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New ‘Gospel Topics’ published today

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The following new items, which all relate to apologetics, have been published on the Church’s website today:

Church Financial Administration
Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Religion vs. Violence

It also appears that the “Gospel Topics Essays” and “Church and Gospel Questions” have been consolidated into a new “Topics and Questions” section, which you will find if the links above redirect you to the contents page instead of the individual articles. In that case, you can navigate to the articles from the index on the left of the page. (As of 5/23, it appears that the redirection has been fixed.)

Are you a personal revelation weirdo?

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by Meagan Kohler

The doctrine of personal revelation is elevating and powerful. When I first joined the church I received profound spiritual witnesses through the Spirit that God was aware of me and loves me, that the Book of Mormon is true, and that modern prophets speak for him. These experiences left me with deep impressions about how God feels about me, his church, and his children. Less dramatic whisperings of the Spirit have guided me to others in need, helped me parent better, and pointed me to things I can do better to draw closer to God.

But sometimes I encounter church members whose relationship to personal revelation is just weird. It’s weird in the sense that something seems off but it’s difficult to describe at first. The way they talk about the Holy Ghost, for example, makes it sound more like an intrusive thought than a sacred witness of truth. We’ve all been in testimony meetings where people chuckle at the mic about how they just had an argument with the Holy Ghost in their head telling them to get up and bear their testimony. I’ve felt the Spirit nudge me to bear my testimony, too, but these jokes make it sound like the gift of the Holy Ghost is akin to having multiple personality disorder. Imagine what it sounds like to someone outside of church culture who hears you say you are arguing with God in your head. [Read more…] about Are you a personal revelation weirdo?

Examining “Heaven’s Helpline”: Claims, Context, and the Truth About Abuse in the Church

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Jennifer Roach Lees has recorded a 10 part series responding to claims made in a recent New Zealand podcast about abuse in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The latest episode will show in the embedded playlist below; click the icon in the upper right corner to choose other episodes, or click on “Watch on YouTube” in the bottom left corner.

Court Ruling in the case of James Huntsman vs the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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In March of 2021, James Huntsman filed a lawsuit against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Sometimes referred to as Mormon) alleging that that he paid tithing based on false statements given by then President Gordon B. Hinkley who said that tithing funds would not be used to build the City Creek Mall. What President Hinkley said was as follows:

But I wish to give the entire Church the assurance that tithing funds have not and will not be used to acquire this property. Nor will they be used in developing it for commercial purposes.

Funds for this have come and will come from those commercial entities owned by the Church. These resources, together with the earnings of invested reserve funds, will accommodate this program.[i]

On January 31, 2025, The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously in favor of the Church. [Read more…] about Court Ruling in the case of James Huntsman vs the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Rejoicing and Mourning: Context for Selling the Kirtland Temple

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By David W. Smith

On March 5, 2024, Community of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints jointly announced that, after years of discussion, Community of Christ had sold to the Church of Jesus Christ the iconic Kirtland Temple, several historic sites in Nauvoo, and many historical documents and artifacts.

This announcement was met with joy by many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Latter-day Saints) and with sorrow by many members of Community of Christ. As Latter-day Saints celebrate receiving ownership of these important historical assets, we can also “mourn with those that mourn” (Mosiah 18:9) in Community of Christ who are devastated at having to part with these cherished pieces of history. [Read more…] about Rejoicing and Mourning: Context for Selling the Kirtland Temple

A Mortal Davidic Servant?

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Some Old Testament scriptures tell about a latter-day “Davidic King,” “Davidic Servant,” or “Marred Servant.” The consensus of mainstream scholarship and teaching from leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that this refers to Jesus Christ, when He rules the earth after His Second Coming. But some claim the “Servant” will be a mortal man who may or may not be a regularly-ordained Church leader. Because of the name “David,” some speculate Apostle David Bednar will be the Servant, and the same was said decades ago about the prophet David O. McKay.

Many who are not Apostles or Church leaders have claimed to be the “Davidic Servant.” Recently it was reported a woman and her brother kidnapped her teenage son because they believed him to be the “Davidic Servant.” The belief in a “Davidic Servant” is controversial and has been associated with criminal and tragic outcomes. To an unstable individual who feels entitled to power or special spiritual gifts, the “Davidic Servant” belief can be used to justify immoral and unscriptural actions. To an ordinary member of the Church, belief in a coming “Davidic Servant” can cause frustration with actual Church leaders, a feeling of spiritual superiority to them, and an eventual loss of faith in the restored gospel altogether.

A Mortal Davidic Servant: Refuting the Arguments

Believers in a coming mortal “Davidic Servant” use several arguments to support their claim. Most are completely wrong.

Continued Here

I Know How to Lower Church Abuse Rates by 75%

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by Jennifer Roach

Note: Jennifer Roach will be speaking on this topic at the annual FAIR Conference being held in Provo, Utah, on August 2-4. More information here.

The rate of abuse that occurs at churches of all denominations is much too high. And while it’s true that children are at much higher risk of abuse at school, churches can and should hold themselves to a higher standard. [Read more…] about I Know How to Lower Church Abuse Rates by 75%

Latter-day Saint Enigma: Their Unexpected Troop Abuse Rates

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by Jennifer Roach

Note: Jennifer Roach will be speaking on this topic at the annual FAIR Conference being held in Provo, Utah, on August 2-4. More information here.

On April 19, 2023, The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) announced they had cleared the final hurdle before emerging from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. The U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals approved their plan for compensating victims of sexual abuse. That plan included an agreement with their insurers, all the local councils, and some of their sponsoring organizations to create a $2.4 billion settlement trust to compensate victims. This is the largest sexual abuse compensation fund ever. [Read more…] about Latter-day Saint Enigma: Their Unexpected Troop Abuse Rates

A Prophecy Fulfilled: Church finances are a blessing from God

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In early 2012, the economy wasn’t feeling all that good. The Great Recession had technically ended in 2009, but the recovery was weak. The Center for American Progress lamented “the slowest growth during the first eight quarters of an economic recovery since World War II.” Unemployment was still high–9.1% in August 2011–and job growth had slowed. The European sovereign debt crisis was keeping markets nervous. And DJIA, which had climbed to 20,000 in 2007 before plunging to 10,000 in 2009, was only back up to around 17,000.  [Read more…] about A Prophecy Fulfilled: Church finances are a blessing from God

New Resources Available on Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell and Religious Extremism

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The Lori Vallow murder trial has begun, and the Chad Daybell murder trial will likely take place later this year. Each trial is expected to last several weeks, and to bring up many of Vallow and Daybell’s extremist religious beliefs. There has already been a great deal of public discussion of their ideas like reincarnation (which they called “multiple mortal probations”), a prophesied “Davidic Servant,” a group of 144,000 servants foreseen in the Biblical book of Revelation, end times calamities, and their interpretation of scripture to justify violence. People have also been curious about the “Preparing A People” website and conferences that hosted Daybell and Vallow as speakers and podcasters.  [Read more…] about New Resources Available on Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell and Religious Extremism