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Joseph Smith Theology

Does Absolute Power Corrupt? Joseph Smith’s Search for an Endowment of Power

Light piercing the Sacred Grove, Liberty Jail, and the Nauvoo Temple symbolizing Joseph Smith’s teachings that God’s absolute power is light, glory, and covenant law—not domination.

Society is conditioned by Lord Acton’s cynical—and historically accurate—observation that absolute power corrupts. Yet the revelations of Joseph Smith suggest this maxim is a symptom of the Fall rather than a definition of divinity. From the moment he knelt in the Grove and discovered a “form of godliness” devoid of power, the Prophet began a lifelong apprenticeship in a new paradigm. This wasn’t power as the world defines it—domination and control—but power as light, life, and law. From the mind-expanding definitions received in the crucible of Liberty Jail to the crowning ordinances of the Nauvoo Endowment, Joseph’s mission was to teach us that God is not a cosmic gatekeeper, but a Father inviting us to become joint-heirs to all He possesses.

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New Testament

When Was Jesus Christ Born?

A silhouette of the three wise men who visited when Jesus was born.

Billions of people celebrate Christmas on December 25th, but did you know that scholars aren’t sure when Jesus was born? The best evidence suggests the Nativity occurred in 5 B.C., but competing theories span several years. Much of the confusion traces back to a 6th-century monk named Dionysius, who skipped “Year 0” and jumped straight from 1 B.C. to 1 A.D. when creating the modern calendar. Another complicating factor is the precise dating of key historical events, such as the death of Herod and the journey of the Magi. This article walks through leading theories about when Jesus was actually born and explains the 4th-century origins of December 25 as a Christian holiday.

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Come Follow Me New Testament

Do Events in the Book of Mormon Identify Christ’s Birth Month?

The Book of Mormon prophet Lehi holding the Liahona. His departure from Jerusalem can be used to estimate when Jesus was born.

Most biblical scholars say that the birth of Christ took place between 6 and 4 BC. A rigorous evaluation of the evidence often enables scholars to zero in on the year 5 BC, but there’s not much consensus beyond that. BYU scholar Jeffrey R. Chadwick believes he can further pinpoint the birth of Christ to December 5 BC. In this interview, he explains how his unique approach uses Latter-day Saint scriptures, such as the Book of Mormon, to estimate the year and month of Jesus’ birth.

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Latter-day Saint History

What Revelations Did John Taylor Receive?

Sepia-toned historical composite of Mormon Prophet John Taylor featuring a manuscript of the John Taylor Revelations, the Gardo House, and his Carthage pocket watch.

John Taylor received at least nine recorded revelations as president, ranging from administrative instructions regarding Brigham Young’s estate to doctrinal declarations on plural marriage. Occasionally called “John the Revelator,” Taylor favored a first-person style of dictation that echoed the “Thus saith the Lord” language of Joseph Smith. While his 1882 and 1883 revelations formally called new apostles, other documents—like the disputed 1886 revelation on plural marriage—remain the subject of debates. In this article, Chad Nielsen explores the documentary history and debunked visions associated with the Church’s third president.

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Quotes

The Ultimate Collection of Spencer W. Kimball Quotes: Repentance, Revelation, and More

A painting of Spencer W. Kimball alongside his famous quote about how it is often through serving each other that God helps us.

Spencer W. Kimball’s quotes are still relevant decades after his passing. In addition to authoring books such as The Miracle of Forgiveness, President Kimball also gave many general conference addresses and BYU devotionals. He is remembered for receiving the revelation that ended the Priesthood and Temple Ban against individuals of Black African descent, for overseeing a new edition of the English scriptures, and for his mottos “lengthen your stride” and “do it.” Similar to our Dallin H. Oaks Quotes page, this post features quotes from Spencer W. Kimball on a variety of topics, including repentance, revelation, families, and more. Please leave a comment if there’s a quote you’d like considered for inclusion.

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20th Century International

How Did David O. McKay Transform the Church Into a Global Faith?

