Welcome to the MormonNewsRoundup where Dives ruminates on the great and spacious Beehive!

Did Oliver Cowdery really receive a supernatural “gift of Aaron” from God—or was the original revelation referring to a divining rod?

In April 1829, while serving as Joseph Smith’s scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon, Oliver Cowdery sought the ability to translate. The resulting revelation, now found in Doctrine and Covenants 8, describes Cowdery’s mysterious “gift of Aaron” and says he would “hold it in his hands.”

But there’s an important detail that largely disappears from the modern version of the scripture.

An earlier version of the revelation, published in the Book of Commandments, described Cowdery’s gift as the “gift of working with the rod” and referred to a “rod of nature” that could work in his hands.

So what happened to the rod?

In this video, we examine the historical evidence surrounding Oliver Cowdery, divining rods, treasure hunting, Joseph Smith’s seer stones, and the changes made to the revelation when it was incorporated into the Doctrine and Covenants.

We’ll look at:

• The original “gift of working with the rod” wording
• The later change to “gift of Aaron”
• Oliver Cowdery’s documented use of a divining rod
• The LDS Church’s explanations of the “gift of Aaron”
• Joseph Smith’s involvement with treasure seeking and folk magic
• Historical statements from Mormon historians and Church sources
• The claim that Oliver’s rod was a legitimate “sacred instrument”
• Whether the changes represent clarification—or an attempt to distance Mormonism from its folk-magic origins
• What this tells us about the world in which early Mormonism developed

The question isn’t simply whether Oliver Cowdery owned a stick. The bigger question is what Joseph Smith and his earliest followers actually believed these objects could do—and how that history was later presented to modern Latter-day Saints.

Based on historical material discussed by MormonThink, LDS publications, the Joseph Smith Papers, BYU Studies, and other historical sources.

Topics: Mormon history, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Book of Commandments, Rod of Aaron, divining rods, folk magic, treasure hunting, seer stones, Mormon apologetics, LDS history, ex-Mormon

#Mormonism #JosephSmith #OliverCowdery #LDS #MormonHistory #BookOfMormon #ExMormon #DoctrineAndCovenants #ChurchHistory

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Brigham Young was the second president and prophet of the early Mormon Church—and one of the most controversial religious leaders of 19th-century America.

In this video, we examine a compilation of some of Brigham Young’s most outrageous, bizarre, extreme, and disturbing sermons. His views on race, women, sexuality, religion, and social order could be shocking even by the standards of his own era.

Rather than simply telling you what Brigham Young believed, we’re going to let his own words speak for themselves.

This is a historical reenactment featuring an actor portraying Brigham Young inside a historic Mormon Tabernacle. The goal is to bring these historical statements to life while allowing you to hear them in context and decide for yourself just how extreme these teachings really were.

This video is presented for historical, educational, and critical commentary purposes.

Listen carefully. Some of these statements are difficult to believe—but they come directly from the historical record.

What do you think? Were Brigham Young’s teachings merely products of their time, or were some of them extreme even for the 19th century?

#BrighamYoung #MormonHistory #LDS #Mormonism #ChurchHistory #ExMormon #ReligiousHistory

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What is the documented origin of the Mormon temple endowment—and what does the history of its changing rituals tell us about claims of unchanging divine revelation?

In this episode of Mormon News Roundup, we trace the evolution of some of the most important and controversial temple practices in Latter-day Saint history, from baptism for the dead and eternal marriage to the temple garment, blood oaths, the oath of vengeance, and the origins of the endowment ceremony in Nauvoo.

We examine the historical timeline surrounding Joseph Smith's initiation into Freemasonry in 1842 and the introduction of the Mormon endowment just weeks later, along with the striking similarities between early Masonic and Mormon ritual practices.

We also look at how temple garments and ceremonies were subsequently modified—including the removal of the penalties and oath of vengeance—and ask a larger historical question:

If rituals presented as divinely revealed and essential to exaltation can change dramatically over time, what does that mean for the claim that those revelations are unchangeable?

