The First Covenant Human: Adam, Evolution, and the Restoration of Truth
For more than a century, many people have believed they must choose between two stories about human origins. One story […]
Reconstructing the Earliest Narrative of Jesus and the Early Church (Based on Surviving Primary Evidence)
The earliest sources tell us a lot about Jesus. They tell us he lived, was crucified, and inspired a movement
Canaan, Covenant, and Counter-Culture: Race, Doctrine, and the Restoration
The story of human prejudice in Scripture often begins close to home. In the Hebrew Bible, Jonah initially refuses God’s
Good Without God? Yes. A Stable Civilization Without Biblical Roots? Harder.
When the late Charlie Kirk was asked why Christianity matters more to America than other religions, one of the answers
Pedestals, Prophets, and the Problem of Presentism
The standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints occupy a unique place in religious conversation. They
The Word of Wisdom Has Layers Most Debates Miss
Most debates about the Word of Wisdom flatten a multidimensional revelation into a biochemical checklist. Critics fixate on caffeine molecules;
What Is Tithing, Really? A Covenant of Faith—Not a Financial Burden
Tithing is not optional, and Jesus never abolished it. He affirmed it in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42, rebuking the
The Crown Without the Cross: Understanding Satan’s Agenda and Ultimate Failure
One of the most intriguing questions in Christian theology is this: When Satan offered Jesus “all the kingdoms of the
Grace Is the Gift, Discipleship the Journey: Paul and Nephi in Harmony
Christians across traditions affirm that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, by God’s grace—not by human merit. Disagreements usually arise
The Prophet and the King: Joseph Smith, David, and the Testing of God’s Anointed
The history of God’s dealings with His children has always involved paradox. Time and again, the Lord anoints men to
Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Bible Translations, “Translated Correctly,” and the Church’s Recent Clarification
Recently, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints clarified that members may use a variety of Bible translations in
Liberty Requires Vigilance: Why an Informed Citizenry Is Essential to Preserving the Constitution
American liberty has never depended solely on parchment barriers or institutional design. From the Founding onward, the survival of the
The Caffeine Myth: A Misconception We Created All by Ourselves
If you ever needed proof that Latter-day Saints can generate confusion entirely on our own—no critics required—look no further than
The “Religion-Causes-War Lie”- Why We’ve Been Fed a Story That Isn’t True
For decades, a simple, seductive idea has circulated in media, academia, and popular culture: religion is the cause of war.
“Is LDS History Inconsistent?” A Closer Look at the First Vision, Priesthood, Scripture Changes, and Policy Evolution
Critics often claim the Latter-day Saint movement tells “inconsistent stories”—especially around the First Vision, priesthood restoration, Book of Mormon revisions,
The Book of Mormon and the Walam Olum: Understanding Miracles vs. Hoaxes
When critics claim that Joseph Smith “made up” the Book of Mormon, it can be helpful to look at what
“No Swimming” – On Sundays: Is “Satan in the Water?”
