"A report from the United States suggests that the LDS Church could be a $1 trillion denomination by 2044"

With an estimated wealth of $236 billion in 2022, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could potentially cover all of its current expenses "forever" with returns from current investments without collecting any additional tithes from congregants. It could also become a $1 trillion denomination as early as 2044, a new report from The Widow's Mite contends.

n the shifting sands of Mormon theology, the cross has undergone dramatic attitude and doctrinal adjustments. This once revered symbol is now avoided within Mormon circles, partly due to Catholic opposition to their missionary efforts in Europe. The crucifix, with Jesus still suffering, was seen as a “Christian” symbol held by those without authority, where the Latter-day Saints present themselves as the “restored” Church energized with a reinstated priesthood and a God given mandate.

I've been thinking over the past few months now, I wonder what Legrand Richards was like as a person. I bet he was a nice guy, that old guy on your street growing up that was like a grandfather and generally delighted in interaction with people.

Which is what makes a video like this a bit disturbing in a sense, does he really believe what he's saying here? In his own lecture he contradicts his own message on several points. If the message really was inspired of the Holy Spirit, would he make significant mistakes like that?

The church (LDS) has taught members to believe that church-approved materials were the most trustworthy source of information about the church. The Church also warns that anti-Mormon literature is full of half-truths, lies, and statements taken out of context.

Mormons are taught to use the label "anti-Mormon" to refer to anyone or anything critical of the church. The phrase "anti-Mormon" is one of the most powerful tools for controlling the information members receive. Once members learn to discount ANYTHING that's critical of the church, they self monitor what they read.

On an early morning in 1820, Joseph Smith claims he was visited by the Father and the Son to give the restoration of the true gospel since the truth had been distorted due to the apostasy of the church.

Joseph's personal account of that morning has become one of the major pillars of the LDS church. In this account, he tells the listener how he earnestly yearned to know God and his purpose in his life and how he was greeted by a "pillar of light, the brightness of the sun", how he saw "two personages" and how he was "led in his heart" to tell of the vision.

Can this be true?

The current prophet, President Russel M Nelson, encourages you to find a quiet place and seek the Lord, call out his name and listen, write down what appears in your mind, and then follow through with it.

This seems simple enough to connect with God the Father or His Son; this all seems well and good, who wouldn't want to have some extra help or reassurance with the problems and fears you are facing today? But there are also many who esteem this as a way to communicate with spirit guides, angels or those gone ahead into another realm. This is the very same instruction that is given to people seeking instruction from angels though "Channelling" or automatic writing.

The LDS Church believes that one of its greatest strengths is that it is the only church that does not depend entirely on the Bible for its teachings.

"Had all the Bibles in the world been destroyed, the doctrines and teachings of the Church would have been found to conform to Bible teachings, since they were a received by direct revelation from God." - A Marvelous Work And A Wonder - Ch1, Pg1

That is wishful thinking. Had all the Bibles been destroyed in the world, there would be nothing to expose the "truth" the LDS Church professes. Well, except lack of archeological evidence for the death of the Lamanites and Nephites, the fraudulent translation of the book of Abraham, not to mention the implausible story of Joseph Smith hightailing away from greedy townspeople with a 200 lb golden bible for 3 miles.

From the preface in "A Marvelous work and a wonder", LeGrand Richards gives a quick pep talk to the reader leaving on their mission to bring the restored gospel to a world that has lost the true message of their savior.

Chris gives a great example of how separating yourself from a bias in order to apply logical scientific method can have amazing results. He's come to the conclusion that the information he's been taught all his life as a Mormon is all a lie, when you critically examine the "facts" that the LDS church teaches it's members.

People like Chris have the courage to examine and challenge LDS leadership critically, but unfortunately don't end up taking the next step into finding out that there really is a God out there that loves you. And that the same scientific method can be applied to the Bible, showing you don't need any special relation from a prophet or secret information not publicly available.

The Bible plainly states that the gospel, with its inclusion of Gentiles, was not fully revealed until after Christ's death.

Eph. 3:3-7 Paul writes "by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: whereof I was made a minister ...... (See also Col. 1:26; 1 Peter 1: 1-12; Romans 16:25-26)