Kevin Woodward

Father, perpetual student, stumbling Latter-Day Saint.

[Kevin Woodward @_kevz]

@RykerJackson97 Excellent!
*Zooms in*

[Kevin Woodward @_kevz]

@latterdaylaura That happened to me when I was about 30. Then about 4 years ago, basically gone. I'm 45 now. The only major thing I changed, avoided seed oils, and started drinking raw milk. So, dunno, experiment with your diet.

[Danny Deraney @DannyDeraney]

Every year, I share this video of French caretakers who take sand from Omaha Beach in Normandy, and scrub them into the letters to give them the gold coloring.

They do this for all 9,386 US soldiers who died.

France also gave us this land as American soil. #MemorialDayWeekend

[Kevin Woodward @_kevz]

🤣

[The Babylon Bee @TheBabylonBee]

Baal Returns From The Bathroom To Find All His Prophets Dead https://t.co/XEt8xO4v1S

[Dallin H. Oaks @OaksDallinH]

What your children really want for dinner is you!

In an age of constant online connection, we may need to disconnect from technologies and other distractions to truly reconnect with our families.

Families grow stronger when they set aside these distractions and spend meaningful time together—learning eternal values like the importance of marriage and children, the purpose of life, and the true source of joy.

Parents also have a duty to teach their children practical knowledge apart from gospel principles. Families unite when they do meaningful things together. Happy family experiences strengthen family ties. Camping, sports activities, and other recreation are especially valuable for bonding families.

Some may say, “But we have no time for any of that.” To find time to do what is truly worthwhile, many parents will find that they can turn their families on if they all turn their technologies off.

What those we love need most is simply time with us. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is our ultimate role model. He will help us as we strive to build these family bonds.

[Kevin Woodward @_kevz]

I don’t know why I like this so much. Almost enough to buy and frame it just to see people’s reactions when they sit down and take that second look.😆

[Travis Chapman @Travispaints]

My first Star Wars painting maybe 2014?

[Florida Mom 𓍊𓋼𓆏𓋼𓍊 @darthcaro]

I reject the feminist notion that I am a whole complete person without my husband and kids.

No. Actually my family gives me purpose and meaning. It’s beautiful that we rely on each other and need each other. I am whole and complete BECAUSE I have them in my life.

[Victor @SenorVito9]

*Deep breath* Here we go...

I have a sincere question, and I’m asking it respectfully and in good faith.

Critics of Joseph Smith frequently describe him as a “conman.” However, from the reading I’ve personally done — including both Church and non-Church historical sources — the historical record appears far more complex than that label often suggests.

Yes, I am fully aware of the historical criticisms people repeatedly raise: polygamy, the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor, the Kirtland banking situation, treasure seeking, legal disputes, and countless other accusations that circulate online every day.

None of those things have shaken my testimony even remotely.

I do not believe Joseph Smith was a conman. I do not believe he was intentionally deceptive. I believe he was called of God. I believe he was a prophet. I believe he restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ through divine authority and revelation.

And to be completely transparent, no amount of hostility, ridicule, internet criticism, podcasts, Reddit threads, or anti-LDS rhetoric is going to change that conviction.

More importantly, my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour is absolute, resolute, and immovable. I believe Jesus Christ was born, died for our sins, and rose again in accordance with the scriptures. I believe He lives. I believe He is the Son of God and the Saviour of mankind.

Which is precisely why I do not understand the argument some people make that believing Joseph Smith was a prophet somehow conflicts with believing in Jesus Christ.

To me, those beliefs are not contradictory at all.

I believe Jesus Christ is my Saviour, and I believe Joseph Smith was a prophet called by Him. I genuinely believe Joseph Smith was telling the truth about what he experienced, and it is honestly bizarre to me how casually some people slander him without seriously engaging with the historical complexity surrounding his life.

Ironically, there was once a time when I openly mocked Latter-day Saints myself. As a Catholic at the time, I absolutely would have joined in ridiculing “Mormons.” In fact, one of the ways I originally discovered the ex-Mormon community online was specifically because I went looking for material critical of the Church.

