LDS Discussions Blog
We are still working on getting more content up and covering more issues beyond the LDS essays and basic truth controversies, and we wanted to launch a blog to make quick posts about topics that are either in the news or due to releases from the LDS church.
FAIR Mormon 'This is the Show:' The Book of Abraham vs the CES Letter - A review of the new FAIR Mormon / This Is The Show video on the Book of Abraham. We fact check their claims about the Book of Abraham as well as letting you know what FAIR Mormon is intentionally leaving out and why they won't allow any comments to correct their blatantly incorrect statements and attacks.
FAIR Mormon's New Video War on the CES Letter: LOL Seer Stones Are Awesome - A review of the new FAIR Mormon video series called This Is The Show (TITS), where they declare war on the CES Letter. We fact check their claims about the seer stone, and look at what they're leaving out of the video to keep members from knowing.
The Prophet Has No Clothes - A look at Russell M. Nelson's "message with the world," and how the church used a highly publicized talk eight months into a global pandemic to launch a marketing campaign for the church instead of providing the revelation that we are taught to believe the prophet of God will provide during turbulent times like these.
The Book of Mormon and the King James Bible (October 15, 2020) - A look at the Book of Mormon's reliance on the King James Bible, and what that tells us about the Book of Mormon's authenticity and claims of ancient history. We look at the mistranslations, late additions, and use of Jesus' 'Sermon on the Mount' to see if their integration into the Book of Mormon would be possible historically, and what they tell us about Joseph Smith's translation abilities.
How the Church Addresses Doubts in 2020 (September 16, 2020) - A recap of the September 13, 2020 Face-to-Face event with Elder and Sister Rasband, looking at how they answered concerns about the truth claims of the church by using a "HeartSell"® video about someone who almost committed suicide, warnings about eternal families, and a renewed call to not look at "anti-church literature."
The Book of Mormon and Adam and Eve Historicity (September 6, 2020) - We look at the historicity of Adam and Eve and how that impacts the Book of Mormon, Abraham, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the temple ceremony. In addition, we look at how Joseph Smith called Adam the "Ancient of Days" and where that idea originated.
The Book of Mormon and the Tower of Babel (August 28, 2020) - A look at the historicity of the Tower of Babel, and what the implications are for the Book of Mormon as the Jaredites left to the Americas right after the confounding of languages was to have taken place.
Follow the Footnotes (August 21, 2020) - A closer look at ten footnotes that the church uses in the gospel topics essays, Come Follow Me manual, and other materials to look at what they actually say, and why the footnotes contradict the claims being made by the church in their apologetic works.
Joseph Smith and the Happiness Letter (August 17, 2020) - A look at the Happiness Letter written by Joseph Smith following his plural marriage proposal to Nancy Rigdon, and how Joseph carefully uses language in the letter to give both promises of glory if she entered into a polygamous relationship with him or threats of losing blessings if she rejected God's commandment through "his servant."
A Look at Joseph Smith's Translations (July 26, 2020) - We take a look at Joseph Smith's translations where we have source/original material to assess by, and what they tell us about his ability as a prophet. The Book of Mormon "Caractors," Pure Adamic languange, Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, Book of Abraham, and Kinderhook Plates are all covered with a bonus look at Joseph Smith revealing the writings/records of John.
The Transfiguration of Brigham Young (June 30, 2020) - A look at the story of the transfiguration of Brigham Young and what the evidence tells us actually happened. From there we look at why this event is possibly the most important story to understanding church history as a whole, and how every member needs to understand it when studying church history.
About That Gold Plates Video (June 18, 2020) - A review of the church's new "now you know" video on the gold plates containing the Book of Mormon. We look at what the church leaves out of the video, and how it contradicts the "now you know" seer stone video released just ten months earlier.
What Do The Church's Scriptures Teach Us About Race Today? (June 14, 2020) - We take a look at Russell Nelson's statement that "prejudice, hate and discrimination are learned," and compare that to past statements from prophets, seers, and revelators along with what the church's own scriptures teach about what caused people to have dark skin to this very day.
