Old Testament, Amos 3:7

“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

Book of Mormon, Mosiah 8:17 

“But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.”

Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”

Topics and Questions, “The Role of Prophets,” Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

“Since ancient times, God has called prophets to testify of Jesus Christ and declare His word. God prepares, calls, and leads prophets to accomplish His eternal purposes.”

“The Prophet Joseph Smith received authority from God to administer gospel covenants and priesthood ordinances and restore the Church of Jesus Christ. He also received revelation clarifying important truths about God and His plan for His children. His successors as President of the Church have had the same authority to receive revelation to add to gospel knowledge and to guide the Church. This principle of continuing revelation is a central feature of the restored gospel.”

“We should not lose sight of their vital role. The Lord calls members of the Church’s First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to be “special witnesses of the name of Christ” and to act as prophets, seers, and revelators in our day. Like ancient prophets, they commune with God and reveal His will. They have divine authority to guide the Church by revelation, administer the ordinances of the gospel, and direct the Lord’s work on the earth.”

“God will always guide prophets to ensure that the Church fulfills its mission to prepare His children for the blessings of eternal life.”

“Living prophets, the scriptures, and past Church leaders are all important.”

Guide to the Scriptures, “Prophet,” Study Helps, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

“A person who has been called by and speaks for God. As a messenger of God, a prophet receives commandments, prophecies, and revelations from God. His responsibility is to make known God’s will and true character to mankind and to show the meaning of His dealings with them. A prophet denounces sin and foretells its consequences. He is a preacher of righteousness. On occasion, prophets may be inspired to foretell the future for the benefit of mankind.”

Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, Volume 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah

“I am no false prophet,” he testified. “I have had no dark revelations. I have had no revelations from the devil.” Ch. 43

Richard Lyman Bushman, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

“Toward the end of his life, he told a Pittsburgh reporter that he could not always get a revelation when he needed one, but “he never gave anything to his people as revelation, unless it was a revelation.” Preface

Russell M. Nelson, “Follow the Prophets - They Speak for God,” Restoration Conversations with President Russell M. Nelson, Media Library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“If the president of the church should ever lead people astray, God would take him away. So I’d like to stay here, and I won’t lead you astray. Do you know what the word ‘prophet’ means? He speaks for God. And so God won’t lead you astray, and the prophet will not lead you astray, because God loves you and I can tell you that the prophet loves you.  

Russell M. Nelson, “The Love and Laws of God,” 17 September 2019, Devotional, Speeches, Brigham Young University

“Truth number two: Truth is truth. Some things are simply true. The arbiter of truth is God.”

“Wouldn’t it be far more uncaring for us not to tell the truth—not to teach what God has revealed?

It is precisely because we do care deeply about all of God’s children that we proclaim His truth. We may not always tell people what they want to hear. Prophets are rarely popular. But we will always teach the truth!”

“Thus our commission as apostles is to teach nothing but truth.”

Dale G. Renlund, “Your Divine Nature and Eternal Destiny,” General Conference, April 2022

“Ever since God appointed prophets, they have been authorized to speak on His behalf. But they do not pronounce doctrines fabricated of their own mind or teach what has not been revealed.”

Sheri L. Dew, “Prophets Can See Around Corners,” 2 November 2022, Devotionals, Brigham Young University Hawaii

“Seriously, are any of us smart enough to maneuver this confusing world alone? Without help from those who are smarter, the future looks downright scary.

So, in a world filled with billions of conflicting voices, where do we turn for the smartest help?”

“Prophets make us smarter than any other leaders or influencers on earth. Prophets help us see dangers we cannot yet see and opportunities we can’t even imagine.”

“Prophets help us see around corners.”

“Brothers and sisters, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, acting unitedly, will never send the Church in the wrong direction. And here is why: Because even THE prophet is not the head of this Church. Jesus Christ is, and He is perfect. Prophets take their instructions from Him who knows all, sees all, and understands all things.”

“Because this is the Lord’s Church and Jesus Christ is the one who chooses His prophets, the Savior will never let the prophet lead the Church astray. Period.” 

“Don’t make life harder by being stupid. Don’t be deceived by activists who believe their passion for a cause gives them permission to censure prophets. Don’t turn your back on those who have all priesthood keys and who can help you see around corners.”

“Prophets will make you smarter. They will help you see things you cannot see.”

“I plead with you to gain your own witness of prophets of God and then follow them for the rest of your life. It will be the smartest thing you ever do. Because prophets will be the last safe voices on earth.”

Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, Volume 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah

“A few days before Christmas, however, a local newspaper published reports that government leaders in the state of South Carolina were fighting taxes on imported goods and threatening to declare independence from the United States. Some people were calling for war. 

As Joseph read reports of the crisis, he reflected on the wickedness and destruction that the Bible said would precede the Savior’s Second Coming. The whole world groaned under the bondage of sin, the Lord had told him recently, and God would soon visit the wicked with His wrath, rending the kingdoms of the earth and causing the heavens to tremble 

After praying to know more about these calamities, Joseph received a revelation on Christmas Day. The Lord told him that the time would come when South Carolina and other southern states would rebel against the rest of the nation. The rebellious states would call on other countries for help, and enslaved peoples would rise up against their masters. War and natural disaster would then pour out upon all nations, spreading misery and death across the earth.” Ch. 15 

Richard Lyman Bushman, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

“Wherever he was, Joseph observed the world through a millennial lens. Mindful of the apocalyptic future, he watched for calamities signaling the end. While cholera was “cutting down its hundreds in the city of New York,” he wrote Phelps, “the Indians are spreading death and devestation wherever they go.” In December, news of a political disaster as dire as the cholera caught his attention. An excessively high tariff favoring northern manufactures had set off a “rebellion”: a South Carolina convention had unilaterally nullified the tariff and forbade its collection. President Andrew Jackson, refusing to acknowledge this assertion of state power, called out troops. By Christmas 1832, a military confrontation appeared imminent.

On Christmas Day, when the Kirtland brethren were discussing possible repercussions of the confrontation, South Carolina was mentioned in a revelation.” Ch. 9

“Mormons, like other millenarians, tended to dismiss human political institutions as ephemera doomed to disappear. But the Christmas Day revelation linked the “appearances of troubles among the nations” to prophecies of the last days. The revelation foresaw war in South Carolina that would spread through the world. First the North and the South would fight, and later Great Britain as a southern ally. “After many days,” the slaves would rise up against their masters, and eventually the Indians, “the remnants who are left of the land,” would join in. Reference to the “remnants” would have reminded the Saints of Book of Mormon prophecies about the remnants of Jacob in America, the Lamanites, vexing the Gentiles if they refused to join Israel. The Christmas Day revelation was the first Mormon revelation to correlate political events with the millenarian calendar.” Ch. 9

“Joseph’s revelation foresaw a series of wars unfolding out of one another—North versus South, Great Britain and the nations, slaves rising up, then Indians “will marshall themselves, and shall become exceeding angry”—until “the consumption decreed, hath made a full end of all nations.” The “rebellion” of South Carolina would “terminate in the death and misery of many souls.” Ch. 9

“The revelation responded to events of the hour, in the spirit of the cholera reports, and then was put aside. Interest revived in the 1850s when the conflict between North and South flared up again.” Ch. 9

Doctrine and Covenants 87:1-8

“Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls;

And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place.

For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out upon all nations.

And it shall come to pass, after many days, slaves shall rise up against their masters, who shall be marshaled and disciplined for war.

And it shall come to pass also that the remnants who are left of the land will marshal themselves, and shall become exceedingly angry, and shall vex the Gentiles with a sore vexation.

And thus, with the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the consumption decreed hath made a full end of all nations;

That the cry of the saints, and of the blood of the saints, shall cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, from the earth, to be avenged of their enemies.

Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.”

Church History Topics, “Prophecies of Joseph Smith,” Church History, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“While most of the revelations Joseph Smith received gave instructions, counsel, and doctrinal teachings or recovered sacred stories from the ancient past, a few contained historically specific prophecies about impending events. Those that did usually focused on global events leading up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ or on specific endeavors in which the Saints were commanded to participate.”

“On December 25, 1832, Joseph Smith received a revelation prophesying that a war between the northern and southern U.S. states would begin in South Carolina and that wars and uprisings throughout the earth would finally result in the “end of all Nations” at the time of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. At the time the revelation was received, South Carolina and the federal government of the United States were involved in a dispute, but it was peacefully resolved the next March.”

Joseph Smith’s Revelations, “Doctrine and Covenants 87,” Doctrine and Covenants Study, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Because Painesville, Ohio, was only about ten miles from Kirtland, Ohio, it is probable that JS saw or heard about the articles in the 21 December Telegraph within a day or so. These developments troubled JS, who saw in them the threat of the “immediate dissolution” of the United States. Indeed, the 25 December revelation predicted that rebellion on the part of South Carolina would lead not only to civil war and war among nations but also to slave rebellions and an uprising of remnants of the house of Israel. This violence, combined with plague and other natural disasters, would ultimately lead to the “full end of all Nations.” Using millenarian language, the revelation cast such events as portents of the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.”

Revelations in Context, “D&C 87 Peace and War,” Doctrine and Covenants Study, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Andrew Jackson, the president of the United States, issued a proclamation in which he warned that South Carolina’s rejection of federal tariffs was an act of rebellion that could end in bloodshed. South Carolina promptly responded by preparing for war. Compromise seemed nowhere in sight.”

“Joseph Smith followed this conflict closely through the newspapers that passed into Kirtland. He appended a note in his history about the people of South Carolina “declaring their state, a free and Independent Nation” and the “proclamation against this rebellion” given by President Jackson. And then, following these lines, Joseph inserted what he called “a prophecy on war,” a revelation he dictated to his clerk Frederick G. Williams on Christmas Day 1832, just days after the startling news appeared in the Kirtland papers. That revelation is known today as Doctrine and Covenants 87.”

“Destruction was not a new theme in Joseph Smith’s revelations. The Lord had already warned of a time when famine, pestilence, and tempests would befall the world’s inhabitants. The revelations taught that widespread destruction would precede the Lord’s Second Coming, and the frequency of references to destruction in the revelations prompted many Latter-day Saints to conclude that the Second Coming must be imminent.”

“Doctrine and Covenants 87 only heightened expectations that the Second Coming was not far away. Other revelations located destruction in an indeterminate time and place: Destruction would happen “before this great day,” referring to the Second Coming, or would occur among “all nations.” War and rumors of war would be “in your own lands,” the revelations said, and “in foreign lands.” Doctrine and Covenants 87, by contrast, tied destruction to specific places and events in a contemporary landscape: South Carolina and its rebellion were singled out by name. Conflict involved more than just warring nations. It would also involve oppressed groups—“slaves” and “remnants”—rising up against their masters and overseers.”

“Crisis Averted. To the great surprise of all, the nullification crisis ended almost before it began. In February 1833, President Jackson orchestrated a lowered, compromise tariff, asserting the rights of the federal government while satisfying the demands of states-rights secessionists. Crisis was averted, peace had returned to the land, and President Jackson basked in what may have been his greatest triumph as president.”

“As a follower of Christ, Joseph Smith loved peace and welcomed compromise, and he looked forward to the return of the Prince of Peace and His peaceful millennial reign. But the dire predictions contained in the prophecy on war, tied as they were to contemporary events, must have puzzled Joseph. The death and misery of many souls did not occur. The Southern states continued to be divided against the North over the question of slavery, but the slaves did not rise up against their masters, and South Carolina did not call on Great Britain for help. Anyone looking for the fulfillment of the revelation in 1833 would have been disappointed.”

“He did not mention South Carolina in his later teachings and sermons. When he compiled his revelations for publication in 1835, Joseph withheld Doctrine and Covenants 87 from the collection. After the nullification crisis ended peacefully, it seemed best to set the revelation aside during his lifetime.”

“He must have wondered if this revelation was a case of false prophecy.”

Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, Volume 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah 

“By the end of July, neither the store nor anything else church leaders tried had eased the church’s debt. Desperate, Joseph left Kirtland with Sidney, Hyrum, and Oliver for Salem, a city on the East Coast, after hearing from a church member who thought he knew where to find a cache of hidden money. No money came of the lead when they arrived in the city, and Joseph turned to the Lord for guidance.” Ch. 22

Richard Lyman Bushman, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

“Joseph and Hyrum, Rigdon and Cowdery took passage from Fairport on Lake Erie the very day the letters were dated, their destinations New York City and Salem, Massachusetts. The purpose of the journey goes unstated, but in Salem, a revelation assured them, “I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion; and many people in this city whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion.” Uncertain of his next step, Joseph was casting about for financial resources. The revelation put the best face on a misbegotten venture. Long after the event, Ebenezer Robinson, a printer in Nauvoo, remembered that a convert named Burgess had persuaded Church leaders that a large sum of money was hidden in the cellar of a Salem house. Perhaps Joseph believed he could identify the site using his boyhood gifts as a treasure-seeker.” Ch. 18

“For two weeks, the men taught from house to house, taking time out to visit the famous East India Marine Society museum like ordinary tourists. On August 20, Rigdon lectured on “Christianity” at the lyceum. All the while they looked for the treasure-house. On August 19, Joseph wrote Emma that “we have found the house since Bro. Burgess left us, very luckily and providentially, as we had one spell been most discouraged.” They were plotting how to get possession. “The house is occupied, and it will require much care and patience to rent or buy it.” Joseph said they were willing to wait months if necessary, but by September, the party was back in Kirtland with no treasure for their pains.” Ch. 18

Doctrine and Covenants 111, Section Heading

“Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Salem, Massachusetts, August 6, 1836. At this time the leaders of the Church were heavily in debt due to their labors in the ministry. Hearing that a large amount of money would be available to them in Salem, the Prophet, Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, and Oliver Cowdery traveled there from Kirtland, Ohio, to investigate this claim, along with preaching the gospel. The brethren transacted several items of Church business and did some preaching. When it became apparent that no money was to be forthcoming, they returned to Kirtland. Several of the factors prominent in the background are reflected in the wording of this revelation.”

Doctrine and Covenants 111:1-11

“I, the Lord your God, am not displeased with your coming this journey, notwithstanding your follies.

I have much treasure in this city for you, for the benefit of Zion, and many people in this city, whom I will gather out in due time for the benefit of Zion, through your instrumentality.

Therefore, it is expedient that you should form acquaintance with men in this city, as you shall be led, and as it shall be given you.

And it shall come to pass in due time that I will give this city into your hands, that you shall have power over it, insomuch that they shall not discover your secret parts; and its wealth pertaining to gold and silver shall be yours.

Concern not yourselves about your debts, for I will give you power to pay them.

Concern not yourselves about Zion, for I will deal mercifully with her.

Tarry in this place, and in the regions round about;

And the place where it is my will that you should tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the peace and power of my Spirit, that shall flow unto you.

This place you may obtain by hire. And inquire diligently concerning the more ancient inhabitants and founders of this city;

For there are more treasures than one for you in this city.

Therefore, be ye as wise as serpents and yet without sin; and I will order all things for your good, as fast as ye are able to receive them. Amen.”

Joseph Smith’s Revelations, “Doctrine and Covenants 111,” Doctrine and Covenants Study, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“On 25 July 1836, after writing two letters concerning church members in Missouri, JS, Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon left Kirtland, Ohio, to travel to the eastern United States, briefly visiting New York City and Boston and staying in Salem, Massachusetts, before returning to Kirtland in mid-September.”

“JS and his three companions arrived in Salem on 5 August and rented a house on Union Street for three weeks. The house may have been where JS dictated this revelation a day later.”

“No known contemporary documents specify church leaders’ reasons for visiting the eastern United States, and few records discuss the trip. The main contemporary sources of information are two letters written by Oliver Cowdery to his brother Warren A. Cowdery, which were published in the church’s newspaper, and a letter JS wrote to his wife Emma while in Salem. Oliver Cowdery’s letters indicate that their time in New England was spent preaching and occasionally visiting historic places. 

The four church leaders were likely motivated by a concern about Zion and the financial situation of the church, particularly a need to reduce debts of church leaders. The financial burden placed on them by finishing the House of the Lord in Kirtland and purchasing land in Ohio and Missouri had added significantly to the church’s existing debts. Following a 2 April 1836 meeting at which JS and Cowdery were assigned to raise money to purchase land in Missouri, the men appear to have encountered difficulties in finding members willing to give their money or land for the cause of Zion. With the citizens of Clay County, Missouri, requesting that church members living there relocate, the need for temporal means to aid church members in Missouri grew even more pressing. 

JS and his colleagues may have raised money as they preached during their trip east in 1836, as it was not uncommon for missionaries to have the dual objectives of proselytizing and collecting funds for the church. This 6 August revelation addresses the church leaders’ financial concerns. It informed the men that they would have the power to pay their debts and instructed them to “concern not yourselves about Zion” for there were people and money in Salem “for the benefit of Zion.”

Related to the revelation’s statement that there was “much treasure” in Salem, two later accounts from individuals not directly involved in the journey state that JS traveled to the eastern United States to search for treasure or hidden money. In an 1843 pamphlet, sixteen-year-old dissident James C. Brewster briefly mentioned treasure hunting in relation to JS’s 1836 trip. Ebenezer Robinson wrote an account in 1889, fifty-three years after JS’s trip, that also linked the 1836 trip and searching for treasure—in fact, he claimed that the single objective of the trip was to look for hidden money in Salem.”

