Letter from LDS Apostle Delbert Stapley to then Michigan Governor George Romney regarding Romney’s position about civil rights and attitudes toward black people, January 23, 1964: 1 It was a real pleasure to greet and have a moment to visit with you and Lenore here this past week. It is wonderful to see how enthusiastically … Read more
Excerpt from an address by Brigham Young, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, October 9, 1859 (JOD Vol. 7, Pg. 289): 1 “Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the veil in the great work of the last days. I can tell our beloved brother Christians … Read more
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
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 … Read more
Excerpt from the Journal of Discourses, Topic on LDS.org: 1 “The Journal of Discourses is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a compilation of sermons and other materials from the early years of the Church, which were transcribed and then published. It included some doctrinal instruction … Read more
Excerpt from the ‘Miracle of Forgiveness’, Spencer W. Kimball: 1 “On the sad character Cain, an interesting story comes to us from Lycurgus A. Wilson’s book on the life of David W. Patten. From the book I quote an extract from a letter by Abraham O. Smoot giving his recollection of David Patten’s account of … Read more
Excerpt from the ‘The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson’, referencing an address by Apostle John W. Taylor: 1 “6:30 p.m. General priesthood meeting, Pres. Kelly presiding. Apostle Jno. W. Taylor was the speaker. Topics treated. Said that those who have sexual intercourse with their wives or touch any dead body are unclean until evening, and, … Read more
From ‘A Facsimile from the Book of Abraham No. 3’ explained by Joseph Smith Jr.: 1 Explanation Fig. 1. Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh’s throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven; with the scepter of justice and judgment in … Read more
Excerpt from a letter from the LDS First Presidency to Church leaders, January 5, 1982: 1 “When interviewing married persons, the one doing the interviewing should scrupulously avoid indelicate inquiries which may be offensive to the sensibilities of those being interviewed. Married persons should understand that if in their marital relations they are guilty of … Read more
Excerpt from ‘The Eternal Everyday’, a 2017 General Conference address by Apostle Quentin L. Cook: 1 “Anyone who claims superiority under the Father’s plan because of characteristics like race, sex, nationality, language, or economic circumstances is morally wrong and does not understand the Lord’s true purpose for all of our Father’s children.” … Excerpt from … Read more
Excerpt from the LDS Race and the Priesthood 2014 essay: 1 ‘In 1850, the U.S. Congress created Utah Territory, and the U.S. president appointed Brigham Young to the position of territorial governor. Southerners who had converted to the Church and migrated to Utah with their slaves raised the question of slavery’s legal status in the … Read more
On February 4, 1852 an ‘Act of Relation to Service’ was passed in the Utah territory, making slavery legal. 1 Several weeks later, the ‘Act for the Relief of Indian Slaves and Prisoners’ was passed on March 7, 1852, specifically dealing with Indian slavery. 2 … A speech by Governor Brigham Young in Joint Session … Read more
Excerpt from an address given in the October 2017 LDS General Conference, by Apostle M. Russell Ballard: 1 “Among those first Saints to arrive in Utah was Jane Manning James—the daughter of a freed slave, a convert to the restored Church, and a most remarkable disciple who faced difficult challenges. Sister James remained a faithful … Read more
Interview of Zenas H. Gurley Jr. of David Whitmer , Questions asked of David Whitmer at his home in Richmond Ray County Mo. Jan 14—1885, LDS Church History Library, Salt Lake City: 1 “I never heard that an Angel had ordained Joseph and Oliver to the Aaronic priesthood until the year 1834, 5, or 6 … Read more
Excerpt from Handbook 2: 20.7 Conferring the Priesthood and Ordaining to an Office: 1 * 1. Calls the person by his full name. * 2. States the authority by which the ordination is performed (Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood).2 * 3. Confers the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood, unless it has already been conferred. * 4. Ordains … Read more
Excerpt from the Minutes of a general Conference held in Geauga County Ohio June 3. 1831, Joseph Smith Papers: 1 “Joseph Smith [Sr.], John Whitmer, Joseph Smith jr. & Sidney Rigdon were ordained to the High Priesthood under the hand of br. Lyman Wight” References[+] References 1 Minutes, circa 3–4 June 1831, LDS Joseph … Read more
October 2017 LDS General Conference speaking time. 1 General Women’s Session Sharon Eubank – 13:41 Neill F. Marriott – 13:44 Joy D. Jones – 12:02 Dieter F. Uchtdorf – 25:34 Saturday Morning Session Dieter F. Uchtdorf – 20:51 Bonnie L. Oscarson – 12:08 Dallin H. Oaks – 16.07 John C. Pingree – 10:27 Todd … Read more
Excerpt from the LDS published, Homosexuality, Welfare Services Packet 1, 1973: 1 ‘Involvement of Others: Since homosexuality is possible only with others, disclosure of sexual partners is considered an essential part of repentance. The purpose is to help save others. Priesthood leaders must be careful not to reveal their sources as they make contact with those … Read more
Image: Kate Kelly is an American Mormon feminist and human rights attorney who founded Ordain Women, an organization advocating for the ordination of women to the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Kelly was excommunicated from the LDS Church in 2014. 1 Excerpt from Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops, 6.2.1: 2 6.2.1 … Read more
Image: Portrait of Emma Smith, wife of Joseph Smith Jr. *Post with commentary* The polygamy revelation in D&C 132 1 has been a ‘hot potato’ the LDS church has had to constantly juggle. Discard it—you lose a pillar of celestial marriage doctrine. Keep it—you canonize an abusive practice. This year’s (2017) official Sunday School lesson … Read more
Image: LDS Temple sealing room Excerpt from the LDS temple marriage ceremony (sealing of spouses). 1 [The sealer sits at the head of the altar with two witnesses, one seated at his right and the other at his left. The bride and groom kneel at opposite sides of the altar, facing one another, clothed in … Read more
Image: George Albert Smith, President of the LDS Church, May 21, 1945 – April 4, 1951 1 Excerpt from ‘Statement of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’, August 17, 1949 “The attitude of the Church with reference to the Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a … Read more
Excerpt from Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference, February 15, 2014:1 Q. How do you handle a temple recommend interview with individuals who claim to support the brethren but the individual is clearly supportive of issues that are against the teachings of the prophet such as same-sex marriage? A. Elder Perry: This is difficult for many people, … Read more
Excerpt from Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference, February 15, 2014:1 Q. How should you address a same-sex couple in a Sacrament Meeting who are showing inappropriate affection? A. Elder Perry: Refer to the Jan 9th letter issued by the Senior Brethren. We do not turn anyone away from Sacrament Meeting, but all are to behave appropriately … Read more
Excerpt from Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference, February 15, 2014:1 Q. How do you help a young man or young woman who comes in and says “I think that I’m gay“? A. Elder Perry. Give them association with manly things, strong men that represent the ideal of relationships, a man who is vigorous and knows the … Read more
Image: Artists portrayal of Joseph Smith Jr. addressing the Relief Society The LDS Relief Society is lauded as one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the world. Yet it is an organization that is presided over, budgeted and organized by men.1 Crash Course: The Relief Society – WikiPedia Nauvoo Women: An Overlooked History of the … Read more
Image: 2017 April General Conference, view from inside the LDS Conference Center A 2015 Time article (citing a ARIS Study) shows for every 100 male members there are 150 female members (in the state of Utah) of the LDS church:1 One of my web searches turned up a study from Trinity College’s American Religious Identification … Read more