The Ensign Peak Advisors controversy centers on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or rather the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, doing business as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, using a tax-exempt investment fund to manage hundreds of billions of dollars derived …
Tag Archives: church leaders
From ‘the Seer Stone a Fiction to Undermine the Validity of Church’ To ‘Such Aids Are Consistent With Accounts in Scripture’
!["David Whitmer maintained [that] the Prophet used an oval-shaped, chocolate-colored seer stone slightly larger than an egg. Thus, everything we have in the Book of Mormon, according to Mr. Whitmer, was translated by placing the chocolate-colored stone in a hat into which Joseph would bury his head so as to close out the light... Such an explanation is, in our judgment, simply fiction created for the purpose of demeaning Joseph Smith and to undermine the validity of the revelations he received" - Joseph Fielding McConkie (BYU Professor of Ancient Scripture) & Craig J. Ostler (BYU Professor, Church History and Doctrine), Revelations of the Restoration. Page 95-96, Deseret Book, 2000 | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Joseph-Fielding-McConkie-Craig-J-Ostler-used-an-oval-shaped-chocolate-colored-seer-stone-slightly-larger-than-an-egg-to-translate-book-of-mormon-by-placing-it-in-a-hat.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1)
In the year 2000, Deseret Book, the church-owned publishing company, published a joint-written book from two BYU professors, Joseph Fielding McConkie, a BYU Professor of Ancient Scripture, and Craig J. Ostler, a BYU Professor of Church History and Doctrine. The book is titled Revelations of the Restoration, A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants and …
Oaks Demonizing Criticism and Avoiding Accountability
Dallin H. Oaks teaches that even true criticisms of church leaders should be avoided, framing this restraint as a necessary way to maintain unity and love within the church. By comparing criticism to blackmail or breaches of confidentiality, Oaks implies that revealing truths that could harm leaders’ reputations is inherently harmful and spiritually unfaithful. He …
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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 …
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Brigham Young on Being Offended
Brigham Young allegedly said that those who take offense are fools, when the offense was not intended, and those who take offense when intended are even bigger fools… Brigham Young’s quote suggests that taking offense is a choice that reflects a lack of wisdom, whether the offense was intended or not. He seems to advocate …
We Don’t Question Anything In The Church
It’s wonderful to know what we know. We’re so blessed. We don’t have to wonder why we’re here for. We don’t have to question anything in the church. Don’t get off into that. Just stay in the Book of Mormon. Just stay in the Doctrine and Covenants. Just listen to the prophets. Just listen to …
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, …
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Mormon Means ‘More Good’
The Crusade Against Mormon Monicker The Mormon (LDS) church has been up in arms recently about what to call itself. Or more specifically what others are allowed to call it. Leaders are pushing to remove the Mormon moniker, and only use the full name of the church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, …
Does Tithing Break the Poverty Cycle?
The cycle of poverty is a vicious trap where a parent’s poverty affects the lives of their children. Families in poverty often have limited resources, which makes it difficult to escape. Some examples of self-reinforcing disadvantages that can trap families in poverty include: Lack of financial capital, Lack of education, Lack of connections, Poor health, and Low working …
Facts vs Beliefs – No Limit At All On What Church Is Required To Teach Or Not Teach
The LDS Church Corporation is currently involved in many many lawsuits. One such is a RICO case, where the church is being accused of behavior more similar to an organized crime network, like the mafia, than a religious institution. What is RICO? A RICO case refers to charges brought under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt …
Tithing—a Commandment Even for the Destitute
Lynn G. Robbins, LDS Seventy and Elder, spoke at General Conference in April 2005. He emphasizes that even the poorest members of the Mormon Church should pay tithing, regardless of their financial hardship. While Robbins likely intended to encourage strong faith and commitment, his approach creates a predatory framework that pressures the financially vulnerable into …
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Russell Nelson Seeking Offense Symptom of Spiritual Immaturity
![“Labels are invented to foster feelings of segregation and competition. Serious seperations results when labels are utilized with the intent to demean... If we allow nicknames to be used or adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, [The Savior] is offended.” - Russell M. Nelson vs “To be offended is a choice we make... One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the offensive actions of others. Choosing to be offended is a symptom of a much deeper and more serious spiritual malady.” - David A. Bednar | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Nelson-vs-Bednar-offended.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1)
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 …
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Byron Marchant Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Byron Marchant was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) who made history by taking a stand against the church’s racial policies at a pivotal time. In 1977, Marchant openly opposed the LDS Church’s priesthood ban on Black members, a policy that had been in place for over a …
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Nickname Pejoratively Attached to Church By Enemies
Elder Bednar, a senior leader or apostle of the LDS church, states that the current leader of the church, President Russell M. Nelson shows remarkable courage for insisting that only the official name of the church be used. He states the Mormon nickname was given pejoratively to the church by it’s enemies. This plays into …
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Russell Nelson Embellishing Stories Again – Exploding Engines and Free Fall Death Spirals
Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is known for recounting dramatic and miraculous personal experiences that highlight his faith and divine protection. However, over the years, these stories have evolved into exaggerated, faith-promoting narratives, raising questions about the accuracy of his accounts. One such story is Nelson’s account …
![”[General Authorities] are given a living allowance which enables them to focus all of their time on serving in the Church. This practice allows for far more church members on a worldwide basis to be considered for a calling to serve as a General Authority, rather than limiting considerations to only those who may be financially independent.” - Do General Authorities get paid? LDS website FAQ, 2024 | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Do-general-authorities-get-paid-they-are-given-a-living-allowance-which-allows-worldwide-consideration-for-GA-callings.jpg?fit=640%2C640&ssl=1)
Worldwide Leadership for Worldwide Church?