“Robinson, who joined the Church of the Latter Day Saints in 1836 while working in the Kirtland printing office, stated in his reminiscences that Don Carlos Smith, who worked with him, told him that JS had learned about possible treasure from “a brother in the church, by the name of Burgess” who had come to Kirtland and “stated that a large amount of money had been secreted in the cellar of a certain house in Salem, Massachusetts, which had belonged to a widow, and he thought he was the only person now living, who had knowledge of it, or the location of the house.” Robinson claimed he was also told that Burgess met JS in Salem but that Burgess was unable to identify the house after so many years and left. Continuing their search, according to Robinson, JS and the three other men found and rented a house they thought contained the hidden money, but they were unsuccessful in finding it.”

“It is possible that JS had been told about hidden money in Salem and decided to pursue it to aid the church and relieve the financial and temporal pressure weighing down the branches in Kirtland and Missouri, and two contemporary documents may provide support for the statements of Brewster and Robinson. First, a promissory note was made out to a Jonathan Burgess in Salem, a tentative connection to the Burgess of Robinson’s account. Second, JS mentioned looking for a specific house in Salem in his 19 August letter to Emma Smith. Robinson’s account stated that JS rented the house and failed to find any treasure, but JS’s letter to Emma reveals that he had not been able to rent or gain access to the house. While JS seemed hopeful the situation would change, the men left Salem only a few days later and offered no indication that they had rented or even visited the sought-after house, nor is there any evidence that they later returned.”

Revelations in Context, “D&C 111 More Treasures Than One,” Doctrine and Covenants Study, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“In late July 1836, Joseph Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, and Hyrum Smith started traveling from Kirtland, Ohio, to the eastern United States. In the weeks before their departure, worries about the temporal affairs of the Church weighed heavily on Joseph’s mind. In Missouri, the Saints held on to the titles to lands they had been driven from in Jackson County as a sign of their commitment to building Zion, but they had no foreseeable way to return. At the same time, the Church was weighed down with debts after the construction of the Kirtland Temple. What could be done?

These concerns likely continued to occupy Joseph Smith’s thoughts as his small group traveled to New York City and Boston.1 According to a later account, Joseph and other leaders had been told about a hidden treasure in Salem, Massachusetts, and hoped to find it.2 Both the hope for financial relief and worry over Zion were key parts of the context for a revelation the Prophet received in Salem on August 6, 1836.”

“Joseph and his three companions followed the direction in the revelation to “tarry in this place” and spent several weeks in Salem, preaching and visiting historic places while hoping to obtain money to help pay Church debts and redeem Zion. But no documents exist indicating that they saw this revelation fulfilled in any way by the time they returned to Kirtland.”

“What the Lord accomplished through their trip to Salem remains unknown. Some people have assumed that the trip was simply not a success.”

Doctrine and Covenants 84, Section Heading

“Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 22 and 23, 1832.”

Doctrine and Covenants 84:1-5

“A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high.

Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem.

Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased.

Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.

For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.”

Church History Topics, “Independence, Missouri,” Church History, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Under the direction of Bishop Edward Partridge, the first Saints who settled in the area began purchasing property and preparing for other Saints to gather to build Zion. Between 1831 and 1833, the Church purchased 180 acres in Independence and 1,200 acres in surrounding areas of Jackson County, and some 1,200 Saints gathered to the county and organized five branches. In June 1833, the First Presidency, then in Kirtland, Ohio, sent a plat, or city plan, to Church leaders in Missouri for the “City of Zion,” showing how the city should be organized around a complex of two dozen temples, sacred structures dedicated to fulfilling the temporal and spiritual needs of the Saints.

Unfortunately, the earlier settlers of the area grew increasingly wary of the Latter-day Saint presence in Missouri. Mounting tensions between the Saints and their neighbors came to a head in the summer of 1833, resulting in the entire population of Saints being driven from the county.”

“When their attempts to recover their property failed, the Saints focused on building new gathering places in Illinois and later in Utah.

Even after Brigham Young and the Twelve Apostles led the majority of the Saints west, many hoped to return one day to build Zion near Independence. Meanwhile, members of other churches that had separated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints returned to the area. Today, multiple churches that claim Joseph Smith as their founder consider sites associated with the Saints’ early efforts to build Zion as sacred spaces.”

Historic Sites, “Questions and Answers about the Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri,” Church History Topics, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“At a certain place in Independence, Missouri, a rectangle of land is surrounded by an amphitheater, a visitors’ center, a peace plaza, a mission office, hundreds of parking spaces, three meetinghouses for congregational worship, and the headquarters for an international church.

The rectangle measures about 300 feet by 200 feet (90 meters by 60 meters). It has nothing on it but grass, a few trees, six small stone markers, and a sign. Compared to nearby structures, it doesn’t look like much. But it is one reason those structures are there.

The buildings are operated by three churches: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Church of Christ, and Community of Christ. Members of all three churches—and other churches in the area—feel a special attachment to that little rectangle of land. They believe it was once dedicated for the construction of a temple in the center place of Zion, in preparation for the Savior’s millennial reign.”

“When the Lord revealed the location of the lot, the land was west of the city of Independence. Since then, the city has expanded to include the temple lot.”

“Soon after the Lord revealed plans for the city of Zion, the Saints were forced to leave Jackson County. They did not build any of those 24 temples.”

“Community of Christ owns most of the 63.27 acres purchased by Bishop Partridge.”

“We do not know exactly how, when, or where these words will be fulfilled, but we do know that that rectangle of land in Independence is sacred. It has been dedicated to the Lord.”

Historic Sites, “Far West Temple Site,” Church History Topics, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Joseph Smith oversaw the cornerstone ceremony for a new house of the Lord at the center of Far West, Missouri on July 4, 1838. Though the Latter-day Saints never built the temple, the four cornerstones remain on-site.”

“The Far West Temple Site marks the center of what used to be a large city with thousands of residents. The temple, though never completed, was a focal point for the early Saints. Wherever the Saints settled, the Lord revealed through His prophet the location of a temple, usually at the center of the city. Today, a monument and the four cornerstones of the temple memorialize the efforts of the Saints to build a stake of Zion and the revelations received here.

After mob violence thwarted efforts to build temples in Independence, Missouri, in 1833, Latter-day Saints focused their building efforts on the house of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio.”

“In 1838, the Lord commanded that a new temple be built at the center of Far West in Caldwell County, Missouri. On July 4, 1838—Independence Day in the United States—Joseph Smith oversaw the ceremonial laying of four cornerstones on the public square in the heart of the growing city. Thousands of spectators witnessed the ceremony.

Efforts to build the temple were short-lived. Conflict with local Missourians caused the Latter-day Saints to abandon Far West in November 1838.”

Church History Topics, “Far West,” Church History, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“In April 1838, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that Far West would be “a holy and consecrated land” as the Saints gathered there to build a temple and worship Him.”

“The settlement in Far West was modeled after the “Plat of the City of Zion,” a settlement plan originally intended for the building of Zion in Jackson County, Missouri. On July 4, 1838, the Saints placed and dedicated the four cornerstones for a temple in their new city.”

“No further work was done on the temple. Mob violence against the Saints in Caldwell and neighboring counties in the fall of 1838 soon grew into a large-scale armed conflict. Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs ordered the state militia to surround Far West and drive the Saints from the state.”

Bruce R. McConkie, “Mormon Doctrine,” 1966, Bookcraft, Salt Lake City

“Since generation means the act of producing or begetting offspring, a generation of people is composed of those who descend from the same parents. The statement, "This is the book of the generations of Adam" (Gen. 5:1), means in effect, "This is the book of the descendants of Adam," or "This is the genealogy of those who sprang from Adam." 

In the sense of reproducing itself, a generation is about 30 or 40 years. (Job 42:16; 1 Ne. 12:11-12.) In the sense of measuring time by the lives of men, a generation, since the Abrahamic day, has been about 100 years. (Gen. 15:13-16; Ex. 12:40; 4 Ne. 18,22.) From this standpoint of measurement, a generation from the time of Adam to the flood would have been nearly 1000 years. (Gen. 5.) A generation may be measured in terms of the life of the oldest persons who live in a particular period. (D. & C. 45:30-31; 84:4-5.) It may also refer to all contemporary people living in a given age. (D. & C. 5:8-10.)”

Joseph Fielding Smith, “Building the New Jerusalem,” Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 3, p. 501-502

“The place for the building of the temple was then pointed out. August 2, 1831, the land was dedicated by Sidney Rigdon as a possession and inheritance for the saints, and the following day the Prophet Joseph Smith dedicated the site for the temple on a spot a short distance west of the court house in Independence.”

“Building of New Jerusalem Deferred. That the New Jerusalem, or City Zion, was to be built at once and the temple erected also, naturally was the thought of the assembled brethren.”

“City of Zion and Temple Yet to be Built. Nearly 100 years have passed since the site of Zion was dedicated and the spot for the temple was chosen, and some of the members of the Church seem to be fearful lest the word of the Lord shall fail. Others have tried to convince themselves that the original plan has been changed and that the Lord does not require at our hands this mighty work which has been predicted by the prophets of ancient times. We have not been released from this responsibility, nor shall we be.”

“It is true that the Lord commanded the saints to build to his name a temple in Zion. This they attempted to do, but were prevented by their enemies, so the Lord did not require the work at their hands at that time. The release from the building of the temple did not, however, cancel the responsibility of building the City and the House of the Lord, at some future time.”

Joseph Smith, Letter to Noah C. Saxton, 4 January 1833, The Joseph Smith Papers

“And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed **as has not a parallel in the hystory of our nation pestalence hail famine and earthquake will sweep the wicked off this generation from off the face of this Land to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country The people of the Lord, those who have complied with the requsitions of the new covenant have already commenced gathering togethe[r] to Zion which is in the State of Missouri. Therefore I declare unto you the warning which the lord has commanded me to declare unto this generation, rembring [remembering] that the eyes of my maker are upon me and that to him I am accountabl for evry word I say wishing nothing worse to my fellow men then their eternal salvation therefore fear God, and give glory to him for the hour of his Judgment is come, <Repent ye> Repent, ye and imbrace the everlasting Covenant and flee to Zion before the overflowing scourge overtake you, For there are those now living upon the earth whose eyes shall not be closed in death until they see all these things which I have spoken fulfilled.”

Joseph Smith, in Minute Book 1, p. 147, 14-15 February 1835, The Joseph Smith Papers

“President Joseph Smith Junr presided over the meeting. After the Congregation assembled. he arose and requested the attention and read the 15th chapter of John and said, let us endeavor to solemnize our minds that we may receive a blessing by calling on the Lord & said let us pray, 

After an appropriate and affecting prayer was made the Brethern who went to Zion, were requested to take their seats together in one part of the house by themselves. President Smith arose and stated the reason why this meeting was called. It was this. God had commanded it and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit. he then gave a relation of some of the circumstances attending us while journeying to Zion, our trials, sufferings &c. &c. He said God had not designed all this for nothing, but he had it in remembrance yet, and those who went to Zion, with a determination to lay down their lives, if necessary, it was the Will of God, that they should be ordained to the ministry and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh, even fifty six years, should wind up the scene.”

Joseph Smith, in “History of the Church,” Vol. 5, p. 394

“President Smith, in concluding his remarks, said that if the government, which received into its coffers the money of citizens for its public lands, while its officials are rolling in luxury at the expense of its public treasury, cannot protect such citizens in their lives and property, it is an old granny anyhow; and I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed by her officers that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left, for their wickedness in permitting the murder of men, women and children, and the wholesale plunder and extermination of thousands of her citizens to go unpunished, thereby perpetrating a foul and corroding blot upon the fair fame of this great republic, the very thought of which would have caused the high-minded and patriotic framers of the Constitution of the United States to hide their faces with shame.” 

Joseph Smith, “History of Joseph Smith,” in The Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, Volume 22, p. 455, and History of the Church 6:116

“While discussing the petition to Congress, I prophesied, by virtue of the holy Priesthood vested in me, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that, if Congress will not hear our petition and grant us protection, they shall be broken up as a government, and God shall damn them, and there shall be nothing left of them - not even a grease spot.”

Joseph Smith, “Contributor,” Volume 5, p. 259

“The same God that has thus far dictated me and directed me and strengthened me in this work, gave me this revelation and commandment on celestial and plural marriage, and the same God commanded me to obey it. He said to me that unless I accepted it, and introduced it, and practiced it, I, together with my people would be damned and cut off from this time henceforth. We have got to observe it. It is an eternal principle and was given by way of commandment and not by way of instruction.”

Brigham Young, “Mosiah Hancock Journal,” Spring 1863

“The powers of hell will do their utmost to get this people to give up that holy law which God designs to maintain.” 

John Taylor, “Millennial Star,” 9 November 1855, Volume 47, p. 708, also in Journal of Discourses, Volume 23, p. 240-41 and Volume 26, p. 151-53

“It is an eternal part of our religion, and we will never relinquish it – We cannot withdraw or renounce it – He has promised to maintain it.”

John Taylor, “John Taylor revelation,” 1886 September 27, Call Number MS 34928, Church History Catalog

“My son John, You have asked me concerning the New and Everlasting Covenant and how far it is binding upon my people.

Thus saith the Lord, All commandments that I give must be obeyed by those calling themselves by my name, unless they are revoked by me or by my authority. And how can I revoke an everlasting covenant? For I, the Lord, am everlasting and my everlasting covenants cannot be abrogated nor done away with; but they stand for ever. Have I not given my word in great plainness on this subject? Yet have not great numbers of my people been negligent in the observance of my law and the keeping of my commandments, and yet have I borne with them these many years? And this because of their weakness, because of the perilous times. And furthermore it is now pleasing to me that men should use their free agency in regard to these matters; Nevertheless, I, the Lord, do not change and my word and my covenants and my law do not, and as I have heretofore said by my servant Joseph, all those who would enter into my glory must and shall obey my law, and have I not commanded men that if they were Abraham’s seed and would enter into my glory they must do the works of Abraham? I have not revoked this law, nor will I, for it is everlasting and those who will enter into my glory must obey the conditions thereof, even so. Amen.”

“[Revelation about the new and everlasting covenant as written by John Taylor. File includes John Taylor's 1886 handwritten copy and a handwritten copy by a Taylor family member. Also includes an 18 July 1933 memorandum from J. Reuben Clark Jr. about the provenance of the copy in John Taylor's handwriting, a 1909 typescript copy of the revelation by Joseph Fielding Smith, and additional typescript copies.]”

Lorin C. Woolley, “Affidavit,” 1929

“When President Taylor came out of his room about eight o'clock of the morning of September 27, 1886, we could scarcely look at him on account of the brightness of his personage.” He stated, “Brethren, I have had a very pleasant conversation all night with Brother Joseph.” (Joseph Smith) I said, “Boss, who is the man that was there until midnight?” He asked, “What do you know about it, Lorin?” I told him all about my experience. He said, “Brother Lorin, that was your Lord.”

“I was called to offer the benediction. I think my father, John W. Woolley, offered the opening prayer. There were present, at this meeting, in addition to President Taylor, George Q. Cannon, L. John Nuttall, John W. Woolley, Samuel Bateman, Charles H. Wilkins, Charles Birrell, Daniel R. Bateman, Bishop Samuel Sedden, George Earl, my mother, Julia E. Woolley, my sister, Amy Woolley, and myself. The meeting was held from about nine o'clock in the morning until five in the afternoon without intermission, being about eight hours in all.”

“He then put each person under covenant that he or she would defend the principle of Celestial or Plural Marriage, and that they would consecrate their lives, liberty and property to this end, and that they personally would sustain and uphold that principle.”

“After that he talked for about an hour and then sat down and wrote the revelation which was given him by the Lord upon the question of Plural Marriage.”

“Then he talked to us for some time, and said, “Some of you will be handled and ostracized and cast out from the Church by your brethren because of your faithfulness and integrity to this principle, and some of you may have to surrender your lives because of the same, but woe, woe, unto those who shall bring these troubles upon you.”

“He then set us apart and placed us under covenant that while we lived we would see to it that no year passed by without children being born in the principle of plural marriage. We were given authority to ordain others if necessary to carry this work on; and they in turn to be given authority to ordain others when necessary, under the direction of the worthy senior (by ordination), so that there should be no cessation in the work.”

“President Taylor said that the time would come when many of the Saints would apostatize because of this principle.“

“He also said the day will come when a document similar to that (Manifesto) then under consideration would be adopted by the Church, following which, “apostasy and whoredom would be rampant in the Church.”

Daniel R. Bateman, “Sworn Statement,” 4 May 1934

“I was privileged to be at the meeting of September 27, 1886, spoken of by Brother Woolley, I myself acting as one of the guards for the brethren during those exciting times. The proceedings of the meeting as related by Brother Woolley are correct in every detail.”

Wilford Woodruff, “Minutes of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles,” 12 December 1888

“The Lord will never give a revelation to abandon Plural Marriage.”

Wilford Woodruff, in “Heber J. Grant Journal,” 17 May 1888

“We won't quit practicing plural marriage until Christ shall come.”

Wilford Woodruff, “Manti Temple Dedication,” 17 May, 1888

“We are not going to stop the practice of plural marriage until the coming of the Son of Man.”

Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, Volume 3, Discourse 17

“The principle of plurality of wives never will be done away.”

