A recent initiative at Brigham Young University (BYU) has put a spotlight on some of its most devout students’ beliefs. While intended to showcase scripture appreciation, the exercise inadvertently revealed verses often cited as favorites by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – commonly known as Mormons.

The results, obtained through research for this article, are striking and largely unfamiliar even to outsiders unless they possess deep knowledge or affiliation with Mormonism. These include:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,” (interprets Isaiah 10)
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings…,” (interpreting Romans 8:28 from a specific context)
“I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded,…,” (Nephi’s promise regarding grace interpretation)
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust…,”
And many more.

When queried about these verses by Dr. John MacArthur during a recorded discussion with representatives from BYU’s theological perspective – including individuals like Robert Millett – the situation revealed crucial insights into Mormon doctrine distinct from traditional Christianity.

Dr. MacArthur stated, “I think you can start with the authority of Scripture… You may get to that of necessity. Just to talk about Mormonism for a moment…”

He emphasized their non-Christian nature: “…they are seriously, fatally, and terminally non-Christian.” He pointed out fundamental differences:

1. Polytheism: Mormons believe in millions of gods – not just one.
2. Incorrect Christ: They have “another Jesus.”
3. False Path to Salvation: MacArthur stated they need to distance young people from Christianity, explaining their salvation concept involves three heavens with specific conditions.

Furthermore, Dr. MacArthur criticized the Mormon view of God and grace:

He highlighted that while Mormons claim a focus on grace (accessing different heavens), this understanding often requires distancing oneself fundamentally from traditional Christian concepts.
They believe the Bible is corrupted, rendering it untrustworthy for correct interpretation, which must come solely from their own sources.

These discussions suggest that when members of BYU are asked to identify their “favorite Bible verses,” they often list passages unique to Mormonism – even if taken from biblical texts. This practice underscores their distinct theological framework and their concerted effort to position themselves as having corrected corrupted Christianity while simultaneously desiring acceptance within it. The findings expose a significant divergence between these claimed scripture favorites and the core beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.