Categories. Click on the following links to see all posts under these Categories:
- Blog
- Church Doctrine
- Church History
- Come Follow Me
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- Jesus Christ
- New Testament
- Old Testament
- Talks and Lessons
- The Book of Mormon
Table of Contents. The home page displays the most recent posts first. If you are new to the site, I would recommend that you read the posts in the order they were posted:
Truth is not always evident, so we need to work to recognize the difference between fact and opinion.
When studying Church history, it is vital to rely on credible sources that provide fact rather than opinion.
Knowing Joseph Smith’s ancestors can help us understand him better as we understand those who influenced him.
Our experiences, good or bad, play a role in our formation. What we learn, how we react to outside influences…
Belief in Joseph Smith’s accounts of the First Vision requires faith and inspiration from the Holy Ghost.
There are nine original accounts of the First Vision. Joseph Smith wrote or dictated four. Five were written by people…
The text of the 1832 First Vision Account, both in the original language and regularized for easier reading.
The differences in the various First Vision Accounts do not undermine Joseph Smith’s credibility about his First Vision experience.
Recordkeeping in Joseph Smith’s time was not only uncommon, but it would have been challenging.
Whether we realize it or not, we make judgments about everything we experience. As I have studied the First Vision,…
The society and family in which Joseph Smith lived prior to the First Vision provide significant insight into Joseph Smith’s…
In July, 2018, my family and I took a trip to visit church history sites. The Sacred Grove in Palmyra,…
A video reenactment of Joseph Smith’s First Vision that incorporates all First Vision accounts.
In the 1832 First Vision Account we learn that it took Joseph years of searching before he received his answer.
There are many who have made arguments against the validity of the First Vision. As a believer, what do I…
The First Vision has such significance to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that one author…
God has called prophets from the beginning of time. Even after the Savior’s resurrection and acension into heaven, God continued…
Searching for truth is not just reading and studying, it also requires introspection and an understanding of who we are…
Joseph Smith spent years searching for truth before he experienced the First Vision. What did he do after that experience?…
Stating the obvious, the Book of Mormon exists. As Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Here is the Book of Mormon. I…
Joseph Smith’s family lived on a farm in Palmyra, New York, when he experienced his First Vision, and during the…
An unintended consequence of studying church history is that it can divert our focus to something other than Jesus Christ.…
Unlike the First Vision, which has several accounts, the details of Moroni’s visit to Joseph Smith are discussed primarily in…
Moroni appeared to Joseph several times, and each time gave Joseph a little bit more information. Moroni’s First Visit I…
The hill named “Cumorah” is the site of Joseph’s annual visits with the angel Moroni, and where he obtained the…
The period of 1823 to 1827 was a formative time in Joseph’s life. Joseph was born on December 23, 1805,…
From 1823 to 1827, Joseph Smith went to the Hill Cumorah four times, where he met the angel Moroni and…
Much of the media we consume comes in the form of podcasts, videos, social media, audiobooks, or other reading substitutes.…
Alvin, Joseph Smith’s oldest brother, died in November, 1823, at the age of 25. Not only did the family lose…
Discover faith in Christ as you study Church history by focusing on Christ rather than imperfect people.
Despite the distance from Palmyra, people from Harmony and Colesville played significant roles in Joseph’s life and ministry.
We can discover hope through the atonement of Christ as we study the teachings of the restored gospel of Christ.
Joseph Smith’s work as a treasure hunter doesn’t discredit his testimony of the gold plates and the Book of Mormon.
A concern about whether the Church has lied can be eased by exercising historical empathy and faith in Jesus Christ.
Because limited facts exist regarding the marriage of Joseph and Emma, we need to evaluate facts and beware of assumptions.
Cancel culture allows no forgiveness. Christ offers us the opportunity to repent and change. In Him we can find healing.
Before Joseph Smith obtained the gold plates, he received training from heavenly messengers for several years.
Determining how we got the Book of Mormon requires critical thinking and an objective evaluation of the historical evidence.
Martin Harris was wealthy, a prominent farmer, politician, but sacrificed it all to help bring forth the Book of Mormon.
Imagination, faith in Jesus Christ, and revelation work together to help us accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.
Joseph Smith had at least three seer stones, which helped him receive revelation and translate the Book of Mormon.
After Joseph Smith obtained the plates, mobs tried to forcefully take them, causing Joseph and Emma to leave Palmyra.
Joseph Smith copied characters from the plates, perhaps thinking that someone else would translate the record.
Many first-hand witnesses who observed Joseph Smith translating the Book of Mormon testified of what they saw and heard.
The Book of Mormon was translated from April to June of 1829. What does that tell us about the book?
A myopic focus on only one aspect of the gospel limits our ability to fully comprehend the plan of salvation.
Contemplating the plan of salvation can help us find answers to difficult questions, and better understand gospel doctrines.
We need to understand the nature of God. That requires study, and revelation through the Holy Ghost.
The creation helps us see God’s power, find evidence of his reality, and feel his love.
The Fall was an intentional, merciful aspect of the plan of salvation, authored by our loving Heavenly Father.