Audio podcast of the Interpreter Foundation

Could the sentiments that “it's cheaper to feed them than fight them” and “this is their home” exist at the same time in the same person who also called Native American life idle and refused to leave the lands in Utah? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 34: Feed Them, Don't Fight Them first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

How did a stolen shirt turn a mission to the Native Americans into two decades of war? What would Utah history have looked like if the Saints and the Utes had treated sharing and consecration as a conversation instead of a one-way religious task? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 33: From Stolen Shirt to Open War? first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the September 7, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson speaks with guest Jonathan Stapley in a follow-up to his book from Oxford University Press titled Holiness to the Lord: Latter Day Saint Temple Worship. They discuss the book's reception and his two forthcoming projects, a large book on the Salt Lake Temple called Dedication and another to be published by Eerdmans called Inside the Temple. Both to be released in March and both dealing with the temple for new audiences. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — September 7, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In this episode of Conversations with Interpreter, we interview ‘Alisi K. Langi, an assistant professor in faculty of Ancient Scripture at Brigham University-Hawaii, looking at her paper “Throwing Greater Views Upon Jesus Christ and His Gospel Through Named & Unnamed Women in the Small Plates of Nephi.” Doctor Langi's paper looks at how women are presented in the small plates (1 Nephi through Omni) and especially what it can teach us about Jesus Christ. In this interview, Langi points out that because so few women are mentioned in the small plates, it can be easy to think that they are unimportant to the narrative or among the Nephites, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, as Dr. Langi shows nothing could be further from the truth. The paper under discussion here was written for a conference held at Brigham Young University in Provo. The post Conversations with Interpreter: ‘Alisi K. Langi: Named and Unnamed Women in the Small Plates first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: According to current scientific understanding, our universe began in an inconceivable explosion of both space and time. And yet the laws that govern it took immediate effect, eventually governing the formation of galaxies and stars, the orbits of the planets, and even the colonization of sterile rock by lichens. If all this isn't cause for wonder, it's difficult to imagine what would be. Happily, the restored gospel promises us an unlimited future of learning, exploration, and, well, admiration. The post Glaciers, Plant Succession, and the Sheer Wonder of It All first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

How did Brigham Young's determination to never again be driven out of his home collide with Native peoples who were being pushed off the rivers and valleys of Utah? Why did a church that sent missionaries to Native Americans so early still end up building forts and fighting battles? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 32: Religious Kindred but Savage Enemies? first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the August 27, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson interviews the President of The Interpreter Foundation, Dan Peterson, about the Interpreter Foundation's past year and upcoming projects. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — August 27, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

How did Brigham Young's rejection of his father's harsh discipline shape daily life and family rituals in the Lion House? In what concrete ways did women such as Eliza R. Snow exercise leadership and autonomy under Brigham Young? Why do the historians argue that judging Brigham Young solely by modern standards risks missing both the complexity of his character and the reasons so many people willingly followed him? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 31: Lives of Their Own first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

This episode of Conversations with Interpreter explores Spencer Kraus's article, “A Closer Look at Transliteration in Divine Translations.” Kraus picks up the question about transliterated words like ziff in the Book of Mormon. Because the Book of Mormon was translated by “the gift and power of God,” it can raise questions about why words like this appear in the Book of Mormon. Kraus convincingly argues that the distribution and types of words that appear in the Book of Mormon are in continuity with transliteration patterns in other ancient texts. As part of this we talk about the implications of Kraus's research for understanding the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith's translation project in general. The post Conversations with Interpreter: Spencer Kraus: Transliteration in the Book of Mormon and Other Translations first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Sidney Sperry identified 2 Nephi 4:15–35 as “Nephi's Psalm.” Using form-critical analysis, Matthew Nickerson classified it as a personal lament psalm. In this article, I build on biblical turns of phrase, imagery, symbolism, and the archaeological record established by previous scholarship to demonstrate how verses 32–35 constitute Nephi's movement through gradations of increasing holiness in the temple. Nephi's movement also exemplifies the use of thematic and rhetorical intensification, a method used by biblical poets. The ordered presentation of temple elements through those four verses suggests intentional artistry rather than random borrowing and affirms the literary sophistication of the Book of Mormon. This article adds to the substantial body of work demonstrating that Book of Mormon authors possessed a sophisticated command of Hebrew literary conventions. The post Progressing through Gradations of Holiness in the Temple: 2 Nephi 4:32–35 as a Hymn Inspired by Ritual first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the August 20, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson interviews the President of The Interpreter Foundation, Dan Peterson, about volumes 7 & 8 of the Interpreter Journal, the Interpreter birthday and its accomplishments in the past year, including information about the Becoming Brigham video series. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — August 20, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

