(or how do we know what we think we know) I am by no means a Philosopher, but I think it is crucial to address this topic here. It can get quite complicated, and people have spent lifetimes, written dissertations and countless books on this subject. But basically, what is needed is a reliable method to…
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The Church makes many specific claims about matters of history (both its own, and that of other peoples), the migration of people from one continent to another, the translation of ancient documents, etc. These are perfectly legitimate subjects to be examined using the tools and logic of Science. I do recognize that some claims the…
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The Church was organized in Manchester, New York, on April 6, 1830. The original name used on that date was actually the “Church of Christ.” This was changed in 1834 to “The Church of the Latter Day Saints,” and then changed again in 1838 to “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” (see…
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The odds of you knowing of someone going through a faith crisis seem to be increasing. Perhaps that is because more people are going through faith crises. Perhaps the internet provides an avenue for those people to be more vocal about it. Or, perhaps it is a combination of both. In any event, you probably know someone struggling with…
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One of the hardest things to try to come to terms with — NOT knowing. Is there life after death? Will we see our loved ones again? It wasn’t as scary when I ‘knew’. When I had my head in the sand. Feeling these fears is part of exposing myself, part of being honest with…
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I’ve focused mostly on the Book of Mormon, since I accept that it is the keystone of the religion, just as Joseph Smith, Jr stated. The Book of Abraham and his other translations are close behind. Some of the other topics that have affected my testimony: Polygamous marriages of Joseph Smith, use of coercion, several…
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I had previously been able to convince myself that the reason we don’t have the gold plates is because Joseph Smith, Jr would have been hunted to an even earlier death if he had kept them. Still, I, and I think every member, has a secret wish that the Lord would decide it was time…
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Facsimile 3 is described by Joseph Smith as “Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh’s throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven; with the scepter of justice and judgment in his hand.” Once again, this is not about Abraham at all, but is…
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Facsimile 2 is actually a representation of a “hypocephalus”. Egyptians would put these under the head of mummies, like a pillow. Here are lots of real hypocephali as they are in abundance: You’ll notice that I’ve circled certain sections. Go back and study what’s inside the red circle first. Four ram heads, right? Now go…
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This is Facsimile 1, located at the front of the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price. Joseph Smith described this scene as “The idolatrous priest of Elkenah attempting to offer up Abraham as a sacrifice,” meaning, the man with the knife is a priest of Elkenah and the man on the altar…
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