Tag: Video

  • Slavery in Scripture

    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 slavery. 

    In contrast our doctrine respected the Native Americans and our desire was to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

    With respect to slavery our scriptures have made it clear that no man should be in bondage to another. 

    Letter from Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery on abolitionism, published in the ‘Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate’, Apr. 1836, pp. 289–291: 2

    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 any service, or think they will have a tendency to correct the opinions of the southern public, relative to the views and sentiments I believe, as an individual, and am able to say, from personal knowledge, are the feelings of others, you are at liberty to give them publicity in the columns of the Advocate. I am prompted to this course in consequence, in one respect, of many elders having gone into the Southern States, besides, there now being many in that country who have already embraced the fulness of the gospel, as revealed through the book of Mormon,—having learned, by experience, that the enemy of truth does not slumber, nor cease his exertions to bias the minds of communities against the servants of the Lord, by stiring up the indignation of men upon all matters of importance or interest.

    Thinking, perhaps, that the sound might go out, that “an abolitionist” had held forth several times to this community, and that the public feeling was not aroused to create mobs or disturbances, leaving the impression that all he said was concurred in, and received as gospel and the word of salvation. I am happy to say, that no violence or breach of the public peace was attempted, so far from this, that all except a very few, attended to their own avocations and left the gentleman to hold forth his own arguments to nearly naked walls.

    I am aware, that many who profess to preach the gospel, complain against their brethren of the same faith, who reside in the south, and are ready to withdraw the hand of fellowship because they will not renounce the principle of slavery and raise their voice against every thing of the kind. This must be a tender point, and one which should call forth the candid reflection of all men, and especially before they advance in an opposition calculated to lay waste the fair States of the South, and set loose, upon the world a community of people who might peradventure, overrun our country and violate the most sacred principles of human society,—chastity and virtue.

    No one will pretend to say, that the people of the free states are as capable of knowing the evils of slavery as those who hold them. If slavery is an evil, who, could we expect, would first learn it? Would the people of the free states, or would the slave states? All must readily admit, that th[e] latter would first learn this fact. If the fact was learned first by those immediately concerned, who would be more capable than they of prescribing a remedy?

    And besides, are not those who hold slaves, persons of ability, discernment and candor? Do they not expect to give an account at the bar of God for their conduct in this life? It may, no doubt, with propriety be said, that many who hold slaves live without the fear of God before their eyes, and, the same may be said of many in the free states. Then who is to be the judge in this matter?

    So long, then, as those of the free states are not interested in the freedom of the slaves, any other than upon the mere principles of equal rights and of the gospel, and are ready to admit that there are men of piety who reside in the South, who are immediately concerned, and until they complain, and call for assistance, why not cease their clamor, and no further urge the slave to acts of murder, and the master to vigorous discipline, rendering both miserable, and unprepared to pursue that course which might otherwise lead them both to better their condition? I do not believe that the people of the North have any more right to say that the South shall not hold slaves, than the South have to say the North shall.

    And further, what benefit will it ever be to the slave for persons to run over the free states, and excite indignation against their masters in the minds of thousands and tens of thousands who understand nothing relative to their circumstances or conditions? I mean particularly those who have never travelled in the South, and scarcely seen a negro in all their life. How any community can ever be excited with the chatter of such persons—boys and others who are too indolent to obtain their living by honest industry, and are incapable of pursuing any occupation of a professional nature, is unaccountable to me. And when I see persons in the free states signing documents against slavery, it is no less, in my mind, than an array of influence, and a declaration of hostilities against the people of the South! What can divide our Union sooner, God only knows!

    After having expressed myself so freely upon this subject, I do not doubt but those who have been forward in raising their voice against the South, will cry out against me as being uncharitable, unfeeling and unkind—wholly unacquainted with the gospel of Christ. It is my privilege then, to name certain passages from the bible, and examine the teachings of the ancients upon this matter, as the fact is uncontrovertable, that the first mention we have of slavery is found in the holy bible, pronounced by a man who was perfect in his generation and walked with God. And so far from that prediction’s being averse from the mind of God it remains as a lasting monument of the decree of Jehovah, to the shame and confusion of all who have cried out against the South, in consequence of their holding the sons of Ham in servitude!

    “And he said cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.— God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.”—Gen, 8:25, 26, 27.

    Trace the history of the world from this notable event down to this day, and you will find the fulfilment of this singular prophecy. What could have been the design of the Almighty in this wonderful occurrence is not for me to say; but I can say, that the curse is not yet taken off the sons of Canaan, neither will be until it is affected by as great power as caused it to come; and the people who interfere the least with the decrees and purposes of God in this matter, will come under the least condemnation before him; and those who are determined to pursue a course which shows an opposition and a feverish restlessness against the designs of the Lord, will learn, when perhaps it is too late for their own good, that God can do his own work without the aid of those who are not dictated by his counsel.

    I must not pass over a notice of the history of Abraham, of whom so much is spoken in the scriptures. If we can credit the account, God conversed with him from time to time, and directed him in the way he should walk, saying, “I am the Almighty God: walk before me and be thou perfect.” Paul says that the gospel was preached to this man. And it is further said, that he had sheep and oxen, men-servants and maid-servants, &c. From this I conclude, that if the principle had been an evil one, in the midst of the communications made to this holy man, he would have been instructed differently. And if he was instructed against holding men-servants and maid-servants, he never ceased to do it; consequently must have incurred the displeasure of the Lord and thereby lost his blessings—which was not the fact.

