Category: Authority
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Citations on the Great Apostasy
The following are sections out of Bill McKeever’s book In their Own Words: A Collection of Mormon Quotations. Joseph Smith “What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the…
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Isaiah 29:14: Marvelous Work and the Restoration
Isaiah 29:14 says, Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Apostle LeGrand Richards writes, Well did Isaiah predict: ‘For the wisdom of their…
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Do Most Mormons Now Support the Ordination of Women to the LDS Priesthood?
Surveys and polls have been conducted among Mormons in recent years regarding the controversial question of whether or not women should be ordained to the all-male Mormon priesthood. LDS Church leadership has been resistant to the idea, explaining that the issue is a doctrinal one (which implies that a revelation would be required to open…
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The Great and Abominable Church
In the March 2015 edition of Ensign magazine, Mormon Apostle Dallin Oaks discusses the topics of atheism, moral relativism, secular humanism and the “great and abominable church.” The article, titled, “Stand as Witnesses of God,” was a devotional address he gave in February of 2014. On page 30 he likens atheism to the teachings of…
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Gospel Topics Essay: Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women
Gospel Topics Essay: Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women To see an introduction to the Gospel Topics essays, click here. The entire essay is printed below, underlined, with my commentary included throughout. Because I will try to be short and to the point as much as possible, a number of sites (many from MRM) to…
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General Conference: Mormons Told To Get Past Joseph Smith’s History and Move Forward
During last weekend’s General Conference of the LDS Church (3-4 October 2015), Mormon apostle Neil L. Andersen spoke on the topic of faith, and the importance of keeping it burning brightly. He said that faith does not come by chance, but by choice. Mr. Andersen talked about faith challenges that result from “honest questions,” emphasizing…
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Is the Mormon Priesthood Really of Ancient Origin?
The authority of the priesthood is so important to the Mormon that without it, male members are not enabled “to act in God’s name for the salvation of the human family” (Gospel Principles, p. 67). Those without this authority are unable to perform any ordinances, as Apostle James Talmage explained: No one may officiate in…
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LDS Church Goes Into Defensive Mode With Women and the Priesthood
The following was originally printed in the July/August 2014 edition of Mormonism Researched. To request a free subscription, please visit here. A concerted effort by a woman’s group made up of Latter-day Saints has been attempting to get the LDS Church to change its doctrine that limits priesthood ordination to worthy males, forcing the leadership to deal head-on with this…
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Priesthood Index
Priesthood Blacks and the Priesthood YouTube videos on Blacks Podcasts on Blacks
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Mormonism 201 (Apostasy): Response to Barry R. Bickmore
To visit the list of rejoinders, go here. In order to make this review easier to read, all original quotes from the Mormonism 201 rebuttal are boldfaced and italicized to separate these from the rest of the rejoinder. Joseph Smith, the first Mormon prophet, said, I have more to boast of than ever any man…
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“Utter Nonsense” Presented at the April 2015 Mormon General Conference
It’s like an April Fools joke, but nobody’s laughing. Instead, people are scratching their heads. During the April 2015 Sunday morning General Conference session, Mormon Apostle Dieter F. Uchtdorf (of the First Presidency) gave a talk that just a few decades ago would have been described by LDS Church leaders as one of “such utter…
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What do Christians and Mormons say about Priesthood Powers?
The following was originally printed in the June 2010 edition of MRM’s Update, a special edition mailed to financial supporters who also receive the publication Mormonism Researched. To request a free subscription of Mormonism Researched, please visit here. The letter is presented exactly as it was sent. A Reader Asks: I grew up Mormon, but…
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Calling the Apostle John!
Calling the apostle John! By Eric Johnson
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Acts 1 and the issue of “12” apostles
Acts 1 and the issue of “12” apostles By Eric Johnson When faithful Latter-day Saints are asked about their church’s authority, they will very often point to Ephesians 2:20, which says, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” According to Mormonism, the “Great…
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Does 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Support The Great Apostasy?
2 Thessalonians 2:3 says, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first . . .” This verse is sometimes used to support the idea of a Great Apostasy. However, the context is not explaining that there would be a complete apostasy. As…