How did the early revelation to Emma Smith and the organization of the Relief Society challenge the 19th-century cultural expectation of male leadership? What does Brigham Young's journal language about his wife being “admitted to the priesthood,” combined with his lifelong focus on temple ordinances, reveal about how he understood women's spiritual authority? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 30: Shared Burden, Shared Strength first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

How did living in a household full of wives and daughters reshape Brigham Young's understanding of women's capabilities, even while he held traditional views of male roles in society? In what ways did plural marriage paradoxically expand Utah women's legal rights (property ownership, etc.) compared with the rest of the United States? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 29: Inside the Lion's House first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

This episode is number two in a two part series of interviews with Jennifer C. Lane. The first discussed her work on redemption and the life of Abraham, while this episode focuses on exploring the idea of redemption in the Small Plates of Nephi. Dr. Lane in particular connects the teachings about Christ with the Old Testament notion of the kinsman-redeemer. The authors of this part of the Book of Mormon frame redemption in its connection to covenant and the covenant relationship we build with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This episode discusses Dr. Lane's paper “Knowing Our Redeemer: Christ as Kinsman-Redeemer in the Small Plates,” presented as a keynote at the 2026 Small Plates of Nephi Conference held on May 29-30th at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. The post Conversations with Interpreter: Jennifer Lane — Part 2: Jesus as Kinsman–Redeemer in the Small Plates first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

How did the early apostles' expectation that they must personally see the Savior shape their understanding of what it means to be a “special witness”? Why did the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society trigger such widespread doubt and apostasy, and how did Brigham Young's response to the crisis reveal the difference between intellectual belief and deep spiritual conviction? What does recent research reveal about the private, softer side of Brigham Young that is often missing from his public image as a fiery frontier leader? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 28: To See God Face to Face first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Review of Kyle Beshears, 40 Questions About Mormonism (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2026). 352 pages; $26.99 (paperback). The post 40 Questions on Latter-day Saint Religion: Sincere, Frequently Respectful, Too Often Polemical first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the July 30, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson interviews John Gee about his recent Interpreter book review about theology and Biblical studies. They review the original history of theology from the Greek philosophers and its impact on biblical studies and biblical religions. The author of the reviewed works proposes a methodology for studying the Bible; which, when strictly followed, demonstrates weaknesses in the application of theology to biblical studies and those who follow it. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — July 30, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

How did a failed military-style relief mission like Zion's Camp become one of the most important spiritual training experiences in early Church history? What does Brigham Young's witty courtroom defense during a lawsuit against Joseph Smith reveal about his character and his emerging role as a defender of the young prophet? How did the intense shared hardships of Zion's Camp influence the selection and preparation of the original Twelve Apostles—and what parallels (and/or differences) exist with apostolic callings today? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 27: Zion's Classroom — Apostles in the Making first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