    Some may urge, that the names, man-servant and maid-servant, only mean hired persons who were at liberty to leave their masters or employers at any time. But we can easily settle this point by turning to the history of Abraham’s descendants, when governed by a law given from the mouth of the Lord himself. I know that when an Israelite had been brought into servitude in consequence of debt, or otherwise, at the seventh year he went from the task of his former master or employer; but to no other people or nation was this granted in the law to Israel. And if, after a man had served six years, he did not wish to be free, then the master was to bring him unto the judges, boar his ear with an awl, and that man was “to serve him forever.” The conclusion I draw from this, is that this people were led and governed by revelation and if such a law was wrong God only is to be blamed, and abolitionists are not responsible.

    Now, before proceeding any farther, I wish to ask one or two questions:—Were the apostles men of God, and did they preach the gospel? I have no doubt but those who believe the bible will admit these facts, and that they also knew the mind and will of God concerning what they wrote to the churches which they were instrumental in building up.

    This being admitted, the matter can be put to rest without much argument, if we look at a few items in the New Testament. Paul says:

    “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ: Not with eye service, as men-pleasers: but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart: With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” Eph. 6:5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

    Here is a lesson which might be profitable for all to learn, and the principle upon which the church was anciently governed, is so plainly set forth, that an eye of truth might see and understand. Here, certainly are represented the master and servant; and so far from instructions to the servant to leave his master, he is commanded to be in obedience, as unto the Lord: the master in turn is required to treat them with kindness before God, understanding at the same time that he is to give an account.— The hand of fellowship is not withdrawn from him in consequence of having servants.

    The same wri[t]er, in his first epistle to Timothy, the sixth chapter, and the five first verses, says:

    “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren: but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness: he is proud, knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

    This is so perfectly plain, that I see no need of comment. The scripture stands for itself, and I believe that these men were better qualified to teach the will of God, than all the abolitionists in the world.

    Before closing this communication, I beg leave to drop a word to the travelling elders: You know, brethren, that great responsibility rests upon you, and that you are accountable to God for all you teach the world. In my opinion, you will do well to search the book of Covenants, in which you will see the belief of the church concerning masters and servants. All men are to be taught to repent; but we have no right to interfere with slaves contrary to the mind and will of their masters. In fact, it would be much better and more prudent, not to preach at all to slaves, until after their masters are converted: and then, teach the master to use them with kindness, remembering that they are accountable to God, and that servants are bound to serve their masters, with singleness of heart, without murmuring. I do, most sincerely hope, that no one who is authorized from this church to preach the gospel, will so far depart from the scripture as to be found stirring up strife and sedition against our brethren of the South. Having spoken frankly and freely, I leave all in the hands of God, who will direct all things for his glory and the accomplishment of his work.

    Praying that God may spare you to do much good in this life, I subscribe myself your brother in the Lord.

    JOSEPH SMITH, jr.

    References

    References
    1 2020 General conference talk by Quentin L. Cook – https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts?lang=eng&video=October-2020-General-Conference
    2 Letter from Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery on abolitionism, published in the ‘Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate’, Apr. 1836, pp. 289–291 – http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-oliver-cowdery-circa-9-april-1836/1
  • Slavery in Scriptures

    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 slavery. 

    In contrast our doctrine respected the Native Americans and our desire was to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

    With respect to slavery our scriptures have made it clear that no man should be in bondage to another. 

    From the Bible, 1 Peter 2:18:2

    18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

    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. 3

    …

    A speech by Governor Brigham Young in Joint Session of the Legislature, January 23, 1852: 3

    “I have this section in my hand, headed “An Act in Relation to African Slavery.” I have read it over and made a few alterations. I will remark with regard to slavery, inasmuch as we believe in the Bible, inasmuch as we believe in the ordinances of God, in the Priesthood and order and decrees of God, we must believe in slavery. This colored race have been subjected to severe curses, which they have in their families and their classes and in their various capacities brought upon themselves. And until the curse is removed by Him who placed it upon them, they must suffer under its consequences; I am not authorized to remove it. I am a firm believer in slavery.

    Now to the case before us with regard to slavery, with regard [to] slaves that [are] Africans, or that are English, or that [are] Dutch, or ourselves—I go in for making just such laws as we want upon that matter, independent of any other nation under the heavens; let us do that [which will bring about what] we want to be done regardless of the abuses of despotic governments. Whether they deem it to be right or wrong is no matter to me, but to do the thing we ought to do, to secure those blessings we are in pursuit of, ought to be the first and most weighty consideration with us; that is my mind upon this matter. This case comes up and causes feelings of not a pleasing character in the minds of some.

    The African enjoys the right of receiving the first principles of the Gospel; this liberty is held out to all these servants. They enjoy the liberty of being baptized for the remission of sins and of receiving the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands; they enjoy the privilege of living humbly before the Lord their great Master, so as to enjoy the spirit of the Lord continually. In short, as far as the common comforts of life, salvation, light, truth, enjoyment, and understanding are concerned, the Black African has precisely the same privilege as the white man. But they cannot share in the Priesthood; they cannot bear rule; they cannot bear rule in any place until the curse is removed from them; they are a “servant of servants.” We are servants, as Counselor George Smith has stated; he says he is a slave; he has been driven from his home and his rights—we are all servants. Now suppose that we should have a servant, and he should be a Negro; it is all right; it is perfectly reasonable and strictly according to the Holy Priesthood. I loathe the abuses to which the slave in a great many instances is exposed, although as a general thing that part of the Negro race that are in servile bondage, are much more comfortable and better provided for than the lower classes of the nations of Europe.

