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 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
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
Excerpt from the “Affidavit of Hyrum Smith, Times and Seasons 3 (1 Aug. 1842):870–72: 1 “AFFIDAVIT OF HYRUM SMITH. On the seventeenth day of may, 1842, having been made acquainted with some of the conduct of John C. Bennett, which was given in testimony under oath before Alderman G[eorge] W. Harris, by several females, who … Read more
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
Excerpt from a New York Times Opinion article published August 18, 2012, ‘Why Race Is Still a Problem for Mormons’: 1 The church could begin leaving those problems behind if its leaders explained that their predecessors had confused their own racist views with God’s will and that the priesthood ban resulted from human error and … 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
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
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
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
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
Excerpts from an address by Boyd K. Packer, ‘The Mantle Is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect’, to religious educators on 22 August 1981: 1 It is an easy thing for a man with extensive academic training to mea- sure the Church using the principles he has been taught in his professional training as his … 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
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 ‘Address … 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! A Discourse by … 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 LDS … 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
David O. Mckay. Excerpt from ‘Man May Know for Himself’, Pg. 83: 1 “The dominant evil in the world today is unchastity. He who is unchaste in young manhood is untrue to a trust given him by the parents of the girl; and she who is unchaste in maidenhood is untrue to her future husband … 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
‘Address of the Prophet [Joseph Smith Jr.] — His Testimony Against the Dissenters at Nauvoo.’, History of the Church: 1 My object is to let you know that I am right here on the spot where I intend to stay. I, like Paul, have been in perils, and oftener than anyone in this generation. As … Read more
Excerpt from an October 1938 General Conference Address by J. Reuben Clark, Jr: 1 “You young people—May I directly entreat you to be chaste. Please believe me when I say that chastity is worth more than life itself. This is the doctrine my parents taught me; it is truth. Better die chaste than live unchaste. … Read more
Excerpt from a CBS News’ 60 Minutes interview with Gordon B. Hinckley, April 7, 1996: 1 “We urge our people to exercise their franchise as citizens of this nation, but we do not tell them how to vote, and we do not tell the government how it should be run.” Email sent to Utah LDS … Read more
Editorial Thoughts by LDS Apostle George Q. Cannon published in the Juvenile Instructor, January 15, 1895: 1 Membership in the Church should be Valued. It should be the aim of every parent, and of all the teachers among the people, whether Apostles, Presidents of Stakes, Bishops or Elders, to impress upon the members of the … Read more
Editorial Thoughts by LDS Apostle George Q. Cannon published in the Juvenile Instructor, January 15, 1895: 1 Membership in the Church should be Valued. It should be the aim of every parent, and of all the teachers among the people, whether Apostles, Presidents of Stakes, Bishops or Elders, to impress upon the members of the … Read more
Editorial Thoughts by LDS Apostle George Q. Cannon published in the Juvenile Instructor, January 15, 1895: 1 Membership in the Church should be Valued. It should be the aim of every parent, and of all the teachers among the people, whether Apostles, Presidents of Stakes, Bishops or Elders, to impress upon the members of the … Read more
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
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
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
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
Tell us your thoughts about SYMISS. Good? Evil? Fair? Not fair? Meh? Send comments and feedback to [email protected] *Stuff You Missed in Sunday School will be presenting at the 2018 Sunstone Symposium: Topic: The Memeing of Mormonism Presenting: Craig Stapley Venue: Mountain America Expo Center Date: Thursday, July 26 Time: 3:45-4:45 Tickets: sunstone.org Description: “The truth will cut … Read more
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
Excerpt from an address by Dallin H. Oaks in the ‘Be One’ celebration, June 1, 2018 : 1 “I observed the pain and frustration experienced by those who suffered these restrictions and those who criticized them and sought for reasons. I studied the reasons then being given and could not feel confirmation of the truth … Read more
Excerpt from the June 2018 LDS New Era magazine, ‘What, Why, and How: A Breakdown of the Restoration’: 1 How apostasy happens: God calls a prophet, who teaches the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The people who follow the prophet’s teachings are blessed Some of the people become prideful and reject the prophet. The Lord … Read more