Saints Unscripted Podcast

In this episode, Brian and Jake talk about the first controversy of the season, being the situation with Fanny Alger. Joseph's relationship with Fanny was his first plural relationship and first plural marriage. Brian talks about why it is a controversy. Was Joseph cheating on Emma? Why didn't he tell her about it? Did she have any children? Why was she kicked out of the house? We go through all of these and more in this episode! Comment below your thoughts and questions! SUBSCRIBE: http://saintsunscripted/subscribe Follow Us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaintsUnscripted/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saintsunscripted/ Website: https://saintsunscripted.com/ Follow Jake: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacob.watson.5817 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacob.watson0_0/

A NEW season of the Saints Unscripted Podcast is here! The first episode is coming out this Sunday! This season, Brian Hales and Jake talk about the most controversial topics of Polygamy. Here is a list of the topics to come: 1. Fanny Alger 2. Plurality of Husbands (Polyandry) 3. Sexuality in Joseph Smith's Plural Relationships 4. Ages of his Young Wives 5. Emma Smith's Path 6. Polygamy Questions (Why was the church so silent about it for so long?)

Here is the final episode of season 1 of the Saints Unscripted Podcast! Join us for season 2!

In this second episode with Leo, we continue talking about the gap between what we want or see as ideal, and what actually is real, what our reality is.

In this episode, we have a mystery guest! He is a good friend of Jake's and today's topic is about doing mental gymnastics to stay faithful and a believing Christian. The mystery guest talks about a gap between what we see as ideal, and what actually is real. Jake has struggled with this, having idealized views of what the church SHOULD be, or who God is like, or how amazing Joseph was, but in Jake's reality, there was a gap, a dissonance. So Jake tries to learn from his friend in this episode on what it looks like to close the gap, and create a life where the ideal is also the real.

Jake's friend Mechelle joins him on the podcast to talk about her experience of navigating a faith crisis with her husband that has spanned over 10 years! She talks about her husband who had extreme doubts, and started having a faith crisis, and what that meant for her, especially when he decided to remove his name completely from the church! Ultimately, they came to a place where Mechelle loved and supported him no matter what, and they were able to start to find some healing. Mechelle talks about her own spiritual awakening, and the deepening and understanding of her relationship with Heaven. She tells of an experience trying to connect with God and asking Them to take away her pain, and in that moment of deep pain, she just felt held. The pain wasn't taken, but she felt loved and embraced by Heavenly Parents. We hope this episode helps you find some healing as well, wherever you might be in your faith journey!

Steven Harper joins Jake on the SU Podcast! Have you ever had problems with Brigham Young? Joseph F. Smith? Polygamy, Priesthood and temple ban or various church policies? Have you felt betrayed, deceived or lied to? Steven answers all kinds of questions and more! Check out below the questions Jake asks him! 00:00-02:27 - Intro 02:27- 06:55 - When we find out troubling church history, why does it affect our faith? 06:55-15:25 - What does having charity for church leaders and history mean? 15:25-20:17 - Why do we hear sometimes when people leave the church, say they've been lied to and deceived? 20:17-26:25 - Why didn't the church tell me these things? Why were they hiding!? 26:25-33:53 - Why don't the "facts" compel someone to believe or refute it? What does that mean? 33:53-37:51 - Why the "fact" of the Book of Mormon's existence is inescapable for Steven. 37:51-44:17 - If I want to continue having faith, even though I'm a little disillusioned with God, how do I do that? 44:17-46:16 - We can choose to have charity every day, like Jesus chooses us every day. 46:16-46:50 - Good bye! Thank you for watching!

Dallas Jenkins, the creator of The Chosen, the number 1 show about Jesus, comes on the SU Podcast to talk about season 2 and specifically how a relationship with Jesus can help us in those moments when we feel alone and rejected. Jake asks him about the way Jesus would look at people. Jake was OBSESSED with a scene in season 1 when Jesus first looked at Matthew. Jake asks, "How'd you do that!?" And Jake LOVED his answer. Watch the episode to see how Dallas responded.

Robin Johnson, the Heart Whisperer, joins Jake on the podcast to talk about trauma and more specifically, religious trauma. Jake also works with Robin with a process called Heart-Centered Therapy. Robin also helps heal trauma with many patients. Robin gets really open about her own experiences with trauma, and what led to her working with and healing trauma for others. She talks about how trauma affects our lives, how we can notice the reactions and responses in our physiology, and how we can protect our faith when we have religious trauma.

