The line between a healthy religious or spiritual community and a dangerous cult can sometimes be thin, but understanding that distinction is crucial for our spiritual growth. As we seek truth and a closer relationship with God, we must be aware of the ways that ego, manipulation, and control can disguise themselves as divine authority. Christ warned of false prophets and those who would seek to deceive even the elect (Matthew 24:24). Many organizations claim to offer the path to salvation while subtly drawing people into mental and emotional bondage. The true test of any faith community is whether it brings us closer to Christ, strengthens our love for God and others, and fosters personal agency. This lesson will help us recognize the signs of manipulation, question our own experiences, and explore how we can ensure that our faith is truly centered on Jesus Christ rather than human authority and control.

Key Concepts

1. Ego and Separation in Cults: Dangerous cults thrive on creating an “us vs. them” mentality, convincing members that they are uniquely chosen while outsiders are lost or deceived. This ego-driven mindset fosters division rather than unity in Christ.
2. Testing Spiritual Truths: True faith communities encourage questioning, seeking, and growing in Christ rather than blind obedience. As 1 John 4:1-6 teaches, we are called to test the spirits to discern whether they lead us to Jesus as the Word made flesh.
3. Freedom in Christ vs. Control by Man: A true relationship with God empowers us with spiritual freedom, love, and personal revelation, while manipulative cults rely on fear, control, and demands for unquestioning loyalty to human leaders.

Dangerous Cults

The dangerous types of cults may be seen in a variety of circles, from religious to business to politics and more. Each has its core belief systems that will make sense on the surface, but falls apart upon closer inspection without a wide breadth of mental band-aids. Yet the core belief I have found in these groups is the same: egoism. When I say “egoism,” I mean both the “us versus them” mentality and the idea that members are in some way inherently special.

Members of these type of cults see “truth” when all others are being lied to. Members have access to occult (secret) knowledge that only an elite group gains access too, yet there is a pretense that they wish everyone to gain this “secret wisdom.” They may pretend to teach there is good outside their group. However, because those outside their groups do not have equal access, for whatever reason, the next life for believers will somehow be better or more advanced, while good people outside the group will receive a positive, but lesser standing.

Warning Signs

When trying to determine if a church or group is a dangerous cult, there are some questions to ask, and signs to look for. These signs may not (necessarily) be where they live or what they wear. If we see a group of people living in yurts, dressing like they are from culture they do not belong to (ex. Caucasians dressed as indigenous Americans or Buddhist monks) we should not assume these people are in some sort of crazy or evil cult. Many, in fact I would argue most truly manipulative cults see members living in average homes and dressing like one would expect from their walk of society. To evangelize to prospective members, they will want to be seen as relatable.

Again, many assume that manipulative cults are filled with the emotionally weak or mentally unstable, that they are crazy people with weird or strange beliefs. This is not always the case. In fact, a successful counter-culture cult will be filled with the opposite types of people. This is why the Savior said that even the very elect could be deceived (Matthew 24:24). To identify a truly dangerous cult, look for subtle manipulation. Members will likely not even realize they are doing it. For example, when they teach idea “x” and we point out a flaw, then we made a mistake, not them. When they said “x” they really meant “y” all along.

This works because it creates separation between those in this type of cult and those outside of it. They have been taught to see naysayers as the enemy or the misguided or somehow confused. If we were to go along with their new idea, “y,” as if that is what “x” meant all along, then we are one of them (potentially), a “golden contact” as it were. If not, then we are an outsider, “of the world,” so to speak. This is the shell we must pierce, helping those see the illogical contradictions for themselves. As Christians we do this by offering the opportunity to unite in Jesus Christ, rather than dogmatism. We must love one another as God loves each of us—where we are. We should not be forced to believe in ideas “x” or “y” but in Jesus as the Christ, the Word made flesh.

Brainwashed? 

It is important to understand that there is no magic here, no mind control, no demonic possession. This is simply ego fulfillment. The people that fall into this trap give “great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work” because they feel this devotion feeds their own egos (Merriam-Webster, cult 2). Regardless of their attempts to hide secret “truths” or teachings until after they have been properly integrated, it invariably begins with ego polishing ideas. Recruits are “strong” for giving up normal things, or if they have already rejected these things then they are somehow gifted.

