This is why an apostate apostle still believed The Book of Mormon Keystone 2026-09-21 | This is why an apostate apostle still believed The Book of Mormon
Top 10 ABANDONED LDS temple practices Keystone 2025-10-07 | Normally when we talk about Latter-day Saint temple changes, we talk about the controversial stuff. That's not what this video is for. The reality is that when we focus all of our attention on the controversial stuff, a lot of other cool stuff tends to fall through the cracks. So here are my top 10 abandoned LDS temple practices that are just plain fascinating (and that you probably didn't know were ever a thing in the first place). — Go read “Holiness to the Lord” and “The Power of Godliness” by Jonathan Stapley for more info on many of the points from this video. — “Female Ritual Healing in Mormonism,” Jonathan A. Stapley & Kristine Wright in Journal of Mormon History, vol. 37, No. 1 (Winter 2011), pp. 1-85 (85 pages): tinyurl.com/5a3njxyt — “‘They Shall Be Made Whole’: A History of Baptism for Health,” by Jonathan A. Stapley & Kristine Wright in Journal of Mormon History, (Fall 2008): tinyurl.com/3puuyxad — “‘Pouring in Oil’: The Development of the Modern Mormon Healing Ritual,” by Jonathan A. Stapley (BYU RSC): tinyurl.com/4dcrj3p6 — “On the Potter’s Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball,” edited by Stanley B. Kimball, pp. 165 mentions raisins used during the temple endowment: tinyurl.com/yck65r9d — “Latter-day Saint Prayer Circles,” by D. Michael Quinn: tinyurl.com/yck7c42s Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00 What this is, and isn't0:17 No. 10 Primary Temple Trips0:53 No. 9 Temple Fruit1:23 No. 8 Healing Baptisms2:05 No. 7 Healing Blessings2:49 No. 6 Prayer Circles3:27 No. 5 Temple Choir4:06 No. 4 Disney Footage4:32 No. 3 Temple Libraries5:02 No. 2 Consecrated Oil5:45 No. 1 Polyandrous Sealings7:20 But wait, there's more!
It was a devastating weekend for Latter-day Saints. What now? Keystone 2025-09-29 | Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;But with joy wend your way.Though hard to you this journey may appear,Grace shall be as your day.’Tis better far for us to striveOur useless cares from us to drive;Do this, and joy your hearts will swell— All is well! All is well!Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?’Tis not so; all is right.Why should we think to earn a great rewardIf we now shun the fight?Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.Our God will never us forsake;And soon we’ll have this tale to tell—All is well! All is well!We’ll find the place which God for us prepared,Far away in the West,Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;There the Saints will be blessed.We’ll make the air with music ring,Shout praises to our God and King;Above the rest these words we’ll tell—All is well! All is well!And should we die before our journey’s through,Happy day! All is well!We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;With the just we shall dwell!But if our lives are spared againTo see the Saints their rest obtain,Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell—All is well! All is well!#churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #lds #latterdaysaints #GrandBlanc #MichiganFacebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
What Johnny Harris gets WRONG about Mormons Keystone 2025-09-26 | Johnny Harris recently released his third and final video on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and boy do we have a lot to talk about!Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00 The vibe2:39 Unsettling environment4:01 CONTROL5:31 For the Strength of Youth7:08 Corporationification8:34 Temple recommend interviews10:55 The Book of Mormon12:58 The most egregious error15:14 I'm a little salty
What Mark Gagnon gets WRONG about Joseph Smith Keystone 2025-09-22 | In this episode, David (that's me) reviews what comedian Mark Gagnon has to say about the prophet Joseph Smith, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00 Who is this Mark Gagnon guy?0:45 Joseph Smith & polygamy2:37 Mormons & Biblers3:48 Treasure digging5:40 NECROMANCY8:25 Cumorah (but probs not)9:35 Translation timeline10:44 Moroni took the plates?12:00 BoM witnesses12:45 Mark loves Mormons
This is why LDS temples matter more than you think Keystone 2025-09-15 | Are Latter-day Saint temples just a waste of money that would be better spent on humanitarian projects? Don't get me wrong, immediate humanitarian aid is important, and there are always ways we can improve. But temples actually *are* striking at the core of a multitude of serious social issues — just not in the way people might be expecting. Sources: — “We’re Ignoring a Root Cause of Our Problems,” by Nathan Schlueter in Crisis Magazine, August 17, 2022: tinyurl.com/4rj86thv — “Experience of Child-Parent separation and Later Risk of Violent Criminality,” by Mok, Astrup, Carr, Antonsen, Webb, & Pedersen in the National Library of Medicine: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6057277 — “Parental separation and school dropout in adolescence,” by Karhina, Boe, Hysing, Askeland, & Nilsen in the National Library of Medicine: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37051637 — “Child abuse and violence in single-parent families: parent absence and economic deprivation,” by R J Gelles in National Library of Medicine: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2817087 — “Child abuse and other risks of not living with both parents,” by Martin Daly & Margo Wilson in Science Direct: tinyurl.com/3vuw779d — “Debunking the Myth: Are Children of Single Mothers Who Remarry “40 Times More Likely” to be Abused?” by gbaskerville in Life-Saving Divorce (adds some clarity to previous source): tinyurl.com/29d8hr7c — “Self-harm risk between adolescence and midlife in people who experiences separation from one or both parents during childhood,” by Astrup, Pedersen, Mok, Carr, & Webb