Excommunication

Excerpt from Spencer W. Kimball’s ‘Miracle of Forgiveness’, Pg. 328-330: 1 Excommunication The scriptures speak of Church members being “cast out” or “cut off,” or having their names “blotted out.” This means excommunication. This dread action means the total severance of the individual from the Church. The person who is excommunicated loses his membership in … Read more

Not Wealthy

Excerpt from an April 2006 address by Thomas S. Monson, ’Our Sacred Priesthood Trust’: 1 “I have experienced many opportunities. One occurred 21 years ago, prior to the time when the German Democratic Republic—or East Germany, as it was more commonly known—was freed from Communist rule. I was visiting with the East German state secretary, … Read more

Born with an Attraction

A General Conference address (later published in a pamphlet titled ‘To Young Men Only’ 1 ) by Boyd K. Packer, October 2, 1976: 2 “There are present in this priesthood session only brethren. I approach a subject that could not appropriately be discussed if there were others present. I have prayed fervently for inspiration as … Read more

I Floored Him

A General Conference address (later published in a pamphlet titled ‘To Young Men Only’ 1 ) by Boyd K. Packer, October 2, 1976: 2 “There are present in this priesthood session only brethren. I approach a subject that could not appropriately be discussed if there were others present. I have prayed fervently for inspiration as … Read more

Manly Men

A General Conference address (later published in a pamphlet titled ‘To Young Men Only’ 1 ) by Boyd K. Packer, October 2, 1976: 2 “There are present in this priesthood session only brethren. I approach a subject that could not appropriately be discussed if there were others present. I have prayed fervently for inspiration as … Read more

Little Factory

A General Conference address (later published in a pamphlet titled ‘To Young Men Only’ 1 ) by Boyd K. Packer, October 2, 1976: 2 “There are present in this priesthood session only brethren. I approach a subject that could not appropriately be discussed if there were others present. I have prayed fervently for inspiration as … Read more

Young Wives

Excerpt from a September 30, 1973 BYU Devotional by Spencer W. Kimball: 1 DO NOT POSTPONE MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN But, of course, marriage cannot wait for that. We shall marry, have our families, teach and train them, while we are learning these other things and building toward our creatorship. Marriage should come when we are … Read more

Reasonably Young

Excerpt from a September 30, 1973 BYU Devotional by Spencer W. Kimball: 1 DO NOT POSTPONE MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN But, of course, marriage cannot wait for that. We shall marry, have our families, teach and train them, while we are learning these other things and building toward our creatorship. Marriage should come when we are … Read more

Be Obedient

Letter from Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery on abolitionism, published in the ‘Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate’, Apr. 1836, pp. 289–291: 1 Brother O[liver] Cowdery: Dear Sir—This place having recently been visited by a gentleman who advocated the principles or doctrines of those who are called abolitionists; if you deem the following reflections of … Read more

Hold Slaves

Letter from Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery on abolitionism, published in the ‘Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate’, Apr. 1836, pp. 289–291: 1 Brother O[liver] Cowdery: Dear Sir—This place having recently been visited by a gentleman who advocated the principles or doctrines of those who are called abolitionists; if you deem the following reflections of … Read more

Slavery in the Bible

Letter from Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery on abolitionism, published in the ‘Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate’, Apr. 1836, pp. 289–291: 1 Brother O[liver] Cowdery: Dear Sir—This place having recently been visited by a gentleman who advocated the principles or doctrines of those who are called abolitionists; if you deem the following reflections of … Read more

Abolitionists

Letter from Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery on abolitionism, published in the ‘Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate’, Apr. 1836, pp. 289–291: 1 Brother O[liver] Cowdery: Dear Sir—This place having recently been visited by a gentleman who advocated the principles or doctrines of those who are called abolitionists; if you deem the following reflections of … Read more

Awful Scene

Alma 14:10,11 – Book of Mormon: 1 10 And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which … Read more

Consequences

Excerpt from an October 23, 2007 Smithsonian article, ‘A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials’:1 “A “witchcraft craze” rippled through Europe from the 1300s to the end of the 1600s. Tens of thousands of supposed witches—mostly women—were executed.” Exodus 22:18: 2 “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” Sam Harris, in a 2010 … Read more

Policy

Interview with Dallin H. Oaks and Neal A. Maxwell regarding the lifting of the race ban: 1 New Policy Occasions Church Comment SALT LAKE CITY (AP) —Here is a partial transcript of an Associated Press interview with Elders Neal A. Maxwell and Dallin H. Oaks of the Mormon Church’s Council of the Twelve Apostles regarding … Read more

Obedience

Interview with Dallin H. Oaks and Neal A. Maxwell regarding the lifting of the race ban: 1 New Policy Occasions Church Comment SALT LAKE CITY (AP) —Here is a partial transcript of an Associated Press interview with Elders Neal A. Maxwell and Dallin H. Oaks of the Mormon Church’s Council of the Twelve Apostles regarding … Read more

Put to Death

Excerpt from an April 1969 General Conference address by LDS Apostle Mark E. Petersen: 1 “That law is irrevocable and inescapable and applies to all, whether we believe in God or not. Everyone is subject to its penalties, no matter how they may try to ignore them, The wage of sin is death (Rom. 6:23)—even … Read more

Same Logic

Excerpt from an October 1990 General Conference address by Apostle Boyd K. Packer: 1 Gay and Lesbian Rights “Several publications are now being circulated about the Church which defend and promote gay or lesbian conduct. They wrest the scriptures attempting to prove that these impulses are inborn, cannot be overcome, and should not be resisted; … Read more

Pay Tithing

December 2012 Ensign Article, ’Sacred Transformations’: 1 “After reading these scriptures together, Bishop Orellana looked at the new convert and said, “If paying tithing means that you can’t pay for water or electricity, pay tithing. If paying tithing means that you can’t pay your rent, pay tithing. Even if paying tithing means that you don’t … Read more

Skin

1 Nephi 12:23, Book of Mormon: 1 23 And it came to pass that I beheld, after they had dwindled in unbelief they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations. 1 Nephi 13:15, Book of Mormon: 2 15 And I beheld the Spirit of the … Read more

Seer Stone Not Used

Excerpt from Joseph Fielding Smith’s, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:225: 1 SEER STONE NOT USED IN BOOK OF MORMON TRANSLATION. We have been taught since the days of the Prophet that the Urim and Thummim were returned with the plates to the angel. We have no record of the Prophet having the Urim and Thummim after … Read more

Context

Excerpt from the June 2018 Ensign, ‘The Long-Promised Day’: 1 1. Aware of the promises With the help of others, President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) carefully studied the scriptures and statements made by Church leaders in addresses, journals, meetings, and other sources since the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith, including the following: President Brigham … Read more

Shakers

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