Gospel Tangents Podcast

David Hocking has put together several Annotated Scriptures. We'll discuss his latest book, which is sort of an Annotated Doctrine & Covenants. It is called "The Revelations of Joseph Smith." We'll also discuss his previous books, and dive into revelations on the coming forth of the Book of Mormon & the Church of Christ. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/JjvC2RZtJrM Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission David Hocking, described as a "scripture publisher" and editor, who is known for reformatting traditional scriptural texts to help readers engage with them more smoothly. By taking the existing text and applying specific elements and styles, Hocking aims to guide the reader and provide additional context and research. His books are often described as a "studied" version of the scripture. Hocking's process involves doing research on words or phrases that appeal to him, highlighting them in a gold color, and then providing additional information in a golden shaded box at the bottom of the page. His journey in scripture publishing began in the '90s when he started reformatting the Book of Mormon for his own use. This eventually led to the Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon, which incorporated research, including information from the Heartland perspective. This book has been quite successful, with close to 40,000 copies sold and is available through Deseret Book. Following the Book of Mormon, Hocking worked on the Book of Jasher. He clarified that "Jasher" is a title, "Sephur Hayasher," meaning "the book of the upright," and the proper spelling should be Yashar. Interestingly, he notes that there are excerpts of the Book of Jasher in the Book of Mormon, brought over on the plates of brass. This led to a brief discussion on the language of the Book of Mormon, suggesting that Nephi likely learned Demotic Egyptian, a condensed, script-like form, in addition to Hebrew, and that "reformed Egyptian" might refer to a reformed Demotic Egyptian. He also touched on the difference between the Anthon Transcript (described by Martin Harris) and the Caracters Document in John Whitmer's handwriting (which the Church has recently acquired). He noted that handwriting analysis, specifically looking at the cursive "D" with a flourish common in German script, can help identify scribes like John Whitmer in early documents, including sections of the Book of Mormon original manuscript and the Revelation books. He also offered a perspective on the two sets of witnesses (three spiritual, eight physical) and the possibility they saw different sets of plates (the plates in the stone box vs. plates in a repository, potentially the small plates used to replace the lost Book of Lehi pages)10. Other books Hocking has edited include the Book of Isaiah, undertaken as part of the "11th commandment" to diligently search Isaiah. He sent a copy to Dr. Avraham Gileadi, a prominent LDS Isaiah scholar, who liked it. (Incidentally, the host mentioned NT Wright would be speaking on Isaiah in Houston, Texas). Hocking also worked on the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the New Testament. For this, he put Joseph Smith's contributions in brackets, using the 1867 first edition text. He mentioned that the Church itself is likely to release a fully done version of the JST in the coming years. He has a new version of his JST New Testament coming out soon as a red-letter edition. He noted that while red-letter Bibles (where the words of Christ are in red) are common elsewhere, they are less familiar in Utah. Another critical project was the Book of Enoch, which he believes explains why Enoch is an important figure and why the Lord referred to him in Moses 6 & 7 and D&C 107. He suggests that Joseph Smith himself became a modern-day Enoch, teaching and building a city of righteousness/Zion. Hocking's latest book,

History was made Sunday night in Independence, Missouri. The Community of Christ gathered for the election and ordination of the 1st female prophet president in Community of Christ. It was a a momentous occasion. The focus of the event was Stassi Cramm, who was anticipated to take on this significant leadership role, following Steven Veazey's retirement. She will be the 1st female prophet-president of Community of Christ, and just the 2nd female leader of a Restoration Church since Pauline Hancock. https://youtu.be/PFtd6ysXpNs Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission I was surprised that they formally dissolved the First Presidency, before the nomination process moved forward. (That seemed like an LDS thing to do to counter Sidney Rigdon's claim to the presidency.) Following that procedure, the conference was turned over to the president of the Council of Twelve, Mareva Arnaud Tchong (a French-speaking Tahitian woman) who led the conference through the succession process. In one of the Saturday sessions, Stassi Cramm formally accepted her nomination. Leading up to the vote, which was scheduled for 2:00 PM Central time, discussions were held in quorum caucus meetings. While it was acknowledged that there might be some opposition or abstentions, there was strong anticipation of support for Stassi Cramm, with reports of full support from the evangelists quorum and no opposition reported in the high priests quorum, though some abstentions occurred. It was speculated that the vote could be a slam dunk, indicating overwhelming support. I would estimate that 95+% of the delegates voted in favor of Stassi's ordination. There were a few who voted in opposition. 1st Female Prophet-President The anticipation culminated in the official proceedings. On June 1st, 2025, Stassi Cramm was officially sustained during the 2 pm session, and ordained prophet president of the Community of Christ during a 7 pm session. This moment was described as an “amazing service” that was “spirit-filled.” This ordination marks a truly historic milestone for the Community of Christ, as Stassi Cramm becomes the first female prophet president for the church. It should be noted that Stassi is not the first female to lead a restoration group. Pauline Hancock is noted as the first female leader in the restoration movement. Stassi Cramm holds this specific title for the Community of Christ. Following the ordination, a rousing anthem was sung by the congregation, “A Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning,” with special emphasis of “We'll sing, and we'll SHOUT with the armies of heaven.” It was quite a moment. The theme of the week was is “to have hope,” and Stassi Cramm's leadership is seen as potentially sparking that hope further, encouraging members not to give up on the church or its doctrines. Stassi comes in at a tough financial time in the church, which sold off the Kirtland Temple and significant Nauvoo properties. She will have a tough time righting the financial ship as tithe payers age and younger members haven't been stepping up to support the church. The conference will continue through the rest of the week as delegates vote 6 new apostles (to replace retiring or apostles moving onto other callings) and several resolutions dealing with copyrighted works, the Holy Land, stewardship of church properties, reviewing bylaws, climate emergency, confiscation of monies in AIP accounts, sale of church properties, bicentennial D&C/Book of Mormon, and reducing gun violence. Delegates will vote to amend, affirm or oppose these resolutions this coming week. At any rate, the week started off with a celebration of Stassi Cramm's ordination as new prophet president. What are your thoughts on the news? Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Joseph Fielding Smith is the architect of controversial LDS orthodoxy. He has some controversial writings about Blacks and Ezra Taft Benson. We'll also delve into his role with Lowell Bennion, a BYU professor who was fired. Was JFS responsible or was it someone else? Matthew Bowman answers. We'll also dive into his role in shaping orthodoxy in the 20th century. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/toqjRr1B8Eo Joseph Fielding Smith: Architect of Controversial LDS Orthodoxy Joseph Fielding Smith described as a "lightning rod" due to some views considered politically incorrect today, particularly regarding race. Dr. Matt Bowman, author of "Joseph Fielding Smith, a Mormon Theologian," sheds light on Smith's impact on the church. One of the most uncomfortable aspects of Smith's legacy is his writings about Black individuals, especially concerning the priesthood. In his work, The Way to Perfection, Smith explicitly stated his subscription to the theory that people of African descent were less righteous in the pre-existence. He used language suggesting they were "not entitled to be born white." Smith was a staunch "defender of the racial restrictions" in the Church and became a major exponent of the idea, which the source traces back to Orson Hyde, that Black people possessed souls less righteous in the pre-existence. This stance led to prominent public clashes, notably with church educator Lowell Bennion at a symposium in the early 1950s. Their argument over the ban contributed to Bennion's eventual dismissal by Ernest Wilkinson, who was president of BYU and commissioner of church education. Wilkinson viewed Bennion as too liberal on race and saw Smith as an ally in this regard. While Wilkinson was the person who carried out the dismissal, the collision with Fielding Smith helped instigate the decision. Disagreement with Benson Smith also had complex relationships, even with those seen as ideologically sympathetic. Despite being viewed as a fellow conservative, Smith had significant disagreements with Ezra Taft Benson. A letter from Smith exists in which he hoped Benson's "blood will be purified" upon his return from a mission in Europe in the 1960s. Smith was skeptical of the Church becoming heavily involved in American politics, viewing Benson's fascination with politics as distasteful and inappropriate for an apostle. He considered it "unseemly" and "disreputable." Smith also saw Benson as a conspiracy theorist, distinguishing standard conservative politics (like that of Dwight Eisenhower or David McKay) from conspiracy theory. Smith hoped Benson's time away would rid him of these inclinations, allowing him to return as an apostle rather than an aspiring amateur politician. This highlights that "real deep divides" can exist even within the conservative camp. Controversial LDS Orthodoxy Perhaps Smith's most enduring theological contribution was his role in developing the idea of orthodoxy within the Latter-day Saint tradition. Orthodoxy, an older Protestant concept particularly associated with John Calvin, posits that being a faithful member requires believing certain things and that incorrect beliefs can jeopardize salvation. This was not a central idea in the early Christian Church's first century. Smith, possibly influenced by Protestant fundamentalism, began insisting in the mid-20th century that belief is actually really important and that believing "the correct ideas" were crucial because incorrect beliefs could "ruin your salvation." He defended this notion vigorously. Historically, while early Christianity saw debates over ideas like the Trinity, and Roman Catholicism emphasized sacraments and art for teaching, the strong push for average members to understand and adhere to correct doctrine emerged from the Reformed Protestant tradition. Smith's emphasis on orthodoxy gained significant traction in the church. When he became President, many members of the Quorum of the Twelve were individuals he ...

