News: Mormonism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, is one of the fastest growing Christian denominations in the world. They are having increasing influence in American politics and culture - for example spending millions to oppose same-sex marriage. Collected here are recent news stories involving the Mormon Church and what they have been doing.
Expelled Mormon Scholar Unhireable
D. Michael Quinn is one of the world's foremost authorities on Mormon beliefs and history. Today, there is a resurgence of interested in Mormonism, with faculty positions opening up in many places for scholars and teachers. You'd think that Quinn would be in a lot of demand, but just the opposite is the case. He's unemployable because the Mormon church excommunicated him in 1993.
D. Michael Quinn is one of the world's foremost authorities on Mormon beliefs and history. Today, there is a resurgence of interested in Mormonism, with faculty positions opening up in many places for scholars and teachers. You'd think that Quinn would be in a lot of demand, but just the opposite is the case. He's unemployable because the Mormon church excommunicated him in 1993.
Authentic vs. Inauthentic Religion: Mormonism in America
Many early critics of Mormonism denied that it was even a valid religion in the first place. Insisting that Joseph Smith was simply a fraud, they viewed the entire Mormon program as little more than a scam - not a difficult argument to make once it was revealed that men were allowed to have multiple wives.
Many early critics of Mormonism denied that it was even a valid religion in the first place. Insisting that Joseph Smith was simply a fraud, they viewed the entire Mormon program as little more than a scam - not a difficult argument to make once it was revealed that men were allowed to have multiple wives.
Mormon Numbers Dropping?
People usually think of the Mormon Church as one of the fastest growing religious groups in the world - but that impression may be completely mistaken. As it turns out, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may be having a lot of trouble retaining members and getting the members they do have to attend church services.
People usually think of the Mormon Church as one of the fastest growing religious groups in the world - but that impression may be completely mistaken. As it turns out, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may be having a lot of trouble retaining members and getting the members they do have to attend church services.
Mormon Facing Excommunication
Simon Southerton's book Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA and the Mormon Church, reviewed on this site, caused a lot of controversy in the Mormon Church. Himself a Mormon, Southerton is facing possible excommunication.
Simon Southerton's book Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA and the Mormon Church, reviewed on this site, caused a lot of controversy in the Mormon Church. Himself a Mormon, Southerton is facing possible excommunication.
Mormon Daughter's Book Causes Stir
Martha Beck is the daughter of Dr. Hugh Nibley, professor emeritus of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University and "arguably the leading living authority on Mormon teaching." She is also the author of a new book where she reveals being sexually abused by her father and explains why she left Mormonism.
Martha Beck is the daughter of Dr. Hugh Nibley, professor emeritus of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University and "arguably the leading living authority on Mormon teaching." She is also the author of a new book where she reveals being sexually abused by her father and explains why she left Mormonism.
Mormon Author Disciplined for Questioning Church's Origins
Grant Palmer is a Mormon author who has been suspended from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He could have been excommunicated but they stopped short of this and merely disfellowshiped him, an action which denies him certain privileges at temples.
Grant Palmer is a Mormon author who has been suspended from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He could have been excommunicated but they stopped short of this and merely disfellowshiped him, an action which denies him certain privileges at temples.
Inbred Racist Mormons?
Many conservatives have been complaining about Democrat Harry Reid's negative comments about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. According to one, columnist Mychal Massie, Reid's views are to be expected from someone with his "inbred familial heritage." That sound you hear is your irony-meter exploding.
Many conservatives have been complaining about Democrat Harry Reid's negative comments about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. According to one, columnist Mychal Massie, Reid's views are to be expected from someone with his "inbred familial heritage." That sound you hear is your irony-meter exploding.
Mormon Abuse Allegations
In Seattle two men have filed suit against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for failing to protect children from a predatory church leader - even after he was convicted of child molestation.
In Seattle two men have filed suit against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for failing to protect children from a predatory church leader - even after he was convicted of child molestation.
Case Against Mormonism
Mormonism is an original American religion that is becoming increasingly popular all over the world. Unlike most major religions, though, it relies heavily on the truth of archaeological and historical claims which can be reasonably checked against the fact - and the two don't entirely match.
Mormonism is an original American religion that is becoming increasingly popular all over the world. Unlike most major religions, though, it relies heavily on the truth of archaeological and historical claims which can be reasonably checked against the fact - and the two don't entirely match.
Mormon Tactics Against Masturbation
Having trouble dealing with masturbation? Trying to stop but just can't figure out how? Have no fear! There is help for those of you afflicted with this terrible addiction - and the Mormon Church knows the way. Just follow a few simple steps and you'll be free in no time.
Having trouble dealing with masturbation? Trying to stop but just can't figure out how? Have no fear! There is help for those of you afflicted with this terrible addiction - and the Mormon Church knows the way. Just follow a few simple steps and you'll be free in no time.
DNA Tests Contradict Mormon Beliefs
Mormon teaching states that ancient Israelites populated America - and that Jesus came here to deliver extra instructions before he went to heaven. No other Christians believe this and current DNA work is showing that it can't be true. So what are Mormons doing? Quietly making changes without really telling anyone.
