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Welcome back to part 16 of our Joseph Smith Podcast with Dr. John G. Turner! In this episode, we cover chapter fifteen of John Turner's new book titled “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet” which covers 1834-1835 in Kirtland, Ohio and parts of Missouri. We discuss the rise of patriarchal blessings, the creation of new church offices –like the Twelve and the Seventy. We also discuss the challenges posed by critics like E. D. Howe and his problematic book published in 1834. These years were formative for Joseph Smith and the Latter-day Saint movement. We explore such topics as:-The publication of E. D. Howe's Mormonism Unveiled-The 1835 Doctrine and Covenants (and the Lectures on Faith)-The creation of the Quorum of the Twelve and the Seventy-The beginning of the Law of Adoption-How Joseph Smith used blessings and promises to help people follow himDid this first anti-Mormon publication get under Joseph Smith's skin? What power did early church members believe they were receiving through blessings and ordinances? How did Joseph Smith transform crises into opportunities to strengthen his movement? Join us as we seek to answer each of these questions!Please purchase the book here.To support this series please donate here. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
Patrick opens the show by responding thoughtfully to a listener from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, sparking an honest examination of Mormon origins and Catholic-LDS differences while stressing civility and mutual respect. Global tragedies follow; Christian persecution in Nigeria, rising antisemitism, violence and indifference. Patrick finishes by fielding calls on family struggles with gender identity, guiding listeners to hold fast to Catholic truth with candor and compassion in a world bristling with confusion and bitterness. Dale (email) - Why would Joseph Smith have fabricated such an elaborate hoax? (01:02) Audio: Senator Brownback on the rising Muslim persecution and killings of Christians in Nigeria (21:34) Audio: Incredible story of a reporter who wanted to write up a Palestinian redemption story about a Gaza woman who he thought would have reformed after Israel saved her life twice over. What he discovered interviewing her shocked his conscience. (25:19) Audio: Bill Maher on the actual genocide of Christians in Nigeria - Bill Maher shares disturbing reason corporate media covers Israel-Gaza War, but ignores Christian genocide in Nigeria (32:16) John (email) - Selective reporting of any issue is a problem (38:21) Lucy - My brother has a nephew who is transgender. I got into an argument with him about it. My brother said he would never tell an obese person not to lose weight. (43:57)
The story of the early Latter-day Saints in the 1830s is one of both trial and triumph. In Kirtland, Ohio, the Saints faced a heartbreaking financial crisis with the collapse of the Kirtland Safety Society Bank. Hopes of building Zion seemed threatened as many lost money, and critics pointed to the failure as evidence against Joseph Smith and the Church's future stability. It was a season of doubt, testing, and refinement for the faith of the Saints. Yet, at the very same time, remarkable success unfolded across the Atlantic. Missionaries sent to England began preaching the restored gospel with such power that entire congregations were converted. In less than a year, over 1,600 baptisms took place—an astonishing outpouring of faith that infused the struggling Church with new life and strength. In this episode with professor Lynne Hilton Wilson, listen to details about how both the trials of Kirtland and the miracles in England shaped the destiny of the Church. The failures of man stood in stark contrast to the Lord's triumphs, showing how God's hand continued to guide His people through opposition, ultimately moving the work forward in miraculous ways.
Send us a textThis is my personal witness of Russell M. Nelson, a prophet called of God.__________________________Do you have questions or comments?Please contact me: rtosguthorpe@gmail.comWant more info about my books and talks?Go to my website: https://www.russelltosguthorpe.com/Want to order a book? Just go to Amazon and type in Russell T. Osguthorpe Want to access my YouTube channel:https://youtube.com/@russellt.osguthorpe497Want know more about the music on this podcast? We are blessed to have M. Diego Gonzalez as a regular contributor of songs he has arranged, performed, and recorded especially for this podcast. My wife and I became acquainted with Diego when he was serving a as missionary in the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission. We were so impressed with his talent, we asked if he would compose and perform songs for Filled With His Love. He thankfully agreed. Hope you enjoy his work!Want to boost your mood and make someone's day?Go to the App store on your iPhone, and download the app—Boonto.Want a good introduction to my book? Morgan Jones Pearson interviewed me on the All-In Podcast, and it was one of the top 10 episodes of 2022. Here's the link:https://www.ldsliving.com/2022-in-review-top-10-all-in-podcast-episod...
Follow Him: A Come, Follow Me Podcast featuring Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Dr. Susan Easton Black continues to explore Doctrine and Covenants 111-114, weaving together stories of the pride and humility of Thomas B. Marsh, doctrinal clarification on Isaiah, the life and choices of David W. Patten, and a powerful testimony of Joseph Smith's prophetic calling.SHOW NOTES/TRANSCRIPTS English: https://tinyurl.com/podcastDC241EN French: https://tinyurl.com/podcastDC241FR German: https://tinyurl.com/podcastDC241DE Portuguese: https://tinyurl.com/podcastDC241PT Spanish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastDC241ESYOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/jNQbb-qz9nQALL EPISODES/SHOW NOTES followHIM website: https://www.followHIM.coFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook WEEKLY NEWSLETTER https://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE:00:00 Part 2 - Dr. Susan Easton Black02:36 Having a soft heart04:45 Thomas B Marsh leaving and returns07:38 Forgiving Thomas10:20 Questions about Isaiah13:12 Answer for Elias Higby17:24 First question about the stem of Jesse21:11 Who asked the first three questions?24:04 Why are we here?28:34 Why should Zion get out of the dust?31:54 Trouble with the Kirtland Safety Society35:50 David Patten's nickname38:05 Martyrdom of David Patten42:06 Why memorize D&C 114?44:37 People remember David Patten47:34 People are an example or a warning48:29 Dr. Black shares her testimony of Jesus and His prophet Joseph 50:49 Impressions of the Prophet Joseph Smith55:08 End of Part 2 - Dr. Susan Easton BlackThanks to the followHIM team:Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, SponsorDavid & Verla Sorensen: SponsorsDr. Hank Smith: Co-hostJohn Bytheway: Co-hostDavid Perry: ProducerKyle Nelson: Marketing, SponsorLisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show NotesWill Stoughton: Video EditorKrystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, WebsiteAriel Cuadra: Spanish TranscriptsAmelia Kabwika: Portuguese TranscriptsHeather Barlow: Communications DirectorSydney Smith: Social Media, Graphic Design "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonaldhttps://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com
How do we reconcile our expectations with God's unfolding plan? In this episode, Professor Derek Sainsbury explores the remarkable life of Nancy Naomi Tracy–a woman whose unwavering faith and bold defense of religious liberty and temple service helped shape the early Latter-day Saint experience. Through persecution, political exile, and personal loss, Nancy remained devoted to the gospel. Professor Sainsbury draws from her writings and activism to reveal how she navigated the tension between personal hopes and divine direction, offering a compelling lens into the cost of conviction and the legacy of spiritual resilience. Publications: “‘We Have Not Been Allowed to Worship as We Please': Nancy Naomi Tracy and the Denial of Latter-day Saint Religious Liberty,” in Religious Liberty and Latter-day Saints: Historical and Global Perspectives (Religious Studies Center, 2023) Joseph Smith as a Visionary: Heavenly Manifestations in the Latter Days (Religious Studies Center, 2025) "Befriending the Constitutional Law of the Land" in Doctrine and Coveants Insights: Capstone of Doctrinal Understanding (Religious Studies Center, 2025) Storming the Nation: The Unknown Contributions of Joseph Smith's Political Missionaries (Religious Studies Center, 2020) “‘For the General Good of Mankind': Why Joseph Smith's Presidential Campaign Matters,” Religious Educator, 21.3 (2020) Click here to learn more about Derek Sainsbury
→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Timestamps: (00:00) Accepting the representations of William Burgess, Joseph Smith and others church leaders visit Salem, Massachusetts in hopes of alleviating the church's debt.(04:32) God can be both loved and feared. Examples of how He sees our efforts and quickly forgives The post Ep 341 | D&C 111-114, Come Follow Me 2025 (October 6-12) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.
