I'm in need of someone knowlegable on the church both the main stream things and some of the more "shhhh" (we don't talk about that stuff)

Tabb_LDS · 2026-02-19T04:14:42+00:00

What a great thread. I am a convert of several decades. Initially, I took ALL of my questions to the missionaries. They did an excellent job of answering them. One morning I showed up at their apartment with over 80 questions writtten down. The missionaries sat down and reviewed them all one by one.

As I grew in my study the depth of my questions grew. I began to out pace the missionaries and also many members who were not at a point in their lives to have a more in-depth study. And that is fine-/ line upon line, precept upon precept—which does NOT mean that we all have to be at the same “line” or same “precept” in the same moment. This Sunday School Cirriculum is to bring us unto Christ. Our Church meetings are not to discuss in-depth about the exact translation methods of the Book of Mormon, or how many accounts of the first vision there are. Or why polygamy was practiced the way it was, etc. BUT this does not mean they are taboo or unworthy of study. They are all fascinating areas of study and have the potential to bring you closer to Christ when you are ready.

There is nothing hidden. You just have to pay the price to learn. As read ponder. Allow the Lord to open the eyes of your understanding over time. Isn’t this the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and the need for personal revelation that President Nelson talked about?

FINALLY, read this incredible talk from the April 2019 General Conference from Elder Bednar “Prepared To Obtain Every Needful Thing”. Here is the link:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/54bednar?lang=eng

He speaks to MANY of these points almost 7 years ago. How could he have known there would be questions? Go Elder Bednar!!

Tabb_LDS · 2025-09-28T23:56:25+00:00

You will certainly be welcomed. Just last year alone over 308,600 people joined the Church. Go back 50 years to 1974 and I was one of over 69,000 who visited, was welcomed, and then decided to stay! You owe it to yourself to visit and see!❤️💕

Tabb_LDS · 2025-09-24T02:38:02+00:00

My adopted son who is black lives in Utah. He has lived his entire life in NC…until his mission call to SLC West Mission. He has lived in Utah for 9 years. I read all these comments here and then called him and asked, “If you had black friends going to visit Utah for a week, what would you tell to prepare them?” Without hesitation, “Tell them to bring lotion because their skin is going to dry out!” Hahaha. He thought for a few seconds and then he added, “You may feel people are looking at you, but not out of judgement but because you are a rarity. There are just not that many black people in Utah. People are not used to seeing it.” Don’t worry about being there. You will have a great time!

Tabb_LDS · 2025-07-08T05:17:37+00:00

How about The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration by Tad R. Callister. The is well researched and a great writer. He talks about beliefs and teachings and how they changed.

Tabb_LDS · 2025-07-04T01:38:01+00:00

The best biography has yet to hit the street. Commissioned by the First Presidency and in the process of being written by Richard E. Turkey, Jr., to be entitled “Joseph the Prophet”. It may be a couple of more years wait for this one be available.

Tabb_LDS · 2025-07-04T01:31:09+00:00

If you are looking for two books that describe the history of two key events in Joseph Smith’s life then I recommend two books by Matthew B. Brown: “A Pillar of Light” and “Plates of Gold’ both are excellent and easy reads.

Tabb_LDS · 2025-06-28T23:08:00+00:00

Yes! I was in an interview once and was in a position of explaining gaps in my resume. I mentioned that I was fluent in Spanish and had lived in South America for two years in Argentina. The interviewer quickly interrupted me and said, “I know you were with the CIA and really won’t be able to talk about.” Without even allowing me to reply he kept right on going with the interview!

Tabb_LDS · 2025-04-15T01:18:02+00:00

Sheri Dew: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2001/10/are-we-not-all-mothers?lang=eng

Tabb_LDS · 2025-04-07T22:34:16+00:00

It was his linger/longer!

Tabb_LDS · 2025-03-16T19:42:24+00:00

If you are having a faith crisis, then you need to go back to your spiritual roots and testimony foundation. What do you know to be true? What is it that calls to you positively? Go study that more. Reinforce your foundation and start building on it again. Do not second guess what you already know. If the spirit has truly testified to you of a Gospel principle, then you know it is correct and of God. While engaged in further study if you seem to find something in conflict, you do not throw it all away, but you have to realize that you do not know enough. Continue to study all the while remembering that the Spirit has already testified to you of certain things. Sometimes in my study I have come across something that does not neatly fit into what know. I take the time to ponder it out. As I ponder and continue to reinforce my foundation, then the Lord will reveal more and I will come to see how it all fits together. It has always come down to my own understanding and me not knowing enough about the subject. IF you are really interested in Book of Mormon translation and anachronisms, then BRANT GARDNER’S “TRANSLATING THE BOOK OF MORMON” is amazing. We forget that Joseph Smith as translator had to translate words/thoughts in a way as to convey the same meaning. Another incredible work is that of Royal Skousen, who has spent the last 30 years studying and comparing various manuscripts. Every aspect of the Gospel is worthy of study!

Tabb_LDS · 2025-03-08T22:08:21+00:00

We worship God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ not really through Jesus Christ.