    Though the enlightened nation, England, has abolished slavery in her colonies, yet the most damnable slavery exists at the very heart of the nation. I am bold to say that you cannot find a Black man or woman in the United States that has traveled through the period of his life in hunger in the midst of plenty. Yet there are millions upon millions in the cities of Europe who have lived amidst the choicest luxuries of life and died at last in starvation; thousands died of starvation in England the year that I was in that country. That is meaner slavery than to set them to work in growing cotton and sugar, etc. I would not wish to go to the enlightened nation of England to know what slavery is because they are so far sunken in iniquity and so deeply degraded. People contend about it to know what it is; we know it exists, and such a thing shall and will exist until the Lord God shall remove it; until then it will and ought to exist. There are many brethren in the South, a great amount of whose means is vested in slaves. Those servants want to come here with their masters; when they come here, the Devil is raised. This one is talking, and that one is wondering. A strong abolitionist feeling has power over them, and they commence to whisper round their views upon the subject, saying, “Do you think it’s [146] right? I am afraid it is not right.” I know it is right, and there should be a law made to have the slaves serve their masters, because they are not capable of ruling themselves.

    When the Lord God cursed old Cain, He said, “Until the last drop of Abel’s blood receives the Priesthood, and enjoys the blessings of the same, Cain shall bear the curse;” then Cain is calculated to have his share next and not until then; consequently, I am firm in the belief that they ought to dwell in servitude.

    The caption of this bill I don’t like, I have therefore taken the liberty to alter it. I have said, “An Act in Relation to Manual Service,” instead of “African Slavery.” I have also altered the latter part of it. I am willing the bill should be thrown back to be remodeled.

    I would like masters to behave well to their servants, and to see that every person in this territory is well used. When a master has a Negro and uses him well, he is much better off than if he was free. As for masters knocking them down and whipping them and breaking the limbs of their servants, I have as little opinion of that as any person can have; but good wholesome servitude, I know there is nothing better than that.

    Suppose I am in England and bring over 100 persons, males and females, and they pledge themselves to pay me in labor, but as soon as they arrive here they refuse to abide by their contract and turn around and abuse their benefactors. See the abuse that Dan Jones has received, who prevailed upon Sister Lewis to spend almost every dime she possessed to help individuals to this place; they curse both her and him and this they will continue to do, waxing worse and worse until they go down to hell (I say they ought to be her servants). Many more such cases could be brought to bear. There should be a law to govern this, that those who have made contracts to labor, they may perform their labors according to said contracts.”

    References

    References
    1 2020 General conference talk by Quentin L. Cook – https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts?lang=eng&video=October-2020-General-Conference
    2 Peter 2:18, King James Version Bible – https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-pet/2?lang=eng
    3 Speech by Governor Brigham Young in Joint Session of the Legislature, January 23, 1852 – https://archive.org/details/CR100317B0001F0014
  • Little did I know

    Little did I know

    Excerpt from an April 2020 General Conference address by Russell M. Nelson: 1

    Little did I know when I promised you at the October 2019 General Conference that this April conference would be memorable and unforgettable—that speaking to a visible congregation of fewer than 10 people would make this conference so memorable and unforgettable for me.  

    Excerpt from an April 2020 General Conference, sustaining of Church officers: 2 

    It is proposed that we sustain Russell Marion Nelson as prophet, seer and revelator. 

    References

    References
    1 April 2020 General Conference address by Russell M. Nelson – https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts?lang=eng&video=61441943320014Mb9gU6DmKs
    2 April 2020 General Conference, sustaining of Church officers – https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts?lang=eng&video=61441943320014Mb9gU6DmKs
  • Women Prayer

    Women Prayer

    Excerpt from an April 2013 Salt Lake Tribune article by Peggy Fletcher Stack, ‘First prayer by woman offered at Mormon conference’: 1

    The benediction to the first session of LDS General Conference on Saturday didn’t even last two minutes, but it made history: Jean A. Stevens became the first woman to offer a public prayer at the worldwide Mormon meeting.

    References

    References
    1 First prayer by woman offered at Mormon conference (video)
    – http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=56116507&itype=CMSID&page=1
  • Facsimile 3

    Facsimile 3

    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 his hand.

    Fig. 2. King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head.

    Fig. 3. Signifies Abraham in Egypt as given also in Figure 10 of Facsimile No. 1.

    Fig. 4. Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above the hand.

    Fig. 5. Shulem, one of the king’s principal waiters, as represented by the characters above his hand.

    Fig. 6. Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince.

    Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy, in the king’s court.

     

    Modern Egyptological explanation: 2

    Fig. 1. Label for Osiris (text to the right of figure 1 of Facsimile No. 3): Recitation by Osiris, Foremost of the Westerners, Lord of Abydos(?), the great god forever and ever(?)

    Fig. 2. “Label for Isis (text to the right of figure 2 of Facsimile No. 3): Isis the great, the god’s mother.”

    Fig. 3. “Altar, with the offering of the deceased, surrounded with lotus flowers, signifying the offering of the defunct.”

    Fig. 4. “Label for Maat (text to the left of figure 4 of Facsimile No. 3): Maat, mistress of the gods.”

    Fig. 5. “Label for Hor the deceased (text in front of figure 5 of Facsimile No. 3): The Osiris Hor, justified forever.”

    Fig. 6. “Label for Anubis (text in front of figure 6 of Facsimile No. 3): Recitation by Anubis, who makes protection(?), foremost of the embalming booth…”

    “Invocation (text at bottom line below the illustration): O gods of the necropolis, gods of the caverns, gods of the south, north, west, and east grant salvation to the Osiris Hor, the justified, born by Taikhibit.”