Joseph Fielding Smith, a towering figure in the 20th-century Latter-day Saint landscape, is often remembered as a theologian and Church leader. But his long tenure as Church Historian also positioned him as a key interpreter of Mormon history, an area where his approach offers a fascinating case study in the relationship between faith, perspective, and the writing of the past. Our recent discussion drawing from the sources explored this complex legacy, highlighting Smith's contributions alongside critical insights into the nature of historical objectivity and bias. https://youtu.be/EyAoFsz9mn0 Church Historian When Joseph Fielding Smith became Church Historian, he faced the significant challenge of organizing sprawling, uncatalogued collections. He initiated processes that professionalized the church archives, particularly after World War II, by creating finding aids, dividing materials into collections, making lists, and microfilming documents. However, from the perspective of a professional academic historian, Smith's method of engaging with historical sources differed markedly. He treated certain documents, like the Bible and those produced by figures he considered revelators such as Joseph Smith Jr. and Joseph F. Smith, as entirely reliable and didn't subject them to critical interrogation. This lack of "suspicion of sources"—the practice of asking who wrote a document, when, and what biases they might have—is highlighted as a key distinction between Smith and professional academics. His influential book, Essentials in Church History, exemplifies this approach, treating "official LDS sources" uncritically, yet it became a foundational text shaping LDS understanding of their history for decades. This brings us to a core concept in academic historical study: the non-existence of "objective history." Writing academic history itself is considered a bias. The aim for professional historians is not to eliminate bias, which is seen as impossible, but rather to be acutely aware of bias—both in the sources they use and in their own perspectives—and to account for it in their work. This requires adhering to methods and principles developed over generations of scholarship. Mature scholarship involves being frank about one's own point of view and how it might influence interpretations. Trying to pretend one is objective is seen as a mistake. Richard Bushman is presented as an example of a scholar who openly discusses his background and how it might shape his work. RLDS Polygamy Skeptics The sources also reveal how bias can influence not just conclusions, but the very questions a historian thinks to ask—or doesn't ask. While "motivated reasoning" (steering sources to a predetermined conclusion) exists, it might be less common than bias manifesting in the kinds of questions that arise from a historian's background and positionality. The discussion used the example of Richard and Pamela Price's hypothesis regarding the influence of Cochranites on the Quorum of the Twelve and the practice of polygamy. While the Prices found evidence of contact between the groups, they reportedly don't account for the significant chronological gap between this contact and the public announcement of polygamy. This failure to ask about or explain this gap is suggested as stemming from their predisposition to believe the Quorum of the Twelve were the originators of polygamy. Most Influential Writer Joseph Fielding Smith was a prolific writer. Beyond Essentials in Church History, other notable works include The Way to Perfection, a narrative history of humanity from pre-existence to afterlife, where he explicitly stated his views on race. He also authored Man His Origin and Destiny (1954), which he considered his most important book, responding to higher criticism of the Bible and the theory of evolution. Perhaps his most widely read work during his lifetime was his "My Question" column in the Improvement Era church magazine,