Marriner W. Merrill, “Rudger Clawson Diary,” 11 July 1899

“The time would never come when children of Polygamous parents would cease to be born in the Church.” 

Abraham O. Woodruff, “Quarterly Conference in Colonia Juarez,” 18-19 November 1900

“No year will ever pass, ... from now until the coming of the Savior, when children will not be born in Plural Marriage. And I make this prophecy in the name of Jesus Christ.” 

Lorenzo Snow, “History of Utah,” Orson F. Whitney, 1879

“Though I go to prison, God will not change His law of Celestial Marriage.”

Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, Volume 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah

“In council, they resolved that Joseph should review the revelations and “correct those errors or mistakes which he may discover by the Holy Spirit.” Ch. 13

Richard Lyman Bushman, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

“Most of Joseph’s revelations came while he sat in council with his followers. Parley Pratt, one of Joseph’s early converts, described how the revelation on discerning spirits was received. John Murdock and several other elders asked Joseph to inquire of the Lord. They joined in prayer in the translating room, Pratt said, and Joseph dictated a revelation. 

“Each sentence was uttered slowly and very distinctly, and with a pause between each, sufficiently long for it to be recorded, by an ordinary writer, in long hand. This was the manner in which all his written revelations were dictated and written. There was never any hesitation, reviewing, or reading back, in order to keep the run of the subject; neither did any of these communications undergo revisions, interlinings, or corrections. As he dictated them so they stood, so far as I have witnessed.” Ch. 6

“A conference on November 8 instructed Joseph Smith to review the commandments and “correct those errors or mistakes which he may discover by the holy Spirit.” Correcting “errors” in language supposedly spoken by God again raised the question of authenticity. If from God, how could the language be corrected? Correction implied Joseph’s human mind had introduced errors; if so, were the revelations really his productions? The editing process uncovered Joseph’s anomalous assumptions about the nature of revealed words. He never considered the wording infallible. God’s language stood in an indefinite relationship to the human language coming through the Prophet. The revealed preface to the Book of Commandments specified that the language of the revelations was Joseph Smith’s: “These commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding.” The revelations were not God’s diction, dialect, or native language. They were couched in language suitable to Joseph’s time. The idioms, the grammar, even the tone had to be comprehensible to 1830s Americans. Recognizing the pliability of the revealed words, Joseph freely edited the revelations “by the holy Spirit,” making emendations with each new edition. He thought of his revelations as imprinted on his mind, not graven in stone. With each edition, he patched pieces together and altered the wording to clarify meaning. The words were both his and God’s.” Ch. 8

Joseph Smith, 1842, Nauvoo Relief Society, “A Book of Records. Containing the proceedings of The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo,” Minute Book, Mar. 17, 1842–Mar. 16, 1844

“I have desired to organise the Sisters in the order of the Priesthood I now have the key by which I can do it. The organisation of the Church of Christ was never perfect until the women were organised.”

Joseph Smith, Apr. 28, 1842, Nauvoo Relief Society, “A Book of Records. Containing the proceedings of The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo,” Minute Book, Mar. 17, 1842–Mar. 16, 1844

“I now turn the key to you in the name of God and this Society shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time.”

Joseph Smith, 1842, Nauvoo Relief Society, “A Book of Records. Containing the proceedings of The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo,” Minute Book, Mar. 17, 1842–Mar. 16, 1844

“I want you (E. R. Snow) to tell the sisters who delegated you that their offering is accepted of the Lord, and will result in blessing to them. I want the adjourned meeting to meet with me and a few of the brethren in the Masonic Hall on Thursday at 1. P. M. next,7 And I will organise you in the Order of the Priesthood after the pattern of the church.”

Joseph Smith, Mar. 31, 1842, Nauvoo Relief Society, “A Book of Records. Containing the proceedings of The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo,” Minute Book, Mar. 17, 1842–Mar. 16, 1844

“All must act in concert, or nothing can be done, and should move according to the ancient priesthood; hence the saints should be a select people,18 separate from all the evils of the world—choice, virtuous, and holy. The Lord was going to make of the Church of Jesus Christ a kingdom of priests, a holy people, a chosen generation, as in Enoch’s day, having all the gifts as illustrated to the church in Paul’s epistles and teachings to the churches in his day19—that it is the privilege of each member to live long and enjoy health.”

Joseph Smith, Discourse, April 28, 1842, from Deseret News, September 19, 1855

“[April] 28 [1842]. At two o’clock. p.m., I met the members of the “Female Relief Society,” and after presiding at the admission of many new members, gave a lecture on the Priesthood, showing how the sisters would come in possession of the privileges, blessings, and gifts of the priesthood, and that the signs should follow them, such as healing the sick, casting out devils, &c., and that they might attain unto these blessings by a virtuous life, and conversation, and diligence in keeping all the commandments; a synopsis of which was reported by Miss E. R. Snow.”

“Some little foolish things were circulating in the society, against some sisters not doing right in laying hands on the sick. If the people had common sympathies they would rejoice that the sick could be healed; that the time had not been before that these things could be in their proper order.”

“No matter who believeth, these signs, such as healing the sick, casting out devils, &c., should follow all that believe, whether male or female. He asked the Society if they could not see by this sweeping promise, that wherein they are ordained, it is the privilege of those set apart to administer in that authority, which is conferred on them; and if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let everything roll on.”

“Respecting females administering for the healing of the sick, he further remarked, there could be no devil in it, if God gave his sanction by healing; that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on and praying for40 the sick, than in wetting the face with water: it is no sin for any body to administer that has faith, or if the sick have faith to be healed by their administration.”

“You will receive instruction through the order of the Priesthood which God has established, through the medium of those appointed to lead, guide, and direct the affairs of the church in this last dispensation; and I now turn the key in your behalf in the name of the Lord, and this Society shall rejoice, and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time henceforth; this is the beginning of better days to the poor and needy, who shall be made to rejoice and pour forth blessings on your heads.”

Joseph Smith, Journal, Apr. 28, 1842. JSP, J2:3–183. The Joseph Smith Papers

“Thursday 28 at Two o’clock after-noon met the members of the “Female relief Society” and after presiding at the admission of many new members. Gave a lecture on the pries[t]hood shewing how the Sisters would come in possession of the priviliges & blesings & gifts of the priesthood— & that the signs should follow them. such as healing the sick casting out devils &c. & that they might attain unto. these blessings. by a virtuous life & conversation & diligence in keeping all the commandments.”

Brigham Young, Discourse to Seventies Quorum, Brigham Young Discourses, March 9, 1845, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society

“President Brigham Young, arose & said he would make remarks relative to thing in which many of or our Sister have been engaged they have no right to meddle in the affairs of the kingdom of God outside the pale of this they have a right to meddle because many of them are more sagacious & shrewd & more competent to attend to things of the financial affairs. They never can hold the keys of the Priesthood apart from their husband. When I want Sisters or the Wives of the members of this church to get up Relief Society I will summon them to my aid but until that time let them stay at home & if you see Females huddling together veto the concern and if they say Joseph started it tell them it is a damned lie for I know he never encouraged it but I know where the Chit was laid but I am determined to stay these proceedings for by it our best men have been taken from us. One ounce of prevention is better than one pound cure.”

John Taylor, “R.S. Reports,” 1 September 1880, Woman’s Exponent 9, no. 7: 55

“The ordination then given did not mean the conferring of the Priesthood upon those sisters.”

“The sisters hold a portion of the Priesthood in coneciton with their husbands.”

J. Reuben Clark Jr., “Our Wives and Our Mothers in the Eternal Plan,” Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1946, 800-801

“This is the place of our wives and of our mothers in the Eternal Plan. They are not bearers of the Priesthood; they are not charged with carrying out the duties and functions of the Priesthood; nor are they laden with its responsibilities; they are builders and organizers under its power, and partakers of its blessings, possessing the complement of the Priesthood powers and possessing a function as divinely called, as eternally important in its place as the Priesthood itself.”

Dallin H. Oaks, “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood,” General Conference, April 2014

“With the exception of the sacred work that sisters do in the temple under the keys held by the temple president, which I will describe hereafter, only one who holds a priesthood office can officiate in a priesthood ordinance. And all authorized priesthood ordinances are recorded on the records of the Church.”

“How does this apply to women? In an address to the Relief Society, President Joseph Fielding Smith, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said this: “While the sisters have not been given the Priesthood, it has not been conferred upon them, that does not mean that the Lord has not given unto them authority. … A person may have authority given to him, or a sister to her, to do certain things in the Church that are binding and absolutely necessary for our salvation, such as the work that our sisters do in the House of the Lord. They have authority given unto them to do some great and wonderful things, sacred unto the Lord, and binding just as thoroughly as are the blessings that are given by the men who hold the Priesthood.”

“The Lord has directed that only men will be ordained to offices in the priesthood.”

“Men hold the priesthood, with a sacred duty to use it for the blessing of all of the children of God. The greatest power God has given to His sons cannot be exercised without the companionship of one of His daughters.”

Brigham Young, “Adam, Our Father and Our God,” 9 April 1852, Journal of Discourses, vol. 26, p. 50-51

“Now hear it, O inhabitants of the earth, Jew and Gentile, Saint and sinner! When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He is MICHAEL, the Archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! about whom holy men have written and spoken - HE is our FATHER and our GOD, and the only God with whom WE have to do. Every man upon the earth, professing Christians or non-professing, must hear it, and will know it sooner or later.”

“When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. And who is the Father? He is the first of the human family; and when he took a tabernacle, it was begotten by his Father in heaven, after the same manner as the tabernacles of Cain, Abel, and the rest of the sons and  daughters of Adam and Eve; from the fruits of the earth, the first earthly tabernacles were originated by the Father, and so on in succession.”

“Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden, and who is our Father in Heaven. Now, let all who may hear these doctrines, pause before they make light of them, or treat them with indifference, for they will prove their salvation or damnation.”

Brigham Young, in “Journal of L. John Nuttall,” 7 February 1877, secretary to Brigham Young, transcribing Brigham Young’s first “Lecture at the Veil”

“Adam was an immortal being when he came on this earth he had lived on an earth similar to ours.”

“Eve our common Mother who is the mother of all living bore those spirits in the celestial world.”

“Father Adam's oldest son (Jesus the Saviour) who is the heir of the family, is father Adam's first begotten in the spirit world, who according to the flesh is the only begotten as it is written. (In his divinity he having gone back into the spirit world, and came in the spirit to Mary and she conceived, for when Adam and Eve got through with their work in this earth, they did not lay their bodies down in the dust, but returned to the spirit world from whence they came.)”

Brigham Young, “Discourse By President Brigham Young, Delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, June 8, 1873,” in Deseret News, Volume 22, No. 308, 18 June 1873, Digital Collections, Brigham Young University

“How much unbelief exists in the minds of the Latter-day Saints in regard to one particular doctrine which I revealed to them, and which God revealed to me – namely that Adam is our father and God – I do not know, I do not inquire, I care nothing about it. Our Father Adam helped to make this earth, it was created expressly for him, and after it was made he and his companions came here. He brought one of his wives with him, and she was called Eve, because she was the first woman upon the earth. Our Father Adam is the man who stands at the gate and holds the keys of everlasting life and salvation to all his children who have or who ever will come upon the earth. I have been found fault with by the ministers of religion because I have said that they were ignorant. But I could not find any man on the earth who cold tell me this, although it is one of the simplest things in the world, until I met and talked with Joseph Smith.”

Spencer W. Kimball, “Our Own Liahona,” General Conference, October 1976

“We hope that you who teach in the various organizations, whether on the campuses or in our chapels, will always teach the orthodox truth. We warn you against the dissemination of doctrines which are not according to the scriptures and which are alleged to have been taught by some of the General Authorities of past generations. Such, for instance, is the Adam-God theory. We denounce that theory and hope that everyone will be cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrine.”

Bruce R. McConkie, “The Seven Deadly Heresies,” 1 June 1980, Devotional, Speeches, Brigham Young University

“There are those who believe or say they believe that Adam is our father and our god, that he is the father of our spirits and our bodies, and that he is the one we worship.

The devil keeps this heresy alive as a means of obtaining converts to cultism. It is contrary to the whole plan of salvation set forth in the scriptures, and anyone who has read the Book of Moses, and anyone who has received the temple endowment and who yet believes the Adam–God theory does not deserve to be saved.

Those ensnared by it reject the living prophet and close their ears to the apostles of their day. “We will follow those who went before,” they say. And having so determined, they soon are ready to enter polygamous relationships which destroy their souls.

We worship the Father, in the name of the Son, by the power of the Holy Ghost; and Adam is their foremost servant, by whom the peopling of our planet commenced.”

Mark E. Petersen, “Adam, The Archangel,” General Conference, October 1980

“Adam was not our God, nor was he our Savior. But he was the humble servant of both in his status as an angel.”

“Then was Adam our God, or did God become Adam? Ridiculous!

Adam was neither God nor the Only Begotten Son of God. He was a child of God in the spirit as we all are.”

William Smith, “A Proclamation,” 29 October 1845, Warsaw Signal, Vol. 2, No. 32

 “I ought to have mentioned in a former place, that on one occasion, I heard Brigham Young say, on the stand, that he was glad Alvine Hodge was killed, and that he considered those who would follow the assassins even to the Mississippi river, were neither more nor less than fools, and that he hoped all such men would "run against just such snags." That in the territory of Iowa, murderers had been hanged and he knew it, though he did not think proper to tell his hearers how, he knew it. And he said further that it was far better for Alvine [sic] Hodge to die, than to live any longer in sin, for that he might now possibly be redeemed in the eternal world. That his murderers had done even a deed of charity for that such a man deserved to die.”

Brigham Young, “Historian's Office General Church Minutes,” 2 December 1847, Church History Catalog, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Wm. Smith ordained a black man Elder at Lowell & he has married a white girl & they have a child. 

Pres Young: If they were far away from the gentiles they would all have to be killed - when they mingle seed it is death to all.”

Brigham Young, “Governor Brigham Young’s Address before the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah upon Slavery,” 5 February 1852, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, Reported by George D. Watt and Wilford Woodruff, in The Teachings of President Brigham Young, Volume 3, 1852-1854, Collier’s Publishing Co. October 1987

“In the Priesthood I will tell you what it will do. Were the children of God to mingle their seed with the seed of Cain it would not only bring the curse of being deprived of the power of the Priesthood upon themselves but they entail it upon their children after them, and they cannot get rid of it. If a man in an unguarded moment should commit such a transgression, if he would walk up and say cut off my head, and kill man, woman and child, it would do a great deal towards atoning for the sin. Would this be to curse them? No, it would be a blessing to them—it would do them good, that they might be saved with their brethren. A many would shudder should they hear us talk about killing folk, but it is one of the greatest blessings to some to kill them.”

“Let me consent today to mingle my seed with the seed of Cain - it would bring the same curse upon me and it would upon any man. And if any man mingle his seed with the seed of Cain the only way he could get rid of it or have Salvation would be to come forward and have his head cut off and spill his blood upon the ground - it would also take the life of his children.”

Brigham Young, “Thieves and Their Deserts,” 8 May 1853, Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 108-109

“If you want to know what to do with a thief that you may find stealing, I say kill him on the spot, and never suffer him to commit another iniquity. That is what I expect I shall do, though never, in the days of my life, have I hurt a man with the palm of my hand. I never have hurt any person any other way except with this unruly member, my tongue. Notwithstanding this, if I caught a man stealing on my premises I should be very apt to send him straight home, and that is what I wish every man to do, to put a stop to that abominable practice in the midst of this people.”

“If you will cause all those whom you know to be thieves, to be placed in a line before the mouth of one of our largest cannon, well loaded with chain shot, I will prove by my works whether I can mete out justice to such persons, or not. I would consider it just as much my duty to do that, as to baptize a man for the remission of his sins. That is a short discourse on thieves, I acknowledge, but I tell you the truth as it is in my heart.”

Brigham Young, “Atonement of Blood by the Shedding of Blood,” 21 September 1856, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p. 54

“It is true that the blood of the Son of God was shed for sins through the fall and those committed by men, yet men can commit sins which it can never remit. As it was in ancient days, so it is in our day; and though the principles are taught publicly from this stand, still the people do not understand them; yet the law is precisely the same. There are sins that can be atoned for by an offering upon an altar, as in ancient days; and there are sins that the blood of the lamb, of a calf, or of turtle doves, cannot remit, but they must be atoned for by the blood of the man.”

Brigham Young, “Atonement of Blood by the Shedding of Blood,” 8 February 1857, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p. 219-220

“The time has been in Israel under the law of God, the celestial law, or that which pertains to the celestial law, for it is one of the laws of that kingdom where our Father dwells, that if a man was found guilty of adultery, he must have his blood shed, and that is near at hand.”

“Now take a person in this congregation who has knowledge with regard to being saved in the kingdom of our God and our Father, and being exalted, one who knows and understands the principles of eternal life, and sees the beauty and excellency of the eternities before him compared with the vain and foolish things of the world, and suppose that he is overtaken in a gross fault, that he has committed a sin that he knows will deprive him of that exaltation which he desires, and that he cannot attain to it without the shedding of his blood, and also knows that by having his blood shed he will atone for that sin, and be saved and exalted with the Gods, is there a man or woman in this house but what would say, “shed my blood that I may be saved and exalted with the Gods?"

