Defending Virtue

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Defending Virtue is an online platform that promotes virtuous principles and provides clear, accurate responses to misinformation about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint history, doctrine, and policies.

*Faith on the Rock, Not on the Flock - Perfect Gospel, Imperfect People*Do You Attend Church To Be Social Or To The quot...
09/04/2026

*Faith on the Rock, Not on the Flock - Perfect Gospel, Imperfect People*

Do You Attend Church To Be Social Or To The quote by A.W. Tozer reminds us that if human actions shake our faith in the Almighty, our foundation was built on shifting sand rather than the Rock of our Redeemer. UnLike many religious institution throughout the world, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized through a system of local, unpaid lay leaders who are inherently imperfect and professional clergy in other religions are just as imperfect and flawed as humans as well. At times, these leaders and fellow members will make mistakes, act insensitively, or project judgmental and flawed human tendencies. However, the Savior Himself taught, "Those that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick" (Matthew 9:12), a sentiment echoed by Elder Dale G. Renlund who noted that the Church is akin to a "big hospital, and we are all sick in our own way". We do not attend Church to worship flawless people; we attend to grow closer to Jesus Christ, partake of the sacrament, and come to know Him more fully. Running away from our covenants and using the flaws of others as an excuse to abandon our membership is ultimately a reflection of our own spiritual weaknesses and an unwillingness to endure. As Elder David A. Bednar firmly stated, "To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us". Instead of walking away, we are called to stay, help improve our gospel environment, and become a living example of Christlike love, patience, and forgiveness to those around us.

09/03/2026

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 3,000 food packs to the City Government of Dagupan on September 2 to assist residents in need, particularly those affected by recent flooding. Around 150 volunteers, including many young people, worked together to unload approximately 15,000 kilos of rice and repack relief goods, demonstrating the joy of selfless service. Mayor Belen Fernandez expressed gratitude to the Church and its volunteers for their continued humanitarian efforts and willingness to help without expecting anything in return.

*What’s Up With The LDS Temple Garments?*Critics frequently mock or misunderstand Latter-day Saint temple garments, yet ...
09/03/2026

*What’s Up With The LDS Temple Garments?*

Critics frequently mock or misunderstand Latter-day Saint temple garments, yet they routinely respect the distinct, outward religious vestments of other faiths. Catholic priests and nuns are easily recognized by their collars and habits, Jewish believers wear visible skullcaps or prayer shawls, and Buddhist, Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and many world religious denominations frequently wear explicit, culturally recognizable religious attire. This double standard often arises simply because the garment is worn out of public view as an undergarment. Wearing specialized clothing to integrate worship with daily living is an ancient, universally shared religious practice. In Biblical times, the Lord commanded Moses to make "holy garments... for glory and for beauty" for those officiating in the tabernacle (Exodus 28:2), and explicitly instructed the Israelites to use their clothing as a reminder of His commandments (Numbers 15:37-41). The principle is exactly the same for Latter-day Saints today. The garment is not a public badge; it is a deeply personal, sacred vestment.

The primary purpose of the temple garment is to serve as a tangible, daily reminder of the sacred covenants made with God in His holy house. It encourages us to live morally clean and chaste lives, to draw closer to the Lord, and to dedicate our lives to serving Him and building His kingdom by helping others build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Despite persistent, sensationalized internet myths, there is absolutely nothing "magic" or mystical about this clothing. As the First Presidency has clearly stated: “The garment of the holy priesthood reminds us of the veil in the temple, and that veil is symbolic of Jesus Christ. When you put on your garment, you put on a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ. Wearing it is an outward expression of your inner commitment to follow Him.” Any promised protection or strength is entirely spiritual, rooted firmly in a believer's worthiness, faithfulness, and devotion to keeping their promises to God.

