Throughout history, people have sought truth, only to find themselves entangled in movements that distort or manipulate spiritual teachings. The words of Christ in Matthew 24:23-24 warn us of false teachers, reminding us to seek true wisdom rather than be led astray by deception. Mormon Kabbalah embraces a journey of spiritual enlightenment through personal revelation, study, and communion with God, but it also acknowledges the risks of misinformation and hidden agendas. In this lesson, we will explore the meanings of “cult” and “occult,” the importance of discernment in faith, and how we can build a deeper, personal relationship with God while avoiding secret combinations that lead to spiritual destruction.

Key Concepts

1. Discerning True vs. False Teachings: Christ warned of false prophets who would deceive even the elect. It is essential to test all spiritual teachings against scripture, revelation, and personal communion with God to avoid manipulation.

2. Understanding the Occult and Secrecy in Religion: The word “occult” means “hidden” or “secret,” and secrecy is not inherently bad. Jesus taught in parables and instructed his followers to pray in secret, but he also warned against using secrecy to form manipulative power structures.

3. Building a Transparent and Personal Faith: While sacred teachings should be respected, a strong faith is built on both personal spiritual experiences and open, communal worship. True faith encourages knowledge, wisdom, and divine love rather than fear or blind obedience.

What is a “Cult?”

If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not, for there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” —Matthew 24:23-24

Those that know me know that I like to say that all churches/denominations are cults. This is because Merriam-Webster defines “cult” as:

• A religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious…
• Great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (such as a film or book)…
• A system of religious beliefs and ritual…
• Formal religious veneration…
• A system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator.

These definitions are simply too broad. When looking at the definition of “cult” in many religious circles, the term cult gets used for anything that is not affiliated with that group or that disagrees with said group. This is confirmation bias and cannot be used to determine much of anything.

Cults and the Occult

If they shall say unto you: Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: Behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” —Matthew 24:26

One of the things that people I have met associate with both Kabbalah and Mormonism is that they are “cults” and/or associated with the occult. Growing up, one question I was asked quite a lot was why I belonged to a cult. As a child I didn’t know what a cult was, and I quickly found that those asking the question also didn’t understand the meaning of the term either. I would like to dive into this topic in this chapter both to clear up some misconceptions and to help students avoid cults as they move forward in their spiritual journeys.

Most confused the idea of a cult with the occult. But what is the occult? If you do not know, don’t worry, my accusers back in k-12 couldn’t answer this question either, and I didn’t really understand the term myself. As I grew, I learned that I did belong to a denomination that long held to occult practices. As stated above, Merriam Webster defines the occult as “secret,” “not easily apprehended or understood,” or “hidden from view.” Based on these definitions, not only was the denomination I grew up in definitely of the occult, so are many Latter Day Saint churches. For that matter, a good number of Protestant churches would fall into this category as well, as would the Catholics.

Is “Cult” Good or Bad?

The question we should ask then would be, is the occult bad? We know we are to do some things in secret. Jesus taught us to pray in secret, for example (Matthew 6:6). Yet when He taught, he also fulfilled the prophecy found in Psalm 78:2, “I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old”. The author of Matthew confirms this, but changes the second half of the verse to, “which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 13:35).

We know that Jesus brought true occult teachings into the light. Yet he also stated, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:6). This leaves a little gray area to discuss.

Clearly, our worship should be both communal and personal, building a real relationship our fellow Saints and with God. At the same time, we must welcome all people while reject secret combinations, a major theme of the Book of Mormon (See 2 Nephi 11:93-95 [26:22-23]; Helaman 2:150-152 [16:26-27], & Mormon 4:25 [8:27]). In doing so we must respect God, and not mock our Lord, or give people reasons to mock our God. I know a number of Latter Day Saint denominations keep revelations, temple ordinances, and other parts of their theology secret, or “occult,” for this last reason. While it is easy to accuse our brothers and sisters, warring against our fellow Saints isn’t the way to unify our movement.

Discussion Questions

1. How can we differentiate between true spiritual teachings and deceptive doctrines?
2. What does “occult” truly mean, and how does its meaning differ from modern misunderstandings?
3. In what ways can secrecy be used both positively and negatively in religious practices?
4. Why do some faith traditions keep certain teachings or ordinances hidden? Do you believe this is beneficial or harmful?
5. How can we foster a faith that is both deeply personal and openly shared with others?

Suggestions for Action

1. Study the warnings in found in scripture. Read Matthew 24:23-24, 2 Nephi 26:22-23, and Helaman 16:26-27. Reflect on how these warnings apply to modern faith communities. What patterns do you see in how deception operates?
2. Practice discernment in spiritual teachings. Select a religious teaching, prophecy, or doctrine and research its origins. Compare it against the principles of love, truth, and righteousness. How do you evaluate spiritual claims in a way that is both open-minded and discerning?
3. Balance personal and communal worship. Dedicate time for private prayer and scripture study, and also engage in meaningful discussions or study groups. How do both private and communal worship strengthen your faith?
4. Identify hidden structures in religious communities. Analyze how different denominations use secrecy (ex: temple rites, leadership decisions, or exclusive teachings). What are the benefits and dangers of hidden teachings in faith traditions?
5. Develop a sense of spiritual accountability. Find a trusted mentor, friend, or study group to keep your faith journey honest and grounded. How can spiritual accountability help prevent deception or blind faith?

Final Thought & Meditation

Sit in a quiet place, free from distractions. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. As you inhale, imagine yourself receiving divine wisdom and light. As you exhale, release any doubts, fears, or confusion about faith and truth. Reflect on Christ’s words in Matthew 6:6:

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

Ask God to guide you in your pursuit of truth, to give you discernment, and to help you walk in faith with both an open heart and a critical mind. End your meditation with gratitude for the wisdom you have received and the path ahead.