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40 Questions About Mormonism
A Christian exploration of the LDS Church that seeks to understand, not just refute
Many Christians struggle to form an accurate picture of the beliefs, practices, and attraction of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 40 Questions About Mormonism addresses how the Mormon faith developed, what it teaches, and how it differs from traditional Christianity.
Author Kyle Beshears draws on years of dialogue with LDS church members to ask and answer the most pertinent questions for understanding today’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, covering history, sources of authority, doctrines shared with Christianity, unique doctrines, and more. Among the questions addressed, these are
Is Mormonism just an American religion?
How do Latter-day Saints view the Bible?
What is the origin of the priesthood?
What is the Latter-day Saint view of Jesus Christ?
Why does Mormonism have temples?
What are concerns Latter-day Saints have about traditional Christianity?
The historically and biblically discerning answers allow readers to better understand both traditional Christian faith and the distinctive elements of Mormonism. Readers will feel more confident forming friendships with LDS adherents, viewing them as neighbors whom God loves and witnessing to them as such. Instructor resources are available at 40questions.net.
Many Christians struggle to form an accurate picture of the beliefs, practices, and attraction of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 40 Questions About Mormonism addresses how the Mormon faith developed, what it teaches, and how it differs from traditional Christianity.
Author Kyle Beshears draws on years of dialogue with LDS church members to ask and answer the most pertinent questions for understanding today’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, covering history, sources of authority, doctrines shared with Christianity, unique doctrines, and more. Among the questions addressed, these are
Is Mormonism just an American religion?
How do Latter-day Saints view the Bible?
What is the origin of the priesthood?
What is the Latter-day Saint view of Jesus Christ?
Why does Mormonism have temples?
What are concerns Latter-day Saints have about traditional Christianity?
The historically and biblically discerning answers allow readers to better understand both traditional Christian faith and the distinctive elements of Mormonism. Readers will feel more confident forming friendships with LDS adherents, viewing them as neighbors whom God loves and witnessing to them as such. Instructor resources are available at 40questions.net.
352 pages, Paperback
Published February 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 9, 2025
I'm fairly certain I know the author. It's quite an accomplishment for him to have written a book, to be honest. The man gets distracted very easily. Like this one time he
March 30, 2026
In 1992, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published a four-volume Encyclopedia of Mormonism in an attempt to help explain the church to members outside the LDS faith community. Priced at $240, and covering 1500 articles, it was targeted primarily to outsiders and academic use, rather than to the average church member. It was a daunting project, massive in scope, and years in production. I remember it showing up in our LDS meetinghouse library about the time that I moved with my family from Utah to Redmond, Washington. I may have consulted it once or twice, and had mostly forgotten about it.
Fast forward 34 years, and we have Kyle Beshears’ 40 Questions about Mormonism, weighing in at 348 pages and less than $25. Also targeted towards others outside the LDS faith, Beshears has produced a much more affordable and digestible survey of basic theology, practice, and culture of the LDS church that covers much of the same ground as the 1992 official encyclopedia. Considering that Beshears is a Southern Baptist and pastor at Mars Hill Church in Mobile, Alabama, it is surprisingly accurate, fair, and respectful of the theology, policy, and practice of the LDS church.
Beshears, however, is quite clear in his intent. His volume is geared towards instructing members of other faiths in how to understand Latter-day Saints, engage with them in dialogue, but also quite clear about how LDS doctrine and theology differs from traditional protestant Christianity. Each of his 40 questions clearly lays out the position of the Mormon church, as he refers to it, then places it in context with mainstream Christianity, summarizes the topic, then suggest five ways to enter into dialogue with the Saints in their community.
Questions include some of the most obvious ones, including “What is Joseph Smith’s First Vision?,” “What is the Book of Mormon?,” and “Why does Mormonism have Temples?.” Others dig into the deeper questions, such as the LDS view on the Trinity, salvation, and eternal progression.
Beshears never ridicules or disparages LDS beliefs. When speaking about Joseph Smith Jr. and his revelations, he lays out the church’s position factually, quoting Smith’s experience just as Smith recorded it. The same goes for all of the other truth claims in the restored church. Beshears wrote his PHD dissertation on Mormon history, has published in the Journal of Mormon History, has many friends in the LDS academic community, and is active in the John Whitmer Historical Association.