Unearthed in 1834 during Zion's Camp, Joseph Smith unearthed the skeletal remains of Zelph, the “White Lamanite.” Zelph was dug up from a burial mound…The then skeletal Zelph “spoke” to Joseph!Who was this mysterious warrior called the”white Lamanite?”Is this evidence of ancient battles on American soil? Or simply folklore reshaped into early Latter-day Saint mythology?Zelph's story remains one of the most puzzling mysteries in Mormon history!Come join us as we unearth a little of this elusive skeleton
Have you ever attended a temple dedication? For the early Saints, dedicating the Kirtland Temple was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Today, temple dedications and open houses happen with increasing frequency—and each one carries the same purpose: preparing a house where the Lord Himself may come.This week's block—Doctrine and Covenants 109–110—takes us inside the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple and the sacred vision Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had just one week later, when Christ appeared in His house.In this episode, you'll learn:
Our Mothers Knew It with Maria EckersleyA Creative Study of Come, Follow MeD&C [D&C 109-110]“It Is Thy House, a Place of Thy Holiness”September 29 – October 5, 2025WEEK 40 SUMMARY=================Doctrine and Covenants sections 109 and 110 are pivotal in Latter-day Saint history, focusing on the dedication of the Kirtland Temple and the divine manifestations that followed. Section 109 is the dedicatory prayer offered by Joseph Smith, expressing gratitude for blessings received and seeking the Lord's presence in the temple. It requests protection, the outpouring of the Spirit, forgiveness, unity among the Saints, and success in missionary efforts. Section 110 describes the divine visitations that occurred shortly after the dedication, where Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, accepting the temple and expressing His approval. Additionally, Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared, each conferring essential priesthood keys: Moses restored the keys of the gathering of Israel, Elias conferred the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, and Elijah restored the sealing power, crucial for temple work and eternal families. These sections underscore the significance of temples and the restoration of priesthood authority in the work of salvation.SPARK 1: TOUCH THESE TIMBERS================OBJECT LESSON: “A House to Thy Name”: Cross-Section Mini Kirtland TempleSPARK 2: THE CENTER PLACE===================================OBJECT LESSON: “Armed with Thy Power”: Endowed Temple RacersSPARK 3: HEARTS OF THE FATHERS=============================OBJECT LESSON: “The Time Has Fully Come”: Sealing Power EnvelopesCHAPTERS=========00:00:14 INTRO00:04:51 QUICK GLANCE00:09:16 INSIGHTS 100:20:30 CREATIVE 100:20:30 QUESTIONS 100:27:42 INSIGHTS 200:38:15 CREATIVE 200:43:53 QUESTIONS 200:47:40 INSIGHTS 300:57:50 CREATIVE 301:03:07 QUESTIONS 301:05:54 WRAP UPLINKS=====WEB: https://www.gather.meckmom.comETSY: https://www.etsy.com/shop/meckmomINSTAGRAM: Instagram @meckmomlifePODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST DISCLAIMER=================================This podcast represents my own thoughts and opinions. It is not made, approved, or endorsed by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any content or creative interpretations, implied or included are solely those of Maria Eckersley ("MeckMom LLC"), and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Great care has been made to ensure this podcast is in harmony with the overall mission of the Church. Click here to visit the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This video includes additional teaching ideas and activities for the Doctrine and Covenants 111-114 lesson in the Come Follow Me manual. It is intended to supplement the insight video and to be an additional resource specifically for teachers, parents, missionaries, or anyone preparing to teach the content of this week's Come Follow Me lesson to others. Link to purchase treasure chest: https://amzn.to/3Kg6CtV Link to "Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet" Video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2017-01-001-where-justice-love-and-mercy-meet?lang=eng Link to "Ibex at Cingino Dam" Video: The incredible ibex defies gravity and climbs a dam | Forces of Nature with Brian Cox - BBC Link to "Preparation of Joseph Smith" Video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2012-05-0101-preparation-of-joseph-smith-faith-in-god-and-a-desire-to-know-eng?lang=ase&alang=eng&collectionId=d727720824504a87bf7d4f63624ab7d1 To purchase the Doctrine and Covenants Bundle Subscription, click here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TeachingWithPower You can reach me by email at teachingwithpower@gmail.com Music Provided by Youtube Audio Library. Track Name: Dancing Star. https://teachingwithpower.wixsite.com/teachingwithpower IMAGES USED:DALL-E AI images have been used in the production of some of the illustrations used in this video. Story Illustration pictures from Bible illustrations provided by Sweet Publishing, http://sweetpublishing.com, and issued under Creative Commons 3.0 Share Alike Unported License. All other pictures are listed in the Public Domain Disclaimer: I alone am responsible for the content of these videos. The opinions in them are mine. They represent my ideas and insights and do not reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Teaching and Study helps for the Doctrine and Covenants 111-114 lesson in the Come Follow Me manual. This video will give you ideas and insights on how to teach Christ and Scripture Centered gospel lessons with more relevancy and power. These insights coincide with the lesson for October 6-October 12 in the Come Follow Me manual. Principles include: Turning Oops into Opportunities, Having Hind's Hooves, Don't Read Your Scripture, and more.Link to purchase treasure chest: https://amzn.to/3Kg6CtV Link to "Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet" Video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2017-01-001-where-justice-love-and-mercy-meet?lang=eng Link to "Ibex at Cingino Dam" Video: The incredible ibex defies gravity and climbs a dam | Forces of Nature with Brian Cox - BBC Link to "Preparation of Joseph Smith" Video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2012-05-0101-preparation-of-joseph-smith-faith-in-god-and-a-desire-to-know-eng?lang=ase&alang=eng&collectionId=d727720824504a87bf7d4f63624ab7d1 To purchase the Doctrine and Covenants Bundle Subscription, click here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TeachingWithPower You can reach me by email at teachingwithpower@gmail.com Music Provided by Youtube Audio Library. Track Name: Dancing Star. https://teachingwithpower.wixsite.com/teachingwithpower IMAGES USED:DALL-E AI images have been used in the production of some of the illustrations used in this video. Story Illustration pictures from Bible illustrations provided by Sweet Publishing, http://sweetpublishing.com, and issued under Creative Commons 3.0 Share Alike Unported License. All other pictures are listed in the Public Domain Disclaimer: I alone am responsible for the content of these videos. The opinions in them are mine. They represent my ideas and insights and do not reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Send us a textStephen O. Smoot is a doctoral candidate in the department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literature at the Catholic University of America. He earned a master's degree from the University of Toronto in Near and Middle Eastern Civilisations (with a concentration in Egyptology) and bachelor's degrees from Brigham Young University in Ancient Near Eastern Studies (with a concentration in Hebrew Bible) and German Studies.I wanted to speak to Stephen about the incredible new research he led for the B.H Roberts Foundation where he translated and organised a newly-uncovered Gestapo dossier which detailed their dealings with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Truly fascinating.Some highlights from this episode include what Nazi leaders thought of Heber J Grant's visit, a previously unknown Latter-day Saint who refused to salute Hitler, and how the Church was almost expelled from Nazi Germany.--You can find more of Stephen's work at the following links:- https://interpreterfoundation.org/author/stephens/- https://bhroberts.org/projects/gestapoFollow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content:www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspodhttps://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Qhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on InstagramConversations to Refresh Your Faith.For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.
Revelation Dates: August 1836 – April 1838 Revelation Places: Salem, Massachusetts; Kirtland, Ohio; Farr West, Missouri Section 111 - Historical Background: In the summer of 1836, a member from Massachusetts by the name of Jonathan Burgess, came to Joseph regarding a sister member in Salem, Massachusetts who was now deceased. He explained that prior to her death she intended to give the church a large treasure of gold and silver which was stored in her basement. Seemingly true, Joseph knew this treasure would be a great blessing to help pay the significant debts taken on by the church for the building of the temple and assisting the saints in Zion. As Joseph, Hyrum, Sidney and Oliver left Kirtland on their mission to the Northeast, they stopped in Salem. Upon arrival they met with brother Burgess, but the sister's home (and treasure) could not be found due to the tremendous changes in the growth of the city. Meanwhile, back in Zion the saints who had been driven from Jackson County were settling in Clay County. Now, they were asked to leave that county also. Amidst all this turmoil, many of the church leadership were away on this missionary effort, and Joseph received the following revelation. Recap: The Lord is pleased with their journey, despite their folly (for the treasure). Don't be concerned about the debts of the church, for the Lord will give the saints power to cover these debts. Continue the missionary work in Salem and the vicinity. Section 112 - Historical Background: As it often occurs, following marvelous and beautiful spiritual manifestations, come equally spectacular evil doings, hardships and tribulation. The saints had experienced magnificent spiritual visions and wonders at the dedication of the Kirtland temple, but were now experiencing unprecedented mobs and persecution. Little did they know the Lord was about to manifest significant sifting in the church, including its leadership. The year following the temple dedication saw a spirit of apostasy sweep through the church. In the midst of this, the Lord opened England as a focus for missionary work, which became incredibly successful. It had been nearly a year since the Lord had given Joseph a direct revelation. The Lord directs this to the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve (Thomas B Marsh is Quorum President). Recap: Thomas B Marsh was troubled, prayerfully seeking repentance, which was granted. Now, he must remain faithful and preach the gospel. The Lord knows his heart and he must refrain from being partial towards the brethren. Admonish the 12 Apostles for their sins, who must humble themselves, soften their hearts and repent. Marsh holds the keys to administer over the twelve. A day of desolation and lamentation will cover the earth, beginning in the church. Go with the twelve into the world and preach the Lord's gospel. Stay faithful. Section 113 - Historical Background: 1837 and 1838 were the saddest years in the church up to this time, with rampant apostasy and threatening murders. Armed mobs pursued Joseph constantly. In one day, Joseph was arrested, released and arrested again 6 times. Fleeing for their lives, the saints abandoned their homes and escaped into the western frontier, settling temporarily in Farr West Missouri. Upon his arrival, Joseph was asked several questions by the brethren concerning the book of Isaiah. This revelation is one of three sections in the Doctrine and Covenants that deal with scriptural interpretation (see also sections 74 and 77). Recap: Isaiah Ch 11: The Stem of Jesse is Jesus Christ; the Rod of Jesse describes Joseph Smith as a resurrected being; the Root of Jesse describes Joseph Smith in mortality; Ch 52: The strength of Zion is the Priesthood; To loosen the bands of her neck is in reference to scattered Israel and releasing the curse upon the Jews. Section 114 - Historical Background: This revelation relates primarily to David W Patton. In 1835 Patton was ordained to be an apostle and was always faithful to Joseph and obedient to God. In this revelation, David W Patton is called on a mission. Note: In October, 1838, while defending the church against an angry mob at Crooked River, Apostle David W. Patton was killed, thus becoming the first martyred “Prophet, Seer and Revelator” in the last days. Recap: David W. Patton to settle his affairs and go into the mission field to preach the gospel. Those who hold church positions that are unfaithful will be replaced.