This is the first of a two-part discussion with Dr. Jennifer Lane, professor emerita from Brigham Young University-Hawaii on two recent studies about redemption in the scriptures. Over her career, Dr. Lane has worked extensively on the presentation of redemption in the scriptures and this discussion is another entry into that impressive body of work. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Lane speaks about the role that redemption and God's performance of hesed is illustrated in the life of Abraham and his family. The paper under discussion in this episode was given at an Interpreter conference on Abraham in the scriptures and history. The episode explores the how and why of Abraham's redemption and what that can mean for Latter-day Saints today. The post Conversations with Interpreter: Jennifer Lane — Part 1: Hesed and the Redemption of Abraham first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Review of Jeff Strong, Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them (Midway, UT: Coolstream Publishing, 2026). 300 pages. $21.95 (paperback). Abstract: Torn provides a mountain of new data on disaffiliation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, based on the author's deeply personal research efforts. Those efforts allow him to present insights into how and why people report exiting the faith, and how loved ones can stay connected with those who turn away. But the picture he paints of disaffiliation trends and Church culture suffers from an overreliance on shaky data. His excellent pastoral prescriptions will be of value to faithful Saints, but those looking for a clear-eyed view of disaffiliation may need to turn elsewhere. The post Probing Our Culture with Problematic Data first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Review of Ben Witherington III, Rethinking Biblical & Systematic Theology (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2026), 232 pages, $39.00 hardback; and Ben Witherington III, The Problem with Evangelical Theology: Testing the Exegetical Foundations of Calvinism, Dispensationalism and Wesleyanism (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2005), 332 pages, $52.24 hardback. The post Theology as Pretext first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

How did Brigham Young's leadership during the Missouri exodus demonstrate both practical organization and deep compassion? What does the kindness shown by the citizens of Quincy reveal about human goodness in times of crisis, and how did it impact the Saints' faith? How did the experiences of the Saints fleeing Missouri shape the identity and resilience of the early Church? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 26: Interpreter's Witnesses — Behind the Scenes first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Alma 16 is an easily overlooked chapter in the Book of Mormon. It could be dismissed as a simple summary and “tidying up” of the narrative. It comes after two of the most dramatic scenes in the Book of Mormon, wherein women and children are burned to death in Ammonihah and Alma and Amulek are miraculously delivered from prison. It also directly precedes the account of the sons of Mosiah journeying to Lamanite lands to preach the gospel. However—as is the case with other chapters in the book of Alma that serve to summarize and conclude large sections of the text—Alma 16 is carefully developed, highly structured, and beautifully written. In this article, I will analyze the literary structure of Alma 16, which is composed of two major literary units. Both units are structured as chiasms in which the matching units share many strong links and parallels. These two chiasms also work together to engage the reader with striking parallels and dramatic contrasts. Alma 16, being the concluding chapter of Alma's missionary efforts among the Nephites, reveals a particular splendor and distinction. The two main chiastic structures help with the exegesis of these verses by highlighting significant yet potentially underappreciated features. The post The Literary Structure of Alma 16 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the July 16, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson discusses the Psalms, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and their application to the ancient temple with David Larsen. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — July 16, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

How did Brigham Young's leadership during the Missouri exodus demonstrate both practical organization and deep compassion? What does the kindness shown by the citizens of Quincy reveal about human goodness in times of crisis, and how did it impact the Saints' faith? How did the experiences of the Saints fleeing Missouri shape the identity and resilience of the early Church? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 25: The Kindness of Quincy first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In this episode of Conversations with Interpreter, Avram and Thora interview Dr. Ryan Davis. Dr. Davis is a specialist in ancient Semitic poetry, studying how poetry expresses the relationship between worshipers and their gods, including the God of Israel. This episode looks at his piece, “Bearing Testimony in Hebrew: A Comparison of Ancient Israelite Temple Rituals with Modern Latter-day Saint Fast and Testimony Meetings,” first given at the Temple on Mt. Zion Conference in November 2018. In this episode, Dr. Davis talks about how the Psalms give us clues into the experiences of Israelites giving thanks at the ancient Temple. He then explores how those experiences helped establish the relationship between them and the God of Israel. Dr. Davis connects this process to that of modern Latter-day Saints who give thanks in their own Fast and Testimony meetings, creating continuity between the ancient and modern experience with God. The article is available to read at https://interpreterfoundation.org/reprint-bearing-testimony-in-hebrew The post Conversations with Interpreter: Ryan Davis — Bearing Testimony in Hebrew first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