If you grew up Latter-day Saint, you probably heard the warning: “Don’t go in the water on Sundays — Satan
“Skin of Blackness?” Or “Covenant Garment? The Book of Mormon, Race, & Redemption
Modern readers carry modern assumptions. That’s usually fine—until we bring modern racial categories into ancient scripture. Nothing illustrates this more
From Folk Magic to Divine Revelation: How the Urim and Thummim Bridged Ancient Israel and Joseph Smith
It’s one of history’s more intriguing coincidences: long before he ever received gold plates or angelic visitations, young Joseph Smith
What Is the Adam–God Teaching? Exploring One of Church History’s Puzzles
Critics of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints love to grab stray lines from old sermons, inflate them
How the Book of Mormon Challenges Creedal Christianity
When Joseph Smith entered a quiet grove in the spring of 1820, he expected a simple answer to a simple
The Priesthood, the Curse of Canaan, and God’s Counter-Cultural Message
The history of God’s dealings with His children is rarely simple. From Adam to the Restoration, the Lord has worked
From Innocence to Understanding: Why Baptism Begins at Eight
A Biblical Pattern of Growth Before Accountability Throughout scripture, God distinguishes between innocence and accountability. Moses described a time when
The Meaning Behind: “As Far as It Is Translated Correctly”
When Joseph Smith wrote in the Eighth Article of Faith that “We believe the Bible to be the word of
The Book of Mormon: Historical Context and the Mystery of Its Origins
Few works of American religion have generated as much debate as the Book of Mormon. Published in 1830 by Joseph
From Apostles to Empire: The Transitional Period that Shaped Early Christianity
The first-century Church, born in the fire of Pentecost and led by apostles who had walked with Jesus, was marked
From Keys to Councils: How Authority Shifted After the Apostles
For Latter-day Saints, the history of Christianity between the death of the New Testament apostles and the rise of imperial
Coffee & the Word of Wisdom: From Beverage to Covenant
Learning Trust Early My grandparents drank coffee. I was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and
The Bible and the Restoration: Partners in Truth, Not Rivals
Among Latter-day Saints, a common phrase is that the Book of Mormon is “the most correct book” (Joseph Smith, History
Blood Oaths, Frontier Struggles, and the Temple’s Journey into Light
What Critics Say—and Why It Matters When people hear about “blood oaths” or dramatic gestures in early LDS temple ceremonies,
Lehi, Zedekiah, and the Siege of Jerusalem: A Test Case for the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon begins in a very specific moment of Old Testament history: “in the commencement of the first
Jesus, Joseph Smith, and Sacred Symbols: Transformation, Not Imitation
One of the most persistent critiques of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the claim that Joseph
From Galatia to Nicaea: Paul’s Caution Against Altering the Gospel and the Rise of the Trinitarian Creed
Among the most persistent debates in Christian history is the question of God’s nature. Is He one essence in three
“Owning Your Own Planet”? A Fun Defense of a Misunderstood Doctrine
Among the many one-liners critics throw at Latter-day Saints, one of the most enduring is the idea that faithful members
No Other God? How Isaiah’s Idol Smackdown Fits With the Rest of the Bible
When Isaiah declares, “Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” (Isaiah 43:10) and “I
Part 3: Did Satan Accidentally Make Himself Part of the Plan?
By now we’ve seen how Lucifer wasn’t required for God’s plan to work, and yet, by his own rebellion, he
Part 2 – The Devil’s Backstory: What the Bible Confirms About the Premortal Life
In Part 1, we explored how God’s plan could still work without Satan. But the fact that the devil isn’t
Prophets, Forgeries, and Treasure Digging: Lessons from the Hofmann Episode
In the mid-1980s, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faced a crisis of history and faith. Rare document
Part 1 – Would God’s Plan Still Work Without Satan?
In Latter-day Saint belief, Lucifer’s rebellion happened before mortality, in the premortal spirit world. He didn’t fall while on earth—he
AI and the Modern Tower of Babel: A Warning from Elder Gong
In a world captivated by artificial intelligence, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles offered a
Sacraments, Salvation, and the Framing Game: Why Protestants, Catholics, and Latter-day Saints Talk Past Each Other
In Christian history, few debates have been more persistent than the question of whether sacraments (or ordinances) are necessary for
Stewards, Not Swindlers: A Faithful Defense of the LDS Church in the SEC Controversy and the Covenant of Tithing
In an age when faith is increasingly mocked, religious conviction is branded as extremism, and traditional values are dismissed as
Temple Access: Why It Feels Exclusive—And Why It’s Not
Temples sit at the heart of Latter-day Saint worship—sacred spaces for covenant, reflection, and communion with God. For believers, they
