Facts Matter

Mormon scripture teaches that faith is hope in things that are not seen but true. If we can see that they are not true, then how can we still have faith in them? Faith is required when there is an absence of facts. It is a hope for things that are true but not seen. …

On Choosing to Believe

There are reasons to believe, and there are reasons to doubt. Can we simply choose to believe? Can’t we just stay in the pews even though our conscience and judgment tell us not to? What about tradition? What about the kids? Leaders tell us that we have a choice, and even a duty, to choose …

Explore the Origin Story of wasmormon.org – A Mormon Book Reviews Podcast Episode

A recent episode of the Mormon Book Reviews podcast features an interview with Evan, the creator of wasmormon.org, and his brother Garrett. Evan shares the story of how he came to create the website and why he chose to share his experience of leaving the Mormon church. The interview includes the personal stories of faith …

What is the CES Letter? Is it True/Safe to Read?

The CES Letter is a collection of questions, concerns, and doubts about the Mormon church’s truth claims addressed to a Church Education System Director from Jeremy Runnels. Learn about the background, the effects and rebuttals and some of the contents.

The Renlunds ridicule those who struggle with the numerous difficult issues in church history. They share a story saying that those who have doubts because of church history are insisting to play "church history whack-a-mole"! church history whack-a-mole... Another term for "putting it on your shelf".
The conferring of priesthood upon Joseph Smith is another complicated church history issue which gives people pause because it was not mentioned until years after it was supposed to have happened. There was no mention of the priesthood in the church until the Kirtland Bank fiasco and many members were leaving. There is evidence to suggest that the priesthood was thought up at the time to reinforce the authority of the church leaders after they had just lost so much of the members money.