MLK Chapel of Morehouse College Honors Founder of Racist Church

The historically black Morehouse College campus in Atlanta, Georgia, includes an International Chapel that bears the name of the school's most renowned alumnus, Martin Luther King, Jr. In 2023, the Chapel added a portrait of the…

Prophet Sermons Are Mormon Scripture – Except When They’re Not – See Adam-God, Blood Atonement and Racism Latter-day Saints are often taught that prophetic authority is the foundation of continuing revelation—that God speaks through living prophets, and that their words carry divine weight. Few church leaders embraced that idea more boldly than Brigham Young. Unlike modern leaders who carefully qualify their statements, Young made an unambiguous claim about his own authority and teachings. He did not suggest that his sermons were inspired, useful, or worthy of consideration.

Prophet Sermons Are Mormon Scripture – Except When They’re Not – See Adam-God, Blood Atonement and Racism

Latter-day Saints are often taught that prophetic authority is the foundation of continuing revelation—that God speaks through living prophets, and that their words carry divine weight. Few…

The Secret Wives of Mormon Guys: Joseph Smith – Polygamous Prophet The practice of plural marriage by Joseph Smith Jr. represents one of the most documented yet deliberately obscured chapters in Mormon history. While the LDS Church now acknowledges that Smith had between 30 and 40 plural wives, this admission came only after decades of denials and represents a fraction of the full truth about the secrecy, coercion, and deception that characterized these relationships.

The Secret Wives of Mormon Guys: Joseph Smith – Polygamous Prophet

The practice of plural marriage by Joseph Smith Jr. represents one of the most documented yet deliberately obscured chapters in Mormon history. While the LDS Church now acknowledges that Smith had between 30 and 40 plural wives,…

Joseph Smith’s Martyrdom Grew Church Historians generally agree on a distinction that is crucial for understanding Mormonism’s survival: martyrdom is not evidence of truth, but it is powerful social capital. Joseph Smith’s death did the opposite of what his enemies intended. It turned him into a martyr, and gave his followers resolve. Martyrdom provides a ready-made narrative of persecution and sanctity, it simplifies complex moral and historical questions into a story of good versus evil, and grants leaders enormous rhetorical leverage.

Joseph Smith’s Martyrdom Grew Church

Historians generally agree on a distinction that is crucial for understanding Mormonism’s survival: martyrdom is not evidence of truth, but it is powerful social capital. Joseph Smith’s death did the opposite of what his enemies intended. It turned him into a…

Church Tentacles Reach For Wayward Children Elder David Bednar recently received pushback for his response to a question posed during a devotional about families and the gospel. The question asked, “How do temple covenants help us when someone in our family uses their agency to reject the gospel or chooses not to be part of the family?” Bednar’s answer followed a familiar pattern: he reassured parents that their continued faithfulness creates a kind of spiritual pull or divine tug that works on “wayward” children to draw them back.

Church Tentacles Reach For Wayward Children

Elder David Bednar recently received pushback for his response to a question posed during a devotional about families and the gospel. The question asked, “How do temple covenants help us when someone in our family uses their agency to reject the gospel…

The Book of Abraham Translation is Fraudulent For generations, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been taught that the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price was translated from ancient Egyptian papyri by Joseph Smith, “written by his own hand upon papyrus.” This claim lies at the heart of the book’s authority within LDS scripture — but modern evidence shows that it simply doesn’t hold up.

The Book of Abraham Translation is Fraudulent

For generations, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been taught that the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price was translated from ancient Egyptian papyri by Joseph Smith, “written by his own hand upon papyrus.” This…

Mormon Apostle Gong Hopes AI is Not God At a devotional during BYU’s Education Week, Gerrit W. Gong, LDS Apostle, speaking to an audience in the Marriott Center on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, preached against artificial intelligence (AI) in a gospel context.

Mormon Apostle Gong Hopes AI is Not God

At a devotional during BYU’s Education Week, Gerrit W. Gong, LDS Apostle, speaking to an audience in the Marriott Center on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, preached against artificial intelligence (AI) in a gospel context.

Inventing God: The Human Origin Story of Religion For those of us raised in Mormonism, we were taught that our faith is the "one true church" restored through a prophet who saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees. Christians more broadly believe that God revealed himself through scripture, miracles, and the life of Jesus. Muslims trace their faith to revelations given to Muhammad. Jews look back to Moses and the covenant at Sinai.

