Podcast appearances and mentions of Joseph Smith

We know that faith is a power stronger than electricity or lightning or the flooding of many waters. It is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things.  So, of course we seek how to develop it in ourselves. In Lectures on Faith, Joseph Smith teaches us: “Three things are necessary for any rational and intelligent being to exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.“First, the idea that he actually exists:“Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes;“And thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which one is pursuing is according to His will.”

What can Nauvoo land deeds actually tell us about Joseph Smith and the practice of plural marriage? In this episode of LDS Discussions, we take a close look at Nauvoo land records and examine claims that deeds issued to women –including women who were later identified as plural wives of Joseph Smith –provide evidence for Joseph Smith's practice of polygamy. The records are fascinating, but they are also considerably more complicated than they might appear at first glance. We examine the legal and historical context surrounding Nauvoo property, including the difference between a grantee and a recognized landowner, quitclaim deeds, coverture, widow's dower rights, property held in the  names of women and children, and the ways Joseph Smith and others used property arrangements to protect land from creditors and other legal complications. We also take a  closer look at individual cases involving Helen Mar Kimball, Sarah Ann Whitney, Flora Woodworth, Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner, Lydia Dibble Granger, Mercy Fielding Thompson, Philinda Myrick, Emma Smith, and others. Several of these women had connections to plural marriage, but that raises an important historical question: Does the existence of a deed help explain why a particular transaction happened, or does the deed itself provide evidence that polygamy was the reason for the transaction? Throughout the episode, we compare the deeds with tax records, William Clayton's journal, bankruptcy proceedings, and other contemporary evidence to see whether the names and dates appearing on the deeds accurately reflect who actually owned, occupied, controlled, or benefited from the property. One of the key conclusions is that you cannot simply take Nauvoo land deeds at face value. A plural marriage may sometimes provide a possible explanation for a property transaction, but the transaction itself does not necessarily prove that a plural marriage existed. This episode explores the complicated gap between what was legally recorded, what people were actually doing, and what later historians assume those records mean.___________________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

What can Nauvoo land deeds actually tell us about Joseph Smith and the practice of plural marriage? In this episode of LDS Discussions, we take a close look at Nauvoo land records and examine claims that deeds issued to women –including women who were later identified as plural wives of Joseph Smith –provide evidence for Joseph Smith's practice of polygamy. The records are fascinating, but they are also considerably more complicated than they might appear at first glance. We examine the legal and historical context surrounding Nauvoo property, including the difference between a grantee and a recognized landowner, quitclaim deeds, coverture, widow's dower rights, property held in the  names of women and children, and the ways Joseph Smith and others used property arrangements to protect land from creditors and other legal complications. We also take a  closer look at individual cases involving Helen Mar Kimball, Sarah Ann Whitney, Flora Woodworth, Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner, Lydia Dibble Granger, Mercy Fielding Thompson, Philinda Myrick, Emma Smith, and others. Several of these women had connections to plural marriage, but that raises an important historical question: Does the existence of a deed help explain why a particular transaction happened, or does the deed itself provide evidence that polygamy was the reason for the transaction? Throughout the episode, we compare the deeds with tax records, William Clayton's journal, bankruptcy proceedings, and other contemporary evidence to see whether the names and dates appearing on the deeds accurately reflect who actually owned, occupied, controlled, or benefited from the property. One of the key conclusions is that you cannot simply take Nauvoo land deeds at face value. A plural marriage may sometimes provide a possible explanation for a property transaction, but the transaction itself does not necessarily prove that a plural marriage existed. This episode explores the complicated gap between what was legally recorded, what people were actually doing, and what later historians assume those records mean.Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Did Joseph Smith really predict that the Constitution of the United States would one day “hang by a thread” and that the Latter-day Saints would step forward to save it? And what about the mysterious and controversial White Horse Prophecy—a dramatic account involving the future of the United States, the Constitution, and the destiny of the Latter-day Saints? In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths take a careful look at one of the most debated statements in Latter-day Saint history. The White Horse Prophecy has been repeated, quoted, expanded, and sometimes used to interpret modern politics for generations. But how much of it can actually be traced back to Joseph Smith? Scott and Casey examine the weaknesses in the prophecy's claim to authenticity, including the late recollection on which much of the account depends, the absence of a contemporary record, and questions about how the story changed and developed over time. The result is a fascinating example of why historians have to distinguish between what may have been remembered, what can be documented, and what later generations may have added to the story. But that does not mean every idea associated with the White Horse Prophecy should be dismissed. The famous concept that the Constitution of the United States would one day “hang by a thread” has a stronger historical foundation. Multiple sources attribute statements to Joseph Smith expressing concern for the future of the Constitution and describing a time when it would face grave danger. Scott and Casey explore those sources, their strengths and limitations, and what Joseph Smith may actually have meant. Join us as we separate prophecy from folklore, documentation from tradition, and historical evidence from later interpretation. What can we responsibly say Joseph Smith taught about the future of the Constitution? What parts of the White Horse Prophecy are difficult to substantiate? And why has this controversial story continued to capture the imagination of Latter-day Saints for more than a century?

