Apologetics Profile – Episode 331: Examining The Miracle of Forgiveness with Mormon Research Ministry’s Eric Johnson – Part One

Date: March 2, 2026
Hosts: James Walker and Daniel Ray
Guest: Eric Johnson (Mormon Research Ministry)

Episode Overview

This episode begins a two-part series critically examining the doctrine of forgiveness in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormonism), as articulated in the influential book The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball (1969). Evangelical hosts James Walker and Daniel Ray are joined by Eric Johnson of Mormon Research Ministry. The discussion contrasts biblical and LDS teachings about forgiveness, grace, and salvation, and explores how LDS doctrines have shifted over time. The team pays special attention to the LDS leadership structure, the challenges of doctrinal change, and the personal, practical burdens imposed by Kimball’s requirements for forgiveness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biblical Forgiveness vs. LDS Forgiveness

[00:06–12:00]

• Biblical View:

  • Humans are incapable of achieving God's moral standard (“all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23).
  • Salvation and forgiveness are gifts, unearned by works, received by faith through the grace of Jesus Christ.
  • “It is solely by the grace and mercy of Jesus imparting to us…his perfect obedience to the law…and taking the penalty of death for our sin upon himself on the cross.” (Host, 08:51)
  • Key verses: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:5–10, Hebrews 8:12.

• LDS View:

  • Grace is “only after you have…denied yourself of all ungodliness and have done all you can do” (Moroni 10:32; 2 Nephi 25:23).
  • Forgiveness is contingent upon personal, thorough repentance and abandonment of sin.
  • God does not permanently wipe away sins; former sins return if one repeats an offense (Doctrine & Covenants 82:7).
  • “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has made forgiveness utterly unobtainable, inaccessible, and impossible.” (Host, 11:08)

2. Shifting Doctrines and Authority in LDS Leadership

[12:03–18:53]

• Fluidity of Doctrine:

  • LDS doctrine is subject to change, especially with new presidents/prophets.
  • Books by Church leaders often contain disclaimers (“not official doctrine”), reflecting uncertainty about what is official.
  • “In Mormonism, it’s always in a state of flux…even the Church has a hard time determining that.” (Eric Johnson, 12:03)

• Leadership Hierarchy:

  • President/Prophet (most senior apostle) leads, with two counselors; on president’s death, the First Presidency dissolves, and the next senior apostle becomes President.
  • The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Seventies handle worldwide administration.
  • Four LDS “standard works”: King James Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price.

• Authority Challenges:

  • Teachings by living prophets override former leaders’ doctrines.
  • “You can't pit the words of a dead prophet against a living prophet.” (referencing Ezra Taft Benson; Eric Johnson, 18:53)
  • Postmodern-like adaptability—doctrine may be ‘true today, but might not be true tomorrow.’

3. Doctrinal Changes and Social Issues

[21:24–32:02]

• Examples of Change:

  • Polygamy: Practiced from LDS beginnings, renounced (officially in 1890, enforced by 1904) but still scripturally present.
  • Blacks and Priesthood: Exclusion until 1978, then change.
  • Doctrines around the position and divinity of God (e.g., Adam-God doctrine, God once being a man).
  • Women and Priesthood, LGBTQ+ inclusion: Persistent debate among members and progressives.

• Implications:

  • Hard to nail down “official” LDS beliefs; personal belief varies, sometimes even denying core historic claims.
  • “You talk to Latter Day Saints. You do not want to assume what they believe. You ask them…” (Eric Johnson, 21:24)
  • LDS definition of grace is fundamentally different: “Grace is the possibility of keeping the commandments.” (Eric Johnson, 32:02)

4. Unique LDS Teachings about God, Marriage, and Exaltation

[29:08–34:16]

• Celestial Marriage and Eternal Increase:
  • Marriage is required for full exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom; polygamy anticipated in the next life.
  • Contradicts Jesus’ teaching on marriage in the resurrection (Matthew 22:30).
• Nature of God:
  • God the Father believed to be a former mortal man who progressed to godhood (LDS teachings; not eternal, unchangeable as per biblical doctrine).

