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Archive for the ‘History of Mormonism’ Category

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8

On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake rocked the Salt Lake area.

Although the epicenter was 14 miles away in Magna, its effects were felt throughout the region.

In the aftermath even the angel Moroni couldn’t hold on. (more…)

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‘Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.’ 1 Corinthians 15:33

 Today’s post is about an event in Mormon history that few if any Mormons, know about today.

Back in the Nauvoo era Joseph Smith had quite the reputation, and his sketchy actions didn’t go unnoticed by locals. One example comes from Dr. William Wyl who published the testimonies of other community members who knew Joe Smith. Their insights are an invaluable resource for us today, giving more evidence this man was nothing but a charlatan.

We pray members of the Church will do their homework!

As an FYI, after a falling out with Smith, Bennett wrote an in-depth tell all book on Smith’s behavioral problems. This in no way excuses Bennett’s behavior mind you, but it does give another layer of Smith’s shenanigans. See The History of the Saints: or an Exposé of Joseph Smith and Mormonism for more info.

Mormon Portraits, Volume First, pp. 53, 59

“THE DON JUAN OF NAUVOO. … (more…)

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Today’s LDS reference is a classic example of the Masonic (aka, Mormon) rabbit trails this church takes members on when publishing news of their church.

Long story short, I’ve been retrieving info for Mormon symbols on a site well known for factual info on early temple symbolism. One of their articles caught my attention, thus its inclusion here.

At the April 1946 General Conference they published an article on the Church’s 100 yr. commemoration of the Nauvoo Temple. You’d think it’d be a straightforward thing, but no.

Church authority, Albert Zobell, reminisced about the original dedicatory prayer for the site just before the final group of Mormons left for Utah. Once again, the Church played the ‘woe-is-me’ game, and couldn’t resist reminding people in the 20th century they should pray for God to avenge earlier Saints. (more…)

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It’s been awhile since we’ve added to our ‘According to Mormonism Quiz’, but today’s the day! Below are random basic facts about Mormonism we’ve retrieved from the official writings of Church leaders. Today we’ve listed Facts #21-41. We’ve written this to provide info for anyone, but mainly for those who are new to Mormonism. (more…)

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Awhile ago I discovered a telling reference in the book, ‘Mormons, How to Witness to Them’ by John R. Farkas and David A. Reed. Their work is a great reminder of how wrong Mormonism is, and how the Church goes out of its way to deceive.

The subject we’re looking at today is how Joseph Smith defined the phrase, ‘The First Principles of the Gospel’. The following is a quote from their book followed by the info in their investigation.

“There are many countries in the world where the Mormon missionaries are present on a full-time basis, and two of the LDS scripture (Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price) are not available in the language of those countries. [9] Perhaps this is intentional, in harmony with the directions given by Joseph Smith in June 1837”

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TodayinMormonHistory.com

“60 years ago today – Jan 15, 1959 — BYU Studies begins publishing faith-promoting works of LDS scholarship, including articles, essays, and poetry on a variety of subjects.” (more…)

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Doctrines of Salvation 2:199, 202 “The most important history in the world is the history of our Church, and it is the most accurate history in all the world, it must be so…

. . . if errors creep in it, the Lord himself will bring to pass means whereby they will be eliminated. You pick up a record of the history of the Church and that record is accurate.” – Joseph Fielding Smith (more…)

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Journal of Discourses 2:165 “I wish the lawyer who says we have no powers in Nauvoo may be choked to death with his own words. Don’t employ lawyers, or pay them money for their knowledge, for I have learnt they don’t know anything. I know more than they all.” — Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, IL,  June 20, 1843 (more…)

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Journal of Discourses 2:311 “…in regard to those who have persecuted this people and driven them to the mountains, I intend to meet them on their own grounds. It was asked this morning how we could obtain redress for our wrongs; I will tell you how it could be done, we could take the same law they have taken, viz., mobocracy, and if any miserable scoundrels come here, cut their throats.” — Brigham Young, Great Salt Lake City, July 8, 1855 (more…)

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Journal of Discourses 1:347 “They suppose that the “Mormons” have turned a somerset, have apostatized, and altered their character and creed as a people. I always take great pleasure in telling such honorable men, such wise men, that that which they call “Mormonism” changeth not. It is the same now as in the days of Joseph…not one practical point of the religion has changed; but we as a people may be fluctuating, but our religion changeth not.” – Jedidiah M. Grant, Salt Lake City, August 30, 1853 (more…)

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President Trump celebrates Mormon settlers on Pioneer Day

By Thomas Burr July 24, 2018

“Washington • President Donald Trump offered his “best wishes” to Utahns celebrating Pioneer Day on Tuesday [July 24], extolling the Mormons who escaped persecution to take on a challenging and dangerous trek to find a new home.

