The Backyard Professor on Mormonism

I talk with Professor Barry Richins who has traveled extensively in Mesoamerica as well as the Heartland in the United States, the two main theaters of action for Book of Mormon archaeology. We discuss what he has found, and why it matters.

Dr. Dennis MacDonald, Classicist, Biblical Scholar, and humanitarian brings his formidable skills of exegesis to the Gospels demonstrating with numerous examples how the Gospel writers used Greek epic to craft their own stories in all 4 of the Gospels and Acts.

Cheryl Bruno is back with Dr. Nick Literski to describe their methods and answer some of Dan Vogel's issues he raised with her in his book review on several recent podcasts of mine.

Radio Free Mormon and I discuss the problematic nature of Elder David Bednar thinking critics are being unreasonable about Jesus, Joseph Smith, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We examine when unreasonable becomes entirely reasonable.

I share some research from the scientific and philosophic end of analyzing Joseph Smith's description of God.

The serious problematic nature of God in Mormonism is further elaborated on comparing how Elohim &Jehovah are used in Mormonism compared to the Bible. It is not a pretty and reassuring picture at all.

I share insights from Boyd Kirkland's Sunstone article “Jehovah as the Father” wherein the morass of confusions, lack of clarifying revelations, and the story of Mormonism having no idea whose God is which or how they relate to each other in the scriptures, the revelations, or the Mormon temple Endowment ceremony.

I discuss the evolving and changing nature of God in Joseph Smith's theology as he got older with its various contradictions & ramifications, utilizing Charles Harrell's book “This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology.”

I will have the distinct pleasure to have a discussion with two great people, World famous podcaster Derek Lambert, and world renowned atheist Dr. Richard Carrier. We shall talk about their exciting new project, and ask some questions.

Dan Vogel shares his magnetic insights into Joseph Smith's First Vision and the Freemason connections in the new book on Mormonism and Freemasonry, “Method Infinite.”

I talk with a former Mormon archivist/historian who had total access to the vaults and archives of Mormon historical documents in the 1970's-1980, and he will talk about the goings on with the historians and apostles and the suppressing of Mormon History

James Lindsay booK: "Dot, Dot, Dot, Infinity Plus God Equals Folly"

Giving us the ground to grasp the problems with making God infinite as Joseph Smith does in D & C 20:17

I talk about God as infinite, eternal, yet finite, contingent, a mass of contradictory conceptions

This is a new series of podcasts not taken from the audio of my LIVE Sessions (Sunday Nights) or videos, but direct audio presentations for your listening pleasure.

In this exciting episode we get to hear the atheist voice in this discussion sharing his ideas and doubts.

Sharing some ideas from around the Internet on why I have come to the conclusion the Mormon Leaders are honestly afraid of the truth, and so they continue to manipulate, hide it, and intimidate others who find it and share it.

Dan and I continue the discussion of historical methods, accuracy, and content of the new book Method Infinite on Freemasonry and Mormonism, and the incredibly fascinating Faculty of Abrac the Smith's used.

I am interviewing Simon Southerton – His biography From Wikipedia – “Simon G. Southerton is an Australian plant geneticist and co-founder of Gondwana Genomics, an Australian technology firm specialising in Marker-assisted selection for tree breeding. Southerton published the book Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church. The book uses genetic evidence… Read More »Backyard Professor: 114: Simon Southerton Live Interview – Book of Mormon Horses Found!

Dan Vogel continues to share his views on his approach to Freemasonry & Mormonism

I discuss some reactions to the multiverse and why it is not a viable scientific theory, but more of a desperation to find a way around the fine tuning of the universe, which, in some ways of thinking, point to a “Fine Tuner,” something science finds nauseating. It is a quite unrealistic reaction.

