Curated Curiosity

Mormonism and Christianity: A Thoughtful Biblical Perspective    The question of whether The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), often referred to as Mormonism, aligns with biblical Christianity is a meaningful one for those seeking to understand the truth of God’s Word. Members of the LDS Church express a deep commitment to Jesus Christ as their Savior, and their dedication to faith and community is admirable. However, when we examine Mormon teachings in light of the Bible, God’s inspired and sufficient revelation, significant differences emerge that set Mormonism apart from the faith described in Scripture.      This blog explores these differences with humility, clarity, and respect, aiming to honor the sincerity of all who seek truth while remaining anchored in the Bible’s teachings. By considering Mormonism’s additional scriptures, its views on God, Jesus, salvation, and temple practices, we seek to offer a thoughtful perspective that invites...

Reflecting on "Pushing Faith" Week 3 of the Reply Series      As I sat down to read my co-leader’s notes for Week 3 of our student ministry’s “Reply” series, titled “Pushing Faith,” I was excited to dive into his thoughts.  The previous week in the session I led on hypocrisy, how the world calls Christians hypocrites and how we can live authentically for Christ. I poured my extended thoughts into a blog post to capture what didn’t fit in the lesson time. This week, my co-leader took the stage to tackle another common objection: “Christians shouldn’t push their faith on others.” I was there Wednesday night, sitting with the students (partly to keep some of our lively boys in check, they’re great kids, but you know how it goes), and his message was thought provoking. Reading his notes now, I’m stirred again, reflecting on the scriptures and ideas he shared. It’s like I’m back in the room, hearing the flow of his words, pausing to process, and connecting them to my own ...

People, we made it, the day is here.     When the first day of football season breaks, the world tilts on its axis. The air doesn’t just feel crisp, it hums with purpose, carrying the scent of freshly mown grass that’s no longer just a lawn but a whisper of every gridiron from peewee fields to the roaring coliseums of the NFL. There’s a bite to the breeze, a hint of autumn, laced with the smoky perfume of tailgates firing up, charcoal and sizzling wings blending with the faint sweetness of spilled beer. Your morning coffee, steaming in its mug, smells sharper, as if it knows it’s fueling you for something sacred, a ritual that transcends the ordinary.          Listen, and the sounds tell the story. The faint drone of a pregame show from a neighbor’s TV isn’t just background noise, it’s a hymn, a prelude to the symphony of kickoff. Bottles clink in coolers, kids shout as they toss a football in the street, and somewhere, a subwoofer pulses with Swe...

The Origin of my Curiosity     In our small group last week, we gathered around a simple yet profound question: Are we like Paul? The discussion was brief but stirred something deep within us. We explored how our lives might mirror the transformative journey of Paul, the apostle whose encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus redirected his entire existence. To dig deeper, our group leader handed out index cards with four prompts: Before , How , After , and Relate . These words invited us to map out our spiritual journeys, where we were before knowing Christ fully, how we came to a deeper faith, what changed afterward, and how our story might connect to Paul’s or, more broadly, to others.      As we scribbled our thoughts, the room buzzed with quiet reflection. My card captured a snapshot of my life’s transformation.  For Before , I wrote: Single, believer, no spiritual direction or purpose. Prone to fear and doubt and sin.   For How : Met my wife...