Monday Morning LDS Religion Class

Nauvoo polygamy is a hard topic to sort through. And even harder to understand why. Certainly its impact has far reaching effect into the church even today. Lets talk about how it started.

In 1842, Joseph Smith joined the Freemasons. Within days, he formed the women's Relief Society and formed the temple endowment, using masonry terms and forms to do so. Why would he do this? Was he just copying freemasonry? And what did the neighboring lodges think of all this--especially inviting women into the endowment? Join us for a great discussion.

It could be argued the Aug 15th, 1840 is the 2nd most important moment in Christian History. Why is that?

Less than a year after being the Liberty Jail, Joseph smith knocked in the door of the White House in Washington DC- and insulted the President. And impressed the public.

Two views of the Atonement are running in the church. and they reflect the polarization of the world politically. They are the Sin Narrative versus the Separation (or wounded) narrative. Which way do you lean?

How do we approach dissenting voices in our midst? How we do it matters a great deal.

In 1837, the country was in a full-fledged financial panic. Kirtland was no different. How people like Parley Pratt and Thomas Marsh responded to that panic says alot about how threat attacks our faith.

As it turns out, the Great Plan of Salvation hinges on conversations. Our relationships to God and to one another have a powerful lasting effect on our eternity. Join us in this Single Adult fireside for a discussion on the conversations we have.

In KIrtland in 1837 the bank was failing. Their money was on the line. Could they trust Joseph Smith to solve the problem?

When we declare ourselves the "only true church", that comes with a alot of baggage that can be very offensive to alot of very good people in other churches and traditions. What, exactly, do we believe in our "truth claims'?

Culturally, the Atonement of Jesus Christ has been seen as a reward for a life of righteous living. It is the final push to get us over the top and into heaven. However, what if the Atonement, designed to bring us back to our Heavenly Parents, is actually the "change agent", present in our life from our birth. If we are in partnership with Christ, what are we called to do, to be?

The Atonement doctrine of Penal Substitution, Jesus paying for my sins, is well established in Christianity. A majority of LDS hymns would attest to that fact. But, in reality, do Mormons really believe it?

In 1836 Joseph Smith struggled to prepare himself and his people for the Temple. How to do that? He copied from the Old Testament and prepared them, even as the Sons of Aaron.But what exactly was this endowment they received?

The circumstances behind the Book of Abraham, as found in the Pearl of Great Price, are a fascinating read about how Joseph Smith received and understood scripture. His study of Egyptian and Hebrew helped better prepare the coming temple revelations received in 1836

At a time when the Missouri Saints needed comfort and guidance, they received a revelation that would seem to deliver just the opposite. Why, when we want answers, do we feel stonewalled and left without answers. Section 100 provides some answers to that question.

Other than the Book of Mormon, Section 76 generated more opposition from others, resulting in the mobbing of Joseph and Sidney. Why? Also, can we progress through the kingdoms of glory? Great questions and great discussion.

The Saints went to Missouri with high hopes. They ended 2 years later with mobs and burnings. What happened? What did they do right and what could they have done differently?

Shortly after the organization of the Church, Joseph Smith began to revise parts of the bible. The Book of Mormon spoke of "plain and precious" truths and covenants that had been lost. When were these truths lost and exactly what was lost is our task for today.

Much of Christianity looks forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The early church in Kirtland believed they were called to make that a reality. How they thought and what they did is fascinating.

What do we gather? what is the purpose of gathering. And are we still supposed to?Or has another mission begun to replace that?

From its earliest days, the Church has been constantly evolving to meet the needs of its members. Are there greater changes to come? The Church has released new materials designed to guide members in that path.

The establishment of the church mirrored the publishing of the Book of Mormon. Both leaned on each other. The task for Joseph was trying to balance both

Over two years, the Book of Mormon moved slowly towards being published. At the same time a growing number of people were seeking for the "original church" found in the Bible. Joseph Smith found himself in the middle of both movements, culminating the organization of the church on April 6, 1830.

Getting the Book of Mormon into print was not easy. It was nearly derailed by a man by the name of Abner Cole. His satirical book, The Book of Pukei, actually gives us a wealth of information around the circumstances of printing the book.