How did Brigham Young's leadership during the Saints' flight from Missouri reveal his character and prepare him for his later role as Church president? What does the kindness shown by the people of Quincy teach us about compassion in times of crisis, and how does it contrast with the persecution the Saints faced? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 24: Leave No Poor Behind first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: The significance of the Beatitudes, particularly their relationship to the remainder of the Sermon on the Mount, has long been debated. The Sermon has been shown to possess close similarities to certain instructions delivered in the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Participation in temple ordinances is regulated by a series of sixteen questions regarding beliefs and behavior that are known as the Temple Recommend Interview Questions. Fourteen of these questions are asked of an individual desirous of initial entrance into the temple and participation in specific ordinances therein. The topics of these questions appear to correlate closely with the topics the Lord introduced in the Beatitudes as recorded in the New Testament and particularly in 3 Nephi 12. The two questions omitted in the initial interview, but asked of returning applicants, pertain to the keeping of temple covenants previously entered. Keeping covenants is also discussed in the Sermon but not in the form of a beatitude. Evidence shows that, through the Beatitudes, the Lord gave a preview of the qualifications needed by an individual for initial admission to the temple and participation in temple covenants; those same qualifications exist today. A clear association exists between the Beatitudes and the Sermon that follows. The post Entry to the Temple Is through the Principles of the Beatitudes first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the July 2, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson discusses the physicality of the small plates in the Book of Mormon with John Gee from his presentation at the recent Small Plates of Nephi conference along with a paper from that conference on the unity of Isaiah. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — July 2, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

How did Joseph Smith's experience in Liberty Jail transform him spiritually, and why do many historians call it both a prison and a temple? What specific leadership skills and experiences did Brigham Young gain while Joseph was in Liberty Jail that prepared him to lead the Church after the Prophet's death? Why is it significant that Brigham Young was already exercising authority to ordain Apostles and direct the Saints' exodus before Joseph's martyrdom—and what does that reveal about the foundation of Church leadership today? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 23: Liberty—Jail or Temple? first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In this episode of Conversations with Interpreter, Avram and Thora interview David Calabro about his intriguing article where he argues that there is an underlying Christian ritual context for the Book of Moses. This article, entitled “An Early Christian Context for the Book of Abraham,” was published in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. Drawing on a variety of ancient Christian baptismal texts, Dr. Calabro argues that there is a distinctive ritual progression visible in the Book of Moses that gives that a distinctive structure and context to the materials in Moses. The interview discusses how Dr. Calabro came to this position, potential difficulties with it, and new evidence for this Christian background that he has discovered since the original publication of the article. The post Conversations with Interpreter: David Calabro — An Early Christian Context for the Book of Moses first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: The Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon, edited by David Hocking and Rod Meldrum, compares Caractors Document glyphs to purported Native American Mi'kmaq glyphs to support the theory that the Book of Mormon took place in the eastern United States. The glyphs used to support the theory are, in fact, taken from the Anthon Transcript document forgery produced by Mark Hofmann. The post Mi'kmaq, Meldrum, May, and Mark first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Doubt is not the opposite of faith but functions as a constructive spiritual gift that often facilitates faith development, protects against dogmatism, and reframes faith as relational fidelity rather than intellectual certainty. Drawing on scriptural theology and developmental perspectives on meaning-making, doubt commonly—though not universally—serves as a catalyst through which belief matures from inherited assumption to reflective commitment and ultimately toward greater openness, complexity, and compassion. Doubt also performs a vital epistemic role by preventing rigid certainty and fostering intellectual humility within religious life. By reconceptualizing faith as sustained trust and commitment in the presence of uncertainty, doubt distinguishes itself from nihilism. The true erosion of faith occurs not through questioning but through the loss of meaning itself. Ultimately, doubt, when properly understood, does not weaken discipleship but frequently deepens and refines it, enabling believers to engage faith with greater resilience, relational depth, and moral maturity. The post The Opposite of Faith Is not Doubt: The Spiritual Gift of Doubt first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the June 25, 2026, episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Martin Tanner discusses the Constitution Hanging by a Thread and How it Could be Restored. The audio track is also included in our podcast feed (