Joseph Fielding Smith: evolution was not something he thought highly of. The son of Joseph F. Smith and grandson of Hyrum Smith, was a prominent figure in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As an apostle from 1910 and later Church President, he became known for his strong defense of traditional doctrines, often clashing with those who sought to reconcile faith with modern scientific and academic thought. https://youtu.be/8Kq1TVQBQtE Don't miss our other conversations about this book! https://gospeltangents.com/lds_people_historical/joseph-fielding-smith/ Joseph Fielding Smith Evolution One of the most famous conflicts involved the theory of evolution and the age of the Earth. Smith staunchly opposed the idea of an old earth, particularly the notion of human-like creatures or pre-Adamites living before Adam and Eve. His core objection wasn't simply to evolution itself, but to the idea that there could have been death before the Fall of Adam and Eve. Smith believed that death entered the world because of the Fall, and if death existed before then, it would undermine the necessity and efficacy of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This principle of no death before the Fall was central to his arguments. This perspective led to direct clashes with contemporaries like James E. Talmage and John A. Widtsoe, who were generally more open to scientific ideas. The most notable dispute involved B.H. Roberts's book manuscript, The Truth, The Way, The Life, which attempted to reconcile a very old Earth and the possibility of pre-Adamites with the Genesis account. Roberts proposed that Adam and Eve were the first humans with souls, not necessarily the first biological humans. As a member of the church's publications committee, Smith absolutely rejected Roberts's ideas, protesting their publication to the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency. While this conflict brewed behind the scenes, Smith publicly denounced the idea of an old Earth and pre-Adamites in a speech. In response, Talmage gave a talk endorsing the possibility of an older Earth, highlighting some public disagreement among church leaders. Ultimately, the First Presidency chose not to endorse either side and requested both men cease public conflict on the issue, preventing Roberts's book from being published at that time. Smith, however, outlived many of his contemporaries and later published his own book, Man His Origin and Destiny, which strongly attacked Darwinism and the higher criticism of the Bible. Family Trauma Smith's career as a defender of traditional beliefs was significantly shaped by his upbringing and early experiences. His father, Joseph F. Smith, was called to testify before Congress during the Reed Smoot hearings. During these hearings, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS), led by descendants of Joseph Smith Jr., saw an opportunity. Richard Evans, an RLDS apostle, issued broadsides accusing the LDS Church of corruption, denouncing Brigham Young for originating polygamy and blood atonement, and claiming the RLDS Church was the true successor to Joseph Smith. This became a "family feud.” Joseph F. Smith was infuriated and asked his son, Joseph Fielding Smith, to refute Richard Evans. This charge launched Joseph Fielding Smith into a career of research and writing, focusing on apologetics – the defense of religious beliefs. He published pamphlets refuting Evans, arguing that polygamy originated with Joseph Smith Jr., not Brigham Young. This pamphlet feud led to exchanges in newspaper op-ed pages and solidified Smith's path. He began working in the Church Historian's office during this time and soon became Church Historian, serving for decades until he became Church President in 1970. Fight with Academics His long tenure as Church Historian meant he had significant influence. Unlike contemporaries like Talmage, Widtsoe, Joseph Merrill, Adam Bennion, and B.H.

Dr. Matthew Bowman has just released a new biography on Joseph Fielding Smith. Bowman is the Howard W. Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California. The Mormon Studies chair Bowman holds at Claremont Graduate University is the oldest in the country, having been established over 15 years ago. Bowman is the third person to hold the chair, following Richard Bushman and Patrick Mason. Patrick Mason left Claremont to take the chair at Utah State University. https://youtu.be/6VrK15TQVcY Don't miss our other episodes with Dr Matthew Bowman! https://gospeltangents.com/people/matthew-bowman/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. Mormon Studies Other Mormon studies chairs exist at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley (held by Deidre J Green), and the University of Virginia. Although not directly affiliated with Claremont, the late Jan Shipps is credited with making the study of the Mormon tradition a legitimate academic pursuit for those outside the tradition, enabling universities like Claremont without historical ties to Mormonism to establish such a chair. Before the endowed chair, Anne Taves, a professor interested in Mormonism, taught American religious history at CGU, and Armand Mauss was involved in fundraising and occasionally taught classes. Introductions to Mormon Thought Bowman is also involved in the "Introductions to Mormon Thought" book series, which he co-edits with Joseph Spencer. Published by the University of Illinois, the series aims to stimulate the growth of Mormon intellectual history through accessible introductory volumes on important Mormon thinkers. The series broadly defines "Mormon thinkers" to include artists like CCA Christensen and Minerva Teichert, alongside more traditional intellectuals. The books are intended to be short, accessible, and explore how these individuals influenced how members of the Mormon tradition understood themselves. The series uses the term "Mormon" intentionally broadly to encompass all denominations and movements originating from Joseph Smith's work, including fundamentalist Mormons and figures from the Community of Christ. While initially planned for 10-15 books, the series is doing well and is expected to continue. Other volumes in the series cover figures such as Eugene England (by Christine Hagund), Vardis Fisher (by Mike Austin), Sonia Johnson (by Chris Talbot), Lowell Bennion (by George Handley), Hugh Nibley (by Joseph Spencer), and Richard Bushman (by JB Haws). A future volume is planned on Eliza R. Snow (by Deidre Green), and Bowman hopes for one on Sheri Dew. Joseph Fielding Smith Bowman chose to write his book in the series about Joseph Fielding Smith, though his initial interest was in Bruce R. McConkie. He agreed to write about Smith instead to secure another author's participation in the series. Bowman views Joseph Fielding Smith as Bruce R. McConkie's intellectual parent and considers him the most significant LDS theologian of the 20th century, leaving a deeper and more persistent mark than others like James E. Talmage. While McConkie was influential, Bowman sees him more as a systematizer of his father-in-law's ideas rather than being an original. Other significant 20th/21st-century Mormon thinkers mentioned include B.H. Roberts, Margarita Bautista, Sheri Dew, and Leverne Parmley.. A significant fact about Joseph Fielding Smith is that he was the grandson of Hyrum Smith and the son of Joseph F. Smith. Bowman emphasizes that being a "Smith" was incredibly important to Fielding Smith, shaping his sense of duty and responsibility to continue his family's work. His memories of his father and uncle's violent deaths and his father's need to hide from federal marshals profoundly influenced him, fostering a sense of defensiveness and a perception that the world was hostile and persecuted the family f...

