PursueGOD 2026 Update - The PursueGOD Truth Podcast

Jonathan Roumie — the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen — posted a video this week showing skull rings on every finger and calling it "memento mori." The Christian internet reacted with everything from enthusiasm to accusations of occultism. But the practice of deliberately reflecting on your mortality isn't Catholic, Stoic, or medieval — it runs straight through Moses, the Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the letters of Paul. In this episode, Bryan unpacks what it means to number your days, why sitting with death actually makes you wiser, and how the resurrection changes what death even is for the person who follows Jesus. Key Scripture References Psalm 90:12 (NIV) — Moses's prayer for a heart shaped by the reality that life is finite James 4:14 (NIV) — Life compared to a mist that appears briefly, then vanishes Ecclesiastes 7:2 (NIV) — Why a house of mourning produces more wisdom than a house of feasting 1 Corinthians 15:55–57 (NIV) — Paul's declaration that death's sting has been stripped by Christ's resurrection Philippians 1:21 (NIV) — "To live is Christ and to die is gain"

What happens when someone leaves Mormonism? For most ex-Latter-day Saints, the destination isn't atheism—it's crystals, tarot cards, and New Age spirituality. In this episode, we trace the theological roots of that pattern, showing how LDS doctrine's detailed vision of the spirit world creates spiritual habits that don't disappear when the doctrine does. Along the way, we examine what Deuteronomy 18 reveals about unauthorized access to the spiritual realm, how LDS practices around proxy temple work create specific vulnerabilities, and why the New Age is a spiritually coherent—and dangerous—next step for someone formed in that system. This isn't only a Mormon story. It's a story about what happens when the church leaves people spiritually underprepared. Key Scripture References Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (NIV) — God's prohibition of divination, sorcery, mediumship, and consulting the dead in the land of Canaan Hebrews 1:14 (NIV) — Confirms that angels are real, active ministering spirits—the spirit world is not fiction Leviticus 19:31 (NIV) — A direct warning that engaging with mediums and spiritists causes spiritual defilement 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NIV) — Satan masquerades as an angel of light, explaining why New Age spiritual experiences feel genuinely positive Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) — Describes the structured hierarchy of spiritual powers actively opposing God's purposes in the unseen realm Philippians 2:10 (NIV) — Every spiritual being in heaven, earth, and under the earth bows to the name of Jesus Colossians 2:15 (NIV) — The cross was a cosmic disarming of spiritual powers, not just a human redemption event

If you live in Utah—or anywhere Mormons are your neighbors—you've probably felt the tension. How do you engage someone whose beliefs look so similar to Christianity but differ at the core? In this episode, we look at how Jesus handled a remarkably parallel situation: his encounter with a Samaritan woman at the well. The Samaritans of Jesus' day are practically a mirror image of modern Latter-day Saints—a community that split from historic Judaism with their own scriptures, priesthood, and temple, and a long history of mutual suspicion. Jesus didn't avoid them, and he didn't attack them. He crossed the line and started a conversation. His approach gives us a powerful blueprint for how to build real, honest relationships with Mormon neighbors, coworkers, and friends—and how to point them toward something only Jesus can offer. Key Scripture References Luke 9:54-55 (NLT) — Jesus rebukes the disciples who wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village, resetting the tone for how his followers should respond to those who seem hostile or different John 4:7-9 (NLT) — Jesus initiates a conversation with a Samaritan woman despite major cultural barriers, modeling what it looks like to cross dividing lines with grace John 4:10 (NLT) — Jesus redirects the conversation toward "living water," steering naturally from everyday life to the gift of eternal life John 4:21-24 (NLT) — Jesus cuts through the debate over the right place to worship and goes straight to the heart issue: worshiping God in spirit and in truth John 4:25-26 (NLT) — Jesus identifies himself openly as the Messiah, making his own identity the center and the goal of the conversation John 4:34-35 (NLT) — Jesus tells his disciples to open their eyes to a harvest that is already ripe—a reminder that Utah is full of people ready for real spiritual conversations

When modern readers open the Old Testament, phrases like "the council of the gods" in Psalm 82 can trigger immediate theological whiplash. In this episode we unpack the Hebrew worldview of the "unseen realm" to resolve the tension between strict biblical monotheism and plural spiritual language. By examining the linguistic context of Elohim, the cosmic rebellion at Babel, and how false religious systems twist these verses to promote human exaltation, this deep dive reveals how Christ ultimately disarmed these corrupt spiritual authorities. Click to read the full article. Key Takeaways The Meaning of Elohim: In ancient Hebrew, elohim is a category descriptor for any resident of the spiritual realm (angels, demons, disembodied spirits) rather than a proper name reserved solely for God. Yahweh’s Unique Status: While there are many created elohim, Yahweh is the uncreated, eternal, omnipotent Creator—the Elohim of elohim who stands entirely in a class by Himself. The Divine Council: Psalm 82 portrays Yahweh presiding over a heavenly assembly of created spiritual administrators assigned to oversee the nations after the Tower of Babel (Deuteronomy 32:8). Judgment on Corrupt Spirits: The "gods" in Psalm 82 are not humans achieving godhood, but rebellious spiritual beings sentenced to death for their corruption and injustice. Refuting Eternal Progression: Latter-day Saint (Mormon) theology twists Psalm 82:6 ("You are gods") to argue humans can evolve into literal gods. Passages like Isaiah 43:10 clearly reject the idea that any god was formed before or after Yahweh. The Cosmic Triumph of Christ: Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed these rebellious rulers (Colossians 2:15) and reclaimed the disinherited nations as His personal inheritance.

In this episode we take a thoughtful, deep-dive into the history, theology, and evolution of the Latter-day Saint (LDS) temple endowment ceremony. Framed through the lens of biblical Christianity, the episode examines the tension between claims of an eternal, restored ordinance and the documented historical modifications made to the ceremony from 1842 to the present. By exploring its origins in 19th-century Freemasonry, key structural revisions over time, and the biblical doctrine of access to God through Jesus Christ, this discussion provides clarity for sincere seekers wrestling with the foundational differences between LDS temple theology and historic Christian scripture. Key Biblical Scriptures God's Unchanging Character Malachi 3:6 "I am the LORD, I do not change."God's core nature, characterological promises, and redemptive plan remain steady across time, standing firm against shifting cultural tides or human discomfort. Bold Access Through the Cross Hebrews 10:19–23 "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldy enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place..."Access to God's holy presence is fully secured through Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross—not earned through human performance, secret signs, or earthly rituals. Historical Context & Masonic Influences On March 15, 1842, Joseph Smith was initiated into the Nauvoo Masonic Lodge and attained the rank of Master Mason the following day. Less than two months later, on May 4, 1842, he introduced the full LDS temple endowment to an elite circle of seven men in the upper room of his Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, Illinois. Shared Ritual Mechanics Historians across traditions document clear structural borrowings from 19th-century Freemasonry, including: Tokens & Passwords: Secret handshakes paired with explicit verbal passwords. Ritual Clothing & Space: Specialized ceremonial clothing and passage through a physical veil. Physical Mechanics: Precise hand signs and physical gestures of secrecy.