July 26, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrrist.blog | River Wilde
(The views expressed in this article are my personal interpretations of the Bible, particularly concerning biblical prophecy and the end times. They are offered for discussion, study, and personal reflection. I do not claim special revelation, nor do I speak on behalf of any church, denomination, religious organization, or its leaders. Readers are encouraged to study the Scriptures for themselves, seek God’s guidance through prayer, and draw their own conclusions.)
It is one of the most recognizable religious symbols in the world. Standing atop many temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a golden figure commonly identified as the angel Moroni, holding a trumpet to his lips. To faithful members of the church, it symbolizes the restoration of the gospel and the proclamation of God’s work to the nations. But for those who believe the Bible alone is the final authority, an important question naturally arises: Does the King James Bible support this symbol, or does it warn believers to be cautious?
The first thing we should recognize is that the Bible never identifies Moroni as an angel of God. In fact, the name “Moroni” does not appear anywhere in the King James Version. The only source describing Moroni as a heavenly messenger is the Book of Mormon and the later testimony of Joseph Smith. If a believer accepts the Bible as the complete and sufficient authority for testing spiritual claims, then any being claiming to bring new revelation must be examined by the Scriptures.
The Apostle Paul gave one of the strongest warnings found anywhere in the New Testament. He wrote,
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8, KJV).
Paul did not say to automatically believe an angel simply because it appeared glorious or supernatural. Instead, he instructed Christians to judge the message. If the message differs from the Gospel already delivered by Jesus Christ and His apostles, it must be rejected regardless of who delivers it.
Paul continues this warning elsewhere by reminding believers that appearances can be deceiving.
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14, KJV).
Scripture teaches that Satan’s greatest weapon is not obvious evil but convincing deception. If Satan can appear as an angel of light, then believers must test every spiritual experience by the written Word of God rather than by feelings, visions, or impressive manifestations.
Does this mean the statue itself represents a fallen demon? The Bible simply does not say. No passage identifies the statue of Moroni as demonic, nor does Scripture tell us the identity of every spiritual being people claim to have encountered. It would therefore go beyond what the Bible reveals to declare with certainty that the statue is a fallen angel. We should be careful not to make claims that Scripture itself does not make.
However, the Bible does provide a principle that is much more important than identifying the statue. The question is not whether the figure is artistic or symbolic. The real question is whether the message associated with it agrees completely with the Gospel taught by Jesus Christ and His apostles. If any message adds new requirements for salvation, introduces another priesthood, another gospel, or another authority beyond what Christ revealed, then the Bible tells us exactly how to respond….We are to reject it.
Jesus Himself warned that deception would dramatically increase before His return.
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24, KJV).
Likewise, John instructed believers, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” (1 John 4:1, KJV).
The test has always been the same: Does the teaching agree with the Scriptures that Christ Himself, taught along with His apostles, while they were on the earth? This includes the Book of Mormon; Does it agree with the teachings of Christ as recorded in scripture? Let’s take a quick look:
Saved by Grace Not Works
Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 25:23 – “…for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”
The phrase “after all we can do” has been interpreted within LDS teaching as requiring one’s best efforts before grace fully saves.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the New Testament
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Romans 3:28 – “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
Titus 3:5 – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”
Galatians 2:16 – “…a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ…”
John 5:24 – “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
The New Testament teaches that salvation is entirely God’s gift, received through faith apart from human merit.
From that perspective, adding the phrase “after all we can do” appears to place a condition of receiving saving grace that is not stated in these New Testament passages.
For those comparing Mormon doctrine with the King James Bible, the central issue is not the golden statue standing atop a temple. The central issue is whether the gospel being proclaimed matches the Gospel that Jesus Christ taught.
And as we’ve just learned, according to the New Testament, salvation is received by grace through faith in Christ—not by religious ordinances, temple ceremonies, or human works (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5, KJV). The apostles repeatedly directed believers to trust completely in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Perhaps the most important lesson is this: believers should never place their confidence in symbols, buildings, temples, religious organizations, or claims of heavenly visitations. Our faith must rest upon Jesus Christ alone and the truth of His Word. Every teacher, every prophet, every church, every vision, and every angelic claim must be measured against the Scriptures.
If we remain anchored to God’s Word, we need not fear deception, for Jesus promised, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32, KJV).
I invite you all to do as Christ has instructed us to do: Compare ALL teachings with His gospel as He and His apostles taught which are recorded in the New Testament. There is REAL SPIRITUAL danger in simply trusting a man claiming to be a prophet of God.