Jake's good friend Jeff O'Driscoll joins the SU Podcast to talk about connecting with the Divine and Heaven. Jake explains his difficulty communicating with God while having a hard time praying. He asks Jeff what we can do to try to foster that relationship and connection with Heaven. Jake was so grateful to have Jeff on after reading a few of his amazing books: "Not Yet: Near-Life Experiences and Lessons Learned," "Hyrum Smith: A life of Integrity," and one of his children books, "Jake the Snake." Jeff has miraculous experiences with the Divine, and near-death and near-life experiences throughout his life and working as an Emergency Care Physician for over 25 years.

Danielle Calder from Our Mother in Heaven on Instagram joins Jake on the podcast to talk about Heavenly Mother!

In this full conversation, Jake talks to Stephen about his faith feeling diminished after struggling to reconcile God's character to the Mormon Priesthood and Temple ban from 1852 to 1978. Jake asks questions such as, is it ok to say leaders of the church got things wrong? Stephen also talks about his experience playing Elijah Abel in the new feature film "Greenflake" coming out soon about an enslaved pioneer who lead the first handcart team into the Salt Lake Valley. How did those early black saints do it? We talk about that in this episode.

Terryl Givens joins the SU Podcast with Jake to talk about his and his wife's, Fiona Givens, newest book, "All Things New!" Jake one day several months ago, found himself reading their book, and in chapter 5, Jake read that in the race of life so to speak, God isn't at the finish line waiting to see if we'll cross it, or that He'll deny or grant us the "winning cup." He is running the race with us. After Jake read that, he knew he had to get Terryl or Fiona on the podcast. Here is the full conversation. Jake asks what a relationship with God looks like when going through a faith crisis. What the relationship can be, and what it might look like. Will the relationship with God be different as a result? Is that a scary thing?

In this clip from a conversation with Stephen Jones about the Mormon Temple and Priesthood Ban, Jake asks him how we can deal with it, seeing how a lot of the historical figures, Greenflake, Elijah Abel and Jane Manning James dealt with it. His answer is Jesus. He asks the question, "You don't think Christ can redeem it?"

In this clip from the conversation with Jake and Terryl Givens, Jake asks Terryl about a quote in his and his wife, Fiona Givens' newest book, "All Things New: Rethinking Sin, Salvation and Everything In Between," from chapter 5. Jake briefly talks about how it refers to God as running the race with us in this life. And of course, Terryl gives an amazing answer.

In this clip taken from the full interview with Stephen Jones about Race and the priesthood and temple ban, Stephen talks about his experience as an actor playing Elijah Abel. Jake asks how you can stay faithful and hopeful in a church and gospel that historically has been perceived as racist? And spoiler alert, but Jesus is always the answer!

Brian, history's transparanciest, comes back on the podcast to talk about his research over the past several years on the Book of Mormon. In this episode, Brian talks about an 'Author Gap' where he analyzes Joseph Smith's documented oratory and compositional writing skills in 1829, and what skills an author would actually need to produce a book such as the Book of Mormon. That's the gap. Brian will take you through and expound upon the truth of the Book of Mormon, while also adding an intellectual support for testimony.

Are we using the wrong wording for 'faith crisis?'

In this episode, we tell several funny but a little off-color and irreverent stories about historical church leaders and prophets. This episode is meant to show the human side of these great men and help us relate to them a bit more. If these people, who were called of God, could make mistakes and still hold their calling, then maybe we can extend a little bit of grace toward them and give them the benefit of the doubt that they were trying their best. This episode features stories about Parley P. Pratt, Joseph Smith, Morris Phelps, King Follett, David O. McKay, Thomas S. Monson, and of course, J. Golden Kimball. You'll hear stories about escaping prison, breaking bones, swearing over the pulpit, peeing across a river, speeding on the road and nearly setting an entire canyon on fire.

At last! An episode about the Book of Mormon from the SU Podcast! Jake has been waiting for this since the beginning of season 1! Tyler Griffin joins Jake to talk about how the Book of Mormon can act as an anchor in your faith! Jake shares how this amazing book has kept him in his faith even though many other things in Jake's faith and in his life seemed to be failing. Tyler has many insights and experience with the Book of Mormon, having taught it for over 20 years along with other ancient scripture. He helps bolster Jake's faith in the Book of Mormon and helps him understand the phenomenon of the power of the book to anchor us in the body of Christ. Jake asks questions such as, What is the hardest obstacle to overcome when believing in the Book of Mormon? How can the Book of Mormon help me come closer to Christ? Why worship in an institution when I feel like I can worship God in my own way? Stick around for a special insight at the end of the episode where Tyler gives personal experience on how the Book of Mormon has helped him become a better disciple of Jesus Christ.

