background who want to understand Christian teachings.

Sean McDowell, PhD
Biola University professor, coauthor of Evidence That Demands a Verdict and More Than a Carpenter

With every passing year, the distinctions between Christianity and the LDS Church are increasingly confused. Most contemporary LDS consider Mormonism a denomination of Christianity, even though their founders would never have described it that way. Now more than ever, we need a guide to help us navigate the differences and engage our LDS friends with compassion and truth. Thats why this book is so timely. No one does a better job than Eric when it comes to understanding the differences, focusing on the essentials, and reaching Mormons with love and urgency. If you know Mormons, let this book prepare and guide you every step of the way.

J. Warner Wallace
Dateline -featured Cold-Case Detective, author of Cold Case Christianity

Have you tried to share your faith with an LDS (Mormon) friend only to walk away confused by the discussion? Erics book offers the Christian great insights on Mormon beliefs, along with guides for more meaningful discussions.

Sandra Tanner
Cofounder of Utah Lighthouse Ministry, coauthor of Mormonism: Shadow or Reality

When sharing the Christian faith with members of the LDS Church, using precise language is always paramount. Christians have often expressed frustration when their LDS counterpart gives the impression that they have few disagreements with what Christians have historically believed, even though one of the foundational teachings of their church is that Christs church fell into a state of complete apostasy after the death of Jesus apostles. Eric Johnson cuts through this theological fog and offers information that will make for effective conversations.

Bill McKeever
Director of Mormonism Research Ministry (Utah), coauthor of Answering Mormons Questions

I have long felt the need for a book that takes LDS beliefs and language into account when explaining the message of Christianity. Eric Johnson has created that book. He has combined theological clarity and a lucid writing style with his extensive experience talking to Mormons to produce a resource I will give away often.

Ross Anderson
Author, Understanding Your Mormon Neighbor , executive director, Utah Advance Ministries

I wish Id had this book when starting out in ministry in Utah. Ill be giving many copies of it away. It will be a great help to those who dont understand the differences between the religions that find their origin in the teaching of Joseph Smith and traditional Christianity, to those who are leaving some form of Mormonism for Christianity, and for Christians who live and serve in Mormon communities.

Loren Pankratz, PhD
Lead pastor, The Bridge Community, Centerville, Utah

Eric Johnson gives us a multifaceted jewel in this book. Viewed from one side, it is an articulate primer for the historic Christian faith. Viewed from another side, it gives Christians the resources to anticipate and field common LDS questions and objections. And from yet another angle, a Latter-day Saint could encounter the material as a winsome and conversational polemic for the core of Christianity. Truth and grace march in lockstep through its pages. As a pastor and theologian in LDS country, I heartily recommend it!

Dr. Bryan Hurlbutt
Lead pastor, Lifeline Community, West Jordan, Utah

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

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Introducing Christianity to Mormons

Copyright 2022 by Eric Johnson

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97408

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-8549-9 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-8550-5 (eBook)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022931413

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For more than three decades, my wife has supported me in ministry endeavors and has never complained. Thank you, Terri Lynn, for your many sacrifices as well as your encouragement to finish this project. I love you .

Many people helped me tremendously in this project. First, I want to acknowledge Sharon Lindbloom, a friend and associate at Mormonism Research Ministry. Her valuable advice and constructive criticism to my first two drafts is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Sharon, for the hours you dedicated to this project!

Mark Ridgway, Tom Hobson, and Karen Taylor took the time to read both drafts of the manuscript and provided suggestions that were both beneficial and helpful. Kaz Dombrowski, Carissa Flores, Sherry Frazier, Michael Hodge, Jerry Jenkins, Michael Kempton, Robert McKay, Neal Powell, Devin Rill, Shane Roe, Sandra Tanner, Kim Thorne-Harper, and Eric Wendt read the first draft and offered their encouragement.

Bill McKeever, the founder of Mormonism Research Ministry, allowed me to push nonessential ministry assignments aside during the fall of 2020 and the winter/spring of 2021 to work on the manuscript. The camaraderie Bill and I share and what I have learned from him over the past three decades is evident in what has been written in this book.