In our final conversation with Dr Margaret Toscano, we'll discuss the chapter in Sara Patterson's book, "The Sept 6 & the Struggle for the Soul of Mormonism." Margaret will discuss her and her husband Paul's reaction to Sara's descriptions of them in the book. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/LqxYh6QHY3E Don't miss our other conversations about the Sept Six: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/sept-six/ Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Beyond the Sept 6 More than two decades after the events known as the "Sept 6," Margaret Toscano offers a candid look back, reflecting on the pain of excommunication, the evolution of her personal beliefs, and how she and her husband, Paul Toscano, hope to be remembered beyond that defining moment. Margaret highlights what she feels Patterson's book misses about her and others' journeys since 2003. Toscano reveals that her 2003 interview, featured in the book, captured a time of significant pain. Being kicked out of one's church, even for someone who might not be a "Believer," is deeply painful, particularly when it's tied to one's heritage and family, a sentiment she notes is also true for others like David Wright. She is proud of her ability to navigate that pain and notes the documentation of it in the book is important. Contrary to advice she received to simply "walk away" from Mormonism to heal, Toscano felt compelled to stay engaged. She identifies as Mormon, distinguishing this from being LDS (a member of the LDS Church), and views it as her ethnicity and heritage. This identity is crucial to her, and she has continued to write, research, and discuss Mormon issues, currently working on a book about Heavenly Mother.. Over the past twenty years, Toscano's spiritual journey has evolved. While not a "true believing Mormon," she has reached a point where she can openly say she is a Believer on some level, a stance she felt ashamed of years ago. Her ideas of God are complex and not aligned with traditional Mormon views, but she believes in God, an afterlife, and the soul. She describes herself as a "skeptic believer," a person who doubts everything but has also had experiences that affirm her faith. Crucially, she feels able to claim her spirituality openly, something she couldn't do as easily two decades prior. She asserts that being a scholar and an intellectual is compatible with having faith. A major point of reflection for Toscano is the legacy she and Paul desire. They explicitly state they do not want the September Six to be the sole definition of who they were. Margaret doesn't want to be remembered "simply as a dissident," nor does Paul want to be remembered simply as one of the Sept 6. Toscano highlights that Paul's faith journey continued significantly after 2007, when the book reportedly leaves him having lost his faith. Paul has since "found his faith again," seeing himself as a Mormon Christian with a deep testimony of Jesus Christ, which informs his interpretation of the Book of Mormon and his extensive writing. Margaret is immensely proud of Paul's intellectual output, which includes some fifteen books—theology, memoir, novels, essays, and more. She wishes for him to be remembered primarily as a "man of Mormon letters," an important Mormon intellectual, and a brilliant writer. As for herself, Toscano hopes to be remembered as an important Mormon scholar and a beloved teacher at the University of Utah, emphasizing her continued work and care for the Mormon community. She underscores the importance of remembering and being remembered, noting her critique that the book overlooks the continued contributions and experiences of many involved in the 1993 events, including her own work and relationships since 2003. Toscano also touches on the changes she's observed in Mormon studies and at the Sunstone conference, where she was a frequent participant for decades..

I asked about Peggy Fletcher Stack's opinion. Central to Peggy's thirty-plus-year career is her unwavering commitment to journalistic ethics and objectivity. https://youtu.be/yFqxStPt0NA Remember, this is a secret episode. Sign up at gospeltangents.com/newsletter to get the link to the secret episode emailed to you. Don't miss our other conversations with Peggy: https://gospeltangents.com/people/peggy-fletcher-stack/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Peggy Fletcher Stack's Opinion She is asked daily about her personal faith but maintains it is "not for public disclosure," stating she is a "person of faith" who respects others but keeps her own private. She firmly believes a credible journalist cannot be an opinion writer. She actively avoids expressing personal opinions on politics or religion in her reporting or on social media. While her choice of stories and sources reveals focus, she strives for neutrality in her own voice. This commitment means she receives criticism from all sides, even noting she gets "more hate mail than our sports reporters." She highlights the challenge that some readers and even sources don't grasp why journalists don't simply adopt a specific viewpoint or give the LDS Church the "last word." She explains her approach to sourcing often prioritizes current "stakeholders" within a faith community for present-day issues, while respecting former members' perspectives on their personal journeys but finding them less ideal sources for current church affairs. Dramatic Transformation in Journalism The conversation also underscores the dramatic transformation in journalism brought by the internet. Contrasting with her early freelance days in Kenya where in-person interviews and library research were essential, online resources now make research significantly easier. However, this ease has contributed to journalism becoming a 24/7 job, with constant demands and potentially less emphasis on crucial in-person reporting. Peggy cautions that younger reporters can sometimes mistake online "buzz" for broad public concern, stressing the importance of understanding what "average believers in the pew" are discussing. Peggy also touched on the dramatic transformation in journalism due to the internet, contrasting her early freelance days in Kenya with the 24/7 nature of reporting today. While online resources make research easier, the constant demand and decreased emphasis on in-person reporting present new challenges. Despite these challenges and the constant criticism, Peggy finds her job exciting, enjoying the process of analyzing and connecting the dots. She has no immediate plans to retire, suggesting the 2034 Olympics as a potential bookend for her career since her first story coincided with Salt Lake's losing the 1998 Olympic bid to Japan. Why Her Faith is Off-Limits Stepping back into the conversation with Peggy Fletcher Stack of the Salt Lake Tribune, the discussion moved beyond her career origins to highlight the core principle for Peggy is journalistic ethics and objectivity. She firmly believes a credible journalist cannot be an opinion writer. She gets asked daily about her own faith but maintains it's not for public disclosure, as her role is to report fairly on all faiths. She consciously avoids expressing her personal opinions on politics or religion in her reporting or on social media. While her choice of stories and sources reveals focus, she strives for neutrality in her own voice. She illustrated the challenge of this by describing how people, including some within the LDS Churc don't always understand why journalists don't simply adopt a specific viewpoint or give one source the "last word." This commitment to reporting on conflict, even when it's sensitive, means she receives criticism from all sides, sometimes even more hate mail than sports reporters. Do you agree with why Peggy Fletcher Stack's opinion is not for public consumption.