This episode explores the history, documents, teachings, and evolution behind the modern Mormon temple experience.

Chapters:

• Baptism for the Dead

• Eternal Marriage & Polygamy

• The Temple Garment

• Blood Oaths & the Oath of Vengeance

• The Masonic Connection

• The Origins of the Endowment

• What Does “Unchanging Revelation” Mean?

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Russell M. Nelson in a white suit. A symbolic touch of Peter’s keys. The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve dressed in matching white. And, inevitably, a Colonel Sanders meme.

This video takes a look at the strange—and sometimes hilarious—imagery surrounding modern LDS leadership and asks what these carefully staged photographs are really communicating.

From Nelson’s appearance outside the Washington D.C. Temple to the infamous photograph at the Rome Italy Temple, where he appears to reach toward the keys held by a statue of the Apostle Peter, the symbolism is hard to miss. In LDS theology, priesthood keys and apostolic authority are central to the Church’s claim that it is the restored Church of Jesus Christ.

Then there are the white suits.

Temple clothing is intended to symbolize purity, unity, and equality—but when an entire room full of LDS apostles appears in matching white suits, the imagery can also look remarkably corporate, theatrical, and, thanks to the internet, a little bit like a KFC convention.

This episode explores the intersection of Mormon authority, church branding, religious symbolism, leader imagery, and the sometimes bizarre visual language of LDS institutional culture.

Is it reverence? Religious symbolism? Carefully managed image-making? Or just some spectacular Mormon photo-op material?

You decide.

#Mormonism #ExMormon #LDS #RussellNelson #MormonChurch #LDSChurch #MormonMemes #ChurchLeaders #MormonHistory #FaithDeconstruction #ExLDS #MormonCriticism

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Mormon News Roundup is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Some people have been part of the ex-Mormon world for so long that they almost feel like part of its history.

Kate Lyn Whitaker—better known online as Poetic Kate—is one of those people.

A writer, filmmaker, and actor, Kate has spent years creating sharp, funny, and brutally honest commentary about Mormonism, faith deconstruction, and life after Mormonism. Her social media has become a particularly entertaining place to watch her dissect Mormon culture—and the wonderfully strange experience of being an ex-Mormon in Utah.

In this video, we’re looking at 10 of Poetic Kate’s funniest, sharpest, and most memorable viral takes.

From Mormon culture and religious absurdities to the realities of leaving the faith, these clips showcase exactly why Poetic Kate has become such a memorable voice in the ex-Mormon community.

Brothers and sisters, I give you… Poetic Kate.

#ExMormon #PoeticKate #Mormonism #FaithDeconstruction #ExMormonTikTok #LDS

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Lindsey Hansen Park doesn’t post constantly on social media, but when she does, she makes an impact. Known for her thoughtful podcasts and powerful commentary on Mormonism, Lindsey has become an important voice in the ex-Mormon and post-Mormon conversation.

This video brings together Lindsey Hansen Park’s Instagram Reels in one place, highlighting some of her most powerful, insightful, and thought-provoking video clips.

If you appreciate Lindsey’s work, be sure to follow her and support her podcasts.

#LindseyHansenPark #ExMormon #Mormonism #PostMormon #ExMormonVoices

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Leah Marie is one of my favorite ex-Mormons, and for good reason. Her story is legendary: while serving as an LDS missionary, she made out with her district leader and ended up getting kicked off her mission. That alone makes her an exMo icon.

Known online as That One ExMo, Leah brings an incredible mix of snark, humor, heart, and sharp criticism of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In this video, I’m featuring my top 10 favorite reels from Leah Marie. If you enjoy ex-Mormon commentary, Mormon humor, and watching someone absolutely skewer LDS culture, you’re going to love this compilation.