Beshears is quite clear, however, about the differences between traditional protestant beliefs and LDS doctrine. In his view, God is the ineffable First Cause, the Creator of all things, calling “into existence the things that do not exist,” brought into being ex nihilo by his Word. [p206] God, according to traditional Christianity, exists without physical form, and is manifest through the three aspects of the Trinity, God the Father, Jesus Christ as his manifestation in the flesh, and the Holy Spirit. He correctly shows that LDS members believe in a God with bodily form who progressed into Godhood, and that his love includes raising his mortal children to a state equal to him through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, his Only Begotten Son. All of this is accomplished by obedience and participation in ordinances necessary for exaltation, guided by the personage of the Holy Ghost, a distinct and separate divine entity. As such, Beshears concludes, “Traditional Christians are right to express concern here, leading some to wonder whether Mormonism could be considered even broadly Christian.” [p176]
Likewise, for “Traditional Christians…LDS Christology teaches a Jesus who is not eternally God, and if so, then not truly God.” [p184]. For this reviewer, such frankness is one of the great strengths of Beshears’ work, clearly laying out the differing views of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and mainstream Christianity. If one is to engage in dialogue with others of differing beliefs, it is important to understand the viewpoint of the others in that discussion honestly.
My favorite part of Beshears’ 40 Questions is towards the end of the volume, answering the question “How can a traditional Christian dialogue with a Latter-day Saint?” Beshears cautions his readers “…before asking a Latter-day Saint ‘Are you devoted to Christ?’ ask yourself the same question.” [p332] He goes on to admonish readers that “....approaching the dialogue table with concealed motivation is unethical…Don’t bait-and-switch Latter-day Saints with a veneer of friendliness that masks your disinterest in learning from them. If you want to proselytize, then do it. Never engage in stealth evangelism.” [p333] That is also wise counsel to LDS members engaging in dialog with those of other faiths.
In summary, Beshears’ 40 Questions About Mormonism serves a dual purpose in educating those outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about its core beliefs, and those within it of the beliefs of basic Christianity to enable an informed and productive dialogue. In other words, this book could be a potent tool to help all of us in our efforts at Christian discipleship, whether it is with your Methodist next door neighbor or the folks working with you collecting clothing for the homeless. After all, charity and love, regardless of our differing theologies, is something that we all should share abundantly.
Fast forward 34 years, and we have Kyle Beshears’ 40 Questions about Mormonism, weighing in at 348 pages and less than $25. Also targeted towards others outside the LDS faith, Beshears has produced a much more affordable and digestible survey of basic theology, practice, and culture of the LDS church that covers much of the same ground as the 1992 official encyclopedia. Considering that Beshears is a Southern Baptist and pastor at Mars Hill Church in Mobile, Alabama, it is surprisingly accurate, fair, and respectful of the theology, policy, and practice of the LDS church.
Beshears, however, is quite clear in his intent. His volume is geared towards instructing members of other faiths in how to understand Latter-day Saints, engage with them in dialogue, but also quite clear about how LDS doctrine and theology differs from traditional protestant Christianity. Each of his 40 questions clearly lays out the position of the Mormon church, as he refers to it, then places it in context with mainstream Christianity, summarizes the topic, then suggest five ways to enter into dialogue with the Saints in their community.
Questions include some of the most obvious ones, including “What is Joseph Smith’s First Vision?,” “What is the Book of Mormon?,” and “Why does Mormonism have Temples?.” Others dig into the deeper questions, such as the LDS view on the Trinity, salvation, and eternal progression.
Beshears never ridicules or disparages LDS beliefs. When speaking about Joseph Smith Jr. and his revelations, he lays out the church’s position factually, quoting Smith’s experience just as Smith recorded it. The same goes for all of the other truth claims in the restored church. Beshears wrote his PHD dissertation on Mormon history, has published in the Journal of Mormon History, has many friends in the LDS academic community, and is active in the John Whitmer Historical Association.