At the same time, even in these types of cults, members are made to feel that they are somehow unworthy, not good enough. They bully and berate themselves. They are made to feeling worthless. And the worst part is that when they seek help from inside the group, they are told again that they are wrong—they are self-shamed for having any sort of doubts. This merely continues the status quo, trapping members further into the manipulative cult. They feel somehow indebted to them.

These false mentalities reject the reality that it is by the grace and great condescension of God to us that we do all good works (Jacob 3:7 [4:8]). The point of religion is to lift us up as we reject the ego, pride, and selfishness to become altruistic, like the God who created us. Religion is an opportunity to be humble for the sake of a greater sense of purpose. Yes, everyone has doubts. However, if we keep our baptismal covenants then we will truly be there for one another, to mourn with those that mourn and to have joy with those with joy (Romans 12:15, Mosiah 9:39-40 [18:8-9], Doctrines of the Saints 13a:67). And most importantly, we will not fear those different than ourselves as we will see the Creator in everyone.

Warning Signs

Some common warning signs of a cult or unscrupulous individuals may include demands for complete obedience, isolation from friends and family, intense pressure to recruit new members, claims of exclusive knowledge or authority, or financial exploitation. Be weary of any attempts to control your thoughts or behavior. Yes, you want to be a better person, but on your own terms as you grow your personal relationship with God. You are not a puppet and should not be treated as such. It’s important to be aware of these warning signs and to trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel right. If you have any concerns, it’s a good idea to seek guidance from a trusted source.

The Latter Day Saint movement is a part of the occult, just like everyone else. We have talked about cults in the past. Satan is working even harder now to divide us as Saints. Which group then are actually cults?

Restrictions

Some cults will use celibacy or sexual restrictions, fasting or dietary restrictions, or special clothing. This covers a number of Latter Day Saint denominations. The question we should ask though is, how do these restrictions make us feel? Do we feel closer to God? Or, do we fear we will never be good enough? Do we feel greater love for others? Or, do we feel pride, as though we are holier or better than other people? As though we know some great secret.

Hierarchy 

Many cults claim belief in a god or some higher being, salvation, and the afterlife, sometimes combined with an “end of the world” view. Leaders will often claim to be an apostle, or prophet. These groups can be strict, sometimes using punishments like shunning or exclusion. Members are encouraged to proselytize as often as possible. Sometimes they will even send people on “missions” to convert people to their cults.

The New Normal? 

If this sounds familiar, it is probably because it sounds like every church on the planet. Even many Protestants now see today as the “last days.” Again, we must ask ourselves, do we feel closer to God? Do we feel closer to a group? Both are fine, but no church or leader should ever replace our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And if we feel isolated, we most likely have been.

Ready for War

Some cults have a “warrior” mentality. “Spiritual warfare” is a term being thrown around, these ideas can be fueled by a belief that we must somehow change society, start a revolution, or overthrow some perceived enemy to rid the world of the “evil forces.” Members might see themselves as elite people, set apart to go into battle. They might have some idea that the government is on the verge of failure, and only they can save it.

Many times, those in these groups are armed or encourage members to buy weapons. Leadership might discourage this, but little to nothing is done to discourage members of the cult from pushing such ideas. Some may support or even engage in violent activities. If this sounds familiar, it may be because we are seeing more and more of this today. We must ask ourselves, are we fighting to free everyone, or to be free to oppress others?

Secret but not Secret 

Cults might have secret handshakes, or other ritualized practices. These might be sustained by belief in attaining wealth and power, status, and quick earnings. The wealthy are rewarded with positions of power. They typically push ultra-conservative family values, strict morals, good health, or patriotism. Members are encouraged to give and not to receive.

Help the Church First

While they may have systems set up to help the poor, they might use poverty to keep them out of their most sacred rights. And many times, these rights ask that members give everything they have not to God, but to the organization. Again, this sounds familiar. There are a number of Christian denominations that teach the prosperity gospel. And a number of Latter Day Saint sects have secret rights, these were started by Joseph Smith himself.