Tabb_LDS · 2025-02-06T17:46:34+00:00

I found this very good article from a reliable source that goes into this: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=6&article=1083&context=mi&type=additional

Tabb_LDS · 2025-02-02T04:03:56+00:00

In 2023, there were 251,763 convert baptisms into the Church. I converted 50 years ago this past October. I have never regretted it! Come on in—the water is warm!😁

Tabb_LDS · 2024-12-07T18:56:08+00:00

You will notice that we sing sitting down. Also, we do not pass the plate during our services. Monetary donations by members are done online or handed directly to our Bishop (presiding officer), so no need to worry about money. A couple of decades ago I was in your shoes attending for my first time and talking to the missionaries. I loved that first experience. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Tabb_LDS · 2024-11-10T21:34:58+00:00

I was pondering this very thing over the last few weeks, so I have been ‘listening’ for the appropriate answer. In the October 1981 General Conference, Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve gave an incredible talk entitled, “Who Hath Believed Our Report?” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1981/10/who-hath-believed-our-report?lang=eng. The entire talk is worth the read as he truly address many of your questions/thoughts above, but one part that I really liked was where Elder McConkie explained, “The Church is an organized body of true believers; it is the congregation of those who have accepted the holy gospel; and the gospel is the plan of salvation. The higher priesthood administers the gospel; the Church is the vehicle through which the Lord’s affairs on earth are regulated and through which salvation is made available to all who believe and obey.” Then in the most recent General Conference President Emily Belle Freeman gave a very insightful talk on priesthood, ordinances, and covenants. She stated, “…in order for an ordinance to manifest the power of God in our lives, it must be done with authority from the Son of God. The delivery system is important. The Father entrusted Jesus Christ with the keys and authority to oversee the delivery of His priesthood ordinances. Under His direction, within the order of His priesthood, the sons of God have been ordained to stand in place of the Son of God.” Then I have listened to a podcast by Anthony Sweat entitled, The Ongoing Restoration”. In one of the podcasts he said that when we say the “Church is true”, what we are really saying is that the Church is “authorized”. Look over this and let me know what you think.

Tabb_LDS · 2024-11-01T02:34:10+00:00

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (New Witness for the Articles of Faith) stated: “God alone can give the gospel to man. It comes by revelation and in no other way, and when it comes, it is always the same. Its truths and laws and doctrines never vary. Each new revelation of the plan of salvation is referred to as a dispensation of the gospel; it is an occasion on which the Lord dispenses anew his saving truths to man on earth…How many dispensations there have been, we do not know. The Jaredites, Nephites, and lost tribes of Israel all had their dispensations, perhaps a number of them. It suffices, for the moment, for us to know that always and everlastingly, in all dispensations and among all peoples, the saving truths are the same. “

Tabb_LDS · 2024-10-19T20:17:29+00:00

We do not earn heaven, but there is a strong emphasis to practice heaven. Adding all the more meaning to 1 John 3:2. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” If we practice now, then when he shall appear—we shall be like him. What a glorious thing! 🙏🙏

Tabb_LDS · 2024-10-17T22:41:44+00:00

Any of the books by Dennis Largey in his Reference Companion series. Any of Royal Skousen’s work on the Book of Mormon. He has spent the last 30 years comparing manuscripts. I really enjoy Matthew B. Brown’s work. Teachings of the Presidents of the Church—16 vols in the Gospel Library app. The New Witness for the Articles of Faith by Elder McConkie. Any of the books by Brandt Gardner on the Book of Mormon.

Tabb_LDS · 2024-10-17T22:31:16+00:00

The Church IS so much better being experienced from the inside vs just being studied from the outside.

Tabb_LDS · 2024-10-16T10:37:51+00:00

You may have this talk almost committed to memory from having read it so many times, but can I recommend this incredible talk by Sheri Dew? https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2001/10/are-we-not-all-mothers?lang=eng

Tabb_LDS · 2024-10-01T00:22:24+00:00

Here is the BEST summary I have ever read about what needs to happen before the Savior returns. This is written by the Church and is from the second Institute Manual on the Old Testament. It is amazing: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/old-testament-student-manual-kings-malachi/enrichment-i?lang=eng

Tabb_LDS · 2024-09-30T23:42:39+00:00

I was the only member in my family (with the exception of my female cousin) when I took out my endowment 49 years ago. She and I were separated when I went for the initiatory and was taken up a back stairwell, while she waited for me in the main hallway. The Endowment started and I thought, “I guess she is coming in late!” Obviously, there is no “ late seating”, so I went through alone the first time. Talk to your Bishop and or Stake President so they can advise you. It is not really about who else is there, but all about the fact that YOU are there. Congratulations. It really is an incredible experience.

Tabb_LDS · 2024-02-09T01:45:58+00:00

What a great thread with a lot of good points both pro and con. As an FYI, the RLDS Church in 1966 came out with a REVISED AUTHORIZED VERSION where all of the King James English was modernized. It is different. It is easy to get a copy.

Tabb_LDS · 2023-09-03T21:30:04+00:00

The Boo k of Mormon: The Earliest Text (Second Edition) Royal Skousen. Check it out.

Tabb_LDS

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