*ALLEGEDLY*The word "allegedly" is technically accurate when discussing scriptural history because we lack absolute, une...
09/02/2026

*ALLEGEDLY*

The word "allegedly" is technically accurate when discussing scriptural history because we lack absolute, unequivocal scientific proof for most biblical and Book of Mormon events, yet this absence of external evidence does not invalidate their truth. In fact, this ambiguity is a deliberate and essential part of God's plan. As the Prophet Joseph Smith famously observed, “Faith comes by hearing the word of God, through the testimony of the servants of God,” rather than through flawless physical evidence. If every ancient event, miracle, and personality were backed by undeniable, hundred-percent historical proof, the need for faith would be entirely eliminated, directly contradicting the scriptural truth that "faith is things which are hoped for and not seen" (Ether 12:6). Ultimately, physical evidence cannot bring about salvation; as Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has emphasized, a spiritual witness is the only foundation that endures, because God requires us to choose belief through the Spirit rather than relying on perfect sight. Remember, allegedly doesn't mean untrue.

*Alligations Are Not Findings or Facts: The Truth About the LDS Tithing Lawsuits* ...
09/01/2026

*Alligations Are Not Findings or Facts: The Truth About the LDS Tithing Lawsuits*
Recent litigation over tithing and the finances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should be discussed according to what the courts actually decided, not according to headlines or allegations. On August 31, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit unanimously affirmed the dismissal of consolidated lawsuits accusing the Church and Ensign Peak Advisors of fraudulently inducing donations and misusing or concealing the use of donated funds. The court did not find that the Church committed fraud or unlawfully used tithing. Instead, it held that the plaintiffs' claims were barred because they were filed after Utah's three-year statute of limitations had expired.

This ruling also follows the Church's victory in the separate Huntsman litigation. In January 2025, the Ninth Circuit concluded that “no reasonable juror could conclude that the church misrepresented the source of funds for the City Creek project.” The legal distinction matters: allegations that surplus tithing was invested, that investment reserves became substantial, or that earnings from those reserves were later used for particular purposes are not themselves proof of fraud. Fraud requires specific elements, including a materially false representation and legally sufficient reliance, not merely disagreement over how a religious organization saves or invests donated funds.

Critics of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes portray its financial reserves as evidence that tithing has been misused. That claim goes beyond what the courts have actually established. Investing surplus funds is not the same as misappropriating them, and maintaining reserves for future needs is a normal part of responsible stewardship. Scripture itself commends preparing in times of abundance for future need, as Joseph did in Egypt (Genesis 41:34–36), and Proverbs teaches that the wise preserve resources rather than consume everything immediately (Proverbs 21:20).

The Church has a worldwide mission that includes temples, meetinghouses, education, world-wide humanitarian aid, missionary work, and long-term obligations that extend far beyond a single year. Prudent saving, investing, and planning for the future are not betrayals of the law of tithing; they can be expressions of careful and responsible stewardship.

Members and critics alike are entitled to ask questions about Church finances. But accuracy requires us to distinguish accusation from adjudicated fact. As of these federal appellate rulings, courts have not established that Church leaders fraudulently diverted tithing for personal enrichment or unlawfully used tithing funds. The latest federal case was dismissed with prejudice, and the Tenth Circuit unanimously upheld that result.

Contexts, Not ContradictionsThe different accounts of the First Vision shared by Joseph Smith do not change the core tru...
08/31/2026

Contexts, Not Contradictions

The different accounts of the First Vision shared by Joseph Smith do not change the core truth that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in 1820. Just as four people witnessing a single event today will describe it differently based on their audience, Joseph emphasized different details of his experience depending on who he was speaking to and why. For example, his 1832 account, the only one written in his own hand, is a deeply personal reflection focusing heavily on his search for forgiveness of his sins. In contrast, the 1838 account (published in the Times and Seasons) was recorded as an official history for the Church, emphasizing the religious confusion of the day and the specific command not to join any other sect. Recording distinct aspects of a grand, divine event over time is a natural human process that reflects growth and varying contexts, not a contradiction.

Rather than weakening the validity of the First Vision, these differing perspectives actually strengthen its historical authenticity. Fabricated stories are typically rigid and repeated identically, whereas true, lived experiences are recalled with fresh nuances as the narrator matures. We see this same pattern in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul gives three distinct descriptions of his vision on the road to Damascus, each tailored to a different audience. Joseph Smith remained completely consistent on the essential facts throughout his entire life: he prayed in faith, the heavens opened, and he witnessed the literal resurrection and glory of the Father and the Son. We firmly stand by the Prophet Joseph, celebrating the rich historical record that allows us to understand this foundational event of the Restoration more deeply.

The history of early Latter-day Saint plural marriage can raise difficult questions, but history also shows that Joseph ...
08/26/2026

The history of early Latter-day Saint plural marriage can raise difficult questions, but history also shows that Joseph Smith’s actions were rooted in commandment, not carnal desire. For many who grew up only hearing about the later Utah era, learning about the Prophet’s own plural marriages can feel unsettling. However, as the Church openly acknowledges, this practice was extraordinarily difficult for Joseph, Emma, and all early Saints. As we seek understanding, it is vital to remember that an uncomfortable practice does not disprove a prophetic calling. The Bible itself establishes a clear theological framework for this: righteous, revered prophets like Abraham, Jacob, and Moses were commanded by God to practice plural marriage. Furthermore, the historical record demonstrates that many of Joseph’s sealings were for eternity only, meaning they carried no sexual component. As Relief Society General President Emmeline B. Wells, who lived during the era of plural marriage, testified of the Prophet’s pure character: "In Joseph Smith I saw the honor, the virtue, the true nobility of manhood."

When navigating these complex historical chapters, we must avoid the temptation to claim we know more than the surviving evidence actually allows. There are deep historical uncertainties regarding the exact nature of individual sealings, and looking at the past through a modern lens often distorts the true, spiritual motivations of those early Saints. Rather than judging the restoration by the cultural shock of a difficult command, we can trust in a loving Heavenly Father who has always asked His children to stretch their faith. As sister scriptorian and former counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency Chieko N. Okazaki beautifully reminded us, "We need not be afraid of the truth, nor do we need to apologize for the past. We can look at it with open eyes and with faith in our hearts." Our faith rests securely on the spiritual witness of the restored gospel, the fruits of Joseph Smith's prophetic mission, and the enduring truth of the Book of Mormon.

If you appreciate the content shared on Defending Virtue and feel it provides real value in defending the Church of Jesu...
08/25/2026

If you appreciate the content shared on Defending Virtue and feel it provides real value in defending the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against antagonistic voices, please help us get the word out.

We are deeply grateful for your support and share a sincere desire to see the work of the Lord move forward. By liking, following, and sharing our posts, you help amplify these uplifting and defensive resources to a broader audience. Thank you for standing with us and for your continued dedication to strengthening faith and testimony online.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pursuing a trademark and copyright infringement lawsuit against the M...
08/24/2026

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pursuing a trademark and copyright infringement lawsuit against the Mormon Stories podcast, focusing on preventing consumer confusion rather than restricting free speech. Court filings contend that the podcast intentionally used official Church branding, including specific visual designs, color schemes, and fonts, to mislead the public, directly violating legal standards under the Lanham Act. Following failed mediation and the defendant's refusal to clearly disclose their lack of affiliation beyond hidden text, the Church is firmly defending its intellectual property to ensure absolute clarity in its messaging. As detailed in reporting from The Salt Lake Tribune and ABC4 Utah, this legal action highlights that while criticism is entirely permitted under the First Amendment, using deceptive branding to falsely imply an official endorsement or sponsorship is not protected.

This case exposes a broader pattern among online antagonists who mask open opposition as objective dialogue to erode faith and exploit public trust. By deliberately mirroring Church symbols and institutional designs, these platforms create confusion and manipulate the unwary. The Church's defense of its identity aligns perfectly with the divine mandate to maintain spiritual clarity and truth against misrepresentation. As believers stand firm and vigilant against these deceptive tactics, we are reminded of the wisdom in Doctrine and Covenants 50:23, which declares that "that which doth not edify is not of God." For additional perspective, read the official updates on the Church Newsroom.

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