September, 2023 - wasmormon.org

"Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground." - LDS Church President, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith - Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. I | wasmormon.org — "Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground." - LDS Church President, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith - Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. I

Treasure Digging in D&C 111: Section Heading and Verses 2-4. 2. I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion... 3. it shall be given you... 4. its wealth pertaining to gold and silver shall be yours. When it became apparent that no money was to be forthcoming, they returned to Kirtland. | wasmormon.org — Treasure Digging in D&C 111: Section Heading and Verses 2-4. 2. I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion... 3. it shall be given you... 4. its wealth pertaining to gold and silver shall be yours. When it became apparent that no money was to be forthcoming, they returned to Kirtland.

"Joseph occasionally used stones he located in the ground to help neighbors find missing objects or search for buried treasure." - LDS Church Website, Church History Topics, Seer Stones | wasmormon.org — "Joseph occasionally used stones he located in the ground to help neighbors find missing objects or search for buried treasure." - LDS Church Website, Church History Topics, Seer Stones

"Joseph Smith was not a money digger, nor did he deceive people with peepstone claims. It is almost beyond belief that writers who value their reputations, would reproduce these silly and untrue charges." - LDS Apostle Elder John A. Widtsoe, 1946 | wasmormon.org — "Joseph Smith was not a money digger, nor did he deceive people with peepstone claims. It is almost beyond belief that writers who value their reputations, would reproduce these silly and untrue charges." - LDS Apostle Elder John A. Widtsoe, 1946

Will God Permit Church President to Lead Mormons Astray?

"So, what do we do with error? You can’t hide or hide from the humanness of humans. But it is equally unproductive to seek out error and wallow in it by making it an emphasis of study." - Elder Kyle S McKay: Lawyer, Seventy and Executive Director of the Church History Department | wasmormon.org

There is a common refrain among Mormons, the leadership and membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This sentiment is that the church leaders are incapable of leading the church astray. It’s not even that they wouldn’t lead the church astray, it’s more the Lord won’t permit them to. If they tried …

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Wallace: From 1830 to 1978... blacks could not become priests in the Mormon Church, right? Hinckley: That's correct. Wallace: Why? Hinckley: Because the leaders of the church at that time interpreted that doctrine that way. Wallace: Church policy had it that blacks had 'the mark of Cain'. Brigham Young said, 'Cain slew his brother and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin,' Hinckley: It's behind us. Look, that's behind us. Don't worry about those little flicks of history. - LDS Church President Gordon B Hinckley interviewed on 60 Minutes | wasmormon.org — Church policy had it that blacks had 'the mark of Cain'. Brigham Young said, 'Cain slew his brother and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin,'"It's behind us. Look, that's behind us. Don't worry about those little flicks of history." - LDS Church President Gordon B Hinckley interviewed on 60 Minutes

Church Leaders and Initials

The Church has given no public, official guidelines on the use of middle initials in the names of general leaders, so it appears that this is a more informal tradition. Why, then, do we have this tradition? Perhaps it’s simply a way to show esteem for our leaders. | wasmormon.org

When referring to church leaders, the church is sure to always use an initial to ensure the leader’s full name is used. For example, the church will never refer to Gordon Hinckley, but always Gordon B. Hinckley. They will never reference Russell Nelson, but Russell M. Nelson. This presumably is in order to give the …

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"The church doesn't seek apologies, and we don't give them." Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS First Presidency | wasmormon.org — "The church doesn't seek apologies, and we don't give them." Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS First Presidency

"The history of the church is not to seek apologies or to give them. We sometimes look back on issues and say, 'Maybe that was counterproductive for what we wish to achieve,' but we look forward and not backward." Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS First Presidency | wasmormon.org — "The history of the church is not to seek apologies or to give them. We sometimes look back on issues and say, 'Maybe that was counterproductive for what we wish to achieve,' but we look forward and not backward." Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS First Presidency

"I’m not aware that the word ‘apology’ appears anywhere in the scriptures — Bible or Book of Mormon. The word ‘apology’ contains a lot of connotations in it, and a lot of significance." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS First Presidency | wasmormon.org — "I’m not aware that the word ‘apology’ appears anywhere in the scriptures — Bible or Book of Mormon. The word ‘apology’ contains a lot of connotations in it, and a lot of significance." - Elder Dallin H Oaks, LDS First Presidency

"The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty." Official Declaration 1, Excerpts from three addresses by President Wilford Woodruff regarding the Manifesto | wasmormon.org — "The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty." Official Declaration 1, Excerpts from three addresses by President Wilford Woodruff regarding the Manifesto

"What about you? If the truthfulness of this Church or the truthfulness of or your beliefs were judged by your errors, would anyone ever believe what you believe? Would there have been fewer mistakes, fewer messes, if God had only restored His Church and gospel through you?" - Elder Kyle S McKay: Lawyer, Seventy and Executive Director of the Church History Department | wasmormon.org — "What about you? If the truthfulness of this Church or the truthfulness of or your beliefs were judged by your errors, would anyone ever believe what you believe? Would there have been fewer mistakes, fewer messes, if God had only restored His Church and gospel through you?" - Elder Kyle S McKay: Lawyer, Seventy and Executive Director of the Church History Department