Beshears is quite clear, however, about the differences between traditional protestant beliefs and LDS doctrine. In his view, God is the ineffable First Cause, the Creator of all things, calling “into existence the things that do not exist,” brought into being ex nihilo by his Word. [p206] God, according to traditional Christianity, exists without physical form, and is manifest through the three aspects of the Trinity, God the Father, Jesus Christ as his manifestation in the flesh, and the Holy Spirit. He correctly shows that LDS members believe in a God with bodily form who progressed into Godhood, and that his love includes raising his mortal children to a state equal to him through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, his Only Begotten Son. All of this is accomplished by obedience and participation in ordinances necessary for exaltation, guided by the personage of the Holy Ghost, a distinct and separate divine entity. As such, Beshears concludes, “Traditional Christians are right to express concern here, leading some to wonder whether Mormonism could be considered even broadly Christian.” [p176]
Likewise, for “Traditional Christians…LDS Christology teaches a Jesus who is not eternally God, and if so, then not truly God.” [p184]. For this reviewer, such frankness is one of the great strengths of Beshears’ work, clearly laying out the differing views of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and mainstream Christianity. If one is to engage in dialogue with others of differing beliefs, it is important to understand the viewpoint of the others in that discussion honestly.
My favorite part of Beshears’ 40 Questions is towards the end of the volume, answering the question “How can a traditional Christian dialogue with a Latter-day Saint?” Beshears cautions his readers “…before asking a Latter-day Saint ‘Are you devoted to Christ?’ ask yourself the same question.” [p332] He goes on to admonish readers that “....approaching the dialogue table with concealed motivation is unethical…Don’t bait-and-switch Latter-day Saints with a veneer of friendliness that masks your disinterest in learning from them. If you want to proselytize, then do it. Never engage in stealth evangelism.” [p333] That is also wise counsel to LDS members engaging in dialog with those of other faiths.
In summary, Beshears’ 40 Questions About Mormonism serves a dual purpose in educating those outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about its core beliefs, and those within it of the beliefs of basic Christianity to enable an informed and productive dialogue. In other words, this book could be a potent tool to help all of us in our efforts at Christian discipleship, whether it is with your Methodist next door neighbor or the folks working with you collecting clothing for the homeless. After all, charity and love, regardless of our differing theologies, is something that we all should share abundantly.
April 14, 2026
Understanding the perspectives of those outside our faith tradition is an essential exercise for any Latter-day Saint seeking to navigate the broader religious landscape. For decades, much of the literature written by traditional Christians about the Restoration felt less like a conversation and more like a caricature. However, in recent years, a more rigorous and informed brand of interfaith dialogue has begun to emerge. The latest entry in this category is 40 Questions About Mormonism (Kregel Academic, 2026) by Kyle Beshears.
Beshears, a pastor in Mobile, Alabama, and a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, does not write as an insider or a neutral observer. He is a true believer in the Baptist tradition, and that theological commitment provides the structural scaffolding for the entire book. While Latter-day Saints are not the primary audience, the volume offers value to Latter-day Saints willing to engage with a fair-minded, well-informed neighbor.
A High Standard of Research
My primary objective in reviewing this volume, as a Latter-day Saint, was to assess whether Beshears accurately describes our faith. Too often, outside observers rely on outdated tropes or surface-level misunderstandings. Beshears, however, has clearly done his homework. His writing is accessible and engaging, demonstrating a familiarity with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and its sister faiths in the Mormon tradition).
His footnotes reveal a deep engagement with the Joseph Smith Papers Project and a broad range of contemporary scholarship in Mormon Studies. This is not a “counter-cult” pamphlet of the 1980s; it is a well-researched academic and pastoral resource. Because of this rigor, Latter-day Saints could actually use this text as a reference for historical sources and information about their own faith—provided, of course, that they keep the author’s theological lens and biases in mind.
The Evangelical Prism
The book is part of Kregel’s “40 Questions” series, which utilizes a catechism-like format to explore complex topics. Beshears deftly weaves traditional Christian apologetics throughout his answers. He frequently lays the groundwork by outlining the Evangelical position as the correct one before diving into the Latter-day Saint departure from that norm (occasionally stretching this so far that I sometimes wondered if the book was about Evangelical Christianity more than Mormonism).
For the traditional Christian reader (at least within the Reformed Christian tradition), this approach makes the book unthreatening and reassuring. It reinforces their own orthodoxy while explaining a complex neighbor in a fair-minded and thoughtful manner. Conversely, Latter-day Saint readers will likely feel their beliefs being challenged throughout. Beshears does not pull punches when it comes to differences in the views about the nature of God, authority, or the role of extra-biblical scripture. Yet, Beshears is not seeking to misrepresent; he is seeking to categorize and contrast based on a specific set of theological convictions with a specific audience in mind.