in National LIbrary of Medicine: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5754328 — “Family breakdown has a major influence on teen mental health,” via the Marriage Foundation: tinyurl.com/yc46habx — “Family Structure and Adolescent Drug Use: An Exploration of Single-Parent Families,” by Hemovich & Crano in the National Library of Medicine: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3075408 — Parenting Practices as Predictors of Substance Use, Delinquency, and Aggression Among Urban Minority Youth: Moderating Effects of Family Structure and Gender,” by Griffin, Botvin, Scheier, Diaz, & Miller in the National Library of Medicine: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3962786/#TFN3 — “Effects of Family Structure on Mental Health of Children: A Preliminary Study,” by Behere, Basnet, & Campbell: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5559994 — “The Correlation between Divorce and Adolescent Substance Abuse,” by Emmalynn Pepper Clemmensen via Project Know: tinyurl.com/574nwmrc — “US children of divorce have reduced earnings, increased chances of teen births and jail, study says,” by Mike Schneider in the Associated Press, May 25, 2025: tinyurl.com/4acnj2yw — “Divorce, Family Arrangements, and Children’s Adult Outcomes,” by Johnston, Jones, & Pope via the Center for Economic Studies: tinyurl.com/mr3n2dbr — “Grade Point Average By Family Structure and Religious Practice,” via Marri Research Marriage & Religion Research Institute: marri.us/wp-content/uploads/MA-109.pdf — “The impact of family structure on the health of children: Effects of divorce,” by Jane Anderson in the National Library of Medicine: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4240051 — “Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Children: National Health Interview Survey, 2012,” via the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/sr10_258.pdf — “Diverging Paths: Heterogeneities in Single Parenthood and Consequences for Child Poverty,” by Burciu & Parolin in Sage Journals: tinyurl.com/yek2xxbe — “Parental divorce or separation and children’s mental health,” by D’Onofrio & Emery in the National Library of Medicine: tinyurl.com/3k92964f — “Do childhood experiences of parental separation lead to homelessness?” by Julie Moschion & Jan C. van Ours in Science Direct: tinyurl.com/2p4xtemj — “Mormons more likely to marry, have more children than other U.S. religious groups,” by Michael Lipka via Pew Research Center: tinyurl.com/5f5jduzw — “Latter-day Saint Marriage & Divorce Statistics,” via Mormonr.org: tinyurl.com/4j5xkczk — “Mormons and Family Life,” via Pew Research Center: tinyurl.com/th4uusvz Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00 Treating symptoms0:49 Treating social issues1:18 Family disruption2:14 LDS Temples3:50 The data & the caveats5:08 Are temples a waste of money?
LDS historian reveals what we get wrong about the endowment Keystone 2025-09-08 | Joseph Smith once taught ordinances "are not to be altered or changed". But how do we reconcile that with the fact that over the years temple ordinances have changed? In this episode, I sit down with Church historian, Dr. Jonathan Stapley, to clarify that issue and many specific changes to the temple ceremony, like the removal of the oath of vengeance and the penalties.Chapters:00:00 - No change = death!00:54 - Why ordinances change8:30 - What can’t change in temples12:12 - Brigham Young & "false doctrine"?16:30 - The real meaning of Endowment of Power19:20 - Temple ordinances really needed for exaltation?21:11 - Joseph Smith vs. today's temples24:22 - Are temples manipulative?25:48 - Oath of Vengeance explained29:53 - How ceremonies have evolved32:16 - Temple Penalties: what & why removed?35:41 - Evolving gender roles in temple41:32 - Old covenants + new ordinancesFacebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Pres. Nelson just published an article in TIME Magazine! Keystone 2025-09-05 | This week, both the Wall Street Journal and TIME Mag both published stories related to the LDS faith. They were night and day.Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Polygamy expert debunks ALL the myths Keystone 2025-09-03 | In this episode, David sits down with polygamy expert, historian, and author Brittany Chapman Nash. Polygamy among Latter-day Saints in early Utah has been a hot topic for over 150 years, and in this episode we talk about what you've heard that might be true, false, or a mixture of both truth and error. Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00 Struggling with facts, not rumors1:21 Men motivated by sexuality7:07 Men loved it, women hated it13:16 All Saints understood & agreed16:26 Only polygamists exalted20:32 Women forced into polygamy29:07 Missionaries trafficked women30:25 Most everyone practiced it35:41 Monogamy was fair39:45 The Church will bring it back40:49 Church embraces it today44:54 Faithful must accept polygamy47:51 Unanswered questions
This is why weaponizing 2 Timothy 3:16 is a problem Keystone 2025-08-26 | 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches that all scripture is "God-breathed," or "inspired by God." This is probably the single most popular verse used to show Latter-day Saints that the Bible is inerrant, or completely free from error. But, is that actually what 2 Timothy 3:16 is teaching? Let's dig in. For more info, check out: — “The Invention of the Inspired Text," by John Poirior (Library of New Testament Studies, published by Bloomsbury). — “The Bible Says So,” by Daniel McClellan, pp. 29-38. Notes: — Keep in mind that not ALL Protestant Christians interpret biblical inerrancy the same way. If you are a Protestant and you disagree with the descriptions of the Bible quotes from Ligioner Ministries and GotQuestions, then much of what I say in this video may not apply to you. — Keep in mind also that my goal in this video is not to undermine the reliability or authority of the Bible. I just think that we set ourselves up for disappointment if we insist on an unrealistic (by my estimation) paradigm of sacred scripture. — Facebook: facebook.com/keystonelds — Insta: instagram.com/keystonelds — Website: keystonelds.com — Apple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4u — Spotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737 — Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00 A bold claim0:34 Biblical claims about the Bible?1:38 Does "inspired" mean "perfect?"2:17 "God-breathed" and Theopneustos4:11 The inspirationist understanding4:56 A 2nd, 3rd, & 4th opinion6:11 Weaponizing other scriptures
