The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly been a global stress test! The test has shown mixed results. Safe and effective vaccines have been developed. Medical professionals, teachers, caregivers, and others have sacrifices heroically–and continue to do so. Apostle Dale G. RenlundOctober 2021 General Conferencehttps://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/43renlund?lang=eng
Do Latter-day Saints believe that they will “get their own planet”? No. This idea is not taught in Latter-day Saint scripture, nor is it a doctrine of the Church. This misunderstanding stems from speculative comments unreflective of scriptural doctrine. Latter-day Saints believe that we are all sons and daughters of God and that all of … Read more
Do Latter-day Saints believe that they will “get their own planet”? No. This idea is not taught in Latter-day Saint scripture, nor is it a doctrine of the Church. This misunderstanding stems from speculative comments unreflective of scriptural doctrine. Latter-day Saints believe that we are all sons and daughters of God and that all of … Read more
Excerpt from a June 1, 1980 BYU devotional by Apostle Bruce R. McKonkie (original address): 1 Heresy two concerns itself with the relationship between organic evolution and revealed religion and asks the question whether they can be harmonized. There are those who believe that the theory of organic evolution runs counter to the plain and … 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
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
Excerpts from the LDS Gospel Topic Essay, ‘Race and the Priesthood’:1 “Church leaders believed that a revelation from God was needed to alter the policy, and they made ongoing efforts to understand what should be done.” Excerpt from ‘Statement of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’, August 17, 1949: … 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! Excerpt from ‘Statement … Read more
Statement from the First Presidency of the LDS Church regarding rape, June 4, 1984: June 4, 1984 TO: All general Authorities; Regional Representatives; Stake and Mission Presidents; Bishops and Branch Presidents RE: Statement on Rape Dear Brethren: For the information of members who may inquire about the subject, there follows a statement on rape which … Read more
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
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
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
Statement of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, August 17, 1949, Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City. Note: The image above is designed to resemble the family proclamation. August 17, 1949 The attitude of the Church with reference to Negroes remains as it … 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
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
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
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
From the 1954 publication of Doctrines of Salvation by Joseph Fielding Smith: 1 Again I repeat, no man can consistently accept the doctrine of the evolutionist and also believe in the divine mission of our Redeemer. The two thoughts are in absolute conflict. You cannot harmonize them and serve both masters. IF EVOLUTION IS TRUE, … Read more
Excerpts from BYU Journal of Book of Mormon studies, ‘A New Artistic Rendering of Izapa Stela 5: A Step toward Improved Interpretation’, by BYU Mesoamerican archaeologist John E. Clark (August 1 1999): 1 “In the 48 years since Jakeman first concluded that Stela 5 represents Lehi’s dream of the tree of life, major advancements have … Read more
Excerpt from the BYU Journal of Undergraduate Research, A Recently Recovered Source: Rethinking Joseph Smith’s Bible Translation (March 16, 2017): 1 “Joseph Smith’s translation of the Bible has attracted significant attention in recent decades, drawing the interest of a wide variety of academics and those who affirm its nearly canonical status in the LDS scriptural … Read more
Excerpt from LDS apostle Orson Pratt’s 1874 General Conference address: 1 “…I have heard now and then (I am very glad to say that only a few such instances have come under my notice), a brother or a sister say, “I am a Latter-day Saint, but I do not believe in polygamy.” Oh, what an … Read more
Excerpt from ‘The Flood and the Tower of Babel’ published in the January 1998 Ensign:1 There is a third group of people—those who accept the literal message of the Bible regarding Noah, the ark, and the Deluge. Latter-day Saints belong to this group. In spite of the world’s arguments against the historicity of the Flood, … Read more
Image: National Geographic image. A Canadian archaeological dig finding evidence of a viking outpost dating to around 1000 AD. Evidence of Viking Outpost Found in Canada The Smithsonian Institution’s letter “Statement Regarding the Book of Mormon“ Pg. 1 Your recent inquiry concerning the Smithsonian Institution’s alleged use of the Book of Mormon as a scientific guide … Read more
Image:Tyrannosaurus, Frankfurt Museum. Age: approximately 70 million years. From the current (2017) publication of the LDS Bible Dictionary. Topic: ‘Death’: Latter-day revelation teaches that there was no death on this earth before the Fall of Adam. Indeed, death entered the world as a direct result of the Fall (2 Ne. 2:22; Moses 6:48). 2 Nephi 2:22: 22 … Read more
Image: The Venus of Willendorf is an 11.1-centimetre-high (4.4 in) statuette of a female figure estimated to have been made between about 28,000 and 25,000 BCE.(Venus of Willendorf) From The Doctrine and Covenants section 77. Question and answer session regarding the revelations of St. John: 6 Q. What are we to understand by the book … Read more
Image: Richard Lyman Bushman (born June 20, 1931) is an American historian and Gouverneur Morris Professor of History emeritus at Columbia University. He was the Howard W. Hunter Visiting Professor in Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University from 2008 to 2011. He also serves as one of three general editors of the Joseph Smith Papers. … Read more