Doctrine & Theology

This category offers in-depth articles and thoughtful analysis on core doctrines and theological principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From the nature of God and revelation to eternal progression and priesthood authority, explore well-researched discussions that bridge scripture, Church teachings, and historical context. Whether you’re studying foundational beliefs or seeking clarity on complex theological topics, this section provides engaging, faith-affirming content rooted in LDS doctrine.

Women and the Sacrament

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Women and the Sacrament Early Priesthood Organization in the 19th-Century Church In the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, priesthood offices were not assigned according to age as they are today. Throughout the 1830s–1850s, men were often ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood—sometimes even as deacons or teachers—regardless of whether they were adults. Priesthood assignment was based on congregational needs rather than age progression. With the introduction of temple ordinances in Nauvoo, most adult men were ordained elders to ensure they could participate in temple worship. However, this did not prevent those same men from serving in Aaronic Priesthood roles. It was entirely possible for an ordained elder to preside over a deacons quorum or to fulfill duties normally associated today with younger priesthood holders. By the late 19th century, the Church gradually formalized age-based priesthood offices, eventually creating the youth progression system known today for boys aged 11–18. Historical Practice of Administering and Passing the Sacrament In scripture and early Church usage, “administering” the sacrament referred specifically to blessing it—an action requiring the office of priest or higher. Passing the sacrament, by contrast, has always been a duty assigned by Church policy and organization, not a doctrinal mandate tied to priesthood power itself. During much of the 19th century, many congregations were small and lacked established youth quorums. As a result, adult priesthood holders frequently passed the sacrament. There are no known historical documents—journals, sermons, or administrative records—from the early Church that describe women or girls participating in passing the sacrament. The practice was consistently performed by male priesthood holders, with adult men commonly assisting when youth were unavailable. Revelation Authority in Early Latter-day Saint History The early years of the Church included moments when individuals claimed revelations or visions directing the Church. This prompted clear revelations establishing how prophetic authority functions. Doctrine & Covenants 28: Revelation Through the Prophet Alone In 1830, Oliver Cowdery believed he had received revelation for the Church. Doctrine and Covenants 28 clarified that: Only Joseph Smith held the authority to receive revelation for the entire Church. Others could receive revelation for their own guidance but not for the Church as a whole. This principle ensured unity and prevented competing claims to doctrinal authority. Doctrine & Covenants 43: Succession and Prophetic Appointment Doctrine and Covenants 43 reiterated that: Only the appointed prophet may receive commandments and revelations for the Church. If the prophet were to fall, he would retain one final right: the authority to appoint his successor. No individual may assume prophetic authority unless designated through the established prophetic line. This revelation formally established the boundary between personal revelation and revelation directing the Church. Joseph Smith’s Teachings on Revelation and Order Joseph Smith taught that the Church is not required to accept revelations claimed by any person who is not: legally constituted in authority ordained to receive revelation for the Church He also clarified that any angelic or visionary communication received by individuals is for personal instruction only and cannot be used to establish doctrine or governance. Transmission of the Keys of the Kingdom The governing authority of the Church—referred to as the “keys of the kingdom”—was passed from Joseph Smith to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles before his death in 1844. These keys authorize the Twelve to lead the Church and oversee its global administration. Schisms and Claims of Unauthorized Revelation Throughout the 19th century, several individuals claimed new revelations or asserted that Joseph Smith had privately designated them as successors. These claims produced various schismatic movements. Such groups typically argued that: the main body of the Church had become corrupt their leader received a new or superior revelation prophetic authority was no longer held by the First Presidency or the Twelve This pattern resembles earlier Christian schisms, where individuals appealed to personal revelation to challenge existing ecclesiastical authority. Brigham Young’s Observations on False Revelations Brigham Young frequently commented that people throughout Church history were led astray by those claiming unauthorized prophetic authority. He emphasized that revelation contradicting the established prophet or priesthood keys is not from God and cannot guide the Church.