Power

Finally, the last example we will look at are the cults that believe in supernatural powers. These might include “magic blessings” that can heal, or even give someone God’s divine will for an individual. These blessings will claim people are tied to ancient Biblical characters, make promises for their lives or even after lives, and give them warnings or predict great things for them.

Again, this sounds like many churches, sects, and denominations, not just in the Latter Day Saint movement. Again, the real question we must ask if we see these signs in the churches we belong to is: How is my personal relationship with God? If you feel unworthy, or unwelcome then you aren’t where God wants you.

The Test

After looking at this list, did you see things that would make your church a cult? Hopefully the answer is yes, because these are tools used by God for good and by Satan for evil. Every church is a cult. Every church delves into the occult. The question becomes, does that church get us closer to Jesus Christ? Because if an organization is building walls between us and God, or between us as Saints, then we are not where the Lord wants us to be. I can say this because I know and testify that the only thing keeping us from our God is ourselves. The only thing keeping us apart as Saints is ourselves. Let us work harder to love God and love our neighbors and put these things Satan uses to divide us behind us, because in truth we have far more in common than the enemy would have us believe.

If you suspect that someone you know or love is in a cult, first off don’t panic. The best thing we can do is love them. By trying to convince them they are in a destructive cult, we run the risk of driving them deeper into that cult and building a wall between us and them; between them and reality itself.

In Doctrines of the Saints 3a:7 we read:

When we change perception, we change reality. Reality is defined by how we see the world. After we have taken the above steps, walking the path of teshuvah, the way we see the world changes. When we see through human eyes, we see weakness and sin. Once born again our perception changes and we see God’s creation as He sees it: it is good.”

If we are unsure if our friend(s) or loved one(s) are in a dangerous cult, there is a test. In the Bible, in 1 John 4:1-6, we are told not to believe every spirit, but to test them. The test John gives us is to ask if Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Now, many can answer this question as “yes.” However, in the Gospel of John 1:14 we find the deeper meaning here: Jesus is the Word made flesh. If we are told to pray on the truth of something or are given a vision or revelation that decrees Jesus was a man, or anything other than the Word made flesh, then we know the spirit failed the test and is evil. We may have the light of Christ, but Jesus IS that light.

Discussion Questions

1. How do you differentiate between a religious group that challenges you to grow spiritually and one that controls or manipulates its members?
2. Have you ever encountered a situation where questioning or seeking personal revelation was discouraged? How did that impact your faith?
3. What does it mean to test the spirits as instructed in 1 John 4:1-6? How can this help us avoid deception?
4. Why do you think people, including intelligent and well-meaning individuals, are drawn into manipulative religious groups?
5. In what ways can we ensure that our personal relationship with Christ remains central, rather than being replaced by loyalty to a group or leader?

Suggestions for Action

1. Examine your beliefs. Reflect on your own religious experiences. Have there been times when you accepted something without questioning? What would you ask now? How has questioning helped or hindered your spiritual journey?
2. Compare teachings to scripture. Choose a doctrine or teaching from your faith community and compare it to the teachings of Jesus. Does it align with Christ’s gospel of love and grace? What did you discover in your comparison?
3. Have an honest conversation. Talk to someone from a different religious background about their experiences. Listen openly and share insights without trying to convert them. How did this conversation challenge or expand your understanding?
4. Test the spirits. Read 1 John 4:1-6 and pray about how to apply this principle in your spiritual life. How can you ensure that your faith is centered on Christ rather than human interpretations?
5. Observe and identify manipulation. Look at how different religious, business, or political groups use messaging to create an “us vs. them” dynamic. How do they encourage or discourage critical thinking? How can you guard yourself against emotional or spiritual manipulation?

Final Thought & Meditation

Take a deep breath and center yourself in prayer. Imagine yourself standing in the presence of Jesus, free from fear, free from manipulation, free from doubt. In this moment, there is no pressure to conform to human expectations—only the warmth of God’s love. As you breathe in, let yourself feel that love fully. As you breathe out, release any fears or anxieties about belonging or acceptance.

Know that Christ has already called you His own. You do not need a title, a secret knowledge, or a special group to validate your faith. You are already a child of God, fully loved and accepted. Let this truth fill your heart as you move forward in your journey of faith.