Category Archives: Authority and Doctrine

When is a Mormon prophet speaking as a prophet? Nobody knows for sure.

Mormon author Jana Riess continues to receive criticism for her public disagreement with certain statements from Mormon prophets and apostles. In analyzing this criticism on her blog, Dr. Riess recently asked, “When is a Mormon prophet speaking as a prophet? … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, LDS Church, Mormon Leaders, Prophets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

What is Mormonism?

Last week it was discovered that when Google search engine users typed, “What is Mormonism?” into the search box, the answer provided was this: “Mormonism is a religion that denies the deity of Jesus Christ. In this religion, He is … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, Baptism for the Dead, Book of Mormon, God the Father, Great Apostasy, LDS Church, Misconceptions, Mormon Temple, Nature of God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

President Monson’s Views Don’t Represent the Mormon Church?

I’ve often said that while the Mormon church claims to be the only church on the face of the earth that has the authority to speak for God, no one within it seems to speak with any authority. I received … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, Mormon Leaders | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Reading between the lines on the issue of perfection (Part 2)

In Monday’s post, I quoted from an article found in the July 2014 Ensign magazine titled “Becoming Perfect in Christ” that was written by Seventy Gerrit W. Gong. When Gong’s words are put next to the teachings of the LDS … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, Salvation, Worthiness | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Reading between the lines on the issue of perfection (Part 1)

A recent article in the July 2014 Ensign magazine titled “Becoming Perfect in Christ,” written by Seventy Gerrit W. Gong, caught my eye. I’m not one to make many predictions, but when I saw the title, my immediate response was … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, Salvation, Worthiness | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

The definition of doctrine

It’s only a short article located in the early pages of the July 2014 Ensign magazine, which is the official monthly organ of the LDS Church. But I believe this piece, titled “We Teach by the Power of the Holy … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, Prophets | Tagged , , , , | 24 Comments

A Simple Correlation: The Apostle Paul and Mormon General Conference

As defined at Wikipedia, the Mormon Church’s priesthood correlation program is “a program designed to provide a systematic approach to maintain consistency in its ordinances, doctrines, organizations, meetings, materials, and other programs and activities.” The Church began its correlation efforts … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, Mormon Leaders, Mormon Scripture | Tagged , , , , , | 6 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

Mormonism’s Prophetic Authority and Selective Disobedience

Mormon blogger Jana Riess writes about “selective obedience” in her April 7th (2014) blog. She’s responding to a comment made by LDS apostle Robert Hales at last weekend’s General Conference. In his address, Mr. Hales contrasted three types of behavior: … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, D&C and Pearl of Great Price, General Conference, LDS Church, Mormon Leaders, Prophets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Going After Historical Issues

In an article found in an LDS Church manual (The Pearl of Great Price Teacher Manual Religion 327, pp. 54-55) that gives instructions to the LDS instructors comes this amazing statement: Joseph Smith—History. Overview Have students read the five italicized … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, Joseph Smith, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments