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

Do Latter-day Saints believe that they will “get their own planet”?

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

Our Own Planets

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. | We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. - Uchtdorf

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

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

Slavery in Scriptures

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

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

Curse

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

Seven Deadly Heresies

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

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

It is the Same

Doctrine and Covenants 1:37-39: 1 37 Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. 38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall … 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

Stone Cut Out of the Mountain

Excerpt from a Salt lake Tribune article, published January 05, 2020: 1 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recorded its smallest membership growth in Utah in at least three decades this past year. And, in 2019, 14 of the state’s 29 counties saw the actual number of members decline. Doctrine and covenants 65:2 … Read more

Skin of Blackness

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

Forgiveness

Excerpt from the ‘Followers of Christ forgive one another’Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School, October 28–November 3, 2019: 1 “Followers of Christ forgive one another. Before you start a discussion about the Epistle to Philemon, you might ask a class member to share some information about Philemon and his servant Onesimus (there is a brief description … Read more

Skin of Blackness

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

Tragic Sin

Excerpt from an April 1971 General Conference address by Presiding Bishop Victor L. Brown:1 “Examples of true manhood Let us consider just a few of these responsibilities. In the scriptures we read, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Gen. … 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

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

Caractors

Excerpt from “Cumorah revisited”, Charles A. Shook, 1910: 1 “Instead of ”Re-formed Egyptian” many of the “Caractors” are deformed English, as any one will observe who will compare them with English letters, figures and signs.”     Further study: Book of Mormon Characters Examined, Dan Vogel – https://youtu.be/aMPFKZ2E4MM References[+] References 1 “Cumorah revisited”, Charles A. … Read more

Changed

‘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

Columbus

1 Nephi 13:12, Book of Mormon: 1 And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even … Read more