How did God dramatically protect Zion's Camp from a violent mob? Why did the Lord call Zion's Camp a success even though they didn't redeem Zion or fight any battles? How did the hardships of Zion's Camp transform Brigham Young and prepare him to lead the Saints westward? This episode concludes the story of Zion's Camp, the 2,000-mile journey undertaken by Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, and roughly 200 others to aid the persecuted Saints in Missouri. Upon arrival, the group faced disappointment when Governor Dunklin refused to help restore their lands. As tensions rose and mobs threatened to attack, a sudden, violent storm with hail and flooding miraculously protected the camp. Despite the hardships and apparent failure to redeem Zion, the Lord revealed in Doctrine and Covenants Section 105 that their sacrifices were accepted. The episode explores the deeper spiritual purpose of the journey: it served as a refining experience and training ground for future Church leadership. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 22: Out of the Storm first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Why did ordinary men like Brigham Young leave everything behind to walk over 1,000 miles under brutal conditions to help the Saints in Missouri? How did Joseph Smith demonstrate remarkable leadership and patience while leading a group of exhausted, complaining men on Zion's Camp? What can we learn from the extreme sacrifices of the early Saints—and the women left behind—when facing trials that don't turn out as expected? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 21: Zion's Camp — Rescue or Ruin? first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In this episode of Conversations with Interpreter, Avram and Thora interview one another, discussing their education and research interests. They also talk about their most recent project together, a paper presented at “For a Wise Purpose in Him” The 2026 Small Plates of Nephi Conference In Honor of President Jeffrey R. Holland. This paper looks at evidence that there was a gradual loss of knowledge of the full name and mission of Jesus Christ between Jacob and King Benjamin, because Benjamin receives this information from an angel. The post Conversations with Interpreter: Avram and Thora Shannon — The Loss of Jesus in the Small Plates of Nephi first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: The Book of Mormon presents a wealth of important information related to how we should understand our lives and relationship with God. Frustratingly, it leaves unwritten a large body of information that we would like to know. This note tries to read between the lines to suggest the reason Nephihah became chief judge after Alma2 abdicated that position. The post A Proposed Kinship between Alma2 and Nephihah first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the June 11, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson continues his survey of Interpreter Journal volumes with a brief review of Volume 6 from 2013. He is then joined by guest Tom Grover, an attorney from Las Vegas who discussed his presentation at the current Mormon History Association conference titled “Las Vegas Estate Litigation over Howard Hughes's ‘Mormon Will': Litigation, image & Institutional Restraint.” The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — June 11, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Welcome. I'm Daniel Peterson, president of the Interpreter Foundation and executive producer of the Becoming Brigham series. If you're not yet familiar with this series, you can find it on this website at https://interpreterfoundation.org/study/series/category/becoming-brigham, at the Becoming Brigham channel on YouTube, or at BecomingBrigham.com. Join us as we visit with experts and scholars regarding the […] The post Becoming Brigham Interviews: Sam Weston first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

