Posted in Antiquity Bible Christianity Doctrine Evidence Gospel of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ Repentance

John 8 and the Woman Taken in Adultery: A Faith Promoting Fabrication?

For years I’ve had a question mark in my mind over John 8:1-11 with its beautiful and inspiring story of Christ’s merciful treatment of the woman taken in adultery. The…

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Posted in Books Christianity history International Society The Church

Canadian Mormons by Roy and Carma Prete: Interview with the Authors by Erin Gazdik

A valuable new contribution to the history of the Latter-day Saints will be published this month. Canadian Mormons: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Canada edited by…

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Posted in Christianity Creation Family freedom Science Social Issues Society

The Creation

Here is a talk I gave at District Conference for the Shanghai International District, March 19, 2017, sharing a few views on the Creation, why we should study and ponder…

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Posted in Ancient Near East Antiquity Christianity Evidence Judaism Restoration Temple

Chrism, Temples, and Interesting Books and Texts

There are a few books I’d like recommend to serious LDS students of the Temple. Several time previously I’ve mentioned Sinai and Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible by…

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Posted in Christianity history Restoration

Christianity’s Bailout: Lessons from Constantine

Early Christianity was in deep trouble. Early persecution from some Jewish leaders was certainly a roadblock, but then came the persecution of the Roman Empire. For over two centuries it…

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Posted in Ancient Near East Christianity Doctrine Evidence history Salvation Scholarship

Early Christianity and the (Restored) Concept of Three Degrees of Glory

A page in Barry Bickmores’ “Mormonism and Early Christianity” site provides some information from early Christian writings that are consistent with the Latter-day Saint doctrine of three degrees of glory…

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Posted in Christianity Critics Doctrine Gospel of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ Premortal existence Scripture

A Surprising Issue in Presidential Politics: Do Mormons Believe Satan Is the Brother of Jesus Christ??

Do Mormons Believe Satan the Brother of Jesus Christ?? This issue is coming up with surprising frequency, at least from my vantage point (including email I receive). It’s a question…

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Posted in Atonement Bible Book of Moses Christianity Doctrine Faith Fall Gospel of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ Scripture

Adam and the Fall: God’s Plan Thwarted?

We’ve had a few comments recently from people who disagree with the LDS view of the plan of salvation, especially our understanding of the purpose of life and the destiny…

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Posted in Bible Christianity Critics Doctrine Faith Gospel of Jesus Christ Salvation

Cramming for the Eternal Salvation Quiz: One Wrong Theological Answer and You’re Doomed

Do you ever get frustrated with those who seem to say that Mormons are doomed because they’ve got some detail of theology wrong? Our failure to understand and accept Trinitarian…

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Posted in Christianity Faith Gospel of Jesus Christ Grace Salvation

Need a Little Help with that Spleen? My Discomfort with the Bicycle Analogy

The bicycle analogy of the Atonement, from Stephen Robinson’s generally praiseworthy and excellent book, Believing Christ, has become well known among Latter-day Saints. I’ve usually just thought of it as…

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