Bishop
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
Dead Son
Excerpt from an April 1975 General Conference Address by Vaughn J. Featherstone: 1 I know of a great man who held his dead son in his arms, and said, “In the name of Jesus Christ and by the power and authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, I command you to live.” And the dead boy … 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
Tithing and the Poor
Excerpt from “The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball”, Pg. 212,213: 1 The poor have special need to tithe. There are people who say they cannot afford to pay tithing, because their incomes are small. They are the people who need the blessings of the Lord! No one is ever too poor to pay tithing, and … Read more
Responsibility
April 1992 LDS General Conference address by Apostle Richard G. Scott, ‘Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse’: 1 The victim must do all in his or her power to stop the abuse. Most often, the victim is innocent because of being disabled by fear or the power or authority of the offender. At some point … 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
What’s Wrong
Excerpt from an October 1960 General Conference address by Elder Marion G. Romney: 1 Now, brethren, if we will keep these things in mind, we shall not be deceived by false teachings. I remember years ago when I was a bishop I had President Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting, I drove him … 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