Talk of Love

Quote from Spencer W. Kimball’s 1965 BYU devotional “Love vs. Lust” describing love as “prostituted” in “the realm of homosexuality.”

A January 5, 1965 address at BYU by Spencer W. Kimball, ‘Love vs. Lust’: 1 “My beloved young people: While this is a grave responsibility, and not an easy one, I am eager to discuss with you some matters of grave importance. I love youth. I rejoice when they grow up clean and stalwart and … Read more

Peep Stone

Side-by-side quotes: Ensign (2015) describes Joseph Smith’s chocolate-colored oval seer stone; BYU authors (2000) call the seer-stone-in-hat explanation “simply fiction.”

Excerpt from ‘Book of Mormon Translation’, LDS Gospel Topic Essay: 1 “Nevertheless, the scribes and others who observed the translation left numerous accounts that give insight into the process. Some accounts indicate that Joseph studied the characters on the plates. Most of the accounts speak of Joseph’s use of the Urim and Thummim (either the … Read more

Modesty

J. Reuben Clark quote from 1946 stating that women who dress immodestly bear part of the blame if they are assaulted.

Address by J. Reuben Clark, reprinted in the August, 1946 LDS Improvement Era, ‘Plain Talk to Girls’: 1 Address given to the Executives of the Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association, in June Conference, Saturday afternoon, June 8, 1946, in Barratt Hall When I was in Mexico in the Embassy, there were with me Sister Clark … Read more

2021 BYU University Conference

3 August 2021, BYU University Conference 1 The Second Half of the Second Century BYU Annual University ConferenceAugust 23, 2021By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Someone once told me that the young speak of the future because they have no past, while the elderly speak of the past because they have no future. Although it damages … Read more

Slavery in Scripture

Excerpt from an October 2020 General conference talk by Quentin L. Cook:1 This was a time of tension on several fronts. Many Missourians considered Native Americans a relentless enemy and wanted them removed from the land. In addition many of the Missouri settlers were slave owners. And felt threatened by those who were opposed to … Read more

Offspring

Excerpt from the “Affidavit of Hyrum Smith, Times and Seasons 3 (1 Aug. 1842):870–72: 1 “AFFIDAVIT OF HYRUM SMITH. On the seventeenth day of may, 1842, having been made acquainted with some of the conduct of John C. Bennett, which was given in testimony under oath before Alderman G[eorge] W. Harris, by several females, who … Read more

Obedience

Excerpt from an April 2013 General Conference address by Thomas S. Monson: 1  Declared President Joseph F. Smith in October 1873, “Obedience is the first law of heaven.” Excerpts from an October 1873 discourse by Joseph F. Smith: 2 To say I have been very much interested in the instructions that we have had at … Read more

Evil with evil

Social media post from Russell M. Nelson, June 1 2020: 1 We join with many throughout this nation and around the world who are deeply saddened at recent evidences of racism and a blatant disregard for human life. We abhor the reality that some would deny others respect and the most basic of freedoms because … Read more

Distorts

True to the Faith, A Gospel Reference, pub. 2004:1 Like other violations of the law of chastity, homosexual activity is a serious sin. It is contrary to the purposes of human sexuality (see Romans 1:24–32). It distorts loving relationships and prevents people from receiving the blessings that can be found in family life and the saving … Read more

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

Salesman

The Wentworth Letter, by Joseph Smith Jr. 1 March 1, 1842.—At the request of Mr. John Wentworth, editor and proprietor of the Chicago Democrat, I have written the following sketch of the rise, progress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-day Saints, of which I have the honor, under God, of being the founder. Mr. Wentworth … 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

We will always teach truth #4

Excerpt from an address by Russell M. Nelson, September 17 2019: 1 It is precisely because we do care deeply about all of God’s children that we proclaim His truth. We may not always tell people what they want to hear. Prophets are rarely popular. But we will always teach the truth! Excerpt from ‘Address … Read more

Paul vs Moroni

King James Bible passages in the Book of Mormon: 1 When entire verses are verbatim or near verbatim copies (as is often the case), only the references to the corresponding scriptures are provided. 1 Nephi (600-570 BC) 1 Nephi 1:14  “…Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty!” Revelation 15:3 “Great and marvellous … Read more

Editing 2

General Conference talk given by Boyd K. Packer, ‘Cleansing the Inner Vessel’, October 2010:1 Note: Bolded are the parts of the talk given in the original address, not appearing in written format on the official LDS church website. This general conference was convened at a time when there is such confusion and such danger that … Read more

Editing

General Conference talk given by Hartman Rector Jr., ‘Turning the Hearts’, April 1981:1 Note: Bolded are the parts of the talk given in the original address, not appearing in written format on the official LDS church website. I consider it a great honor and a privilege to greet you this afternoon in the name of … 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

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

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