5. Christian Gospel vs. LDS Gospel: The Core Differences

[34:18–41:16]

• Christian Gospel:

  • Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone. Works follow as evidence, not cause, of salvation.
  • “Every religion asks…what must we do for God? And Christianity asks…what did God do for me?” (Eric Johnson, 36:43)

• LDS Gospel:

  • Salvation/grace is conditional, accessed only after full repentance and striving to obey all commandments.
  • The parable of the bicycle: “You do your best, Jesus does the rest.”—but even paying “one penny” negates the concept of a true gift.
  • “Apostle and then later prophet, Spencer W. Kimball would disagree with that idea.” (Eric Johnson, 39:54)

• Jesus:

  • The LDS “Jesus” is doctrinally different from the biblical Jesus (nature, role, and gospel each proclaim).

6. Spencer W. Kimball's The Miracle of Forgiveness

[42:05–47:42]

• Book Overview:

  • Written by Kimball as an apostle; later distributed widely by bishops to “wayward” members.
  • Emphasizes perfection and exhaustive personal repentance as prerequisites for forgiveness.
  • “You have to do this now. You can’t wait until the next life.” (Eric Johnson, 44:53)

• Key Critiques:

  • Burdensome requirements—impossible to fully satisfy.
  • “There’s no hope in this book. I mean, basically, first off, in chapter one, I like the way he titles his chapters because they’re great. He tells you exactly what it is. This life is the time.” (Eric Johnson, 44:01)
  • Notable moment:
    • Kimball: “Note that the Lord did not forgive the woman of her serious sin. He commanded quietly but forcefully, ‘go and sin no more.’ And then he says, even Christ cannot forgive one in sin.” (Kimball, cited at 45:39)
  • LDS doctrine (Doctrine & Covenants 58:42–43; 82:7): Sin must be fully abandoned; if repeated, former sins are returned, negating forgiveness.

• Personal Impact:

  • Many former LDS relate to having received the book as part of disciplinary action; it is described as “disheartening” and “law-oriented.”
  • “I have talked to a number of people who were required to read that if they wanted to stay in the church, adultery or whatever it was that they did, they had to read this and repent. And there’s no hope in this book.” (Eric Johnson, 44:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On shifting LDS doctrine:
  • “Is this church really a postmodern church that allows for truth to change as time moves on?” (Eric Johnson, 18:53)
• Regarding grace and works:
  • “You do your best, Jesus does the rest. Certainly an apostle and later prophet, Spencer W. Kimball would disagree with that idea.” (Eric Johnson, 39:54)
  • “If you pay one penny of it [the price of salvation], it’s not a true gift.” (Eric Johnson, 39:54)
• On authority:
  • “You can't pit the words of a dead prophet against a living prophet.” (Eric Johnson, paraphrasing Ezra Taft Benson, 18:53)
• On The Miracle of Forgiveness:
  • “Because it’s teaching a gospel that Latter Day Saints realize they cannot accomplish.” (Eric Johnson, 42:58)
  • “Kimball…wished he could have been a little softer in the tone. But…still going in and reading this, I was utterly shocked. … So let’s talk about Kimball a little bit in this book. Why is this book so controversial in Latter Day Saints circles today?” (Co-host, 42:07–42:58)

Important Timestamps

• [00:06–12:00] — Biblical vs. LDS forgiveness: definitions, key scriptures, grace vs. works.
• [12:03–15:05] — LDS leadership structure and role of prophets.
• [15:05–21:24] — Discussion of doctrinal authority, changes, and individual beliefs.
• [21:24–34:18] — Historic doctrinal changes: polygamy, race, gender; nature of God in LDS doctrine.
• [34:18–41:16] — Core gospel differences, parable of the bicycle, explanation of faith and works.
• [42:05–47:42] — Deep dive into The Miracle of Forgiveness, its demands, and personal impact.

Summary for Listeners

This episode offers a detailed, engaging, and critical comparison of how forgiveness and grace are understood in traditional Christian doctrine versus LDS theology, setting the stage for a wider critique of The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball. The hosts and guest Eric Johnson illustrate how LDS doctrines not only depart from biblical standards but also place unrealistic, burdensome demands on individuals. The discussion highlights the shifting, often ambiguous nature of LDS authority and teaching, and urges Christians to be clear and informed about their own faith, especially when dialoguing with Latter Day Saints. The burden of perfection in Kimball’s influential book epitomizes for the hosts the impossibility of attaining Mormon forgiveness, making it “another gospel” distinct from the good news of the New Testament.