Gospel Questions—Why Do We Have the Doctrine and Covenants?

My nonmember friend asked me: Why does every Prophet change or add to the rules? I thought everything I needed to know was in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, but then I found out about the Doctrine and Covenants. That’s a BIG book of additional teachings. One of the things I love so much about the Gospel is the fact that we have a prophet living on the earth today. This means we are privileged to have continuing revelation. I’m reminded of the scripture in 1 Corinthians 3:2 which reads: “I have fed you with milk and not … Continue reading →

Gospel Questions: About Food Storage

My non-member friend asked me: Why do Mormons stockpile food? Do they think the world is coming to an end? In a nutshell, yes, we do. That answer is a little bit flippant. Let me elaborate. In the Book of Revelations, we read of calamities that will befall in the last days. These are passages that are familiar to those who have read the Bible, and the End Times prophecies are familiar to all Christian religions. The leaders of the LDS Church have encouraged us to put up a reserve of nonperishable food in our homes so that we might … Continue reading →

Gospel Questions: Turning My Back on My Brother

My non-member friend asked me: If I become a Mormon, does that mean I can’t talk to my gay brother? You absolutely do not have to give up a relationship with your brother if you join the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God. Our Heavenly Father organized this world and set us here on the earth with the hopes that we would form family units, multiply and replenish the earth, and bring up our children with both a mother and a father, as much as … Continue reading →

Gospel Questions: What’s Up with Large Families?

My non-member friend asked me: Why do Mormons have so many kids? If I become a Mormon, do I have to have more kids? When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, they were told to multiply and replenish the earth. Mormons believe that this commandment has never been repealed, and we do have families that are statistically larger than the norm. However, this is not across the board. Some families have two children, others have thirteen, and some couples have not been able to have children at all. The family is central to our Heavenly Father’s … Continue reading →

Gospel Questions: What about Those Latte-Drinking Mormons?

A non-member friend recently asked me: Is it true I can’t drink tea, coffee, alcohol and be a Mormon? And why did the missionaries tell me I couldn’t drink coffee, but my Mormon friend goes to Starbucks every day for a latte? As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have what is called “The Word of Wisdom.” This is a revelation that was given to Joseph Smith which gives us guidelines about the care and nourishment of our bodies. In this revelation, we are counseled to stay away from coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco. There … Continue reading →

Gospel Questions: Do Mormons Worship Joseph Smith?

Joseph Smith was a young boy of fourteen, living in upstate New York with his family, when a religious revival hit their area. Everyone was divided on which church was true, and in the Smith home, two religions were practiced. This was confusing to Joseph. How could both churches be right? One night as he read in the Bible, he happened upon the verse James 1:5 which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. Struck by the idea that he … Continue reading →

Gospel Questions: Do Mormons Think They Have the Only True Church?

I do like to ask and answer the hard questions, don’t I? Well, this one is definitely a hotbed of debate. One of the concerns that people of other religions have about the LDS Church is that we seem to think we’re the only true church. Let me shed just a little more light on this. When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He set up His church the way He wanted it to be run. He had apostles, prophets, ordinances, the sacrament, priesthood authority, and He showed His disciples how to use all of them. When He died, and … Continue reading →

What is Priestcraft?

We often hear the caution to beware of priestcraft, either practicing it ourselves, or falling prey to those who practice it. Just what is priestcraft, and how can we best follow the counsel to avoid it? In 2 Nephi 26:29, we read: He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts, for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion. There are three parts to practicing priestcraft. First, the person sets themselves up for a … Continue reading →

Gospel Questions: What Do Mormons Believe about Death?

Death is a sorrow that will come to all of us. We lose our grandparents, our parents, sometimes a child. We may lose a spouse before we are ready to let them go. The human body is frail and can only remain with us for a short time. It’s hard to let go of someone we loved so dearly. However, there is hope and peace that comes through knowing and understanding the principle of life after death. We believe that when a person dies, they do not cease to exist, but that their spirit rises up to dwell with Heavenly … Continue reading →

Gospel Questions: What is a Patriarchal Blessing?

Back in ancient days, there were patriarchs ordained to give blessings to the faithful who desired to know God’s will for them. One such patriarch was Samuel. We read his story in 1 Samuel chapter 16. The Lord told him to look amongst the sons of Jesse for the next king, but he should not look upon the outer appearance, but on the heart. Jesse brought his sons before Samuel, and he sensed that none of them were right. He asked Jesse if there wasn’t one more son, and Jesse explained that his youngest was out with the flocks. Samuel … Continue reading →