Here is my JWHA recap 2025! I'll show photos and give my reactions to the award winners! Check it out! Don't miss our other Tangent Trips! https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/gt-trips/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved https://youtu.be/NL_LkWQBApk Fresh off the plane from Kansas City, I wanted to share a recap of my fantastic, albeit hectic, week at the John Whitmer Historical Association (JWHA) meetings in Independence. It's been a whirlwind of travel lately—from Atlanta to Canada and then straight to JWHA—but the experience was absolutely worth it. Honoring Legends and Celebrating New Works The awards ceremony was a major highlight, celebrating the brilliant minds in Mormon History. A truly special moment was seeing Mark Staker, this year's JWHA president, present Grant McMurray with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Grant, a former president of the Community of Christ and one of the founders of JWHA 50 years ago, was in high spirits despite being in a wheelchair, which I hadn't seen before. He joked that with a Lifetime Achievement Award, he didn't need to do anything else in his life, which got a good laugh from everyone. Congratulations are also in order for several other award winners: Matt Harris, the incoming JWHA president, deservedly won the Best Book Award for his incredible book, Second Class Saints. It was great to see him presented with the award. His mother attended the conference too! Jason Smith, who runs the JWHA podcast, received the Excellence in Leadership award. Cristina Gagliano (formerly Rosetti) won Best Biography for her book on Mormon fundamentalist Joseph White Musser. William Perez won for his article "Unholy Waters," and Ryan Davis won for his work on Mormon missionaries and popular music in Spain. Katie Rich and Heather Sundahl were recognized for their work on 50 Years of Exponent II. Katie Rich is clearly an impressive historian who has slipped under my radar, and I need to get her on the podcast soon!. JWHA Recap: Presentations, Pictures, and People The conference was packed with fascinating people and presentations. I had the opportunity to present with Mark Tensmeyer and Amanda Hendrix-Komoto on Joseph Smith's polygamy and the statistical question of how many children he should have had. We're hoping to get a group together for a follow-up discussion soon. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, I missed several presentations I was eager to see, including those by Kyle Beshears (my favorite Baptist pastor), my good friend Newell Bringhurst, Ganesh Cherian, and Jared Halverson. Kyle, an expert on James Strang, was even passing out hilarious Nintendo 64-style stickers of Strang. It was a joy to reconnect with so many friends and colleagues, including: My friend Matt Turner, who helped me with a walking tour of Independence a few years ago. Historians and authors like Alex Baugh, Brian Hales, Craig Foster, and Mark Scherer. Representatives from various restoration groups, which is what makes Whitmer so unique. I chatted with Wayne, a Seventy in the Bickertonite Church, and John Hajicek, who follows James Strang's legacy. Special Interview and a Look Ahead One of the most exciting parts of the trip was interviewing Stassi Cramm, the first female prophet of the Community of Christ. The interview took place this morning, and I'm hoping to edit and post it this weekend, so keep an eye out for that! I also had the pleasure of meeting other leaders from the Community of Christ, including Bunda Chibwe of the First Presidency. We also took a fascinating tour led by Matt Harris to Topeka, Kansas, to visit the elementary school of Linda Brown from the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case. Now a museum run by the National Park Service, it was a powerful experience to see the history firsthand. For those planning ahead, next year's JWHA conference will be in Council Bluffs, Iowa,
Part 2 Like every movement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had a beginning, a period of development, and a time of stability. The LDS Church has typically been separated into three distinctive periods. 1. “Early History” under the leadership of Joseph Smith, Jr. 2. “Pioneering era” under the leadership of Brigham Young. 3. “Modern Era” beginning around the turn of the 20th century The purpose of this second teaching part is to explore this history. To understand the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today, one must first understand the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it began and developed. The Church makes great claims for itself and prides itself on outlandish doctrines which run counter to the Word of God. It had a founding prophet who claimed to be visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son, along with a whole host of biblical characters who have long departed from this world – John the Baptist, Peter, James and John. It claims to have restored the fullness of the lost Gospel, even though it was never lost. It has three additional books of authority besides the King James Bible -- The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. This is more sources of extra-biblical revelation than any other cult. Such claims call for a thorough examination, and what better way to begin to do this than to start at the beginning. Download teaching notes (pdf) https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bethesdashalom/2_History_of_Mormonism.pdf
Glenn Beck has recently claimed that Joseph Smith was one of the only martyrs ever on United States soil, but before we would accept that title, we need to ask what the evidence really shows. Was Smith truly killed for his faith, or for something far more troubling? Beck's statement isn't just about Mormon history. It may actually signal something bigger. Beck has long positioned himself as a voice for unity and patriotism, but could he also be a key voice in a growing ecumenical movement? One that points people more towards love of country than towards biblical Christianity. These are serious questions worth investigating, and we'll start by looking at the events that led to Joseph Smith's death and the controversy surrounding the Nauvoo Expositor. Follow Good Fight Ministries on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodfightministries Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodfightministries Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/goodfightmin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodfightministries Support Us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/goodfight Rock n Roll Sorcerers of the New Age Revolution https://www.goodfight.org/rock-n-roll-sorcerers-free/
The Book of Abraham is one of the most controversial parts of Latter-day Saint scripture. Critics claim Joseph Smith couldn't have translated it, the facsimiles don't match, and there's no evidence supporting his account. Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein joins Cardon to break it all down.Together, they tackle the top 3 “killer arguments” against the Book of Abraham and explain why they don't hold up. From missing papyri to facsimiles and evidence that actually supports Joseph Smith, Kerry shows that the situation is far more nuanced than the sound bites suggest.This episode dives deep but stays practical and real — blending humor, faith, and scholarship to help you see the Book of Abraham with fresh perspective.
→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Timestamps: (00:00) A brief history of many noteworthy events leading up to the dedication of the Kirtland Temple.(03:28) Washings and anointings are introduced to a core group of Saints in Kirtland.(09:12) Edward Partridge and Joseph Smith are reconciled and share in The post Ep 340 | D&C 109-110, Come Follow Me 2025 (September 29-October 5) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.
