Category: Mormon Coffee Blog (2007-2019)
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Mormons Should Be Thankful for a Sixth Kind of Ex-Mormon
On Sunday, the The Salt Lake Tribune published “Kirby: Five kinds of ex-Mormons” by humor columnist Robert Kirby. In his article, Kirby noted that he has, in the past, written about “Five Kinds of Mormons” and “Five Kinds of Non-Mormons”; the logical next step is determining the five kinds of ex-Mormons. He explained, “So, in the…
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Why Does Mormon History Matter?
Though the LDS Church claims disillusioned members are not “leaving [the Church] in droves,” talks and articles about stemming the exiting tide continue to appear in the news. This week, Mormon-themed Meridian Magazine published “8 Things That Can Pull You Away From the Church” by Gary and Joy Lundberg. In this article, the Lundbergs explain,…
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Mormonism’s Splendid Sins
Last week LDS blogger Christopher Cunningham posted an article with the provocative title, “21 reasons It Doesn’t Matter if The Church is True.” Mr. Cunningham clarifies that “the title is clearly meant to attract an audience,” because of course it matters if the Mormon Church is true. However, he explains, “This article isn’t to combat noisy…
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Affinity Fraud and Escaping the Snare of the Devil
Last week Deseret News ran a two-part report on affinity fraud, a type of scam that relies on cultural connections to lull victims into a false sense of security. Utah has been called the “fraud capital” of the U.S. because Mormons, who are the resident majority, are often persuaded to trust anyone who claims…
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“Many People Have Wondered if Mormons Are Christians.”
The LDS Daily website (“Not an official website of the true church”) provides Mormon readers with Family Home Evening lesson ideas. This week Aleah Ingram suggests a lesson titled, “Are Mormons Christian?” She writes, In her lesson, Ms. Ingram includes the words of LDS Hymn #134, “I Believe in Christ.” This song speaks highly of…
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The Real Threat of Mormonism
Over the years I have encountered many misperceptions that Mormons have about Christians and Christianity. One of note is found in a little book published in 1998 by LDS author Scott Marshall. In an effort to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, Mr. Marshall wrote, “THE TRINITY CREATION. They believe in the trinity…
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“Because Joseph Smith was a prophet…”
Mormonism was in the news a lot last weekend. Saturday and Sunday were the days of the LDS Church’s October General Conference. During the Church’s semiannual conferences, leaders of the Church are understood to encourage, challenge, and educate Mormons with inspired spiritual talks. Last Saturday morning the talk by Craig C. Christensen (of the…
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What a Charred Lump of a 2,000-Year-Old Scroll Can Tell Us About Mormonism
In June of 1843 Mormonism’s founder, the Prophet Joseph Smith, told his followers, “There are many things in the Bible which do not, as they now stand, accord with the revelations of the Holy Ghost to me.” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 310. See also History of the Church 5:425) Four…
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Mormonism’s “Near Deification” of Joseph Smith
Mormon blogger Mette Ivie Harrison posted an intriguing article on August 23rd at Huffington Post. She titled it, “Do Mormons Worship Joseph Smith?” In the article Ms. Harrison expressed her dismay that some non-Mormons might misunderstand the way modern Mormons feel about the faith’s first prophet and wrongly conclude that Mormons worship Joseph Smith. Latter-day…
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“President Monson’s knowledge is unique and superior on ‘any subject, at any time.’”
Beginning circa 1950, the Mormon Church promoted an “Indian Student Placement Program” for young Native American Mormons. According to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, “The Indian Student Placement Services was established among native americans by the LDS Church in part to fulfill the obligation felt by the Church to help care for the Indians in the…
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Calling All Mormons to Agree with Moroni 8:18 (and with us)
Check out this podcast on this topic! Today, August 18th (8/18), is “We Agree with Moroni 8:18” Day. Every year since 2011 “We Agree with Moroni 8:18” Day has been promoted by Christians on social media as a day of focused outreach to Mormons using (you guessed it) Moroni 8:18 from the Book of Mormon:…
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Selected Testimonies of the Book of Mormon
LDS Church News published an opinion piece yesterday (4 August) that notes a few “Testimonies of the Book of Mormon” wherein people “witnessed the power of God working through” Joseph Smith during the book’s “translation” process. Included are the testimonies of: Each of these testimonies are subjective in nature: Emma held the opinion that Joseph…
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Why Don’t Christians Accept the Book of Mormon?
At a meeting in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998, then LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “I can’t understand why those of other faiths cannot accept the Book of Mormon. One would think that they would be looking for additional witnesses to the great and solemn truths of the Bible.” (The Ensign, 6/00, p. 18) President…
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Mormon Children on the Path to Heavenly Father
The July issue of Friend, a magazine for children published by the LDS Church, includes an activity for children titled, “Your Path to Heavenly Father.” Presented as a board game, the instructions explain, “Your path back to Heavenly Father has some necessary steps. It also has other experiences that are not necessary but that help…
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The Transfiguration of Brigham Young: Mormon Folklore?
For a two-part Viewpoint on Mormonism that aired July 21-22, 2016, click here Part 1 Part 2 When Joseph Smith died in June of 1844, the Mormon Church faced a succession crisis. Mormon historian Richard S. Van Wagoner explained, “Despite frequent kidnapping and assassination attempts, Joseph Smith established no firm policies regarding presidential succession in the event…
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Trouble in Paradise: Thomas Marsh Takes a Stand
Thomas B. Marsh was the President of the Quorum of the Twelve [LDS] Apostles in 1838. Over the years, he had proven himself a loyal and faithful supporter of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Joining the Mormon Church in 1830 and called as an apostle in 1835, Marsh stood with Joseph Smith through thick and thin…
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Mormon Missionary Strategy Gone Wrong
On June 11th (2016) The Salt Lake Tribune reported an odd Mormon-related story. Four LDS missionaries got in trouble with local authorities in Mexico for attempting to baptize three young brothers (a 9-year-old and 11-year-old twins) without their parents’ permission. Even stranger, the boys didn’t want to be baptized. The Salt Lake Tribune explained, “…the…
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Mormon Leaders and Imperfections
Last week a “Defending the Faith” column by Daniel Peterson appeared in the Deseret News: “Are you looking for a church with perfect leaders?” In the article, Dr. Peterson argues that Mormons should not expect perfection from their leaders because they are mortal humans who are “going through the same mortal probation, the same learning…
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Fundamentals of Mormonism
Morgan Scalley, the defensive coordinator for the University of Utah’s football team, addressed single adult Mormons last week, urging them to “master the fundamentals of the gospel” in order to achieve success. “What are the fundamentals of the church?” he asked rhetorically. “They are everything you’ve been taught since you were a [3-year-old] Sunbeam [in…