All mankind love themselves, and let these principles be known by an individual, and he would be glad to have his blood shed. That would be loving themselves, even unto an eternal exaltation. Will you love your brothers or sisters likewise, when they have committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without the sheding of their blood ? Will you love that man or woman well enough to shed their blood?” 

“I could refer you to plenty of instances where men have been righteously slain, in order to atone for their sins. I have seen scores and hundreds of people for whom there would have been a chance (in the last resurrection there will be) if their lives had been taken and their blood spilled on the ground as a smoking incense to the Almighty, but who are now angels to the devil, until our elder brother Jesus Christ raises them up - conquers death, hell, and the grave. I have known a great many men who have left this Church for whom there is no chance whatever for exaltation, but if their blood had been spilled, it would have been better for them.”

“This is loving our neighbors as ourselves; if he needs help, help him; and if he wants salvation and it is necessary to spill his blood on the earth in order that he may be saved, spill it. Any of you who understand the principles of eternity, if you have sinned a sin requiring the shedding of blood, except the sin unto death, would not be satisfied nor rest until your blood should be spilled, that you might gain that salvation you desire. That is the way to love mankind.”

Brigham Young, “The Persecutions of the Saints, Their Loyalty to the Constitution, The Mormon Battalion, The Laws of God Relative to the African Race, Remarks by President Brigham Young, Made in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City,” March 8, 1863. Journal of Discourses, Volume 10, p. 110

“Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so.”

Bruce R. McConkie, “Mormon Doctrine,” 1958, Bookcraft, Salt Lake City

“Blood Atonement Doctrine. From the days of Joseph Smith to the present, wicked and evilly-disposed persons have fabricated false and slanderous stories to the effect that the Church, in the early days of this dispensation, engaged in a practice of blood atonement whereunder the blood of apostates and others was shed by the Church as an atonement for their sins. These claims are false and were known by their originators to be false. There is not one historical instance of so-called blood atonement in this dispensation, nor has there been one event or occurrence whatever, of any nature, from which the slightest inference arises that any such practice either existed or was taught.

There are, however, in the sermons of some of the early church leaders some statements about the true doctrine of blood atonement and of its practice in past dispensations, for instance, in the days of Moses.”

“Raising the curtain of truth on this false and slanderous bluster of enemies of the Church who have thus wilfully chosen to fight the truth with outright lies of the basest sort, the true doctrine of blood atonement is simply this:

1. Jesus Christ worked out the infinite and eternal atonement by the shedding of his own blood. He came into the world for the purpose of dying on the cross for the sins of the world. By virtue of that atoning sacrifice immortality came as a free gift to all men, and all who would believe and obey his laws would in addition be cleansed from sin through his blood.

2. But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate, and the law of God is that men must then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins. Murder, for instance, is one of these sins; hence we find the Lord commanding capital punishment. Thus, also, if a person has so progressed in righteousness that his calling and election has been made sure, if he has come to that position where he knows "by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood" that he is sealed up unto eternal life (D. & C. 131:5), then if he gains forgiveness for certain grievous sins, he must "be destroyed in the flesh," and "delivered unto the buffetings of Satan unto the day of redemption, saith the Lord God." (D. & C. 132:19-27.)

President Joseph Fielding Smith has written: "Man may commit certain grievous sins - according to his light and knowledge - that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved, he must make sacrifice of his Own life to atone - so far as in his power lies - for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail.

Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so grievous that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 133-138.) This doctrine can only be practiced in its fulness in a day when the civil and ecclesiastical laws are administered in the same hands. It was, for instance, practiced in the days of Moses, but it was not and could not be practiced in this dispensation, except that persons who understood its provisions could and did use their influence to get a form of capital punishment written into the laws of the various states of the union so that the blood of murderers could be shed.”

Lowell M. Snow, “Encyclopedia of Mormonism,” 1992, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University

“Blood Atonement. The doctrines of the Church affirm that the Atonement wrought by the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is efficacious for the sins of all who believe, repent, are baptized by one having authority, and receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. However, if a person thereafter commits a grievous sin such as the shedding of innocent blood, the Savior's sacrifice alone will not absolve the person of the consequences of the sin. Only by voluntarily submitting to whatever penalty the Lord may require can that person benefit from the Atonement of Christ.

Several early Church leaders, most notably Brigham Young, taught that in a complete theocracy the Lord could require the voluntary shedding of a murderer's blood-presumably by capital punishment-as part of the process of Atonement for such grievous sin. This was referred to as "blood Atonement." Since such a theocracy has not been operative in modern times, the practical effect of the idea was its use as a rhetorical device to heighten the awareness of Latter-day Saints of the seriousness of murder and other major sins. This view is not a doctrine of the Church and has never been practiced by the Church at any time.”

Deseret News, “Mormon Church Statement on Blood Atonement,” 18 June 2010

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released this statement Wednesday:

In the mid-19th century, when rhetorical, emotional oratory was common, some church members and leaders used strong language that included notions of people making restitution for their sins by giving up their own lives.

However, so-called "blood atonement," by which individuals would be required to shed their own blood to pay for their sins, is not a doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We believe in and teach the infinite and all-encompassing atonement of Jesus Christ, which makes forgiveness of sin and salvation possible for all people.”

Topics and Questions, “Religion vs. Violence,” Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“To complicate the matter, there are places in the scriptures where violence appears to be justified—for example, in cases of self-defense. But while specific situations vary, for Latter-day Saints, peace is always a priority. As the Book of Mormon teaches, followers of Christ should be known for their “peaceable walk with the children of men” (Moroni 7:4).”

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strives for peace, unity, and healing through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When a member of the Church commits a violent crime, he or she is acting against the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Church.”

“Unfortunately, there are some who distort the desire to build a better world to justify violent behavior. The Church condemns such behavior.”

“Ancient scripture contains many accounts of violence, including instances that appear to be divinely sanctioned. There is much in these scriptural accounts that we do not fully understand today. They should never be used to justify violence in the present.”

“Some early Church leaders used the phrase “blood atonement” to refer to the idea that certain sins, such as murder, are so grievous that they could be forgiven only through the shedding of the blood of the sinner.”

“This idea was expressed at a time when fiery preaching was common. However, most Latter-day Saints seem to have recognized that some of the forceful language in these sermons was hyperbole, intended to provoke repentance.”

“Blood atonement is not a doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Instead, the Church teaches that all redemption comes because of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, which makes forgiveness of sin and salvation possible for all.”

“The Church neither promotes nor opposes capital punishment. The Church today considers capital punishment a matter to be decided by civil law.”

Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 9:7

“Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.”

Book of Mormon, Alma 34:10-14

“For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.

Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of another. Now, if a man murdereth, behold will our law, which is just, take the life of his brother? I say unto you, Nay.

But the law requireth the life of him who hath murdered; therefore there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world.

Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away.

And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.”

Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 30:1-2

“Hearken, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold he commandeth me that I should write, saying:

Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.”

Doctrine and Covenants 42:18-19

“And now, behold, I speak unto the church. Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come.

And again, I say, thou shalt not kill; but he that killeth shall die.”

Brigham Young, “Governor Brigham Young’s Address before the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah upon Slavery,” 5 February 1852, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, Reported by George D. Watt and Wilford Woodruff, in The Teachings of President Brigham Young, Volume 3, 1852-1854, Collier’s Publishing Co. October 1987

“Now then, in the Kingdom of God on the Earth, a man who has the African blood in him cannot hold one jot nor tittle of Priesthood. Why? Because they are the true eternal principles the Lord Almighty has ordained, and who can help it - men cannot, the angels cannot, and all the powers of Earth and Hell cannot take it off, but thus saith the Eternal, “I Am, what I Am, I take it off at My pleasure,” and not one particle of power can that posterity of Cain have, until the time comes the Lord says He will have it taken away.”

“Inasmuch as it is the Lord’s will they should receive the spirit of God by Baptism, and that is the end of their privilege; and there is not power on Earth to give them any more power.”

“Perhaps I have said enough upon this subject, I have given you the true principles and doctrine.”

“Any man having one drop of the seed of Cain in him cannot hold the Priesthood and if no other Prophet ever spake it before, I will say it now - in the name of Jesus Christ, I know it is true, and others know it! The Negro cannot hold one particle of government.”

“The Lord told Cain that he should not receive the blessings of the Priesthood nor his seed, until the last of the posterity of Abel had received the Priesthood, until the redemption of the Earth.”

“For this reason the Negro race cannot hold the Keys of the Priesthood until the times of restitution shall come, and the curse be wiped off from the Earth, and from Michael’s seed. Then Cain’s seed will be had in remembrance and the time come when that curse should be wiped off.”

Brigham Young, “Remarks by President Brigham Young, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City,” 9 October 1859, Journal of Discourses, Volume 7, p. 282-291

“How long is that race to endure the dreadful curse that is upon them? That curse will remain upon them, and they never can hold the Priesthood or share in it until all the other descendants of Adam have received the promises and enjoyed the blessings of the Priesthood and the keys thereof. Until the last ones of the residue of Adam’s children are brought up to that favourable position, the children of Cain cannot receive the first ordinances of the Priesthood. They were the first that were cursed, and they will be the last from whom the curse will be removed. When the residue of Adam come up and receive their blessings, then the curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will receive blessings in like position.”

Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 11, p. 272

“Why are so many of the inhabitants of the earth cursed with a skin of blackness? It comes in consequence of their fathers rejecting the power of the holy Priesthood, and the laws of God. They will go down to their death. And when all the rest of the children have received their blessings in the holy Priesthood, then that curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will then come up and possess the Priesthood.”

First Presidency, “First Presidency Statement,” 17 August 1949

“The attitude of the Church with reference to Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church from the days of its organization, to the effect that Negroes may become members of the Church but that they are not entitled to the priesthood at the present time.”

Evan Pettit Wright, “Address Delivered by President Evan P. Wright at the Cape District Conference, Mowbray, C.P. South Africa,” 24 October 1952, in “A History of the South African Mission,” Period 3, 1944-1970, p. 421

“Prophets of the Church have told us that when others have received the Priesthood, have been gathered, have come to the kingdom, and other children of the Lord resurrected, then the curse will be removed from Cain.”

Joseph Fielding Smith, quoted in “Racist Practice,” 31 January 1970, Honolulu Star-Bulletin

“Young man, Joseph Smith did not decide that the Negro should not have the priesthood. Brigham Young did not decide it. David O. McKay did not decide it. . . . God did.”

David O. McKay, “Gospel Ideals,” p. 453, in Church Education System, “Eternal Marriage Student Manual,” Women’s Divine Roles and Responsibilities, Approved June 2003, Used in Religion 234 Preparing for an Eternal Marriage, and Religion 235 Building an Eternal Marriage, Gospel Courses, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“This ability and willingness properly to rear children, the gift to love, and eagerness, yes, longing to express it in soul development, make motherhood the noblest office or calling in the world.”

Harold B. Lee, “Teachings of Harold B. Lee,” p. 291, in Church Education System, “Eternal Marriage Student Manual,” Differences Inherent Between Men and Women, Approved June 2003, Used in Religion 234 Preparing for an Eternal Marriage, and Religion 235 Building an Eternal Marriage, Gospel Courses, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“From my experience, it would seem that faithful mothers have a special gift that we often refer to as mother’s intuition. Perhaps with the great blessing of motherhood, our Heavenly Father has endowed them with this quality, since fathers, busy in priesthood callings and with the work of earning a livelihood, never draw quite as close to heavenly beings in matters that relate to the more intimate details of bringing up children in the home”

Spencer W. Kimball “The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball,” p. 318

“Women are to take care of the family—the Lord has so stated—to be an assistant to the husband, to work with him, but not to earn the living, except in unusual circumstances. Men ought to be men indeed and earn the living under normal circumstances”

“Too many women spend their time in socializing, in politicking, in public services when they should be home to teach and train and receive and love their children into security.”

Thomas S. Monson, “The Women’s Movement: Liberation or Deception?” Ensign, January 1971, in Church Education System, “Eternal Marriage Student Manual,” Differences Inherent Between Men and Women, Approved June 2003, Used in Religion 234 Preparing for an Eternal Marriage, and Religion 235 Building an Eternal Marriage, Gospel Courses, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“What the modernists, even the liberationists, fail to remember is that women, in addition to being persons, also belong to a sex, and that with the differences in sex are associated important differences in function and behavior.”

Thomas S. Monson, “The Women’s Movement: Liberation or Deception?” Ensign, January 1971

“Have such mothers become liberated? Have they achieved freedom? Equality? No. They have not been liberated. They have been deceived. They have lost their true identity. They have followed that Pied Piper of Sin who has cunningly led them away from their divine role of womanhood down that pathway of error from which a return journey is so difficult and never completed without scars.

Is there to be found a way to avoid such tragic consequences, even a method whereby sin may be shunned and righteousness enthroned? Perhaps a point of new beginning?”

“You, beloved sisters of the Church, know who you are and what God expects you to become.”

“Compassionate service and a sensitivity to the needs of others are the principal purposes for which a women’s program was organized.”

“May I issue to you three challenges for our times: first, sustain your husband; second, strengthen your home; third, serve your God.”

“Your husband, as the priesthood bearer, is the head of the home. You, the helpmeet, are not the head, but just as important—the heart of the home. Honor his priesthood, and he will respect your womanhood.”

“Be patient, be tender, be loving, be considerate, be understanding, be your best self as you sustain your husband.”

Spencer W. Kimball, “Faith Precedes the Miracle,” 1975, p. 128

“It was never intended by the Lord that married women should compete with men in employment. They have a far greater and more important service to render”

Spencer W. Kimball, fireside address, San Antonio, Texas, 3 December 1977

“The husband is expected to support his family and only in an emergency should a wife secure outside employment. Her place is in the home, to build the home into a heaven of delight.”

“Numerous divorces can be traced directly to the day when the wife left the home and went out into the world into employment. Two incomes raise the standard of living beyond its norm. Two spouses working prevent the complete and proper home life, break into the family prayers, create an independence which is not cooperative, causes distortion, limits the family, and frustrates the children already born”

“Wives, come home from the typewriter, the laundry, the nursing, come home from the factory, the café. No career approaches in importance that of wife, homemaker, mother—cooking meals, washing dishes, making beds for one’s precious husband and children. Come home, wives, to your husbands. Make home a heaven for them. Come home, wives, to your children, born and unborn. Wrap the motherly cloak about you and, unembarrassed, help in a major role to create the bodies for the immortal souls who anxiously await.”

Neal A. Maxwell, “The Women of God,” General Conference, April 1978, in Church Education System, “Eternal Marriage Student Manual,” Differences Inherent Between Men and Women, Approved June 2003, Used in Religion 234 Preparing for an Eternal Marriage, and Religion 235 Building an Eternal Marriage, Gospel Courses, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“We know so little, brothers and sisters, about the reasons for the division of duties between womanhood and manhood as well as between motherhood and priesthood. These were divinely determined in another time and another place.”

“We men know the women of God as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, associates, and friends. You seem to tame us and to gentle us, and, yes, to teach us and to inspire us.”

Spencer W. Kimball, “The Role of Righteous Women,” General Conference, October 1979, in Church Education System, “Eternal Marriage Student Manual,” Equality of Men and Women, Approved June 2003, Used in Religion 234 Preparing for an Eternal Marriage, and Religion 235 Building an Eternal Marriage, Gospel Courses, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Our roles and assignments differ. These are eternal differences—with women being given many tremendous responsibilities of motherhood and sisterhood and men being given the tremendous responsibilities of fatherhood and the priesthood.”

Ezra Taft Benson, “ The Honored Place of Woman,” General Conference, October 1981

“Sound principles and eternal truths need to be frequently repeated so that we do not forget their application nor become dissuaded by other arguments.”

“We must ever keep in mind that it is the design of Satan to thwart the plan of our Eternal Father. The plan of the adversary is to destroy the youth of the Church—the “rising generation,” as the Book of Mormon calls them—and to destroy the family unit.”

“Woman was given to man as an helpmeet. That complementary association is ideally portrayed in the eternal marriage of our first parents—Adam and Eve. They labored together; they had children together; they prayed together; and they taught their children the gospel together. This is the pattern God would have all righteous men and women imitate.

Before the world was created, in heavenly councils the pattern and role of women were prescribed. You were elected by God to be wives and mothers in Zion. Exaltation in the celestial kingdom is predicated on faithfulness to that calling.

Since the beginning, a woman’s first and most important role has been ushering into mortality spirit sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven.

Since the beginning, her role has been to teach her children eternal gospel principles. She is to provide for her children a haven of security and love—regardless of how modest her circumstances might be.

In the beginning, Adam was instructed to earn the bread by the sweat of his brow—not Eve. Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mother’s place is in the home!”

“Beguiling voices in the world cry out for “alternative life-styles” for women. They maintain that some women are better suited for careers than for marriage and motherhood.

These individuals spread their discontent by the propaganda that there are more exciting and self-fulfilling roles for women than homemaking.”

“It is a misguided idea that a woman should leave the home, where there is a husband and children, to prepare educationally and financially for an unforeseen eventuality.”

“Under your husband’s direction, have weekly family home evenings and regular scripture study, especially on the Sabbath day.”

“I testify to you, dear sisters, the truthfulness and eternal nature of your honored place as women.”

Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Mothers in Zion,” 22 February 1987, in Eternal Marriage Student Manual, Gospel Courses, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“In the eternal family, God established that fathers are to preside in the home. Fathers are to provide, to love, to teach, and to direct. But a mother’s role is also God-ordained. Mothers are to conceive, to bear, to nourish, to love, and to train. So declare the revelations.”

