Tag Archives: Brigham Young

What Child Is This? The LDS Christmas Story

It was long ago, two thousand years, when sweet baby Jesus was born. Although every baby is cherished by his parents and grandparents and siblings and cousins, this little boy was precious to all the world. The story began in … Continue reading

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I looked out the window and what did I see?

Two months ago I had the amazing opportunity to visit Switzerland. What an inspiring display of God’s creativity! Deep blue water, soaring snow-topped peaks, brilliant green-carpeted valleys…and, of course, happy cows everywhere. One morning I watched out the window of … Continue reading

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Mormonism and Blood Sacrifice

A local TV station in Indianapolis ran a story earlier this month (16 October 2015) headlined, “Suspect harrassing Mormon Church elder allegedly had goal of blood sacrifice.” Journalist Derrik Thomas explained, “A prominent local attorney, who is an elder in … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History, Mormon Temple | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

The Transfiguration of Brigham Young

It’s Throwback Thursday! The following blog article originally posted at Mormon Coffee on August 8, 2011. —— When Joseph Smith died in June of 1844, the Mormon Church faced a succession crisis. Mormon historian Richard S. Van Wagoner explained, “Despite … Continue reading

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Brigham Young’s Test of a Prophet

Brigham Young taught, “[The wicked] found fault with Joseph Smith, and at length killed him, as they have a great many others of the Latter-day Saints. What for? Because of his wickedness? No. But the cry was, ‘Away with him, … Continue reading

Posted in Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, Mormon Leaders | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Cultic Characteristics in Mormonism

Though the word “cult” has fallen far out of favor, cults and religious sects still exist. Christian author and theologian Roger E. Olson recently addressed the history of the word and its evolving definition in an article titled, “Criteria for … Continue reading

Posted in LDS Church, Mormon Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Mormonism’s “different Jesus”

On Monday I blogged about my disagreement with Mormon bishop Nate Sharp’s implication that because there is “one and only one Jesus Christ” the idea that Mormons believe in a “different Jesus” is a myth. Today I want to look again … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Jesus Christ, LDS Church, Misconceptions, Mormon Leaders, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Mormon Church does not require “bloodletting”

Last week the Utah Senate voted to reinstate death by firing squad as one of the state’s options in carrying out a judiciously imposed penalty of capital punishment. The bill awaits the signature of Utah’s governor before it can become … Continue reading

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What About Those Essays?

When asked by the New York Times why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints decided to post several “Gospel Topics” essays on its official web site, church historian Steven E. Snow said, “There is so much out there … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, LDS Church, Mormon History, Nauvoo, Polygamy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Celebrate Christmas by Rejecting Mormon Leaders Who Have Rejected the Virgin Birth

Posted in Jesus Christ, Virgin birth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 43 Comments