Journal of Discourses 1:50-51 “What a learned idea’ Jesus, our elder brother was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the Garden of Eden, and who is our Father in heaven.” – Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, April 9, 1852
Posted in false gospel, False Prophecies of the Mormon Church, Mormon Dilemmas, tagged false doctrines of Mormonism, false prophet Brigham Young, Jesus, Jesus begotten by Adam on 09/25/2023| 3 Comments »
Journal of Discourses 1:50-51 “What a learned idea’ Jesus, our elder brother was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the Garden of Eden, and who is our Father in heaven.” – Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, April 9, 1852
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, Testimonies of Mormons, tagged Christianity, false apostles, false doctrines of Mormonism, Jesus, Power of a Personal Testimony Ensign 2006, Psalm 66:16-17, salvation on 09/21/2023| 1 Comment »
“The Power of a Personal Testimony,” Ensign, Nov. 2006, 38 “A testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will always include these clear and simple truths:
–God lives. He is our loving Father in Heaven, and we are His children.
–Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and the Savior of the world.
–Joseph Smith is the prophet of God through whom the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in the latter days.
–The Book of Mormon is the word of God.” – Dieter Uchtdorf (more…)
Posted in false teachers, Mormon Dilemmas, tagged BYU Professor Ford, false doctrine, false gospel, God, Jesus, mormonism, self reliance on 09/20/2023| 2 Comments »
Newsweek, “What Mormons Believe,” September 1, 1980, p. 68 “Mormon doctrine means that ultimately we are not dependent upon God for our existence. And since we can make ourselves as godly as the Father, we don’t feel any jealousy toward him.” – BYU Professor James E. Ford (more…)
Posted in Brigham Young, False Prophet Brigham Young, Mormon Dilemmas, tagged Brigham Young, false doctrines, false prophecies, gods from other planets, mormonism on 09/18/2023| 1 Comment »
Multiple Gods and People from Other Planets
Journal of Discourses 7:285 “Here let me state to all philosophers of every class upon the earth, When you tell me that father Adam was made as we make adobies [sic] from the earth, you tell me what I deem an idle tale. When you tell me that the beasts of the field were produced in that manner, you are speaking idle words devoid of meaning. There is no such thing in all the eternities where the Gods dwell. Mankind are here because they are the offspring of parents who were first brought here from another planet, and power was given them to propagate their species, and they were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth.” – Brigham Young, October 9, 1859, Salt Lake City [emp. added]
Posted in August, Mormon Dilemmas, Witnessing Tip of the Day, tagged Aaronic Priesthood, Doctrine and Covenants, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery ordained by John the Baptist, Melchizedek priesthood on 08/31/2023| 2 Comments »
This question should be one of the most important questions to ask the Mormon people. The LDS Church says that “priesthood is power” so this means they view themselves as the only authority to speak for and act in behalf of God.
I had the privilege of asking my dear friend Ed Decker to write a chapter in my mentoring handbook and so we’re answering our dilemma question today with Ed’s contribution!
Posted in August, Mormon Dilemmas, Witnessing Tip of the Day, tagged Christ, Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, false prophet, Jesus, Joseph Smith History 1:40-41, mormonism on 08/25/2023| 1 Comment »
What does the word Christ mean?
The word “Christ” first appears in Matthew 1:1. The Greek rendering is “Christos” meaning anointed, the Messiah. Messiah is a term for a high priest who was consecrated with oil. The term Christ is never used in the Septuagint (oldest Greek version of the Old Testament).
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged Apostle John, Discourses of Joseph Smith pg 264 & Matthew 4:20-22, false teachings, mormonism on 08/11/2023| 3 Comments »
Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 264 “In addition to the spiritual manifestations already mentioned as having occurred at this conference of June 3rd-6th, it should be said that, according to John Whitmer’s History of the Church, ch. v: “The Spirit of the Lord fell upon Joseph in an unusual manner, and he prophesied that John the Revelator was then among the Ten Tribes of Israel who had been led away by Salmanasser, king of Assyria, to prepare them for their return from their long dispersion, to again possess the land of their fathers. He prophesied many more things that I have not written.” (HC 1:176.)”. (more…)
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged 2003 by Grant Palmer, An Insiders View of Mormon Origins on 08/05/2023| 1 Comment »
An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins, 2003 by Grant Palmer “I admire men and women who have developed the questing spirit, who are unafraid of new ideas as stepping stones to progress.
We should, of course, respect the opinions of others, but we should also be unafraid to dissent–if we are informed. Thoughts and expressions compete in the marketplace of thought, and in that competition truth emerges triumphant. Only error fears freedom of expression …
This free exchange of ideas is not to be deplored as long as men and women remain humble and teachable. Neither fear of consequence or any kind of coercion should ever be used to secure uniformity of thought in the church. People should express their problems and opinions and be unafraid to think without fear of ill consequences.
… We must preserve freedom of the mind in the church and resist all efforts to suppress it.” – “President Hugh B. Brown, a counselor in the LDS Presidency during the 1960’s:” (more…)
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged Book of Mormon translation, David Whitmer, demonic activity in Mormonism, Ensign July 1973, glowing stones, Joseph Smith's face in a hat on 07/19/2023| 1 Comment »
Ensign, July 1993, “A Treasured Testament,” p 61 “The details of this miraculous method of translation are still not fully known. Yet we do have a few precious insights. David Whitmer wrote: “Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would shine. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on that appeared the writing.
