Author Archives: Aaron Shafovaloff

The Difficult Task of Mormon Honesty

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Aaron Shafovaloff

On a discussion board devoted to Mormon apologetics a non-Mormon wrote about the progressive nature of the Mormon God. He quoted the ever-so-blunt Hunter and Widtsoe: “Yet, if we accept the great law of eternal progression, we must accept the … Continue reading →

Posted in God the Father, Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry | 44 Comments

Joseph Smith vs Jesus Christ

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Aaron Shafovaloff

Joseph ordained with hands, but Jesus authorized by his words. Joseph tampered with God’s word, but Jesus preserved God’s word. Joseph boasted over his church, but Jesus died for his church. Joseph re-introduced the Aaronic priesthood, but Jesus rendered it … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The “Most High” has potentially billions of ancestor-gods?

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Aaron Shafovaloff

Mormon Jaxon Peterson argues that Israel was “monolatristic or henotheistic” for most of its existence and that “‘the highest’ does not denote status of authority of power, but rather the idea that God dwells above the Earth.” [tweet https://twitter.com/ldschurch/status/275304640197824512] [tweet … Continue reading →

Posted in God the Father | Tagged , | 76 Comments

Joseph Smith Questioned At Final Judgment Over Songs of Solomon

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Aaron Shafovaloff

I can just see the conversation at final judgment: Jesus: “So, you dismissed the Songs of Solomon as uninspired?” Joseph: “Yup.” Jesus: “Because it was a form of religious pornography?” Joseph: “Yup.” Jesus: “A little too sexual for you?” Joseph: … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 35 Comments

A Response to Hellen Riebold’s Unfounded Rebuke of a Christian Brother

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Aaron Shafovaloff

Readers: For context, you can start by reading the Baptist Times article here, and then Hellen’s letter here. Dear Hellen, While I realize that there are a good number of Mormons who reject what their own leaders have taught, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 56 Comments

A Simple Question for Mormons

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Aaron Shafovaloff

Do you treat Brigham Young and Bruce McConkie like grape vines or thornbushes? “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:16)

Posted in Uncategorized | 35 Comments

Teaching Mormon Pre-Seminary Children to Retain Their Beautiful Belief in the Supremacy of God

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Aaron Shafovaloff

This year at Manti I talked to many roaming Mormon pre-seminary youth (around 10, 11, 12-years-old), and it became very clear to me that they don’t really pick up on distinctive Mormon theology on the nature and history of God … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature of God | 23 Comments

“That’s Not Official Doctrine”

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Aaron Shafovaloff

See: Mormonism, Officiality, and Plausible Deniability

Posted in Uncategorized | 31 Comments

From The 1887 LDS Hymn Book

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Aaron Shafovaloff

Hymn #297 1. The God that others worship is not the God for me, He has no parts nor body, and cannot hear nor see, But I’ve a God that reigns above, A God of power and of love, A … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 78 Comments

BYU professors Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks think you’re a prude if God having sex with Mary is a problem for you

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Aaron Shafovaloff

If you object to the teaching of Mormon leaders that God the Father had physical sex with Mary, then BYU professors Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks say you have “a Neoplatonic and gnosticizing disdain for the material cosmos, … Continue reading →

Posted in Virgin birth | Tagged , , | 114 Comments