Blood Atonement, Prophetic Fallibility, and the God Who Works Through Imperfect Men
The Latter-day Saint doctrine of continuing revelation opens the door to both divine guidance and mortal limitation. Few topics expose
Wrestling with God: Hulk Hogan, Superman, and the Soul of America
“Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have struggled with God and with men, and have
Jesus Christ: Firstborn, Not Created — A Latter-day Saint Clarification for Fellow Christians
One of the deepest joys of Christian faith is the shared testimony that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of
From Regulation to Redemption: Slavery, Human Rights, and the Bigger Story of the Bible
Few Old Testament passages disturb modern readers more than Exodus 21:20–21, which addresses the beating of a slave: “When a
In Acts, They Argued. In Galatians, They Corrected. In the Restoration, We Continue: Wrestling with Prophetic Imperfection and Trusting God’s Ongoing Work
The call to follow living prophets is a hallmark of Latter-day Saint faith. We sustain them as seers, revelators, and
Reclaiming a Relational God: A Hebrew Alternative to Trinitarian Abstraction
Modern Christian theology, especially in its creedal and Trinitarian forms, owes much to the philosophical categories of ancient Greece. But
Oneness, Salvation, and Exaltation: Understanding a Biblical Divide
Salvation: Rescue and Resurrection In the Bible, salvation fundamentally means being saved from death and hell and brought back to
Let Us Mourn With Resolve
This article is written with deep sorrow for the lives lost in the recent Hill Country flood. As someone who
Greek Philosophy vs. Hebrew Faith: How ‘the Restoration’ Restored Early Christianity
Christianity was born out of the faith of ancient Israel—a religion centered on personal, covenant-making God who acted in history,
“Let Both Grow Together”: Jesus, False Prophets, and the Pattern of the Restoration
Why the Presence of Imperfect People Doesn’t Invalidate a Divine Church Jesus Christ offered a sobering and deeply realistic view
Borders, the Bible, and Compassion: A Christian Look at Immigration and Authority
Immigration is one of the most emotionally and politically charged topics in America today. For Christians, it brings an added
Does Religion Just Teach Fear? A Closer Look at Covenant and Morality
The claim that religion merely teaches obedience—“Do this or be punished”—while true morality is about doing right for its own
Joseph Smith, the Civil War, and the Gathering of Israel: A Prophetic and Biblical Response to War and Chaos
In December 1832, nearly three decades before the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War, Joseph Smith, the founder of The
Apostles, the Living Word, and the Restoration of Original Christianity
One of the most pressing questions for believers and seekers today is this: What does real, original Christianity look like?
Biblical Precedents for Sacred Records Taken to Heaven: A Comparison to Joseph Smith’s Gold Plates
One of the more unique claims of the Restoration is that after Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, the
Was Racism the Motivating Factor Behind the 1849-1978 Priesthood Restriction on Black Saints?
Second only to plural marriage, the so-called priesthood ban, or racial restriction, is one of the most controversial topics in Latter-day Saint History. If we who hope to share the Restored Gospel with others, we have to overcome the unfounded charges of racism against the Church and acknowledge the imperfections of some of our leaders and the things they said from time to time. Removing American social constructs of “white” and “black” people, using modern science, and Hebrew intent with Restoration scriptures, this topic takes on a meaning the prophets of old intended. We’ll examine the Church’s Essay, “Race and Priesthood” as well. What is says and what it did not say.
What Latter-day Saints need to strongly emphasize is that some leaders have said some wrong things in the past and assert that doctrine is only doctrine when 1) a unified agreement exists between the prophet, First Presidency, and the Quorum of the Twelve, and 2) if it already exists in canonized scripture. In this presentation you will see that race and skin color were not the factors behind the priesthood restriction, and gain a better handle on an ancient and awkward Old Testament curse.
Analyzing the First Presidency Message on COVID and the Vaccine – What It Says and What It Doesn’t Say
There has been considerable frustration and division among members of the Church over the First Presidency’s statement encouraging COVID-19 vaccination.
The Restoration & Progressivism – A Response to The Atlantic’s “The Most American Religion.”
On December 16, 2020, McKay Coppins wrote an intriguing column on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in
Are The Books Of Moses & Abraham Racist?
As part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints scriptural canon and companions to the Bible, are the
Why Did Brigham Young Regulate Slavery Instead of Abolish It in Utah?
