Category Archives: Mormon History

Expounding the Prophets

Posted on March 5, 2008 by Sharon Lindbloom

On March 4th 1843 the LDS Prophet Joseph Smith told the Nauvoo City Council: “I was opposed to hanging, even if a man kill another, I will shoot him, or cut off his head, spill his blood on the ground, … Continue reading →

Posted in Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, Mormon History | 66 Comments

Black Pete the Revelator

Posted on February 27, 2008 by Sharon Lindbloom

Mormon Coffee’s short series in observance of Black History Month concludes today with a look at the man who is believed to be the first black person to ever join the LDS Church. Known only as Black Pete, this man … Continue reading →

Posted in Mormon History | 10 Comments

Elijah Abel: “Thy Soul [Shall] Be White in Eternity”

Posted on February 20, 2008 by Sharon Lindbloom

Elijah Abel was the first Black man to hold the priesthood in the LDS Church. He received his ordination as Elder on March 3, 1836. Later Elijah was ordained a member of the Third Quorum of the Seventy. In 1838 … Continue reading →

Posted in Mormon History, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Quiet Misgivings About LDS Racism

Posted on February 11, 2008 by Sharon Lindbloom

February is Black History Month. In the United States, the observance is primarily a remembrance of the important people and events in African-American history. On February 7 (2008) a Black History Month symposium lecturer at BYU suggested that the “Atonement … Continue reading →

Posted in Mormon History | 55 Comments

Replacing Outdated Church Tags

Posted on February 8, 2008 by Sharon Lindbloom

In January Deseret News ran a story titled, “LDS Church terms no longer in use.” The article listed some of the old names and abbreviations the Church once used, but which have become outdated as the Church has made changes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Mormon History | 9 Comments

Sludge From a Dark Well continued…

Posted on February 1, 2008 by Sharon Lindbloom

Another thought, continued from Wednesday’s post… Regarding Dr. Dursteler’s remarks in “Attacks on Islam, Mormonism spring from the same dark well”, it is incorrect to give the impression that Christians are the only ones who have used the type of … Continue reading →

Posted in Mormon History | 12 Comments

Dallin Oaks: The Destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor’s Printing Press was Illegal

Posted on October 26, 2007 by Aaron Shafovaloff

Some Mormons give the impression that the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor newspaper was legal. This kind of language is misleading. While there is some lingering ambiguity over the legality of the destruction of the copies of the Expositor, even … Continue reading →

Posted in Nauvoo | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Like stubborn Scotchmen, they couldn’t get Adam-God out of their heads

Posted on October 19, 2007 by Aaron Shafovaloff

At the April 1916 General Conference Charles W. Penrose, a member of the First Presidency, stated: “There still remains, I can tell by the letters I have alluded to, an idea among some of the people that Adam was and … Continue reading →

Posted in General Conference, Mormon History | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Excommunicated for Apostasy

Posted on September 26, 2007 by Sharon Lindbloom

Last Sunday (23 September 2007) the Phoenix East Valley Tribune ran a story about Lyndon Lamborn’s excommunication from the LDS Church. The article begins, “Being excommunicated for apostasy by the Mormon church is one thing, but Lyndon Lamborn is livid … Continue reading →

Posted in Mormon History, Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry | 64 Comments

When Regret is Not a Synonym with Apology

Posted on September 17, 2007 by Bill McKeever

Last Tuesday I attended the memorial service commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The day before, I had the pleasure of meeting several of the descendants of the Fancher family in Cedar City. Suffice it to say … Continue reading →

Posted in Brigham Young, Misconceptions, Mormon History | 73 Comments