What Exmo Reddit gets WRONG about LDS polygamy Keystone 2025-08-18 | An Exmormon Reddit user claims that early missionaries were engaging in human trafficking, bringing young Scandinavian women to Utah in order to feed the Mormon polygamy machine. But... is that really true? And beyond that, what was a polygamous proposal really like? What was a polygamous divorce like? Let's talk about it.Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00 ExMormon Reddit0:46 Missionaries trafficking women?2:13 How many women practiced polygamy?3:19 Polygamous ENGAGEMENT5:59 Polygamous DATING?6:39 Polygamous DIVORCE9:05 Brigham Young allegations
Will LDS women ever pass the sacrament? Keystone 2025-08-15 | I'm not advocating for anything (I don't have a problem with deacons being assigned to pass the sacrament), but it's true that passing the sacrament from row to row is a task assigned *to* priesthood holders, and not a task that inherently requires priesthood authority to do.Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Is there REALLY a link between Epstein & the LDS Church? Keystone 2025-08-07 | Watch through the end for a special treat.Also, I don't address the Church's SEC fine in this video, but if you're looking for information on that I highly suggest reading Public Square Magazine's article, "Ensign Peak: Clarifying the SEC Announcement."L Brands was the parent company for a variety of well-known brands, including Bath and Body Works, Lane Bryant, and Victoria's Secret (in 2021 Victoria's Secret split from L Brands). Some people are uncomfortable with the thought that IF the Church invested in L Brands, then the Church indirectly also invested in Victoria's Secret, which seems weird for a church to do. And that's a perfectly fine conundrum to wrestle with. What is and is not OK to invest in? Would you be upset if the Church invested in a beer company? What about Walmart (which sells beer)? It's a conversation worth having, but I didn't bring it up because this video was already long and I wanted it to stay focused on the alleged Church/Epstein connection. Perhaps it'll be a video for another day.#churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #epstein #lds #latterdaysaintsFacebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Top 10 attacks on Joseph Smith that BACKFIRE Keystone 2025-08-04 | Surprisingly often, claims or attacks on Joseph Smith backfire and strengthen my faith in the restored gospel. Here are just 10 examples.Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00 Criticisms that BACKFIRE0:30 Number 101:46 Number 92:56 Number 83:35 Number 74:21 Number 65:16 Number 56:04 Number 46:59 Number 38:04 Number 29:07 Number 1
LDS Church drops 3 new bombshell articles at once Keystone 2025-07-31 | New additions to the Church's "Topics and Questions" list include information on polygamy, the translation of the Book of Mormon, and the character of Joseph Smith. Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy#churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #lds #latterdaysaints #josephsmith
What John Crist gets RIGHT about Mormons Keystone 2025-07-21 | Christian comedian and content creator John Crist recently attended a Latter-day Saint church service, and boy did he have a lot to say about it! Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00 - This John Crist guy0:40 - No comedy on Sunday?1:56 - Coffee, suits, & Joseph Smith, oh my!3:25 - Sacramental Fanta?5:01 - Latter-day human beings6:32 - "Open-mic" testimony meeting7:13 - Temple "season passes"9:20 - We all just wanna hoop
DEEP LDS temple symbol hidden in plain sight Keystone 2025-07-18 | If you blink you might miss it, but on the west middle spire of the Salt Lake City Temple you'll find a constellation chiseled into the granite that is just PACKED with meaning.Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
LDS scholar: Joseph & Muhammad are NOT the same Keystone 2025-07-14 | He was a poorly-educated guy who was visited by an angel, produced a new work of scripture, and became the leader of a world religion. I'm not talking about Joseph Smith — I'm talking about Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. Many critics claim that Joseph Smith's truth claims really aren't that special, because Muhammad did something similar (and *nobody* in their right mind believes that Muhammad was inspired... right? ... right guys?). In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dan Peterson to investigate just how similar Joseph and Muhammad actually are. Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00 Joseph vs Muhammad1:27 Muhammad's story3:39 Was Muhammad a prophet?4:16 Does Muhammad undercut Joseph?10:43 How Islamophobia factors in13:58 Quran vs Book of Mormon21:25 Violence & Islam25:41 Learning from our Muslim friends30:41 Becoming like God
