Neo-Mormon Apologetics with Vocab Malone

Oct 7, 2026

Vocab Malone, a Christian apologist, evangelist, author, and online debater, examines the rise of “Neo-Mormon” apologetics. He explores modern reinterpretations of Joseph Smith, the King Follett Discourse, the Lectures on Faith, and Mormon views of God. The conversation also tackles biblical canon, religious authority, LDS textual changes, and competing claims about Scripture, revelation, and Christian identity.

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insights

INSIGHT

Why Shared Christian Vocabulary Can Mislead

Vocab Malone argues that historic LDS teaching differs radically from biblical Christianity despite sharing terms such as God, Jesus, and Scripture.
He distinguishes individuals moving toward Christ from the LDS institution’s doctrines and gospel.

insights

INSIGHT

Neo-Mormonism Reframes The Great Apostasy

Modern LDS apologists increasingly seek inclusion within Christianity, despite Joseph Smith and earlier leaders sharply separating Mormonism from Christian churches.
Andrew Soncrant connects this shift to newer remnant theology that struggles to fit the historic LDS doctrine of a total apostasy.

insights

INSIGHT

The Lectures On Faith Expose Doctrinal Change

The Lectures on Faith once formed the doctrine section of the Doctrine and Covenants and remained in LDS standard works until 1921.
Their teaching that the Father is a personage of spirit conflicts with later LDS theology describing Him as an embodied, resurrected man.

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The Rise of Neo-Mormon Apologetics

06:14 • 2min

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Balancing Debate Energy and Christian Character

08:37 • 3min

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Mormonism’s Christian Identity Debate

11:24 • 4min

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Why Modern Mormons Seek Christian Recognition

15:22 • 5min

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Lectures on Faith and Doctrinal Development

20:16 • 4min

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Michael Heiser’s Divine Council Misused

24:04 • 5min

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Reinterpreting the King Follett Discourse

28:36 • 5min

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Joseph Smith’s Expanding Revelations

33:55 • 3min

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Controlled Texts and Mormon Canon Changes

37:17 • 4min

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Canon, Authority, and the Adjudicating Body

40:59 • 8min

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Scripture Follows Covenant Revelation

48:53 • 3min

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The Problem with Neutral Apologetics

52:01 • 3min

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Christ’s Finished Work and Mormon Requirements

54:42 • 2min

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Faith, Eternal Life, and the Gospel

56:16 • 1min

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Christ’s Righteousness as Christian Hope

57:39 • 2min

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A Case for the Bible’s Final Authority

• Mentioned in 359 episodes

Bible

The Bible is a comprehensive collection of texts that include historical accounts, prophetic messages, wisdom literature, gospel accounts, letters, and apocalyptic writings. The Old Testament, which includes the Torah (Pentateuch), Neviʾim (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings), narrates the history and faith of the Israelites. The New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church. It includes the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles, and the Book of Revelation.

#265

• Mentioned in 134 episodes

Doctrine and Covenants

A Collection of Divine Revelations and Inspired Declarations

Joseph Smith

The Doctrine and Covenants is a compilation of revelations, prophecies, and inspired declarations received by Joseph Smith and other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It contains messages, warnings, and exhortations for the benefit of all mankind, inviting people to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ for their temporal well-being and everlasting salvation.

#8484

• Mentioned in 8 episodes

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith

#26

• Mentioned in 446 episodes

The Book of Mormon

Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Mormon and Moroni

Joseph Smith

The Book of Mormon is a scripture that tells the story of a group of Hebrews who migrated from Jerusalem to the Americas around 600 BCE. It describes their history, including their division into two main groups: the Nephites and the Lamanites. The book emphasizes the appearance of Jesus Christ to these people after his resurrection, where he teaches them and establishes his church. It also discusses various doctrinal topics such as the fall of Adam and Eve, the nature of God, baptism, and the importance of faith and repentance. The book ends with Moroni's testimony and an invitation to readers to come unto Christ and be perfected in him.

#6519

• Mentioned in 11 episodes

Lectures on Faith

Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon

The Lectures on Faith are a series of seven theological lectures that represent one of the earliest attempts to formulate a systematic Latter-day Saint theology. They were delivered by Joseph Smith and possibly Sidney Rigdon to a group of elders in the School of the Elders in Kirtland, Ohio, during the winter of 1834-35. The lectures emphasize the importance of faith, defining it and outlining the necessary conditions for its exercise: the idea that God exists, a correct idea of His character and attributes, and a knowledge that one's course of life is in accordance with His will. These lectures were initially included in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants but were later removed in 1921 due to concerns about some of the theological statements.

#2411

• Mentioned in 26 episodes

Pearl of Great Price

Michael Frassetto

Joseph Smith

The Pearl of Great Price is a volume of scripture that includes several key works: the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, Joseph Smith—Matthew, Joseph Smith—History, and the Articles of Faith. It was compiled by Elder Franklin D. Richards in 1851 and canonized in 1880. The book provides insights into the creation of the world, the lives of biblical figures such as Adam, Enoch, and Abraham, and the foundational beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It also includes accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision and his prophetic ministry.

#729

• Mentioned in 65 episodes

Quran

The Quran is the holy book of Islam, containing prayers, moral guidance, historical narratives, and promises of Paradise. It is composed of 114 chapters (surahs) and is considered the word of God by Muslims. The Quran was revealed to Muhammad over a period of 23 years through the angel Gabriel and is regarded as the most important miracle of Muhammad and the culmination of a series of divine messages. It includes various types of verses such as law-giving, warning, narrative, and informative verses, and it forms the bedrock of Islamic law and guidance.

#5086

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

Book of Commandments

For the Government of the Church of Christ, Organized according to Law, on the 6th of April, 1830

Joseph Smith

The Book of Commandments is a compilation of Joseph Smith Jr.'s early prophecies and revelations. It was planned to be printed in 10,000 copies but due to a mob attack on the printing press in Independence, Missouri, only about 3,000 to 5,000 copies were printed. Many of the revelations had previously been published in the church newspaper, The Evening and Morning Star. The book contains 65 chapters, which were later revised and included in the Doctrine and Covenants with significant changes and additions.

In this episode of Cultish, Andrew sits down with Vocab Malone to examine the rise of “Neo-Mormon” apologetics through Vocab’s recent debates with Jacob Hansen and Hayden Carroll. They discuss how modern LDS apologists approach Joseph Smith, the King Follett Discourse, the Lectures on Faith, the nature of God, and whether these newer arguments are consistent with historic Mormonism.

Has Mormon apologetics fundamentally changed?

Can modern LDS defenders distance themselves from Joseph Smith’s teachings while still claiming his prophetic authority?

Andrew and Vocab also break down the debate over biblical authority, the canon of Scripture, and the LDS demand for an “adjudicating body” to determine what counts as Scripture. Along the way, they contrast a controlled religious text with the transmission of the biblical text and ask whether Mormonism can consistently challenge the Christian canon without first defending its own claims to authority.

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Vocab’s Recent Debates:

w/Jacob Hansen

w/Hayden Carroll

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