Episode 331: Examining The Miracle of Forgiveness with Mormon Research Ministry's Eric Johnson - Part One

What might you say to a Latter-day Saint who asks you to define how you understand the concept of forgiveness? It is important to know that most Latter-day Saints understanding of forgiveness differs significantly from the traditional biblical doctrine of forgiveness. This week and next on the Profile we will be talking with Eric Johnson of Mormon Research Ministry in Utah about an influential 1969 LDS publication, written by former apostle and later president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Spencer W. Kimball called The Miracle of Forgiveness. But as Eric will share with us, Kimball's ideas of forgiveness aren't anything like what we find in the Bible.  From MRM.ORGEric Johnson has been a student of Mormonism since 1987 when he served a summer mission outreach in Utah. Eric graduated from San Diego State University (1985, BA in Journalism) as well as at Bethel Seminary San Diego (1991, Master’s of Divinity). Eric cohosts the daily radio program Viewpoint on Mormonism  and writes for MRM’s Mormonism Researched newsletter. His new book is Introducing Christianity to Mormons (Harvest House, 2022). He is also the co-author of Answering Mormons’ Questions: Ready Responses for Inquiring Latter-day Saints (Kregel, 2013), Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints (Baker Book, 2015), Mormonism 101 for Teens(MRM, 2016) as well as serving as a co-editor of Sharing the Good News with Mormons (Harvest House, 2018). Also visit the Utah Christian Research Center website at https://utahchristianresearchcenter.com/. Watchman Fellowship's New Blog! Check out Watchman Fellowship's newly revamped blog on Substack! See Daniel Ray's extended article and review of The Miracle of Forgiveness here. Related Links:   Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: www.watchman.org/Mormonism  Apologetics Profile podcast What Is the Gospel? with Mormon apologist Scott Gordon and Christian apologist James Walker (YouTube):  www.watchman.org/GordonWalker  Apologetics Profile podcast list of all episodes about Latter-day Saints https://www.watchman.org/files/ldspod.htm   Additional Resources:FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (two volumes totalling over 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.