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
— Acts 5:29 (KJV)
Peter spoke these words after the Jewish religious leaders commanded the apostles to stop preaching in the name of Jesus Christ. Rather than obeying a command that contradicted God’s will, they chose to remain faithful to the Lord.
I know personally, due to my own family and friend’s comments, that they would follow the prophet regardless of their own personal revelation from God. This is the level of deception which they are trapped in. We should ALWAYS follow God, regardless of what a leader tells us to do.
“Follow us… Trust US” are the words from church leaders. Can’t you see how this conflicts with the teachings of Christ? “…We ought to obey God rather than men.”
As a member of the church for 60+ years, I followed the doctrine because of one DECEPTIVE word. We are taught that the gospel of Jesus Christ was RESTORED by Joseph Smith. I assumed that the gospel that Christ taught was the same thing that my church was teaching.
When I DESIRED to learn the truth, after losing my temple recommend because I was paying tithing directly to those in need rather than to the church, I discovered that the gospel of Joseph Smith is everything BUT the gospel of Jesus Christ.
One of the greatest teachings of Jesus Christ: the ONE that will get a person to HEAVEN, is not even taught in Mormon Doctrine.
Remember Nicodemus in the Bible? He was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, deeply religious, highly respected, and devoted to keeping God’s law. If anyone could have expected to enter heaven based on religious dedication, it would have been Nicodemus.
Yet when he came to Jesus by night, Jesus did not tell him to become more religious, join a different church, receive additional ordinances, or perform more good works. Instead, Christ immediately went to the heart of the matter.
Christ taught that entering the kingdom of God requires being born again through faith in Him—not trusting in religious status or works, these KJV passages teach this:
Jesus: You MUST Be Born Again
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (KJV)
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
— John 3:7 (KJV)
How to Be Born Again According to Jesus Christ (KJV)
If there is one question that every person should ask, it is this: “How can I know that I will go to heaven?” Jesus Christ answered that question Himself. Being born again is not becoming a member of a church. It is not turning over a new leaf or trying harder to be a better person. It is a spiritual birth that God performs in the heart of a person who places his faith in Jesus Christ.
1. Recognize that you are a sinner.
The Bible teaches that every person has sinned against God.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
(Romans 3:23, KJV)
No amount of good works can erase our sin or make us righteous before a holy God.
2. Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again.
God’s love was demonstrated by sending His Son to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8, KJV)
Jesus paid the debt that we could never pay ourselves.
3. Place your faith in Jesus Christ alone.
When people asked Jesus what they must do, His answer was simple:
“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?”
“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
(John 6:28–29, KJV)
Salvation is not earned by trusting in religion, ceremonies, or personal righteousness. It is received by believing in Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
(John 3:16, KJV)
4. Receive Him as your Savior.
Saving faith is personal. It is placing your trust completely in Christ.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
(John 1:12, KJV)
5. Confess Jesus as Lord.
The Apostle Paul explained the response of genuine faith:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
(Romans 10:9, KJV)
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
(Romans 10:10, KJV)
6. Trust in God’s grace—not your works.
The new birth is God’s gift. It cannot be earned.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV)
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
(Titus 3:5, KJV)
What Happens When You Are Born Again?
When a person places his complete trust in Jesus Christ, God gives him new spiritual life, IMMEDIATELY.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV)
The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within the believer, giving a new heart and new desires to follow Christ. Good works are no longer performed to earn salvation; they become the fruit of a life that has already been saved by God’s grace.
Jesus’ Invitation Still Stands
Jesus did not tell Nicodemus to trust in his religion. He told him, “Ye must be born again.” That invitation remains open today. Every person who comes to Jesus Christ in faith, believing that He died for their sins and rose again, and trusting in Him alone for salvation, receives everlasting life.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life…”
(John 3:36, KJV)
Being “Born Again.” This is what was missing from Nicodemus, when approached by Jesus Christ. Would Nicodemus have gone to heaven if Jesus had not have told him that He MUST be born again? Only God knows that answer, but there is one very telling fact. Let’s look:
“…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
You be the judge of how important this spiritual rebirth is. And the fact that this is not taught by the church should be screaming panic into your very soul right now. Born again is CLEARLY NOT BAPTISM, as many of us were deceived into believing. It is the FOUNDATION of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is what is necessary to enter heaven, as the scripture teaches.
According to the King James Version, baptism is an act of obedience that follows a person’s new birth in Jesus Christ—it is not the means by which a person is born again. Jesus taught, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, KJV), showing that spiritual rebirth comes first.