The conversation methodically explores the introduction to Mormonism, understanding Mormon beliefs, the story of Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon. It delves into the core beliefs, historical events, and the significance of the Book of Mormon in the Latter-day Saint faith. The conversation methodically explores the origins and theology of Mormonism, covering the understanding of the Book of Mormon, the standard works, the restoration of authority, the organization of the church, the restoration of priesthood authority, the expansion of the church, the exodus to Utah, and an in-depth understanding of Mormon theology.TakeawaysMormonism's use of familiar Christian vocabulary can mask significant theological differences.The Book of Mormon plays a central role in the spiritual confirmation of Mormon beliefs. Latter-day Saints have a unique understanding of the Book of Mormon and the standard works.The restoration of priesthood authority and the organization of the church are central to Mormon theology.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Mormonism01:01 Understanding Mormon Beliefs02:26 The Story of Joseph Smith44:04 The Book of Mormon57:19 Understanding the Book of Mormon59:38 The Standard Works and Mormon Theology01:00:58 The Restoration of Authority01:01:58 The Organization of the Church01:02:24 The Restoration of Priesthood Authority01:03:21 The Restoration of Priesthood Authority (Continued)01:13:36 The Expansion of the Church01:14:44 The Expansion of the Church (Continued)01:19:39 Exodus to Utah01:22:37 Exodus to Utah (Continued)01:47:29 Understanding Mormon Theology01:48:53 Understanding Mormon Theology (Continued)

In June 1834, while marching with Zion's Camp through Illinois, Joseph Smith and his followers came across an ancient Native American burial mound. Members of the group dug into the mound and uncovered a human skeleton—with what appeared to be an arrowhead among its ribs. According to multiple members of Zion's Camp, Joseph Smith then… Read More »Mormonism’s Zelph – The White Lamanite

In June 1834, while marching with Zion's Camp through Illinois, Joseph Smith and his followers came across an ancient Native American burial mound. Members of the group dug into the mound and uncovered a human skeleton—with what appeared to be an arrowhead among its ribs. According to multiple members of Zion's Camp, Joseph Smith then… Read More »Mormonism’s Zelph – The White Lamanite The post Mormonism’s Zelph – The White Lamanite appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

In June 1834, while marching with Zion's Camp through Illinois, Joseph Smith and his followers came across an ancient Native American burial mound. Members of the group dug into the mound and uncovered a human skeleton—with what appeared to be an arrowhead among its ribs. According to multiple members of Zion's Camp, Joseph Smith then received a vision revealing the identity of the dead man. His name was Zelph. He was described as a “white Lamanite,” a warrior and “man of God” who had fought under a great prophet named Onandagus. Wilford Woodruff recorded that Onandagus was known across a territory extending from “the hill Cumorah” to the Rocky Mountains and that Joseph received this information “in a vision.” But the story gets considerably more interesting when we dig deeper. In this episode of Mormonism Live, we examine the earliest surviving Zelph accounts from Wilford Woodruff, Reuben McBride, Levi Hancock, Heber C. Kimball, and others. What did these witnesses independently agree Joseph said? Which details appeared later? And how did the story change as it was edited into the official history of the Church? We also explore Joseph Smith's own remarkable letter written during Zion's Camp describing the group as wandering across the “plains of the Nephites,” examine the possible connections between Zelph, Cumorah, the Land of Desolation, and Book of Mormon geography, and look at what modern archaeology has discovered about the mound where the skeleton was reportedly found. Was Zelph simply an unusual nineteenth-century frontier story? Or did Joseph Smith make a specific prophetic claim about an actual ancient person—one that potentially tells us where Joseph believed Book of Mormon peoples lived? Zelph the White Lamanite: Digging Up Bones This is where archaeology, Mormon history, Book of Mormon geography, and Joseph Smith's prophetic claims collide.

