Category Archives: Mormon Leaders

Mormon Historian Responds to Tough Questions

On December 16, 2013 the reddit exmormon forum held an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Q&A with highly respected Mormon historian Richard Bushman. Following are a few forum-member questions, along with Dr. Bushman’s answers (in no particular order). You will also … Continue reading

Posted in Book of Abraham, Book of Mormon, Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Mormon Scripture, Pearl of Great Price | Tagged , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

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

Troubled by Joseph Smith’s Polygamy

In this video, a returned Mormon missionary explains how personal revelation helped him on his mission. It seems an investigator was struggling with accepting the LDS Church due to troubling historical information she had learned about Joseph Smith and polygamy. … Continue reading

Posted in Joseph Smith, Mormon Missionaries, Nauvoo, Polygamy | Tagged , , , , | 25 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

“Absolutes” About the Mormon Gospel

In 1999 James E. Faust, member of the Mormon Church’s First Presidency, counseled new mission presidents at the annual Mission Presidents Seminar in June of that year. According to LDS Church News, “The word gospel means ‘good news’ and missionaries … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, Mormon Leaders, Mormon Missionaries | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

The Teachings of Joseph Smith and His Apostles

The following illustration is found in the Instructor’s Guide for the current Mormon Institute manual, “The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, (Rel 211-12)” [The posted scan is from the print edition, page 110]. Found in a section … Continue reading

Posted in God the Father, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, King Follett Discourse, LDS Church, Nature of God, Nature of Man | Tagged , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Mormonism and its “vital revelations flowing in a never-ending stream”

John Taylor, the third prophet of the Mormon Church, explained: “We require a living tree—a living fountain—living intelligence, proceeding from the living priesthood in heaven, through the living priesthood on earth. … And from the time that Adam first received … Continue reading

Posted in Mormon Leaders, Prophets | Tagged , , , , , | 85 Comments

Where Did Mormon Leaders Go Wrong?

Apart from excitement over the fly that plagued Mormon Seventy Terence M. Vinson during his General Conference talk on Sunday (October 13, 2013), much of the Conference buzz on the world wide web (sorry – I couldn’t resist) is focused … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, General Conference, LDS Church, Mormon History, Mormon Leaders | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 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

True Mormonism

On September 24th Mormon Apostle D. Todd Christofferson spoke to students at BYU-Idaho during the school’s weekly devotional. About halfway through his talk, “The Prophet Joseph Smith,” Mr. Christofferson explained, “Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling is key to our religion. Without … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, LDS Church, Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 63 Comments