Situating the Restoration
For a Latter-day Saint seeking to understand where our theology fits within the wider Christian world, this book serves as a useful map. While it may not offer the same level of exhaustive comparative depth as Grant Underwood’s recent Latter-day Saint Theology among Christian Theologies, it excels in its specific focus on the Evangelical-Latter-day Saint divide and is geared more towards a lay audience rather than a technical audience.
Beshears provides a clear window into why our Evangelical friends ask the questions they do and why certain points of our doctrine remain so jarring to their sensibilities. Understanding these friction points from a source that is both accurate and honest is a rare and valuable find.
Conclusion
40 Questions About Mormonism is a notable entry in the field of comparative religion. Kyle Beshears has managed to write a book that stays true to his Baptist roots without descending deeply into the polemical unfairness that has characterized this genre for far too long.
For the Latter-day Saint, reading this book is an exercise in seeing oneself through a neighbor’s prism—one that may be tinted by a different theology, but that is polished by careful research and a spirit of good-faith inquiry. It is a recommended read for anyone looking to bridge the gap between the Latter-day Saint tradition and the wider world of traditional Christianity.
Beshears, a pastor in Mobile, Alabama, and a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, does not write as an insider or a neutral observer. He is a true believer in the Baptist tradition, and that theological commitment provides the structural scaffolding for the entire book. While Latter-day Saints are not the primary audience, the volume offers value to Latter-day Saints willing to engage with a fair-minded, well-informed neighbor.
A High Standard of Research
My primary objective in reviewing this volume, as a Latter-day Saint, was to assess whether Beshears accurately describes our faith. Too often, outside observers rely on outdated tropes or surface-level misunderstandings. Beshears, however, has clearly done his homework. His writing is accessible and engaging, demonstrating a familiarity with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and its sister faiths in the Mormon tradition).
His footnotes reveal a deep engagement with the Joseph Smith Papers Project and a broad range of contemporary scholarship in Mormon Studies. This is not a “counter-cult” pamphlet of the 1980s; it is a well-researched academic and pastoral resource. Because of this rigor, Latter-day Saints could actually use this text as a reference for historical sources and information about their own faith—provided, of course, that they keep the author’s theological lens and biases in mind.
The Evangelical Prism
The book is part of Kregel’s “40 Questions” series, which utilizes a catechism-like format to explore complex topics. Beshears deftly weaves traditional Christian apologetics throughout his answers. He frequently lays the groundwork by outlining the Evangelical position as the correct one before diving into the Latter-day Saint departure from that norm (occasionally stretching this so far that I sometimes wondered if the book was about Evangelical Christianity more than Mormonism).
For the traditional Christian reader (at least within the Reformed Christian tradition), this approach makes the book unthreatening and reassuring. It reinforces their own orthodoxy while explaining a complex neighbor in a fair-minded and thoughtful manner. Conversely, Latter-day Saint readers will likely feel their beliefs being challenged throughout. Beshears does not pull punches when it comes to differences in the views about the nature of God, authority, or the role of extra-biblical scripture. Yet, Beshears is not seeking to misrepresent; he is seeking to categorize and contrast based on a specific set of theological convictions with a specific audience in mind.
Situating the Restoration
For a Latter-day Saint seeking to understand where our theology fits within the wider Christian world, this book serves as a useful map. While it may not offer the same level of exhaustive comparative depth as Grant Underwood’s recent Latter-day Saint Theology among Christian Theologies, it excels in its specific focus on the Evangelical-Latter-day Saint divide and is geared more towards a lay audience rather than a technical audience.
Beshears provides a clear window into why our Evangelical friends ask the questions they do and why certain points of our doctrine remain so jarring to their sensibilities. Understanding these friction points from a source that is both accurate and honest is a rare and valuable find.
Conclusion
40 Questions About Mormonism is a notable entry in the field of comparative religion. Kyle Beshears has managed to write a book that stays true to his Baptist roots without descending deeply into the polemical unfairness that has characterized this genre for far too long.
For the Latter-day Saint, reading this book is an exercise in seeing oneself through a neighbor’s prism—one that may be tinted by a different theology, but that is polished by careful research and a spirit of good-faith inquiry. It is a recommended read for anyone looking to bridge the gap between the Latter-day Saint tradition and the wider world of traditional Christianity.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews