Shifting Visions of God: Unpacking Mormonism’s Developing Theology Through Joseph Smith’s First Vision Accounts

Joseph Smith’s various accounts of the First Vision provide a window into his evolving theology, particularly regarding the nature of the Godhead. The changes in each version, when looked at as a narrative through a lens to understand the thinking of church leadership at the time, show ideas developing and how these changing ideas were …

Painted into a Corner: Prophets, Revelation, and the Mormon Church’s Integrity Crisis

The Mormon Church has painted itself into a theological and historical corner. Its unwavering position—that all teachings and policies come from direct revelation from God through a living prophet—has created a system resistant to introspection and allergic to correction. For nearly 200 years, this stance may have worked for the institution. But in the age …

Book of Mormon Most Racially and Ethnically Unifying Book on Earth

In 2014, the church published a series of “personal essays” from then Mission President and rising black LDS leader, Ahmad Corbitt. Admittedly, Corbitt says he was “asked to write this paper” on the “topic of the priesthood and African peoples.” This followed the church publishing the Gospel Topic Essays, and his paper specifically mentions the …

Bednar’s Evasive $300 Billion Answer Only Raises More Questions

In February 2025, the LDS Church released a new video featuring an interview with David A. Bednar at the Silicon Slopes Summit on September 28, 2023. The interview was conducted by Ryan Smith, Mormon billionaire, co-founder of Qualtrics, and owner of multiple professional sports teams, including the Utah Jazz (NBA), Utah Hockey Club (NHL), and …

Church Misrepresents Offering Church Buildings as Shelters for California Fire Victims

In the wake of the recent California wildfires, the LDS Church has made headlines in their own new publications claiming that they have made their meetinghouses available as shelters for those affected. However, evidence suggests that no LDS chapels have actually been used as shelters, raising questions about whether the church is engaging in media …

Joseph Smith’s Kinderhook Plates Kinder-Surprise Translation Redaction

In Kinderhook, Illinois, about 50 miles south of Nauvoo, six bell-shaped brass plates were allegedly found when digging up a burial mound on a farmer’s land. He said he’d dreamt about finding treasure in the mound and organized a dig. A couple Mormons were present when some small plates with ancient-looking inscriptions were found and …

Are Nephites or Lamanites The Principal or Among Ancestors of Native Americans? DNA Answers

The research into Native American DNA conclusively demonstrates that the ancestors of American Indians migrated from Asia, not the Middle East. This has profound implications for the claims of the Book of Mormon. For decades, the Book of Mormon described Lamanites as the “principal ancestors” of American Indians—a key narrative aligning with Joseph Smith’s teachings …

Mark Twain on Mormons

Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835–1910), was a prominent American writer, humorist, and social critic best known for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain lived during a transformative period in American history marked by the Civil War, Reconstruction, and rapid industrialization. His sharp wit and keen observations often critiqued …

From ‘the Seer Stone a Fiction to Undermine the Validity of Church’ To ‘Such Aids Are Consistent With Accounts in Scripture’

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 …

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 …

Email to Sydney Australia Mortdale Stake: Pilot Program – Informed Consent

The members of the Sydney Australia Mortdale Stake received an email informing them the area had been selected for a Pilot Program named Informed Consent. The program announced two objectives: 1) to ensure that converts are fully informed before they commit to baptism, and 2) for all members to have a “short” lesson to make …