“Mothers who enjoy good health, have your children and have them early.”

“Do not curtail the number of your children for personal or selfish reasons. Material possessions, social convenience, and so-called professional advantages are nothing compared to a righteous posterity.”

“The Lord clearly defined the roles of mothers and fathers in providing for and rearing a righteous posterity. In the beginning, Adam—not Eve—was instructed to earn the bread by the sweat of his brow. Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mother’s calling is in the home, not in the marketplace.”

“This is the divine right of a wife and mother. She cares for and nourishes her children at home. Her husband earns the living for the family, which makes this nourishing possible. With that claim on their husbands for their financial support, the counsel of the Church has always been for mothers to spend their full time in the home in rearing and caring for their children.”

“Mothers, you are your children’s best teacher. Don’t shift this precious responsibility to day-care centers or baby-sitters. A mother’s love and prayerful concern for the children are her most important ingredients in teaching her own.”

“Teach your sons and daughters modesty, and teach them to respect manhood and womanhood.”

“Mothers, this kind of heavenly, motherly teaching takes time—lots of time. It cannot be done effectively part-time. It must be done all the time in order to save and exalt your children. This is your divine calling.”

Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Fathers in Israel,” General Conference, October 1987

“Brethren of the priesthood, I continue to emphasize the importance of mothers staying home to nurture, care for, and train their children in the principles of righteousness.

As I travel throughout the Church, I feel that the great majority of Latter-day Saint mothers earnestly want to follow this counsel. But we know that sometimes the mother works outside of the home at the encouragement, or even insistence, of her husband. It is he who wants the items of convenience that the extra income can buy. Not only will the family suffer in such instances, brethren, but your own spiritual growth and progression will be hampered. I say to all of you, the Lord has charged men with the responsibility to provide for their families in such a way that the wife is allowed to fulfill her role as mother in the home.”

Howard W. Hunter, “Teachings of Howard W. Hunter,” p. 139-150, in Church Education System, “Eternal Marriage Student Manual,” Differences Inherent Between Men and Women, Approved June 2003, Used in Religion 234 Preparing for an Eternal Marriage, and Religion 235 Building an Eternal Marriage, Gospel Courses, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“I suppose you would say it is a man’s viewpoint to throw a burden upon a woman to maintain the stability and the sweetness of marriage, but this seems to be her divine nature. She has a superior spirituality in the marriage relationship, and the opportunity to encourage, uplift, teach, and be the one who sets the example in the family for righteous living. When women come to the point of realizing that it is more important to be superior than to be equal, they will find the real joy in living those principles that the Lord set out in his divine plan.”

“It seems strange that women want to enter into professions and into work and into places in society on an equality with men, wanting to dress like men and carry on men’s work. I don’t deny the fact that women are capable of doing so, but as I read the scriptures, I find it hard to reconcile this with what the Lord has said about women—what he has said about the family, what he has said about children. It seems to me that in regard to men and women, even though they might be equal in many things, there is a differentiation between them that we fully understand. I hope the time never comes when women will be brought down to the level with men, although they seem to be making these demands in meetings held … all over the world.”

James E. Faust, “Father, Come Home,” General Conference, April 1993, in Church Education System, “Eternal Marriage Student Manual,” Equality of Men and Women, Approved June 2003, Used in Religion 234 Preparing for an Eternal Marriage, and Religion 235 Building an Eternal Marriage, Gospel Courses, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Both fathers and mothers do many intrinsically different things for their children. Both mothers and fathers are equipped to nurture children, but their approaches are different. Mothers seem to take a dominant role in preparing children to live within their families, present and future. Fathers seem best equipped to prepare children to function in the environment outside the family.”

Dallin H. Oaks, “The Great Plan of Happiness,” General Conference, October 1993, in Church Education System, “Eternal Marriage Student Manual,” Equality of Men and Women, Approved June 2003, Used in Religion 234 Preparing for an Eternal Marriage, and Religion 235 Building an Eternal Marriage, Gospel Courses, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

““We live in a day when there are many political, legal, and social pressures for changes that confuse gender and homogenize the differences between men and women. Our eternal perspective sets us against changes that alter those separate duties and privileges of men and women that are essential to accomplish the great plan of happiness.”

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” The Family Proclamation, Priesthood Ordinances and Proclamations, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.”

“Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Women of the Church,” General Conference, October 1996

“Some years ago President Benson delivered a message to the women of the Church. He encouraged them to leave their employment and give their individual time to their children. I sustain the position which he took.

Nevertheless, I recognize, as he recognized, that there are some women (it has become very many, in fact) who have to work to provide for the needs of their families. To you I say, do the very best you can. I hope that if you are employed full-time you are doing it to ensure that basic needs are met and not simply to indulge a taste for an elaborate home, fancy cars, and other luxuries. The greatest job that any mother will ever do will be in nurturing, teaching, lifting, encouraging, and rearing her children in righteousness and truth. None other can adequately take her place.

It is well-nigh impossible to be a full-time homemaker and a full-time employee. I know how some of you struggle with decisions concerning this matter. I repeat, do the very best you can. You know your circumstances, and I know that you are deeply concerned for the welfare of your children. Each of you has a bishop who will counsel with you and assist you. If you feel you need to speak with an understanding woman, do not hesitate to get in touch with your Relief Society president.”

James E. Faust, “How Near to Angels,” General Conference, April 1998, in Church Education System, “Eternal Marriage Student Manual,” Differences Inherent Between Men and Women, Approved June 2003, Used in Religion 234 Preparing for an Eternal Marriage, and Religion 235 Building an Eternal Marriage, Gospel Courses, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Becoming like men is not the answer. Rather, the answer lies in being who you are and living up to your divine potential by fulfilling eternal commitments.”

“All of you will have to sometime answer to your natural womanly instincts, which the Prophet Joseph said are according to your natures.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “How Can I Become the Woman of Whom I Dream?” Ensign, May 2001

“In this day and time, a girl needs an education. She needs the means and skills by which to earn a living should she find herself in a situation where it becomes necessary to do so.

Study your options. Pray to the Lord earnestly for direction. Then pursue your course with resolution.

The whole gamut of human endeavor is now open to women. There is not anything that you cannot do if you will set your mind to it. You can include in the dream of the woman you would like to be a picture of one qualified to serve society and make a significant contribution to the world of which she will be a part.

I was in the hospital the other day for a few hours. I became acquainted with my very cheerful and expert nurse. She is the kind of woman of whom you girls could dream. When she was young she decided she wished to be a nurse. She received the necessary education to qualify for the highest rank in the field. She worked at her vocation and became expert at it. She decided she wanted to serve a mission and did so. She married. She has three children. She works now as little or as much as she wishes. There is such a demand for people with her skills that she can do almost anything she pleases. She serves in the Church. She has a good marriage. She has a good life. She is the kind of woman of whom you might dream as you look to the future.

For you, my dear friends, the sky is the limit. You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class. There is no need for you to be a scrub.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Daughters of God,” General Conference, April 2008

“There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.”

Dallin H. Oaks, in “To the Point,” New Era, April 2019

“As a young woman, should I be more focused on an education and career or on becoming a wife and mother?”

“In addition, we know that many women will either need or want to pursue careers.

President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, has said that for women, the choice is not between either family or education and career. “Timing is what we have to choose,” he said. “And we seek the inspiration of the Lord and the teachings of His servants in doing that.”

Camille N. Johnson, “Lessons Learned in Inviting Christ to Author My Story,” 3 May 2024, Women’s Conference, Brigham Young University

“Maybe you are pursuing your education, bearing children, nurturing and caring for children, earning a living, serving in the Church, or caring for your parents—maybe you are doing many of those things at the same time.

I did.

I hope you can learn from my experience.”

“What does that look like to a young woman who is pursuing an education and wants to marry and have a family? President Dallin H. Oaks has explained that the choice is not between family or education or career.”

“I pursued an education, both undergraduate and a law degree. I was married midway through my legal education. I had my first son the year after I passed the bar exam. I had babies, and my husband and I loved and nurtured them while we were both working. It was busy, sometimes hectic; we were stretched and sometimes tired. I supported him, and he supported me. Family was, and still is, our top priority. My husband and I sought inspiration in these choices and in the timing. It was what we felt impressed to do. We were trying to let Him prevail.”

“I juggled pregnancy, birthing babies, nurturing children, carpool, Little League, Church responsibilities, being a supportive spouse, and my professional pursuits. And it was a joyful juggle I wouldn’t change. We felt confident in our course because we were letting God prevail.”

Harold B. Lee, “The Light of Christ,” 3 February 1962, Devotional, in “The Teachings of Harold B. Lee,” p. 230-232

“I was asked by a prominent family some years ago to work with a girl who was headed along the homosexual trail. As much as we deplore the ugliness of that word, it is among us, both among boys and girls, perhaps to a greater extent than we hardly realize.”

“She buried her face in her arms and she sobbed, “But I love her, I love her so much.” “Well,” I said, “then you are just wasting my time and I am wasting yours.”

“The impression came to have her pray as soon as I had finished, so I said to her, “Now I want you to kneel down and I want you to pray to God to give you the strength to do what you have promised me this day that you will do.” And as she buried her face in the seat of that chair, I never heard such a prayer from a youth: “Please, Heavenly Father, you know that I want to be a wife, and I want to be a mother, help me to be a normal, natural woman. Father, help me to lick this cursed thing that is about to destroy my life,” and she just pleaded and she sobbed.

Well, if you should see the girl today, you would see what Alma was when he came out of that three days’ experience… and you would see her as a wholly different [person] than the one who looked like she was far gone. But there was a spark still there; she hadn’t committed the unpardonable sin. And I was an agent; I was an agent of God to give her some spiritual help to fan the flame that was flickering into a full burning desire to be a true woman.”

Church News, “Tendency Toward Extremes,” 15 April 1967, Deseret News, p. 20

“Extremism is a costly thing. Take the mother for example who over-indulges her child. If the youngster is a daughter, the poor girl may never be allowed to live her own life. She may be “mothered” far beyond anything that is good for her, so that she never learns self-reliance and never makes a decision of her own.

If it is a son, the mother may so indulge him that he turns against parenthood in general, and women in particular. In one instance this sort of rebellion drove a son into a homosexual life in sheer defiance of all he had learned as he grew up.”

Spencer W. Kimball, “Miracle of Forgiveness,” 1969, Chapter 6, Crime Against Nature, Bookcraft

“Thus prophets anciently and today condemn masturbation. It induces feelings of guilt and shame. It is detrimental to spirituality. It indicates slavery to the flesh, not that mastery of it and the growth toward godhood which is the object of our mortal life. Our modern prophet has indicated that no young man should be called on a mission who is not free from this practice.

While we should not regard this weakness as the heinous sin which some other sexual practices are, it is of itself bad enough to require sincere repentance. What is more, it too often leads to grievous sin, even to that sin against nature, homosexuality. For, done in private, it evolves often into mutual masturbation practiced with another person of the same sex and thence into total homosexuality.”

“Homosexuality is an ugly sin, repugnant to those who find no temptation in it, as well as to many past offenders who are seeking a way out of its clutches. It is embarrassing and unpleasant as a subject for discussion but because of its prevalence, the need to warn the uninitiated, and the desire to help those who may already be involved with it, it is discussed in this chapter.

This perversion is defined as "sexual desire for those of the same sex or sexual relations between individuals of the same sex," whether men or women. It is a sin of the ages.”

“After consideration of the evil aspects, the ugliness and prevalence of the evil of homosexuality, the glorious thing to remember is that it is curable.”

“Certainly it can be overcome, for there are numerous happy people who were once involved in its clutches and who have since completely transformed their lives. Therefore to those who say that this practice or any other evil is incurable, I respond: "How can you say the door cannot be opened until your knuckles are bloody, till your head is bruised, till your muscles are sore? It can be done."

“Accordingly some totally conquer homosexuality in a few months, others linger on with less power and require more time to make the total comeback. The cure is as permanent as the individual makes it and, like the cure for alcoholism, is subject to continued vigilance.”

“Many have been misinformed that they are powerless in the matter, not responsible for the tendency, and that"God made them that way." This is as untrue as any other of the diabolical lies Satan has concocted. Itis blasphemy. Man is made in the image of God. Does the pervert think God to be "that way"?”

“Sometimes not heavenly but earthly parents get the blame. Granted that certain conditions make it easier for one to become a pervert, the Second Article of Faith teaches that a man will be punished for his own sins. He can, if normal, rise above the frustrations of childhood and stand on his own feet.”

“But let this individual repent of his perversion, force himself to return to normal pursuits and interests and actions and friendships with the opposite sex, and this normal pattern can become natural again.”

“When that person repents and corrects his life, the Lord will smile and receive him.”

Spencer W. Kimball and Mark E. Petersen, “Hope For Transgressors,” 1970, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret News Press

“Dear Brethren,

In the event that you have members who have homosexual tendencies or activities, it will be your privilege and responsibility to assist them to effect a cure and bring their lives back into total normalcy.”

“It is, therefore, your responsibility to assist any such person to recover himself and become normal again.” 

“When the individual is convinced that it is transgression to be involved with those of his own sex or with anyone outside of proper marriage, and when he is assured that only futility and disappointment and loneliness lie ahead, then perhaps he is ready for you to prescribe therapy for him.”

“If the pervert will begin to read the scriptures methodically and carefully, he will find himself in a new environment. He will receive inspiration from the holy scriptures and strength to overcome.

Most people who have practiced this perversion in depth, have already ceased to pray devoutly. Your therapy should include encouragement to return to prayer, not wordy repetition of worn out phrases, but a communication prayer wherein the individual seeks help from his Lord and then listens with understanding and determination.”

“When you feel he is ready, he should be encouraged to date and gradually move his life toward the normal.”

“If they will close the door to the intimate associations with their own sex and open it wide to that of the other sex, of course in total propriety, and then be patient and determined, gradually they can move their romantic interests where they belong. Marriage and normal life can follow.”

“Remember:

Homosexuality CAN be cured, if the battle is well organized and pursued vigorously and continuously.”

“Homosexuality is not the fault totally of family conditions. Every normal person must answer for his own sins.

God did not make men evil. He did not make people “that way.”

The bishop has power and resources far beyond university training.” 

Spencer W. Kimball, “New Horizons for Homosexuals,” 1971, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret News Press

“Some begin the ruinous practice of perversion through curiosity and then become entangled in its tentacles.”

“Next to the sin of murder comes the sin of sexual impurity as expressed in its many manifestations: adultery, fornication, homosexuality and related transgressions. Man is created in the image of God and prostitutes his God-given powers and image in such practices. No amount of rationalization can really neutralize the pollution. The death penalty was exacted in the days of Israel for such wrong-doing.”

“These sins are forgivable and can be overcome if there is adequate restraint and repentance. There are those who tell you there is no cure and thus weaken your resolves and add to your frustration. They can be cured. They can be eventually forgiven. Your problem can be solved.”

“While environment and associations and training have an important part in persons’ lives, every normal person is responsible for his own sins and may not blame them totally on others.”

“Now let us assure you that you are not permanently trapped in this unholy practice if you will exert yourself. Though it is like an octopus with numerous tentacles to drag you to your tragedy, the sin is curable and you may totally recover from its tentacles. One of Satan's strongest weapons is to make the victim believe the practice incurable regardless of one's effort. Lucifer is the "Father of all lies."

Satan tells his victims that it is a natural way of life; that it is normal; that perverts are a different kind of people born 'that way and that they cannot change. This is a base lie.”

“Knowing it can be overcome, the Lord’s Church makes the appeal to repentance and urges a transformation of life.”

“God made no pervert. To blame a weakness and transgression upon God is cowardly.”

“These unnatural practices are not of God - they are of the devil, the master liar and deceiver who laughs as he rattles and chains when he has deceived a person.”

“Homosexuality and like practices are deep sins: they can be cured; they can be forgiven. Remember, the Lord loves you; the Church loves you. We are most anxious to assist you. The Lord lives. The Church is divine. God is unchangeable. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. His basic doctrines are unchangeable. Sin is still sin and always will be. It will not change. Society might relax in its expectations; it may accept improprieties but that does not make such right and approved. Total transformation in ideals, standards, actions, thoughts and programs can cleanse you.”

Spencer W. Kimball, “Voices of the Past, of the Present, of the Future,” General Conference, April 1971

“Quoting from fairly recent publications: “The __________ church conference today approved recommendation that homosexuality between consenting adults should no longer be a criminal offense. …”

The voice from a much-read magazine: “… a group of __________ ministers in San Francisco thinks the churches ought to drop their strictures against homosexuals. …”

It was reported that groups of ministers and their wives attended a party given by homosexuals and lesbians to raise funds… 

Those are ugly voices—they are loud and raspy.”

“The Lord does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His church stands firm and unchangeable. Sin will not be tolerated.”

Victor L. Brown, “The Meaning of Morality,” General Conference, April 1971

“The Lord defined some very basic differences between men and women. He gave the male what we call masculine traits and the female feminine traits. He did not intend either of the sexes to adopt the other’s traits but, rather, that men should look and act like men and that women should look and act like women. When these differences are ignored, an unwholesome relationship develops, which, if not checked, can lead to the reprehensible, tragic sin of homosexuality. In other words, we have a responsibility as priesthood bearers to be examples of true manhood.”

