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Before we can intelligently discuss supposed Book of Mormon anachronisms we need to explore the possible New World location for Book of Mormon events. A geographic model will help set the background for understanding many of the future articles in this series. First, however, some significant facts must be addressed to properly examine this topic. 1. There is no official Book of Mormon geography. In the quasi-official Encyclopedia of Mormonism, the production of which was overseen by Elders Dallin H. Oaks and Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve, we find the following: "The church has not taken...

The Gospel Principles 2009 manual essentially calls classical Christianity “false Christianity” and its theology of God “pagan” and its adherents those who are “called” Christian. If we talked about Mormon beliefs and Mormonism and Mormon members this way, we’d get priesthood-slapped. Yes, you heard me right. Let me explain. In chapter 16 it implicitly taps into popular assumptions about Nicaea and then says that “false Christianity” (that the “Roman emperor adopted”) “taught that God was a being without form or substance.” My first reaction was that the New Testament teaches that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, and...

Tim Powell remembers when the “Utah Mormons” first came to town with their plans in the early 1990s. -SNIP-“Kirtland is one of our best kept secrets, and we wanted to remove that cloak of secrecy and remind people of the importance it played in our history,” said Karl Anderson, 72, who helped push the church’s $15 million effort to renovate or rebuild 10 buildings or sites in and around Kirtland.-SNIP-In all three towns, starting in the 1970s, the church bought buildings and land where historic Mormon events had occurred and began turning them into sites fit for religious pilgrimages....

If there's one thing a BYU religion professor likes to talk about, I suppose it's the gospel. But if there are TWO things a BYU religion professor likes to talk about, you've got to add his son's mission to the list.

During the housing bubble, they led the nation in bankruptcies. Now that the bubble is bust, they're among the top states in foreclosures. A RealtyTrac report released Thursday showed they had the fifth-highest foreclosure rate among the states, with 1 in 231 homes receiving a foreclosure notice in January. That's nearly double the national rate and not far from No. 4 Florida's rate of 1 in 187. The US foreclosure rate actually fell 10 percent from December's level – and Utah was down nearly 12 percent – but RealtyTrac suggested they could surge again in coming months if last year's...

As members of the church we have been counseled to know the doctrines of Christ's gospel and to search them out through careful study of the scriptures. Knowing true doctrine provides individuals protection from the many lies and deceptions in the world today. We have also been taught about the power that comes from uplifting and inspiring music. But consider what it means when the two are combined. Many of the beautiful doctrines of Christ's church, in their purest, simplest form, are embedded in the words of the hymns in the hymnal. Those selected for inclusion capture profound gospel...

I asked for it. My column last week was met with an overwhelming response from active Latter-day Saints, objective religious observers and fervent anti-Mormons. It made its way onto several message boards and blogs, sparking discussions that ran the gamut from the insightful and constructive to the snarky and fruitless. All in all, the column -- in which I encouraged Mormon readers to genuinely ask aggressors why they so dislike the church and its members -- garnered hundreds of replies. There was no way I could have responded to every message. Still, many of their responses were insightful and, I...

When Niels Chew is installed next week as the newest honorary alcalde of Sonoma and handed his silver-headed cane as a symbol of authority, he can expect to have an easier time than pioneer John H. Nash, who was elected Sonoma alcalde in 1846 shortly after the California Republic had ceded its existence to American military forces. SNIP When a regiment of New York volunteers headed by Col. Jonathan D. Stevenson arrived in California in March 1847, one of its seven companies (Company C) was ordered to Sonoma under the command of Capt. George E. Brackett, who billeted his men...

On the day the restored Church was organized, 6 April 1830, the Lord revealed details about the calling of Joseph Smith: Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ, Being inspired of the Holy Ghost to lay the foundation thereof, and to build it up unto the most holy faith. (D&C 21:1-2) What fascinates me is not just the variety...

SALT LAKE CITY 16 October 2009 The political world is astir. Economies are faltering. Public trust is waning. Individuals feel vulnerable. And social cohesion wears thin. Meanwhile, stories of rage and agitation fill our airwaves, streets and town halls. Where are the voices of balance and moderation in these extreme times? During a recent address given in an interfaith setting, Church President Thomas S. Monson declared: "When a spirit of goodwill prompts our thinking and when united effort goes to work on a common problem, the results can be most gratifying." Further, former Church President Gordon B. Hinckley once said...