In part 2 of Don's story and conversion journey, he tells of what perspective he wish he could have had while going through his faith wrestle, leaving the church, attending and being involved with anti- and ex-Mormon conventions and groups, exploring different faiths, and eventually finding his faith again and rejoining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Don has some amazing insights on doubt and having faith in God and Christ, and watching to make sure it isn't foundational on imperfect people, i.e. prophets, leaders, etc.

Don Bradley is back to talk about his spiritual awakening when he was a teenager, all the way through his long journey out of the church, his journey to come back into the church, and the role his research in the lost 116 pages of the Book of Mormon played in bringing him back. Don describes a journey while not a member of the church too. He searched for answers, meaning in life and a purpose. Tragedy struck him and his family and he was left with a spiritual yearning to believe in something in the afterlife. Through more series of events and miracles in his life, Don began investigating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints again. Wait there's more! You'll want to watch it through until the end. This is only a very small piece of the grand and amazing story Don tells.

In the anticipated Part 2 of "The Witnesses," Jake immerses into the world after Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdrey and David Whitmer witness the plates and the vision with Moroni. Part 2 focuses more on the undying and firm testimonies of the three witnesses throughout their lives. We also experience the story of the eight witnesses: Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer Jr., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith Sen., Hyrum Smith and Samuel H. Smith. Many of these witnesses of the Book of Mormon had rocky histories with the church, and many left. None of which however, denied their testimony of the Book of Mormon. This episode is a lot more gritty, due to the experiences with the mob and the violence the witnesses and others received

This episode of the SU Podcast will be a little different! From the beginning of development for the SU Podcast, the Saints Unscripted team has always wanted to create episodes where we try to immerse listeners into the world of the historical past. For our first episode, we wanted to tell the amazing story and backstories of the witnesses for the golden plates! In part 1, we take you through the life events for the 3 witnesses, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, leading up to their vision of the angel Moroni and the golden plates. In this historical journey, you will be taken back in time to the mid-19th century and hopefully learn a little bit about the characters themselves and the lives they lived.

Today we're excited to have Justin from Saints Unscripted on with Jake to talk about his journey with relationships with others and God. Most of Justin's relationships throughout his life have been toxic, and it has translated to a toxic relationship with God. Justin walks us through his experiences leading up to developing a healthier relationship with God. Listen until the end!

Brian Hales, a leading scholar in LDS Polygamy (otherwise known as Mormon Polygamy), sits down with Jake for a heart-to-heart on his learning about polygamy, his study into polygamy, and why he chooses to stay an active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (otherwise known as the Mormon Church or LDS Church). Learning about the polygamous history in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints might cause you to ask a lot of very important questions. The same happened for Brian Hales. And when Brian started his studies, very little information existed on the topic. Brian then dedicated decades to researching all of the facts and went on to publish multiple books and articles about his findings. Brian has chosen to stay in the Church of Jesus Christ, despite all of the faith-challenging information about polygamy and Joseph Smith's practice of polygamy. Visit his website here! https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/

Today's mini episode features Justin from Saints Unscripted! Jake has been wanting to have him on for a long time now to talk about Toxic Relationships with God! The full episode has yet to be released but will be shortly. Justin has some amazing insights on his personal journey and experience with God and building a healthy relationship with Him. Jake and Justin specifically talk about the question, "Is God happy?" It is an interesting question for Jake and Justin because on one hand, God is perfect, glorified and has EVERYTHING. But on the other hand, His children on earth do many things that cause Him to weep and mourn. So how can He be happy?

In this episode, Jake answers the questions that were directed toward him in our Instagram story a few weeks ago. He answers all of them! Also, we should also make clear that we received many great and amazing questions but Facebook didn't save them for us and we lost them! So for those of you whose questions Jake didn't answer, we apologize, but as Jake said, he'll be in the comments so if you want to re-ask your question, Jake will respond! Feel free to also dm us or Jake with your questions!

Don Bradley returns to Saints Unscripted to continue his conversation about his book, "The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon's Missing Stories." Jake has been waiting for this moment since the beginning. In this episode you can expect to hear Don talk about and explain many parallels with the Book of Mormon and the Bible, with Jewish ties, uncovering the secrets about the theft of the manuscript nearly two centuries ago, and a very close, and fleshed out idea about what COULD have been on those missing pages. This episode however, only scratches the surface on what is contained in this book. You can get it yourselves on Amazon or Deseret Book!