Welfare Services Packet 1, “Homosexuality,” 1973, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“There is no easy or even commonly accepted "cure" for homosexuality. Professionally trained people differ in their opinions regarding both the cause and the cure, but the gospel makes the issue clear. Homosexuality is a sin, is learned behavior (not inborn), and can be stopped. Homosexuality, for whatever reasons, is very wrong; and until it stops, the persons involved are traveling the path to sorrow and possible loss of all privileges of membership in the Church.”

“Homosexuality has many forms. It may be only a mental state without outward behavior.”

“Origin: Homosexual behavior begins in various ways. Some young children are molested by strangers, acquaintances, or even relatives. This is usually deeply shocking and may cause feelings of unworthiness in the innocent victim. Believing himself to be unclean, he is easy prey in later experiences. However, not all who are molested become homosexual. Self-control, free agency, and help from others are very important factors in avoiding homosexuality. In some cases, homosexual behavior begins during childhood. Experimentation leads to habits that are at first physical, but later become deeply emotional and, therefore, much harder to change.”

“A traditional explanation of homosexuality is that the child has a domineering mother and a passive father. In all situations, it is important to determine when the habit began and how long it has been a problem to the person involved.”

“It is inconceivable that the Lord would indicate that the ultimate goal for man is eternal family life and then - as some involved in homosexuality claim - permit them to be born with desires and inclinations contrary to that eternal plan.”

Learned Behavior: To believe that immoral behavior is inborn or hereditary is to deny men have free agency to choose between sin and righteousness.”

Lindsay M. Curtis, “Why does the Church oppose homosexuality? Why is it wrong?” Ensign, 1974

“Homosexuals and lesbians seldom are happy people. Theirs is a relationship that is unnatural, one not bound by fidelity, trust, or loyalty, and one totally lacking in the meaningful family relationships that marriage offers.”

“To say that “no one gets hurt” is presumptive.”

“Someone does get hurt. There is harm in homosexuality. Many homosexuals seek to introduce others into their practice, often those in their tender, impressionable years. Many studies have indicated that such early homosexual experience may interfere with normal sexual adjustment in subsequent marriage.”

“We must try to understand why they have chosen this way of life. Many of them want help and can be helped.”

Spencer W. Kimball, “God Will Not Be Mocked,” General Conference, October 1974

“There is a link between pornography and the low, sexual drives and perversions.”

“It is ridiculous to imply that pornography has no effect.”

“Every form of homosexuality is sin. Pornography is one of the approaches to that transgression. There is no halfway.”

“Some people are ignorant or vicious and apparently attempting to destroy the concept of masculinity and femininity. More and more girls dress, groom, and act like men. More and more men dress, groom, and act like women. The high purposes of life are damaged and destroyed by the growing unisex theory. God made man in his own image, male and female made he them.”

“From the building of the first colonial cabin, the home and family have been the center of true civilization. Any distortion of the God-given program will bring dire consequences. The families worked together, played together, and worshiped God together.

Could it be possible that many of us, like a cork in a stream, have been swept off our destiny line by false concepts, perilous ways, and doctrines of devils? By whom are we enticed? Have we accepted the easy way and veered off from the “strait and narrow” way to the easy and comfortable way and the broad way which leads to sorrowful ends?”

Victor Brown Jr., “Two Views of Sexuality,” Ensign, July 1975

“Parents need to know that lack of proper affection in the home can result in unnatural behavior in their children such as homosexuality or inability to be an effective parent when the time comes.”

Spencer W. Kimball, “A Report and a Challenge,” General Conference, October 1976

“The path to the grievous sins of fornication, adultery, and homosexuality can begin, too, with the viewing of some of the sex- and violence-oriented programs now being shown on television, including network television.”

Boyd K. Packer, “To Young Men Only,” General Conference, October 1976

“There is a falsehood that some are born with an attraction to their own kind, with nothing they can do about it. They are “just that way” and can only yield to those desires. That is a malicious and destructive lie. While it is a convincing idea to some, it is of the devil. No one is locked into that kind of life. from our premortal life we were directed into a physical body. There is no mismatching of bodies and spirits. boys are to become men - masculine, manly men - ultimately to become husbands and fathers. No one is predestined to a perverted use of these powers.

Even those who have been drawn into wicked practices and are bound by almost unyielding habits can escape. If one of you seems trapped in that, escape. your parents, your bishop, the Servants of the Lord, the angels of heaven and the Lord himself will help redeem you from it.”

Bishop J. Richard Clarke, “Ministering to Needs through LDS Social Services,” General Conference, April 1977

“Let me begin by reading a letter which relates the tragic story of a young man who became entangled in a way of life which led him to violate the most sacred of God’s commandments.”

“At a very young age,” this young man continues, “I became convinced that my father didn’t love me. It stemmed from an encounter when one evening I went to kiss him good night and he brushed me away. I’m sure he doesn’t remember, and it had no significance to him, but I was devastated: my entire sense of security and my world crumbled into ashes as I stood there.

“Not knowing what else to do, I ran from this new stranger in a panic to my mother and whispered tones to her of my calamity, which she denied, but did not convince me. That night I watched my father as I stood in the shadows of my darkened bedroom. I swore to myself that I would close the door until he sought to open it. I would ignore him until he sought after me.

“He didn’t notice. If he did, he never asked me what was wrong. Well, needless to say, through the next years I went through the motions and rebelled to get his attention, which I got in the form of anger. At any rate, I developed into a homosexual, a vitiating disease, and was soon entrenched in my prison. I didn’t know myself. And I have felt for more years than I can remember that the Lord didn’t love me either.”

Boyd K. Packer, “To The One,” 5 March 1978, Stake Fireside, Brigham Young University

“I speak to those few, those very few, who may be subject to homosexual temptation. I repeat, I accept that word as an adjective to describe a temporary condition. I reject it as a noun naming a permanent one.” 

“It is not all right. It is wrong! It is not desirable; it is unnatural; it is abnormal; it is an affliction.”

“Do not be misled by those who whisper that it is part of your nature and therefore right for you. That is false doctrine!

The second question: is this tendency impossible to change? Is it preset at the time of birth and locked in? Do you just have to live with it?”

“Is perversion like that? The answer is a conclusive no! It is not like that. 

Some so-called experts, and many of those who have yielded to the practice, teach that it is congenital and incurable and that one just has to learn to live with it. They can point to a history of very little success in trying to put whatever mechanism that causes this back into proper adjustment. They have, to support them, some very convincing evidence. Much of the so-called scientific literature concludes that there really is not much that can be done about it.

I reject that conclusion out of hand. And there is a very sensible reason. How can a conclusion on a matter like this be valid when the studies have ignored the part of our nature most affected by it? It has not been fully studied as a moral and a spiritual disorder.

It is not unchangeable. It is not locked in. One does not just have to yield to it and live with it.

If it is wrong, and if it is not incurable, how can it be corrected? What can be done for someone who has had a few thoughts in this direction?”

“We turn to the spiritual nature. The world may not regard that as important, but we do! When this is regarded as a moral matter and as a spiritual matter, there are answers not otherwise available.”

“Have you explored the possibility that the cause, when found, will turn out to be a very typical form of selfishness - selfishness in a very subtle form?”

“When one has the humility to admit that a spiritual disorder is tied to perversion and that selfishness rests at the root of it, already the way is open to the treatment of the condition.”

“It is very possible to cure it by treating selfishness.“

Spencer W. Kimball, “Listen to the Prophets,” General Conference, April 1978

“Once the carnal in man is no longer checked by the restraints of family life and by real religion, there comes an avalanche of appetites which gathers momentum that is truly frightening. As one jars loose and begins to roll down hill, still another breaks loose, whether it is an increase in homosexuality, corruption, drugs, or abortion.”

Spencer W. Kimball, “President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality,” Ensign, November 1980

“But there are false teachers everywhere, using speech and pornographic literature, magazines, radio, TV, street talk—spreading damnable heresies which break down moral standards, and this to gratify the lust of the flesh.

Lucifer in his diabolical scheming deceives the unwary and uses every tool at his command.”

“God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and his covenants and doctrines are immutable; and when the sun grows cold and the stars no longer shine, the law of chastity will still be basic in God’s world and in the Lord’s church. Old values are upheld by the Church not because they are old, but rather because through the ages they have proved right. It will always be the rule.”

“Sometimes masturbation is the introduction to the more serious sins of exhibitionism and the gross sin of homosexuality. We would avoid mentioning these unholy terms and these reprehensible practices were it not for the fact that we have a responsibility to the youth of Zion that they be not deceived by those who would call bad good, and black white.”

“This heinous homosexual sin is of the ages.”

“God made me that way,” some say, as they rationalize and excuse themselves for their perversions. “I can’t help it,” they add. This is blasphemy. Is man not made in the image of God, and does he think God to be “that way”? Man is responsible for his own sins.”

LDS Handbook, “Homosexuality,” Second Edition, 1981, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Connell O’Donovan LGBT Utah History Collection, Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, Library Collections, University of Utah

“Professionals do not agree on the causes of homosexual behavior. However, most professional research supports the view that homosexual behavior is learned, and is influenced by unhealthy emotional development in early childhood. This explanation is most consistent with what the Lord has revealed concerning the eternal nature of man as the offspring of divine parents.

Although there are probably many factors affecting the development of homosexuality, the following elements appear quite consistently. 

Disturbed Family Background. 

A key factor in the development of both male and female homosexuality seems to be the lack of a warm, supportive, affectionate relationship  between the  individual and his father. Many times the father is either physically or emotionally uninvolved in his child's life or is punishing and authoritarian.

The mother usually attempts to fill the physical and emotional void left by the father. Some mothers are overprotective and dominant.

Because of inadequate parental examples in the home, the child does not learn proper masculine and feminine behavior.

The relationship between mother and father is often strained, hostile, and competitive.”

“ManyPersons involved in homosexual activities during recent years have publicly requested special exemption from social, legal, and religious prohibitions. They claim the authority of scientific research, and have taken the position that -

They are not responsible for their homosexual Behavior because it is caused by conditions beyond their own control (such as biological or environmental factors).

The course of homosexuality, once entered, is irreversible and incurable.

Homosexuality is a harmless alternative lifestyle, and any legal or religious prohibition is a fundamental denial of human rights.”

“The Church’s unequivocal position is that any rationalization of homosexuality is wrong.”

“Homosexual behavior is learned and can be overcome. To believe that immoral behavior is inborn or hereditary is to deny that men have the agency to choose between sin and righteousness. The Lord has given man the freedom to make moral choices, and this agency is the cornerstone of his plan for exaltation. He has revealed that the ultimate goal for man is eternal life. It is inconceivable that - as some involved in homosexual behavior claim - he would permit some of his children to be born with desires and inclinations which would require behavior contrary to the eternal plan.”

“Many written testimonies have been gathered from individuals who have overcome homosexual problems and found peace and success in dating, marriage, and Church activity. In these testimonies, members speak without exception of their deep sense of having sinned.”

“Repentant members and those who counsel with them succeed only to the extent that they have the Spirit of the Lord. Those who truly overcome homosexual activity do not seek mild adaptation or limited change. They seek complete change, total repentance, and acceptance before God. Even though these high objectives are not easy to attain, they will always be goals of those who follow the Lord’s way.”

Hartman Rector, Jr., “Turning the Hearts,” General Conference, April 1981

“If children have a happy family experience they will not want to be homosexuals, which I am sure is an acquired addiction just as drugs, alcohol and pornography are. The promoters of homosexuality say they were born that way. But I do not believe this is true. There are no female spirits trapped in male bodies and vice versa.”

Ezra Taft Benson, “Fundamentals of Enduring Family Relationships,” General Conference, October 1982

“Today we are aware of great problems in our society. The most obvious are sexual promiscuity, homosexuality, drug abuse, alcoholism, vandalism, pornography, and violence.

These grave problems are symptoms of failure in the home—the disregarding of principles and practices established by God in the very beginning.”

Allen E. Bergin, “Questions and Answers,” Liahona, October 1988

“Though a person may suffer from homosexual inclinations that are caused by some combination of biology and environment, the gospel requires that he or she develop firm self-discipline and make an energetic effort to change. That many former homosexuals have done so and have become successful in marriage and family life shows that people can overcome such problems and live according to gospel principles—even though it may be difficult to do so.” 

Office of The First Presidency, “Standards of Morality and Fidelity,” 14 November 1991, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“A correct understanding of the divinely appointed roles of men and women will fortify all against sinful practices.”

“There is a distinction between immoral thoughts and feelings and participating in either immoral heterosexual or any homosexual behavior. However, such thoughts and feelings, regardless of their causes, can and should be overcome.”

James E. Faust, “Father, Come Home,” General Conference, April 1993

“One authority states: “Studies show that fathers have a special role to play in building a child’s self-respect. They are important, too, in ways we really don’t understand, in developing internal limits and controls in children.” He continues: “Research also shows that fathers are critical in establishment of gender in children. Interestingly, fatherly involvement produces stronger sexual identity and character in both boys and girls. It is well established that the masculinity of sons and the femininity of daughters are each greater when fathers are active in family life.”

Spencer J. Condie, “A Mighty Change of Heart,” General Conference, October 1993

“I know another good man who was reared in a family without the blessings of the gospel. Through a series of unfortunate events in his early youth, he was introduced to homosexuality, and gradually he became a prisoner of this addictive behavior.”

“My friend contacted the Church and was taught the gospel and was baptized. Within a relatively short time, he married a lovely young woman, and they are the parents of several beautiful children. He and his wife are very dynamic and committed servants of the Lord, influencing many others for good.”

Richard G. Scott, “Making the Right Choices,” General Conference, October 1994

“Sexual immorality creates a barrier to the influence of the Holy Spirit with all its uplifting, enlightening, and empowering capabilities. It causes powerful physical and emotional stimulation. In time, that creates an unquenchable appetite that drives the offender to ever more serious sin. It engenders selfishness and can produce aggressive acts such as brutality, abortion, sexual abuse, and violent crime. Such stimulation can lead to acts of homosexuality, and they are evil and absolutely wrong.”

James E. Faust, “Trying to Serve the Lord Without Offending the Devil,” 15 November 1994, Devotionals, Speeches, Brigham Young University, and Ensign, September 1995

“There is some widely accepted theory extant that homosexuality is inherited. How can this be? No scientific evidence demonstrates absolutely that this is so. Besides, if it were so, it would frustrate the whole plan of mortal happiness. Our designation as men or women began before this world was. In contrast to the socially accepted doctrine that homosexuality is inborn, a number of respectable authorities contend that homosexuality is not acquired by birth. The false belief of inborn sexual orientation denies to repentant souls the opportunity to change and will ultimately lead to discouragement, disappointment, and despair.”

Dallin H. Oaks, “Same-Gender Attraction,” Ensign, October 1995

“Some Latter-day Saints face the confusion and pain that result when a man or a woman engages in sexual behavior with a person of the same sex, or even when a person has erotic feelings that could lead toward such behavior. How should Church leaders, parents, and other members of the Church react when faced with the religious, emotional, and family challenges that accompany such behavior or feelings? What do we say to a young person who reports that he or she is attracted toward or has erotic thoughts or feelings about persons of the same sex? How should we respond when a person announces that he is a homosexual or she is a lesbian and that scientific evidence “proves” he or she was “born that way”? How do we react when persons who do not share our beliefs accuse us of being intolerant or unmerciful when we insist that erotic feelings toward a person of the same sex are irregular and that any sexual behavior of that nature is sinful?

Our attitudes toward these questions are dictated by gospel doctrines we know to be true.”

“To accomplish one of the purposes of mortal life, it is essential that we be tested against opposition to see if we will keep the commandments of God (see 2 Ne. 2:11; Abr. 3:25–26). To provide that opposition, Satan and his followers are permitted to tempt us to use our agency and our freedom to choose evil and to commit sin.

Because Satan desires that “all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Ne. 2:27), his most strenuous efforts are directed at encouraging those choices and actions that will thwart God’s plan for his children. He seeks to undermine the principle of individual accountability, to persuade us to misuse our sacred powers of procreation, to discourage marriage and childbearing by worthy men and women, and to confuse what it means to be male or female.

In all of this, the devil, who has no body, seeks to persuade mortals to corrupt their bodies by “choos[ing] eternal death, according to the will of the flesh … , which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring [them] down to hell, that he may reign over [them] in his own kingdom” (2 Ne. 2:29).”

“Although immoral thoughts are less serious than immoral behavior, such thoughts also need to be resisted and repented of because we know that “our thoughts will also condemn us” (Alma 12:14). Immoral thoughts (and the less serious feelings that lead to them) can bring about behavior that is sinful.”

“In each case (and in other examples that could be given) the feelings or other characteristics that increase susceptibility to certain behavior may have some relationship to inheritance. But the relationship is probably very complex. The inherited element may be nothing more than an increased likelihood that an individual will acquire certain feelings if he or she encounters particular influences during the developmental years. But regardless of our different susceptibilities or vulnerabilities, which represent only variations on our mortal freedom (in mortality we are only “free according to the flesh” [2 Ne. 2:27]), we remain responsible for the exercise of our agency in the thoughts we entertain and the behavior we choose.”

“Satan would like us to believe that we are not responsible in this life. That is the result he tried to achieve by his contest in the pre-existence.”