Joseph Smith once taught ordinances "are not to be altered or changed." But how do we reconcile that with the fact that over the years temple ordinances have changed? In this episode, I sit down with Church historian, Dr. Jonathan Stapley, to clarify that issue and many specific changes to the temple ceremony, like the removal of the oath of vengeance and the penalties.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keystoneldsInsta: https://www.instagram.com/keystonelds/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keystoneldsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/keystonelds/Website: https://www.keystonelds.com
We are back again with Dr. John Turner in part 15 of the Joseph Smith Podcast, covering his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.” Join us as we explore the dramatic events of 1834 when Joseph Smith led Zion's Camp, from Kirtland, Ohio to Clay County, Missouri. This episode dives deep into the historical and spiritual implications of Zion's Camp –including Joseph Smith's controversial prophecies, the hardships faced by the Saints as refugees, the question of prophetic failure, and the lasting theological impact on the Latter-day Saint movement.Topics covered today include:-The story of Zelph the White Lamanite-Joseph Smith's dog “Major”-The thunderstorm that may have saved Zion's Camp-The tension between Governor Dunclan and Joseph SmithLike, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into Mormon history and theology.Please purchase the book here.To support this series please donate here. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
Robby Marx is back to share some more knowledge with us all about King Solomon and the Kabbalah.Why did Solomon lose favor with God? How did this affect things in history and in the making of this ancient magical system?Come listen and find out as we delve not only into Solomon but the alignment with ole Joseph Smith as well! No Surprise there! Joseph knew a trick or two himself....A big Thank You to Robby for coming on!Please check out his links below and God Bless! Guest LinksRobby Marx https://open.spotify.com/show/3qV90gNuhh34FkqswZSLZO?si=KJMdh1OqSCKwnAPjrrKLSARobby Marx https://linktr.ee/rmarx?utm_source=linktree_profile_sharehttps://open.spotify.com/show/3qV90gNuhh34FkqswZSLZO?si=KJMdh1OqSCKwnAPjrrKLSAConscious Alliance https://consciousalliance.org/Unfiltered RIse Podcast LinksWebsite: https://unfilteredrisepodcast.com/Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnfilteredRise?X: https://x.com/unfilteredrise/status/1772012349551153303?s=46IG: https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredrise_podcast?igsh=MWE4NnQ2Y2Zxa3pnNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qrYouTube: https://youtube.com/@unfilteredrisepodcast?si=IMlOVdcKU6oj4N8sTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredrisepodcast?_t=8rjVXGsH2AY&_r=1Merch: https://heidi-luv-shop.fourthwall.com/Donations: buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredEPlease know my podcast and its information presented are for entertainment or informational purposes. I do not threaten or wish any harm to any nation,creed, color, religion etc …. God Bless
Prevail Against Mine Enemies by Autumn Dickson The Saints were driven from their homes and living as refugees in Clay County, Missouri. Joseph Smith and other church leaders received letters with news regarding what had happened. Besides the letters, Joseph also received a revelation from the Lord with this declaration: Doctrine and Covenants 103:6 Behold […] The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 102-105 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.
Cardon sits down with Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein to unpack the myths, assumptions, and lazy learning that dominate conversations about the Book of Abraham. Together, they challenge the sound-bite culture that treats skepticism as “objective” and faith as “biased,” showing how both sides often rely on unproven assumptions.Kerry explains why secondary sources and quick takes fall short, how Joseph Smith's idea of “translation” was broader than critics assume, and why ancient texts resist simple, one-size-fits-all answers. The discussion tackles papyrus theories, scholarly blind spots, and the need for honest engagement with scripture itself—not just internet arguments.At its heart, this episode is about moving past surface-level debates to a deeper, more nuanced search for truth. Kerry's scholarship and Cardon's lively questioning create a compelling, accessible conversation that will challenge believers and critics alike to rethink what they thought they knew about the Book of Abraham.
We are thrilled to have Sandra Tanner as a guest on our LDS Discussions series this week! Along with John, Julia, and Nemo, Sandra is here to offer commentary on three new essays recently released by the LDS Church, addressing the issues of Book of Mormon translation, polygamy, and Joseph Smith's character.In part one of this two-part episode, we will focus on Joseph Smith's “translation” of the Book of Mormon and on polygamy.Among the topics we'll cover:-“Translation” vs. “Revelation”-Joseph's use of the seer stones-What became of the Eight Witnesses-The polygamy manifestos-The Nauvoo ExpositorYou won't want to miss this fascinating conversation with the one and only Sandra Tanner, as we dissect the essays point by point and offer a unique perspective on these issues.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released 3 new Gospel Topics Essays in July. We go through each of them, discuss the information that's missing, chat about the propaganda woven into every line, and speculate as to the impetus behind the new essays. For ease of listening, the Book of Mormon Translation starts at 13:31, the Plural Marriage starts at 1:01:24, and Joseph Smith's Character starts at 1:53:15. After that we chat Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, a post-apocalyptic wasteland movie about two warring cult leaders. Then we wrap with happy news about metalheads fighting bullying in schools! Show Notes: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/plural-marriage?lang=eng https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/joseph-smiths-character?lang=eng https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Question:_Why_were_the_gold_plates_needed_at_all_if_they_weren%27t_used_directly_during_the_translation_process%3F https://www.analyzingmormonism.com/changes-to-the-book-of-mormon/ https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/introduction-to-state-of-illinois-v-js-for-assault-and-battery/1 https://www.thechurchnews.com/2012/5/26/23225539/kirtland-safety-society/ https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/kirtland-safety-society-notes-4-january-9-march-1837/1 https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/council-of-fifty-minutes-march-1844-january-1846-volume-1-10-march-1844-1-march-1845/99#full-transcript MOGP: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12037194/?ref_=hm_rvi_i_12 Where it's streaming: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/furiosa Happy News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c99mdjp97m0o Other appearances: Chris Shelton interviewed us in the beginning of a series on Mormonism on his Speaking of Cults series. He has had MANY different fascinating people on so go take a look! Here is the whole playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGuS7GcsgA&list=PLGrPM1Pg2h72ADIuv8eYmzrJ-ppLOlw_g Most recent episode: The secret history of the Mormon church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SJkzxy6Qsg Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast BlueSky: @glassboxpodcast.bsky.social Other BlueSky: @bryceblankenagel.bsky.social and @shannongrover.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/ Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com Venmo: @Shannon-Grover-10
Did the Lord Fail? by Autumn Dickson To give a bit of content for what we're reading about this week, the Saints have been driven from their homes in Missouri, and Joseph Smith received a revelation that talked about gathering a group of Saints to go and win back their homes. After marching towards Jackson […] The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Doctrine and Covenants 102-105 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.
Cardon sits down with Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein to explore the “Top 10 Reasons to Believe in the Book of Abraham.” Their conversation moves beyond defensive apologetics into a thoughtful, candid, and sometimes lighthearted discussion of why the Book of Abraham deserves to be read as both an authentic ancient text and a source of profound spiritual truth.Kerry shares insights from years of scholarship, showing how historical details, linguistic patterns, and archaeological discoveries align with Joseph Smith's translation. Just as importantly, he explains how the Book of Abraham continues to inspire personal revelation, deepen understanding of God's covenant with His children, and connect ancient faith with modern discipleship.Rather than treating the text as a controversy, this episode highlights the richness of the Book of Abraham, the doctrinal depth it offers, and the lived spiritual experiences that testify of its divine origin. It's an invitation not just to study the evidence, but to encounter God through the words of Abraham himself.
“After Much Tribulation … Cometh the Blessing” Zions Camp - Doctrine and Covenants 102-105All about Zions Camp for Kids! Come along on this choose your own adventure while learning all about Joseph Smith and what the men learned during Zions Camp! Children will learn:I can be “a light unto the world” by following Jesus.The Lord wants me to share what I have with people in need.The Lord will bless me as I keep His commandments.I can be a peacemaker.You're listening to Come Follow Me Kids!A Come Follow Me Podcast for Primary Kids of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.We are an interactive game play podcast for kids. Children will learn shout the scriptures while playing games that go with the Come Follow Me Lessons from the church.This year we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants. If you are looking for a Doctrine and Covenants Podcast for Primary Kids, look no further! Our podcast is called Come Follow Me Kids. Come Follow Me for kids that are primary aged 2-12 in the Church or Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We follow the come follow me manual from the church but are not officially affiliated in any way. Some audio segments come from the friend magazine and other church sources. On this podcast we play interactive games while learning about the gospel and atonement of Jesus Christ.If your children would like to be guests on this podcast or to receive a baptism shout out, please email us at their info at comefollowmekidspodcast@gmail.com RSS Feed https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/collections/music-from-the-friend?lang=eng https://anchor.fm/s/661b3db4/podcast/rsshttps://camillesprimaryideas.com/2011/12/music-cd-for-primary.html https://members.camillesprimaryideas.com/resource-library/#category Awesome! Congratulations Beverly! We will get her a shot out this week! If she ever wants to be a guest on the podcast, she is welcome to. Just send me an audio recording of her sharing an experience she had with the Holy Ghost, prayer, missionary work, or whatever else she thinks is worth sharing. Thants so much for listening and supporting the show. Clap it back (repeat beat of song by clapping)Sing a song in a round Echo song Finish the rhyme Guided doodle (drawing with food shapes)Women and priesthoodPriesthood service blesses Church members and their families.In addition to those who are ordained to the priesthood, women who are set apart to serve in the Church also exercise God's authority as they participate in His work. To learn how, see President Dallin H. Oaks's message “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 49–52).Baptism Shout OutsYou're listening to Come Follow Me Kids! A Come Follow Me Podcast. We are an interactive game play podcast for kids. This is a Doctrine and Covenants Podcast for Kids! Our podcast is called Come Follow Me Kids. Come Follow Me for kids that are primary aged 2-12 in the Church or Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We follow the come follow me manual from the church but are not officially affiliated in any way. Some audio segments come from the friend magazine and other church sources. On this podcast we play interactive games while learning about the gospel and atonement of Jesus Christ. If your children would like to be guests on this podcast, please email us at comefollowmekidspodcast@gmail.com They can share their testimony about the restoration of the gospel, or share an experience they had with prayer, the Holy Ghost, or Missionary Work. Make sure they include their name and where they are from in the audio recording. And don't worry about your recording being perfect, we can edit out mistakes. Any sound file should work. If your children would like a baptism shout out, email us their name, and where they are from and we will add them to an upcoming episode. Use the same email listed above.