Be sure to check out That One ExMo, like her content, and subscribe to her channel. You definitely won’t regret it!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/that_one_exmo/

#ExMormon #ExMo #Mormon #LDS #ThatOneExMo #Mormonism #ExMoTikTok #MormonTok

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In early 2022, Nemo the Mormon sent a remarkable letter to the Office of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The letter was the culmination of months of discussions with local Church leaders over a serious question: What should a member do if they have evidence that senior Church leaders have acted dishonestly, but local leadership cannot resolve the concerns?

After contacting members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, Nemo received instructions from Elder Brook P. Hales, Secretary to the First Presidency, to present the information to his stake president, who would then forward it to the Office of the First Presidency for investigation.

Nemo followed those instructions.

His letter formally opposed sustaining Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, Henry B. Eyring, and the Quorum of the Twelve as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.

He then presented evidence he believed demonstrated a broader pattern of dishonesty or misleading statements among senior Church leaders.

The letter examines claims involving:

• Dallin H. Oaks and electroshock aversion therapy at BYU

• Jeffrey R. Holland and Proposition 8

• M. Russell Ballard and Church transparency

• Russell M. Nelson's "plane of death" story

• Brigham Young's Adam-God and blood atonement teachings

• The Salamander Letter and Dallin H. Oaks

• Changes to LDS temple ordinances

• Temple penalties and Jeffrey R. Holland

• Missionary baptism practices

• Brigham Young and slavery

• Church wealth and Neil L. Andersen

• Race-related Church curriculum and Gary E. Stevenson

At the heart of the letter is a much larger question:

If prophets are imperfect men, how should members respond when they believe those prophets have been dishonest? And if Church leaders claim to speak for God, what does dishonesty mean for prophetic authority?

In this video, we examine Nemo the Mormon's letter, the evidence it presented, and the difficult questions it raised about LDS leadership, prophetic authority, transparency, and the doctrine of sustaining Church leaders.

#Mormonism #LDS #NemoTheMormon #ExMormon #LDSChurch #MormonHistory #ChurchHistory #Prophets

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In Mormon culture, you often hear people talk about their “shelf.” It’s a metaphorical place where doubts, contradictions, unanswered questions, troubling history, and uncomfortable doctrine get set aside with the hope that they’ll somehow make sense someday.

But what happens when the shelf gets too heavy?

In today’s video, we’re looking at an incredible seven-part series by BJ, where he breaks down the seven specific shelf-breakers that ultimately caused him to lose his faith and leave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

From doctrinal problems and church history to personal realizations and growing cognitive dissonance, BJ’s story is raw, eye-opening, and deeply relatable for anyone who has ever questioned the Mormon narrative.

What was on your shelf?

Did you have one specific shelf-breaker that changed everything, or was it a long list of smaller issues that eventually became impossible to ignore?

👇 Let me know in the comments what items were on your shelf!

Original TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP9rtqtdpHoLw-ChSlm/

#ExMormon #Mormon #LDS #Mormonism #ShelfBreakers #Deconstruction #ExLDS #LeavingTheChurch #FaithCrisis

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Welcome back, everyone!

If you follow LDS and ex-Mormon social media, you’ve probably heard of Jenn, the ex-Mormon content creator behind the popular TikTok account All Those Opposed.

In today’s highlight, Jenn delivers a goofy, heartfelt, and absolutely savage response to claims made by Cardon Ellis of Ward Radio (formerly Midnight Mormons)—particularly comments Cardon wrote in the foreword to The Anti-Christ Playbook.

Jenn takes his arguments apart with humor, insight, and plenty of personality. It’s an entertaining response that you won’t want to miss!

👉 Watch Jenn’s full video:

https://youtu.be/TSSTjLrvdr4

If you enjoy LDS and ex-Mormon commentary, be sure to like, subscribe, and share the video!

#ExMormon #Mormonism #LDS #WardRadio #CardonEllis #AllThoseOpposed #Exmo

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