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
I remember vividly an experience I had as a passenger in a small two-propeller airplane. One of its engines suddenly burst open and caught on fire. The propeller of the flaming engine was starkly stilled. As we plummeted in a steep spiral dive toward the earth, I expected to die. Some of the passengers screamed … Read more
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
Joseph Smith History 1:18:1 18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the … Read more
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
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
Excerpt from a Salt Lake Tribune article from June 8 2020, ‘Despite joining President Nelson in call to end racism, NAACP would like to see the LDS Church do more.’: 1 In yet another symbolic gesture of racial unity, LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson joined with top NAACP leaders Monday in calling for an … Read more
An article titled ‘The Negro Race’ by George Reynolds published and edited by George Q. Cannon in the Juvenile Instructor, October 15 1968: 1 The Negro Race Amongst the many causes that have contributed to change the appearance of the human family and make mankind appear to be of different races, we must consider the … Read more
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
Excerpt from a Mar 23, 2020 Deseret News article, “1st Utahn to die of COVID-19 attended Bountiful temple last week, church confirms”: 1 Utah Department of Health officials announced the Davis County man’s death on Sunday in a news conference. They said he was over the age of 60 and had tested positive for COVID-19 … Read more
Excerpt from ‘Tithing and Charitable Donations’, Church Newsroom: 1 All funds given to the Church by its members are considered sacred. They are voluntary offerings that represent the faith and dedication of members and are used with careful oversight and discretion. They are audited regularly by independent, certified auditors. Excerpt from the June 1980 Ensign, … Read more
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
Fox 13 News, February 24, 2016:1 “Forbes Magazine ranked Salt Lake City as “America’s vainest city” in 2007. With nearly six plastic surgeons for every 100,000 people, that’s 2.5 times the national average.” Excerpt from a 2007 Forbes article, America’s Vainest Cities: 2 As the number of cosmetic procedures nationwide continues to surge, we looked … Read more
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
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
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
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
Excerpt from a Improvement Era, June 1945, Ward Teachers’ Message: 1 “When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan — it is God’s plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works … Read more
Excerpts from an address by Boyd K. Packer, ‘The Mantle Is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect’, to religious educators on 22 August 1981: 1 It is an easy thing for a man with extensive academic training to mea- sure the Church using the principles he has been taught in his professional training as his … Read more
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
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! A Discourse by … Read more
Excerpt from a June 12 2019 Church Educational System Training Broadcast. Talk by Jeffrey R. Holland, ‘Angels and Astonishment’: 1 As the world becomes increasingly secular, we must learn how to be ever more helpful and exemplary for our young men and women who have to defend their faith while living in a culture that … Read more
Excerpt from a Church News article, ‘President Ballard said missionaries shouldn’t invite people to be baptized without feeling the Spirit. Here’s why’, June 26 2019: 1 “PROVO, Utah — Missionaries need to recognize the Spirit and teach by the Spirit more than at any time in our history, said President M. Russell Ballard during the 2019 New Mission … Read more
Excerpt from 2019 BYU Women’s Conference, ‘Sister-to-Sister’: 1 Sheri L. Dew: Let’s move to a new question. “I hear talks about how important women are in the church but honestly that has not been my experience. What suggestions do you have about working more effectively and in greater unity with priesthood leaders. Especially when from … Read more
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
Excerpt from a Church News article, Pub. February 4, 2019: 1 President Oaks admonished young fathers to “rise up to your responsibilities,” lead their families in righteousness and be united with their wives and children. He acknowledged that some Latter-Saint couples face conflicts over important values and priorities. Matters of Church history and doctrinal issues have … Read more
Excerpt from an October 1977 General Conference address by David B. Haight: 1 My remarks this morning are directed to the young women of the Church, particularly those who are dating our young men. I desire to be appropriate and correct in what I say, but because of necessity and the urgency concerning this matter, … Read more
Excerpt from ‘With Full Purpose of Heart’, by Dallin H. Oaks, Pub. 2002:1 President Kimball said, “It is an act of extreme selfishness for a married couple to refuse to have children when they are able to do so.” When married couples postpone childbearing until after they have satisfied their mutual goals, the mere passage … Read more
‘I’m a Mormon’ Campaign, Mormon Newsroom: 1 “The Church’s national media campaign called “I’m a Mormon” (launched in 2010) included television spots, billboards, and ads on buses and on the Internet. The ads give a glimpse into the lives of Latter-day Saints from all over the world and refer people to the mormon.org website, where … Read more
Editorial Thoughts by LDS Apostle George Q. Cannon published in the Juvenile Instructor, January 15, 1895: 1 Membership in the Church should be Valued. It should be the aim of every parent, and of all the teachers among the people, whether Apostles, Presidents of Stakes, Bishops or Elders, to impress upon the members of the … Read more
Editorial Thoughts by LDS Apostle George Q. Cannon published in the Juvenile Instructor, January 15, 1895: 1 Membership in the Church should be Valued. It should be the aim of every parent, and of all the teachers among the people, whether Apostles, Presidents of Stakes, Bishops or Elders, to impress upon the members of the … Read more
Editorial Thoughts by LDS Apostle George Q. Cannon published in the Juvenile Instructor, January 15, 1895: 1 Membership in the Church should be Valued. It should be the aim of every parent, and of all the teachers among the people, whether Apostles, Presidents of Stakes, Bishops or Elders, to impress upon the members of the … Read more