“Our nation honors the ingenuity, industry, and unwavering commitment to faith of all those who endured frontier hardships,” the White House said Tuesday. …“Fleeing persecution… “Their stories and accomplishments are lasting reminders of the importance of religious freedom and the enduring strength and spirit of the American people…” (more…)

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Mormons are fond of retelling stories they’ve heard, and especially those of the faith promoting kind. It doesn’t matter if the evidence is lacking, as long as it helps to strengthen the faith of other members.

The claims are a sign of how desperate they are to prove the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. Our quick list here is in no particular order, but the first one is so popular, even non-members ask me about it all the time. (more…)

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“If God does not save men by truth, he certainly will not save them by lies. And if the old gospel is not competent to work a revival, then we will do without the revival.” –  Charles Spurgeon

Leaders of the LDS Church picked up where Joe Smith left off by indulging themselves with a major ‘do-over’ through the pen of renowned church historian, BH Roberts.

The work we’re looking at today was written by Mr. Roberts in 1930, telling us that it’s long after the actual event a century prior.

Smith’s lies are deplorable, and making excuses by retrofitting them into Church History books, is nothing less than reprehensible. Especially so when it’s done by feeding it to members, young and old alike, which is what they’ve done here.

The Church must’ve felt their story would be easier to believe by explaining away the contradictions found in their own published history, thus the rewrite. However, this still doesn’t explain why Smith was using tools of witchcraft to ‘translate’ the golden plates he supposedly dug out of a hill in upstate NY. (more…)

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Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”.

Joseph Smith was a busy guy, and had left a trail of evidence showing his activities were typically less than godly. Today’s post is about the events of when Smith and friends organized their vigilante crusade, and the Church’s subsequent denial any such thing existed.

Today we have the benefit of the Church’s own track record to see how they’ve denied this activity, just as Smith denied ever practicing polygamy.

Listed below are excerpts from both sides of this issue. For further info, links are provided to get you where you need to be.

One thing is absolutely certain.

Either Joe Smith lied in his journals the Church willingly published, or the Church has lied by denouncing historical facts.

Be sure to check out our article Mormon Danites v. Biblical Danites & find out why these two groups weren’t following the Lord.

TodayinMormonHistory.com “– 180 years ago today – Jun 10, 1838 — The “Danites” are organized during a clandestine meeting when Jared Carter, George W. Robinson, and Sampson Avard, “under the instruction of the [First] [P]residency, formed a secret military society, called the ‘daughter of Zion.’” (more…)

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Journal of Discourses 13:166 “I wish life eternal. I want salvation…This principle of inspiration has sustained the Elders of Israel in every age of the world. It is that which sustained Joseph Smith from the day he commenced his career as a servant of God until the time that he sealed his testimony with his blood. Somebody has got to pay the bill for the shedding of that innocent blood.” – Wilford Woodruff, Salt Lake City, December 12, 1869

Also see this at Mormon Research Ministry. (more…)

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Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not; Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”

The old saying, ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same’ is true to life for the Mormon Church.

Surely, the Church is the poster child for the phrase as seen in the multiple switcheroos  we’ve seen as of late.

Once again they’re changing the style of temple garments to accommodate needs of societal change. They’ve now come out with a modern material, in addition to new fittings, especially for the women.  (more…)

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Answers to Gospel Questions 1:169; “If Abraham, Joseph, and Moses had married Negro wives their descendants would have been denied the priesthood according to the word of the Lord to Abraham. (Abraham 1:21-27.) Had such a thing happened the Lord would not have called Israel as a chosen people, neither would he have chosen the Prophet Joseph Smith and given him the keys of authority for the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, as he was a descendant of Joseph and of Abraham.” – Joseph Fielding Smith

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Today in Mormon History

“175 Years Ago Today – February 13, 1843. At Orson Hyde’s house Joseph Smith says that those who come to Nauvoo but don’t buy their land through the church “must be cut off.” At this time Joseph Smith is chief land agent for the Church, and had contracted debt associated with land purchases. William Law is now competing with Joseph Smith.”

 

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Proverbs 17:28; “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”

The proverb above is an ad hoc version from the KJV, but still worthy of consideration. I’ve no doubt it was thought of many times in the days of Joseph Smith. It’s a shame not everyone has applied it to their own livs…

In today’s Mormon topic, we’re looking at three types of people. The first group consists of the vast majority of humanity. More times than not, people come and go in this life without leaving a sign they were here on earth. Still others, are bound and determined to have their voices heard, whether good, or bad. Such was the case with Smith, who even prophesied as much.

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And just when you thought you’d heard it all…

The majority of Mormons will never know about Willard Richards, let alone he was Joe Smith’s human lap dog.

At one time, Richards would’ve gone to the ends of the earth and back just to be in his shadow.

In September 1838, his loyalty paid off when he was called to be Smith’s private secretary, and historian for the building of the Nauvoo Temple. Today members can read his works in History of the Church, edited by BH Roberts.

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