What this influencer gets WRONG about LDS marketing Keystone 2025-07-03 | Content creator/CEO Alitzah Stinson recently took to social to social media to report that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered to pay her thousands of dollars to pretend to have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. As it turns out, I received the same email. Let's clear a few things up.Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Top 10 most SHOCKING stats about Latter-day Saints Keystone 2025-06-30 | The data doesn't lie. I've spent the last few weeks digging through study after study to bring to you the Top 10 most shocking statistics about Latter-day Saints, and I've finally done it. Let's take a look at what the research has to say about members of the Church of Jesus Christ - some of it may surprise you! 0:15 - Number 100:46 - Number 91:58 - Number 82:33 - Number 73:00 - Number 63:33 - Number 54:12 - Number 45:02 - Number 35:34 - Number 26:06 - Number 16:53 - BONUSFacebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
There IS evidence that Joseph Smiths golden plates existed Keystone 2025-06-23 | From our interview with Dr. Daniel C. Peterson.Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
LDS scholar: The Book of Mormon witnesses are DANGEROUS Keystone 2025-06-16 | The witnesses of the Book of Mormon "golden plates" either lied, were tricked, or were telling the truth. In this episode, David sits down with long-time scholar Daniel C. Peterson to talk about the different theories, and whether or not they align with the available evidence. Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00 Who they were, & what they saw5:17 The "conspiracy" theory17:51 All friends/family?22:34 The "deceived" theory29:32 Hypnotized?31:42 The "mixture" theory36:03 The "it's all true" theory38:53 Dan's advice
This is why women cant pass the sacrament Keystone 2025-06-11 | Why can't LDS women pass the sacrament? I'm on a quest to figure it out. To my niece, this one's for you. — “From Men to Boys: LDS Aaronic priesthood Offices, 1829-1996,” by William G. Hartley, in Journal of Mormon History, Vol. 39, No. 3 (Summer 2013), pp. 256-263: tinyurl.com/2aebctxn — That quote from Francis Lyman: tinyurl.com/mrsk9757 — “Women’s Service and Leadership in the Church,” via the Church’s gospel topics and questions glossary (mentions blessings of healing/sacrament prep): tinyurl.com/yc64zkxx — “‘None of these offices is he to do’: priests and the administration of the sacrament,” by Jonathan Stapley via By Common Consent: tinyurl.com/muzs2fnx — “Ordained and Acting Teachers in the Lesser Priesthood, 1851-1883,” by William G. Hartley, BYU Studies vol. 16, no. 3 (Spring 1976): tinyurl.com/36yxjap8 — “Excessive Formalities in the Mormon Sacrament, 1928–1940,” by Justin R. Bray (Intermountain West Journal of Religious Studies, vol. 4, no. 1): tinyurl.com/dktdpyhd — See also “The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper” from chapter 4 of “The Power of Godliness: Mormon Liturgy and Cosmology,” by Jonathan Stapley (check your local library).— See also, “My Fellow Servants: Essays on the History of the priesthood,” by William G. Hartley (check your local library).Notes:— The fact that “administering” the sacrament didn’t encompass “passing” the sacrament is further evidenced by a 1913 Improvement Era article that lists the duties of deacons, teachers and priests. While it was the duty of a deacon to “pass the sacrament,” it was the duty of a priest to “administer the sacrament” AND “pass the sacrament.” They are listed as two different things. See Hartley, pp. 118, and this link to the corresponding Improvement Era article: tinyurl.com/3d36cjrd — “For the first seventy years since its inception, leaders entrusted older men of the higher, Melchizedek Priesthood with the task to distribute the emblems in sacrament services.” Source: tinyurl.com/dktdpyhd — Researcher Jonathan Stapley wrote that “‘administering the sacrament’ hasn’t ever really been considered passing or preparing it (except in the contemporary church when the people conducting the meeting ‘thank the Aaronic Priesthood for administering the sacrament.’[)]Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Joseph F. Smith: Child of chaos, prophet of God Keystone 2025-06-02 | Son to a murdered father. Forced from his home in Missouri and Illinois. A pioneer of the West. And ultimately, a prophet of God. In this episode, David gives you a glimpse into the life and times of President Joseph F. Smith.— “Triumphs of the Young Joseph F. Smith,” by Nathaniel R. Ricks (BYU RSC, 2013): tinyurl.com/2nea584a — “Before the Beard: Trials of the Young Joseph F. Smith,” by Scott G. Kenney (Sunstone, Nov. 2001): tinyurl.com/2fs2ffbe — “Boyhood Recollections of President Joseph F. Smith,” by Joseph F. Smith in the April 1916 edition of the Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine: tinyurl.com/4f78yphh — “My Dear Sister: Letters between Joseph F. Smith and His Sister Martha Ann Smith Harris,” by Richard Neitzel Holzapfel and David M. Whitchurch (Editors): tinyurl.com/4b69u3jh — “‘A Modern Patriarchal Family’: The Wives of Joseph F. Smith in the Relief Society Magazine, 1915-19,” by Lisa Olsen Tait (BYU RSC): tinyurl.com/4j2p9de5 — “Joseph F. Smith’s Encouragement of His Brother, Patriarch John Smith,” by J. B. Haws (BYU RSC): tinyurl.com/mynu3xde — “The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead (D&C 138), by Robert L. Millet (BYU RSC): tinyurl.com/5n9bc8ye — “Joseph F. Smith and the New York City Draft Riots, Part 1: Background,” by Nate R (Juvenile Instructor blog): tinyurl.com/yszf6vv7 — “Joseph F. Smith and the New York Draft Riots, Part 2: 13 & 14 July 1863,” by Nate R (Juvenile Instructor blog): tinyurl.com/mv44dnzw — “Joseph F. Smith and the New York City Draft Riots, Part 3: 15-18 July 1863,” by Nate R (Juvenile Instructor blog): tinyurl.com/46afpjfe — “Remembering Joseph F. Smith,” by Norman S. Bosworth (Ensign Mag): tinyurl.com/2wm7wn5k — “The Fathering Practices of Joseph F. Smith,” by Mark D. Ogletree (BYU RSC): tinyurl.com/2eyzubhd — Further Reading: — Biography: “Like a Fiery Meteor: The Life of Joseph F. Smith,” by Stephen Taysom — “Mary Fielding Smith: Daughter of Britain,” by Don C. Corbett. Available online here: tinyurl.com/ycxpjxsm — “Presidents of the Church: The Lives and Teachings of the