We discuss 2 important moments in Peggy Fletcher Stack's career: "We don't apologize," and "What about the women? Peggy Fletcher Stack is the senior religion reporter at the Salt Lake Tribune. The focus of the conversation turns to the persistent challenges within religious coverage and the dramatic evolution of the journalistic landscape itself. For Peggy, certain topics consistently emerge as central "pressure points" or "conflicts." Drawing on Apostle Boyd K. Packer's 1993 speech, she observes that issues surrounding feminists, gays, and intellectuals have dominated her reporting because, as she puts it, journalists cover "planes that crash," not "planes that land on time." https://youtu.be/KmaKAKKtyH4 Don't miss our other conversations with Peggy: https://gospeltangents.com/people/peggy-fletcher-stack/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved LGBTQ+ Issues She highlights the continued intensity of LGBTQ+ issues, noting they remain "very very hot." Her archive reveals nearly 700 articles containing the word "gay," underscoring its consistent prominence. While public protests on issues like ordination might have decreased since events like Kate Kelly's excommunication, Peggy firmly states that gender issues have "absolutely not died down," citing ongoing concerns among younger women and pushes on topics like allowing young women to pass the sacrament or women sitting on the stand. "We Don't Apologize" Moment Peggy Fletcher Stack recalls a meeting with Apostles Todd Christofferson and Dallen H. Oaks around the time the church was announcing a "compromise" on LGBTQ+ issues. She asked them, in the context of trying to promote civil discourse, if the church would ever apologize for the rhetoric of some members on this topic as a way to improve civility. Elder Oaks responded directly, "No. We never apologize." Peggy notes that this response to a specific question was later interpreted by some as being a statement of general church policy, which she clarified was not the case. She also mentions that Elder Oaks repeated a similar sentiment on a video podcast (Trib Talk no longer exists), stating that apology "isn't in the Bible," which caused a "huge flap" and led to people blaming her, the messenger. She said this illustrates how something said can come to be seen as policy. The "What About the Women?" Question Peggy describes a press conference in January or February 2018 with President Russell M. Nelson and Elder Oaks where reporters were limited to one question each. Peggy had prepared a question asking what would be done to increase diversity in leadership, specifically mentioning "women, people of color, and non-Americans." President Nelson's initial response was to focus on his personal connection to Peggy and her family, an "awkward moment" for her. After speaking about non-Americans, and feeling they were finishing their answer without addressing women, Peggy, despite the one-question limit, called out from her seat, "What about women?" President Nelson then spoke about loving women, highlighting his daughters and mothers. Peggy characterized this moment, which occurred on live KSL TV, as a "weird existential moment" balancing the personal and professional. Ironically, she felt it ended up being a "win-win" for her, as critics from different perspectives interpreted the interaction in ways that subtly improved her standing with them. Don't miss our other conversations with Peggy: https://gospeltangents.com/people/peggy-fletcher-stack/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved  

Peggy Fletcher Stack highlights her biggest interviews, significant moments, and enduring themes of her three decades covering religion. Peggy's career at the Salt Lake Tribune has intersected with pivotal historical events and figures. She covered sensitive issues like Catholic abuse and the aftermath of 9/11, immediately being assigned to interview Utah Muslims. She shared a moving story of a young Muslim boy named Osama who faced bullying after 9/11 but later reclaimed his name and faith. https://youtu.be/shlJFq8BV2s Biggest Interviews Covering the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City brought another highlight: interviewing Archbishop Desmond Tutu about forgiveness, an encounter she described as a truly memorable moment despite the initial challenge of getting her story into print. She also had the unique opportunity to spend four days covering the Dalai Lama's visit, with press access to every event. Reporting on leadership transitions within the LDS Church also marked her career. She wrote President Ezra Taft Benson's obituary but never interviewed him as he wasn't publicly visible in his last years. She covered President Howard Hunter's trip to Nauvoo, noting his warmth and the public's desire for physical connection after Benson's absence. The advent of President Gordon B. Hinckley brought a shift; at his first press conference, he stood the entire time and took questions, a departure from past practice. Peggy recalled her own encounter, where President Hinckley showed familiarity with her and her family before she proceeded to ask numerous questions. Notably, she covered President Hinckley's historic 1998 trip to sub-Saharan Africa, the first time an LDS prophet had visited the region. Traveling separately from his group, she managed to secure an interview with him in Zimbabwe, where he famously commented on fighting adulation. This Africa trip stands out as a definitive highlight of her career. Reflecting on her coverage, Peggy connected her most frequent topics to Apostle Boyd K. Packer's 1993 speech identifying feminists, gays, and intellectuals as enemies of the church. She realized these areas – which she terms "pressure points" or "conflicts" – have been the focus of her reporting because journalists cover "planes that crash," not "planes that land on time." This includes covering the September Six excommunications (intellectuals)10, the ongoing evolution of women's issues and gender dynamics (feminism), and the persistently "hot" topic of LGBTQ issues. What about the Women? Peggy also recounted another one of her biggest interviews involving a memorable interaction with President Russell M. Nelson in 2018, where she asked about increasing diversity in church leadership. His initial, somewhat awkward, response focused on knowing her family. He finally answered about international leaders, but he didn't address female leadership, leading her to press him to address the specific question about women: She asked loudly, "What about the women?" She viewed this moment, captured on live TV, as a strange intersection of the personal and professional that ironically benefited her standing with critics from different perspectives. What are your thoughts about Peggy's coverage of the LDS Church specifically? Do you think she is biased one way or the other? Do you listen to Mormon land and/or subscribe to the Salt Lake Tribune? What are some of the biggest interviews we didn't mention? Don't miss our other conversations with Peggy: https://gospeltangents.com/people/peggy-fletcher-stack/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved  

It was fun to sit down with Peggy Fletcher Stack about her time at Sunstone and Mark Hofmann. Peggy Fletcher Stack is a senior religion reporter at the Salt Lake Tribune with over three decades of experience. Peggy, also a co-host of the Tribune's weekly "Mormon Land" podcast, discussed her extensive career, offering insights into her work, her background, and some of the pivotal moments she's covered. The conversation quickly delved into the origins of her career, her time at the Sunstone organization, and even her connection to a notorious historical event. https://youtu.be/jI3Y_aw9mek Don't miss our other conversations with Peggy: https://gospeltangents.com/people/peggy-fletcher-stack/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Peggy's long tenure in religion reporting at the Tribune spans 34 years. Before joining the paper, she was involved with Sunstone magazine and was the originator of the Sunstone Symposium. Recounting its beginnings, Peggy explained that as young people working on the magazine, they needed material to publish. She conceived the idea of holding a symposium where people could present, providing content for the magazin. Despite skepticism from some who felt they were "just kids," the first symposium in the late 1970s or early 1980s was successful, leading it to become an annual event that has continued for over 40 years. Peggy noted that Sunstone often struggled financially but ultimately persevered. Peggy's early career included a period spent freelancing in Kenya. In 1985-1986, shortly after getting married, she and her husband used their wedding money to move to Kenya to do freelance writing and photography. They chose Kenya because it was English-speaking and stable at the time. While they hoped to sell stories, Peggy admitted they didn't sell many. She described it as more of an adventure that provided a reason to travel and learn. She recently returned to Kenya for a conference with the International Association of Religion Journalists (IARJ), a group she helped found in 2012 and now serves as executive director. Sunstone and Mark Hofmann One of the most compelling parts of the early discussion was Peggy's connection to Sunstone and Mark Hofmann bombings. Hofmann, known for forging historical documents related to Mormonism, had his "findings" discussed extensively at Sunstone. Peggy knew Mark Hofmann personally and conducted the only print interview he ever gave. Looking back at that interview, she realized he was lying throughout, something she didn't recognize at the time. Peggy described Hofmann as socially awkward, noting he wouldn't look her in the eye during the interview, which she initially attributed to social skill issues but now sees as a sign he was fabricating information. Remarkably, the Hofmann bombings happened on the same weekend as Peggy's wedding, October 12, 1985. One of the victims, Steve Christensen, was a close friend, a major Sunstone donor, and a columnist. After the bombings, Peggy received calls from national media and initially suspected a business connection. However, when Mark Hofmann himself was injured in a bombing the next day, it became clear the events were tied to the documents. Peggy and her husband were warned they might be in danger, even checking their wedding presents for bombs and staying away from their apartment. This personal connection means Peggy always knows how long it's been since the bombings by her wedding anniversary. Reflecting on that time, she acknowledged her lack of training as a journalist then and the difficulty of knowing Hofmann was lying. Even LDS Church leaders were fooled. Path to Salt Lake Tribune Peggy's path to the Salt Lake Tribune was somewhat unexpected. After her time in Kenya, she and her husband moved to New York City, where she worked various jobs, including editing at a medical ethics think tank, working for the United Methodist Church communications department,