“In contrast to our doctrinal approach, many persons approach the problems of same-sex attraction solely from the standpoint of current science. While I am not qualified as a scientist, with the aid of scientific literature and with the advice of qualified scientists and practitioners, I will attempt to refute the claim of some that scientific discoveries demonstrate that avowed homosexuals and lesbians were “born that way.”

“Our behavior is profoundly influenced by psychosocial factors such as parental and sibling relationships (especially during the formative years) and the culture in which we live. The debate over whether, or the extent to which, specific behavior is attributable to “nature” or to “nurture” is centuries old. Its application to the subject of same-sex feelings and behaviors is only one manifestation of a highly complex subject on which scientific knowledge is still in its infancy.”

“It is easy to hypothesize that inheritance plays a role in sexual orientation. However, it is important to remember, as conceded by two advocates of this approach, that “the concept of substantial heritability should not be confused with the concept of inevitable heritability. … Most mechanisms probably involve interactions between constitutional predispositions and environmental events.”

“The differing perspectives of scientific evidence and religious doctrine can be likened to the difference between studying about an automobile by observing its operation and disassembling and analyzing its various parts or by reading the operator’s manual written by the manufacturer. Much can be learned by observation and analysis, but that method will yield only partial knowledge of the function and potential of a machine. The best and most complete knowledge about the operation and potential of a machine will be revealed by studying the manual written by its manufacturer. The operator’s manual for our bodies and souls is the scriptures, written by the God who created us and interpreted by his prophets. These are the best sources of knowledge about the purpose of life and the behavior and thoughts we should cultivate in order to live in happiness and to achieve our divine destiny.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “What Are People Asking about Us?” General Conference, October 1998

“People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control.”

A. Dean Byrd, “When a Loved One Struggles with Same-Sex Attraction,” Ensign, September 1999

“In addition to having counsel from the Lord’s prophet to provide guidance, it is helpful to have accurate information about homosexuality and its development. First, it is important to understand that homosexuality is not innate and unchangeable. Research has not proved that homosexuality is genetic. Even more important, many researchers whose studies have been used to support a biological model for homosexuality have determined that their work has been misinterpreted. What is clear is that homosexuality results from an interaction of social, biological, and psychological factors. These factors may include temperament, personality traits, sexual abuse, familial factors, and treatment by one’s peers.

Developmental factors aside, can individuals diminish homosexual attraction and make changes in their lives? Yes. There is substantial evidence, both historical and current, to indicate this is the case.”

“Be choosy about the professionals you enlist. Many are proponents of the “you were born that way” philosophy. Ensure that the counseling is consistent with gospel principles and that the professional has expertise in helping those with same-sex attraction.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, in “Larry King Live,” Aired 26 December 2004, Transcripts, CNN

“HINCKLEY: Well, we're not anti-gay. We are pro-family. Let me put it that way.

And we love these people and try to work with them and help them. We know they have a problem. We want to help them solve that problem.

KING: A problem they caused, or they were born with?

HINCKLEY: I don't know. I'm not an expert on these things. I don't pretend to be an expert on these things. The fact is, they have a problem.

KING: Do you favor some sort of state union?

HINCKLEY: Well, we want to be very careful about that, because that - whatever may lead to gay marriage, we're not in favor of.

We - many people don't get married. Goodness sakes alive. You know that.

Many people who have to discipline themselves. If they transgress, they become subject to the discipline of the Church. But we try in every way that we know how to help them, to assist them, to bless their lives.

KING: It's hard to be a Mormon, isn't it?

HINCKLEY: No. It's wonderful.

KING: Not hard.

HINCKLEY: No, no. It's just wonderful. It's demanding. Great expectations. I should say so. But it's wonderful.

KING: Wonderful to resist the temptations of life?

HINCKLEY: Oh, you don't go around resisting. You just develop a positive outlook and walk forward with faith.

KING: What do you do ...

HINCKLEY: We don't dwell on the negative. We dwell on the positive.

KING: What do you do with temptation? What do you do with it?

HINCKLEY: Set it aside. Put it behind. Leave it there.”

Dallin H. Oaks, “He Heals the Heavy Laden,” General Conference, October 2006

“A man wrote a General Authority about how the power of the Atonement helped him with his problem of same-gender attraction.”

“He continues: “Some profess that change is possible and therapy is the only answer. They are very learned on the subject and have so much to offer those who struggle … , but I worry that they forget to involve Heavenly Father in the process. If change is to happen, it will happen according to the will of God. I also worry that many people focus on the causes of [same-gender attraction]. … There is no need to determine why I have [this challenge]. I don’t know if I was born with it, or if environmental factors contributed to it. The fact of the matter is that I have this struggle in my life and what I do with it from this point forward is what matters” (letter dated Mar. 25, 2006).

The persons who wrote these letters know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the healing it offers do much more than provide the opportunity for repentance from sins.”

Jeffrey R. Holland, “Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction,” Ensign, October 2007

“Why wouldn’t you be worthy?” I asked.

“I’m gay.”

I suppose he thought I would be startled. I wasn’t. “And … ?” I inquired.

A flicker of relief crossed his face as he sensed my continued interest. “I’m not attracted to women. I’m attracted to men. I’ve tried to ignore these feelings or change them, but …”

He sighed. “Why am I this way? The feelings are very real.”

I paused, then said, “I need a little more information before advising you. You see, same-gender attraction is not a sin, but acting on those feelings is—just as it would be with heterosexual feelings.”

“When an angel asked Nephi a question about God, Nephi answered, “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things” (1 Nephi 11:17). I too affirm that God loves all His children and acknowledge that many questions, including some related to same-gender attraction, must await a future answer, perhaps in the next life.

Unfortunately, some people believe they have all the answers now and declare their opinions far and wide. Fortunately, such people do not speak for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Although I believe members are eager to extend compassion to those different from themselves, it is human nature that when confronted with a situation we don’t understand, we tend to withdraw. This is particularly true of same-gender attraction. We have so little reliable information about it that those wanting to help are left feeling a bit unsteady. Admitting my own inadequacy in this regard but wanting to assist, let me offer some suggestions to help those who have loved ones or friends who are attracted to the same gender.”

“Through the exercise of faith, individual effort, and reliance upon the power of the Atonement, some may overcome same-gender attraction in mortality and marry. Others, however, may never be free of same-gender attraction in this life.”

“In doing so, recognize that marriage is not an all-purpose solution. Same-gender attractions run deep, and trying to force a heterosexual relationship is not likely to change them. We are all thrilled when some who struggle with these feelings are able to marry, raise children, and achieve family happiness. But other attempts have resulted in broken hearts and broken homes.”

Boyd K. Packer, “Cleansing the Inner Vessel,” General Conference, October 2010

“Agency is precious. We can foolishly, blindly give it away, but it cannot be forcibly taken from us.”

“We teach a standard of moral conduct that will protect us from Satan’s many substitutes or counterfeits for marriage. We must understand that any persuasion to enter into any relationship that is not in harmony with the principles of the gospel must be wrong. From the Book of Mormon we learn that “wickedness never was happiness.” Some suppose that they were preset and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn temptations toward the impure and unnatural. Not so! Remember, God is our Heavenly Father.”

Eric Hawkins, in Daniel Woodruff, “New book details LDS teen's 'humiliating' gay conversion therapy in Utah,” 15 March 2016, 2KUTV

“2News asked the church about its stance on conversion therapy.

"The Church denounces any therapy that subjects an individual to abusive practices," said LDS spokesman Eric Hawkins.

"We hope those who experience the complex realities of same-sex attraction find compassion and understanding from family members, professional counselors and church members."

Nico Lang, “Mormon Church Comes Out Against LGBT Conversion Therapy in New Website,” 26 October 2016, Advocate

“Mormon and Gay, an official website sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stresses tolerance and understanding of what the church calls "same-sex attraction," as the church has historically refused to recognize being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender as a fixed orientation or identity. The site's front page banner stresses its new message: "God Loveth His Children."

The changes in the church's rhetoric are small but profound.

"Many people pray for years and do all they can to be obedient in an effort to reduce same-sex attraction, yet find they are still attracted to the same sex," the website reads. "A change in attraction should not be expected or demanded as an outcome by parents or leaders."

This statement is a reference to conversion therapy, the widely condemned practice of seeking to "change" the sexuality or gender identity of LGBT youth.

In 2009, the American Psychological Association advised mental health practitioners and to avoid telling clients that they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments." "There is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation," the APA added. "Scientifically rigorous older studies in this area found that sexual orientation was unlikely to change due to efforts designed for this purpose."

The LDS Church spoke out against conversion therapy for the first time in March.”

LDS Family Services, in Morgan Jones, “The Weeds' story is one of many stories of LGBT Latter-day Saints that continue to be written,” 7 February 2018, Deseret News

“Josh Weed came out to his LDS bishop for the first time when he was 16-years-old during the mid-1990s. He recalls his feelings being quickly dismissed as “confusion” or “admiration for other men.” From there he said he went to LDS Family Services where he began undergoing reparative therapy.

Today, Family Services says it offers the following: "We assist individuals and families as they respond to same-sex attraction. Our therapists do not provide what is commonly referred to as 'reparative therapy' or 'sexual orientation change efforts.' However, when clients self-determine to seek assistance for individual and family issues associated with same-sex attraction, we help them strengthen and develop healthy patterns of living. We assist clients who desire to reconcile same-sex attraction with their religious beliefs. Our services are consistent with applicable legal and ethical standards, which allow self-determined clients to receive assistance with faith-based or religious goals."

Topics and Questions, “Same-Sex Attraction,” Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“The Church distinguishes between same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior. People who experience same-sex attraction or identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual can make and keep covenants with God and fully and worthily participate in the Church. Identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual or experiencing same-sex attraction is not a sin and does not prohibit one from participating in the Church, holding callings, or attending the temple.”

“We may not know precisely why some people feel attracted to others of the same sex, but for some it is a complex reality and part of the human experience.”

Counseling Resources, “Same-Sex Attraction,” Ward or Branch Callings, Handbooks and Callings, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Feeling same-sex attraction or choosing to use a sexual identity label (such as gay, lesbian, or bisexual) is not a sin and does not violate Church policy. Words like gay and lesbian mean different things to different people. Identifying as gay may mean a member experiences same-sex attraction but chooses not to act on these feelings. This label may also describe how they express themselves emotionally, physically, romantically, sexually, or politically. Do not assume an individual is breaking the law of chastity because they use a sexual identity label.”

“The most important thing you can do after an individual discloses feelings of same-sex attraction is to listen and help them feel welcome.”

“Avoid promising a reduction or elimination of same-sex attraction in exchange for faithfulness.

Marriage should not be recommended as a way to eliminate or reduce same-sex attraction.”

“While shifts in sexuality can and do occur for some people, it is unethical to focus professional treatment on an assumption that a change in sexual orientation will or must occur.”

“Support family members, including a spouse, as they work through possible emotions such as shock, hurt, anger, betrayal, and guilt

Help parents, spouses, or other family members move beyond blaming themselves or others so they can better focus on nurturing family relationships.

Encourage family members to love the family member and accept the individual.”

“Help individuals understand that being around those who experience same-sex attraction does not mean they will also experience same-sex attraction and that the experience of same-sex attraction does not increase the risk of pedophilia.”

General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 38.6.15, Gospel Library.

“The Church does not take a position on the causes of same-sex attraction.”

“Feeling same-sex attraction is not a sin. Members who have these feelings and do not pursue or act on them are living in accordance with Heavenly Father’s plan for His children and with Church doctrine. Leaders support and encourage them in their resolve to live according to the commandments of the Lord. Members with these feelings may receive Church callings, have temple recommends, and receive temple ordinances if they are worthy. Male Church members may receive and exercise the priesthood.”

Topics, “Individuals,” Same-Sex Attraction, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“What causes same-sex attraction?

The Church has no position

The Church does not take a position on the cause of same-sex attraction. In 2006, Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated:

“The Church does not have a position on the causes of any of these susceptibilities or inclinations, including those related to same-gender attraction” (Interview With Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman: “Same-Gender Attraction,” 2006).”

For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices, “Your Body is Sacred,” Resources for Youth, Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“I am attracted to people of my same sex. How do these standards apply to me? Feeling same-sex attraction is not a sin. If you have these feelings and do not pursue or act on them, you are living Heavenly Father’s sacred law of chastity.”

Handbook 1, 3 November 2015, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“16.13 Children of a Parent Living in a Same-Gender Relationship

A natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting, may not receive a name and a blessing.

A natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting, may be baptized and confirmed, ordained, or recommended for missionary service only as follows:

A mission president or a stake president may request approval from the Office of the First Presidency to baptize and confirm, ordain, or recommend missionary service for a child of a parent who has lived or is living in a same-gender relationship when he is satisfied by personal interviews that both of the following requirements are met:

1. The child accepts and is committed to live the teachings and doctrine of the Church, and specifically disavows the practice of same-gender cohabitation and marriage. 

2. The child is of legal age and does not live with a parent who has lived or currently lives in a same-gender cohabitation relationship or marriage.”

“6.7.2 When a Disciplinary Council May Be Necessary

Serious Transgression

…It includes (but is not limited to) attempted murder, forcible rape, sexual abuse, spouse abuse, intentional serious physical injury of others, adultery, fornication, homosexual relations (especially sexual cohabitation), deliberate abandonment of family responsibilities…” 

“6.7.3 When a Disciplinary Council is Mandatory

Apostasy

As used here, apostasy refers to members who:

1. Repeatedly act in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its leaders.

2. Persist in teaching as Church doctrine information that is not Church doctrine after they have been corrected by their bishop or a higher authority.

3. Continue to follow the teachings of apostate sects (such as those that advocate plural marriage) after being corrected by their bishop or a higher authority. 

4. Are in a same-gender marriage.

5. Formally join another church and advocate its teachings.”

Aaron Shill, “LDS Church reaffirms doctrine of marriage, updates policies on families in same-sex marriages,” 5 November 2015, Deseret News

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made changes to its handbook for stake presidents, bishops and other local leaders that reaffirms its doctrine of marriage and offers clarification on issues that may arise from same-sex marriage.

"Church handbooks are policy and procedural guides for lay leaders who must administer the church in many varied circumstances throughout the world," LDS Church spokesman Eric Hawkins said.”

“The handbook now includes being in a same-sex marriage under the definition of apostasy and as a circumstance that requires the convening of a disciplinary council. The handbook also clarifies that the ordinance of naming and blessing a child may not be performed for children living with a parent in a same-gender relationship.

The new section of the handbook is listed under the heading "Children of a Parent Living in a Same-Gender Relationship." It states that "a natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting, may not receive a name and a blessing."

Although children are not officially considered members of the LDS Church until they are baptized at age 8, the blessing of a child creates a membership record. Children are not considered accountable or mature enough to receive baptism until the age of 8.

The handbook addition also states that "a natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting," can only be baptized, confirmed, ordained to the priesthood or serve a full-time mission with approval from the Office of the First Presidency. A mission or stake president may request approval and determine that: "the child accepts and is committed to live the teachings and doctrine of the church, and specifically disavows the practice of same-gender cohabitation and marriage"; and "the child is of legal age and does not live with a parent who has lived or currently lives in a same-gender cohabitation relationship or marriage."

The language of being in a same-gender marriage has been added to the definition of apostasy as it relates to helping leaders know when a church disciplinary council is mandatory.”

Russell M. Nelson, “Becoming True Millennials,” 10 January 2016, An Evening with President Russell M. Nelson, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults, Brigham Young University Hawaii

“The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counsel together and share all the Lord has directed us to understand and to feel individually and collectively. And then we watch the Lord move upon the President of the Church to proclaim the Lord’s will.

This prophetic process was followed in 2012 with the change in minimum age for missionaries and again with the recent additions to the Church’s handbook, consequent to the legalization of same-sex marriage in some countries. Filled with compassion for all, and especially for the children, we wrestled at length to understand the Lord’s will in this matter. Ever mindful of God’s plan of salvation and of His hope for eternal life for each of His children, we considered countless permutations and combinations of possible scenarios that could arise. We met repeatedly in the temple in fasting and prayer and sought further direction and inspiration. And then, when the Lord inspired His prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, to declare the mind of the Lord and the will of the Lord, each of us during that sacred moment felt a spiritual confirmation. It was our privilege as Apostles to sustain what had been revealed to President Monson. Revelation from the Lord to His servants is a sacred process, and so is your privilege of receiving personal revelation.”

Abigail Norton and Brittany Tait, “Group holds mass resignation from LDS church in SLC Saturday,” 14 November 2015, KUTV News

“Nearly 2,000 gathered in Salt Lake City to submit their letters of resignation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"We will heal the wounds the LDS church has caused," said a speaker at the mass LDS Resignation rally to the crowd.

Six former-LDS attorneys were on hand putting each individual's letter of resignation on their official letterhead.

Attorneys signed 1,500 letters of resignation, with an additional 1,000 submitted online this weekend.

Submitting the letter through an attorney allows these individuals to circumvent lower levels of church leadership and speeds up the process of resigning significantly.

Within six days these individuals will have had their names removed from the records of the church.”