This is part 9 of a 9-part series on the topic of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Biblical Curses are Not Racist & Latter-day Saints Do Not Need to Apologize
This is part 8 of a 9-part series on the topic of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3 Issues That Still Haunt the Church & 3 Fatal Flaws In the Critics’ Argument
This is part 7 of a 9-part series on the topic of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
What Are Apologetics, and What Is My Role?
I recently came across the following quote by Alvin Toffler: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those
A Tale of Two Interpretations
This is part 6 of a 9-part series on the topic of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church’s REAL Name: Addressing Stumbling Blocks to the Restored Church
Telling the world we no longer wish to go by “Mormons,” “Mormonism,” or the “Mormon Church,” names that were never
Why every American should reconsider the SECOND Great Awakening
After the War of 1812, a series of revolutionary changes reshaped the Western world—changes we’re still living with today. For
Was Joseph Smith a criminal, a fraud, and a supporter of slavery?
This is part 5 of a 9-part series on the topic of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
George Lucas – Why are there so many religions? (Part 2)
In the first post, Lucas asked, “Mom, if there is only one God, why are there so many religions?” This
The restored Church of Jesus Christ was never racist – a response to Millennial Mormons
This is part 4 of a 9-part series on the topic of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Does God want you to boil and eat your children? Some critics take it there.
As part of an ongoing effort to better understand the Old Testament and to challenge the critics, here is another strange
The Old Testament Said What? God condones rape and incest?
In the social media world, there are ample opportunities to get involved in discussions like the one I was engrossed
“One True Church” and the Intent Behind the Statement
There is a Biblical theme that is so repetitive throughout ancient scripture that one might expect that a modern-day counterpart
A Common Misconception – Does the Church of Jesus Christ have an unpaid clergy?
In January of 2017, a group known as ‘MormonLeaks’ – led by Ryan McKnight – released financial information regarding stipends,
Does the Bible warn against Joseph Smith’s angelic messenger?
As my class was learning about the Second Great Awakening, one of my students reiterated a popular notion amongst Evangelical
What does the Bible say about a homosexual community, and is it time to privatize marriage?
Fears of a Donald Trump presidency have sounded alarms that his VP, Mike Pence, has an agenda to overturn the
“The Story of God with Morgan Freeman” – Can we unite on our shared beliefs?
Actor Morgan Freeman and the Executive Producer, Lori McCreary, appeared on Yahoo in an interview to discuss the upcoming National Geographic
8 Biblical Parallels to Joseph Smith’s Seer Stone
About a year ago, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a picture of Joseph Smith’s seer
War & Peace – A Disciple’s Duty in the Land of the Free
I have updated this article I posted below from that was in the context of the 2016 Presidential race among
Is the Book of Mormon Racist?
This is part 3 of a 9-part series on the topic of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Pope – A man of God, or just another man?
This week’s historic visit from Pope Francis to the U.S., which included a speech before Congress and a visit to the
Trendiness and Tragedy – the desensitization of sin and societal decay
With all the talk of gay marriage and homosexuality being a sin, why don’t Christians take up the topic of
Barriers to the Restoration & Reaching Fellow Bible Believers
It would do well for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to reflect on the media
Pt. 3 – God’s Word and the Unpopular Notion of “One True Church”
The following is part three of this three-part series. For part one click here. For part two click here. A
Pt. 2 – God’s Word and the Unpopular Notion of “One True Church”
The following is part two of a three-part series. For part one click here. For part three click here. Recall
Pt. 1 – God’s Word and the Unpopular Notion of “One True Church”
The following is part 1 of a 3-part series. For part 2 click here. It must be admitted that the
George Lucas asks, “Why are there so many religions?”
“If there is only one God, why are there so many religions?” -George Lucas In an interview with Charlie Rose
Dan Brown’s ‘Da Vinci Code’ Questioned Christianity’s Origins – A comparison of ancient texts
In my Graduate program in History with Sam Houston State University, our professor asked us to compare books of the
The Bible is Awesome, but is it Complete?
Why do Bible believers need the Book of Mormon? Is the Bible perfect and complete? From blogger, Greg Trimble: “The