Joseph Smith's bank went under back in 1837. Those banknotes he printed are now worth much more money! Brent Ashworth shares his Kirtland bank notes from the Kirtland Safety Society signed by Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, & Sidney Rigdon! He also shares Lorenzo Snow's prison diary, and we'll also play a Bing Crosby record from the 1930s on an early 1900s phonograph! Check out our conversation... Don't miss our other conversations with Brent: https://gospeltangents.com/people/brent-ashworth transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

How did Brent Ashworth get started in collecting Mormon memorabilia? He started at age 7! We'll discuss his first collections from the prophet Heber J Grant, his 1st edition Book of Mormon, and other documents he has related to Joseph Smith and early Church history! Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/XZQ_2YRDYEQ Don't miss our other conversations with Brent: https://gospeltangents.com/people/brent-ashworth transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

Brent Ashworth has not only Church history artifacts, but Elvis memorabilia, a piece of the Spirit of St Louis, and a 1st Edition Book of Mormon used at School of the Prophets in Kirtland! Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/2XAc8ut6BPQ Don't miss our other conversations with Brent: https://gospeltangents.com/people/brent-ashworth transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

Why is it called the Vinegar Bible? Brent Ashworth has a Bible from 1716, an ad from the Titanic, Ulysses Grant's desk, Heber Grant's chair, and much more! Check out his amazing museum! https://youtu.be/Xq1FzZNDTpE Don't miss our other conversations with Brent: https://gospeltangents.com/people/brent-ashworth transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

Brent Ashworth has one of the largest Americana & Mormon Memorabilia collections in Utah. He discusses artifacts ranging from the Civil War, Elvis, Pearl Harbor, Mark Hofmann forgeries, LDS prophets, Babe Ruth, and much, much more! We're giving a tour of his mini-museum! Check out our conversation.... https://youtu.be/B3XKyQnB1wQ Don't miss our other conversations with Brent: https://gospeltangents.com/people/brent-ashworth transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

In our final conversation we'll talk about some other Mormon Fundamentalism groups and how the race ban & Word of Wisdom are viewed. I'll also note that Cristina got married after this interview and moved to Canada! Her new last name is Gagliano. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/wBE1qyHDzAg Don't miss our other conversations with Cristina: https://gospeltangents.com/people/cristina-rosetti Several Mormon fundamentalist denominations are discussed: Apostolic United Brethren (AUB) FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) Centennial Park group Nielsen/Naylor group Thompson group LeBaron groups Kingston group Righteous Branch Confederate Nations of Israel (led by Alex Joseph) The conversation explores the historical splits, leadership transitions, and theological differences between these groups, with a focus on polygamy, priesthood, and racial policies. Transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

We're going on another polygamy tangent trip! We'll discuss consecration with David Nielsen & I'll go to a polygamist church! Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/iG4rRCSc2ww Don't miss our other conversations with David: https://gospeltangents.com/people/david-nielsen transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

I attended a polygamist Easter service and the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant this week. Check it out! https://youtu.be/kUdtO3PYEAo Don't miss our other conversations with David Nielsen: https://gospeltangents.com/people/david-nielsen transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.    

Many fundamentalist Mormons do not allow for black members. Is Nielsen-Naylor the same? We'll discuss temple theology and discuss these weighty issues. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/VAgAilf0g00 Don't miss our other conversations with David: https://gospeltangents.com/people/david-nielsen transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

Here is a quick announcement about the upcoming Mormon Studies Conference in southern California on April 19, 2025. Dr Matthew Bowman is the dean of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University and gives more details. If you're in southern California, I hope you'll check it out! https://youtu.be/p15cP_ZjzM0

The FLDS Split with Centennial Park and Nielsen-Naylor on the 1980s. Is there a mission to rescue FLDS & reclaim their Mormon cousins? David Nielsen weighs in. We'll also ask David what the thinks about Cristina Rosetti's book on Joseph Musser and discuss church services. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/MGWFxkq4CEM Don't miss our other conversations with David: https://gospeltangents.com/people/david-nielsen transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permissio

Does Nielsen-Naylor believe in "1 true church" like the LDS Church does? I found David Nielsen's answer fascinating!. I was also surprised to learn women propose marriage to men! Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/vWC8qGfnWxs   Don't miss our other conversations with David: https://gospeltangents.com/people/david-nielsen transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permissio

Since Warren Jeffs took over the FLDS Church, there have been many FLDS splits. Centennial Park split off in 1984, and then Nielsen-Naylor split off in the 1990s. David Nielsen is part of the Nielsen-Naylor Group and we'll find more about FLDS through Nielsen-Naylor history. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/uyOkEsN_sUQ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