The church claims to be a worldwide organization. They state they pay their top leaders a living allowance so they can choose leaders from all over the world rather than just limiting their choice to those who are financially independent. However, they also claim these callings come from God, so this rationalization for why church …
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New Scripture Translated From Sealed Portion – Jesus visits Macaroni and Condemns Viper Church Leaders of Last Days
A few years ago, Russell M. Nelson revealed how Joseph Smith would translate by using a rock in a hat a few years ago. Suppose, for a moment, that he could know this technique from experience. What if President Russell M. Nelson knew more about the translation process? What if he used the same technique …
Moroni’s Promise and Begging the Question
Moroni’s Promise is a passage found in the Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:3-5, where the prophet Moroni invites readers to test the truthfulness of the book. According to the scripture, Moroni promises that if readers sincerely ask God in prayer, with a genuine heart and real intent, they will receive a confirmation through the Holy …
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Mormon Leadership Perfects Priestcrafts
![“[Nehor declared] unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with their hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people... Alma said unto him: Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people... were priestcraft to be enforced among this people it would prove their entire destruction. Therefore thou art condemned to die.” - Alma 1 | The Book of Mormon | wasmormon.org](https://i0.wp.com/wasmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Nehor-declared-priests-ought-to-be-supported-priestcraft-Alma-1-The-Book-of-Mormon.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1)
The Book of Mormon explicitly condemns the practice of priestcraft, defining it as preaching or setting oneself up for personal gain and not genuinely seeking the welfare of the community, or “Zion.” According to these verses, those who engage in priestcraft labor for money or self-interest, rather than out of love and charity for others. …
How Much is a Modest Living Allowance for Mormon Apostles? How Much Do LDS Church Leaders Get Paid?
Are the top Mormon leaders paid for their callings as General Authorities? Yes! They receive what they call a “living allowance.” In a few instances, church leaders admit this, although they also make repeated statements claiming that there are no paid clergy. Gordon B. Hinckley in a moment of honesty admits that General Authorities are …
Donated Tithing Funds vs Earnings on Invested Tithing
The church repeatedly states that no tithing money is used for its business purposes, like funding the City Creek Center or bailout money for church-owned insurance company, Beneficial Life. The church is surprisingly secretive about finances and has not publicly disclosed any financial statements in the United States since 1959, that’s 65 years and counting. The …
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Are Mormon Church Leaders Paid?
The church makes misleading statements about how much the Apostles and Prophets of the LDS church are paid. They state regularly that there is no paid ministry, no professional clergy, and that no one is paid for their church service. This omits the fact that all senior leaders in the church are paid what they …
Why Worry about Different Versions of the First Vision
In 1983, Gordon B. Hinckley, then Second Counselor in the First Presidency, but later President of the Church spoke to students at the Salt Lake Institute of Religion. An edited version of this address was then given as the First Presidency Message in the October 1984 Ensign. The message, God Hath Not Given Us the …
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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 …
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Nothing to Hide?
President Gordon B. Hinckley, top leader of the Church (1995-2008) addresses several issues related to the church’s history and practices in an interview on Christmas Day in 2005. The interview covered many topics but here we’ll look closely at what he said about polygamy and fundamentalist Mormons and church history and transparency. Polygamy and Fundamentalist …
The Church and Victim Blaming Victims of Abuse
Victim blaming occurs when the victim of a crime or harmful action is held partially or fully responsible for what happened to them. This mindset shifts the blame away from the perpetrator and can further harm the victim by suggesting they could have prevented the incident. Church leaders and materials are known to place blame …
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BITE Mormonism – Censorship Example
A respectful note for whoever thinks Mormonism is not a cult, please consider the BITE model developed by Dr. Steven Hassan based on his own observations and experiences as a cult survivor. The BITE model describes the four areas of authoritarian control cults exert over their followers. The acronym refers to [B]ehavior Control, [I]nformation control, [T]hought control and …
Doc Bob Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight
Doc Bob’s journey is one of deep involvement in the Mormon Church, from a small-town Mormon upbringing to significant leadership roles, including serving as a Branch President and on the High Council. His faith was shaped by personal interviews with high-ranking apostles and a mission to Mississippi. However, as Doc Bob delved into church history, …
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