Curtis C. Newman, a volunteer for the Utah Hospitals Task Force, is writing a series of first-person stories on what he sees in Haiti.   Wednesday, Feb. 3: Tender mercies PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Marlin Cheri was standing near a cinder block wall of her home when a wall fell over during the earthquake. She was able to cover most of her head and escape most of the debris. Unfortunately, a piece of cinder block damaged her forehead and left eye. Her face was lacerated deeply, including her eyelid and eye. She came to today to Community Hospital of Port-au-Prince to...

<p>To many they are nothing more than lovely decorations that blend into meticulous architecture.</p> <p>To others they are visual reminders of the gospel that communicate and reveal various layers of truths, ideas and doctrines.</p> <p>Like the parables taught by the Savior in the New Testament, temple symbols keep the unprepared from things they shouldn't have, but it opens up layers of wonderful meaning for those who are ready for a lot more, Brinkerhoff said.</p>

In the wake of the earthquake in Haiti that left millions of lives shattered, the world saw, and continues to see, an outpouring of love, compassion and service on a magnificent scale. -SNIP-While other relief agencies and governments marshaled their many responses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mobilized humanitarian resources immediately once word reached its Salt Lake City headquarters.-SNIP-The partnerships bringing relief to Haiti are diverse. Some are religious, and some are not. In the past two weeks my Church has worked with the United Nations, CARE, Food for the Poor, International Relief and Development, the American...

Hugh Nibley was, without question, the foremost apologist for Mormonism during the second half of the 20th century. B.H. Roberts was almost certainly the greatest Mormon apologist of the first half. ome might ask why professor Nibley felt any need to "apologize" for Mormonism. But, if they do, they misunderstand the word. Latter-day Saints don't use the term apologetics very often, so they can be excused for thinking it a trifle strange. But our Protestant and Catholic fellow-Christians use it a great deal; it has a long and honorable history, and it's solidly useful. As the unabridged Webster's dictionary puts...

DON'T REMINISCE "It is not a travelogue."-- President Spencer W. Kimball DON'T GIVE A SPEECH "A testimony is not an exhortation; a testimony is not a sermon, none of you are there to exhort the rest." "The moment you begin preaching to others, your testimony ended."-- President Spencer W. Kimball DON'T BORROW OR RELY ON THE TESTIMONY OF OTHERS -- FOR LONG "You will not be able to stand on borrowed light when you face hardship and temptation." -- President Harold B. Lee "I do not want men to come to me or my brethren for testimony as to...

During my Christmas break, I attended my home singles’ ward, hoping to get reacquainted with old friends. When our bishop stood up and announced that four more sisters and friends of mine had received their mission calls, I exclaimed, “Eek gads! Four more friends to write!” (Okay, maybe I didn’t say “eek gads” exactly, but it was something to that effect). I am overjoyed for these sisters, for I know they will be a force to be reckoned with in their service. But it made me think of how our society has changed over the years. More sisters are serving...

Gathering Joe Jessop’s brood together for a group photo is a challenge for even the most patient of snappers. After all, there are five wives, 46 children and – at the last count – 239 grandkids to squeeze into the frame. That’s because the 88-year-old is the bed-hopping patriarch of one of the world’s most extraordinary families. Joe and his clan live in Short Creek, Utah, a 6,000-strong community of members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a polygamous offshoot of the Mormon Church. Joe says: “My family came to Short Creek for the same reason...

REXBURG -- A top LDS religious leader gave a rare unscripted fireside to Brigham Young University-Idaho students Saturday. Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, focused much of his remarks on how the LDS Church is viewed by nonmembers and the media. He taught students about conveying the message of the LDS faith. Ballard spoke candidly about experiences with the national news media, specifically touching on his experiences during former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's presidential campaign. Romney is LDS. The apostle talked about the challenge...

Late Friday afternoon, ABC 4 confirmed that at least 50 children were on a flight headed to Miami, where they will be processed into the country by TSA officials. -SNIP- The text posted at 8:48 a.m. Friday morning to the Utah Hospital Task Force blog said, "We have negotiated the release of 125 orphans bound for SLC and are on ramp in Haiti. Steve Studdert and Executive team along with full support from US Military and US Customs and ICE Agents made it happen. It is truly a miracle."-SNIP- ABC 4 News has learned Stephen Studdert, the task force leader,...

KAYSVILLE -- A first novel for K.C. Grant, 39, has landed this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints author success in just a few weeks since its release. "Abish: Daughter of God" (Covenant, $16.95) already has scored a ranking in the top six for books sold at Deseret Book and Grant said a few Deseret Book stores already have sold out of her novel. "It's fun to have a first novel so well received," said the Kaysville homemaker. "It gives me an inspiration to keep on writing." Grant enjoyed a successful book signing last weekend in Centerville and has...