Modern Prophets,” by Craig Manschill, Robert Freeman, & Dennis Wright (editors) — “Classic Stories from the Lives of Our Prophets,” compiled by Leon R. Hartshorn — “Joseph F. Smith: Reflections on the Man and His Times,” via BYU RSC, available here: tinyurl.com/3s9mbby6 Notes:— The end of the war also roughly coincided with the rise of the worldwide 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. Pandemic restrictions didn’t allow for a public funeral, but thousands of people lined the streets to honor Joseph as his funeral procession passed by. — In the following article from the March 1903 Improvement Era (pg. 377), the unknown author reports that he became fond of liquor at the age of 14. Some believe the author was Joseph F. Smith, who was the editor of the magazine at the time. Here’s the link: tinyurl.com/fhzj46xm — The Boy Scout program was first incorporated into the Church under Joseph F. Smith’s presidency. — During 9 years of his presidency, he was also the president of the Salt Lake City Temple. As you know, that temple took 40 years to build. Joseph was there in 1853 as a teenager for the laying of the cornerstone, and he was also there 40 years later in 1893 for the dedication, as a seasoned apostle. Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
I survived all 10 hours of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Keystone 2025-05-29 | I watched all 10 hours of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, season 2. Here's the 39-second version of my reaction. (The full hour-long version is available on our channel). #lds #latterdaysaints #hulu #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #secretlivesofmormonwives Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
What Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 2 gets WRONG Keystone 2025-05-27 | I forced myself to watch ALL TEN episodes of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 2, just so I could give you an honest report. But for this reaction...I'm taking you with me. Heaven help us all. 00:00 - Intro00:39 - Episode 19:14 - Episode 213:25 - Episode 315:46 - Episode 420:10 - Episode 523:07 - Episode 628:20 - Episode 733:03 - Episode 835:47 - Episode 943:23 - Episode 10Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
This will forever change how you read the Bible Keystone 2025-05-21 | There are also scattered references in the Old Testament to mythological chaos monsters. These monsters are not historically accurate, but were a real part of the ancient cultural understanding of the universe. I love what the NKJV Cultural Background Study Bible (pp. 988) says about this:"All of this demonstrates that even though God was revealing Him self to Israel as very different from the gods of the ancient world, He did not hesitate to use similar metaphors and images to do so. His own activity is described in these culturally embedded ways and makes reference to known mythology to engage the Israelite audience through familiar ideas."God speaks to us in ways we can understand.#Bible #Christian #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #lds Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
LDS Scholar: This is where Christianity went WRONG Keystone 2025-05-12 | In this episode, David Snell and special guest Terryl Givens talk about perhaps the most controversial divide between members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (colloquially, Mormons) and mainstream Christianity: The nature of God. 0:00- The TRUE nature of God4:54- Where Christianity went awry7:59- No-Final-Buzzerism10:34- Uncreation13:21- Corporeality18:06- Trinitarianism & polytheism28:00- Creation ex-nihilo32:40- Heavenly Mother35:41- The 3 "omnis"38:04- Unanswered questions41:40- Christianity as a system Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
ExMormon Reddit said THIS about Kirby Heyborne Keystone 2025-05-09 | Spoiler alert: Kirby Heyborne is still active in the Church, and I can confirm that this comment from ExMormon Reddit sums him up fairly well. #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #latterdaysaints #ldsFacebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Top 5 claims that critics need to let die Keystone 2025-05-05 | "You believe in a works-based salvation!" "Revelation 22 says you can't add to the Bible!" "Jesus was the last prophet!" These are claims that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hear all the time. I have no problem having sincere conversations about any of these topics (that's great!), but when they're just launched at members in the form of accusations, it gets... tiring. Especially since some of these claims have been reasonably responded to for over a century. Hopefully, in the future, we can replace these criticisms with conversations.-- Our interview about grace & ordinances with Bro. Brad Wilcox: youtu.be/bx7AshfOiGc?si=AtsehR2slEVR1Fr5 Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00- Questions vs. accusations0:25- Number 51:52- Number 43:10- Number 34:28- Number 25:50- Number 1
These guys BLACKMAILED the LDS Church (and failed) Keystone 2025-05-01 | Leaked photos of an empty temple wouldn't even make the news today, but in 1911, no interior SLC Temple photos had been published before. Unfortunately for Bossard & Florence, they were masterfully outmaneuvered by President Smith & James E. Talmage.#churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #lds #latterdaysaints #ldstempleFacebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