Inventing God: The Human Origin Story of Religion

For those of us raised in Mormonism, we were taught that our faith is the "one true church" restored through a prophet who saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees. Christians more broadly believe that God revealed himself through…

Millions Shall Worship Brother Joseph Again But Don’t Google Us In his BYU–Idaho devotional Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph Again, Jayson Kunzler urges students to reject any information—inside or outside the Church—that might “humanize” Joseph Smith or acknowledge his flaws. He warns that those who study inconvenient history “serve the wrong master” and risk their eternal standing. He insists that members can only truly know Joseph Smith by avoiding sources like Google, and he equates loyalty to the institution with knowing Christ Himself.

Millions Shall Worship Brother Joseph Again But Don’t Google Us

In his BYU–Idaho devotional Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph Again, Jayson Kunzler urges students to reject any information—inside or outside the Church—that might “humanize” Joseph Smith or acknowledge his flaws. He warns that…

The First Vision Irrelevant To Early Mormon Church Today, the First Vision stands as one of the central pillars of Mormon belief. Missionaries introduce it as the beginning of the Restoration. Members cite it as the ultimate evidence that God and Jesus Christ are two distinct beings, and that Joseph Smith was chosen as a prophet. But this was not always the case. In fact, early Latter-day Saints didn’t know anything about a “First Vision” at all.

The First Vision Irrelevant To Early Mormon Church

Today, the First Vision stands as one of the central pillars of Mormon belief. Missionaries introduce it as the beginning of the Restoration. Members cite it as the ultimate evidence that God and Jesus Christ are two distinct beings, and that…

Was it Normal for Teenage Girls to Marry in the 1800s? "Common for Their Time"? The Myth That Excuses Exploitation One of the most persistent defenses of early Mormon polygamy is the claim that it was “normal for the time” for men to marry teenage girls. The official Gospel Topics Essay on Plural Marriage in Early Utah even states: Women did marry at fairly young ages in the first decade of Utah settlement (age 16 or 17 or, infrequently, younger), which was typical of women living in frontier areas at the time.

Was it Normal for Teenage Girls to Marry in the 1800s?

"Common for Their Time"? The Myth That Excuses Exploitation One of the most persistent defenses of early Mormon polygamy is the claim that it was “normal for the time” for men to marry teenage girls. The official Gospel Topics Essay on Plural…

A Loving God? When deconstructing religious beliefs, examining whether the God we’ve been taught to worship and admire is indeed as loving as we think is on the table for many. Christianity teaches that "God is Love," but examining scriptural narratives reveals inconsistencies in this portrayal, especially concerning God's actions as a parental figure. 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

A Loving God?

When deconstructing religious beliefs, examining whether the God we’ve been taught to worship and admire is indeed as loving as we think is on the table for many. Christianity teaches that "God is Love," but examining scriptural narratives reveals inconsistencies in this portrayal,…

Martha Brotherton: Pressured by Church Leaders to Become a Plural Wife In July 1842, the Sangamo Journal published the affidavit of Martha H. Brotherton, a young English convert who had only recently arrived in Nauvoo with her family. In it, she recounts a disturbing encounter where she was pressured by church leaders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Joseph Smith himself to become Young’s plural wife. Brotherton’s statement is remarkable because it provides a firsthand account of how polygamy was introduced—not through open teaching or honest explanation, but through coercion, secrecy, and manipulation.

Martha Brotherton: Pressured by Church Leaders to Become a Plural Wife

In July 1842, the Sangamo Journal published the affidavit of Martha H. Brotherton, a young English convert who had only recently arrived in Nauvoo with her family. In it, she recounts a disturbing encounter where she was…

Religion and Tribes

The LDS Church is Just Another Man-Made Religion One of the hardest truths to face when stepping back from Mormonism is this: The LDS Church is just a man-made religion, no more divinely authoritative than any other. That sentence alone might feel heavy, especially for a “true…

Deseret News on Polygamy The Audacity The recent Deseret News opinion piece condemning polygamy and polyamory as a “direct threat to kids” and insisting that “monogamy ought to remain our social ideal” is dripping with irony. For a newspaper owned by the LDS Church to rail against the supposed dangers of polygamy—without mentioning their own history as America’s largest polygamous religious movement—is breathtakingly hypocritical.

Deseret News on Polygamy

The Audacity The recent Deseret News opinion piece condemning polygamy and polyamory as a “direct threat to kids” and insisting that “monogamy ought to remain our social ideal” is dripping with irony. For a newspaper owned by the LDS Church to rail against the supposed…

Joseph Smith Most Arrogant Boast In the History of the Church, Vol. 6, Joseph Smith made an arrogant claim:

Joseph Smith Most Arrogant Boast

In the History of the Church, Vol. 6, Joseph Smith made an arrogant claim:

Joseph Smith’s Polygamy Denials: Carefully Worded Lies, Loopholes, and Lasting Damage One of the most unsettling aspects of Mormon history is the secret practice of polygamy. Joseph Smith publicly denied practicing polygamy while secretly marrying between 30 and 40 women, including teenagers and other men’s wives, as the church's published essay confirms (in a footnote).

Joseph Smith’s Polygamy Denials: Carefully Worded Lies, Loopholes, and Lasting Damage

One of the most unsettling aspects of Mormon history is the secret practice of polygamy. Joseph Smith publicly denied practicing polygamy while secretly marrying between 30 and 40 women, including teenagers and…

Mormon Leadership On Women The LDS or Mormon Church has long articulated clear and restrictive expectations for women. Framed as divinely inspired guidance, these teachings portray a woman's highest calling as homemaking, motherhood, and submission to traditional gender roles. While many women in the church find meaning in family life, the rigid and one-dimensional framework leaves little room for individual choice, ambition, or variance from the mold.

Mormon Leadership On Women

The LDS or Mormon Church has long articulated clear and restrictive expectations for women. Framed as divinely inspired guidance, these teachings portray a woman's highest calling as homemaking, motherhood, and submission to traditional gender roles. While many women in…

Joseph Smith’s “Coherent and Well-Worded Letter” The Gospel Topic Essay on the Book of Mormon translation quotes Emma Smith stating, "Joseph Smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter," let alone dictating a book like the Book of Mormon. This is a very common refrain from apologists. They want to use Joseph's lack of education and ignorance as a disqualifying factor to him being involved in the miraculous appearance of the Book of Mormon in any way other than a translator called of God.

Joseph Smith’s “Coherent and Well-Worded Letter”

The Gospel Topic Essay on the Book of Mormon translation quotes Emma Smith stating, "Joseph Smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter," let alone dictating a book like the Book of Mormon. This is a very common refrain…

Nathanael Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight Meet Nathanael, whose story demonstrates the profound courage required to choose integrity over comfort, even when it means dismantling the very foundation upon which you've built your life. As a descendant of Mormon pioneers with deep ancestral roots in the faith, Nathanael's journey represents one of the most authentic and thoughtful deconversion stories we've encountered. His path from devoted believer—who served a mission, graduated from BYU-Idaho, and married in the temple—to someone who chose truth over tradition exemplifies the kind of moral courage that inspires others to examine their own beliefs with honesty.

Nathanael Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight

Meet Nathanael, whose story demonstrates the profound courage required to choose integrity over comfort, even when it means dismantling the very foundation upon which you've built your life. As a descendant of Mormon pioneers with deep…

Lying for the Lord The idea of “lying for the Lord” has long been whispered among members and critics of the LDS Church alike. It reflects the sense that leaders and members sometimes feel justified in withholding, distorting, or even outright fabricating information in order to protect the church or further its goals. In other words, the ends are seen to justify the means—so long as the end is “building up the kingdom of God.”

Lying for the Lord

The idea of “lying for the Lord” has long been whispered among members and critics of the LDS Church alike. It reflects the sense that leaders and members sometimes feel justified in withholding, distorting, or even outright fabricating information in order to protect the church…

Christi Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight Meet Christi Keller, a remarkable woman whose story exemplifies the courage it takes to pursue truth, even when it leads to uncomfortable places. As a mother of three and grandmother of six, Christi spent nearly five decades deeply committed to the Mormon faith—serving a mission to Uruguay, working at BYU-Idaho for thirty years, and holding numerous church callings. Her journey from devoted believer to thoughtful questioner to authentic truth-seeker represents one of the most honest and brave paths a person can take.

Christi Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight

Meet Christi Keller, a remarkable woman whose story exemplifies the courage it takes to pursue truth, even when it leads to uncomfortable places. As a mother of three and grandmother of six, Christi spent nearly five decades deeply committed to…

Why Didn’t Cowdery, Whitmer, or Harris Expose Joseph Smith as a Fraud? A common apologetic argument in defense of Joseph Smith is that his closest early associates—Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris—never outright denounced him as a fraud, even after they left or were cast out of the church. The logic goes: if anyone would have known the “truth” behind the origins of the Book of Mormon, it would be these men.

Why Didn’t Cowdery, Whitmer, or Harris Expose Joseph Smith as a Fraud?