And now here I am — a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with no desire whatsoever to go back.

So if God could reach someone like me and lead me to the restored Gospel, then yes, I absolutely believe He can reach others too.

Which is why I’m asking this question sincerely:

Where specifically does the “conman” narrative originate, and what evidence do critics believe most strongly supports the claim that Joseph Smith was knowingly deceptive?

Because after everything I have personally studied so far, I do not currently find that accusation sufficiently supported by the historical evidence.

I’m happy to have respectful historical discussion and good-faith conversation. But if the goal is simply mockery, hostility, or attempts to deconvert me, understand clearly: those arguments have already been seen, examined, and either easily dismissed, openly mocked by those who understand Church history far better than you do, or left to be judged in the hands of God.

My faith is not fragile. I believe these accusations are false, and no amount of repetition changes that.

[Kevin Woodward @_kevz]

@jimbolicious_c @RainelishesVII 🙏🏻

[Kevin Woodward @_kevz]

@BlackBlessedLDS Also heard in Seminary. Multiple times.
You're telling me most seminary teachers
1. Wouldn't know the story
2. Not want to share a story of an angel with a drawn sword to a bunch of teenagers??

Or was I just lucky with cool teachers? They made me consider being one.

[Kevin Woodward @_kevz]

😎🛸🤝

[STEELmorMAN @STEELmorMAN]

My fav "Missionary Experience" story is that of LDS Dutch immigrant Udo Wartena.

In 1940, returned missionary Brother Udo *allegedly* became the first person to attempt to share the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ with humanoid aliens (One 600 and the other 900 years old).

[In Defense of Family | Megan @defense_of_fam]

“If we’re not living with hope, we’re forgetting the gospel.” - Don Bradley

[AuthentiKate ☂️🪔🍒 @kateiswell]

From today’s Gospel Doctrine lesson:

What if the Ten Commandments were never meant to be just rules?

At Sinai, God didn’t just give Israel laws—He gave them a blueprint for becoming a different kind of people.

Each commandment points beyond behavior to identity:

1. No other gods → You become loyal
2. No idols → You become aligned with God
3. Honor His name → You become authentic and have His image in your countenance
4. Keep the Sabbath → You develop trust in God’s grace
5. Honor parents → You become respectful of order and relationship
6. Do not kill → You become a protector of life
7. Do not commit adultery → You become faithful
8. Do not steal → You become trustworthy
9. Do not bear false witness → You become truthful
10. Do not covet → You become content and whole

The law starts external:
“Don’t do this.”

But its goal is internal:
“Become as He is.”

The commandments aren’t just constraints—they’re formation.

God isn’t trying to control behavior.

He’s shaping people who naturally live in alignment with Him.

Imitation → Integration.

Not just doing what is right,
but becoming the kind of person who desires it.

[Kevin Woodward @_kevz]

@BlackBlessedLDS Pillow configuration has to be optimal for every position. No pillow if on stomach.

[Maddy Packer @thesurefoundtn]

Anyone else weirded out by the ex-Mormon therapist phenomenon?? Legit they have the same play book 👀

[Kevin Woodward @_kevz]

@TheUnderTiny @LatterDayCool Isn't the only option well done? 😆

[Cheryl 🪔 @SecretCityChez]

My older sister Melanie passed away this morning. She is pictured here holding my hand. Mel taught me how to count to a hundred, how to write in cursive, and how to ride a bike. I wore all her hand-me-downs and followed her wherever she would let me. I will miss her.

Please pray for her husband, children, and grandchildren.

[Kevin Woodward @_kevz]

@TheTriarii If you just drive a hearse, no one questions when you load a body.

[Leiland @LeilandTanner]

A tare among the wheat is one who bears the form of discipleship, draws life from the same covenant soil, yet produces no nourishing fruit.

When matured, it reveals bitterness instead of life and carries ergot-like poisons -deluding and nauseating all who consume even a little.