     

     

    Additional Study

    Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham, LDS – https://www.lds.org/topics/translation-and-historicity-of-the-book-of-abraham?lang=eng

    Critical appraisal of the Book of Abraham, wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_appraisal_of_the_Book_of_Abraham#cite_note-ritner2003167177-126

    Translation of The Hor Book of Breathings, BYU Professor Michael D. Rhodes – https://archive.org/stream/SnsnTranslation#page/n0/mode/2up

    “Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham” — A Response, Egyptologist Robert K. Ritner – https://oi.uchicago.edu/sites/oi.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/shared/docs/Research_Archives/Translation%20and%20Historicity%20of%20the%20Book%20of%20Abraham%20final-2.pdf

    The Joseph Smith Papyri [Book of Abraham] video – https://youtu.be/f5FAFVVv_os

    References

    References
    1 A Facsimile from the Book of Abraham No. 3 – https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/abr/fac-3?lang=eng
    2 Translation of The Hor Book of Breathings, BYU Professor Michael D. Rhodes – https://archive.org/stream/SnsnTranslation#page/n0/mode/2up
  • No Answers

    No Answers

    Excerpt from a video invitation to a ‘Face to Face’ event, featuring Apostles Dallin Oaks and Russell Ballard: 1

    Elder Ballard:

    “I think we’d also have to be honest, there may be some of these questions that there is no answer to. Those’ll be the ones we avoid.

    Elder Oaks:

    “I gave a talk on the plan of salvation at conference and I tried to stay away from the questions we don’t have answers to, because the Lord hasn’t revealed a lot of that. But he’s given us enough to go on. And we just need to know how to go on it.”

     

    References

    References
    1 Video invitation to a ‘Face to Face’ event, featuring Apostles Dallin Oaks and Russell Ballard – https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/face-to-face/oaks-ballard?lang=eng
  • Google

    Google

    Excerpt from a 2015 BYU Idaho address Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph Again, by Professor Jayson Kunzler: 1

    “As we humbly search the scriptures, we will come to know both Jesus Christ and his servant, Joseph Smith. In this connection, may I offer a suggestion to all of us? If we truly desire to know the Prophet, we must go to the right source—and that is not a Google search. As President Ezra Taft Benson taught, “Today, with the abundance of books available, it is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read.” The Lord gave us the key to knowing Joseph Smith when he said, “seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom.” And what are the best books? They are the scriptures. The Savior taught that we “shall know them by their fruits.” We will come to know the Prophet by daily partaking of his fruit—the scriptures—more than any other writings.”

    References

    References
    1 Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph Again, Jayson Kunzler, October 20, 2015 – https://video.byui.edu/media/Jayson+Kunzler+“Millions+Shall+Know+Brother+Joseph+Again”/0_jun5hvww/25962242
  • Masonic Rites

    Masonic Rites

    Excerpt from the BBC television program This World, ‘The Mormon Candidate’ interview with LDS Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland: 1

    Interviewer: As a Mormon, in the temple, I’ve been told. He [Mitt Romney] would have sworn an oath to say that he would not pass on what happens in the temple, lest he slit his throat. Is that true?

    Holland: That’s not true. Thats not true. We do not have penalties in the temple.

    Interviewer: You used to.

    Holland: We used to.

    Interviewer: Therefore he swore an oath saying I will not tell anyone about the secrets here, lest I slit my throat.

    Holland: Well, the… the vow that was made was regarding the ordinance, the ordinance of the temple

    Interviewer: It sounds Masonic sir. It sounds masonic.

    Holland: Well it’s comparable, it’s similar to to to a Masonic uhh.. relationship.

    Interviewer: The most, Potentially, the most powerful man in the world, who’d sworn an oath that he must not tell anyone about what he’s seen lest he slit his throat.

    Holland: That he would not tell anyone about his personal pledge to the Lord.

     

     

    References

    References
    1 This World, BBC,  ‘The Mormon Candidate’ (2012) – http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x31u248
  • Not So Fair

    Not So Fair

     

    Image: Kerry Muhlestein is an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University.[footnote]Kerry Muhlestein – Fair Mormon[/footnote]

     

    Defending Exclusive Truth Claims: LDS Apologetics video. [footnote]Defending Exclusive Truth Claims: LDS Apologetics (video) – Examining Religious Claims[/footnote]

     

     

    The Book of Abraham and Unnoticed Assumptions, 2014 Fair Mormon Conference:[footnote]The Book of Abraham and Unnoticed Assumptions, 2014 Fair Mormon Conference[/footnote]

     


    Crash Course:

    The Book of Abraham and Unnoticed Assumptions, 2014 Fair Mormon Conference (video) – Fair Mormon
    Defending Exclusive Truth Claims: LDS Apologetics (video) – Examining Religious Claims

  • Testimony

    Testimony

    Image: Portrayal of a traditional LDS testimony meeting. 

    Testimony excerpt of a member of The True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days:[footnote]Spiritual Witnesses, 10:00-10:52 (video) – Youtube[/footnote]

    “I’ve been searching for a witness of this work and of this church and just tonight I got my witness and it’s burning within my soul how important this work is and how true it is. I know it is. And it’s hard to believe that just a year ago I was in high school and now I am in a plural marriage and struggling. But I know without a shadow of a doubt, that this is the lords work. That I’ve finally found it. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen.”

    ‘Spiritual Witnesses’  video, a compilation of testimonies of various people describing their feelings and devotion to their religions.

