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
Excerpt from the LDS Gospel Topic Essay, ‘Race and the Priesthood’: 1 “Today, the Church disavows the theories advanced in the past that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse, or that it reflects unrighteous actions in a premortal life; that mixed-race marriages are a sin; or that blacks or people of any other … 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 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 Book of Mormon chapter summary, 2 Nephi 5, published 1981: 1 The Nephites separate themselves from the Lamanites, keep the law of Moses, and build a temple—Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites are cursed, receive a skin of blackness, and become a scourge unto the Nephites. About 588–559 B.C. The Book of Mormon chapter … Read more
Excerpt from the LDS Gospel Topic Essay, ‘Race and the Priesthood’: 1 “Today, the Church disavows the theories advanced in the past that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse, or that it reflects unrighteous actions in a premortal life; that mixed-race marriages are a sin; or that blacks or people of any other … 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
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
‘First Presidency Statement on Temples’, 2 January 2019: 1 “Whenever the Lord has had a people on the earth who will obey His word, they have been commanded to build temples. Scriptures document patterns of temple worship from the times of Adam and Eve, Moses, Solomon, Nephi, and others. With the restoration of the gospel … Read more
Excerpt from the June 2018 Ensign, ‘The Long-Promised Day’: 1 President David O. McKay (1873–1970) “1947: “Sometime in God’s eternal plan, the Negro will be given the right to hold the priesthood. In the meantime, those of that race who receive the testimony of the restored gospel may have their family ties protected and other … Read more
Excerpt from the Shaker, ’A Holy, Sacred and Divine Roll and Book; From the Lord God of Heaven, to the Inhabitants of Earth’, Pub. 1843: 1 “We, the undersigned, hereby testify, that we saw the holy Angel standing upon the house-top, as mentioned in the foregoing declaration, holding the Roll and Book.” Betsey Boothe. Louisa … Read more
Discourse by Apostle Orson Pratt, ‘Celestial Marriage’, Salt Lake City, October 7, 1869, JOD Vol. 3 Pg. 195: 1 It was announced at the close of the forenoon meeting that I would address the congregation this afternoon upon the subject of Celestial Marriage; I do so with the greatest pleasure. In the first place, let … Read more
On June 1, 1980 Apostle Bruce R. McConkie gave an address at BYU entitled ‘The Seven Deadly Heresies’. The text version of this talk was drastically altered from the original audio address. 1 Below is a comparison of the two versions. Printed version Audio version I have sought and do now seek that guidance … Read more
On June 1, 1980 Apostle Bruce R. McConkie gave an address at BYU entitled ‘The Seven Deadly Heresies’. The text version of this talk was drastically altered from the original audio address. 1 Below is a comparison of the two versions. Printed version Audio version I have sought and do now seek that guidance … Read more
2 Maccabees 1, Apocrypha, King James Bible: 1 34 Then the king, inclosing the place, made it holy, after he had tried the matter. 35 And the king took many gifts, and bestowed thereof on those whom he would gratify. 36 And Neemias called this thing Naphthar, which is as much as to say, a … Read more
The Book of Judith, Apocrypha, King James Bible: 1 Chapter 8 26 Remember what things he did to Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and what happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia of Syria, when he kept the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother. Chapter 13 2 And Judith was left alone in the tent, and … Read more
King James Bible passages in the Book of Mormon: 1 Note: Isaiah chapters 40+2, Malachi, and the verses from the New Testament were written after Lehi left Jerusalem in the Book of Mormon narrative. When entire verses are verbatim or near verbatim copies (as is often the case), only the references to the corresponding scriptures are … Read more
Excerpt from the article ‘Prophecies in the Bible about Joseph Smith’, published in the Ensign, January 1989: 1 Critics might argue that the Joseph Smith Translation contains references to Joseph Smith because he himself translated it. From the Joseph Smith Inspired translation of the bible. Italicized words were added to the King James Version … Read more
Excerpt from ‘History of Joseph Smith by his mother’, Lucy Mack Smith, Pub. 1853. Pg. 58, 59: 1 In 1811, we moved from Royalton Vermont, to the town of Lebanon New Hampshire. Soon after arriving here, my husband [Joseph Smith Sr.] received another very singular vision, which I will relate: “I thought,” said he, “I … Read more
Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol. 5:112-117, ‘Organic Evolution and the Age of Man’: Question: “Since reading your book, Man: His Origin, and Destiny, I have been troubled by your difference in view of organic evolution and the age of man and the teachings of some of our most outstanding scientists who maintain … Read more
Excerpt from the LDS Gospel Topic Essay, ‘Book of Mormon and DNA Studies’: 1 “One reason it is difficult to use DNA evidence to draw definite conclusions about Book of Mormon peoples is that nothing is known about the DNA that Lehi, Sariah, Ishmael, and others brought to the Americas. “ 1 Nephi 5:14, the … Read more
List of people in the Book of Mormon: 1 Males Aaron (descendant of Heth) Aaron (son of Mosiah) Aaron (Lamanite king) Abinadi Abinadom Aha Ahah Akish Alma (the Prophet Alma (the Younger) Amaleki (record keeper) Amaleki (seeker of Zeniff’s people) Amalickiah Amaron Aminadab Amgid Aminadi Amlici Ammah Ammaron Ammon (expedition leader) Ammon (son of Mosiah) … Read more
Excerpt from the LDS Gospel Topic Essay, Book of Mormon and DNA Studies: 1 The Book of Mormon provides little direct information about cultural contact between the peoples it describes and others who may have lived nearby. Consequently, most early Latter-day Saints assumed that Near Easterners or West Asians like Jared, Lehi, Mulek, and their … Read more
Excerpt from Alexander Campbells ‘Delusions an analysis of the Book of Mormon‘, Pub. 1832: 1 “This prophet Smith, through his stone spectacles, wrote on the plates of Nephi, in his book of Mormon, every error and almost every truth discussed in N. York for the last ten years. He decides all the great controversies — … Read more
Jacob 4:1, the Book of Mormon: 1 1 Now behold, it came to pass that I, Jacob, having ministered much unto my people in word, (and I cannot write but a little of my words, because of the difficulty of engraving our words upon plates) and we know that the things which we write upon … Read more
