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The Peculiar Splendors of Mormonism
Near the middle of September (2012) The New York Times posted an online commentary titled, “Why I Love Mormonism.” In it, author and professor Simon Critchley chronicled his experience with Mormonism...
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McKeever and Johnson on Defining Mormon Doctrine
A great new book on the topic of Mormonism is now available. Co-authors Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson have just released Answering Mormons’ Questions: Ready Responses for Inquiring Latter-day Saints...
View ArticleJoseph Smith vs Jesus Christ
Joseph ordained with hands, but Jesus authorized by his words.Joseph tampered with God’s word, but Jesus preserved God’s word.Joseph boasted over his church, but Jesus died for his church.Joseph...
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A Mormon Prophet’s Gratitude at Christmas
Earlier this week Eric Johnson posted a poem here on Mormon Coffee titled “The Gift.” I venture to say that gifts of all kinds are on our minds this week. With the idea of gifts also (hopefully!) comes...
View ArticleChanging and Correcting Mormon Scripture
The January 2013 Ensign magazine seems to reflect a new effort toward transparency in the Mormon Church. In an article by LDS historian Gerrit Dirkmaat, “Great and Marvelous are the Revelations of...
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Unpaid Mormon Leaders Get a Pretty Sweet Deal
Late last year (2012) a copy of the 2006 Mission President’s Handbook was posted on an individual’s blog site. This document, produced by the Mormon Church as a practical instruction manual for mission...
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Do Mormon Apostles Believe in the Restoration?
A little over a week ago (on April 6, 2013) Christopher Ralph at the Journey of Loyal Dissent blog posted a controversial memorandum written by author and historian Grant H. Palmer. The memo recounts...
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The Importance of Joseph Smith’s First Vision
At the October 1961 general conference of the Mormon Church Gordon B. Hinckley said,“I would like to say that this cause is either true or false. Either this is the kingdom of God, or it is a sham and...
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Finding Emma
Last week Jana Riess (Flunking Sainthood) wrote about “The Mormon Reinvention of Emma Smith.” Recapping a recent lecture by Emma Smith’s biographer Linda King Newell (co-author with Valeen Tippets...
View ArticleAn Event from Mormon Church History — in Context
With the June 2013 New Era article “Balancing Church History” in mind, heeding the advice of Church Historian Steven Snow to examine Mormon Church history in context, I offer this new video by...
View ArticleThe Untold Story of the Death of Joseph Smith
Bill McKeever explains the issues and events, the rumors and facts, that led to the death of Joseph Smith on June 27, 1844.
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Joseph Smith Fooled by the Devil?
© 1999 Institute for Religious ResearchIn late 1829 or early 1830 insufficient funding held up the first printing of the Book of Mormon. Martin Harris was trying to sell his farm to raise the needed...
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Joseph Smith and Honesty
In the July 2013 issue of Ensign magazine, young Mormons are taught about the importance of “Honesty and Integrity.” One suggestion given for use in teaching the youth the principles of honesty and...
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The Adam God Challenge
Once upon a time I was a member of the Mormon Church. I was converted at age 14 and ardently followed the teachings and lifestyle of Mormonism. I went to Church every Sunday, read the Book of Mormon,...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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“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...
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