LDS Faith Crisis Quiz 20

LDS Faith Crisis Quiz

20 Questions – Basic Level
Awareness Is Key

When a loved one's testimony begins to shatter, it can be a time of great pain, disappointment, and turmoil. Effective communication is vital.

This quiz is designed to raise awareness about the key issues that contribute to a faith crisis. It will help prepare you to interact in a meaningful way.

Take The Quiz Now

This quiz will help you see if you are truly prepared to discuss certain topics with a loved one or friend who is struggling.
- You should take this quiz with an open mind and be ready to learn.
You get 5 points for each correct answer.

Perfect score: 100 points.

1. According to a major faith crisis study, which of the following is a primary reason that LDS members have a faith crisis and leave the Church?

They are offended by someoneThey desire to sin (want alcohol or extra-marital sex)They don’t pray, study, or attend meetingsNone of the above

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: None of the above

None of these are among the top 18 reasons that LDS members lose their belief in the Church.

See “Stated Reasons for Loss-of-Belief (Primary Factors),” Faith Crisis Report R28e, p. 31.
CORRECT!

None of these are among the top 18 reasons that LDS members lose their belief in the Church.

See “Stated Reasons for Loss-of-Belief (Primary Factors),” Faith Crisis Report R28e, p. 31.

2. The majority of latter-day saints who suffer a faith crisis are–

Long-term members who are actively engaged and hold leadership and other callingsNew converts who have been in the Church less than a yearInactive members who have not been attending regularlyMembers who have a limited education and few financial resources

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: Long-term members who are actively engaged and hold leadership and other callings

See “Survey Key Findings,” Faith Crisis Report R28e, p. 37.

Most members who have a faith crisis also tend to be well-educated and have above-average incomes.
CORRECT!

See “Survey Key Findings,” Faith Crisis Report R28e, p. 37.

Most members who have a faith crisis also tend to be well-educated and have above-average incomes.

3. Almost universally, how do members feel when they have a faith crisis?

Excited about the possibility of doing other things on SundayEager to discuss their concerns with family membersCondemned, betrayed, and abandoned by Church leaders and membersConfident that further research will restore their faith

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: Condemned, betrayed, and abandoned by Church leaders and members

See “Console Individuals in Faith Crisis,” Faith Crisis Report R28e, p. 128.

Many in faith crisis also suffer from depression, a severe identity crisis, bouts of anger, and feelings of isolation and confusion.
CORRECT!

See “Console Individuals in Faith Crisis,” Faith Crisis Report R28e, p. 128.

Many in faith crisis also suffer from depression, a severe identity crisis, bouts of anger, and feelings of isolation and confusion.

The remaining questions relate to specific faith crisis catalysts that typically cause concern for traumatized believers.
- Even though most of these facts have now been publically confirmed by the Church, they can still cause trauma.
Understanding these facts and their logical relationship is important in discussing a faith crisis.

4. Some LDS apologists think that the Egyptian papyrus was merely a catalyst that helped Joseph Smith receive direct revelation in writing the text of the Book of Abraham. This is unlikely due to which of the following?

Joseph Smith clearly stated on numerous occasions that he was translating the papyrusJoseph and his scribes attempted to create an Egyptian grammar and alphabet which corresponds to the Egyptian characters from the papyrusJoseph created numbered footnotes for the three facsimiles, which correspond to his translation of specific Egyptian charactersAll of the above

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: All of the above

See: History of the Church, vol. 2, pp. 236, 238, 289, 320.

Grammar and Alphabet of the Egyptian Language, Joseph Smith Papers, circa July–circa November 1835.

See facsimiles currently contained in the Book of Abraham, Pearl of Great Price.
CORRECT!

See: History of the Church, vol. 2, pp. 236, 238, 289, 320.

Grammar and Alphabet of the Egyptian Language, Joseph Smith Papers, circa July–circa November 1835.

See facsimiles currently contained in the Book of Abraham, Pearl of Great Price.

5. After completing careful studies of the recovered Egyptian papyrus, who issued the following statement: “None of the characters on the papyrus fragments mentioned Abraham’s name or any of the events recorded in the book of Abraham”?

The Jehovah’s WitnessesThe Adventist ChurchThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsThe Community of Christ Church

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

See: ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topics essay “Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham.”
CORRECT!

See: ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topics essay “Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham.”

6. According to the Church’s website, how many polygamous wives did the Prophet Joseph Smith have?

None, just EmmaOnly twoAs many as eightBetween 30 and 40

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: Between 30 and 40

"Careful estimates put the number between 30 and 40."

ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topic Essay, “Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo,” footnote 24.
CORRECT!

"Careful estimates put the number between 30 and 40."

ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topic Essay, “Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo,” footnote 24.

7. ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) states: “Joseph Smith was sealed to a number of women who were already married.” Footnote 29 places the number between 12 and 14 women who were currently married to other living men. D&C Section 132 states that a wife entering into a plural marriage is required to–

Obtain the consent of her prior husbandSeparate from her prior husbandBe a virgin and never be with another manBe sealed to no more than three husbands

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: Be a virgin and never be with another man

For the plural marriage to be justified, the wives must be virgins who have “vowed to no other man.” It further states that if a wife “shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed” See: D&C 132:61-63.

Regarding Joseph's practice of polyandry, see ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topic Essay, "Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo," including footnote 29.
CORRECT!

For the plural marriage to be justified, the wives must be virgins who have “vowed to no other man.” It further states that if a wife “shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed” See: D&C 132:61-63.

Regarding Joseph's practice of polyandry, see ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topic Essay, "Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo," including footnote 29.

8. Who said: “It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church from the days of its organization, to the effect that Negroes may become members of the Church but that they are not entitled to the Priesthood…”?

Orson F. WhitneyMelvin J. BallardFranklin D. RichardsThe LDS First Presidency

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: The LDS First Presidency

Official Statement of the First Presidency to BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson dated August 17, 1951. See: John Lewis Lund, The Church and the Negro, p. 89.
CORRECT!

Official Statement of the First Presidency to BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson dated August 17, 1951. See: John Lewis Lund, The Church and the Negro, p. 89.

9. The Book of Mormon teaches that dark human skin is caused by what?

Exposure to the sun while journeying in the wildernessThe hand of God in creating diversity among his childrenA curse from God for being disobedient or rebelliousA need to fulfill the principle of opposition in all things

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: A curse from God for being disobedient or rebellious

The Book of Mormon clearly teaches that people are cursed with a dark skin when they fail to heed God’s commandments. See 2 Nephi 5:21-23; Alma 3:5-10, 14-17; Mormon 5:14-15.
CORRECT!

The Book of Mormon clearly teaches that people are cursed with a dark skin when they fail to heed God’s commandments. See 2 Nephi 5:21-23; Alma 3:5-10, 14-17; Mormon 5:14-15.

10. According to ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org), Joseph Smith made money by using a ‘seer stone’ to search for what?

Lost livestockDistant relativesBuried treasureFugitives from justice

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: Buried treasure

See: ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topics Essay, “Book of Mormon Translation.”
CORRECT!

See: ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topics Essay, “Book of Mormon Translation.”

11. According to ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org), when the Prophet Joseph Smith used the seer stone to translate the Book of Mormon, how was it done?

He held the stone in his cupped hands, with outstretched arms at face level, and received direct revelation to dictate the textHe stroked the stone while in an attitude of prayerHe placed the stone into a hat, pressed his face into the hat, and read aloud English words that appeared on the stoneHe spun the stone repeatedly upon the engravings of each gold plate

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: He placed the stone into a hat, pressed his face into the hat, and read aloud English words that appeared on the stone

See: ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topics Essay, “Book of Mormon Translation.”

Also, Russell M. Nelson, “A Treasured Testament,” Mission Presidents Seminar, Provo, UT, June 1992.
CORRECT!

See: ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topics Essay, “Book of Mormon Translation.”

Also, Russell M. Nelson, “A Treasured Testament,” Mission Presidents Seminar, Provo, UT, June 1992.

12. What conclusions were drawn by Thomas Stuart Ferguson, president of the LDS Church’s New World Archaeological Foundation, after searching for Book of Mormon archaeological evidence for 25 years?

“…there is little doubt… the evidence confirms Joseph Smith knew in his era more than humans could know”“…it is fiction… what is in the ground will never conform to what is in the book”“Though we have stumbled somewhat, I am optimistic that we are on the brink of proving its historicity”"...the great civilizations of the past all speak to the truth of this marvelous ancient record"

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: “…it is fiction… what is in the ground will never conform to what is in the book”

See: Ferguson correspondence of February 1976.

Letter 1

Letter 2, p. 1

Letter 2, p. 2
CORRECT!

See: Ferguson correspondence of February 1976.

Letter 1

Letter 2, p. 1

Letter 2, p. 2

13. Extensive genetic research has concluded that Native Americans are descendants of what people who arrived in America over 14,000 years ago?

AfricanMiddle EasternAsianEuropean

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: Asian

See: “Genetic history of indigenous peoples of the Americas” and notes.
CORRECT!

See: “Genetic history of indigenous peoples of the Americas” and notes.

14. Who said: “Because of their Masonic characters the ceremonies of the temple are sacred and not for the public”?

Lorin C. WooleyThe First PresidencyBruce R. McConkieHugh Nibley

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: The First Presidency

See: Messages of the First Presidency, vol. 4:250, October 15, 1911.
CORRECT!

See: Messages of the First Presidency, vol. 4:250, October 15, 1911.