What does it reveal about Joseph Smith that even he sometimes didn't get immediate answers from God during moments of crisis? How can the experiences of the Missouri persecutions help us better understand and empathize with refugees and displaced people in our world today? The post Becoming Brigham Episode 20: Peace or Violence? Part Two first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Members of the 1834 Zion's Camp expedition inspected a large mound along the Illinois River where a skeleton was uncovered and Joseph Smith had a revelatory experience identifying the individual as Zelph. Recent archeological excavations place the revelation in a chronological and ancient cultural context that now allows additional verification and interpretation of this revelatory event. In addition, with this new information, it is possible to determine whether the individual and location can be interpreted as being a part of the Book of Mormon culture and geography. The post A Scientific Evaluation of the Zelph Revelation first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the June 4, 2026, episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Martin Tanner discusses Becoming Brigham, Interpreter's web video series debunking misconceptions and misunderstandings about Brigham Young. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — June 4, 2026: Brigham Young first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Why does Brigham Young's complicated legacy—full of both remarkable achievements and difficult decisions—still inspire deep reflection and admiration 225 years later? In this special birthday episode of the documentary series, hosts Camrey Fox, John Wilson, and Professor Daniel Peterson gather at Brigham Young's winter home in St. George, Utah, to celebrate his 225th birthday. The hosts highlight his profound devotion to building of the Kingdom of God, particularly through temple construction. They share stories that show the human Brigham: his temper and self-control as a father, his hands-on leadership style, his care for individual Saints, and his unexpected support for the arts and theater. This episode paints a nuanced portrait of Brigham Young—not as an infallible icon or harsh autocrat, but as a dedicated, practical, and very human figure whose legacy continues to shape the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 225 years after his birth. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 19: Another Birthday! Celebrating a 225 Year Legacy first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: This study reinterprets the political and military upheavals of the book of Alma through the lens of dynastic competition among Nephite, Mulekite, and Jaredite lineages. It builds on the work of Hugh Nibley, John Sorenson, Noel Reynolds, and more recently, Val Larsen and Lyle Hamblin, among others. Their research suggests that hereditary legitimacy and rival bloodlines shaped later Nephite history as deeply as did religious conviction or moral struggle. The merger of the Nephite and Mulekite peoples appears to have produced a fragile political order that fractured when traditional royal authority was replaced by the reign of judges. Alma2's abdication, the apparent weakness of Nephihah and Pahoran as executives, and the appointment of Captain Moroni are examined as deliberate efforts to stabilize a government suffering from dynastic instability. Tracing the intersection of lineage, legitimacy, and divine favor illuminates how the Book of Mormon frames its wars not merely as moral conflicts but as struggles to preserve righteous authority amid inherited divisions. The post Dynastic Dynamics: Competing Bloodlines and Political Legitimacy in the Book of Mormon first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the May 28, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson continues his survey of Interpreter Journal volumes with a brief review of Volume 5 from 2013. He's then joined by guest Kevin Christensen to discuss Joshua and the Deuteronomistic History, which will be covered in Come Follow Me until mid-July. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — May 28, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Our hosts examine the tension between the Latter-day Saint commitment to peace and the violent realities of early American history. The discussion turns to Zion's Camp, the 1834 expedition to Missouri that Brigham Young went through as a formative spiritual experience under the guidance of Joseph Smith. Though often viewed as a military failure, the discussion turns to how Joseph Smith deliberately chose a peaceful resolution over armed conflict after receiving a revelation that the camp should return home rather than fight. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 18: Peace or Violence? first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: This article proposes that priesthood keys are of two general categories: 1) keys of authority and 2) keys of knowledge. The keys of authority are the type most often discussed in meetings and classrooms, and thus, are relatively familiar. However, keys of knowledge, though an extension of the keys of authority, may be less familiar. The word key in this second case is used in a broad sense, including the keys of both knowledge and intelligence, which are richly featured in the revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants, as well as in the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. After some preliminaries, I examine the keys of authority and the keys of knowledge. Then, I demonstrate that keys of knowledge can also be of two sorts: 1) formally revealed scriptural keys of knowledge and 2) informally revealed non-scriptural keys of knowledge. The paper finishes with a related discussion of the special keys of authority and power (if not also knowledge) that Jesus Christ holds over death, hell, and final judgment. The post Joseph Smith and the Twin Priesthood Keys of Authority and Knowledge first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the May 21, 2026,episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Martin Tanner reviews “Seers and Stones: The Translation of the Book of Mormon as Divine Visions of an Old-Time Seer” by Stan Spencer in Volume 24 of Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — May 21, 2026: Seers and Stones: The Translation of the Book of Mormon as Divine Visions of an Old-Time Seer first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Our hosts examine the tension between the Latter-day Saint commitment to peace and the violent realities of early American history. The discussion turns to Zion's Camp, the 1834 expedition to Missouri that Brigham Young went through as a formative spiritual experience under the guidance of Joseph Smith. Though often viewed as a military failure, the discussion turns to how Joseph Smith deliberately chose a peaceful resolution over armed conflict after receiving a revelation that the camp should return home rather than fight. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 17: A People of Peace? first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Holy stands come in all shapes and sizes. We need to be careful that we don't unknowingly fashion a Rameumptom that blinds us to the ways in which God works with imperfect people of all eras. The post Atop the Rameumptom first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.