Category Archives: Early Mormonism

Early Mormon Prophet Led the Church Astray

The Mormon Church very recently posted a new statement on “Race and the Priesthood” at LDS.org in which the blame for the Church’s historic racism is laid squarely at the feet of Brigham Young. According to the statement, the idea … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, Book of Abraham, Brigham Young, Early Mormonism, LDS Church, Mormon History, Mormon Leaders, Mormon Scripture, Mormon Temple, Pearl of Great Price, Prophets | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Rejecting the Book of Mormon

Early Mormon apostle Orson Pratt sometimes found himself in trouble with leaders of the LDS Church because of things he had written. Mr. Pratt was a prolific writer, and freely expounded on Mormon doctrine, as he understood it. The First … Continue reading

Posted in Book of Mormon, Early Mormonism | Tagged , , , , , , | 61 Comments

Brigham Young In His Own Words

Bart Pascoal at MormonInfographics.com has been producing and posting short videos of dramatic readings of Brigham Young. Watching an actor deliver these words from Brigham Young’s sermons adds a whole new dimension to such statements as: “I say, rather than … Continue reading

Posted in Brigham Young, Early Mormonism | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Horrific Tragedy in Mormon History

In two days, on October 30, 2013, the 175th anniversary of a very dark day in American history will pass mostly unnoticed. On this date in 1838, 18 men and boys were murdered at Haun’s Mill on the western Missouri … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Adam God Challenge

Once upon a time I was a member of the Mormon Church. I was converted at age 14 and ardently followed the teachings and lifestyle of Mormonism. I went to Church every Sunday, read the Book of Mormon, and had … Continue reading

Posted in Brigham Young, Early Mormonism, God the Father | Tagged , , , | 66 Comments

Joseph Smith Fooled by the Devil?

In late 1829 or early 1830 insufficient funding held up the first printing of the Book of Mormon. Martin Harris was trying to sell his farm to raise the needed capital, but was not having immediate success. At the urging … Continue reading

Posted in Book of Mormon, Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry | Tagged , , , , | 30 Comments

The “Prime Cause” of 1838 Mormon Troubles in Missouri

Listen to this edition of Viewpoint on Mormonism as Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson discuss a lesser-known event from Mormon history: Sidney Rigdon’s 1838 July 4th speech. Brigham Young claimed this speech “was the prime cause of [Mormon] troubles in … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

A Mormon Apostle Explains the “Component Parts” of God

Foundational to the Mormon gospel is the existence of Heavenly Mother, the spouse and counterpart of Mormonism’s Heavenly Father. When Mormon Apostle Erastus Snow taught on this concept in 1878, he explained that God is a component being, consisting of … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, God the Father, Nature of God | Tagged , , , , | 56 Comments

Methodists and Mormons

Christopher Jones writes at the Peculiar People blog about the prevalence of early Mormon converts who came from a Methodist background. It is suggested that this was because they (and others) believed about Mormonism, “It’s like Methodism, only more.” Indeed, … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History, Nauvoo | Tagged , , , , , | 87 Comments

Changing and Correcting Mormon Scripture

The January 2013 Ensign magazine seems to reflect a new effort toward transparency in the Mormon Church. In an article by LDS historian Gerrit Dirkmaat, “Great and Marvelous are the Revelations of God,” the author discloses “Many Revelations Were Later … Continue reading

Posted in D&C and Pearl of Great Price, Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon Scripture, Priesthood | Tagged , , , , , | 80 Comments