Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke in a BYU Devotional, teaching that “We seek for truth wherever we may find it.” He invites his listeners to find truth, and bring it into their testimony. Is the church really this comfortable with members searching wherever for truth? This sentiment is often repeated by modern LDS leaders and …
Tag Archives: BYU
Brooklyn Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Brooklyn’s Mormon story is one of awakening, self-discovery, and courage. Growing up in a small ward in St. Louis and later navigating the tightly knit Mormon culture at BYU and beyond, she experienced the deeply ingrained patterns of self-criticism that the Church often encourages. These patterns, cloaked in the guise of humility and self-improvement, led …
Continue reading “Brooklyn Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Mormonites Footnote on Book of Mormon Translation Gospel Topic Essay
The Book of Mormon Translation Gospel Topic Essay references an article in Footnote 31 from an Evangelical Magazine titled Mormonites. The essay cherry-picks comments from Oliver Cowdery about the translation process: The principal scribe, Oliver Cowdery, testified under oath in 1831 that Joseph Smith “found with the plates, from which he translated his book, two …
Continue reading “Mormonites Footnote on Book of Mormon Translation Gospel Topic Essay”
Mormons Expected to Stand Forever – Despite Questions
Church leader Lawrence E. Corbridge, an LDS Seventy, gave a BYU Devotional that addresses how to properly deal with questions. Corbridge explains that he’s read all the anti-Mormon literature out there, but was successfully able to put all his questions on the shelf because he was able to convince himself that his questions don’t matter …
Continue reading “Mormons Expected to Stand Forever – Despite Questions”
Joseph Smith’s Rock in Hat Translation of the Book of Mormon
Traditionally, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon or LDS Church) depicts Joseph Smith translating the Book of Mormon in a manner that implies a reverent, direct reading of ancient golden plates. Today, church leaders are shifting this narrative to reflect the more historically accurate manner of translation. In reality, Joseph Smith barely …
Continue reading “Joseph Smith’s Rock in Hat Translation of the Book of Mormon”
Tom Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Tom’s journey out of the LDS Church is shaped by a lifetime of devotion and careful reflection. Raised as a descendent of early Mormon pioneers, he grew up deeply rooted in the faith, participating in every aspect from Seminary and a mission to a temple marriage, and later serving in leadership roles within the church. …
Continue reading “Tom Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Sandra Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Sandra’s story is a powerful account of resilience amid a culture that, for her, enabled abuse. Growing up in the Mormon Church, Sandra’s experience was shaped by religious structures that were more protective of image than of truth or individual well-being. From a young age, she endured severe physical and emotional abuse from her mother, …
Continue reading “Sandra Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
The Prosperity Gospel and Tithing
What is the Mormon Prosperity Gospel? The prosperity gospel of Mormonism reflects a mindset that righteous living leads to temporal prosperity or the idea that links material wealth and success directly with divine favor. Though not an official doctrine of the church, elements of this mindset are found in Mormon culture and teachings. It is …
Russell Nelson Seeking Offense Symptom of Spiritual Immaturity
Russell M. Nelson claims the terms Mormon, Hispanic, black, Jew, and Gentile “are utilized with the intent to demean.” He’s sure quick to take offense. He believes that the term is an offense to God and a major victory for Satan. Unfortunately, our modern society is caught up in divisive disputation. Often unkind nicknames are …
Continue reading “Russell Nelson Seeking Offense Symptom of Spiritual Immaturity”
Frank Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Frank grew up in a devout Mormon family, fully immersed in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he was seen as a model member, served a mission, married in the temple, and attended BYU. He always loved learning, and his quest for deeper understanding led him to explore the internet, where he …
Continue reading “Frank Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Let’s Go Shopping – City Creek Center and Tithing
City Creek Center is a large, upscale shopping center in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, that opened in 2012. It spans over 20 acres and features retail stores, restaurants, office spaces, and residential units. The development is notable for its retractable glass roof, pedestrian sky bridge, and an artificial creek running through the property, making …
Continue reading “Let’s Go Shopping – City Creek Center and Tithing”
Joseph Smith was a Glass Looking Treasure Digger
Today, the fact that Joseph Smith was involved in treasure digging is undisputed, yet still hardly common knowledge among members of the church. This is likely due to the historic denials from church leadership on Joseph and any such occult practices. The church has sought to distance itself from the strange magic practices of the …
Continue reading “Joseph Smith was a Glass Looking Treasure Digger”
Book of Mormon Anachronisms – Slippery Treasures and Treasure Digging Concepts
Joseph Smith was brought up being praised for a “gift.” What gift is that? The gift his father practiced and saw in him. The practice was condemned by Benjamin Franklin 100 years earlier. The practice appears in church history, in the doctrine and covenants, and even the Book of Mormon. This practice is easily ridiculed …
Continue reading “Book of Mormon Anachronisms – Slippery Treasures and Treasure Digging Concepts”