There are alot of theories about how an ancient record allegedly was translated and written in roughly 40 days. How did Joseph and Oliver produce a book that still stands up to critical examination all these years later?

As Joseph Smith was traveling to the Hill Cumorah 5 times to retrieve the Nephite plates, a conspiracy was forming to steal them from him. Martin Harris, a family friend, would assist to keeping the plates safe. Join us for the fascinating episode in Joseph's life.

Joseph Smith was a man of his world; 1800's, rural and poorly educated. Survival was a constant struggle. Translating the Book of Mormon would be a challenge! What did his world look like as he struggled to bring the Restoration forward?

Few issues are more polarizing in today's world than discussions around those who identify as LGBTQ. Historically, there has been a wide variety of explanations and approaches. Where are we today? What are current leaders calling us to do? And what does it look like on a typical sabbath service?

Is Jesus about control or growth? What have you done with His gospel?

The science of memory and memory retrieval is complex and multi-layered. It appears to have had a significant effect on how Joseph Smith would recall events such as the first vision.

We begin our series on Church history, beginning with the Christian centuries before 1820. Then, getting Joseph Smith to Upstate NY was no small task! Join us as we see God moving all the pieces to make that happen.

In Moroni 10, Moroni wants us to know exactly why he and other prophets wrote what they did. They also wanted us to know the damage done by well-meaning creeds over the centuries.

Both Mormon and Paul teach a singular responsibility to the world- live in love with those around us.

Moroni was worried that his record would be rejected by the Gentiles, who needed to bring the record to the Lamanites. Would they mock it or embrace it?

The pain of separation from God brings difficulties in mortality. Jesus' sole mission was to return us back into the presence of our Heavenly Parents. How that occurs is the challenge, The Brother of Jared provides us with a key.

The Brother of Jared had an impossible task: Get the people across the sea, using only primitive barges. How would he do it?

The Brother of Jared was given an impossible task: prepare the barges for a sea crossing. The problems were enormous. And all he had were some rocks he had molten out of the mountain. However, what the Lord touches, glows and grows.

This week, March 2024, brought an historical event for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Conversely, it was a day of sorrow for the Community of Christ. That is, the purchase of the Kirtland Temple and other important historical items. Lets talk about why this happened by putting it in historical context.

As the Nephites implode, we have the testimonies of two prophets, Mormon and Moroni, to give us a perspective on why they wrote and what the expected in future.

We all have the things we treasure. Are we hesitant to consecrate them, though? Will we lose them if we do?

Mormon is given a singular job: observe and bear witness to the end of his people. The Book of Mormon is his witness of what he saw: And thus we see!

The Nephites changed their behavior dramatically after the visit of the Savior. The record says they understood in their hearts, something they hadn't done previously. What would it take for us to do that?

Jesus has in invited us into a partnership with him. How do we do that? And what is he looking for from us?

The Law of Obedience was given as a way to prepare to love as God loves. But that means that it often falls short of helping us with answers or a healing we really need. How do we manage those expectations?

Jesus is inviting us into a relationship with him. We have been called into this amazing project to heal a world that need our mercy and compassion. And the roots of this calling come early in Christianity and the Book of Mormon

As the church moves in the its next century, its people and message are needed more than ever. But that help seems to be involving into an ever greater purpose. A fractured world is in desperate need of a healing voice. Are we ready?

St. Jerome was tasked with translating Greek texts in Latin around 400 AD. It was a monumental effort that brought the scriptures to the Christianity to the West. And yet, two misunderstandings have had a major effect on Churches even today.

Present at the Nativity, witnessed by Book of Mormon prophets in vision, were humble sheepherders. Why was it so important they witness the birth of Jesus? In this bonus podcast, lets look at some reasons for their presence.

Much of how we see Jesus' birth has come from the art work depicting those events. Based on facts, there are obviously a number of errors as well. But see through the eyes of Nephi in the Book of Mormon, what is the real message of that night?

Jesus showed the way with his great condescension for us. We also are under obligation to lower ourselves in the service of others. How we do that is the challenge!