Author Archives: Eric Johnson

Equal pay for LDS bishops!

One of my neighbors is an LDS bishop. I have not talked to him about the topic at hand, but I have an inkling of how much time and effort he must devote to his local congregation of about 200 … Continue reading

Posted in LDS Church, Mormon Culture | Tagged , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Is the “church” established on any man?

I have just finished reading through the entire gospel doctrine series called “Teachings of the Presidents of the Church” series, including the newest volume dedicated to Joseph Fielding Smith. Smith was known for being a church theologian, penning the massive … Continue reading

Posted in Joseph Smith, LDS Church, Mormon Leaders | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

But is it official?

I recently finished reading through the entire series of “Teachings of Presidents of the Church” gospel doctrine manuals, which have been regularly used in LDS Sunday School classes since the late 1990s. With the exception of the current prophet Thomas … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, LDS Church | Tagged , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Hymns teaching false doctrine

In order to discover new quotes to insert into a revision of our book Mormonism 101, I have decided to read through a number of LDS manuals, including the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church series. Tonight I was … Continue reading

Posted in LDS Church | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Confrontational or Grace-Filled Apologetics?

One of the most frustrating things for those of us who work in the field of apologetics to the LDS people is having our motives and tactics be misunderstood. For example, many Mormons believe that anyone who tries to share … Continue reading

Posted in Friendship, Interaction, and Evangelism | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Don’t patronize us, please

In a 2007 General Conference talk, Seventy Gary J. Coleman referred to a story of fourteen-year-old Cortnee, the daughter of an LDS mission president, who was confused when her high school classmates questioned her Christianity. She went home and asked … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism, Christianity, Priesthood, Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry, Worthiness | Tagged , , , | 110 Comments

Should evangelism always suit a 21st century culture?

On Ash Wednesday, several Episcopalian priests from the San Diego, CA area went onto local street corners, putting ashes onto the heads of pedestrians. According to the article I read, this event was created so people who were too busy … Continue reading

Posted in Friendship, Interaction, and Evangelism, Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry | Tagged | 6 Comments

Why can’t they see?

If you are like me, one of the most frustrating things in sharing your Christian faith is having the message rejected, sometimes even “in your face.” Recently I had a pair of Mormon missionaries come over to my house, unannounced. … Continue reading

Posted in Friendship, Interaction, and Evangelism | Tagged , | 95 Comments

Can the missionaries really help you?

In the last General Conference, Apostle Russell M. Nelson gave a talk titled “Ask the Missionaries! They Can Help You!” (Apparently there were lots of exclamation points in this talk!!!) Earlier on the first day of the conference, President Thomas … Continue reading

Posted in General Conference, Mormon Culture, Mormon Missionaries | Tagged , , | 111 Comments

What Kind of Gift?

The Gift All the hustle and bustle of the anticipated Holiday is quickly closing nigh, And many frazzled shoppers can at last let out a collective great big sigh, Their present-buying is done and all the cards are finally addressed, … Continue reading

Posted in Jesus Christ | Tagged , , | 4 Comments