"You will never come to know and understand the truths of God by studying the errors of man. Nor has God appointed you, me, or anyone to be an ongoing arbiter of error in His leaders, scrutinizing every word or act of apostles and prophets to make sure they fit within our current understanding of correctness." - Elder Kyle S McKay: Lawyer, Seventy and Executive Director of the Church History Department | wasmormon.org — "You will never come to know and understand the truths of God by studying the errors of man. Nor has God appointed you, me, or anyone to be an ongoing arbiter of error in His leaders, scrutinizing every word or act of apostles and prophets to make sure they fit within our current understanding of correctness." - Elder Kyle S McKay: Lawyer, Seventy and Executive Director of the Church History Department

Mormon Church vs Tim Ballard: Cancelling Ballard

“Several weeks ago, an OUR employee who accompanied Tim on an undercover operation filed a sexual harassment complaint against him with OUR’s HR department,” the letter, which was sent this summer to donors to anti-trafficking causes, reads. “This resulted in an extensive internal investigation into Tim and his individual operational tactics and led to more women speaking up as part of the investigation process. “It was ultimately revealed through disturbingly specific and parallel accounts, that Tim has been deceitfully and extensively grooming and manipulating multiple women for the past few years with the ultimate intent of coercing them to participate in sexual acts with him, under the premise of going where it takes and doing ‘whatever it takes’ to save a child.” - Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) Statement regarding Tim Ballard | wasmormon.org

Tim Ballard, the founder of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), an organization focused on combatting human trafficking, has garnered recent media attention, particularly concerning his association with the Mormon church of which he is a member. During fundraising efforts for the organization, he was known to suggest endorsements from church leaders, including a senior church leader …

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“It has been alleged that an unnamed LDS church spokesperson issued a statement about me through a tabloid that is often hostile to people of faith. Further, my church has not publicly verified its authenticity. We are also highly suspicious about the timing of such a statement given its close proximity to Mitt Romney’s announcement that he is retiring, and my own public comments that I am prayerfully considering running for public office. The LDS church does not engage in political activity.” - Tim Ballard Issues Statement Affirming Commitment to the Church | wasmormon.org — Tim Ballard Issues Statement Affirming Commitment to the Church

“Evil pedophiles will stop at nothing, and they have allies in government, in the media, in big corporations, and even in public institutions. They continue to lie about and attempt to destroy my good name…and they will never stop. I want everyone to know that I and our vast army of supporters will likewise never stop. We will keep fighting for the vulnerable all over the globe, and we know that the truth will always prevail.” - Tim Ballard Issues Statement Affirming Commitment to the Church | wasmormon.org — Tim Ballard Issues Statement Affirming Commitment to the Church

"President Ballard and Tim Ballard (no relation) established a friendship a number of years ago. That friendship was built on a shared interest in looking after God’s children wherever they are and without regard to their circumstance. However, that relationship is in the past. For many months, President Ballard has had no contact with the founder of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR). The nature of that relationship was always in support of vulnerable children being abused, trafficked, and otherwise neglected. Once it became clear Tim Ballard had betrayed their friendship, through the unauthorized use of President Ballard’s name for Tim Ballard’s personal advantage and activity regarded as morally unacceptable, President Ballard withdrew his association. President Ballard never authorized his name, or the name of the Church, to be used for Tim’s personal or financial interests. In addition, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints never endorsed, supported or represented OUR, Tim Ballard or any projects associated with them. President Ballard loves children, all over the world. It has been his mission and life’s work to look after them, care for them, and point them to their Savior." - LDS Church Statement regarding Tim Ballard - Deseret News | wasmormon.org — LDS Church Statement regarding Tim Ballard - Deseret News

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Emma Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight

Emma didn’t feel right or safe at church. She struggled with the dissonance until she stumbled on ex-Mormon creators and community and knew she’d finally found her people! I was born into the church. I left the church in 2020, after taking a hiatus from church for about a year. I decided I didn’t want …

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Mormon Apostles, Muskets, and The LGBTQ Community

"My Brethren have made the case for the metaphor of musket fire, which I have endorsed yet again today." - Elder Jeffrey R Holland, 2021 | wasmormon.org

We have not one, but three recent senior leaders and Apostles of the church endorsing this imagery (and metaphor) of defending the faith (or the church and its policies) with musket fire. A musket is a gun, and as the story goes, some pioneer Mormon builders once needed to defend themselves (not as much defending …

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Madison Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight

Madison found she always had questions, but was forced to them off. She told herself, that she’d “figure it out later.” She did figure it out eventually through her experiences in the church and the temple to know that the church is not true. She felt connected to diety and felt confirmation that she was …

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Monthly Archives: September 2023

Will God Permit Church President to Lead Mormons Astray?

Church Leaders and Initials

Mormon Apostles, Muskets, and The LGBTQ Community

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