Author Archives: Aaron Shafovaloff

Atheism is just another blue pill

We already live in Narnia. We live in a universe that had a beginning. Indeed, something exists rather than nothing (this alone is amazing). We live among embodied souls who have intrinsic dignity, beauty, and moral culpability. We live in … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 44 Comments

How Mormon beliefs chiefly perpetuate

What was once explicitly taught and instilled often only needs implicit, suggestive support to perpetuate. If I tell my daughter a hundred times, “Daddy loves ice cream!”, and then every week after I say, “Let’s go to Leatherby’s and get … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 32 Comments

Moroni 8:18 — Things Have Changed for Mormons

Posted in Book of Mormon, God the Father, King Follett Discourse, Lorenzo Snow, Mormon Scripture | Tagged , , , | 142 Comments

Mormon Scholar Brian Hales Defends Joseph Smith’s Polygamy

Listen for yourself here. As one Mormon commenter put it: “As someone who loves and values the church — is active and serves in the church — and as someone who has a lot to gain from being able to … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 122 Comments

Teaching my six and four-year-old to discern language about God

“John Caleb and Lydia, do you know how you say sometimes, ‘Daddy is the best’?” “Yeah. It’s just something we say for fun because we love you.” “And do you think Daddy is *actually* the best Dad in the world?” … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

“We believe the same thing.”

“We believe the same thing.” They why the need for a restoration? “We believe the same thing.” Then why did you just tell me you believed the exact opposite thing? “We believe the same thing.” How you can be sure, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 65 Comments

Evangelism to Mormons

Posted in Uncategorized | 113 Comments

Cracks in the Mormon Dam

(Starts at about 8m45s) Cracks in the Mormon Dam. Some water already beginning to gush. Atheist LDS current mission presidents. Unbelieving return-MP’s. Doubting General Authorities. A General Authority that stops BYU’s NAMIR/FARMS from publishing a piece against the agnostic-in-longtime-LDS-sheeps-clothing John … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 60 Comments

On Mockery and Mormonism

To my son John Caleb and daughter Lydia, I “mock” the earth in showing just how small it is compared to the wider universe, which is itself small compared to the “bigness” and beauty and power and ultimacy of God … Continue reading

Posted in Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry | Tagged , , | 31 Comments

EMPP

Having a tough time discussing grace with Mormons? EMPP is my imaginary energy drink, as well as my corny acronym for making some helpful distinctions: Evidence. Are works necessary to show the evidence of faith? Yes. James 2:14-26, Matthew 7:21-23? … Continue reading

Posted in Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry | 58 Comments