Posted in Book of Mormon Evidence history Witnesses

No, the Strangite Witnesses Are Not Strong Parallels to the Book of Mormon Witnesses

In my last post, Lawyers, Inc. vs. Faith, some folks suggested that the import of the Book of Mormon witnesses is lessened by the imitative adventure of James Strang and…

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Posted in Book of Mormon Evidence history Scholarship Witnesses

Lawyers, Inc. vs. Faith

My sophomore English class at Brighton High School was a disaster. The school was using a failed but trendy new system where hundreds of kids were in a big open…

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Posted in Critics Evidence Gospel of Jesus Christ MIssionary work Scholarship The Church

Coping with the “Big List” of Attacks on the LDS Faith

One of the challenges in defending one’s faith is coping with critics who use the “Big List” technique in their attack. This involves throwing out numerous arguments to create the…

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Posted in history Leadership Policies Priesthood Prophets Race Revelation The Church

Race and the Priesthood: Significant New Statement on the LDS History of Blacks and the Priesthood at LDS.org

I’m delighted with the release of a thoughtful statement at ChurchofJesusChrist.org clarifying the history of the Church’s former policy that prior to 1978 prohibited those with African ancestry from holding…

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Posted in Faith Leadership Miracles Prophets Travel

Confirming a Small but Meaningful Miracle from President Monson’s Life

In his October 2011 General Conference address, “Stand in Holy Places,” President Thomas S. Monson shared an experience as a small part of his talk that I find instructive in…

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Posted in Evidence Faith Gospel of Jesus Christ Media Science Social Issues The Church

Weighing Mormonism: Thoughts for Mormon Doubters (and Readers of the New York Times)

The New York Times and Shaken Faith in Sweden The arguments that weigh against Mormonism and the LDS story of a divine Restoration came to the front page of the…

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Posted in Books Critics Gospel of Jesus Christ Islam Media The Church

Review: Day of Defense by Scott Thormaehlen

Scott Thormaehlen’s new book, Day of Defense: Positive Talking Points for the Latter Days (Springville, UT: Cedar Fort, 2013) aims to help readers deal with misunderstandings and accusations regarding LDS…

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Posted in BYU China Events International News

BYU Student Honored by China with International Award

I’m pleased to announce that a very cool friend of ours, Kate Baxter, a student now at Brigham Young University whom we met at Shanghai’s best bakery (Nancy’s Bakery in PuDong), is…

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Posted in Apologetics Book of Mormon Critics Evidence history Origins Problems Translation

A New Twist on the Spalding Theory–And Sidney’s Amazing Voice Trick

For some critics, the story of the lost 116 pages in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon is utterly ridiculous. Some say it shows Joseph was just making…

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Posted in history Media Miracles Movies War

17 Miracles: A Film About More Than Just a Handcart Company

While visiting family in Salt Lake City yesterday, I was able to view the film 17 Miracles. First, the camera work was outstanding as was the acting and directing, IMHO….

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