More Evidence We Need A Mormon Snopes

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Especially if you came from Mormon Archipelago as it only includes my major article posts.
Thanks for visiting!

As I have mentioned before we need a Mormon Snopes - a reference page to verify LDS urban legends. As many probably already have heard in sacrament meeting, the First Presidency issued a statement reminding members to not pass unverified statments from Church leaders.

From time to time statements are circulated among members which are inaccurately attributed to leaders of the church. Many such statements distort current church teachings and are often based on rumors and innuendos. They are never transmitted officially, but by word of mouth, e-mail, or rather informal means. We encourage members of the church to never teach or pass on such statements without verifying that they are from approved church sources such as official statements, communications, and publications. Any notes made when General Authorities, Area Authority Seventies, or other general Church officers speak at regional and stake conferences or other meetings should not be distributed without the consent of the speaker. Personal notes are for individual use only.

True spiritual growth is based on studying the scriptures, the teachings of the Brethren and Church publications.

While this is nothing new, of course, the Salt Lake Tribune claims the letter was prompted by some notes from an Idaho stake conference attributed to Elder Perry. Those notes - while a little weird and random - don’t seem controversial or enough to spark First Presidency statement. Perhaps it’s distribution was so widespread it was the straw that broke the camel’s back.