Continued from Part I On 6 April 1947, newly sustained Church patriarch Eldred G. Smith began his first conference address by saying: “Brethren and sisters, I think you are all aware of the fact of the hereditary nature of the office to which I have been called. For that reason I was prepared to …
Category: Issue 165–December 2011
The Family Forum: An Introduction to Quantum Parenting
By Michael Farnworth Law and Love in the Family Obedience is the first law of heaven. The way we interpret this aphorism—one of the most famous in Mormonism—says a lot about our parenting style. The aphorism is based on D&C 130:20–21: “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, …
A Vision Becomes Scripture
By James P. Harris Following a 1904 meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve during which “[i]t was moved and unanimously carried that ‘the brethren should not write in their journals that which took place in the Council meetings,’ Elder James E. Talmage became quite cautious in his journal regarding meetings of the Twelve. …
Where is that Darn Lamanite DNA?
By Michael Vinson And they were scattered upon much of the face of the land, and the Lamanites also. And they were exceedingly more numerous than were they of the Nephites, and they loved murder and would drink the blood of beasts. —Jarom 1:6 In this verse, Jarom is wondering aloud how the Lamanite …
The Elder Daughter
By Kelly Quinn An earlier version of this reflection was read as an audio essay for “Matters of the Heart,” a subset of the Mormon Matters Podcast in which listeners record stories or personal essays related to podcast topics. (See www.mormonmatters.org.) This essay is printed here with the author’s permission. Tonight, the Prodigal Son …
Putting His Money Where His Mouth Is
By Curt Bench Along with countless others in the Church, I owe Parley P. Pratt a debt of gratitude for several reasons. One is that he helped me on my mission—not personally, of course; despite what my kids think, I’m not that old! Instead, with his 1837 book, A Voice of Warning and Instruction to …
Braving the Borderlands: Traits of the “Successful” Borderlander
By D. Jeff Burton It has become generally known that a large percentage of baptized Mormons worldwide eventually slip into inactivity, leave the Church, or are excommunicated. Many sojourn in the Borderlands of the Church for a time and then move on. But a few decide to stay in the Borderlands for various reasons: family, …
An Olive Leaf: Stephen L Richards
The following is excerpted from a powerful address given at the April 1932 General Conference address by Elder Stephen L Richards. In the midst of controversies over evolution, as well as recent changes in the Church to give greater emphasis to the Word of Wisdom, the apostle shared insightful perspectives on the principles behind God’s …