We're going on a Polygamy Tangent (Trip) to the Journal of Mormon Polygamy Conference Mar 21-22, 2025 at the University of Utah. I'll give my live reactions and even talk to a polygamy skeptic! Check it out! https://youtu.be/0guJSrqPbBU Don't miss our other conversations about polygamy skeptics: https://gospeltangents.com/lds_theology/polygamy-skeptics/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Here is a Journal of Mormon Polygamy Recap. I'll also give away a free book "To be a Friend of Christ," the biography of Marion D Hanks, written by his son Richard. Check out our conversation... https://youtube.com/live/S2d9JJrHCxM Don't miss our other conversations about polygamy skeptics: https://gospeltangents.com/lds_theology/polygamy-skeptics/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Marion D Hanks helped start early Morning Seminary for the LDS Church! His son Richard details Marion's calling of stake presidents, what Rich loved about his father, and the tough end of Marion's life as he dealt with dementia. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/Nl3KMlYwk_8 Don't miss our other conversations with Richard: https://gospeltangents.com/people/richard-hanks/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Pres David O. McKay blessed Marion Hanks to "speak your mind," even when opposed by other Church leaders. His son Richard details some of these events as Marion tangled with Bruce McConkie, Mark Peterson, Boyd Packer, & others. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/iFnC5JJLJds Don't miss our other conversations with Richard: https://gospeltangents.com/people/richard-hanks/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Following the 1978 revelation, the LDS Church rescinded the ban preventing blacks from receiving priesthood & temple ordinances. Marion D Hanks was against the ban. Dr Matt Harris utilized Hanks' journals to document how general authorities reacted to the new 1978 revelation. Rich Hanks details more about his father's resistance to the ban and his elation at overturning the ban. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/h6Wwz4e94WM Don't miss our other conversations with Richard: https://gospeltangents.com/people/richard-hanks/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

In the 1950s & 60s, LDS missionaries in England were baptizing children after baseball games without their parents consent,known as baseball baptisms. Marion D Hanks was called by Pres David O McKay to stop the practice. Rich Hanks is the son of Marion and details Marion's approach to the situation. We'll discuss how Marion always put Christ first in decision making, and how he helped start service missions. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/tsJoc-tkSck Don't miss our other conversations with Richard: https://gospeltangents.com/people/richard-hanks/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Marion Hanks was one of the youngest modern-day GA (general authorities.) At just age 31, he was called to be one of the 7 presidents in the First Council of 70! His son Richard Hanks has written a biography called "To Be a Friend of Christ." We will learn more about Marion's life without a father growing up. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/SWCBWl0zS-w Don't miss our other conversations with Richard: https://gospeltangents.com/people/richard-hanks/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

This is a throwback episode with Brian Hales from 2017. Brian is the author of Joseph Smith's Polygamy, Volumes 1-3, and it's just in time for the Journal of Mormon Polygamy Conference this weekend at the University of Utah. Check out our conversation.... https://youtu.be/WVs0ypGKq5o Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission Canadian Polygamy – Should it be Legal? The Interview GT:  Well I'd like to welcome everybody out here to Gospel Tangents Podcast.  I'm really excited to talk to Dr. Brian Hales.  He's the expert on polygamy, or one of the experts I guess. I'm grateful to have you here and thank you for letting me take some of your time today. Brian:  Rick it's really a privilege for me to be here. GT:  Well thanks.  One of the things I'd like to do is to introduce you to my audience a little bit.  Typically I try to talk to a lot of historians who are doctors but you are the first physician, although I have talked to a physician's assistant as well.  Could you tell us a little bit about your background, even in medicine?  I think you're a Utah man.  Is that right? Brian:  I am actually.  I went to Utah State, grew up in Logan and got a medical degree from University of Utah, so I have a little bit of the Ute blood in me as well. GT:  Aggie and Utah, ok. Brian:  Aggies primarily.  Then I had a member of my family who was involved with Mormon fundamentalism and that kind of steered me over into thinking about polygamy.  This is back in 1989 so it's been quite some time ago.  At that point I was in a residency for anesthesia and I do tell people that my books are part of my full anesthesia services.  You've probably heard me say that joke, but I got interested then in Mormon fundamentalism and published a book, co-authored a book in 1991 dealing with that topic but then later a couple of other books. People were asking me about Joseph Smith's polygamy, and I didn't have answers and really I would argue none of the books did.  Todd Compton's book has some things that were very helpful but he had written biographies and it wasn't focused specifically on Joseph, so there was still a lot of room for research and to also try to figure out some of the historical aspects that really were just big question marks I think in a lot of people's minds. So in 2006-2007 I hired Don Bradley who is a dear friend but also a remarkable researcher and he went out and did a lot of research for me, gathered documents, and I told him to get everything:  anti-Mormon or supportive, whatever he could find.  We wanted to get every known document, and it was interesting because after we had been going about six months, it became obvious that if we kept going, eventually we would be able to put either a transcript or at least a reference to every known document on polygamy within the volumes that we were putting together.  So we got kind of excited about that but that was mostly Don Bradley's work.  But his help, I put together three volumes (vol 1, vol 2, vol 3) on polygamy.  There's been a few new things come out.  This was in 2013 that they were published, but not a lot has come out but a few very important things that we can talk about. GT:  Yeah we'll definitely want to talk about that.  Well great!  I'm glad you talked about how you got interested in fundamentalist Mormonism, I guess.  There are different branches.  Could you just kind of briefly give a sketch of the main ones? I guess we've got the FLDS, AUB.  Are there any others?  Could you give a background on Mormon fundamentalism? Brian:  Well do you mind if I just talk about what's going on in Canada right now? GT:  Sure, that would be great. Brian:  I just got back last week, it was a week ago today from Cranbrook, [British Columbia,] Canada.  That is where they are holding a trial right now for two leading polygamists:  Winston Blackmore and J...

The Kingston Group, also known as the Davis County Cooperative Society, is one of the most reclusive Mormon Fundamenalist groups around. I was able to attend a funeral, which was open to the public. Here's what I learned! https://youtu.be/RoX9ldV4NU0 Don't miss our other conversations on Mormon fundamentalism: https://gospeltangents.com/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission  

Robert Messick will discuss the Book of Mormon census he is doing to find out how many and the location of every 1st Edition copy of the Book of Mormon. We're also diving into the Bickertonite Book of Mormon, Red-Letter Edition!  What famous people besides Elvis have a Book of Mormon? Why did Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin autograph his Book of Mormon? Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/rArRcqbqc1Q Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/robert-messick/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

We know the RLDS Church has its own version of the Book of Mormon, but what other churches have their own? What about the first Gold Book of Mormon and LDS Paperback edition with the golden angel Moroni on the cover, a Reformed Egyptian gold cover, and many other editions? Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/CTFvsUPBdPo Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/robert-messick/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Did you know the LDS Church didn't publish an official version of the Book of Mormon for 90 years?! It took 90 years to publish! Robert Messick knows about all of the LDS and Restoration editions. He's the host of the YouTube channel called "Book of Mormon Editions." We'll dive deep into the publishing history of the Book of Mormon. Check out our conversation.... https://youtu.be/-0axvFxYMAE Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/robert-messick/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