What Redeemed Zoomer gets WRONG about Mormons Keystone 2025-04-21 | Redeemed Zoomer’s recent video about heretical “Christian” cults has gotten a ton of views in a short amount of time. And guess who’s at the top of his list? That’s right, your friendly neighborhood Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or as Redeemed Zoomer calls us, “Mormons”. In this video, David Snell gives a believer’s response to some of what Redeemed Zoomer has to say. Response video to pastors Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle: tinyurl.com/zhz2bpfw Interview with BYU professor Casey Paul Griffiths about “becoming like God”: tinyurl.com/4yy4utfv The Book of Mormon and the Origin of Native Americans from a Maternally Inherited DNA Standpoint, by geneticist Ugo Perego: bit.ly/2L3CYrn Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00- Redeemed Zoomer0:26- What is a Christian?2:19- The Mormons3:17- The Garden of Eden4:02- Lost 10 Tribes5:04- Jesus in America5:15- Invisible golden tablets6:14- Curse of Cain6:54- Becoming gods7:49- The Trinity10:00- Sitting with the cool kids
What you didnt know about Jesus cleansing the temple Keystone 2025-04-17 | Cleansing the temple *at all* would have been a big deal, but doing it *at that time* would have REALLY ruffled some feathers. The message would have been clear.#Passover #HolyWeek #JesusChrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #GreaterLoveFacebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
This is why weaponizing Galatians 1:8 is a problem Keystone 2025-04-14 | One of the most common Bible verses used against members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called “Mormons”) is Galatians 1:8. In this episode, David explains why this verse may not be as devastating to faith as some might believe.— Read Galatians 1 here: tinyurl.com/mtrnkcpe — Brad Wilcox: What we get WRONG about grace and ordinances: tinyurl.com/434kycjv— Are Latter-day Saints saved by Christ’s grace only “after all they can do”?: tinyurl.com/fnry4wfj — Was Moroni an angel of Satan? (fairlds): tinyurl.com/3v3m8x7x — What is the logical fallacy, “begging the question”?: tinyurl.com/kdm5fs4d — Shout-out to Called to Serve for this relevant video: tinyurl.com/25fjst3zNotes:— I want to emphasize that just because someone employs a logical fallacy in their point, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are wrong. The fallacy simply exposes a hole in the argument. Even if we were to hypothetically assume that Protestants were right and Latter-day Saints actually did believe in a different gospel, simply commenting “Galatians 1:8” would still exhibit the “begging the question” fallacy. — I especially like Mormon 7:8 from the Book of Mormon, which says: “Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you.” The Book of Mormon itself asserts that it teaches the same gospel as the Bible.— It is worth pointing out that Galatians 1:8 is not a verse that is exclusively used against Latter-day Saints. Linked below are examples of a Protestant article using this verse against the Catholic Church, and a separate example of a Catholic attempting to sort of turn the tables in a similar scenario. tinyurl.com/3dfpduzz / tinyurl.com/75xwvz3n Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00- Galatians 1:81:06- Begging the question1:49- What is "the gospel"?3:18- What is the LDS gospel?4:18- Angels aren't the problem4:58- Grace vs. works
Joseph Smiths seer stone: Magic, or miraculous? Keystone 2025-04-11 | The way I see it, Latter-day Saint claims (true or not) are really not any more outlandish than the miracles described in the Bible. Thoughts?#churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #lds #latterdaysaints #bible #josephsmith #christianityFacebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Study: We are Americas least-liked religion Keystone 2025-04-07 | You guessed it, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the least-liked religious group in the United States, according to a recent PEW Research survey. In this episode, David Snell and Kristen Walker Smith review the data and chat about why people feel this way, and what Latter-day Saints can do about it. 0:00- Dropping the bomb4:24- Persecution complex? Get over it.5:40- Marion D. Hanks' car accident9:50- One little piece of information12:13- Breaking the defensive posture15:44- Facing opposition fatigue18:59- Annoying Satan25:43- LDS creator community 28:42- Supremely depressedFacebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
What does the Church handbook REALLY say about garments? Keystone 2025-04-04 | POP QUIZ!#churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #lds #latterdaysaints #ldschurch #ldstemple Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Top 10 Latter-day Saint teachings that could CHANGE Keystone 2025-04-01 | In this episode I'm going to share with you my Top 10 list of current teachings/practices in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that could change. To be perfectly clear: This video is not about advocacy in any direction. On a personal level, I think some of these changes would be great, and others... not so much. But saying which changes are and are not right for the Church is simply not my lane, and I fully sustain those leaders whose lane it is.It can sometimes be confusing or even painful when something we didn't think could change... changes. For that reason, I think it's healthy to examine our own assumptions and really think about what actually can and cannot change. The purpose of this video is simply to explore some of those possibilities. Maybe some of these changes will happen next week! Or maybe in a year. Maybe in a century. Maybe never. We'll see!Notes:— “How has the Latter-day Saint interpretation of the Word of Wisdom changed over time?” via Saints Unscripted: tinyurl.com/4symzwz8 — “From Men to Boys: LDS Aaronic Priesthood Offices, 1829-1996,” by William G. Hartley, in Journal of Mormon History, Vol. 39, No. 3 (Summer 2013), pp. 256-263: tinyurl.com/2aebctxn — Saints Vol. 2, chapter 28, discusses Wilford Woodruff and Lucy Young’s first use of white clothes in the temple: tinyurl.com/5n7kbkt2 — “The ups and (mostly) downs of Church finances over the years,” via Saints Unscripted (wherein the changing emphasis on tithing is discussed a bit): tinyurl.com/5fstjuwu — “Women’s Service and Leadership in the Church,” via the Church’s gospel topics and questions glossary (mentions blessings of healing/sacrament prep): tinyurl.com/yc64zkxx — “‘Pouring in oil’: The Development of the Modern Mormon Healing Ritual,” by Jonathan Stapley via BYU RSC: tinyurl.com/4727pcxe — "Female Ritual Healing in Mormonism" by Jonathan A. Stapley and Kristine Wright in Journal of Mormon History, Vol 37, No. 1 pp. 1-85: tinyurl.com/mt6mecms 00:00 - Some things won't change, but some could00:39 - Number 101:43 - Number 92:08 - Number 82:52 - Number 73:35 - Number 64:02 - Number 54:27 - Number 44:59 - Number 35:38 - Number 26:12 - Number 1Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Wilford Woodruff basically lived FINAL DESTINATION Keystone 2025-03-28 | Nevertheless, he didn't pass away until the ripe old age of 91. #lds #latterdaysaints #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #wilfordwoodruff Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Wilford Woodruff: The prophet who cheated death A LOT Keystone 2025-03-24 | Wilford Woodruff was the fourth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and MAN, the guy was an absolute boss. In this episode, David highlights some of the fascinating aspects of his life. Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
What Jodi Hildebrandt got WRONG about the Book of Mormon Keystone 2025-03-21 | Josh Miller is a former patient of Jodi Hildebrandt (who is now in prison for child abuse). In this clip from our interview, he explains how Jodi twisted the words of the Book of Mormon to convince him that he was the "vilest of sinners" and needed to suffer -- but he also explains how a true understanding of the message of the Book of Mormon ultimately helped him heal from Jodi's teachings.#Hulu #RubyFranke #bookofmormon #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #lds #latterdaysaintsFacebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
The Book of Mormon helped me escape Jodi Hildebrandt Keystone 2025-03-17 | Joining me today is Joshua Miller, a former patient of Jodi Hildebrandt and faithful Latter-day Saint, sharing his story of recovery from Jodi's "therapy" through the gospel of Jesus Christ. As you know, Hulu recently released "Devil in the Family: The Story of Ruby Franke," a documentary chronicling LDS vlogger Ruby Franke's interactions with the former mental health counselor, Jodi Hildebrandt, another Latter-day Saint, and how they both wound up in prison for child abuse. Critics claim that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is responsible for "creating" people like Ruby and Jodi with it's doctrine. By dissecting his personal experiences with Jodi and responding to a few clips, Joshua and I will explore exactly what role (if any) the Church's doctrine played in his abuse, as well as the role it played in his recovery and redemption. Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Litia from The Bachelor OPENLY shares her Mormon faith Keystone 2025-03-14 | Props to Litia, her family, and The Bachelor. Seems like this was really well-handled! We'll see what happens in next week's episode. Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
What Hulus Ruby Franke docuseries has to do with the Mormons Keystone 2025-03-07 | Hulu just released yet another Latter-day Saint-themed series, "Devil in the Family: The Story of Ruby Franke." What does this series have to say about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy#churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #lds #latterdaysaints #hulu
What Devil in the Family gets WRONG about Mormons Keystone 2025-03-05 | Hulu is at it again! In a recently released docuseries, "Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke," the rise and fall of an abusive Latter-day Saint "family vlogger" mom is put on full display. What does the Church have to do with this story? How does Hulu portray the Church? And what do they get wrong - and right? Let's talk about it. -- "Perfectionism in perspective: Latter-day Saints' unique outlook," via the Deseret News: tinyurl.com/mus7wpjd-- The study on perfectionism can be found in vol. 63, no. 4, of BYU Studies. The entire issue is about perfectionism: tinyurl.com/m3wkabhh Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Top 10 flawed arguments used against Latter-day Saints Keystone 2025-03-03 | In this episode, David talks about the Top 10 flawed arguments/logical fallacies that he sees people making against Latter-day Saints online. Did he miss any? Would you re-order any of these? Let me know in the comments!A few honorable mentions I didn’t end up including in the video: Appeal to authority, cherry-picking, false dilemma, and special pleading. 0:00 - Intro0:53 - Number 101:38 - Number 92:25 - Number 83:00 - Number 73:32 - Number 64:16 - Number 55:01 - Number 45:26 - Number 35:58 - Number 26:37 - Number 1Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
Latter-day Saints believe humanity is destined for Godhood Keystone 2025-02-26 | Blasphemous to some, beautiful to others. #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #latterdaysaints #lds #god Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
BYU prof. on the justice AND mercy of Latter-day Saint Hell Keystone 2025-02-24 | In this episode, David sits down with BYU law professor Shima Baughman to talk about Hell, criminal justice, divine punishment, and the Latter-day Saint conception of the afterlife. If you're not a member of our faith and are interested in some additional information about the Latter-day Saint "plan of salvation," check this link out: tinyurl.com/5y5z9vyh Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00- Intro5:38- Choosing Jesus (then & now)13:14- Criminal justice & divine justice/mercy26:28- Book of Mormon as social policy29:01- Dealing in absolutes31:48- Original "imputed" sin39:09- Damned in ignorance?42:20- Purpose behind punishment51:27- Where is it in the Bible?54:00- Criminal justice & testimony
