Manual 3; Supplement from "Repent … That I May Heal You” by Neil L. Andersen

In 2008, as my book Shaken Faith Syndrome was getting ready for publication, I contemplated on the fact that most of the book engaged the negative influences toward belief; my book addresses these negative influences and provides specific answers to common anti-LDS arguments. But I was a bit bothered that I hadn’t really included some of the wonderful and exciting evidences in favor of belief. So just a few short months after Shaken Faith Syndrome came off the press, Cedar Published my book, Of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. While the critics cannot prove that God does not exist and that Joseph Smith did not speak to the Father and Son on a hill in Palmyra, neither can believers prove that an angel led Joseph to an ancient Nephite record, or that resurrected beings restored the priesthood to the young prophet. Instead, critics attempt to show that Joseph borrowed teachings and stories from his environment to create a fictional Book of Mormon as well as a man-made Church. These criticisms are addressed in Shaken Faith Syndrome. Believers can show, however, that there are many evidences which support and are consistent with the story told by Joseph Smith. There is evidence consistent with the claim that an ancient family from Jerusalem traversed the Arabian Desert in about 600 B.C. There is evidence consistent with the claim that Joseph possessed actual metal plates with the appearance of gold. There is evidence consistent with the claim that Joseph restored authentic ancient Christian teachings that were no longer practiced and/or taught by Christianity in his day.

The exact day our Savior was born has been discussed by LDS general authorities, historians, scholars, and religious leaders, and many others for centuries. While there may be some ambiguity surrounding this topic, some scholars believe and have evidence that Jesus Christ lived exactly 12,048 days on earth.

Standing at an incredible 6 feet 11 inches, Krešimir Ćosić was made for basketball. Born in Zadar, Yugoslavia (now Croatia), on November 26, 1948, Ćosić began playing on his national team at 16 and won two world championships and three European championships during his lifetime. He also competed in four Games, earning three Olympic medals.

In a 1990 Ensign article, Elder M. Russell Ballard outlined the process of disciplinary councilsin the Church, including excommunication, as well as the reasons behind these practices. Here are a few highlights that demonstrate what a disciplinary council is as well as what it isn't.

When my friend told her father that she was seriously considering marrying a young man who didn’t serve a mission, his jaw dropped. Her father harbored some justified concerns about this young man she had fallen in love with. But in this case (like in many other cases), he had changed his ways and was ready for an eternal commitment to the Lord—and to her. This example is just one of many where that old stigma catches up with us: the assumption that “non-RM” young men may be less worthy or ready for the blessings of a temple marriage.

“He was visited constantly by angels,” Elder George Q. Cannon said of Joseph Smith. “These various angels, the heads of dispensations, . . . ministered unto him. . . . He had vision after vision in order that his mind might be fully saturated with a knowledge of the things of God, and that he might comprehend the high and holy calling that God had bestowed upon him” (Journal of Discourses, 23:362). Historical records of early Latter-day Saints, Doctrine and Covenants, and early Church documents reveal that Joseph Smith's visions and visits by heavenly messengers are too numerous to count.

1. General conference was a three-day event until which year?

Every general conference we have the opportunity to sustain our prophet and apostles who are chosen by our Heavenly Father to lead this Church today.

Nearly a decade ago, Eric had his first panic attack. Over the years, the attacks escalated to a point where Eric says life was "unbearable." He would endure 8 to 10-hour panic attacks, something he describes as a "horror." The only escape he could find from the anxiety and pain was in alcohol.