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Show Notes:
In part one of this two-part series, host Adele Werner sits down with three guests who bring deep personal, pastoral, and on-the-ground experience with Mormon (LDS) culture and theology. Former Mormon–turned–Lutheran pastor Rev. Jeremy Lamont and LDS outreach leaders Rev. Mark Parsons and Molly Parsons explore the key theological differences between Mormonism (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and our Christian confession. Together, they discuss how the LDS view of Jesus as an “elder brother” contrasts with the historic Christian confession of Christ as true God and Savior, why many Latter-day Saints now identify as Christians, and what the LDS “covenant path” means for everyday members.
Listeners will gain a clear understanding of LDS teachings on salvation, eternal families, and the pre-mortal existence—and why these differ from Scripture. The guests also share practical, compassionate strategies for witnessing to Mormon friends, including how to ask meaningful questions, how to talk about grace, and why simply marveling at Jesus often opens more doors than debating doctrine.
Whether you’re engaging with LDS missionaries, have Mormon family members, or want to grow in confident Christian witness, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical guidance. All of it rests on a firm biblical grounding in Christ alone.
Today’s Resources:
- Connect to Truth in Love Ministry: tilm.org/
- Listen to the Witnessing Christ Podcast: tilm.org/podcast
- Utilize TILM’s Evangelism Training: tilm.org/witnessing-course
Follow the Michigan District:
- Website: michigandistrict.org/
- Facebook: facebook.com/miLCMS/
- YouTube: youtube.com/@michiganLCMS
Elizabeth Siefert - November 20, 2025
Regarding the conversation at the end of the podcast about how to know if other people that we know and love will be in heaven with us; it sounded like you all were saying that we actually DON’T know if an unbeliever will be in heaven with us believers, and that “it’s not for us to know.” What? I hope I misunderstood this. Please explain. Because I thought the LCMS doctrine is that ONLY believers will be in heaven. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your comment. It sounds like what we said at the end of the episode wasn’t as clear as it could have been.
First, we absolutely affirm what scripture teaches: only those who trust in Christ will be in heaven. Scripture is clear, salvation is in Christ alone.
To clarify, we were not discussing whether or not someone who does not trust in Christ can be saved but rather our human inability to know the final state of anyone’s heart. We know that God alone sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). That He alone knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19). And that He can bring someone to repentance and faith even in the final moments of life — as He did with the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39–43). So when we said “it’s not for us to know,” we meant we cannot know ahead of time who will die in faith. Our call is to preach Christ now (2 Timothy 4:2), pray for all people (1 Timothy 2:1–4), and trust in God’s mercy and power.
Second, we wanted to emphasize that while we deeply love our family and friends, the joy of heaven is not grounded in who else is there. The joy of heaven is Christ Himself. The Scriptures present eternal life as being with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17, Revelation 21:3, 1 John 3:2) Being reunited with fellow believers is a real comfort (Hebrews 12:22–24), but it is not the center. Christ is the center — the Lamb on His throne (Revelation 22:1–5). The hope of the Christian is not that I will see my loved ones but that I will see my Lord.
So, to put it simply: only believers in Christ are in heaven and our hope is not in the company of heaven but in the Christ of heaven (Philippians 1:21–23).
Thank you again for your question. Please let us know if we can unpack anything further.