     

     


    Crash Course:

    Spiritual Witnesses, 10:00-10:52 (video) – Youtube
    Testimony & Spiritual Witnesses – Mormon Think
    FLDS Sister Wife K Jeffs bears testimony (Audio) – Youtube
    FLDS Sister Wife S. Steed Bears Testimony (Audio) – Youtube

  • Courage

    Courage

    Image: Video of 12 year old gay Mormon youth sharing her testimony, told to ‘sit down’ after coming out to her congregation (Mormon Leaks). 

    Savannah’s testimony:

    My name is Savannah and I want to share my testimony with you.

    I believe I am a child of heavenly parents. I don’t know if they talk to us, but I feel in my heart that they made me and that they love me. I believe I was made the way I am, all parts of me, by my heavenly parents.

    They did not mess up when they gave me brown eyes, or when I was born bald. They did not mess up when they gave me freckles or when they made me to be gay. God loves me just this way because I believe that he loves all his creations.

    I do believe he made this way on purpose, not part of me is a mistake.

    I do not choose to be this way, and it is not a fad. I cannot make someone else gay and being around me won’t make anyone else this way. I believe that God wants us to treat each other with kindness, even if people are different, especially if they are different. Christ showed us this.

    I believe that we should just love. I believe I am good. I try my best to be nice to each other and stick up for those that are hurting. I know I’m not a horrible sinner for being who I am. I believe God would tell me if I was wrong.

    I hope someday to go on dates, go to school dances, to hold hands and to go off to college. I hope to find a partner and have a great job. I hope to get married and have a family.

    I know these dreams and wishes are good and right. I know I can have all of these things as a lesbian and be happy. I believe that if God is there, he knows I am perfect, just the way I am and would never ask me to live my life alone or with someone I am not attracted to.

    He would want me to be happy. I want to be happy. I want to love myself and not to feel shame for being me. I ask you…

    At this point the first counselor of the stake presidency cut Savannah’s microphone and told her to “sit down“


    Crash Course:

    12-year-old girl comes out to her Mormon congregation – CNN
    How one Mormon girl’s brave coming out started a national conversation – Mashable
    Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality – Rational Faiths

  • Truth vs Indoctrination

    Truth vs Indoctrination

    Image: Screenshot from It’s a Miracle (1984). Gary B. Lundberg’s video adaptation of Douglas and Janice Kapp Perry’s 1981 stage musical about a young man’s tough decision to go to on a mission.

    Truth is most often used to mean being in accord with fact or reality, or fidelity to an original or standard. Truth may also often be used in modern contexts to refer to an idea of “truth to self,” or authenticity. (Truth – Wikipedia)

    Indoctrination implies forcibly or coercively causing people to act and think on the basis of a certain ideology. (Indoctrination – Wikipedia)

    Crash Course:

    Warning Signs of an Unsafe Group (podcast) – Mormon Discussion

  • Paint out the Hat

    Paint out the Hat

    Image: Screen capture from a production note of The Days of Harmony LDS church videoScreen Caps of the editing of The Days of Harmony 

    In a 2015 LDS church production, titled The Days of Harmony, the editors were instructed to ‘paint out the hat’ from the scenes depicting the translation. The video, currently showing in temple visitor centers and LDS historical sites, entirely omits the white hat from the depiction. Curious, because as David Whitmer recalls: (An Address to All Believers in Christ, pg. 12 – David Whitmer)

    “I will now give you a description of the manner in which the Book of Mormon was translated. Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would shine.

    Joseph Smith used a seer stone placed in a white hat as the primary method for the translation. Something the church seems hesitant to depict in its art and media.

    Crash Course:
    An Address to All Believers in Christ, pg. 12 – David Whitmer
    Book of Mormon Translation – LDS Gospel Topic Essay
    Source Post – Reddit
    Translation of the Book of Mormon – Mormon Think
    Days of Harmony trailer – LDS.org

  • Mormon Pseudepigrapha

    Mormon Pseudepigrapha

    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.

    Richard Lyman Bushman, New Perspectives on Joseph Smith and Translation – Utah State University March 16th, 2017: History and Context—Richard Bushman

    From a modern scholarly perspective, Moses along with a later translation of the Book of Abraham, looks less like a translation of the Bible, than a major variant of a second major translation project in the 19th century, the recovery and analysis is pseudepigrapha.

    These scripture like texts, now numbering in the hundreds, were taken seriously during the first centuries of the Christian era when they jostled for inclusion in the Christian and Jewish canons. They were wanted to be scriptures. They didn’t quite make the grade, but still hung around in various forms. These are writings that had a biblical ring and echoed biblical themes, but for reasons both theological and political, did not make it into the canon. The Bible as we know it. They were called pseudepigrapha because they oftened pretended to be authored by a biblical figure and spoke in that prophets voice. Though the actual author, of the writing, was unknown. They had names like the Apocryphal Set. The Inquiry of Abraham. The Testament of Job. The Apocryphal of Ezekiel.

    Joseph Smith’s books of Moses and Abraham and the writings of Enoch and the Book of Moses bear a resemblance to this large corpus of scriptures in that they came in the form of writings in another persons name. Joseph was producing pseudepigrapha at the very time when scholars were taking these writings seriously again. Interested Pseudepigrapha had faded out in the 3rd and 4th centuries of the Christian era after the canon settled in. And revived in the renaissance as part of the return to antiquity for wisdom and science. Over the course of the 19th century, translation and study of pseudepigrapha became a major scholarly endeavor.

    Wikipedia definition of Pseudepigrapha

    Pseudepigrapha (also anglicized as “pseudepigraph” or “pseudepigraphs”) are falsely-attributed works, texts whose claimed author is not the true author, or a work whose real author attributed it to a figure of the past. Pseudepigraphy covers the false ascription of names of authors to works, even to authentic works that make no such claim within their text. Thus a widely accepted but incorrect attribution of authorship may make a completely authentic text pseudepigraphical. Assessing the actual writer of a text locates questions of pseudepigraphical attribution within the discipline of literary criticism.