Mormon teaching states that ancient Israelites populated America - and that Jesus came here to deliver extra instructions before he went to heaven. No other Christians believe this and current DNA work is showing that it can't be true. So what are Mormons doing? Quietly making changes without really telling anyone.
Polygamist School May Lose Funding
Polygamists in Colorado City, Utah, virtually control a public school - even though none of their children attend. They receive huge amounts of funding but apparently they have been lax in reporting how they use the money, which means that the state could withhold quite a bit from them.
Polygamists in Colorado City, Utah, virtually control a public school - even though none of their children attend. They receive huge amounts of funding but apparently they have been lax in reporting how they use the money, which means that the state could withhold quite a bit from them.
Mormons Officially Endorse Gay Marriage Ban
Although there was never any doubt about where they stood, the Mormon Church has made official their opposition to gay marriage and support for a constitutional ban on it. A recent "statement of principle" explains that the church "favors a constitutional amendment preserving marriage as the lawful union of a man and a woman."
Although there was never any doubt about where they stood, the Mormon Church has made official their opposition to gay marriage and support for a constitutional ban on it. A recent "statement of principle" explains that the church "favors a constitutional amendment preserving marriage as the lawful union of a man and a woman."
Salt Lake Strip Club Gets Reprieve
The Main Street Coffee House pretended to be a church by having worship services on Sundays - this, it was hoped, would force the nearby Crazy Goat Saloon to close because it is illegal to have a sexually oriented businesses (SOBs) within 1,000 feet of a church . The cafe, however, wasn't financially viable and is closing - which means that the strip club can stay open, at least for now.
The Main Street Coffee House pretended to be a church by having worship services on Sundays - this, it was hoped, would force the nearby Crazy Goat Saloon to close because it is illegal to have a sexually oriented businesses (SOBs) within 1,000 feet of a church . The cafe, however, wasn't financially viable and is closing - which means that the strip club can stay open, at least for now.
Mormons Buy Russian Souls
Apparently the Mormon church is paying Russian archives for scanning their records to microfilm. It's an expensive process and the Russians are glad for the help, but the help doesn't come free. In exchange for the assistance, the Mormons get access to the names, thus allowing them to "baptize" the dead Russians into the Mormon faith.
Apparently the Mormon church is paying Russian archives for scanning their records to microfilm. It's an expensive process and the Russians are glad for the help, but the help doesn't come free. In exchange for the assistance, the Mormons get access to the names, thus allowing them to "baptize" the dead Russians into the Mormon faith.
Mormon Prisoners Receiving Preferential Treatment?
Giving a prisoner favorable treatment because he or she follows a favored religion is an incredibly serious breach of trust and responsibility. Nevertheless, it has been alleged that that is exactly what parole board officials have been doing in Utah.
Giving a prisoner favorable treatment because he or she follows a favored religion is an incredibly serious breach of trust and responsibility. Nevertheless, it has been alleged that that is exactly what parole board officials have been doing in Utah.
Wives Defend Polygamy
When it comes to polygamy, women are usually portrayed as victims who are subject to a social system not of their choosing. But how often are the women asked what they think? Although a fair number have expressed happiness over having escaped, many more are happy right where they are.
When it comes to polygamy, women are usually portrayed as victims who are subject to a social system not of their choosing. But how often are the women asked what they think? Although a fair number have expressed happiness over having escaped, many more are happy right where they are.
The Book of Mormon vs. DNA
According to devout believers, the Book of Mormon is a record of the early history of the American Indian descendants of Lehi, a Hebrew who migrated with his family to the New World around 600 B.C. This is the thesis that they have committed themselves to defending - but what is modern science is able to refute it entirely?
According to devout believers, the Book of Mormon is a record of the early history of the American Indian descendants of Lehi, a Hebrew who migrated with his family to the New World around 600 B.C. This is the thesis that they have committed themselves to defending - but what is modern science is able to refute it entirely?
New Plaza Lawsuit Being Prepared
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson has handed over an easement on the Main Street Plaza, thus ending pedestrians' rights to be on the plaza and exercise free speech on a former stretch of Main Street running from North Temple to South Temple. Many residents have been outraged over the process behind this...
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson has handed over an easement on the Main Street Plaza, thus ending pedestrians' rights to be on the plaza and exercise free speech on a former stretch of Main Street running from North Temple to South Temple. Many residents have been outraged over the process behind this...
Mormons Facing Tough Times in Russia
Preferential treatment of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Russia can make things very difficult for Mormon missionaries there. They aren't even officially registered as a church - they are merely a "religious association," a position which means that they essentially have a second-class status in relation to other religions that have a "historical attachment" to the Russian people.
Preferential treatment of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Russia can make things very difficult for Mormon missionaries there. They aren't even officially registered as a church - they are merely a "religious association," a position which means that they essentially have a second-class status in relation to other religions that have a "historical attachment" to the Russian people.
Salt Lake City Plaza Fight Not Over?
Because the Salt Lake City government retained an easement over a plaza owned by the Mormon church, the 10th Circuit Court ruled that the plaza must remain open to free speech - meaning that the church couldn't censor people there.
Because the Salt Lake City government retained an easement over a plaza owned by the Mormon church, the 10th Circuit Court ruled that the plaza must remain open to free speech - meaning that the church couldn't censor people there.