“Eric Hawkins, Senior Manager of Media Relations for the Church Public Affairs Department, said in a statement:

“We don't want to see anyone leave the Church, especially people who have been struggling with any aspect of their life. The Church exists to build people and help them heal, and there isn't one of us who doesn't need help at some point in our lives. We hope that today's guidance from Church leaders and the additional commentary will help provide understanding and context to some who may be considering resigning their membership. It's extremely important that our members read what leaders have said, and do not rely on other sources or interpretations or what people think they have said.”

Church Newsroom, “First Presidency Shares Messages from General Conference Leadership Session,” 4 April 2019, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“President Dallin H. Oaks instructed that the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to love and treat all people with kindness and civility — even when we disagree. God has promised all blessings to those who strive to keep His commandments, and we have a duty to “bear one another’s burdens that they may be light” (Mosiah 18:8). While we cannot change the Lord’s doctrine, we want our members and our policies to be considerate of those struggling with the challenges of mortality. In his remarks, President Oaks shared information about changes to recent Church policies related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members.”

“We pray these teachings will be received in the same spirit we received them from the Lord and have shared them with our leaders — as positive and inspiring instruction that will bless many lives. With gratitude we acknowledge God’s continuing guidance and love for all His children and invite our members to renew their commitment to follow the teachings of the Savior Jesus Christ to love God and to love one another (see Matthew 22:37–39).

Sincerely,

The First Presidency”

“Details shared by President Oaks

At the direction of the First Presidency, President Oaks shared that effective immediately, children of parents who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender may be baptized without First Presidency approval if the custodial parents give permission for the baptism and understand both the doctrine that a baptized child will be taught and the covenants he or she will be expected to make.

A nonmember parent or parents (including LGBT parents) can request that their baby be blessed by a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder. These parents need to understand that congregation members will contact them periodically, and that when the child who has been blessed reaches 8 years of age, a Church member will contact them and propose that the child be baptized.

Previously, our handbook characterized same-gender marriage by a member as apostasy. While we still consider such a marriage to be a serious transgression, it will not be treated as apostasy for purposes of Church discipline. Instead, the immoral conduct in heterosexual or homosexual relationships will be treated in the same way.

The very positive policies announced this morning should help affected families. In addition, our members’ efforts to show more understanding, compassion and love should increase respect and understanding among all people of goodwill. We want to reduce the hate and contention so common today. We are optimistic that a majority of people — whatever their beliefs and orientations — long for better understanding and less contentious communications. That is surely our desire, and we seek the help of our members and others to attain it.

These new policies are being sent to priesthood leaders worldwide and will be included in online updates to our Church handbook for leaders. These changes do not represent a shift in Church doctrine related to marriage or the commandments of God in regard to chastity and morality. The doctrine of the plan of salvation and the importance of chastity will not change. These policy changes come after an extended period of counseling with our brethren in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and after fervent, united prayer to understand the will of the Lord on these matters.”

Russell M. Nelson, “The Love and Laws of God,” 17 September 2019, Devotional, Speeches, Brigham Young University 

“Though we of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cannot change the laws of God, we do have the charge “to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations.” Thus we can adjust policy when the Lord directs us to do so. You have recently seen such examples. Because the Restoration is ongoing, policy changes will surely continue.”

“Because parents are the primary exemplars for their children, we did not want to put young children in the position of having to choose between beliefs and behavior they learned at home and what they were taught at church. We wanted to facilitate harmony in the home and avoid pitting children and parents against each other. Thus in 2015 the policy was made to assist children and their parents in this circumstance; namely, that children being raised by LGBT parents would not automatically be eligible for baptism at age eight. Exceptions to this policy would require First Presidency approval.

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve have continued to seek the Lord’s guidance and to plead with Him in behalf of His children who were affected by the 2015 policy. We knew that this policy created concern and confusion for some and heartache for others. That grieved us. Whenever the sons and daughters of God weep—for whatever reasons—we weep. So our supplications to the Lord continued.

We also took note of LGBT parents who sought permission from the First Presidency for their children to be baptized. In nearly every case in which the LGBT parents agreed to teach their children about—and be supportive of—the covenant of baptism, the requested exception was granted.

As a result of our continued supplication, we recently felt directed to adjust the policy such that the baptism of children of LGBT parents may be authorized by bishops without First Presidency approval, if the custodial parents request the baptism and understand that a child will be taught about sacred covenants to be made at baptism.

We also determined that LGBT parents may request that a baby be named and blessed by one who worthily holds the Melchizedek Priesthood. It is important that these parents understand that ward members will contact them periodically and that when a child who has been blessed reaches eight years of age, local leaders will recommend that the child be baptized.

Finally, we also clarified that homosexual immorality would be treated in the eyes of the Church in the same manner as heterosexual immorality.”

“Ask your Heavenly Father if we truly are the Lord’s apostles and prophets. Ask if we have received revelation on this and other matters.”

Doctrine and Covenants 115:4

“For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 27:7-8

“Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake.

And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.”

Joseph Smith, “Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,” sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City, Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 139

“Hell may pour forth its rage like the burning lava of Mount Vesuvius, or of Etna, or of the most terrible of the burning mountains; and yet shall ‘Mormonism’ stand. Water, fire, truth and God are all realities. Truth is ‘Mormonism.’ God is the author of it.”

Hartman Rector Jr., “The Roots of Mormonism,” General Conference, April 1975

“Why do over 19,000 of our young men and women accept a call to leave their home, their family, their school, their friends, and go into the nations of the world, many times under very hostile conditions? Surely not for monetary reward (they pay their own way), not to secure position or power or worldly acclaim, but only to share the truth of the message of the restoration—the roots of Mormonism—with the children of our Heavenly Father.”

“The power or vitality is not in the programs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is in the theology. You cannot have the fruits of Mormonism without having the roots of Mormonism, and the root is a testimony—a witness borne by the Spirit to our hearts. It is not the program, but people with a certain knowledge of God and their relationship to him burning in their hearts that bring about success in the activities of the kingdom. This is the strength and vitality of Mormonism.”

Bruce R. McConkie, “The Mystery of Mormonism,” General Conference, October 1979

“What, then, is the mystery and wonder of it all? This glorious gospel, this perfect plan of life and salvation, this mystery of mysteries—this Mormonism if you will—is the eternal truth of heaven.”

Russell M. Nelson, “Thus Shall My Church Be Called,” General Conference, April 1990

“Today I would like to speak about a name. We are all pleased when our names are pronounced and spelled correctly. Sometimes a nickname is used instead of the real name. But a nickname may offend either the one named or the parents who gave the name.

The name of which I shall speak is not a personal name, yet the same principles apply. I refer to a name given by the Lord.”

“Note carefully the language of the Lord. He did not say, “Thus shall my church be named.” He said, “Thus shall my church be called. Years ago, members were cautioned by the Brethren, who wrote, “We feel that some may be misled by the too frequent use of the term ‘Mormon Church.’” Before any other name is considered to be a legitimate substitute, the thoughtful person might reverently consider the feelings of the Heavenly Parent who bestowed that name.”

“This church, established under the direction of Almighty God, fulfills promises made in biblical times. It is part of the “restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). It has been restored and given a name by the Lord Himself.

He issued this solemn warning: “Let all men beware how they take my name in their lips.” “Remember,” He added, “that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care” (D&C 63:61, 64). Therefore, just as we revere His holy name, we likewise revere the name that He decreed for His church.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Mormon Should Mean More Good,” General Conference, October 1990

“We meet in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of mankind. We meet as members of the Church which carries His sacred name.

Many of our people are disturbed by the practice of the media, and of many others, to disregard totally the true name of the Church and to use the nickname “the Mormon Church.”

Six months ago in our conference Elder Russell M. Nelson delivered an excellent address on the correct name of the Church.”

“The Mormon Church, of course, is a nickname. And nicknames have a way of becoming fixed.”

“I suppose that regardless of our efforts, we may never convert the world to general use of the full and correct name of the Church. Because of the shortness of the word Mormon and the ease with which it is spoken and written, they will continue to call us the Mormons, the Mormon Church, and so forth.

They could do worse. More than fifty years ago, when I was a missionary in England, I said to one of my associates, “How can we get people, including our own members, to speak of the Church by its proper name?”

He replied, “You can’t. The word Mormon is too deeply ingrained and too easy to say.” He went on, “I’ve quit trying. While I’m thankful for the privilege of being a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of the Church which bears His name, I am not ashamed of the nickname Mormon.”

“Look,” he went on to say, “if there is any name that is totally honorable in its derivation, it is the name Mormon. And so, when someone asks me about it and what it means, I quietly say—‘Mormon means more good.’” (The Prophet Joseph Smith first said this in 1843).

His statement intrigued me—Mormon means “more good.” I knew, of course, that “more good” was not a derivative of the word Mormon.”

“Ever since, when I have seen the word Mormon used in the media to describe us—in a newspaper or a magazine or book or whatever—there flashes into my mind his statement, which has become my motto: Mormon means “more good.”

We may not be able to change the nickname, but we can make it shine with added luster.”

“Anyone who comes to know the man Mormon through the reading and pondering of his words, anyone who reads this precious trove of history which was assembled and preserved in large measure by him, will come to know that Mormon is not a word of disrepute, but that it represents the greatest good—that good which is of God.”

“All of this places upon us of this Church and this generation an incumbent and demanding responsibility to recognize that as we are spoken of as Mormons, we must so live that our example will enhance the perception that Mormon can mean in a very real way, “more good.”

“And so I leave with you the simple but profound thought: Mormon means “more good.”

“I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that when people speak of us by the name of this book, they will compliment us, if we will live worthy of the name, remembering that in a very real sense Mormonism must mean that greater good which the Lord Jesus Christ exemplified.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Faith, Family, Facts, and Fruits,” General Conference, October 2007

 “Mormon is a nickname for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members are often referred to as Mormons, Latter-day Saints, or LDS.”

“Mormons are well represented in politics and government. (In the United States, for example, there are 16 members in Congress, from both political parties.)”

“Mormons place particularly strong emphasis on family as the basic unit of the Church and of society.”

“A church, or any way of life, should be judged by the fruits or the results that it generates. Here are a few examples based on United States statistics. These would be similar throughout the world among practicing Mormons, by which we mean those who attend church and the temple regularly:

One of the fruits is a longer life. Studies show that practicing Mormons are healthier and therefore live longer than the national average.”

Church Newsroom, “I’m a Mormon Campaign,” Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“The Church's national media campaign called “I’m a Mormon” includes television spots, billboards, and ads on buses and on the Internet. The ads give a glimpse into the lives of Latter-day Saints from all over the world and refer people to the mormon.org website, where they can read the profiles of tens of thousands of Mormons, chat live with representatives who will answer questions about the faith and watch dozens of videos about members of the Church.”

Church Newsroom, “Mormon.org ‘I’m a Mormon’ Effort Launches in New York City,” 16 June 2011, News Release, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“With increased conversations about Mormons taking place in New York City, the Church launched the “I’m a Mormon” campaign there this week. 

''Our Church is known for our efforts to share our message,” said Elder Richard G. Hinckley, Executive Director of the Missionary Department.  “During the past several decades we’ve used media focusing primarily on what we believe.  This effort focuses more on who we are because of what we believe.”

“Billboards in Times Square, signs on taxi tops and ads in subways feature a few of the 14 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the statement “I’m a Mormon.” The ads refer people to the mormon.org website, where they can read the profiles of more than 30,000 Mormons, chat live with representatives who will answer questions about the faith, and watch dozens of videos giving a glimpse into the lives of Latter-day Saints from all over the world.

This latest campaign is a continuation of an undertaking that was launched in nine cities last year.  The effort seeks to break through the stereotypes of what people think they know about Mormons and demonstrates that the Church consists of diverse people from all walks of life who seek to follow Jesus Christ. That message seems to resonate with those seeking to better understand Mormons.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Dare to Stand Alone,” General Conference, October 2011

“Instantly there flashed through my mind the thought, “Monson, you are not a Catholic; you are not a Jew; you are not a Protestant. You are a Mormon, so you just stand here!” I can assure you that I felt completely alone. Courageous and determined, yes—but alone.

And then I heard the sweetest words I ever heard that chief petty officer utter. He looked in my direction and asked, “And just what do you guys call yourselves?” Until that very moment I had not realized that anyone was standing beside me or behind me on the drill ground. Almost in unison, each of us replied, “Mormons!” It is difficult to describe the joy that filled my heart as I turned around and saw a handful of other sailors.

The chief petty officer scratched his head in an expression of puzzlement but finally said, “Well, you guys go find somewhere to meet. And don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!”

As we marched away, I thought of the words of a rhyme I had learned in Primary years before:

Dare to be a Mormon;

Dare to stand alone.

Dare to have a purpose firm;

Dare to make it known.”

M. Russell Ballard, “The Importance of a Name,” General Conference, October 2011

 “While Mormon is not the full and correct name of the Church, and even though it was originally given by our detractors during our early years of persecution, it has become an acceptable nickname when applied to members rather than the institution. We do not need to stop using the name Mormon when appropriate, but we should continue to give emphasis to the full and correct name of the Church itself.”

“Some may ask, what about the Internet sites such as Mormon.org as well as various Church-initiated media campaigns? As I said, referring collectively to members as Mormons is sometimes appropriate.”

“It is impractical to expect people to type the full name of the Church when seeking to find us or when logging on to our website.” 

M. Russell Ballard, “Following Up,” General Conference, April 2014

“The term Mormon can be appropriately used in some contexts to refer to members of the Church, such as Mormon pioneers, or to institutions, such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Church members are widely known as Mormons, and in interactions with those not of our faith, we may fittingly refer to ourselves as Mormons, provided we couple this with the full name of the Church.

If members learn to use the correct name of the Church in connection with the word Mormon, it will underscore that we are Christians, members of the Savior’s Church.”

Church Newsroom, “Meet the Mormons Movie,” Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Meet the Mormons” is a feature-length documentary film produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that will be released in select theaters on 10 October 2014.

This film is an opportunity for people to meet — in a very personal way — members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Filmed on location around the globe, “Meet the Mormons” takes viewers on a journey into the day-to-day lives of six Church members in the U.S., Costa Rica and Nepal. From their individual passions to their daily struggles, each story paints a picture as rich and unique as the next while challenging stereotypes that surround the Mormon faith.”

Church Newsroom, “The Name of the Church,” 16 August 2018, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made the following statement regarding the name of the Church:

The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will. In recent weeks, various Church leaders and departments have initiated the necessary steps to do so. Additional information about this important matter will be made available in the coming months.

See the updated Newsroom style guide, which provides direction on how to properly refer to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the coming months, Church websites and materials will be updated to reflect this direction from President Nelson.”

Russell M. Nelson, “The Correct Name of the Church,” General Conference, October 2018

“Today I feel compelled to discuss with you a matter of great importance. Some weeks ago, I released a statement regarding a course correction for the name of the Church. I did this because the Lord impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He decreed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

“Let me explain why we care so deeply about this issue. But first let me state what this effort is not:

It is not a name change.

It is not rebranding.

It is not cosmetic.

It is not a whim.

And it is not inconsequential.

Instead, it is a correction. It is the command of the Lord.”

“Thus, the name of the Church is not negotiable. When the Savior clearly states what the name of His Church should be and even precedes His declaration with, “Thus shall my church be called,” He is serious. And if we allow nicknames to be used or adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, He is offended.

What’s in a name or, in this case, a nickname? When it comes to nicknames of the Church, such as the “LDS Church,” the “Mormon Church,” or the “Church of the Latter-day Saints,” the most important thing in those names is the absence of the Savior’s name. To remove the Lord’s name from the Lord’s Church is a major victory for Satan.”

“When we omit His name from His Church, we are inadvertently removing Him as the central focus of our lives.”

“Have we been so afraid to offend someone who called us “Mormons” that we have failed to defend the Savior Himself, to stand up for Him even in the name by which His Church is called?”

“The rest of the world may or may not follow our lead in calling us by the correct name. But it is disingenuous for us to be frustrated if most of the world calls the Church and its members by the wrong names if we do the same.”

“So, what’s in a name? When it comes to the name of the Lord’s Church, the answer is “Everything!”

Topics and Questions, “Mormon Church,” Gospel Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“A commonly used but inaccurate term to describe Christ’s restored Church. The name the Lord declared for His Church in the latter days is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Church Newsroom, “Latter-day Saint Prophet, Wife and Apostle Share Insights of Global Ministry,” 30 October 2018, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“I have seen him changing in the last ten months,” said Sister Nelson. “It is as though he's been unleashed. He's free to finally do what he came to earth to do. … And also, he's free to follow through with things he's been concerned about but could never do. Now that he's president of [the Church], he can do those things.” 

“I see the Lord pouring strength into [President Nelson] …every day to be strong,” said Sister Nelson. “I've seen him be able to now do those things that have been in his heart. I've seen him, as I've said, be clear about doctrine. I've seen him become younger. I've seen him become happier … because he's doing what he came to earth to do. … He was foreordained to be the prophet of God on the earth today.”

Old Testament, Deuteronomy 18:22

“When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

Old Testament, Jeremiah 14:14

“Then the Lord said unto me, the prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.”

Old Testament, Jeremiah 23:16

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.”

Old Testament, Jeremiah 27:15

“For I have not sent them, saith the Lord, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.”

Old Testament, Jeremiah 28:9

“When the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him.”

Old Testament, Jeremiah 29:9

“For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord.”

Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 28:15

“And all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!”

Doctrine and Covenants 64:39

“And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known.”

Book of Mormon, Alma 4:10

“And the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress.”