For the Love of God

Excerpt from an October 1967 General Conference address by Ezra Taft Benson, ‘Trust Not in the Arm of Flesh’: 1 “The world largely ignores the first and great commandment—to love God—but talks a lot about loving their brother. They worship at the altar of man. Would Nephi have slain Laban if he had put the … Read more

Facsimile 3

From ‘A Facsimile from the Book of Abraham No. 3’ explained by Joseph Smith Jr.: 1 Explanation Fig. 1. Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh’s throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven; with the scepter of justice and judgment in … Read more

He Blessed All

The Editor [George Q. Cannon], “Topics of the Times,” Juvenile Instructor 34 (March 1, 1899): 137-138. Reprinted in Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star 61 (March 30, 1899):1 “In some minds there seems to be an idea that there should be a different form of blessing for children born of non-members and for those who are identified … Read more

I Have Set by His Side

Footnote 31, ‘Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham’, LDS Gospel Topic Essay: 1 “31. John Whitmer, History, 1831–ca. 1837, 76, in Karen Lynn Davidson, Richard L. Jensen, and David J. Whittaker, eds., Histories, Volume 2: Assigned Historical Writings, 1831–1847, vol. 2 of the Histories series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean … Read more

Section 132

Image: Portrait of Emma Smith, wife of Joseph Smith Jr. *Post with commentary* The polygamy revelation in D&C 132 [footnote]Doctrine and Covenants 132 – LDS.org[/footnote] has been a ‘hot potato’ the LDS church has had to constantly juggle. Discard it—you lose a pillar of celestial marriage doctrine. Keep it—you canonize an abusive practice. This year’s … Read more

Give and Take

Image: LDS Temple sealing room Excerpt from the LDS temple marriage ceremony (sealing of spouses). [footnote]The LDS Endowment, Sealings [/footnote] [The sealer sits at the head of the altar with two witnesses, one seated at his right and the other at his left. The bride and groom kneel at opposite sides of the altar, facing … Read more

Not So Fair

  Image: Kerry Muhlestein is an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University.[footnote]Kerry Muhlestein – Fair Mormon[/footnote]   Defending Exclusive Truth Claims: LDS Apologetics video. [footnote]Defending Exclusive Truth Claims: LDS Apologetics (video) – Examining Religious Claims[/footnote]     The Book of Abraham and Unnoticed Assumptions, 2014 Fair Mormon Conference:[footnote]The Book of Abraham and Unnoticed Assumptions, 2014 Fair Mormon … Read more

Mormon Pseudepigrapha

Image: Richard Lyman Bushman (born June 20, 1931) is an American historian and Gouverneur Morris Professor of History emeritus at Columbia University. He was the Howard W. Hunter Visiting Professor in Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University from 2008 to 2011. He also serves as one of three general editors of the Joseph Smith Papers. … Read more

Not Equal

Image: Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, LDS Prophet Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine:[footnote]Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 114[/footnote] ‘Negroes in this life are denied the Priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty. (Abra. 1:20-27.) The gospel message of salvation is not carried affirmatively to them . . . negroes … Read more

Inhabitants of the Moon

Image: Brigham Young, LDS Prophet Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses v.13 p. 271, excerpt: ‘I will tell you who the real fanatics are: they are they who adopt false principles and ideas as facts, and try to establish a superstructure upon a false foundation. They are the fanatics; and however ardent and zealous they … Read more

Honestly?

Image: Facsimile #3 from the modern printing of the Pearl of Great price with corrective translations by Egyptologists handwritten in.  From Gospel Principles, Chapter 31, Honesty:[footnote] Gospel Principles, 2011, 179–83 [/footnote] “There are many other forms of lying. When we speak untruths, we are guilty of lying. We can also intentionally deceive others by a gesture or … Read more

The Book of Abraham

Image: Museum Walls Proclaim Fraud of Mormon Prophet, New York Times, December 29, 1912 [footnote] New York Times Article – Link [/footnote] From the introduction to the Book of Abraham as published in the Pearl of Great Price:  [footnote] The Book of Abraham – LDS.org  [/footnote] “A Translation of some ancient Records that have fallen into our hands from the … Read more