A historical illustration in a 1920s photographic style, showing David O. McKay and his travel companion, Hugh J. Cannon, on the deck of a steamship. Both men wear suits and fedora hats as they lean over a table, intently examining a large map labeled "PACIFIC OCEAN." McKay points to a group of islands on the map. Vintage leather luggage and a folding camera sit beside them, with a busy port city visible in the background.

David O. McKay’s missionary experiences, apostolic assignments, and prophetic initiatives helped transform the Latter-day Saint faith into a global religion. Known for his warmth, charisma, and attentiveness to people, McKay combined personal ministry with a visionary approach to leadership. He traveled the world as an Apostle to meet members, assess local needs, and expand missionary work. As the prophet, President McKay also created new missions, adapted racial policies in response to local conditions, and established the first temples outside the United States and Canada. In this interview, biographer Brian Q. Cannon traces the lasting impact of David O. McKay on the international Church.

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Polygamy

Mormon Polygamy: A Comprehensive Guide

A depiction of Joseph and Emma Smith discussing polygamy, by Latter-day Saint artist Anthony Sweat.

Mormon polygamy (or “plural marriage”) was a 19th-century religious practice introduced by Joseph Smith and further embraced by leaders like Brigham Young. It played an important role in shaping the history and culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While the Church officially ended the practice through the 1890 Manifesto (and polygamy is strictly prohibited today), it took years to bring it to a complete stop, and the topic remains controversial today. This guide provides an overview of Latter-day Saint polygamy, including answers to common questions and resources for further reading.

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Ancient history Book excerpts Old Testament

How Does the JPS Torah Commentary Introduce the Book of Exodus?

Artistic rendering of Mount Sinai at sunrise, evoking the sacred and ancient setting of the Book of Exodus as described in the JPS Torah Commentary.

Present-day editions divide the Book of Exodus into 40 chapters. This practice is not rooted in Jewish tradition but was borrowed from Christian Bibles. In the late Middle Ages, the Church forced Jews to engage in disputations, which usually focused upon the interpretation of scriptural passages. This necessitated a common, standardized system of reference, and so the Christian chapter and verse numberings were introduced into the Hebrew manuscript Bibles by Rabbi Solomon ben Ishmael (ca. 1330).1

Editorial Note: This is an authorized excerpt from “The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus” published by the Jewish Publication Society.

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Latter-day Saint History

Who Was Joseph W. Musser?

Conceptual oil painting of Joseph White Musser, the "Father of Mormon Fundamentalism," seated at a study desk. He is holding papers, surrounded by historical items including a framed 1886 Revelation quote behind his head, stacked Journal of Discourses volumes, a plural family photograph, and a celestial chart representing fundamentalist doctrine.

Joseph White Musser was the intellectual architect of Mormon Fundamentalism, who sought to preserve 19th-century traditions, such as plural marriage, as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints moved toward modernization. Following his 1921 excommunication, Musser became a prolific pamphleteer, meticulously compiling early teachings on the Adam-God doctrine and the 1886 Revelation to argue that priesthood authority remained with those who kept the “fundamentals.” His writings provided the theological glue for a displaced people, demonstrating that religious identity is often most sharply defined in conflict with the mainstream. In this interview, historian Cristina Rosetti explores Musser’s enduring influence on the fundamentalist movement.

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Old Testament

Genesis: A New Translation for Latter-day Saints

An illustration of a hand reaching out to translate a copy of Genesis positioned on a desk, with the Tree of Life springing up from the pages and a temple in the background that highlights the importance for Latter-day Saints.

BYU scholar Kent P. Jackson has produced a modern translation of Genesis for Latter-day Saints. Published as a standalone hardcopy book, it features a literal translation of the Hebrew text formatted alongside the Joseph Smith Translation and Jackson’s personal commentary. While the author had long planned to translate Genesis to help Latter-day Saints become familiar with modern translations, the book’s publication coincided with the Church’s updated instructions on Study Bibles in late 2025. In this interview, Jackson sheds light on his translation process, provides examples from the book, and highlights details especially important to church members.

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