Have you ever had mental, physical, emotional, or faith-based distress and pain? In today's episode, two of Jake's faith crisis heroes offer incredible insight into responding to the distress and pain when through a faith crisis. When faced with adversity doubt in your own, cherished faith, they explain an alternative approach from the accusatory and condemnation route, or the pushing away and not-dealing-with-it route. That's where we navigate through the middle of those two extremes and find mindfulness. As the title says, and thanks to Dan and Jacob, Jake has chosen to not leave the church quite yet. He is however, still on this faith journey, and anything can still happen. But now, with the help from Dan and Jacob, Jake feels confident to find truth, wherever that may be.

Today Jake sits down with his friend Ann Pack! Ann walks us through her journey through and in her 30-year and counting faith crisis! You are going to want to watch the entire video as Ann relates her experience and accepting herself as she began repairing her relationship with her Savior. Ann is an incredible example (and Jake's hero!) of faith in Jesus and being confident in yourself and your journey here on earth!

We are so excited to have Taylor on with Jake as they discuss repentance! This is still in the season of Faith Crisis, and Jake asks Taylor to share his real experience with repentance, and how to navigate it, because let's be real, repentance can be scary and often misunderstood. Hopefully by watching or listening to this discussion, you can learn from Taylor how to strengthen your relationship with God and the Savior, and use repentance as a tool to grow closer to Them. If you are new, Jake has started the Saints Unscripted Podcast, season 1, to talk about his own faith crisis. He takes you through his journey in hopes that it will benefit you in your eventual faith crisis journey. Check out the new episodes every Sunday on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts:)

We're back with the Saints Unscripted Podcast, hosted by Jake Watson, one of our videographers and one of the best people you'll meet (even if it's just virtually!). Jake's series comes out weekly, with the first series addressing, "Navigating a Faith Crisis." Jake sits down with Richard Ostler, long-time member of the Church and well-known author and advocate for LGBTQ conversations, as well as faith crisis conversations. (Find more of his projects in the links below!) Richard Ostler talks about his personal faith crisis and how, as a bishop, he was forced to navigate difficult questions as they pertained to both his life and the life of those he was serving. From his own faith crisis, he was able to develop a loving relationship with those struggling in their faith and with those who were trying to navigate the LGBTQ experience in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (otherwise known as the Mormon Church) which is difficult for many. Follow Richard Ostler: Podcasts, Stories, Events, etc: https://www.listenlearnandlove.org/Listen, Learn, and Love Book: https://www.amazon.com/Listen-Learn-Love-Embracing-Latter-day/dp/1462135773

*** If you haven't seen part one, check it out: https://youtu.be/6heg9m8piP4 *** This episode is PART TWO (first episode linked above) to our interview with Leo Winegar, our good friend and strong supporter of individuals going through faith crises. We knew when we started a weekly series (every Sunday) about faith crisis, we HAD to talk with Leo, as he has gone through a serious faith crisis and helps hundreds of individuals navigate faith crises. If you are new, Jake has started the Saints Unscripted Podcast, season 1, to talk about his own faith crisis. He takes you through his journey in hopes that it will benefit you in your eventual faith crisis journey. Check out the new episodes every Sunday on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts:) Leo's Faith Crisis Story: https://youtu.be/c16Y-EYHwx8 Follow Leo: Uplift Community of Faith: https://www.facebook.com/UpliftCOFpage Email: UpliftCOF@gmail.com

We're back with our newest playlist, the Saints Unscripted Podcast! To start off Season One: Faith Crisis, we've invited one of our very favorite people, Leo Winegar, to talk about navigating a faith crisis. Leo has gone through his own faith crisis and talks about his experience in the video linked below. After his return to the Church, Leo had a passion for helping people navigate the doubts and confusion they experience through faith crises (find his information below for resources). In this episode, Leo talks about how to be comfortable with lacking knowledge and how to maintain a faithful attitude when navigating difficulties in faith. What did you learn from Leo? Let us know in the comments below! Leo's Faith Crisis Story: https://youtu.be/c16Y-EYHwx8 Follow Leo: Uplift Community of Faith: https://www.facebook.com/UpliftCOFpageEmail: UpliftCOF@gmail.com

Welcome to our new series! Jake is the host of this new playlist that will release every Sunday :) For season one, Jake is going to take viewers through his real faith crisis in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (otherwise known as the Mormon Church) through a lens of faith. Jake has been behind the camera on Saints Unscripted since the beginning and has finally decided to go in front of the camera to talk about his faith crisis and help other people navigate their own faith crisis. In this season, we'll talk with experts on all kinds of topics and learn to love one another through the different paths we are on within the Church.

We are SO EXCITED for the launch of this podcast and hope you are stoked as well! Each episode will be released on Sunday and will feature a variety of guests and topics. Follow us on YouTube for more episodes from a variety of hosts: YouTube.com/SaintsUnscripted