Category: Mormon Culture
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How Does the LDS Church View the Bible?
By Sandra Tanner While Christians view the Bible as the final authority on doctrinal matters, the LDS Church holds that their other books of scripture and their prophets are more reliable than the Bible. Christian View of the Bible LDS Church View of the Bible Accurate All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and…
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Polygamist Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner Tom Green, a modern-day polygamist in Utah, was given a five-year prison sentence on August 25, 2001. Green might never have come to the attention of the state if he had kept a low profile. Instead, he appeared on various television programs and granted numerous interviews, explaining his polygamist life-style.…
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The Mormon Church Attempts to Conceal Temple Records for Adolf Hitler
By Helen Radkey On August 30, 1998, Don McAreavy, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, wrote to the LDS Family History Library asking if LDS proxy temple work had been performed for Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun. McAreavy specifically wanted to know if temple ordinances had been performed for Hitler and Braun on September 28, 1993, in…
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The Word of Wisdom (D&C, Section 89)
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. HC 1:327-329. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word…
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LDS Church Should Set Members Free
Concerning LDS members’ access to information on church membership policies. This opinion piece is related to our larger article:Copyright Lawsuit — LDS Church v. Utah Lighthouse Ministry It originally appeared in the University of Utah’s student newspaper, The Daily Utah Chronicle, October 21, 1999, and is used here by permission. OPINION: LDS Church Should Set…
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Time Looks at Mormons
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner The August 4, 1997, issue of Time magazine devoted 10 pages to an examination of the Mormon Church. The outside cover of the magazine shows a beautiful picture of the Salt Lake City Temple and carries this intriguing headline: MORMONS, INC. The Secrets of America’s Most Prosperous Religion. Because of…
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Sexual Abuse Update
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner In the November 1996 issue of the Salt Lake City Messenger we reported that Cherese Franklin was awarded $750,000 in damages in a sexual abuse case involving repressed memories. On appeal this case was overturned by a judge in Salt Lake City. In our last newsletter we discussed the problem…
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Mormonism’s Early Secrets
LDS sealings are discussed (particularly, the lesser known Law of Adoption), citing the research of D. Michael Quinn.
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Mormonism’s Problem With Child Sexual Abuse
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner Mormonism is to be commended for strongly stressing chastity and encouraging its members to avoid any type of sexual sin. When we were members of the church we were taught these wise principles. Nevertheless, Mormon officials today seem to be having some serious problems regarding how to handle the sexual…
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Legacy: A Distorted View of Mormon History
By Jerald and Sandra Tanner Legacy (1993) The Mormon Church’s official magazine, Ensign, printed the following in 1993: Imagine that you have just completed a tour of Temple Square in the heart of Salt Lake City, Utah. The guide suggests that you walk across the street and view Legacy, a new motion picture shown exclusively…