Tag Archives: Joseph Smith

Citizen Smith

In the late afternoon of that sticky June day, Joseph Smith lay broken and bleeding beside the foundation of the Carthage Jail. Though few people knew he held the secret, self-imposed scepter of king, the fact that he had been … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Nauvoo | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments

“What Many People Called Sin Is Not Sin” Part II

During a Church Court in 1850, Joseph E. Johnson claimed that he was aware of what he called “the first frigging” of Joseph Smith and Johnson’s mother-in-law, Mary Heron Snider. For details about this incident, see Part I. The reason … Continue reading

Posted in D&C and Pearl of Great Price, Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Polygamy | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

“What Many People Called Sin Was Not Sin” Part I

A Church Court is convened. A man is accused of committing adultery and fathering a child with another man’s wife.  One of the presiding elders speaks to those assembled about the offender and says that, “This matter was bro[ugh]t before … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Lorenzo Snow, Mormon History, Polygamy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Joseph Smith and Romans 4:5

Joseph Smith revised the Bible. Some say he “corrected” it. The resulting volume is known as the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) or the Inspired Version. My Mormon edition of the King James Version of the Bible (1989) includes seventeen pages … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, God the Father, Joseph Smith, Mormon Scripture, Nature of God, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

What Do Mormon Missionaries Teach?

In the FAQ section at Mormon.org is found the question, “What will the [LDS] missionaries talk about when they visit my home?” The answer, as provided by the Mormon Church: “Missionaries share a message about Jesus Christ and His Atonement … Continue reading

Posted in Great Apostasy, LDS Church, Mormon Missionaries | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

New church essay distances LDS Church from Joseph Smith

Breaking news as reported by Peggy Fletcher Stuck: Over the past few months, there have been essays published on LDS.org concerning the First Vision, Race and the Priesthood, plural marriage, the Book of Mormon translation, and Becoming Like God. Now, … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, LDS Church, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

“What do Mormons believe about the Bible?”

The Mormon Church appears to be updating its FAQ section at Mormon.org. I’ve received several Google Alerts highlighting specific Frequently Asked Questions and their official answers. One recent Alert pointed me to the FAQ section on the Bible, to the … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Mormon Scripture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 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

“The fulness of his kingdom” – Mormons becoming like God

On February 25th (2014) the Mormon Church posted a new article in its Gospel Topics section: “Becoming Like God.” Deseret News says this essay accomplishes “explaining the faith’s doctrine” on the topic, and the Salt Lake Tribune likewise says it … Continue reading

Posted in Afterlife, King Follett Discourse, LDS Church, Nature of God, Nature of Man | Tagged , , , , , , , | 64 Comments

Mormonism’s 4th Article of Faith

The December 2013 issue of the Mormon Church’s Ensign magazine contains an article by John Welch titled, “The Articles of Faith and the Life of Joseph Smith.” In this article, Dr. Welch goes through the 13 Articles of Faith (canonized … Continue reading

Posted in Mormon Scripture, Pearl of Great Price, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 95 Comments