    Richard Lyman Bushman, New Perspectives on Joseph Smith and Translation – Utah State University March 16th, 2017 (video) History and Context—Richard Bushman

    Crash Course:
    History and Context (video)—Richard Bushman
    Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham – LDS Gospel Topic Essay
    Response to the Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham  – Robert K. Ritner
    The Joseph Smith Papyri (Video) – An explanation and overview of the Joseph Smith Papyri and their connection with Mormon scripture.

  • The Late War

    The Late War

    Image: Title page of The Late War Between the United States and Great Britain, by Gilbert J. Hunt 

    [footnote]The Late War Between the United States and Great Britain, Gilbert J. Hunt[/footnote]

    A single example out of hundreds between The Late War (published 1816) and The Book of Mormon (Published 1830).

    The Late War Between the United States and Great Britain, by Gilbert J. Hunt – 34:10

    But it came to pass, in the same year, that the people of Columbia were revenged of the evil:

    The Book of Mormon – Alma 50:30

    And it came to pass that in the same year that the people of Nephi had peace restored unto them…

    New York, 1816: When Joseph Smith was 12 years old, Gilbert Hunt published a scriptural style account of the War of 1812, titled “The Late War between the United States and Great Britain.” The book was marketed for the use of schools throughout the United States” under the title The Historical Reader. Written in King James style English and laced with chiastic literary structure, The Late War bears remarkable similarities to The Book of Mormon, published over a decade later.

    Possible explanations for the similarities include:
    1. The Late War was a direct source for some of the language and content of the Book of Mormon.
    2. The Book of Mormon was consciously styled in the language of The Late war but was not dependent on it for literary content.
    3. The parallels between the BoM and the LW are incidental and both books merely reflect a style of writing in KJV prose that was conventional during the period.

    Whatever the connection between the two volumes, the similarities clearly reflect the milieu in which they were created. The Late War and The Book of Mormon look exactly like you would expect two books with similar themes coming out of early 19th century frontier America.

    For a side-by-side comparison between the two volumes and added contextual information – A Comparison of The Book of Mormon and the Late War

    Also read the original text – The Late War Between the United States and Great Britain

     Crash Course:

    The Book of Mormon and the Late War: Direct Literary Dependence?
    A Comparison of The Book of Mormon and the Late War – Word Tree Foundation
    A Historical Analysis of The Late War – Rick Grunder
    2015 Presentation: The Late War and the Book of Mormon
    Indian Origins and the Book of Mormon (video) – Dan Vogel

  • The Relief Society

    The Relief Society

    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.[footnote]The Relief Society – WikiPedia[/footnote]

     

    Crash Course:
    The Relief Society – WikiPedia
    Nauvoo Women: An Overlooked History of the Mormon Relief Society
    Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women  – LDS Gospel Topic Essay
    Psychologist’s Response to Women and Priesthood essay – Mormon Transitions
    How the temple is sexist (and the church is, too) – Young Mormon Feminist
    First prayer by woman offered at Mormon conference (video) – Salt Lake Tribune

  • We Love Our Women

    We Love Our Women

    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:[footnote]What Two Religions Tell Us About The Modern Dating Crisis, 2015 – Time[/footnote]

    One of my web searches turned up a study from Trinity College’s American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) on the demographics of Mormons. According to the ARIS study, there are now 150 Mormon women for every 100 Mormon men in the state of Utah—a 50 percent oversupply of women. On a lark, I emailed my friend Cynthia Bowman,* a devout Mormon who grew up in Salt Lake City and returns there often, and asked her whether Mormon sex ratios are as lopsided as the ARIS study claimed.

    Here is a summation of the April 2017 LDS General Conference addresses – https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04?lang=eng

    Interesting to note that a woman wasn’t allowed to pray in General Conference till the Spring of 2013. [footnote]First prayer by woman offered at Mormon conference (video) – Salt Lake Tribune[/footnote]

     

    Crash Course:
    April 2017 LDS General Conference – LDS.org
    Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women  – LDS Gospel Topic Essay
    Psychologist’s Response to Women and Priesthood essay – Mormon Transitions
    How the temple is sexist (and the church is, too) – Young Mormon Feminist
    First prayer by woman offered at Mormon conference (video) – Salt Lake Tribune

  • Tithing or Food

    Tithing or Food

    Image: Elder Valeri V. Cordón, Quorum of the Seventy. 

    Excerpt from the April 2017 General Conference, Valeri V. Cordón: [footnote]Full Conference Address (video) – LDS.org[/footnote]

    “One day, during those difficult times, I heard my parents discussing whether they should pay tithing or buy food for the children. On Sunday, I followed my father to see what he was going to do. After our church meetings I saw him take an envelope and put his tithing in it.”

    The LDS Church is likely worth $40 billion today:[footnote]How the Mormons Make Money – Bloomberg, July 2012 [/footnote]

    “…a recent investigation by Reuters in collaboration with sociology professor Cragun estimates that the LDS Church is likely worth $40 billion today and collects up to $8 billion in tithing each year.”

    Recent documents reveal members of the Quorum of the 70, such as Elder Cordón, receive a base salary of $120,000/yr (from 2014): [footnote]First Q70 Living Allowance – Mormon Leaks[/footnote]

    In Accordance with approved procedures, the annual General Authority base allowance has been increased from $116,400 to $120,000. This will begin with your paycheck issued on January 10, 2014 (pay period 1).

