Category: Authority
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Mormonism and the heresy of the Anthropomorphites
Back in 2007 Mormon Apostle Jeffrey Holland gave a talk at General Conference titled, “The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent.” In this address, Mr. Holland denounced the Christian doctrine of the Trinity in what some have called a “demeaning and misleading” way. Because the new Mormon Church curriculum for youth,…
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Priesthood (Defined)
Priesthood.
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Melchizedek Priesthood (Defined)
Melchizedek Priesthood. A special authority given to Mormon men eighteen years and older, designed to enable them to gain exaltation in the highest heaven. It is taught that this priesthood was restored sometime between May 15, 1829 and April 6, 1830, although there is no written documentation for such an event prior to late 1834.…
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General Conference (Defined)
General Conference. An assembly of LDS membership held in Salt Lake City, Utah each April and October. These meetings are for official instruction, announcements and teaching given by General Authorities and other LDS leaders. What is said at conference is considered to be authoratative.
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Great Apostasy (Defined)
Great Apostasy. True Christianity is said to have ceased after the death of Christ’s apostles. This made it necessary for God to restore the true church through Joseph Smith in 1830. Without this belief, there is no reason for the Mormon Church to exist.
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Aaronic Priesthood (Definition)
Aaronic priesthood. Known as the lesser of two priesthoods held by Mormon males (Priesthood and Church Government, p. 106). It is taught that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were visited by John the Baptist on the bank of the Susquehanna River on May 15, 1829; he laid hands on them and ordained them to the…
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Mormon Doctrine and How It Is Established: An Official Explanation?
At the April (2012) General Conference of the Mormon Church, Apostle D. Todd Christofferson told the congregation, “…we must admit there has been and still persists some confusion about our doctrine and how it is established. That is the subject I wish to address today.” In his remarks, Apostle Christofferson explained, “The President of the…
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Joseph Smith’s Violence to Kingdom-Growth Parables
There are at least three parables in the Bible on the gradual growth of the kingdom unto maturity: 1. Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31–32, Mark 4:30–32, and Luke 13:18–19) 2. Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43) 3. Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20–21) All three of these parables were…
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Surviving Apostles?
By Bill McKeeverB.H. Roberts, an LDS Seventy and LDS Church historian, in his introduction to the History of the Church, stated that the LDS Church is founded upon this very premise. He wrote, “Nothing less than a complete apostasy from the Christian religion would warrant the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day…
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A Royal Priesthood
The Priesthood is a big deal in Mormonism. At Mormon.org it is defined as “The power and authority of God, given to men on earth to act in all things for the salvation of God’s children.” Fifteenth LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Without [the Priesthood], we have nothing.” (Ensign, Aug 1998, 72) The April…
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Determining the topics for conference talks
Apostle Holland claims that the talks at General Conference are not orchastrated or assigned. Yet there seems to be very specific themes running through the past two conferences. Could this just be coincidence? Or could it be something more?
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Missing the Point
During the April 2010 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Second Counselor in the First Presidency) talked about Mormons being the “hands” of Christ. Mr. Uchtdorf provided lots of good ideas on how people can (and should) emulate Christ by embracing, comforting, serving and loving one…
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Without the Priesthood
A week ago at church the pastor preached on Mark 1:21-22, on Jesus’ authority. We learn at the very beginning of Mark’s gospel that Jesus used His authority to teach in an astonishing way (Mark 1:22). He cast out demons and unclean spirits by His authority (Mark 1:23-27). He used His authority to heal the…
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Latter-day Saints—Where Did You Get Your Authority?
By Hal Hougey A. The Jews Asked Jesus and the Apostles This Question – Matt. 21:23-27; Acts 4:7-12 Jesus and the Apostles did not need, nor did they produce, credentials from the priesthood to show their authority. So neither will we. LDS have the same misconception that the Jews had: that authority passes from one…
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Abominable Creed
One of the oldest Christian creeds known today is the Apostles’ Creed. The Apostles of the early church didn’t formulate the creed; rather, the Apostles’ Creed, compiled later, is comprised of a brief summary of the Apostles’ teachings. This creed, as well as other Christian creeds, is sometimes recited as a formal statement of belief.…
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Priesthood Restored or Retrofit?
By Lane Thuet Listen