If the LDS Church is true, dont expect evidence Keystone 2025-02-21 | "There must be grounds for doubt as well as belief, in order to render the choice more truly a choice, and therefore the more deliberate, and laden with personal vulnerability and investment. An overwhelming preponderance of evidence on either side would make our choice ... meaningless.... What we choose to embrace, to be responsive to, is the purest reflection of who we are and what we love...." Source: "The God Who Weeps," by Terryl & Fiona Givens, oppp. 4-5.#lds #latterdaysaints #ldschurch #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #faith #bookofmormon #mormon Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
The REAL reason we cant prove the Church is true Keystone 2025-02-18 | A lot of people demand to see overwhelming physical or historical evidence that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is what it claims to be. In this episode, David Snell explains why, if the Church is true, we should not be expecting that level of overwhelming evidence to come forward in this life.— Suggested reading: — “The God Who Weeps” ( tinyurl.com/4ht9rubu ) and “The Crucible of Doubt,” by Terryl & Fiona Givens. — “Faith is Not Blind” by Bruce & Marie Hafen — For a non-Latter-day Saint perspective, you might enjoy “The Sin of Certainty,” by Pete Enns.— For more on the relational aspect of gospel ordinances, check out this interview we did with Brother Brad Wilcox: tinyurl.com/4psahfjd — An article I wrote several years ago that touches on this subject: tinyurl.com/yxxnv93h Notes:— Please note that I also don’t want to minimize the profound experiences of others or suggest that no one can actually “know” some of these truths. Some individuals really have had the opportunity to know in an empirical (but personal) sense that some of these core doctrines are in fact true (many witnessed the resurrected Christ, Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, etc.), and many others “know” through the ministration of the Holy Ghost. As D&C 46 teaches, “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.” The scriptures teach that we can indeed receive a “witness” — but after the trial of our faith (Ether 12:6). — The Givens also wrote, “The call to faith is a summons to engage the heart, to attune it to resonate in sympathy with principles and values and ideals that we devoutly hope are true and which we have reasonable but not certain grounds for believing to be true.” That is the key, I think: Reasonable, but not certain. Source: "The God Who Weeps," by Terryl and Fiona Givens, pp. 4.— John Welch wrote that “It seems clear enough that the Lord does not intend for the Book of Mormon, the Bible, or any other sacred matters to be open-and-shut cases intellectually, either pro or con. If God had intended this, He could have left more concrete evidences one way or the other. Instead, it seems that the Lord has maintained a careful balance between requiring people to exercise faith and allowing them to find reasons that affirm the stated origins of His revealed word. Instead, the choice is, then, entirely ours.” Source: "The Role of Evidence in Religious Discussion," by John W. Welch, in "No Weapon Shall Prosper," by Robert Millet (editor), pp. 289.— Welch also wrote: “...in all matters of faith, important evidence will always be lacking. The result will always be a hung jury, as arguments can be made on both sides. These are surely debatable subjects. One should not expect these examinations to be any more conclusive than the inconclusively arrayed approaches in biblical and Christian studies generally. Full agreement on religious issues will probably always remain elusive, but that does not excuse fair-minded people from striving to state the evidence clearly and to seek the achieve agreements where possible.” Source: “The Role of Evidence in Religious Discussion,” by John W. Welch, in “No Weapon Shall Prosper,” pp. 289.— In their book Faith is Not Blind, Bruce and Marie Hafen assert that “God has left us free, amid circumstances that do not compel our belief, to choose for ourselves, as an act of will, whether to grasp the iron rod in the midst of the darkness.” Source: "Faith is Not Blind," by Bruce & Marie Hafen, pp. 83.— There’s also an argument to be made that divine ambiguity could be considered an act of mercy from God, because to whom much is given, much is required (D&C 82:3). And whoso sins against the greater light receives the greater condemnation. As Alma 32:19 teaches, “And now, how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression?” Food for thought. — I would also argue that belief is oftentimes more effective at changing us than knowledge is. Oprah Winfrey is credited with the quote, “You become what you believe.” I think that’s true.Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy0:00- Intro0:19- Faith as choice1:23- Blind vs. Informed faith1:54- 50/50 chance?2:35- Limits of research2:58- Was it all in your head?3:42- Expecting ambiguity4:44- Purpose of divine ambiguity6:19- Being in atonement7:08- Binding ourselves to God
Plane diverts after angry passenger hunts for Mormons Keystone 2025-02-12 | New fear unlocked. Also, if you read more of the [second] passenger's Reddit comment, you'll see that they mention that the man was "sedated." I haven't been able to confirm whether or not that was actually the case. The passenger acknowledged that that was what she had "heard," but that she was sitting towards the back of the plane and couldn't be 100% certain.#lds #latterdaysaints #ldschurch #mormons #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #americanprimevalFacebook: facebook.com/keystoneldsInsta: instagram.com/keystoneldsWebsite: keystonelds.comApple podcast: tinyurl.com/3rx4cw4uSpotify podcast: tinyurl.com/33r9f737Amazon podcast: tinyurl.com/5cendacy