A common apologetic argument in defense of Joseph Smith is that his closest early associates—Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris—never outright denounced him as a fraud, even after they left or were cast out of the…

Joseph Smith’s Twice “Inspired” Translation of Matthew: Two Versions and Considerable Differences Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet, seer, and revelator—one uniquely gifted by God with the power to translate ancient scripture by divine means. Among his translation projects was the “Joseph Smith Translation” (JST) of the Bible, also known as the Inspired Version. But a close look at this work raises serious questions about the nature of Smith’s “translation” abilities. One particularly revealing episode involves his duplication of the 26th chapter of Matthew, which he translated not once, but twice—months apart—with differing and even contradictory results.

Joseph Smith’s Twice “Inspired” Translation of Matthew: Two Versions and Considerable Differences

Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet, seer, and revelator—one uniquely gifted by God with the power to translate ancient scripture by divine means. Among his translation projects was the “Joseph Smith…

The 1886 Revelation Denial and the LDS Church’s Longstanding Dishonesty In the complex history of Mormonism, few documents expose the tensions between prophetic revelation and institutional survival quite like John Taylor's 1886 revelation. This revelation, written in Taylor’s own hand, declared that the divine commandment of plural marriage would not and could not be revoked. Yet for over a century, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints denied its existence—and only recently, and quietly, acknowledged its authenticity by…

The 1886 Revelation Denial and the LDS Church’s Longstanding Dishonesty

In the complex history of Mormonism, few documents expose the tensions between prophetic revelation and institutional survival quite like John Taylor's 1886 revelation. This revelation, written in Taylor’s own hand, declared…

Did Sidney Rigdon Influence the Priesthood Restoration? The modern LDS Church presents the restoration of priesthood authority—first the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist on May 15, 1829, and then the Melchizedek Priesthood by Peter, James, and John—as pivotal, well-documented events in church history. However, early sources and the timeline of doctrinal development tell a much murkier story, one that raises serious questions about whether these cornerstone claims were later fabrications, constructed to bolster Joseph Smith’s evolving authority.

Did Sidney Rigdon Influence the Priesthood Restoration?

The modern LDS Church presents the restoration of priesthood authority—first the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist on May 15, 1829, and then the Melchizedek Priesthood by Peter, James, and John—as pivotal, well-documented events in…

Quentin L. Cook’s Privatization of Marin Hospital Before Quentin L. Cook was sustained as an apostle of the LDS Church in 2007, he was a lawyer and healthcare executive, one whose actions left a lasting mark on the people of Marin County, California. But it wasn’t the kind of legacy you’d expect to find from someone who would later claim to speak for Jesus Christ. According to the Marin Healthcare District's…

Quentin L. Cook’s Privatization of Marin Hospital

Before Quentin L. Cook was sustained as an apostle of the LDS Church in 2007, he was a lawyer and healthcare executive, one whose actions left a lasting mark on the people of Marin County, California. But it wasn’t the kind of legacy you’d expect…

The Only Men Who Become Gods Enter Into Polygamy During Brigham Young’s presidency, if one aspired to the highest level of heaven, one would have needed both polygamy and an eternal sealing. Brigham Young declared, “The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.”

The Only Men Who Become Gods Enter Into Polygamy

During Brigham Young’s presidency, if one aspired to the highest level of heaven, one would have needed both polygamy and an eternal sealing. Brigham Young declared, “The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into…

Noal Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight Noal's journey is a testament to the incredible courage it takes to choose authenticity over acceptance. For 30 years, he lived a carefully constructed life—checking every Mormon box from baptism to temple marriage, from mission to fatherhood—all while knowing deep inside who he truly was. He gave everything he had to be loved and accepted by his family and church, performing the role expected of him with dedication and sacrifice.

Noal Was a Mormon, an Ex-Mormon Profile Spotlight

Noal's journey is a testament to the incredible courage it takes to choose authenticity over acceptance. For 30 years, he lived a carefully constructed life—checking every Mormon box from baptism to temple marriage, from mission to fatherhood—all…

Elijah Abel, the NAACP, and the Abandoned Float That Pressured a Revelation In the spring of 1978, 47 years ago to the day, there was a "Days of ‘47" parade for Pioneer Day in Salt Lake City. At the time the parade was planned, the church continued its unpopular priesthood ban on black members of the church. The ban was lifted weeks before the parade occurred, but during the planning stages, the Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP quietly advanced one of the most symbolically powerful acts of local protest against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ ban on Black men holding the priesthood.

Elijah Abel, the NAACP, and the Abandoned Float That Pressured a Revelation

In the spring of 1978, 47 years ago to the day, there was a "Days of ‘47" parade for Pioneer Day in Salt Lake City. At the time the parade was planned, the church continued its unpopular priesthood ban on black members of…