    Detailed information on the t2014 medical benefits and related premiums was sent to you earlier by Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators.

     

     

    Crash Course:

    Full Conference Address (video) – LDS.org
    Sacred Transformations, Aaron L. West – 2012 December Ensign
    LDS Church Finances – Wikipedia
    First Q70 Living Allowance – Mormon Leaks
    Church Finances, 1947-Style – By Common Consent

  • Proposition 8

    Proposition 8

    Image: Elder Lance Wickman – LDS General Authority

    Elder Lance Wickman in a 2012 interview speaking about the LDS churches involvement in the California Proposition 8 amendment against marriage equality: [footnote]Elder Wickman – Thoughts on Proposition 8[/footnote]

    “The first thought that comes to my mind is the shear heroism of our members in California, and others who stood up with them to defend marriage. They truly were heroic, metal of honor service as far as I am concerned. Almost in the same vein, contrary to what some may think it was the members not the church, yes the First Presidency of the church sent a letter that was read in sacrament meeting urging members to get involved, and thats all that was needed and they were galvanized by it.”

    From The Daily Dot, March 23, 2017[footnote]The long crusade: How the Mormon Church continues to war against gay marriage – The Daily Dot[/footnote]:

    New documents released by the transparency website MormonLeaks allege that LDS leaders did more than give their members pizza to encourage them to volunteer: The church’s leadership was directly involved in ongoing efforts to block marriage equality. And it continues to advocate for discrimination against the LGBTQ community, here and abroad, even despite recent attempts to build bridges with queer people.

    Training materials, presentation documents, and emails shared exclusively with the Daily Dot suggest even stronger ties between the Mormon Church and anti-marriage efforts than what has previously been alleged. After conservatives successfully passed Prop 8, a report from the Wall Street Journal claimed that the LDS Church provided volunteers and financial donations to the campaign. But the new materials suggest that the effort was directly supervised by members of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, its highest leadership board.

    Titled “Proposition 8 Grassroots Program,” a PowerPoint presentation leaked to the site was what leaders used to train supervisors assigned to man phone-banking and door-to-door efforts. An organizational chart in the document suggests that Elder John C. Dalton, a member of his area’s Quorum of the Seventy, directly facilitated political organizing for Prop 8, serving as state chairman. In his role, Dalton oversaw campaign leadership, as well as communicating with bishops and the presidents of local stakes, the LDS term for a group of churches that share the same district.

    Directly supervising Dalton were two members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Elders M. Russell Ballard and Quentin L. Cook. L. Whitney Clayton, senior president of the Presidency of the Seventy, also served as his superior.

    On Oct. 28, 2008, Dalton reached out directly to the team just days before the campaign to wish them luck and tell volunteers to press onward. It is this email that speaks directly to these leaders’ direct involvement in Prop 8 organizing.

    “We have been able to make hundreds of thousands of phone calls, rallies, bus tours, outreach programs on campuses and a host of other community activities,” Dalton wrote. “And all this has been done by your volunteer efforts and the members of your wards, branches, and institutes. I congratulate you on your dedication and faithfulness. Each evening as Elder Clayton and the statewide leadership conference call on Prop 8, you are uppermost in our minds and hearts. How proud we are to be associated with all of you.”

    The “Operations Manual” for the Prop 8 campaign further points to constant contact between elders and local churches to compel voters to show up at the ballot box that November. The manual, which was specifically for the Santa Monica area, opens with a quote from Edmund Burke—which was previously invoked by President Gordon B. Hinckley in a speech condemning pornography and “sex perversion.” It offers a statement of purpose for the campaign: “All that is required for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.”

    Image: Page from the LDS “Proposition 8 Grassroots Program” training presentation – Organization Chart[footnote]‘Proposition 8 Grassroots Program’ Training Presentation – Mormon Leaks[/footnote]

     

    Crash Course:

  • So-Called Civil Rights

    So-Called Civil Rights

    From Elder Ezra Taft Benson Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, 1967:[footnote]Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, October 1967, pp. 34-39[/footnote]

    False solicitude for the unfortunate

    “Such timely counsel could help save our country from Communism, as the same masters of deceit are showing the same false solicitude for the unfortunate in the name of civil rights.

    Now there is nothing wrong with civil rights; it is what’s being done in the name of civil rights that is alarming.

    There is no doubt that the so-called civil rights movement as it exists today is used as a Communist program for revolution in America just as agrarian reform was used by the Communists to take over China and Cuba.

    This shocking statement can be confirmed by an objective study of Communist literature and activities and by knowledgeable Negroes and others who have worked within the Communist movement.

    As far back as 1928, the Communists declared that the cultural, economic, and social differences between the races in America could be exploited by them to create the animosity, fear, and hatred between large segments of our people that would be necessary beginning ingredients for their revolution.”