One character at a time would appear, and under it was the interpretation in English. Brother Joseph would read off the English to Oliver Cowdery, who was his principal scribe, and when it was written down and repeated to Brother Joseph to see if it was correct, then it would disappear, and another character with the interpretation would appear. Thus the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by any power of man.” (David Whitmer, An Address to All Believers in Christ, Richmond, Mo.: n.p., 1887, p. 12.)” – Russell M. Nelson
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged bible, false doctrines of Mormonism, God can't number all the sins, Jesus, Matthew 10:30, Mosiah 4:29-30, too many sins to number on 07/18/2023| 1 Comment »
Mosiah 4:29-30 “And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them. 30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.”
Posted in May, Mormon Dilemmas, Witnessing Tip of the Day, tagged bible, false doctrine, heaven's gate-keeper, Jesus, joseph smith, mormonism on 05/07/2023| 1 Comment »
Heaven’s Gatekeeper
Journal of Discourses 7:289 “…no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are—I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit-world; and he rules there triumphantly…” – Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, October 9, 1859
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged 2 Cor. 3:5, false apostle Robert Hales, General Conference April 2012, Isaiah 2:7, necromancy, self reliance on 02/18/2023| 1 Comment »
“Coming to Ourselves: The Sacrament, the Temple, and Sacrifice in Service“, General Conference, Apr. 2012 “We become converted and spiritually self-reliant as we prayerfully live our covenants—through worthily partaking of the sacrament, being worthy of a temple recommend, and sacrificing to serve others.” —Elder Robert D. Hales
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, Moroni, tagged angelic visitors, bible, false gospel, joseph smith, mormonism, Moroni, necromancy, Nephi on 11/28/2022| 3 Comments »
Moroni or Nephi, Who Visited Joseph that Night?
Introductory page of D&C 1976, 3rd paragraph “This took place in the early spring of 1820. In September, 1823, and at later times, Joseph Smith received visitations from Moroni, an angel of light, who revealed the resting place of the ancient record from which The Book of Mormon was afterward translated.”
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged false doctrines, Genesis 3:5 & 15, Mormon plan of salvation, pre-existence on 06/12/2022| 1 Comment »
Plan of Salvation
“In the premortal existence, Heavenly Father prepared a plan to enable us to become like Him and receive a fulness of joy. The scriptures refer to this plan as “the plan of salvation” (Alma 24:14; Moses 6:62), “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8), “the plan of redemption” (Jacob 6:8; Alma 12:30), and “the plan of mercy” (Alma 42:15). The plan of salvation is the fulness of the gospel. It includes the Creation, the Fall, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and all the laws, ordinances, and doctrines of the gospel. Moral agency, the ability to choose and act for ourselves, is also essential in Heavenly Father’s plan. Because of this plan, we can be perfected through the Atonement, receive a fulness of joy, and live forever in the presence of God. Our family relationships can last throughout the eternities.” – LDS Gospel Topics, Plan of Salvation
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged Active LDS, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, false doctrines in Mormonism, Jesus saves, works v grace on 03/24/2022| 1 Comment »
Requirements to be Active LDS – Mormon Dilemma 233
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, p. 14 “The religious practices of active Latter-day Saints include attendance at worship services and religious education classes on Sunday; donation of tithing and other financial contributions; service in a variety of Church callings; performance of temple ordinances on behalf of the deceased; personal and family prayer; scripture study; religious discussion with other family members; adherence to moral standards of personal honesty and integrity; genealogical research; service in the community; and development of habits of thrift and self-sufficiency.”
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged Adam holds keys to salvation, false doctrines, Joseph Smith holds keys to salvation, mormonism on 03/08/2022| 2 Comments »
The Many Keys of Salvation
Mosiah 3: 18 “For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.”
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged 2 Cor. 3:5, false apostle Robert Hales, General Conference April 2012, Isaiah 2:7, necromancy, self reliance on 02/18/2022| 1 Comment »
“Coming to Ourselves: The Sacrament, the Temple, and Sacrifice in Service“, General Conference, Apr. 2012 “We become converted and spiritually self-reliant as we prayerfully live our covenants—through worthily partaking of the sacrament, being worthy of a temple recommend, and sacrificing to serve others.” —Elder Robert D. Hales
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged Doctrines of Salvation 1:39, false doctrines, Joseph Fielding Smith, No indwelling of HS in Mormonism on 02/10/2022| 1 Comment »
Holy Ghost not Essential to Salvation
Doctrines of Salvation 1:39 “I have never troubled myself about the Holy Ghost whether he will sometime have a body or not because it is not in any way essential to my salvation. He is a member of the Godhead, with great power and authority, with a most wonderful mission which must be performed by a spirit. This has satisfied me without delving into mysteries that would be of no particular benefit.” – Joseph Fielding Smith
Posted in Converting to Mormonism, Mormon Dilemmas, tagged conversion, converts, lds.org on 09/29/2021| 1 Comment »
LDS.org/conversion “Conversion includes a change in behavior, but it goes beyond behavior; it is a change in our very nature. It is such a significant change that the Lord and His prophets refer to it as a rebirth, a change of heart, and a baptism of fire.
Conversion is a process, not an event. Conversion comes as a result of righteous efforts to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith.” (more…)
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged 3 Nephi 30:3-7, America, Book of Mormon, false christ, false gospel, Israel on 09/04/2021| 5 Comments »
3 Nephi 20:3-7 “And it came to pass that he brake bread again and blessed it, and gave to the disciples to eat. 4 And when they had eaten he commanded them that they should break bread, and give unto the multitude. 5 And when they had given unto the multitude he also gave them wine to drink, and commanded them that they should give unto the multitude. 6 Now, there had been no bread, neither wine, brought by the disciples, neither by the multitude; 7 But he truly gave unto them bread to eat, and also wine to drink.”