Why are there multiple accounts of the First Vision and what can we learn from them? A closer look. (April 3, 2020) - We take a look at the new church article about the First Vision accounts, and take a closer look at the arguments made to dismiss scholarly criticism of Joseph Smith's change in seeing just one personage to both God and Jesus from 1832 to 1838.
Signs, Signs Everywhere a Sign (April 2, 2020) - A response to another social media post that looks at how the coronavirus actually proves the church is true, and that it is led by a living prophet who prepared us for this pandemic. We look at how confirmation bias can lead us to look for signs that bolster our case while ignoring the many red flags that are telling us the exact opposite.
Searching for Parallels to Explain Problems Away (March 24, 2020) - A response to a recent social media post about how the church was positioned by God for the coronavirus outbreak, and how the use of parallels by apologists overlook the massive problems underneath that have no good answers.
The Church Does Not Take a Position (March 5, 2020) - A look at the recent issues with the church's handbook, the BYU Honor Code whiplash towards LGBT students, and why the church refuses to take a position on the urgent and important issues of our time.
Come Follow Me: Ensign Peak, Tithing, and Why the Church Claims They Hid it From Members (February 10, 2020) - A look at the recent articles about the Ensign Peak investment fund, and what the church claims is the reason they hid the truth about their $124 billion fund from members.
Come Follow Me: What if Skin Doesn't Mean Human Skin? (January 30, 2020) - A response to the opinion piece in the Salt Lake Tribune about the dark skin controversy from 2 Nephi, and how the apologetic argument that the curse of dark skin actually meant clothing is an insult to our intelligence and has no basis in fact or common sense
Elder Tad R. Callister: Straw Man Slayer (January 28, 2020) - A look at the recent official church article titled "The Book of Mormon - man-made or God-given," and detailing why Elder Callister's framing of critical arguments is not just deceptive, but intentiomally misleading in order to paint the critics as flip-flopping conspiracy theorists while ignoring the actual problems that they have been talking about since the beginning of the church.
Come Follow Me: The Curse of Dark Skin (January 19, 2020) - A look at how the church changed their Come Follow Me manual after printing to avoid discussing the literal text in 2 Nephi that the Lamanites were cursed with a "skin of blackness" in order to "not be enticing" to the "white and delightsome" Nephites, and what church history and past prophets say about this very painful belief.
About That Joseph Smith and Masonry Video (January 17, 2020) - A review of the church's new "now you know" video on Joseph Smith, the Masons, and the endowment ceremony. We look at what the church isn't telling members in this video, and why that matters.
It's Not Blind Faith, It's Big Faith (January 16, 2020) - A quick write-up about the devotional where BYU-I president Henry Eyring discussed doubts with students, and why they should not have blind faith, but big faith to problems with church history, doctrines, or leaders.
About That Joseph Smith Video (Response to new LDS video on Joseph Smith; October 29, 2019)
Thank You, President Nelson (BYU Speech on LGBT policies; September 18, 2019)
Doubts Are Not Dangerous - They're Necessary (September 17, 2019)
The Book of Abraham in 1,000 Words (August 26, 2019)
Our Favorite Podcasts on Mormonism (List of Recommended Podcasts; August 25, 2019)
About That Word of Wisdom Video (Response to new LDS video on the WoW; July 18, 2019)
The New Survey On Interviewing 8-11 Year Old Children (July 11, 2019)
About That Seer Stone Video (Response to new LDS video on seer stones; June 26, 2019)
Unintended Consequences (LDS Civil Wedding Rule Change Announcement; May 7, 2019)
What D&C 132 Tells Us About Revelation (Insights into Joseph Smith's revelations; Mar 13, 2019)
Navigating Doubts in the LDS Church (Elder Renlund's Youth Devotional: January 16, 2019)
I Cannot Read a Sealed Book (Charles Anthon visit and historical differences: November 18, 2018)
Announcing Our Upcoming Articles on the Book of Abraham (Nov 13, 2018)
It's OK To Let Go In Search of the Truth (Nov 9, 2018)
Looking at the 2013 Report: "LDS Personal Faith Crisis" (Oct 30, 2018)
Rebranding Revelation (October 9, 2018)