     

     

    Crash Course:

    Race and the Priesthood – LDS Gospel Topic Essay
    Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, October 1967, pp. 34-39
    Mormons are not Racist (Video) – Brother Jake
    Letter from Apostle Delbert Stapley to Governor George Romney – Topic: Race and civil rights.
    Mormonism and the Negro – John J. Stewart

  • Glasslooker

    Glasslooker

    Image: 1826 court bill for $2.68 in the trial of Joseph Smith Jr., identified as a ‘glasslooker’

    In the late winter of 1826, according to an early account, Peter Bridgeman, a nephew of the wife of Josiah Stowell, presented a written complaint against Joseph Smith at South Bainbridge, New York, which led to his arrest and trial as a “disorderly person and an imposter.” An anonymous writer claimed to have been given access to an account of court proceedings, which was published in Fraser’s Magazine during 1873. In it, Joseph Smith described his divination methods.[footnote] Fraser’s magazine, 1873   [/footnote]

    [Smith said] he had a certain stone which he had occasionally looked at to determine where hidden treasures in the bowels of the earth were; that he professed to tell in this manner where gold mines were a distance under ground, and had looked for Mr. Stowel several times, and had informed him where he could find these treasures, and Mr. Stowel had been engaged in digging for them. That at Palmyra he pretended to tell by looking at this stone where coined money was buried in Pennsylvania, and while at Palmyra had frequently ascertained in that way where lost property was of various kinds; that he had occasionally been in the habit of looking through this stone to find lost property for three years, but of late had pretty much given it up on account of its injuring his health, especially his eyes, making them sore; that he did not solicit business of this kind, and had always rather declined having anything to do with this business. […] And therefore the Court find the Defendant guilty. Costs: Warrant, 19c. Complaint upon oath, 25 1/2c. Seven witnesses, 87 1/2c. Recognisances, 25c. Mittimus, 19c. Recognisances of witnesses, 75c. Subpoena, 18c. – $2.68.

    This account has been corroborated by later discoveries, such as Justice Neely’s bill of costs which refers to Joseph Smith as “The Glass Looker,” (i.e. a diviner), discovered in 1971 by Wesley P. Walters.[footnote] Hill, Marvin S. (1972), “Joseph Smith and the 1826 Trial: New Evidence and New Difficulties”, BYU Studies, 12: 2  [/footnote] The total costs exactly matched the amount in Fraser’s Magazine.

    Crash Course:

    Joseph Smith and the criminal justice system – Wikipedia

    1826 Trial Testimonies – Rich Kelsey

    Locations of Joseph Smiths treasure hunting quests (Video) – Dan Vogel

  • Honestly?

    Honestly?

    Image: Facsimile #3 from the modern printing of the Pearl of Great price with corrective translations by Egyptologists handwritten in. 

    From Gospel Principles, Chapter 31, Honesty:[footnote] Gospel Principles, 2011, 179–83 [/footnote]

    “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 way to believe something that is not true, we are not being honest.”

    Published in the Times and Seasons in 1842, the Book of Abraham, were said to be “written by his [Abrahams] own hand, upon papyrus.” [footnote] The Book of Abraham, LDS.org [/footnote] In 1880 the church canonized the Book of Abraham along with three hypocephalus known as Facimilies 1, 2 and 3. Thought to be lost in the great Chicago Fire (1871) the papyri were later discovered in New York and returned with great excitement to the church in 1967. Soon however both LDS and non-LDS scholars determined the papyri bore no semblance to the translation provided by Joseph Smith, verifying instead that they were common Egyptian funerary documents post-dating Abraham by centuries. For over 45 years this information was concealed from the general membership until 2014 with the publication of the ‘Translation and the Historicity of the Book of Abraham’ Gospel Topic Essay, in which the church admitted “None of the characters on the papyrus fragments mentioned Abraham’s name or any of the events recorded in the book of Abraham” [footnote]Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham, Gospel Topic Essay [/footnote]

    Compare below the translation provided by Joseph Smith and that of Egyptologists:

    Joseph’s Translation

    Modern Egyptological Translation
    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 his hand.
    1. “Label for Osiris (text to the right of figure 1 of facsimile 3): Recitation by Osiris, Foremost of the Westerners, Lord of Abydos(?), the great god forever and ever(?).”
    1. King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his head.
    1. “Label for Isis (text to the right of figure 2 of facsimile 3): Isis the great, the god’s mother.”
    1. Signifies Abraham in Egypt as given also in Figure 10 of Facsimile No. 1.
    1. “Altar, with the offering of the deceased, surrounded with lotus flowers, signifying the offering of the defunct.” –Theodule Deveria
    1. Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above the hand.
    1. “Label for Maat (text to the left of figure 4 of facsimile 3): Maat, mistress of the gods.”
    1. Shulem, one of the king’s principal waiters, as represented by the characters above his hand.
    1. “Label for Hor the deceased (text in front of figure 5 of facsimile 3): The Osiris Hor, justified forever.”
    1. Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince.
    1. “Label for Anubis (text in front of figure 6 of facsimile 3): Recitation by Anubis, who makes protection(?), foremost of the embalming booth,…”

    Crash Course:

    Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham – LDS Gospel Topic Essay

    Response to the Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham  – Robert K. Ritner

    The Joseph Smith Papyri (Video) – An explanation and overview of the Joseph Smith Papyri and their connection with Mormon scripture.

  • The Book of Abraham

    The Book of Abraham

    Image: Museum Walls Proclaim Fraud of Mormon Prophet, New York Times, December 29, 1912 [footnote] New York Times Article – Link [/footnote]

    From the introduction to the Book of Abraham as published in the Pearl of Great Price:  [footnote] The Book of Abraham – LDS.org  [/footnote]

    “A Translation of some ancient Records that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of Egypt. The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus.”

    From the 2014 Gospel Topic essay published on LDS.org: [footnote] Translation and the Historicity of the Book of Abraham – LDS.org  [/footnote]

    “None of the characters on the papyrus fragments mentioned Abraham’s name or any of the events recorded in the book of Abraham. Mormon and non-Mormon Egyptologists agree that the characters on the fragments do not match the translation given in the book of Abraham.”

    Crash Course:

    Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham – LDS Gospel Topic Essay

    Response to the Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham  – Robert K. Ritner

    The Joseph Smith Papyri (Video) – An explanation and overview of the Joseph Smith Papyri and their connection with Mormon scripture.