Early Priesthood Organization in the 19th-Century Church In the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, priesthood offices were not assigned according to age as they are today. Throughout the 1830s–1850s, men were often ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood—sometimes even as deacons or teachers—regardless of whether they were adults. Priesthood assignment was based on … Read more

Worshiping a Different Jesus (Nature of God)

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Nature of God The Long Struggle of Early Christians to Explain God

Nature of God The Long Struggle of Early Christians to Explain God This episode explores how the earliest followers of Jesus struggled for centuries to describe who God is, who Jesus is, and how the Holy Spirit relates to them. Early Christians inherited strict monotheism from Judaism while simultaneously proclaiming Jesus as divine, and this … Read more

Calvinism vs. The Standard of Truth Podcast

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Calvinism vs. The Standard of Truth A Conversation Between Two Worlds of Theology

A Conversation Between Two Worlds of Theology In this episode of the Standard of Truth podcast, two Latter-day Saint historians—Dr. Garrett Dirkmaat and Dr. Richard LeDuc—examine clips from Pastor John MacArthur, one of the most influential Calvinist preachers of modern times. The conversation becomes a window into two dramatically different theological universes: the Calvinist world … Read more

Stillbirths, Miscarriages, and the Question of When Life Begins

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Stillbirths, Miscarriages, and the Question of When Life Begins

Stillbirths, Miscarriages, and the Question of When Life Begins Early Christian Reflections on the Moment of Ensoulment From the earliest centuries of Christianity, theologians wrestled with the question of when the soul enters the body, yet the answers they offered varied widely. Those who embraced creation ex nihilo often concluded that the soul must originate … Read more

Can Satan Repent?

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Can satan repent

Can Satan Repent? – Early Christian Theology and Latter-day Saint Revelation The question of whether Satan can repent has shaped theological discussions for centuries and continues to be explored in Latter-day Saint thought. Early Christianity and modern revelation approach the subject differently yet arrive at a unified conclusion about the nature of Lucifer’s choice and … Read more

The Importance of the Temple (Interview with President Roggero)

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Modern Prophetic Teachings

The Importance of the Temple Introduction In recent years, the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has intensified its prophetic emphasis on the temple, placing covenant worship at the very heart of discipleship. This modern focus echoes the Lord’s declaration in Doctrine and Covenants 88:73, that in the last days He … Read more

Restoration: The Essential Answers to the Most Important Questions (Parts 1 & 2)

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The Essential Answers to the Most Important Questions Restoration

Restoration: The Essential Answers to the Most Important Questions Part 1 Historic Christian Struggles With Creation, God, and the Problem of Evil For centuries Christian thinkers wrestled with profound questions about the nature of God, creation, human suffering, and salvation. Traditional theology maintained that God was omniscient, omnipotent, fully sovereign, and entirely self-sufficient. Classical Christianity … Read more

Baptism: Of Adultery and Baptism

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Adultery and Baptism: How Early Latter-day Saints

Introduction In the early years of the Restoration, doctrines and practices unfolded line upon line, including the wording used in sacred ordinances. This episode follows the historical journey of the baptismal prayer from the Book of Mormon text used in 1829 to the standardized wording adopted in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. Alongside this development … Read more

Can Adulterers Go to the Celestial Kingdom?

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Can Adulterers Go to the Celestial Kingdom?

Introduction In this episode, the discussion turns to one of the most frequently quoted and most misunderstood statements attributed to Joseph Smith—his declaration that an adulterer “cannot receive the Celestial Kingdom of God.” The hosts explore how this statement originated, what Joseph actually meant in context, how early revelations treated the sin of adultery, and … Read more

Baptism Required for Salvation

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Baptism by the river in sunlight

Introduction This episode addresses two doctrinal and historical questions submitted by a listener named Larry. The first concerns whether Joseph Smith had access to a Bible during the translation of the Book of Mormon. The second investigates how a Presbyterian minister could have declared that Joseph’s brother Alvin was damned for not being baptized, when … Read more