After believing the gospel and receiving Christ by faith, believers publicly identify with Him through baptism. On the day of Pentecost, those who “gladly received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:41, KJV), and the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized only after he confessed his faith in Christ (Acts 8:36–38, KJV).
Baptism is a beautiful outward testimony of the inward change God has already accomplished. It symbolizes our identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4, KJV), but it is the new birth through faith in Jesus Christ that saves, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5, KJV).
Therefore, the biblical order is clear: believe in Christ, be born again, and then be baptized as a joyful act of obedience and public declaration of your faith. This is the purpose of baptism!
So, for those of you who are thinking, “my church is a good church, and a great way to live.” I must again scream from the rooftops, “You might very will be missing out in going to heaven because of that same church you think that is just fine,” for it does not teach the most important gospel principle.
It is a high demand religion, which is completely opposite of the gospel of Jesus Christ:
Matthew 11:28–30 (KJV):
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Have you ever stopped to realize that there will be NO RELIGION in Heaven. No Temples, nor church buildings: No prophet leaders telling us what to do. It will just be us, and Jesus Christ. He will be our leader, and we will be his church.
You do NOT even need a church in this life to make it to heaven. God has already told us what we need:
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.“
— John 14:6 (KJV)
All we need is a relationship with Jesus Christ, and to become Born Again as He has instructed us to do. This is what a religion should be assisting us to do…assisting us…assisting us! Are you getting this?
Religion should NOT replace Jesus Christ. It should NOT teach that you need the religion, rather than you only need Jesus Christ. If your religion is teaching you that you need other things to make it to heaven, they are deceiving you. If your religion is teaching you that if you do not pay tithing, you will be “Burned at His coming,” they are CORRUPTING the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To close, there are some of you who are just now starting to see the deception behind your church. I realize that this is a frightening thing, as I went through this same process myself. The way forward is simple yet VERY URGENT. Follow the steps above and become Born Again. Take some time in realizing that the atonement of Jesus Christ is ALL THAT IS NECESSARY for your salvation, and NOTHING else. It should not be shared with anything else. 100% of the glory of our salvation belongs to Jesus Christ…NOT our good works, NOR temple rituals… Nothing else, just the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
This one thing is Your Greatest assignment right now. Include God in this process, for it is He who will give you this spiritual rebirth.
Being Born Again will get you into heaven, as well as include you in the Rapture from Jesus Christ which will take place very soon, rescuing those “in Christ” from the Seven Year Tribulation that will immediately follow.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (KJV)
Please ask for God’s help in breaking free of the chains of deception that your church has created. Those chains are THICK and are difficult for many people to escape. Here are some things that might help you:
Be Teachable and Humble
Crave the TRUTH
Stop thinking that you already know the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Start new.
Realize that religious deception is satan’s go-to plan in leading the “Very Elect” away from the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let God confirm all truth, and ask Him to continue leading you to the words of Jesus Christ as written in the New Testament.
Do not think that you have wasted your entire life by belonging to a false church. There have been many positive things that have come from this. This is important for your emotional survival.
Realize that there are some personal hardships that will come from making this change. I lost my ward family, as well as some friendships once I learned the truth. But my thinking was Jesus died for me; I can sacrifice something for him.
Realize that this might be something that could keep you out of heaven, unless you do as Christ taught in becoming born again.
Seek the truth. It doesn’t matter what is false. False teachings do a person NO GOOD. Search for the truth, for this is what you need to move forward.
It is my hope and prayer that all who read this will see the importance of becoming Born Again, and do it RIGHT now, if you have not yet done so. Then, realize the danger that you have been removed from. You are sons and daughters of God now. You can now be in peace. You belong to Him, and not a church. He is coming to rescue you, and KNOW that you will be included in this great rescue plan of the rapture.
There is NOTHING more telling to me that if a church leader were truly a prophet of God, he would be teaching the end times prophecies NON-STOP right now. These prophecies were so important for God to reveal to us, that He told them to His TRUE prophets and had them record everything in the Bible. Over one third of the Bible is dedicated to the end times teachings…Directions, and explanations speaking to you and me, for this very day. The fact that he is not teaching God’s prophacies should tell you something.
God Holds Watchmen Accountable
“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned… his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.”
(Ezekiel 33:6, KJV)
God appointed watchmen to warn the people of approaching judgment. If they remained silent, God held them accountable. Remember, we are to trust God, NOT man!
Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)
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.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Discover more from The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
