Honesty

Excerpt from the 2011 Gospel Principles manual, Chapter 31: Honesty: 1 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 a look, by silence, or by telling only part of the truth. Whenever we lead people in any … Read more

Pay Tithing

Excerpt from an address by Lynn G. Robbins of the First Quorum of the Seventy, April 2005 General Conference: 1 “No bishop, no missionary should ever hesitate or lack the faith to teach the law of tithing to the poor. The sentiment of “They can’t afford to” needs to be replaced with “They can’t afford not to.” One of … Read more

Law of Tithing

Excerpt from an address by Lynn G. Robbins of the First Quorum of the Seventy, April 2005 General Conference: 1 “No bishop, no missionary should ever hesitate or lack the faith to teach the law of tithing to the poor. The sentiment of “They can’t afford to” needs to be replaced with “They can’t afford not to.” One of … Read more

Conversation with Brigham

Brigham Young Interview by Horace Greeley (New York Tribune editor), ‘Two Hours With Brigham Young’, Salt Lake City, Utah, July 13, 1859: 1 My friend Dr. [John M.] Bernisel, M.C. [Mormon Church], took me this afternoon, by appointment, to meet Brigham Young, President of the Mormon Church, who had expressed a willingness to receive me at … Read more

Tragic Sin

Excerpt from an April 1971 General Conference address by Presiding Bishop Victor L. Brown:1 “Examples of true manhood Let us consider just a few of these responsibilities. In the scriptures we read, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Gen. … Read more

Don’t give up

Excerpt from an April 6, 2019 General Conference address by Bishop W. Christopher Waddell: 1 John, who was Mikes friend, ministering brother, and a former mission president, used to tell his missionaries that if someone is on a list that says ‘not interested’, don’t give up. People change. References[+] References 1 April 2019 General Conference … Read more

Excommunication

Excerpt from Spencer W. Kimball’s ‘Miracle of Forgiveness’, Pg. 328-330: 1 Excommunication The scriptures speak of Church members being “cast out” or “cut off,” or having their names “blotted out.” This means excommunication. This dread action means the total severance of the individual from the Church. The person who is excommunicated loses his membership in … Read more

Good Name

Letter from the Houston Texas South Stake to Sam Young regarding disciplinary action: 1 Dear Sam, This letter is a formal notice that the stake presidency will convene a formal disciplinary council in your behalf, the result of which includes the possibility of excommunication, disfellowshipment, formal probation, or no action. The reason for this council … Read more

Excommunication

Letter from the Houston Texas South Stake to Sam Young regarding disciplinary action: 1 Dear Sam, This letter is a formal notice that the stake presidency will convene a formal disciplinary council in your behalf, the result of which includes the possibility of excommunication, disfellowshipment, formal probation, or no action. The reason for this council … Read more

Opposition

Letter from the Houston Texas South Stake to Sam Young regarding disciplinary action: 1 Dear Sam, This letter is a formal notice that the stake presidency will convene a formal disciplinary council in your behalf, the result of which includes the possibility of excommunication, disfellowshipment, formal probation, or no action. The reason for this council … Read more

Born with an Attraction

A General Conference address (later published in a pamphlet titled ‘To Young Men Only’ 1 ) by Boyd K. Packer, October 2, 1976: 2 “There are present in this priesthood session only brethren. I approach a subject that could not appropriately be discussed if there were others present. I have prayed fervently for inspiration as … Read more

I Floored Him

A General Conference address (later published in a pamphlet titled ‘To Young Men Only’ 1 ) by Boyd K. Packer, October 2, 1976: 2 “There are present in this priesthood session only brethren. I approach a subject that could not appropriately be discussed if there were others present. I have prayed fervently for inspiration as … Read more

Manly Men

A General Conference address (later published in a pamphlet titled ‘To Young Men Only’ 1 ) by Boyd K. Packer, October 2, 1976: 2 “There are present in this priesthood session only brethren. I approach a subject that could not appropriately be discussed if there were others present. I have prayed fervently for inspiration as … Read more

Little Factory

A General Conference address (later published in a pamphlet titled ‘To Young Men Only’ 1 ) by Boyd K. Packer, October 2, 1976: 2 “There are present in this priesthood session only brethren. I approach a subject that could not appropriately be discussed if there were others present. I have prayed fervently for inspiration as … Read more

Pay Tithing

December 2012 Ensign Article, ’Sacred Transformations’: 1 “After reading these scriptures together, Bishop Orellana looked at the new convert and said, “If paying tithing means that you can’t pay for water or electricity, pay tithing. If paying tithing means that you can’t pay your rent, pay tithing. Even if paying tithing means that you don’t … Read more

Transparency

October 1905 Conference Report, Prophet Joseph F. Smith, Pg. 5: 1 “I want to say further to the Saints, that your brethren to whom you have entrusted the care and management of the finances of the Church stand ready and willing, any moment,’ to answer to YOU — to Latter-day Saints, to tithepayers, to those … Read more

Allegations

Church Statement About Alleged Sexual Assault by Former Mission President – March 20 2018:  1 “This matter [allegation of sexual abuse] was brought to the attention of the Church in 2010, when this former Church member, who served briefly as a missionary in 1984, told leaders of the Pleasant Grove Utah West Stake that she … Read more

Under No Circumstances

Excerpt from the LDS 1940 General Handbook of Instructions, Pg. 131,132: 1 “Special Cases—Recommends may be given to wives of members of the Church who have not had their own endowments only if husbands are absolutely willing that the endowments should be given to their wives. Before such recommends are issued presidents of· stakes will … Read more

Learned Homosexuality

Excerpts from a 1981 LDS Booklet Addressing ‘Homosexuality’, published as a guide to be used for local leaders when working with homosexual members: 1 Pg. 1 Homosexuality is of grave concern to the Church because- 1. It violates the Lord’s eternal plan for man’s progress by perverting the proper use of procreative powers and loving … Read more

Where is Cumorah?

Image: The Hill Comorah is a drumlin in Manchester, New York, United States, where Joseph Smith said he found a set of golden plates which he translated into English and published as the Book of Mormon. In the text of the Book of Mormon, “Cumorah” is a hill located in a land of the same name, … Read more

Ask the Bishop

From the current (2017) LDS Handbook 2: Administering the Church: 21.4.15Surgical Sterilization (Including Vasectomy) The Church strongly discourages surgical sterilization as an elective form of birth control. Surgical sterilization should be considered only if (1) medical conditions seriously jeopardize life or health or (2) birth defects or serious trauma have rendered a person mentally incompetent … Read more

Becoming White

Lesson 19, A white and Blessed People:[footnote]Manual for the Priests’ Quorum, Nephi Jensen – Deseret News Press, 1927 [/footnote] LESSON NINETEEN A WHITE AND BLESSED PEOPLE (a) Activity Period: (About 15 minutes.) Prayer.—Roll Call—Consider ways of getting attendance of absent members.—Report of assignments performed.—Assignments for ensuing week.—Social and fraternal activities.—Instructions by Bishop. (b) Lesson Period: (15 to 30 minutes.) … Read more