In this part 1 of 2 episodes, Bryan and Layne pull back the curtain on Mormonism's temple recommend—walking through the 16 worthiness questions, why they emphasize loyalty and performance over Jesus' finished work, and what the Bible says about true access to God.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --What Is a Temple Recommend in Mormonism?In this episode, Bryan and Layne take listeners inside one of the most important—and least understood—practices in Mormonism: the temple recommend interview.For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), receiving a temple recommend is like getting a spiritual passport. Without it, you cannot enter Mormon temples, where sacred ordinances such as baptisms for the dead, eternal marriages, and endowments are performed. To get one, every member must answer the same 16 “worthiness questions” in interviews with both their local bishop and their stake president.Layne, who held temple recommends for decades before leaving Mormonism, explains what these questions are, what they test, and how they compare with the Bible's teaching about salvation, worthiness, and grace.What Is a Temple Recommend?A temple recommend is a physical card (now often digitized) that allows a Mormon to enter any LDS temple worldwide. It is valid for two years, after which the member must repeat the interview process to renew it.For many Mormons, obtaining a recommend is the pinnacle of religious devotion. From childhood classes to teenage priesthood offices, LDS culture builds anticipation for the temple. Preparation includes six weeks of temple prep classes and then the recommend interview.The interview itself consists of 16 standardized questions. These questions are designed to measure whether someone is “worthy” to enter the temple. But as Layne explains, they often test external performance more than internal faith.What the Questions Really TestThe first few questions sound straightforward:Do you have faith in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His role as Savior and Redeemer?At face value, many Christians could answer “yes.” But the problem arises in the definitions. A biblical Christian would describe God as one eternal Being in three persons—the Father, Son, and Spirit. Yet Mormonism defines them as three separate gods. Similarly, Mormons often emphasize Jesus' suffering in Gethsemane rather than His finished work on the cross.The result? The questions aren't just about belief in God or Christ—they're about belief in the LDS version of God and Christ.Other questions reveal more clearly the institutional loyalty expected:Do you have a testimony of the “restoration” of the gospel through Joseph Smith?Do you sustain the current prophet and apostles as seers and revelators?Do you support or promote any teachings contrary to those of the LDS...
In this part 1 of 2 episodes, Bryan and Layne pull back the curtain on Mormonism's temple recommend—walking through the 16 worthiness questions, why they emphasize loyalty and performance over Jesus' finished work, and what the Bible says about true access to God.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --What Is a Temple Recommend in Mormonism?In this episode, Bryan and Layne take listeners inside one of the most important—and least understood—practices in Mormonism: the temple recommend interview.For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), receiving a temple recommend is like getting a spiritual passport. Without it, you cannot enter Mormon temples, where sacred ordinances such as baptisms for the dead, eternal marriages, and endowments are performed. To get one, every member must answer the same 16 “worthiness questions” in interviews with both their local bishop and their stake president.Layne, who held temple recommends for decades before leaving Mormonism, explains what these questions are, what they test, and how they compare with the Bible's teaching about salvation, worthiness, and grace.What Is a Temple Recommend?A temple recommend is a physical card (now often digitized) that allows a Mormon to enter any LDS temple worldwide. It is valid for two years, after which the member must repeat the interview process to renew it.For many Mormons, obtaining a recommend is the pinnacle of religious devotion. From childhood classes to teenage priesthood offices, LDS culture builds anticipation for the temple. Preparation includes six weeks of temple prep classes and then the recommend interview.The interview itself consists of 16 standardized questions. These questions are designed to measure whether someone is “worthy” to enter the temple. But as Layne explains, they often test external performance more than internal faith.What the Questions Really TestThe first few questions sound straightforward:Do you have faith in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His role as Savior and Redeemer?At face value, many Christians could answer “yes.” But the problem arises in the definitions. A biblical Christian would describe God as one eternal Being in three persons—the Father, Son, and Spirit. Yet Mormonism defines them as three separate gods. Similarly, Mormons often emphasize Jesus' suffering in Gethsemane rather than His finished work on the cross.The result? The questions aren't just about belief in God or Christ—they're about belief in the LDS version of God and Christ.Other questions reveal more clearly the institutional loyalty expected:Do you have a testimony of the “restoration” of the gospel through Joseph Smith?Do you sustain the current prophet and apostles as seers and revelators?Do you support or promote any teachings contrary to those of the LDS...
Send us a textJoin us this week as we continue to discuss the trials of the early saints and how we apply the principles of faithfulness to our lives. Jackson takes the opportunity to share a personal experience of exercising faith in following the prophet. From Come Follow Me: The Saints in Kirtland were heartbroken to hear that their brothers and sisters in Jackson County, Missouri, were being driven from their homes. It must have been encouraging, then, when the Lord declared that “the redemption of Zion” would “come by power” (Doctrine and Covenants 103:15). With that promise in their hearts, over 200 men, plus about 25 women and children, enlisted in what they called the Camp of Israel, later known as Zion's Camp. Its mission was to march to Missouri and redeem Zion. To the members of the camp, redeeming Zion meant restoring the Saints to their land. But just before the camp arrived in Jackson County, the Lord told Joseph Smith to stop and disband Zion's Camp. Some members of the camp were confused and upset by this new instruction; to them, it meant the expedition failed and the Lord's promises were not fulfilled. Others, however, saw it differently. While the exiled Saints never returned to Jackson County, the experience did bring a degree of “redemption” to Zion, and it did “come by power.” Faithful members of Zion's Camp, many of whom later became leaders of the Church, testified that the experience deepened their faith in God's power, in Joseph Smith's divine call, and in Zion—not just Zion the place but Zion the people of God. Rather than questioning the value of this seemingly unsuccessful task, they learned that the real task is to follow the Savior, even when we don't understand everything. This is how Zion, ultimately, will be redeemed. See Saints, 1:194–206; “The Acceptable Offering of Zion's Camp,” Revelations in Context, 213–18.Support the show... Become a "Patron Saint"!!
Send us a textJaniece Johnson is a church historian, an acquisition director at Deseret Book, and author of 'Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants: Revelation.'I wanted to speak to Janiece about the theme of revelation because it seems to be a significant focus from the pulpit at General Conference from President Russell M Nelson and others.Some highlights from this episode include how to interpret God's silence, the various ways revelation can be manifested, and stories of how to receive revelation found in Doctrine & Covenants.--You can find more of Janiece's work at the following link:- https://www.deseretbook.com/product/P6075138.htmlFollow For All The Saints on social media for updates and inspiring content:www.instagram.com/forallthesaintspodhttps://www.facebook.com/forallthesaintspod/For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Qhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on InstagramConversations to Refresh Your Faith.For All The Saints podcast was established in 2023 by Ben Hancock to express his passion and desire for more dialogue around faith, religious belief, and believers' perspectives on the topics of our day. Tune into For All The Saints every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.Follow For All The Saints on social media for daily inspiration.