John Lennox Video sources of many hundreds available by title. Can be Googled easily: 1. “Is God Relevant?” 2. University of Chicago Open Forum With JL – Has Science Buried God?” 3. A Convergent Dichotomy;4. John Lennox Reflects on Stephen Hawking's Life & Beliefs 5. Richard Dawkins vs. John Lennox – The God Delusion Debate… Read More »Backyard Professor: 111: The New Atheism Defeats Itself: Science Vs. God

I discuss 2 contrary views of how to do Mormon History.

I have Dan Vogel with me and we are talking about the book “Method Infinite, Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration” with Dan's views on Joseph Smith and his understanding of Freemasonry.

Dan Vogel's article “The Prophet Puzzle Revisited” in Bryan Waterman's (editor) “The Prophet Puzzle” (1999) is what I am going to look into.

Continuing the discussion of Masonic influences on the Book of Abraham.

Lets face it, Mormonism sorely needs a drastic update, and it is being provided for them, whether they like it or not!

Problems arose at General Conference, and then were covered up behind the scenes when David Bednar was caught plagiarizing his talk at General Conference, 2022. What kind of problems does this bring about? I talk about them here.

I continue looking into the lack of rigor and logic in so called scientific criticisms and philosophy of people who see things differently than Orthodox science does. This criticism is coming from a larger cadre of inside scientists than is supposed. Many are no longer happy with the direction science has taken, nor the attitudes… Read More »Backyard Professor: 104: Misuse Science to Abuse Religion? Not on My Watch

I discuss several New Atheists' views and philosophical blunders which are ridiculous in the extreme. I believe their disparagement of philosophy is their Achilles Heel. They need to sorely upgrade what they pretend they know.

Continuing my discussion of what science does when it clashes with religion, and how religion reacts to the challenge. In this part I discuss the ideas of Mormon biologist Steven L. Peck from his excellent book “Evolving Faith – Wanderings of a Mormon Biologist.” (2015)

A more scientific look into the Mormon Doctrine of interpreting Genesis.

Continuing the saga of this complicated fascinating issue.

Continuing the discussion of Mormonism's anti-intellectual and anti-science stances through time and how they need, drastically need to change this for today. Right now. Not tomorrow.

How did the Platonists and Neoplatonists view the world? How did they view our relationship with it and what is our responsibility to it? I explore this issue in this video using the philosopher David Fideler.

A reading from Martin Gardner's astounding book “The Why's of a Philosophical Scrivener”

I continue to explore how Mormons deal with evolution from the leadership through to the scholarship.

Continuing discussing the problematic nature of Mormonism's response to evolution.

It is time to look at the whole and appreciate what we are doing… having life.

A patron of mine asked me to discuss the Mormon issue of DNA in Pre-modern man and issues of evolution about Adam and Eve.

You select the topics you would like to know more about and I will research them and do a podcast on them!

I discuss the beautiful symbolism of Orion and Perseus in ancient Mithraism and how it helps explain Christian symbolism which shows how much Mormonism simply misses out of it all.

I share some ideas from David Fideler, natural philosopher, scientist, and Theologian on the power of our world and the power of our place in it.

The final analysis of entheogenic usage in the Nauvoo Temple

The First Vision was entheogenic based. This is not to denigrate it, but to understand it.

I continue discussing the evidence for the reasons for the incredible amounts of Visionary experiences in Joseph Smith's life and Early Mormonism, but which halted after his death.

I continue the saga of Joseph Smith using entheogenic materials in his sacraments in order to induce a higher more all inclusive level of spirituality in his followers.

I apparently jumped the gun on a racist incident at BYU for which I apologize for, and then I share some new ideas on Joseph Smith's extraordinary visions and prophetic charisma in light of new research now made available.

I re-read Nibley's article “Do Religion and History Conflict?” on the spur of the moment after years of ignoring it, in order to see my impression now that I am no longer an apologist.

Some new dramatic and head shaking news. The things that make ya go Hmmm!

For my first Sunday School lesson, I am going to talk about the world and us. It's a beautiful place as I show you this morning's sunrise as I share some great insights from many authors.