Brian Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Meet Brian, an engineer and pianist with a realist’s perspective on life. Despite his early involvement in the church, Brian always felt like he didn’t belong. Brian’s faith wavered when he discovered inconsistencies and historical issues within Mormonism. His belief in Occam’s Razor led him to question the origins of the Book of Mormon, ultimately …
Continue reading “Brian Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Larry Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Meet Larry, from Southern California and a Mormon family. Despite a relatively normal upbringing, Larry began noticing the differences his faith brought into his life. Larry enjoyed a balanced childhood, all while Larry harbored doubts about the truth of Mormonism. His doubts deepened when a Patriarchal blessing of protection for his family during his mission …
Continue reading “Larry Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Murphy Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Meet Murphy, born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she was deeply involved in the church. Murphy was dedicated to her faith until it became a source of intense frustration and anger. Her strong, opinionated nature clashed with the church’s expectations for women, leading to resentment and a feeling of being unfulfilled in …
Continue reading “Murphy Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Adam Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Meet Adam, a dedicated software developer with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, who was raised in a strict Mormon household. From an early age, Adam adhered faithfully to the tenets of his religion, participating fully in church activities, seminary, a mission, and a temple marriage. However, a journey of deep reflection and relentless inquiry led …
Continue reading “Adam Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Mormon Race Problems – As They Affect the Church, Mark E Petersen
LDS Apostle Mark E. Petersen, is known for his intolerance and prejudice. He gave a speech at BYU entitled Race Problems – As They Affect the Church in 1954. This talk is not included in the list of BYU Speeches, though they do include his earlier talks from 1953 entitled Tolerance and Chastity. This talk …
Continue reading “Mormon Race Problems – As They Affect the Church, Mark E Petersen”
Olivia Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Raised in a devout Mormon family in Utah, Olivia spent the better part of her life immersed in the teachings and traditions of the church. However, even from a young age, she found herself at odds with certain aspects of her faith, grappling with feelings of doubt and discontent. Despite her initial rebellion during her …
Continue reading “Olivia Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Relief Society President on Working Mothers and Living Prophets
Camille Johnson, Relief Society General President, made waves with a talk at the BYU Women’s Conference where she also talked about career, motherhood and following the living prophet. Her address is featured on the official Church instagram. She was born in 1962, earned her bachelor’s degree in 1985, married in 1987, and her law degree …
Continue reading “Relief Society President on Working Mothers and Living Prophets”
Mormons Call the Church President the Prophet But Haven’t Always
There has been a significant cultural change within the Mormon Church, shifting from church leaders predominantly being referred to as “President,” to being esteemed as “Prophet.” This change evolved gradually over several decades. Initially, references to the church leader as “Prophet” were reserved exclusively for Joseph Smith, the church’s founder, and prophets from biblical and …
Continue reading “Mormons Call the Church President the Prophet But Haven’t Always”
Grace Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Grace’s journey out of the Mormon church was marked by profound personal struggle and self-discovery. From a young age, she grappled with her identity as a gay individual in a religious environment that condemned her very existence. Raised in the Mormon faith, she internalized the belief that her sexuality was sinful and spent years attempting …
Continue reading “Grace Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”
Hannah Maria Goddard, Lorenzo Snow’s Nearly Forgotten Wife
Lorenzo Snow, the 5th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a dutiful Mormon polygamist. He jumped right into the practice and went (according to some accounts) from single to husband of four wives in just 2 days! The official lists of his marriages show he was married to 9 (at …
Continue reading “Hannah Maria Goddard, Lorenzo Snow’s Nearly Forgotten Wife”
The Wives of Lorenzo Snow
Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow was born April 3, 1814, in Ohio. He joined the church in June of 1836 at 22 years of age. In 1837, he was called on a mission, and while serving he missed the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society. He moved to Far West in the summer of 1838, and …
The Mormon-Canadian-BYU Billion Dollar Tithing Funnel
Investigation reveals more than $1 billion raised by the Mormon church in Canada has been funneled to the U.S. rather than going to charitable works in this country. We hear from former members in Canada and elsewhere who say concerns about how money is spent have led them to leave the church. – The Fifth …
Continue reading “The Mormon-Canadian-BYU Billion Dollar Tithing Funnel”
Dianne Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Dianne’s path reflects a profound shift from unwavering faith to skeptical inquiry. Raised in the Mormon tradition and deeply devoted to its tenets and beliefs, her journey toward disbelief began with a clash between science and religious doctrine. As she grappled with the stark disparities between empirical evidence and faith-based teachings, Dianne embarked on an …
Continue reading “Dianne Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight”