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| Final words spoked by Charlie Kirk before he was assassinated at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah on September 10th. |
I wanted to share a partial transcript of the question about Mormons that Charlie Kirk was engaged in just before his murder. The question was the first of the Q&A session, posed by UVU student Hunter Kozak approximately 8-10 minutes before the fatal shot was fired at 12:23 p.m
Question:
"Mr. Kirk, as an evangelical Protestant speaking here in Utah, why do you believe Protestantism is the true path to Christianity? Isn't Mormonism more historically accurate than Protestantism, given the additional scriptures like the Book of Mormon and the restoration through Joseph Smith?"Answer:
"First of all, I love Mormons. I've always said that—I love how Mormons send missionaries around the world. I love how Mormons have more kids than they can afford [light laughter from the crowd]. Look, we have the white shirt and tie crowd right there [gesturing to a group in the audience, including some of his own team members he identifies as Mormon]...
I respect the discipline, the family values—heck, half my team here are Mormons, and they're the best. But truth isn't about what's 'more accurate' historically; it's about what's eternally true. Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.' Not 'a way.' What do you think—am I wrong?"
This was part of Kirk’s broader point praising the historical zeal of early Mormonism while critiquing what he saw as its modern institutional softening, contrasting it with the "unchanging truth" of evangelical reliance on the Bible alone. He delivered the line with his typical mix of humor and provocation, which drew chuckles from parts of the crowd but also murmurs from others, given Utah’s predominantly LDS audience. He went on to say:
"Mormonism had a spark when it started—bold, missionary-driven, a real fire for faith. But let’s be honest, some of that energy, that ‘mojo,’ has faded. It’s become too comfortable, too mainstream, maybe too focused on fitting in with the world instead of challenging it like Joseph Smith did."
The Book of Mormon warns the modern day Church of the same thing.
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The memorial service for Charlie Kirk took place on September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. My wife and watch alot of the seven hour plus tribute and speech that were given. Tucker Carlson delivered a eulogy that lasted approximately six minutes. It was one of my favorites. Here is an excerpt:
"Charlie Kirk was bringing the gospel to the country. He was doing the thing that the people in charge hate most, which is calling for them to repent. He wasn’t just a political operative; he was a prophet in his own way, a voice crying out in the wilderness, telling young people—and all of us—that real change doesn’t come from Washington or from voting harder. It comes from here [points to heart]. It’s only an acknowledgment that what Charlie was really saying is that change begins, the only change that matters, when we repent of our sins. We, me. A recognition that the real problem is me, and how fallen I am. So today, let’s honor him by doing what he did. Let’s repent. Let’s forgive. Let’s fight, not with hate, but with love for what’s right.
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Sidenote:
Yesterday, September 22, 2025, marked the Fall Equinox, a day I celebrated with friends for the tenth year in a row. At sundown, the Jewish High Holy Day of Rosh Hashanah (also known as the Feast of Trumpets) began. Rosh Hashanah is rich with symbolic traditions, including sounding the shofar (a hollowed-out ram’s horn), eating apples dipped in honey to signify a sweet new year, and casting bread into flowing water to represent the casting away of sins. In Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah is believed to commemorate the creation of Adam and Eve and their initial steps toward returning to God’s presence.
For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), Rosh Hashanah holds special significance. On September 22, 1827—coinciding with Rosh Hashanah—Joseph Smith received the golden plates from the angel Moroni, following four annual visits beginning on September 21, 1823. In LDS belief, the Book of Mormon’s emergence on this date fulfills prophecies associated with Rosh Hashanah, where ritual trumpet blasts symbolize divine revelation, a call to repentance, and the gathering of Israel.Rosh Hashanah also marks the start of the Ten Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance leading to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Set during Israel’s final agricultural harvest, this holy day symbolizes the Lord’s final harvest of souls and the culmination of divine time periods, preparing believers for final judgment and the hope of having their names written in the Book of Life.
Attached are a few photos taken yesterday at sunset, capturing the start of the Ten Days of Repentance during our Rosh Hashanah observance.
