Category: Mormon Coffee Blog (2007-2019)
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Sticks and Stones
In light of the heat Janet Langhart Cohen is taking for the comment she made on Tuesday’s Today Show regarding Mormonism’s racist past, I thought it might be good to review the definitions of a few labels currently being applied to Mrs. Cohen by many of those offended by her remarks. From the American Heritage…
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Cursed, But Not Ignorant
Yesterday, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, along with his wife Janet Langhart Cohen, appeared on the Today Show to talk about their new book, “Love in Black and White.” Being a mixed race couple, the Cohen’s book discusses their racial, religious and political differences. The Cohen’s appearance on the Today Show was to promote…
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The "Anti-Mormon" Tactic
Over the weekend the Salt Lake Tribune posted an opinion piece titled “Romney candidacy will stir up anti-Mormon feeling”. The author, Tom Williams, begins, Am I the only practicing Mormon who’s not excited about Mitt Romney’s run for president? It’s not like his first order of business will be a $10,000 tax credit for all…
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Equally Unworthy
While we’re on the subject of Mormon temples (see Mormon Coffee’s last article), the February issue of Ensign magazine includes an article about the symbolism found in Mormon temples. Quoting LDS Apostle John A. Widtsoe, the article states: “In the temples all are dressed alike in white. White is the symbol of purity. No unclean…
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People Can Learn About the LDS Endowment Ceremony
On Tuesday USA Today posted an article by journalist Jill Lawrence: “Will Mormon faith hurt bid for White House?” There are some unexpected revelations in the article related to the doctrines and history of the LDS Church. They are grouped under the headings of “Theology,” “Polygamy,” “Racial History,” “Secrecy,” “Discipline,” and “Proselytizing.” This makes the…
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The Dos and Don’ts of Mormon Missionary Life
The newspaper in my town, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, ran an article about Mormon missionaries over the weekend. Along with the article was a revealing companion piece: “Young missionaries live by rigid rules.” Drawn from a “four-page list of rules for male Minnesota missionaries,” the article listed twenty-seven for Star-Tribune readers. The LDS Church wants its…
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The LDS Church Calls it a Distortion
The film “September Dawn” depicts the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857, implicating LDS Prophet Brigham Young. The LDS Church condemns the film as a distortion of history, raising concerns over its portrayal and potential impact on their image.
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Brigham Young’s Lecture at the Veil
It was 130 years ago today that LDS recorder L. John Nuttall, by order of Brigham Young, transcribed the Lecture at the Veil in the St. George, Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Lecture at the Veil was a lesson at the end of the LDS endowment ceremony which…
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Comments from Readers
Skip to Section From Mormons (pleased) From Mormons (not so pleased) From Ex-Mormons From Other Readers (Christians, non-Christians) From Mormons (pleased) “I am a Mormon but wanted to salute you for the knowledge and research that you have done into the Mormon religion.
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Hearing Both Sides of the Issue
By Bill McKeever Proverbs 18:17 tells us, “He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.”
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The Faith of Brigham Young
Compiled by Bill McKeever
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Will Pope Benedict Become a Mormon After He Dies?
So reads the headline of a recent Reuters article written by Religion Editor Tom Heneghan. The article, which discusses the Mormon practice of baptism for the dead, appeared today on the Reuters web site. PARIS (Reuters) – Pope Benedict was baptized at birth and will most likely be baptized again one year after his death,…
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Violence in Early Mormonism – Was It All Unjust Persecution?
By Bill McKeever Members of the LDS Church often make a big issue of the fact that their ancestors faced terrible persecutions during the early years of the LDS movement. To most people, Missourian sites like Independence, Liberty, Far West, and Caldwell County mean very little. Yet to the faithful Latter-day Saint, these places carry…
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The Missouri Debacle of the 1830s
By Bill McKeever
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Not the Christ of Whom I Speak
The Associated Press reported Tuesday on Mitt Romney’s visit to South Carolina, a “Bible Belt state” where “a few Republicans expressed deep reservations about backing a Mormon.” Mr. Romney isn’t really concerned about that, believing people recognize they will be electing a president, not a pastor.Nevertheless, South Carolina Republican State Representative Gloria Haskins said, “I…
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Choose Life, Choose Truth
Forty million unborn babies have been legally killed in this nation since that tragic ruling.My father is in favor of legalized abortion, citing the gruesome stories of illegal back-alley abortions he heard about as a young man. I wasn’t there, of course, but I’ve also heard plenty of horror stories about abortions that pre-dated Roe…
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Utah’s Rich Beer-Making History
The Salt Lake Tribune published a lighthearted article yesterday: “Beehive State Brew”. In it, journalist Kathy Stephenson takes a look at the history of beer in Utah. She writes, [Tourists to Utah] likely have heard plenty of tales of Utah’s teetotaling ways. But few visitors — not to mention some longtime residents — may not…
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Put Away Childish Things
Last week Jeannie Berg posted an article on Blue Oregon: “Gordon Smith on Iraq — Did the Elders Make Him Do It?” Ms. Berg questioned the recent about-face of Oregon Senator Gordon Smith regarding his position on the war in Iraq. In her article, Ms. Berg wondered if LDS Senator Smith’s “new found opposition to…
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Three Passages That Should Impact Christian Evangelism and Public Dialog
Titus 2:15: Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. An ambassador for Christ should deliver the word of God with authority. The impression should be given that what is being communicated in scripture1 is ultimately God’s perspective, and that God seriously means what He says. An alternative is to speak in a way…
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All-Purpose LDS Missionaries
The Jackson Hole [Wyoming] Star Tribune reported Sunday that non-Mormon students at Brigham Young University believe they are at a disadvantage when it comes to the required Book of Mormon courses. Ninety-eight percent of the school’s students are Mormon, but the other two percent represent twenty other faiths; all students are required to take two…