THE CROSS
May 2026
by Gary Keating
General Conference by the Latter-day Saints on April 4-5 is now history. Below, Sandra Keating has analyzed the ‘talks’ and provides a summation in this newsletter. Next month, former LDS and local writer, Lloyd Sharp, will provide a comparison of current LDS thinking to Biblical truth.
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Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
by Sandra Keating
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
The first session of General Conference was a solemn assembly during which the priesthood sustained the members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Dallin H. Oaks was called to be the new President and Prophet of the church. Later in the day, the General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers were sustained. There was also a church auditing department report. During the remainder of the conference, there were 32 talks from a multitude of officials from the church.
The main focus of the conference was Jesus Christ, His resurrection, and His atonement. My opinion is that much of the content of the talks could have been preached in any Christian congregation on any given Sunday. And all the people would say “AMEN” to what was said. It was quite evident from reading the talks that the LDS authorities were trying to present themselves to the world as another Christian denomination. Careful reading and listening, however, revealed some of the major LDS doctrines which definitely do not align with Biblical Christian doctrine.
Below are a few topics that were discussed with which, on the surface, we would agree:
● Jesus arose! He lives!
● Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life
● Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God
● Jesus is the true vine; abide in Him
● Jesus has overcome the world
● Jesus brings peace
● Love one another
● Be like Jesus
Intertwined within these topics were clear messages regarding LDS theology which do not conform to Biblical Christianity. Here are just a few:
● Joseph Smith was the first prophet of the Restoration who saw and spoke with God the Father and His son Jesus.
● Joseph Smith published The Book of Mormon and the members were encouraged to read it daily to find truth.
● Preexistence - We lived in spirit world before coming to earth, gaining a body and obedience in mortality.
● Eternal marriage - husband and wife sealed in temple for time and eternity.
● Members are to follow the covenant path and endure to the end.
● Elijah conferred priesthood keys to Joseph Smith which are an essential part of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
● These keys are passed down in an unbroken line to living priests and prophets.
● Dallin H. Oaks is the living prophet, seer, revelator and high priest.
● Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit by proper priesthood authority and the laying on of hands.
● Follow the teachings of living prophets and apostles through continuing revelation.
● Jesus appeared to people in the Americas after His resurrection.
● God is a living God with a glorified body of flesh and bone.
●Through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and covenants of the gospel.
When sharing with your LDS friends, it is important to realize that even though they talk about Jesus, they have a completely different theology than you do. In our next newsletter, we will have further discussion regarding these current differences.
