If they lived today, nearly half of the LDS Church's presidents from Brigham Young
OT Challenge
The solemn testimony of the Three Witnesses has appeared in every edition of the Book of Mormon since 1830. Each of these specific men—Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and David Whitmer—sacrificed much to help with the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon, and it’s likely this is a significant part of why they were chosen as witnesses. Importantly, throughout their lives and even during periods of estrangement from the church, none of them ever denied their testimonies. Their joint vision of the gold plates, the angel who delivered and presented them, the voice from heaven confirming their truth, and the other artifacts which accompanied them provide powerful evidence that the Book of Mormon is true.
In a recent piece on the history and meanings of Mormonism, Adam Gopnik points out a felicitous resemblance between Presidential candidate Mitt Romney and …
Contents of Examining Mormonism Article: The Book of Mormon Challenge Testing Doctrine & Covenants Testing the LDS Doctrine of Man Testing the LDS Doctrine of God Testing the LDS Doctrine of Jesus Christ Blood Atonement Doctrine Testing Mormon Priesthood Authority The Black Revelation of 1978...
Critics claim The Book of Mormon is an elaborate hoax. If that's true (which it isn't), here are a few things that had to happen.
The Book of Mormon’s rich accounts of warfare contain some of the most exciting and interesting material in the thousand-year narrative. These stories have captured the imagination of Latter-day Saints of all ages, from young children in Primary to popular fiction writers. Perhaps less recognized, these chapters have also caught the attention of some with both academic and professional military expertise. These scholars have found the Book of Mormon accounts of wartime strategy to be strikingly realistic.
Mormons are Christians. That said, these 5 Mormon beliefs go against the grain of modern Christianity ... and make so much sense.
One apologetic response you are guaranteed to get if you bring up Joseph Smith’s polygamy…
The angel Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith on September 21, 1823. The next day, September 22, Joseph made his first trip to the hill Cumorah. There, Moroni informed him he must wait 4 years, returning to the hill each year, before he could get the plates. Finally, on September 22, 1827, the Book of Mormon plates were delivered to him. This coincided with the Jewish New Year, a time of remembrance, covenant making, prophecy, and a celebration of God’s role in history. The coming forth the Book of Mormon is tied to all these themes.
Throughout the world, there are sites that are deeply meaningful to members of the Church. Cherished for their beauty, history, or even their mystery, here is our list of 7 Wonders of the Mormon World.
If they lived today, nearly half of the LDS Church's presidents from Brigham Young
Joseph Smith is one of the most polarizing figures in religious history. Some say he was a prophet, second only to Christ in his spiritual contributions to mankind. Others say he was a con man and a charlatan. Though leaders of other faiths typically fall into the second category, one Baptist minister sees a different side to Joseph.
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OT Challenge
Some moments in the history of the restored Church are simply stunning, reminding us what we want to be and the power that God is eager to give us. One of these is Wilford Woodruff’s unforgettable mission to Great Britain which changed the entire history of the Church. I also find a deep lesson here for me and for each of us.
The solemn testimony of the Three Witnesses has appeared in every edition of the Book of Mormon since 1830. Each of these specific men—Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and David Whitmer—sacrificed much to help with the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon, and it’s likely this is a significant part of why they were chosen as witnesses. Importantly, throughout their lives and even during periods of estrangement from the church, none of them ever denied their testimonies. Their joint vision of the gold plates, the angel who delivered and presented them, the voice from heaven confirming their truth, and the other artifacts which accompanied them provide powerful evidence that the Book of Mormon is true.
Unlike most early documentary photographers of the American West, George Edward Anderson was also a Mormon bishop. His photos offer a unique view of life in Utah at the turn of the 20th century.
An educational chart of all the Wives of Brigham Young
In a recent piece on the history and meanings of Mormonism, Adam Gopnik points out a felicitous resemblance between Presidential candidate Mitt Romney and …
Mosiah 18 And after this manner he did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters …
Gordon B. Hinckley, who was president of the Church during my teenage years and my mission, liked to emphasize that the Church offers an anchor of timeless truths. Given this theme, repeated almost…
According to Peter Covino in his True Book of Mormon Geography website, Mormon did not hide the records in the Hill Cumorah, but in...
Today we covered a small chapter in the book of Ether. Chapter 5 left an impression on me. Moroni speaks directly to Joseph Smith and gives him a bit of instruction. He also eases his heart. The instruction was that Joseph Smith was not to touch the sealed part of the golden plates once he had them in his possession. But he would be able to show the plates to people who would testify of what they saw. "And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work; And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true." (Ether 5:2-3) Up until this point in his translation of the plates, he had not been allowed to show them to anyone, thus carrying a tremendous burden by himself. Reading, and translating, these words must have eased this burden for him. The eight witnesses, whose testimonies are in the front of each Book of Mormon, testified that they had seen, felt, and held the plates, therefore being physical witnesses. The three witnesses (this picture shows Joseph Smith with Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer with the angel......Martin Harris separated from them at this time), testified: "And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true." These three men received a spiritual manifestation of them and were spiritual witnesses. Moroni also tells Joseph Smith that the Book of Mormon will stand as a true testimony against the world at the last day. The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record of the truthfulness of it, and Moroni also bears record of the same. Powerful stuff. Joseph must have felt a great priviledge, responsibility, weight on his shoulders, and importance of the work of translating these plates, all at the same time. But what a relief he must have felt having the support and guidance of these "beings" in his calling as prophet. This chapter made me sit and wonder what it must have been like for both of these men, who were destined to meet. This message was from one prophet/editor/compiler to one prophet/translator who were separated by centuries of time, yet working on the same "project". They would meet, and one (as a resurrected being) would be a mentor to the other. Moroni possessed the keys of the record of the Stick of Ephraim (D&C 27:5) He was assigned to oversee the work. He would groom Joseph Smith over years of teaching to understand the importance of his role in the restoration of the gospel and the translation of the tool which would be used to gather Israel in the last days. What a great chapter!
The power to seal marriages and perform other ordinances that would be recognized, or remain in force, “in and after the resurrection from the dead” was conferred through the visitation of Elijah in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836 (Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16). Joseph had been previously instructed multiple times by heavenly beings regarding Elijah’s essential mission to restore these priesthood keys in this final dispensation. He would also have encountered the importance of the coming of Elijah in the Book of Mormon as he translated passages such as 3 Nephi 25:5–6. It is important for modern readers to recognize the influence of the Old Testament story of the prophet Elijah on the Book of Mormon narrative. The memory of Elijah receiving the keys to seal up the heavens and to bring the living back from the dead reverberated throughout scriptural history.
The Book of Mormon presents the migration of three separate groups from the Old World to the Americas via respective maritime routes. This has led many to wonder whether there is any evidence for pre-Columbian contact between the Old and New Worlds. Although many see the Book of Mormon's depiction as implausible, recent scholarship has shown strong evidence for pre-Columbian contact with the Americas. While this may not prove the Book of Mormon is true, it at least lends further plausibility to its depiction of ancient maritime migration.