We are back today for part two of our examination of the CES Letter vs. the Book of Mormon. The CES Letter is perhaps one of the most influential documents in Mormon studies, and for years the LDS Church has criticized it and its author, Jeremy Runnells. Is this a fair treatment by the Church, or are Jeremy's questions on church doctrine valid?In this series, we are going point by point through the questions raised in the CES Letter to discuss how they line up with the Book of Mormon, as well as the responses the Church has provided thus far.Some of the questions we'll cover include:-Why is there no archaeological evidence for the Book of Mormon?-Where did the events of the Book of Mormon actually take place?-Why does the Book of Mormon share so many similarities with other books from Joseph Smith's time?-Does the Book of Mormon reflect a Trinitarian view of God?Join us today as we attempt to answer these questions—and more.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
When Josh Haskell left Mormonism, he discovered the true God of the Bible was nothing like the one he'd grown up with. Now a Christian educator, Josh reveals how Mormonism uses Christian terms—like “Jesus,” “grace,” and “God”—but redefines them completely.He shares the moment Isaiah 6 shattered his view of God: “The God I worship isn't holy—he's just an exalted man.” From becoming gods to baptisms for the dead, a works-based salvation, and idolizing Joseph Smith, Josh exposes the key differences between Mormonism and true Christianity.His story is both a warning about deceptive theology and a powerful testimony of God's truth. You do not want to miss this two part series! Send us a textPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.
Joseph Smith was influenced by the free love and spiritual wifery he saw around him.
* On Mormons: Bob Enyart and Doug McBurney interview Lynn Wilder who taught young people preparing to be Mormon missionaries. Hear Dr. Wilder's encouraging testimony of the power of God to save even someone even from the depths of a cult. (See also kgov.com/cults.) * The Pro-Abortion Mormon "Church": See also all the excuses the LDS church offers for the intentional dismemberment of unborn boys and girls, at ProlifeProfiles.com/Mormonism. Also, consider that the false teaching of the Book of Mormon regarding one of its central claims, that pre-Columbian American Indians were primarily of Jewish ancestry, has been falsified. See also: - Part 2 of Bob's Interview with Lynn Wilder - Secret Recording of Bob Enyart talking to Mormons - Bob's interview with Mark Cares, Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons - Bob's interview with Mark Cares (Part 2) - Bob's interview with Matt Wilder of Adam's Road - Screenshots from the official Mormon "church" website listing the kids they say you can kill - Bob's interview with Brannon Howse on David Barton and Mitt Romney - Bob debates an ex-Mormon polygamist - Brigham (liked-'em) Young and so did Smith (just below) - Coins and monetary units, every coin in the Bible has been excavated whereas the fake monetary units in the Book of Mormon of course have never been confirmed - The BEL program, What Mitt Romney's Mormon Relative Says Bonus: Here are some notes from that BEL program, What Romney's Mormon Relative Says: * Bill Keller, Gregg Jackson & Bob Enyart: These three Christian activists present some of the uglier aspects of Mitt Romney's Mormonism including the cult's longtime claim, as reiterated by Marion Romney at the LDS General Conference, that Mormonism uniquely teaches that God the Father was once a man who grew up on a planet similar to Earth. Weird and heretical. * God the Father was Once a Man said Brigham Young: Not speaking of the incarnation of the Son but speaking of the Father, LDS president, prophet, and successor to Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, said, "The idea that the Lord our God is not a personage of tabernacle [body] is entirely a mistaken notion. He was once a man. Brother Kimball quoted a saying of Joseph [Smith] the Prophet, that he would not worship a God who had not a Father... He [God] once possessed a body, as we now do..." -President & Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 9 see exmormon.org * More Brigham Young: "...the Father of Heights... Yes, he was once a man like you and I are and was once on an earth like this, passed through the ordeal you and I pass through. He had his father and his mother and he has been exalted through his faithfulness, and he is become Lord of all. He is the God pertaining to this earth. He is our Father." -President & Prophet Brigham Young, 14 July 1861 see exmormon.org * Mormon Prophet and President Lorenzo Snow: Again, not speaking of the incarnation but of the Father, Snow said, "I had a direct revelation of this. ... If there ever was a thing revealed to man perfectly, clearly, so that there could be no doubt or dubiety, this was revealed to me, and it came in these words: "As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be." - President & Prophet Lorenzo R. Snow, Unchangeable Love of God see exmormon.org * Mormon "Church" President Equivocates: LDS president Gordon Hinkley in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle lied and then equivocated... Q: There are some significant differences in your beliefs. For instance, don't Mormons believe that God [the Father] was once a man? A: [Lying] I wouldn't say that. There was a little couplet coined, "As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become." Now that's more of a couplet than anything else. [And equivocating] That gets into some pretty deep theology that we don't know very much about. Q: So you're saying the church is still struggling to understand this? A: Well, as God is, man may become. We believe in eternal progression. Very strongly. * Brigham (liked-'em) Young and so did Smith: Some early Mormons denied that their earliest leaders were polygamists and it was claimed that Brigham (liked-'em) Young introduced the practice. Young had 55 wives. He married ten teenagers while in his 40s including 15-year-old Clarissa Decker when he was 42 and 16-year-old Lucy Bigelow when he was 45. Also, from age 41 to age 66, Young married 23 women in their 20s. Finally in 2014 the Mormon "church" acknowledged that their founder Joseph Smith had up to 40 wives (some historians put it at 49), taking single and even married women. The church claims that some of these marriages were without physical relations, which they would seeing that Smith's youngest bride, Helen Kimball, was only 14, the marriage listed by Smith's own clerk as one of the women the founder married in early May 1843. Helen would later write: [My father] asked me if I would be sealed to Joseph … [Smith] said to me, 'If you will take this step, it will ensure your eternal salvation & exaltation and that of your father's household & all of your kindred.['] This promise was so great that I willingly gave myself to purchase so glorious a reward. Lorenzo Snow, mentioned above, the fifth president, 1989 - 1901, only had nine wives, though a number of them were teenagers half (and much less than half) his age. Recall that the Koran includes Mohammad's warning to his first wife that she faced eternal punishment for objecting to him lying with the young Coptic servant girl whom, allegedly, "Allah" had "made lawful" to him, so too, Joseph Smith dictated a similar warning to his first wife Emma in the founder's "inspired" Doctrine and Covenants. And we see above that though 14-year-old Kimball wasn't threatened she was similarly manipulated nonetheless. * Mitt Romney's Second Cousin Once Removed: "...like begets like [i.e., reproduction after its kind; an organism begets similar organisms] and that for the offspring to grow to the stature of his parent is a process infinitely repeated in nature. We can therefore understand that for a son of God to grow to the likeness of his Father in heaven is in harmony with natural law... This is the way it will be with spirit sons of God. They will grow up to be like their Father in heaven. Joseph [Smith] taught this obvious truth. As a matter of fact, he taught that through this process God himself attained perfection. From President Snow's understanding of the teachings of the Prophet on this doctrinal point, he coined the familiar couplet: "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become." This teaching is peculiar to the [LDS] restored gospel of Jesus Christ." -Elder Marion G. Romney, General Conference, October 1964 see exmormon.org * No Cities, No Money: Archaeologists and historians have confirmed the existence of scores of biblical cities. However, the No true Scotsman informal fallacy notwithstanding, not a single one of the 38 cities mentioned by Joseph Smith in the Book of Mormon have been recognized by any notable secular historian or archaeologist. And while every coin in the Bible has been found and documented, none of the monetary units described in the Book of Mormon have ever been found. * Mormonism Falsely Claims that Indians are Jews: One of the central historical claims of the Book of Mormon, as stated in its introduction as late as 1981, is that Jews were "the principal ancestors of the American Indians" and that would include the Aztecs, Incas, Mayans, Navajos, etc., are Jews. This false teaching states that some Jews left Jerusalem by ship in about 600 B.C. and built a great civilization in the Americas. Also wrongly about the Americas, "The whole face of the land had become covered with buildings" (Mormon 1:7) including with “fine workmanship… in machinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools” (Jarom 1:8; 2 Nephi 5:15) with “silks… oxen… cows… sheep… horses… donkeys… elephants…” (Ether 9:17-19) and "shipping and their building of ships, and of synagogues" and “swords… shields… head-plates… armor…” (Alma 43:18-19; Ether 15:15). None of this is true. * The Lembas: An African tribe, the Lembas, have long been believed to be descendants of the Jews, for they circumcise, keep the Sabbath and the dietary law, and in their DNA they possess the Jewish genetic marker, being perhaps the descendants of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. DNA research shows that American Indians are not related to the Jews, nor closely related to any Semitic peoples or the descendants of Shem, but rather, that they are primarily of Hamitic stock, from Asian people, having migrated to the Americas not by sailing the Atlantic but by crossing the Bering Straight. * Genetics Confirms Actual Biblical Relationships: In contrast to genetic predictions based on the Bible, those based on the Book of Mormon fail. Regarding the origin 4,000 years ago of people groups descended from Abraham, Dr. Jonathan Sarfati quotes the director of the Human Genetics Program at New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Harry Ostrer, who in 2000 said: Jews and Arabs are all really children of Abraham … And all have preserved their Middle Eastern genetic roots over 4,000 years. This familiar pattern, of the latest science corroborating biblical history, continues in Dr. Sarfati's article, Genesis correctly predicts Y-Chromosome pattern: Jews and Arabs shown to be descendants of one man. * Likewise, Jewish Priests Share Genetic Marker: The journal Nature in its scientific correspondence published, Y Chromosomes of Jewish Priests, by scientists from the University of Arizona, Haifa (Israel's) Technical Institute, and University College of London, who wrote: These Y-chromosome haplotype differences confirm a distinct paternal genealogy for Jewish priests. As expected, genetic science does not reinforce but rather contradicts Mormon claims. The obvious falsehood extends beyond genetics to culture, religion, and history. Contrariwise, because the Judeo-Christian Scriptures are true, mountains of evidence corroborate their historic claims. Regarding Jewish priests, Dr. Sarfati adds to the above that, "These Jews have the name Cohen, the Hebrew for priest, or variants like Cohn, Kohn, Cowen, Kogan, Kagan, etc." and that, "Even today, it is possible to identify the Levites, because they have names such as Levy, Levine, Levinson, Levental..." * If You Fear Obama, You'll Vote for Romney; If You Fear God, You Won't: Don't fear Obama. Fear God, for that is the beginning of wisdom! Besides, Obama is Romney-lite. And because Romney has already implemented policies that are so destructive that Obama only dreams of accomplishing such things, therefore, a vote for Romney is a vote for Obama. Today's Resource: Meet the Apostle John. He was the youngest of the Twelve. And at the time of this writing, he's now one of the last remaining. If you were an eyewitness to Christ's earthly ministry, what would concern you decades after the resurrection? From the battles that John fought we can learn lessons that will help us as we ourselves fight for the truth and battle false teaching within the church. By looking at "the things that differ," we can know what details in John's three epistles applied to the circumcision believers of his day and which of his teachings apply directly to us. Available on this 4-DVD Video Set and also in audio on MP3-CD or MP3 Download. * THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER: Make sure you don't miss Part 2 of Bob Enyart's great interview with former BYU professor Lynn Wilder.
