Anthony Sweat

Anthony Sweat is an Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. He received his bachelors degree in painting and drawing and his PhD in curriculum and instruction. He is the author of several books, most recently Repicturing the Restoration. Anthony is a regular speaker at Latter-day Saint events and conferences. He and his wife, Cindy, are the parents of seven children.

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5 reasons Jesus had to live a complete mortal life

By Anthony Sweat

July 11, 2023 01:08 PM MDT

Christ’s mortal life is the key to understanding His identifying power—the capacity to understand, relate to, and guide us through our every-day challenges.

9 Min Read

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3 powers given in the temple endowment to those who continue on the covenant path

By Anthony Sweat

June 22, 2023 02:00 PM MDT

“Although we have not yet arrived to a ‘fulness’ of the priesthood and glory of God, … we have received promised blessings from God for those who enter and continue on the covenant path and some of those promised blessings are available to us here and now in mortality.”

10 Min Read

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Anthony Sweat: How temple covenants give us a taste of eternity

By Anthony Sweat

June 07, 2023 08:00 AM MDT

“I received my patriarchal blessing when I was getting ready to head to college and at a crossroads. … There was a pull to serve a mission, but I needed divine direction before I left home. I needed to figure out who I was.”

6 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Why was Christ’s first miracle turning water into wine?

By Anthony Sweat

February 10, 2023 10:00 AM MST

"In comparison to His later miracles that were deeply moving, Christ's first miracle, which seemingly achieved nothing more than to awe a few servants and further enliven a party, seems almost beneath Him."

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

4 topics to discuss with a loved one to help them be ready for the temple

By Anthony Sweat

January 19, 2022 01:44 PM MST

Here are four discussion topics that will help any Latter-day Saint deepen their appreciation for the promises and practices of the temple.

8 Min Read

How to Distinguish Doctrine from Policy + Why There Is More Than One Type of Church Doctrine

By Anthony Sweat

August 10, 2019 09:42 AM MDT

Have you ever heard something and wondered, “Is that Church doctrine?” For example, suppose you were in a Church class studying the passage where God teaches Moses there are “worlds without number . . . and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten” (Moses 1:33). Someone asks, “If Jesus created multiple worlds, did Jesus’s infinite Atonement redeem God’s children on other earths?” What would you say? Is that true? Is it a sanctioned Church teaching? How would you know?

14 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

3 Questions That Will Help You Get More Out of Your Temple Experience

By Anthony Sweat

October 15, 2018 04:38 PM MDT

The temple and its ordinances were the pinnacles of Joseph Smith’s revelatory teachings and prophetic career, desiring each member to be “endowed with power from on high” (D&C 38:38). Your endowment is to receive the power and capacity to one day enter the presence of God and receive a fullness of his blessings. The presentation of the endowment ceremony replicates a metaphorical journey. It takes a fallen person and cleanses them, blesses them, teaches them, and brings them to a celestial redemption in the presence of God. Whether you are going for the first time or hundredth, how can you get the most out of this wondrous and unique temple experience? How do you make the endowment ceremony personally meaningful and spiritually impactful? How do you let it teach you how to come unto God’s exalting presence through his divine Son? One approach that can help is based on a divine pattern of spiritual learning summarized as KNOW, FEEL, and DO.

4 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

2 Things to Remember When a Blessing of Healing Doesn't "Work"

By Anthony Sweat

June 06, 2018 08:00 PM MDT

While the Lord’s power to miraculously heal physical infirmities is experienced by thousands, sometimes we or our loved ones are not physically healed. We have faith, we pray with real intent, we humble ourselves, we seek priesthood blessings, we place names on temple rolls, but the malady remains. We wonder: “Why didn’t the healing blessing work? Did I not have enough faith? Does God not love me as he loves others he has healed? Have I done something wrong?” I have asked myself similar questions in some of the unhealed physical problems I have personally experienced or seen loved ones endure. Why does he sometimes not heal?

9 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

3 Truths You Must Understand for the Atonement to Work in Your Life

By Anthony Sweat

February 13, 2018 07:14 PM MST

The following is an excerpt from Anthony Sweat's recently released book, Christ in Every Hour.

11 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

When You Feel Uncomfortable or Confused in the Temple + Other Insights

By Anthony Sweat

November 16, 2017 10:00 PM MST

The invitation for mortals to enter the presence of God and secure a fullness of His blessings did not originate with Joseph Smith. In fact, it’s a theme as old as mankind.

8 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

What Grace Has to Do with Raising 7 Children and How Parents Can Rely on Christ Every Hour

By Anthony Sweat

March 01, 2017 05:16 PM MST

What a great take on how we can rely on Christ through the every-day challenges and joys of parenting.

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

3 Ways Christ's Power Can Strengthen Us Daily

By Anthony Sweat

February 07, 2017 10:15 PM MST

While our daily challenges may vary in type, intensity, and frequency, there seem to be three general areas in which we can seek and receive divine help in our lives. The strengthening power of Christ is designed and available for all three of these types of daily tests.

10 Min Read

Don't Like Your Teen's Date?

By Anthony Sweat

July 12, 2011 04:07 AM MDT

Teens, we know, tend to have a mind of their own—and we love them for it. But how do you express your concerns about a dating partner without alienating your teen?

3 Min Read