About Hemlock Knots

Hemlock Knots Ministries is a FBO (faith-based organization). We seek to better understand truth and error surrounding latter-day saint-related belief systems to facilitate more informed choices regarding personal faith.

HKM operates independently, and is unaffiliated with all other churches, branches of churches, people, movements or organizations. The organization was founded and organized as a private church ministry, operating under IRS 508(c)(1)(a) within the protected rights detailed in the First Amendment of the US Constitution and 26 U.S.C. §  6033(a)(3)(i).

Mission

Hemlock Knots Ministries provides the public community with information and resources on faith-based topics of interest. The mission is to assist people with their faith-based questions, concerns, confusion and misinformation using an appeal to correct documentation, sources, history and reason. We believe that faith is to “hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21). Truth seeking and verifying belief systems with proper study, discernment and wisdom leads to stronger (not weaker) faith. Hemlock Knots seeks to help establish and promote healthy, truth-based faith in God and in correct principles, while exposing incorrect history, teachings and dogma among communities exposed to propaganda, revisionist religion and man-made teachings.

The Hemlock Knots Ministries provides many outreach services to the community, including (but not limited to):

  • Documentary video presentations on the Hemlock Knots YouTube channel
  • Live-stream discussions, debates and conversations with the community
  • An audio-only LDS church history podcast on all major podcast syndication services
  • Facebook Group posts for discussion, conversation and member enrichment
  • Facebook Page featuring events for the community
  • Clubhouse live events for sharing discoveries, questions & answers and fellowshipping
  • The Hemlock Knots website with articles, episode summaries, libraries and study tools for members
  • Private conversations, consultations and meetings via phone or online meeting
  • Assistance with sourcing documents and information for individuals with questions
  • Group church meetings for discussing the pure teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the scriptures
  • In-person support group meetings for those needing healing, fellowship or help with faith transitions
  • Church fellowship retreats, camp-outs and other social gatherings
  • Fund raising campaigns for charitable causes, including the operating expenses of HKM.
  • Charitable giving events among local impoverished residents

Why the name “Hemlock Knots“?

It contains valuable symbolism that’s applicable to the mission of Hemlock Knots Ministries. The “Hemlock Knots” name is derived from a quote attributed to Joseph Smith in 1844:

“There has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock knots with a corn-dodger for a wedge and a pumpkin for a beetle. Even the Saints are slow to understand. I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions”

Joseph Smith, Jr. (January 21, 1844, History of the Church, 6:184-85)

The logo represents the imagery of the above quote, symbolizing the struggle to get the current generation (especially the leadership) to open their minds and fully understand the meaning of the things once taught and claimed as their founding teachings. Brigham Young’s face was superimposed into an image of a log being split open simply because he claimed to be the primary beneficiary and “successor” of Joseph Smith, and should have understood these truths more than an

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