From May to June 1834, approximately 230 men, women, and children marched to Missouri to help the Saints who had been expelled from Jackson County, Missouri, the previous year. This expedition, known today as Zion's Camp, was initially called the Camp of Israel. It was formed after Joseph Smith received a revelation in February 1834 commanding him to call up the strength of the Lord's house to redeem Zion from its enemies. The revelation instructed Church leaders to recruit at least 100, and preferably 500, men to travel to Missouri. In March, Joseph Smith and others traveled through New York to obtain volunteers and funding for the expedition. And don't forget Zelph's bones! What were they? Were they real? Were they a figment of Jospeh's imagination? Were the records of the experience accurate? Join Lynne Hilton Wilson as she dives into the context and controversies of this exciting part of Latter-day Saint Church History.
Come along with me on a walking tour of Independence, Missouri! We'll explore the historic Temple Lot Church (Hedrickites) and look at rare photographs from the Great Depression, when attempts were made to build the Jackson County Temple on the very cornerstones Joseph Smith laid in 1831. We'll also stop by the Stone Church, the oldest church in Missouri, built by Joseph Smith III, and visit the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As we walk, we'll trace the same steps once taken by Harry Truman, stopping at the United Nations Peace Plaza and the Auditorium he frequented after returning home from the presidency. Our journey will also take us to the Cutlerite Church and Temple. It's a unique chance to experience history, faith, and legacy all in one walk—you won't want to miss it! https://youtu.be/E-z1dRBPzqw Don't miss our other Tangent Trips! https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/gt-trips/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved From Zion to Truman Join us on an extended walking tour through Independence, Missouri, a city rich with pivotal moments in both the Restoration movement and American political history. From the foundational sites of early Mormonism to the stomping grounds of President Harry S. Truman, Independence offers a unique blend of historical insights. The Sacred Ground: Temple Lot Our journey begins at the Temple Lot, a site dedicated by the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith and other Mormon leaders on August 3, 1831. This area was envisioned as the center of Zion, a grand temple complex. Today, it's surrounded by several significant structures, including the Community of Christ Auditorium and Temple, the LDS Stake Center, and LDS Visitor Center. The Temple Lot Church, sometimes known as the Hedrick-ites, stands prominently. This site has seen its share of trials; the first and second churches built here were both tragically destroyed by fire. A particularly heartbreaking incident in 1990 saw a former member reportedly burn down a church with the misguided belief that it would expedite the rebuilding of the temple. Plans for a larger temple with groundbreaking and footings were halted by the Great Depression, leaving a famous foundation hole. Interestingly, artifacts like stones, found by Otto Fetting, are on display, hinting at the never-realized Greek-style design. The envisioned temple's footprint was surprisingly small, especially compared to later temples like Nauvoo or Salt Lake. Inside the Temple Lot Visitor Center, you can see photographs of early leaders and even a display of the Book of Commandments, a precursor to the Doctrine and Covenants, which is apparently being phased out of print and may be de-canonized. Architectural and Spiritual Diversity: Other Churches of Independence Just a short distance away, we visit the Stone Church, which stands as the oldest church in Missouri built by Joseph Smith III. Its interior, with its large pipe organ, impressive stained-glass windows, and wooden pillars, might remind visitors of the Salt Lake Tabernacle, albeit on a smaller scale. The Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has its headquarters in the former Chrisman High School, a building that also operates a lunch program for the homeless. A particularly unique stop is the Cutlerite Church, established by Alpheus Cutler in 1853. This small denomination, with fewer than a dozen members (most over 70), maintains a distinctive practice: they are one of the few churches outside the LDS Church and some polygamous groups that practice baptisms for the dead and endowments. Their building serves a dual purpose, with a chapel on the first floor and a "temple area" on the second, where sacred" temple work is conducted. Early Mormon Footprints and Conflicts Independence also holds the memory of early Mormon settlers and the tensions they faced. We visit the site of Edward Partridge's home and the relocated Jones Flournoy Home,...
References in scripture to the Watchman on the Tower often miss how in a version of the parable revealed to Joseph Smith, the tower isn't built and the enemy infiltrates. What might this mean for us?