The publishing of a new scripture, hidden for years in the Church vaults, sends shockwaves through Mormondom. President Nelson, intrigued by a plate of gold, used Joseph Smith's seer stone in a hat to translate it, unlocking a sermon delivered to the ancient Nephite prophet Macaroni directly from Jesus Christ. The message troubled Nelson, as it criticized the modern Church leadership. Torn between his duty and his legacy, Nelson decides to publish the new scripture quietly, to avoid attention. Apologists already downplay this and the text's significance, but it raises profound questions about the current Church's direction. Macaroni's words echo Christ's condemnation of its recent corporate practices. This introduces a complex, ironic reflection on LDS prophetic leadership. - https://wasmormon.org/macaroni
The publishing of a new scripture, hidden for years in the Church vaults, sends shockwaves through Mormondom. President Nelson, intrigued by a plate of gold, used Joseph Smith's seer stone in a hat to translate it, unlocking a sermon delivered to the ancient Nephite prophet Macaroni directly from Jesus Christ. The message troubled Nelson, as it criticized the modern Church leadership. Torn between his duty and his legacy, Nelson decides to publish the new scripture quietly, to avoid attention. Apologists already downplay this and the text's significance, but it raises profound questions about the current Church's direction. Macaroni's words echo Christ's condemnation of its recent corporate practices. This introduces a complex, ironic reflection on LDS prophetic leadership. - https://wasmormon.org/macaroni
44. For had He not said unto Macaroni and others: Verily, verily, I say unto you, if ye love me, keep my commandments, and love one another, even as I have loved you. Love is all you need, all you need is love. 45. Verily, this record is true. Yea, ask of God if these things be not so, yea, ask in faith, already accepting truth. But behold, ask intently, if His answer cometh not as thou expectest, be not dismayed, for the ways of God are not thine ways. Yea, be eternally patient, for He may answer in a time that seemeth long. Thou mayest weary in thy waiting, yea, find your testimony in bearing it to numbly accept it. Testify of thine great spiritual witness when there was mere hope and faith. 46. Nevertheless, ye already know in your hearts that these words are true, for ye have received it line upon line, precept upon precept. It is scripture, thus it is true. Therefore, be not troubled, for this is so, because the Lord declares to your heard as you receive it, and thus it is. Amen. The Book of Marcaroni 22:44-46 | wasmormon.org
44. For had He not said unto Macaroni and others: Verily, verily, I say unto you, if ye love me, keep my commandments, and love one another, even as I have loved you. Love is all you need, all you need is love. 45. Verily, this record is true. Yea, ask of God if these things be not so, yea, ask in faith, already accepting truth. But behold, ask intently, if His answer cometh not as thou expectest, be not dismayed, for the ways of God are not thine ways. Yea, be eternally patient, for He may answer in a time that seemeth long. Thou mayest weary in thy waiting, yea, find your testimony in bearing it to numbly accept it. Testify of thine great spiritual witness when there was mere hope and faith. 46. Nevertheless, ye already know in your hearts that these words are true, for ye have received it line upon line, precept upon precept. It is scripture, thus it is true. Therefore, be not troubled, for this is so, because the Lord declares to your heard as you receive it, and thus it is. Amen. The Book of Marcaroni 22:44-46 | wasmormon.org
33. And as ye increase in service, and heeding the wise over those who focus on thier own authority over you, the darkness that hath infiltrated the churches of men shall be driven back, and humanity shall grow beyond the scourge of this organized religion and all others in time. 34. For behold, it is not fealty to organizations that shall save thee, but adherence to the principles of goodness and love. 35. And in the end, in even these last of last days, and even to the last hour, love shall overcome all things, for as it hath been spoken by the true prophets, yea, even by one of the greatest of these, 'Love is all ye need,' and 'Love is love.' 36. And it came to pass that the people marveled at the words of the Lord, and they did fall upon their knees and give thanks again, for His words were sharp, but they were filled with truth. The Book of Marcaroni 22:33-36 | wasmormon.org
33. And as ye increase in service, and heeding the wise over those who focus on thier own authority over you, the darkness that hath infiltrated the churches of men shall be driven back, and humanity shall grow beyond the scourge of this organized religion and all others in time. 34. For behold, it is not fealty to organizations that shall save thee, but adherence to the principles of goodness and love. 35. And in the end, in even these last of last days, and even to the last hour, love shall overcome all things, for as it hath been spoken by the true prophets, yea, even by one of the greatest of these, 'Love is all ye need,' and 'Love is love.' 36. And it came to pass that the people marveled at the words of the Lord, and they did fall upon their knees and give thanks again, for His words were sharp, but they were filled with truth. The Book of Marcaroni 22:33-36 | wasmormon.org
12. Yea, ye are here for a short time, and then ye shall return to the mother earth, from whence ye came. 13. And I say unto you, that the hope of any noble god is that ye find beauty in life, and that ye choose to love, yea choose goodness over greed and self-interest. 14. For behold, I and my Father are one, and we are also one with Mother Nature, and with every god of any pure religion upon the earth. 15. For anything that is good cometh from good, and it is men who quickly turn goodness into wickedness for their own gain... 17. Therefore, I say unto you, rise above the corporations that masquerade as churches. Reject the false prophets who seek to profit rather than to prophesy. 18. Serve the least of these, my brethren, and love thy neighbor as thyself, for in this, ye shall fulfill the law of God. The Book of Marcaroni 22:12-18 | wasmormon.org
12. Yea, ye are here for a short time, and then ye shall return to the mother earth, from whence ye came. 13. And I say unto you, that the hope of any noble god is that ye find beauty in life, and that ye choose to love, yea choose goodness over greed and self-interest. 14. For behold, I and my Father are one, and we are also one with Mother Nature, and with every god of any pure religion upon the earth. 15. For anything that is good cometh from good, and it is men who quickly turn goodness into wickedness for their own gain... 17. Therefore, I say unto you, rise above the corporations that masquerade as churches. Reject the false prophets who seek to profit rather than to prophesy. 18. Serve the least of these, my brethren, and love thy neighbor as thyself, for in this, ye shall fulfill the law of God. The Book of Marcaroni 22:12-18 | wasmormon.org
9. But there shall be some among them, yea, even those who reach the deepest understandings. Those who endure their own wrestle with God and experience a dark night of the soul, and these shall come to know great truths. Blessed are these truth seekers, they find the truth. 10. For they shall see that faith in organized religion is misplaced. They will understand great things and that these churches are but a tool to grow, and also control the masses. Some shall realize that the existence of any god, yea, even my own existence, is irrelevant to their mortal life. They will study science and true wonders of the world and still will live with empathy toward their fellow man. They shall have faith in goodness. 11. Verily, verily, I say unto you, some will even begin to understand the answers to the very existential questions that created religion and other myths of ancient days. Yea, these truth seekers begin to understand that the purpose of life is to do good, to enjoy the time upon the earth, for ye are all as ephemeral as the sunset and the crashing of the waves. The Book of Marcaroni 22:9-11 | wasmormon.org
9. But there shall be some among them, yea, even those who reach the deepest understandings. Those who endure their own wrestle with God and experience a dark night of the soul, and these shall come to know great truths. Blessed are these truth seekers, they find the truth. 10. For they shall see that faith in organized religion is misplaced. They will understand great things and that these churches are but a tool to grow, and also control the masses. Some shall realize that the existence of any god, yea, even my own existence, is irrelevant to their mortal life. They will study science and true wonders of the world and still will live with empathy toward their fellow man. They shall have faith in goodness. 11. Verily, verily, I say unto you, some will even begin to understand the answers to the very existential questions that created religion and other myths of ancient days. Yea, these truth seekers begin to understand that the purpose of life is to do good, to enjoy the time upon the earth, for ye are all as ephemeral as the sunset and the crashing of the waves. The Book of Marcaroni 22:9-11 | wasmormon.org