Author Archives: Aaron Shafovaloff

The Gospel of Mark

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Jesus Christ | 9 Comments

“It is the voice of a god, not of a man”

How early Mormon leader Joseph Fielding and other Mormons responded to the King Follett discourse (April 7, 1844): “I never felt more delighted with his discourse than at this time. They said at his oration, it is the voice of … Continue reading

Posted in Joseph Smith, King Follett Discourse, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Mormonism and the “Great Machine”

Mormonism’s “eternal law” is the creed of multiverse. Transcending all gods. Governed by no ultimate Persons. Impersonal. Cold. “Without body, parts, passions.” Incromprehensible. “Unknown and unknowable—formless, passionless, elusive, ethereal, simultaneously everywhere and nowhere.” All the gods must submit to it, abide … Continue reading

Posted in God the Father, Nature of God | Tagged , , , , | 81 Comments

Helpful, but not true?

Posted in Christianity | Tagged , | 9 Comments

From Mormonism to Christianity Conference: July 17-19

See the Facebook event here. See more information here. Come! I will be speaking at 11am on Saturday on “Matthew for Mormons”, a walk-through of some exciting and surprisingly relevant themes in the Gospel of Matthew.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

The Mormon logic of lost books and its implication for prophetic accountability

When talking to some Mormon missionaries in March I encountered an interesting line of thinking. One of the elders gave the standard claim that the Bible is missing books that should have been included. I asked, “Which ones?” He answered: Works … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 93 Comments

Only Jesus did his best

What do people mean when they say, “their best”? “I did my best to make it on time.” “I did my best to get good grades.” “I do my best to be a good person.” Normally, this functions as hyperbole … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 85 Comments

New LDS.org Gospel Topic articles were submitted to the “presiding Quorums of the Church and the First Presidency for approval”

I am already hearing of BYU professors mocking the new LDS.org gospel topic articles as non-official. Elder Steven E. Snow, LDS Church Historian and Executive Director of the Church History Department, explains that each of the articles was submitted to … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, LDS Church, Misconceptions | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Capstone Conference Today

There is a pretty amazing 1-2-3 punch today of Sandra Tanner, Bill McKeever, and Rob Bowman. Come after lunch to Calvary Chapel Salt Lake City and hear them all at the Capstone Conference. 2:00-2:45pm Sandra Tanner – “Apostasy in Sweden: … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A Counter-Creed to “Practical Mormonism Atheism”

Practical Mormon Atheism The Contraries 1 Even if Mormonism is false, it is still worth believing and ought not be refuted. Mormonism, if false, ought not be “left alone”, but ought to be refuted and engaged and deconstructed. 2 Faith … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 88 Comments