The LDS Church recently changed from 3 to 2 hour church. Is 2 hr church destroying community? Dr Ryan Cragun answers. We'll also discuss whether religious or non-religious are more healthy, wealthy, and wise. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/moBMOw1jjdU Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/ryan-cragun/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

What pulls people from Church? Dr Ryan Cragun from Univ of Tampa says there are 2 things that lead people to leave religion: Push factors & Pull factors. What pushes people away from Church? Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/A18Umb_xxlg Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/ryan-cragun/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Why does one person leave religion, while another person leaves? Dr Ryan Cragun discusses his own faith crisis and Rick shares why he stays. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/2qQ1dzvyalA Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/ryan-cragun/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission 0:00 Ryan's Mission 11:21 Ryan's Deconversion/Betrayal 17:41 Why People Stay or Leave 25:01 Hard Exits transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Some ex-Mormons leave religion with an noisy exit and are angry. Others walk away with little fanfare. What is the difference between these people? In his new book called "Goodbye Religion," University of Tampa sociology professor Dr Ryan Cragun discusses why people are leaving religion at higher rates. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/z7p-j-3YrJ0 Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/ryan-cragun/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission 0:00 Avalanches, Alligators, & Hurricanes 4:21 Educational Background 10:18 Intro to Goodbye Religion 16:29 Triggered vs Calm ex-Mormons transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

This is a throwback interview from 2017. Dr Darron Smith discusses non-LDS BYU Black athletes. He teaches at University of Memphis and is the author of "When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide." He examines the honor code, graduation rate, and race relations at BYU. He compares their racial record with other famous Christian athletes, including Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin. We'll also discuss Indian mascots in professional & college sports. Check out our conversation.... https://youtu.be/YZv_onL5Kp8 Don't miss our other conversations about black Mormon History: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/black-mormon-history/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission 0:00 Overview 6:12 Statistics on Black Athletes at BYU 29:06 Challenges Faced by Black Athletes at BYU 30:59 Honor Code 31:31 Comparisons with Other Institutions 36:43 Graduation Rates/Systemic Issues 38:59 Unionization/Pay for College Athletes 47:09 Racism and Representation in Sports 52:52 Impact of Past Traumas 1:08:49 BYU's Aspirations/Challenges in Joining the Big 12 1:12:58 Parallels Between Black Athletes and Gay Athletes 1:15:41 Black 14 of Wyoming 1:21:09 Racism and Institutionalized Discrimination 1:22:32 Empathy and Mindfulness in Addressing Racism   Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved      

What are the questions you should ask your conspiracy theorist friends? Dr Jesse James is a research psychologist and you'll want to take notes! Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/zshs_cRivdE Don't miss our other conversations with Dr Jesse James: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jesse-james/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

Polygamy skeptics love to trumpet Joseph Smith's public polygamy denials. Was Joseph part of a conspiracy to keep polygamy secret? We'll talk about contemporary sources, the Happiness Letter, & Joseph's alleged narcissistic personality disorder with Dr Jesse James, a research psychologist. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/YeeB6cA2AVg Don't miss our other conversations about atonement: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jesse-james/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

Are there religious & theological motivations for conspiracy theories? Research psychologist Dr Jesse James says yes! We'll give into polygamy skeptics claims, flat earth, forgeries, & the Dunning-Kruger effect. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/OrUWY1rqQxI Don't miss our other conversations about atonement: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jesse-james/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

What is the appeal of conspiracy theories? Dr Jesse James discusses the psychological patterns, trust-breaking experiences, & personality types of conspiracy theorists. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/ZEOPTLzsvZo Don't miss our other conversations about atonement: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jesse-james/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved - Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission   transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved All Rights Reserved - Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission  

What's the difference between a valid conspiracy & a conspiracy theory? Dr Jesse James is a research psychologist and we'll talk about why people get hooked on conspiracy theories. We'll take a deep dive into the traditional polygamy narratives and the Brigham Young Conspiracy Theory, giving an overall narrative for each. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/jnx6H8Fw9l4 Don't miss our other conversations about atonement: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jesse-james/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission 0:00 Valid Conspiracy vs Conspiracy Theory 11:06 How Psychologists View Conspiracy Theories 21:38 Coming From Neutrality 24:21 Traditional Polygamy Narrative 29:21 Conspiracy Narrative 45:34 Not Assigning Motives transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

The Mormon doctrine of Heavenly Mother is one of the most controversial doctrines in all of Christianity. But fundamentalist Mormons think God is a polygamist. We'll talk about heavenly mothers with Tom Bennett of Centennial Park. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/l-2RVcjapDg Don't miss our other episodes about Centennial Park! https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/centennial-park/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

Many Fundamentalist Mormons don't like to discuss racism because their beliefs don't allow black members to join or hold priesthood. We'll tackle this sticky topic with Tom Bennett, a member of Centennial Park. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/Bi_BKXsSoh8 Don't miss our other episodes about Centennial Park! https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/centennial-park/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

Why do women choose polygamy? Centennial Park actually expects women to pop the marriage question for either monogamist or polygamist families. Tom Bennett tells more. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/K32NxGwptG4 Don't miss our other episodes about Centennial Park! https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/centennial-park/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved polygamy polygamy Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

Do fundamenalist Mormons believe the LDS Church is the "one true church?" We'll discuss whether his group believes the LDS Church is the "one true church." In 1890, LDS President Wilford Woodruff issued "The Manifesto" indicating the Church would no longer practice polygamy. Was John Taylor also given a manifesto before his 1886 revelation proclaiming polygamy as an eternal principle? Tom Bennett of Centennial Park, a Mormon fundamentalist group, says yes. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/eXomgcAPZPk Don't miss our other episodes about Centennial Park! https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/centennial-park/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

Tom Bennett is a recent convert to the Mormon fundamentalist group called Centennial Park that practices polygamy. We'll discuss his conversion to Protestantism to LDS and to Centennial Park. What attracted him to Mormon fundamentalism? We'll discuss his Protestant conversion, LDS conversion & mission, faith crisis and spiritual reawakening in Centennial Park. We'll dive into Centennial Park history & doctrine. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/fFe1S6ZIYuc Don't miss our other episodes about Centennial Park! https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/centennial-park/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. transcript to follow Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. polygamy polygamy