Sunday Musings

Connor shares ten important books that Latter-day Saints should read in order to better understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.

While it is widely believed that during the "succession crisis" Brigham Young looked and sounded like Joseph Smith, what actually happened?

A new website from the LDS Church shares six "core beliefs" of the faith that some of its members might find peculiarly watered down.

Most people believe that dropping atomic bombs on Japan was necessary or justified. Then why did one church leader teach that it was immoral savagery?

A 1982 First Presidency letter has a pretty strong statement on certain kinds of sex performed by members. Why was this taught, and is it still binding?

Latter-day Saints are Christians who have access to additional revelations beyond the Bible. What are some of the distinctive doctrines that emerged from these revelations?

Is the LDS Church's termination of temple cornerstone ceremonies an isolated issue or part of a larger trend away from symbols and rituals in modern worship?

Modern Mormons think that the church has been restored and will never fall away. But is that accurate? And what do the scriptures actually say about us Latter-day Gentiles?

While there is no recorded revelation on the topic, Latter-day Saints believe in a Heavenly Mother. Where did this belief come from?

Connor reviews how often Family Home Evening was encouraged by church leaders and how this practice has declined in recent years.

How should Christians model Jesus's behavior when it comes to opposing culture trends and personal beliefs or practices that are inconsistent with the gospel? How can we oppose what is wrong while being "civil"?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints updated their statement on political neutrality this week, with several new and curious references. Let's compare and contrast against what was there before.

What false traditions do Christ's followers cling to today? What are the iniquities that keep them in a deep slumber?

The Jews rejected Jesus when he came to them. Will Mormons reject Jesus when he returns?

What doctrine says that Saints should not criticize any leader of the church, even if the criticism is true?

Despite its attempts to mirror the real thing, the British coronation is a corrupt counterfeit of the true process where God wants us to become kings and queens. But did you know there is a second step to this in the temple that few have experienced?

Every year, hundreds of thousands of teenagers engage in pioneer cosplay to recreate a historically inaccurate Trek experience. But is this program and its associated activities spiritually counterproductive?

Published in 1995, the prescient proclamation on the family was ahead of its time. But is the document still relevant today with same-sex marriage legalized and amid societal gender wars?

What does the future of the Church look like if the majority of its youth are going inactive and abandoning the faith? What do we need to do differently to retain more youth and help them remain on the strait and narrow?

A recent General Conference talk taught church members that prophetic counsel is whatever the president of the Church says. But is this actually true?

Middle initials for all General Authorities? Celebrating secular holidays in church? Beardless Bishops? Connor shares his thoughts on these and other cultural traditions in our church.

Mainstream Christians believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, but how do they reconcile a variety of verses that they don't actually adhere to?

A recent poll shows the deep division between members of the LDS Church and those of other faiths. We like them, but they don't like us. The real question is, why?

Jesus said that before his return the world would be filled with wars and rumors of wars. We obviously understand what war is, but few realize what "rumors" Jesus was referring to. Connor shares scriptural and historical examples to bring clarity to this confusion.

For generations, Latter-day Saints in need have been counseled first to help themselves, then to get help from family members, and then the Church. But that has now changed, with bishops being encouraged to point members to government welfare programs. When did this change occur and why?