This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/exmormon by /u/stickyhairmonster on 2024-09-30 18:09:26+00:00.
In honor of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles, I want to share the twelve worst LDS General Conference talks of the modern Church. These are presented in chronological order. Please note, there are many other terrible talks, but if they were not given at General Conference, they were not eligible for this list. For example, Mark Peterson’s 1954 talk, Race Problems as they Affect the Church, is a terribly racist talk, but it was not given at conference. I welcome your feedback and additions!
- Spencer W Kimball, Untitled, October 1960
The day of the Lamanites is nigh. For years they have been growing delightsome, and they are now becoming white and delightsome, as they were promised. In this picture of the twenty Lamanite missionaries, fifteen of the twenty were as light as Anglos; five were darker but equally delightsome. The children in the home placement program in Utah are often lighter than their brothers and sisters in the hogans on the reservation.
- Mark Peterson, No True Worship without Chastity, 1965
Legislators are being asked to rule that adultery should no longer be considered a crime, that homosexuals and other deviates should be allowed to practice their depravities legally and without restriction… Apostasy through immorality is at least as bad as returning to paganism… Paul says of those who deviate from the path of virtue into some of the great perversions, “they which commit such things are worthy of death.”
- Ezra Taft Benson, Trust Not in the Arm of Flesh, 1967
There is no doubt that the so-called civil rights movement as it exists today is used as a Communist program for revolution in America just as agrarian reform was used by the Communists to take over China and Cuba.
- Vaughn Featherstone, A Self-Inflicted Purging, 1975
I am going to use a visual aid tonight. But we don’t have one, so, in your mind’s eye, wherever you are across the far corners of the earth, would you picture a huge scroll sliding down from the ceiling? On it are listed the names of those who purchased pornographic literature. The list is large enough so that all may see. Is your name on the list? … Now, my young friends, and I am sorry to say, many adults, how about all those of you who have a masturbation problem? … And, in a few cases, what if we had the names of those who had a homosexual problem?
- Boyd K Packer, To Young Men Only, 1976
There is, however, something you should not do. Sometimes a young man does not understand. Perhaps he is encouraged by unwise or unworthy companions to tamper with that factory. He might fondle himself and open that release valve. This you shouldn’t do, for if you do that, the little factory will speed up. You will then be tempted again and again to release it. You can quickly be subjected to a habit, one that is not worthy, one that will leave you feeling depressed and feeling guilty.
- Hartman Rector, Turning the Hearts, 1981 *Edited by church
If children have a happy family experience they will not want to be homosexuals, which I am sure is an acquired addiction just as drugs, alcohol and pornography are. The promoters of homosexuality say they were born that way. But I do not believe this is true. There are no female spirits trapped in male bodies and vice versa. He who made them, made them male and female. Every form of homosexuality is sin said the living prophet Spencer W. Kimball.
- Ezra Taft Benson, To the Mothers in Zion, 1987
The Lord clearly defined the roles of mothers and fathers in providing for and rearing a righteous posterity. In the beginning, Adam — not Eve — was instructed to earn the bread by the sweat of his brow. Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mother’s calling is in the home, not in the marketplace.
- Richard Scott, Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse, 1992
At some point in time, however, the Lord may prompt a victim to recognize a degree of responsibility for abuse. Your priesthood leader will help assess your responsibility so that, if needed, it can be addressed. Otherwise the seeds of guilt will remain and sprout into bitter fruit.
- Gordon B Hinckley, The Condition of the Church, 2003
We feel we have a compelling responsibility to protect the environment of the Salt Lake Temple. The Church owns most of the ground on which this mall stands. The owners of the buildings have expressed a desire to sell. The property needs very extensive and expensive renovation. We have felt it imperative to do something to revitalize this area. But I wish to give the entire Church the assurance that tithing funds have not and will not be used to acquire this property. Nor will they be used in developing it for commercial purposes.
- Boyd K Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, 2010 *Edited by church
Some suppose that they were preset and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn tendencies toward the impure and unnatural. Not so! Why would Heavenly Father do that to anyone? Remember, He is our Heavenly Father.
- Russell Nelson, Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains, 2021
Your mountains may be loneliness, doubt, illness, or other personal problems. Your mountains will vary, and yet the answer to each of your challenges is to increase your faith. That takes work. Lazy learners and lax disciples will always struggle to muster even a particle of faith.
- Russell Nelson, Think Celestial, 2023
There is no end to the adversary’s deceptions. Please be prepared. Never take counsel from those who do not believe.
Honorable mentions:
Ronald E. Poelman, The Gospel and the Church, 1984 (heavily edited by church and re-recorded)
Devin G Durrant, My Heart Pondereth Them Continually, 2015 (“Ponderize” merchandise scandal)
David Bednar, Accepting the Lord’s Will and Timing, 2016 (Faith not to be healed)
Dallin H Oaks, Trust in the Lord, 2019 (pokes fun at woman concerned about being second wife)
Dale G. Renlund, A Framework for Personal Revelation, 2022 (limits personal revelation)