Our Mothers Knew It with Maria EckersleyA Creative Study of Come, Follow MeD&C [D&C 98-101]“Be Still and Know That I Am God”September 8 – September 14, 2025WEEK 37 SUMMARY=================In Doctrine and Covenants sections 98 to 101, the Lord provides guidance and comfort to the Saints during times of persecution and adversity. Section 98 emphasizes the importance of patience, forgiveness, and the principle of non-retaliation, encouraging the Saints to seek peace and trust in the Lord's justice. Section 99 is a call to John Murdock to serve a mission, highlighting the importance of missionary work. Section 100 reassures Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon of the Lord's support and guidance in their missionary efforts. Finally, Section 101 addresses the Saints' suffering in Missouri, explaining that their trials are for their growth and purification, and promises eventual redemption and blessings. These sections collectively emphasize faith, obedience, and the Lord's overarching plan for His people.CHAPTERS=========00:00:14 INTRO00:01:49 INSIGHTS PART 100:05:05 INSIGHTS PART 200:38:47 WRAP UPLINKS=====WEB: https://www.gather.meckmom.comETSY: https://www.etsy.com/shop/meckmomINSTAGRAM: Instagram @meckmomlifePODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST DISCLAIMER=================================This podcast represents my own thoughts and opinions. It is not made, approved, or endorsed by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any content or creative interpretations, implied or included are solely those of Maria Eckersley ("MeckMom LLC"), and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Great care has been made to ensure this podcast is in harmony with the overall mission of the Church. Click here to visit the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Our Mothers Knew It with Maria EckersleyA Creative Study of Come, Follow MeD&C [D&C 98-101]“Be Still and Know That I Am God”September 8 – September 14, 2025WEEK 37 SUMMARY=================In Doctrine and Covenants sections 98 to 101, the Lord provides guidance and comfort to the Saints during times of persecution and adversity. Section 98 emphasizes the importance of patience, forgiveness, and the principle of non-retaliation, encouraging the Saints to seek peace and trust in the Lord's justice. Section 99 is a call to John Murdock to serve a mission, highlighting the importance of missionary work. Section 100 reassures Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon of the Lord's support and guidance in their missionary efforts. Finally, Section 101 addresses the Saints' suffering in Missouri, explaining that their trials are for their growth and purification, and promises eventual redemption and blessings. These sections collectively emphasize faith, obedience, and the Lord's overarching plan for His people.--------------------------------------OBJECT LESSON: “Come And See”: Gospel Learning Gumball MachineOBJECT LESSON: “Look unto Me in Every Thought”: Tiger Teeth Escape TrickOBJECT LESSON: “All Things Work Together for Good”: Stained Glass ArtOBJECT LESSON: “Ye Ought to Forgive One Another”: Floating ForgivenessOBJECT LESSON: “Let All Bitterness…be Put Away”: Caramel Apple ActivityOBJECT LESSON: “Blessed are They Who Will Repent”: DIY Hologram Box TheaterOBJECT LESSON: “I Will Gather Together in One All Things”: Ordered Card Trick------------------------------------------CHAPTERS=========00:01:49 OBJECT LESSON 100:02:39 OBJECT LESSON 200:04:31 OBJECT LESSON 300:07:27 OBJECT LESSON 400:10:37 OBJECT LESSON 500:14:32 WRAP UPLINKS=====WEB: https://www.gather.meckmom.comETSY: https://www.etsy.com/shop/meckmomINSTAGRAM: Instagram @meckmomlifePODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST DISCLAIMER=================================This podcast represents my own thoughts and opinions. It is not made, approved, or endorsed by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any content or creative interpretations, implied or included are solely those of Maria Eckersley ("MeckMom LLC"), and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Great care has been made to ensure this podcast is in harmony with the overall mission of the Church. Click here to visit the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We are here today with part fourteen of our Joseph Smith: The Podcast series with Dr. John Turner. Today we are continuing on with chapter thirteen of his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.” The chapter is titled “Zion is Fled” and covers the years 1883-1834 in Missouri. In this episode we explore one of the most turbulent periods in early Mormon history. We dive into the Missouri conflict of the 1830s, the Saints' rising tensions with their neighbors, and the violent clashes that shaped both Mormon identity and leadership.We also discuss:-The growing resentment of Non-Mormons-The destruction of a Mormon printing press by mob violence-Slavery in Missouri and how that related to the Saints-Doctor Philastus Hurlbut affidavits-The Solomon Spaulding Manuscript -The 1833 Meteor shower-How persecution shaped and influenced the Saints' identityThis conversation wrestles with big questions: Why did violence erupt? How did Joseph Smith and the Saints respond to failed prophecies? And what do these early struggles reveal about faith, leadership, and survival in a hostile America?Please purchase the book here.To support this series please donate here. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
Join Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon on Mormonism Live as we dig into the long and turbulent history of Joseph Smith's run-ins with the law. From treasure digging charges in New York, to assault accusations in Ohio, to treason indictments in Missouri and Illinois, Joseph Smith's life was marked by constant legal battles that… Read More »The Legal Battles of Mormonism’s Joseph Smith
To celebrate the kickoff to the 2025 NFL season (Eagles -7.5 vs the Cowboys), we begin in the obvious place with a discussion of Orson Hyde's letter to the Missouri Republican in 1861, providing commentary on the Civil War. They read an email from a litner who shares how she used to be afraid of Church history and how the podcast has given her confidence in the face of anti-Mormon garbage, and Richard shares his feelings on the idea of putting Gospel and Church history topics “on a shelf”…spoiler alert, he doesn't like the expression. Kristy's KorneЯ (Last Minute Lesson Prep): We ran out of time. There is no way your Sunday School teacher will be getting D&C 94 through 97. Use any of the three-part rerelease from D&C 93 last week, and you should be in great shape. Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2027: https://standardoftruth.com/tours Our 2026 tours are sold out, but if you would like to join us in the future, here is a link to our 2027 tours: Sign up for our free monthly email: https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com Rex's Elders Quorum President's Show Notes: •00:01:20 – Richard's new glasses, carrots, and “big carrot conspiracy” •00:03:40 – Football season talk (NFL & College) •00:09:20 – Listener mailbag begins •00:09:36 – Testimony of Emer Harris and family connections •00:15:00 – Listener Danica's email on family faith struggles and church history fears •00:25:00 – Richard's thoughts on “putting things on the shelf” vs. gaining testimony •00:31:00 – Discussion of Lyman Johnson's regret and the value of faith •00:35:00 – Dawson's email introducing Orson Hyde's Civil War commentary •00:37:00 – Civil War Prophecy context: hindsight bias and the problem of interpreting prophecy. •00:39:00 – Challenges of Second Coming prophecies and people's tendency to over-interpret. •00:40:30 – Specifics of Joseph Smith's prophecy: slavery, South Carolina, and secession. •00:43:00 – Why hindsight makes the Civil War “seem obvious,” but it wasn't. •00:45:00 – South Carolina newspapers downplaying fears of a large-scale war. •00:47:00 – Border state (Missouri) newspapers hoping for compromise to avoid war. •00:51:00 – Virginia's “scandalous” call for 10,000–20,000 militia—later dwarfed by actual numbers. •00:53:00 – Historical context: the Nullification Crisis and its contrast with Joseph's prophecy. •00:55:00 – War of 1812 Hartford Convention—New England nearly seceding. •01:00:00 – Hindsight bias analogy: Neville Chamberlain's “peace for our time.” •01:02:00 – Why critics' arguments against Joseph Smith's prophecy are hollow. •01:05:00 – Civil War prophecy in early manuscripts and the Pearl of Great Price (1851). •01:07:00 – Prophecy credibility, critics' weak arguments, and final remarks.
Join Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon on Mormonism Live as we dig into the long and turbulent history of Joseph Smith's run-ins with the law. From treasure digging charges in New York, to assault accusations in Ohio, to treason indictments in Missouri and Illinois, Joseph Smith's life was marked by constant legal battles that… Read More »The Legal Battles of Mormonism’s Joseph Smith The post The Legal Battles of Mormonism’s Joseph Smith appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.
Join Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon on Mormonism Live as we dig into the long and turbulent history of Joseph Smith's run-ins with the law. From treasure digging charges in New York, to assault accusations in Ohio, to treason indictments in Missouri and Illinois, Joseph Smith's life was marked by constant legal battles that… Read More »The Legal Battles of Mormonism's Joseph Smith
In this episode covering Doctrine and Covenants 94–97, I talk about how the Lord gives us patterns—whether in building temples or in building our lives—and how following His plan brings blessings we can't find in the world's way of doing things. I share a listener's touching review about the power of the Book of Mormon, insights on the Lord being in the details, and lessons from Joseph Smith's insistence on building the Lord's house His way. We discuss chastening as a sign of God's love, Hyrum Smith's eagerness to begin the Lord's work, and how temples and Zion invite us to become pure in heart. Most of all, this episode reminds us that the Lord wants to refine, bless, and multiply us when we humbly follow Him. See Saints, 1:169–70; “A House for Our God,” Revelations in Context, 165–73. Below is the talk I referenced, The Lord's Strange Act by Rex C Reeve. https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/rex-c-reeve-sr/lords-strange-act/
How can educators help students stop fearing their sins and start trusting Christ? In this episode, Professor Stephan Taeger discusses his article “Declared Guiltless: Justification by Faith in the Latter-day Saint Classroom.” He explores how teaching justification by faith can transform our classrooms. Addressing both guilt-ridden and morally indifferent students, he clarifies the doctrine using scripture, prophetic teachings, and scholarly insights. Taeger explains how understanding grace and justification fosters peace, inspires obedience, and strengthens discipleship. He offers practical teaching models that help students internalize their justified state and live with hope, love, and purpose. This episode empowers gospel educators to teach grace with clarity and conviction. Publications: “Declared Guiltless: Justification by Faith in the Latter-day Saint Classroom,” Religious Educator, 25.2, 2024 Joseph Smith as a Visionary: Heavenly Manifestations in the Latter Days, Religious Studies Center, 2025 “By Our Own Transgressions: Understanding God's Punishment,” in This Great and Lasting War: Studies in Alma 45–63, Religious Studies Center, 2025 “The Word Made Flesh: Teaching the Gospel Concretely,” Religious Educator, 18.1, 2017 “Using Elements of Narrative to Engage Students,” Religious Educator, 16.3, 2015 Click here to learn more about Stephan Taeger
Welcome to another episode with Dr. John Turner as we cover his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.” Today we are covering chapter thirteen titled “Zion is Fled” that covers 1833-1834 in Kirtland, Ohio.We answer important questions like: What is the importance of scriptures and what does that mean for this religious movement? Is Joseph Smith credible as a prophet, seer, and revelator? Even the Mormon church today is calling the Book of Mormon a “revelation” not a translation. Is the Book of Mormon a work of genius or is it from God?We also cover topics such as the School of the Prophets, how the Word of Wisdom came to be and Joseph Smith's vision of the grand Zion Community in Independence, Missouri.Please purchase the book here.To support this series please donate here. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions