Skip to main content
Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

About/Contact


Lucifer’s Lantern is an independent publication examining Mormon history, doctrine, culture, scripture, and institutional power from a critical perspective.




The site does not pretend to be religiously neutral. I am a former Mormon, a returned missionary, and now an atheist. I do not believe the LDS Church possesses divine authority, and I approach Mormonism as a human religious movement shaped by its time, its leaders, and the pressures placed upon it. That perspective absolutely influences the content of the site, but it does not remove the obligation to be accurate.

What You’ll Find Here

Lucifer’s Lantern publishes historical investigations, analysis of LDS doctrine and institutional behavior, examinations of the Book of Mormon, commentary on current Mormon issues, and comparisons between Mormon texts and the wider world in which they were produced.


Why “Lucifer’s Lantern”?

Lucifer’s Lantern was originally the passionate project of A.T. Schroeder (1864–1953), a lawyer who became one of early Mormonism’s most vocal critics after moving to Utah in the 1890s. Disillusioned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose doctrines and practices he saw as regressive and morally problematic, Schroeder launched Lucifer’s Lantern as his intellectual counterpoint to what he viewed as the Church’s unchecked influence over Utah’s culture and history. Lucifer's Lantern was published periodically from 1898-1900 in a total of nine editions.

Schroeder began collecting a vast archive of artifacts, diaries, journals, letters, and books related to early Mormonism. Through Lucifer’s Lantern and his other publications, he published his research on the authorship of the Book of Mormon, counterfeiting and the use of intoxicants in the early Church, Mormon polygamy, and even controversial claims about Joseph Smith as an abortionist. 

However, Schroeder absolutely served as a perfect example of an "anti-Mormon" as many of his publications demonstrated a very clear disdain for Mormonism.




 This modern Lucifer’s Lantern follows some of Schroeder's same ideas. It examines the issues within the doctrines, history, and culture of Mormonism while attempting to avoid the disdain and hatred that was commonly seen in the original 19th century publications

 Each article sheds light on the origins of Mormonism, it's culture, the shaping of scripture, and the historical events behind the faith. The goal is not to provoke contention, but to spark discussion.


Schroeder’s Key Ideas

- Reformatory literature should be devoted to showing the human origin of Mormonism, its follies and its iniquities, by a critical examination of the system itself.

- The attack upon the divinity of the Book of Mormon should be made upon two grounds only: The insufficiency of the evidence to establish the claim of its divine origin, and the argument based upon the historical and internal evidences demonstrating its human origin.

 

- Man always makes his God endorse what he himself has first conceived to be the most desired good. Reform man’s moral precepts, and he will make his conception of God conform.

 

These approaches have been adapted into


How Do I Keep This Site Running?

Instead of using a platform that is monetized by subscriptions, I have chosen to have the content of Lucifer's Lantern available to anybody rather than hiding behind a paywall. To keep this site up and running, I have utilized several methods of monetization. 

Some links on this site are Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase after following these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  These commissions help support and improve the site.

To make it so I don't have to push affiliate links at readers constantly, I have enabled ads. I know they're annoying, but it keeps the site running and I try and keep them to a minimum. (That seams reasonable, right?)

The best way you can support the site is by "Buying me a Coffee" where you can set up recurring payments, ( If I can get 100 supporters donating $1 a month, I will remove ads permanently)

You can also support the site through the shop.

Thank you for all of your support

- Mason



Contact

    For feedback, grievances, topic suggestions, or if you have a desire to write for the site feel free to contact us using the form below.


Name:

E-mail: *

Message: *

Popular posts from this blog

Mormon Blood and the Esther Cohen-Tizer-Epstein Letter

With the recent release of nearly 3.5 million pages of the Epstein files, there have been several connections made regarding Jeffery Epstein paying tuition for several students at BYU. The most notable of which is presented in what is known as the Esther Cohen-Tizer-Epstien Letter.    Some are questioning the authenticity of the letter, but some clues seem to point us to a woman named   Esther Cohen .  Lets look at a few connections. Note that these connections are not an attempt at making any accusations and are simply connections made through publicly available information. I will be updating this page as I find more information. EFTA00129111  Reference to the Seven Bowls School of Nutrition From Esther's website: alchemyofnourishment.com (Update March 04, 2026: The site seems to have been taken down) She began studying nutrition as a teenager: Which also seems to align with her site. Alchemy of Nourishment Along with the claim of residing in Colorado Alc...
3 comments
Read

Martinsburg Testimony Meeting Protest - Explained

A video from an LDS sacrament meeting in Martinsburg, West Virginia is once again making the rounds on social media. The footage shows two mothers interrupting a testimony meeting to warn fellow members that, in their view, local Church leaders had failed to protect children from a convicted child molester within their own congregation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brett Henry (@beardedrealtorutah) This event came after years of criminal proceedings, civil litigation, and allegations that Church leaders ignored warning signs while children continued to be abused. The case centered on Christopher Michael Jensen, who was sentenced in 2013 to 35 to 75 years in prison for sexually abusing two children, ages three and four. Court records also show that allegations against Jensen stretched back to 2004, when, at just 13 years old, he was arrested and charged with two felony counts involving the sexual abuse of two girls at his middle school. According...
Post a Comment
Read

Candon Dahle to Marry After Child Abuse Conviction

Former BYU baseball player Candon Dahle is expected to marry this week, less than a year after receiving a plea deal that allowed him to avoid sex offender registration despite admitting guilt to two felony counts involving the abuse of a child. News of the wedding has reignited criticism online, where many argue Dahle's return to ordinary life has come far too quickly in light of the allegations against him.  The topic was recently discussed on Instagram by  @justinthenickofcrime View this post on Instagram A post shared by Justin (@justinthenickofcrime) Dahle first made headlines in February 2025 when he was charged in Fremont County, Idaho, with felony lewd conduct with a child under the age of 16. According to the probable cause affidavit summarized by East Idaho News , prosecutors alleged Dahle sexually abused an 11-year-old girl and covered her mouth during one of the assaults. Authorities also filed a separate juvenile case in neighboring Bing...
Post a Comment
Read

Are You Temple Worthy?

Temple worthiness isn’t just about "good behavior" in Mormon teaching. It’s a gate that determines who qualifies for the highest blessings the religion offers. The church teaches that only people judged worthy can enter the temple, make covenants, and receive the ordinances that lead to exaltation, which is the belief that humans can become like God and live forever with their families in the celestial kingdom.  This makes worthiness interviews a spiritual checkpoint that can shape someone’s identity, their standing in the community, and even their hope for eternity.    Are You Worthy to Enter a Mormon Temple? Are You Worthy of the Mormon Temple? Yes No Restart Enter the Temple
6 comments
Read

Where Does the Book of Mormon Take Place?

I think we can all agree that the Book of Mormon is probably one of the most controversial publications ever produced. Every single aspect of it is debated. You have apologists who firmly believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that it is an ancient record of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas, and that it was given to Joseph Smith by an ancient American prophet named Moroni, who appeared as an angel. Or you have critics like myself who firmly believe that the Book of Mormon is a 19th century publication. But even beyond that, there are countless debates about the actual content of the book itself. One of the biggest is its historical setting. Where was the Book of Mormon actually supposed to take place? Some apologists and critics believe the narrative largely unfolded in North America , in places that would eventually become the United States. Others argue that it took place in S outh America or Central America. Historically, the LDS Church has even presented evidence t...
Post a Comment
Read

"Musket Fire" - a Response to Jeffery Holland

      On August 23, 2021, Jeffrey R. Holland stood before Brigham Young University’s faculty, staff, and administrators at the school’s annual University Conference in Provo, Utah. Holland was not merely a visiting Church leader. He was a former president of BYU, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and, at the time, chairman of the executive committee of the university’s Board of Trustees. His address, titled “ The Second Half of the Second Century of Brigham Young University, ” was presented as a reflection on BYU’s future and the religious mission that, in his view, must continue to distinguish it from other universities.     The full speech was shared by @byuspheeches      The timing could hardly have been more charged. That same day, BYU president Kevin Worthen announced the creation of a new Office of Belonging , intended to coordinate the university’s efforts to address prejudice and help marginalized members of the campus co...
Post a Comment
Read

John the Beloved is Investing in Bitcoin and AI

On a recent livestream, Shane Baldwin of Zion Media publicly recounted what he describes as one of the defining events of his life. According to Baldwin, he was visited by none other than John the Beloved while serving time in the Salt Lake County Jail where he was serving time for committing investment fraud . According to LDS belief, John remains alive today, continuing his ministry on the earth until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The belief comes primarily from an interpretation of John 21:20-23 and is expanded in the Mormon scripture of Doctrine and Covenants 7, which teaches that John requested the privilege of remaining on the earth to continue bringing souls to Christ until the Second Coming.  But John is not alone. The Book of Mormon also describes three disciples, commonly known as the Three Nephites, who were granted the same blessing. Together, these figures have become central to a long tradition of Mormon faith-promoting stories involving mysterious strangers who ...
Post a Comment
Read

[Satire] Mormon Church Announces Grand Prismatic Temple in Yellowstone National Park

 SALT LAKE CITY. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans today to construct the Grand Prismatic Temple near Yellowstone National Park's Grand Prismatic Spring. The temple will serve members throughout the Greater Yellowstone region while providing worthy visitors with an opportunity to worship in one of the world's most recognizable natural settings. Church President Dallin H. Oaks announced the temple during a special localized broadcast, describing it as "another house of the Lord built to bless God's children and stand as a witness of Jesus Christ." According to the Church, the temple will be positioned directly beyond the Grand Prismatic Spring, allowing the building to be visible from much of the existing boardwalk and observation areas. Officials said the location was selected following years of planning, prayer, environmental study, and consultation with local Church leaders. The proposed site is located on federally protected land t...
Post a Comment
Read

Mormon Stories Fires Back: The Core Defenses Against the LDS Lawsuit

In April 2026, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its intellectual property arm, Intellectual Reserve, filed a federal lawsuit against the Open Stories Foundation and John Dehlin. The complaint alleges trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and consumer confusion arising from the use of the name Mormon Stories, its branding, and its use of Church-related images.      The Church portrays the case as a straightforward effort to protect its trademarks and prevent confusion among people seeking information about the faith. Mormon Stories sees the case very differently. In its response and counterclaim , the organization argues that the Church is attempting to claim ownership over a word that belongs to an entire religious movement while using intellectual property law against one of its most visible critics. Here are the major arguments at the center of the dispute.
1 comment
Read

The "Mormon" Trademark is About to Expire

 The request for Mormon Stories to rebrand has spread quickly through Mormon spaces. Followers learned that om November 14th 2025, the LDS Church had reached out with claims that the podcast was infringing on the “Mormon” trademark. The demand leaned on the legal idea that the Church owns the word.  The request was shared on social media by @mormstories, but those posts seem to have been removed. Fortunately, copies of the email were  shared on reddit. But there is a significant detail sitting behind this entire dispute. The Church will have to renew the "Mormon" trademark in the 2026 to 2027 window.  Source: USPTO database When that time comes, they must prove that they still use the word “Mormon” in active commerce. USPTO rules are clear on this point. A trademark only survives if the owner can show that it is still printed on actual goods or services that are still being sold or distributed. The official guidelines spell it out at uspto.gov under “ Keeping your r...
3 comments
Read