Posted in China Events International Leadership The Church

Shanghai International District and Our Tradition for Young Single Adult Events at District Conference

For those who work with Young Single Adults (YSAs), I thought I’d share some of the experiences we’ve had in the Shanghai International District. Some things that worked for us…

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Posted in freedom Prophets Scholarship Secret Combinations Social Issues The Church

Ezra Taft Benson and Teachings of the Presidents for 2015: Some Things You Won’t Be Learning This Year

I’m glad to see that the LDS manual for Teachings of the Presidents in 2015 will cover Ezra Taft Benson, the man who was President of the Church from 1985…

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Posted in Baptism children Events Family Miracles MIssionary work Service

A Winter of Miracles

The past few weeks have been a winter of miracles for me, and I wish to express my wonder and gratitude. One of the top blessings was the baptism of…

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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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