Check out the Series Index to all Five Posts. Part 2: What Makes an Elder an Elder? God commands us to seek answers to our questions and asks only that we seek ‘with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ.’ – Moroni 10:4 Introduction: A Question of Words and Meanings Have you…
Category: Mormonism
Questions Worth Asking: Thoughtful Reflections on Latter-day Saint Claims (1 of 5)
Check out the Series Index to all Five Posts. Part 1: Borrowed Words: When Children Say ‘I Know’ A Philosophical Inquiry into Religious Education, Faith Development, and the Epistemology of Testimony Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a precursor of growth.” – Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Acting President of the Quorum of the…
Joseph Smith and the Foundations of Mormonism: A Critical Historical and Theological Analysis
Download a PDF to print at home (11 pages): Joseph Smith and the Foundations of Mormonism A Scholarly Examination of the Origins, Doctrines, and Historical Controversies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Introduction The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church or LDS Church, represents one…
Four Critical Doctrinal Differences Between Mormonism and Biblical Christianity
The relationship between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and traditional Christianity remains one of the most debated topics in comparative religion. While members of the LDS Church increasingly identify as Christian—particularly since the heightened public visibility during Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign—significant theological differences persist that warrant careful examination. This analysis…
The King Follett Discourse: Did This One Sermon Prove Joseph Smith Was a Fraud?
In April 1844, just two months before his assassination, Joseph Smith delivered what would become his most theologically revolutionary address. The King Follett Discourse fundamentally challenged traditional Christian doctrine about the nature of God, the origin of human souls, and humanity’s eternal destiny. This sermon continues to shape Latter-day Saint theology while raising profound questions…
The Hagiographic Lens: Examining the Deseret News Portrait of Joseph Smith
Desert.com: Understanding Joseph Smith through the eyes of those who knew him ‘A plain, sensible, strong-minded man’: The people who knew the Prophet best describe his goodness, integrity. Somewhere along the six-hour horseback ride from Nauvoo to Carthage, Ill., where Joseph Smith was martyred in 1844, he shared with his small group of travel companions…
Carthage Conspiracy Unmasked: How LDS Scholars Twist Joseph Smith’s Demise
Detailed Summary of “Carthage Conspiracy” by Dallin H. Oaks and Marvin S. Hill “Carthage Conspiracy: The Trial of the Accused Assassins of Joseph Smith” by Dallin H. Oaks and Marvin S. Hill exemplifies a hallmark of modern Mormon apologetics, where rigorous legal and historical analysis serves as a veneer for reframing inconvenient facts—such as Joseph…
Historical Critique of Joseph Smith’s Plural Marriage Justifications
Modern LDS apologists employ several strategies to address Joseph Smith’s plural marriages, which included approximately 30-40 women: Regarding Helen Mar Kimball (age 14): They emphasize this was within legal marriage age for the era (though still controversial even then) Some argue it may have been a “dynastic sealing” rather than a sexual relationship, citing Helen’s…
A Biblical Refutation of LDS Doctrines on Divine Nature and Human Destiny
Download this PDF to print at home: LDS Doctrines A 20-minute read… Introduction The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presents distinctive theological positions that fundamentally diverge from orthodox Christian doctrine, particularly regarding the nature of God, humanity’s relationship to divinity, and eschatological destiny. Their official essay “Becoming Like God” articulates several core beliefs…
The Free Gift of Eternal Life: A Theological Analysis of Traditional Christian and LDS Perspectives
Introduction The inspiration for this theological analysis came through a recent email from Mark Parsons of Truth in Love Ministry, which masterfully illustrated one of Christianity’s most crucial doctrinal distinctions through the simple analogy of deceptive marketing. Parsons’ account of receiving a postcard advertising a “FREE steak” that actually required a $249 purchase perfectly encapsulates…