15. Church leaders teach that the LDS endowment is the correct restored version of an apostate endowment handed down from the days of Solomon’s temple. This is unlikely because–

Freemasonry originated with stone tradesmen in medieval Europe between 1212-1351 ADThe temple of Solomon was used principally for the ritualistic slaughter of animalsThe Bible, the Book of Mormon, and other historical records contain no evidence of an ancient endowment ceremonyAll of the above

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: All of the above

“We have the true masonry. The masonry of today is received from the apostasy which took place in the days of Solomon and David. They have now and then a thing that is correct, but we have the real thing.”

See: “Heber C. Kimball and Family, The Nauvoo Years,” BYU Studies Quarterly, vol. 15:4, article 7, p. 12; “From origin to Grand Lodge Freemasonry,” History of Freemasonry; A. Rowland, “The Purposes of the Temple,” Bible Hub.
CORRECT!

“We have the true masonry. The masonry of today is received from the apostasy which took place in the days of Solomon and David. They have now and then a thing that is correct, but we have the real thing.”

See: “Heber C. Kimball and Family, The Nauvoo Years,” BYU Studies Quarterly, vol. 15:4, article 7, p. 12; “From origin to Grand Lodge Freemasonry,” History of Freemasonry; A. Rowland, “The Purposes of the Temple,” Bible Hub.

16. According to the Church, there are how many different versions of Joseph Smith’s first vision?

1469

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: 9

See: ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topics Essay, “First Vision Accounts.”
CORRECT!

See: ChurchofJesusChrist.org (formerly LDS.org) Gospel Topics Essay, “First Vision Accounts.”

17. The earliest record of the First Vision, written by Joseph Smith himself in 1832, differs in what significant way from the canonized version in the Pearl of Great Price?

He saw only one heavenly personageHe didn’t ask which church he should joinHe wasn’t attacked by SatanAll of the above

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: All of the above

See: Original account in Joseph’s own handwriting, History, circa Summer 1832.
CORRECT!

See: Original account in Joseph’s own handwriting, History, circa Summer 1832.

18. On April 24, 2016, Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland said: “... a week ago Thursday we created 15 stakes, and we are doing that más o menos every week, more or less…. The week before it was 12… we are talking double digit stakes every week.” In reality, the Church actually created how many new stakes in April 2016?

0111527

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: 0

See: Jeffrey R. Holland, Young Single Adults address, April 24, 2016.

Note: The word “succeeding” in the Church Newsroom descriptions indicates an existing stake reorganization, not the creation of a new stake–

March 2016: 7 new stakes (1.75/week); April 2016: 0 new stakes (0/week); May 2016: 6 new stakes (1.5/week); June 2016: 3 new stakes (0.75/week); July 2016: 6 new stakes (1.5/week)

5-Month AVERAGE = 1 new stake/week
CORRECT!

See: Jeffrey R. Holland, Young Single Adults address, April 24, 2016.

Note: The word “succeeding” in the Church Newsroom descriptions indicates an existing stake reorganization, not the creation of a new stake–

March 2016: 7 new stakes (1.75/week); April 2016: 0 new stakes (0/week); May 2016: 6 new stakes (1.5/week); June 2016: 3 new stakes (0.75/week); July 2016: 6 new stakes (1.5/week)

5-Month AVERAGE = 1 new stake/week

19. Regarding “Children of a Parent Living in a Same-Gender Relationship,” LDS administrative Handbook 1 states what policy?

A minor child (adopted or natural) may not receive a name, blessing, be baptized, confirmed, ordained, or recommended for a missionIf the child's biological grandparent is an active priesthood holder and temple worthy, the grandparent may perform ordinances for the child, subject to the bishop's approval.The child's bishop and stake president may jointly request a special authorization from the First Presidency to perform a blessing or baptism.All of the above

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: A minor child (adopted or natural) may not receive a name, blessing, be baptized, confirmed, ordained, or recommended for a mission

See: Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops, section 16:13.
CORRECT!

See: Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops, section 16:13.

20. Apostle Dallin H. Oaks said: “I believe in retaining criminal penalties on…”

the medicinal use of cannabissex crimes such as homosexuality and other forms of deviate sexual behaviorbringing service animals into LDS meetinghousesthe sale and consumption of alcohol in the vicinity of Temple Square

Sorry, wrong answer...

Correct choice: sex crimes such as homosexuality and other forms of deviate sexual behavior

See: Dallin H. Oaks, “The Popular Myth of the Victimless Crime,” Brigham Young University Press, 1974.
CORRECT!

See: Dallin H. Oaks, “The Popular Myth of the Victimless Crime,” Brigham Young University Press, 1974.

End of Questions

Let's see how you did!

YOUR SCORE
100 Points Possible
90+ Points Contratulations. You've shown an excellent knowledge of key issues. If you didn't score 100, you may wish to take the quiz again to get a perfect score.

70-89 Points This score is commendable. But you still lack awareness about some vital points. You're almost there!

41-69 Points You have a moderate awareness of the issues, but need much improvement. You are not yet ready to interact in a meaningful way. Keep trying!

40 Points or less: Sorry. You're completely unprepared to carry on a meaningful discussion about the topics that affect LDS members in a faith crisis. You can improve!
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