We open with incredible news from Sweetwater Rescue: a second Kyulu Stake group reached the Nairobi Kenya Temple and set a record for the most endowments performed in an African temple in a single day. Gerrit answers a litner's question on whether or not Brigham Young secretly altered Joseph Smith's journals to invent polygamy, a claim popular among denialists. Gerrit's dander meter climbs as he unpacks what "revised history" actually meant, why the sources hold up, and the irony of the charge coming from the Bickertonite tradition, which rejects nearly everything Joseph taught after the Book of Mormon. If you are interested in joining us in 2027 in Palmyra and Kirtland, August 1st through August 7th, click on the link below and reserve your spot: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261567888174171 Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ ⁠⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠⁠ (https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/) If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

In Episode 81 of the LDS Discussions series, we take a deep dive into the history of Mormon tithing –where the concept comes from, how it appears in the Bible and Book of Mormon, how Joseph Smith and the early Latter-day Saints understood it, and how the practice evolved into the modern LDS Church's system of financial requirements. We begin with the biblical origins of tithing, examining passages from the Old and New Testament and asking whether the biblical practice of tithing actually resembles the transactional model taught by the modern Church. We then turn to the Book of Mormon and explore what it says about priestcraft, wealth, and religious leaders receiving financial support. From there, we trace the history of tithing in early Mormonism, including Joseph Smith's financial requests, the 1838 tithing revelation, how early Saints actually contributed to the Church, and the significant differences between the original language surrounding consecration and the modern requirement to pay ten percent of one's income. We also examine the controversial history surrounding Green Flake and the claim that an enslaved man was donated as tithing, the financial relationship between Brigham Young and the Church, and what the surviving historical records can –and cannot –tell us about the practice of tithing and labor tithes in early Utah. Finally, we look at the development of modern LDS tithing requirements, including when tithing became a requirement for temple recommends, the distinction between tithing and fast offerings, teachings about self-reliance, changes to tithing slips, and the Church's long-standing lack of financial transparency to its membership. If you value episodes like this one, we ask that you show your support by donating to Mormon Stories Podcast! ___________________Show NotesYouTubeAt 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

In Episode 81 of the LDS Discussions series, we take a deep dive into the history of Mormon tithing –where the concept comes from, how it appears in the Bible and Book of Mormon, how Joseph Smith and the early Latter-day Saints understood it, and how the practice evolved into the modern LDS Church's system of financial requirements. We begin with the biblical origins of tithing, examining passages from the Old and New Testament and asking whether the biblical practice of tithing actually resembles the transactional model taught by the modern Church. We then turn to the Book of Mormon and explore what it says about priestcraft, wealth, and religious leaders receiving financial support. From there, we trace the history of tithing in early Mormonism, including Joseph Smith's financial requests, the 1838 tithing revelation, how early Saints actually contributed to the Church, and the significant differences between the original language surrounding consecration and the modern requirement to pay ten percent of one's income. We also examine the controversial history surrounding Green Flake and the claim that an enslaved man was donated as tithing, the financial relationship between Brigham Young and the Church, and what the surviving historical records can –and cannot –tell us about the practice of tithing and labor tithes in early Utah. Finally, we look at the development of modern LDS tithing requirements, including when tithing became a requirement for temple recommends, the distinction between tithing and fast offerings, teachings about self-reliance, changes to tithing slips, and the Church's long-standing lack of financial transparency to its membership. If you value episodes like this one, we ask that you show your support by donating to Mormon Stories Podcast! Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Mormonish Podcast hits Las Vegas with Dr. Randall Bell for a weekend of magic, illusion, mentalism, and misdirection. But this wasn't just for entertainment—we wanted to see these techniques in action and explore how performers capture attention, influence an audience, create a sense of wonder, and convince people they've witnessed something impossible. Then we turn the lens on early Mormonism. From seer stones and treasure seeking to supernatural claims and charismatic storytelling, we explore whether Joseph Smith may have employed some of the same principles of misdirection, suggestion, audience management, and psychological influence that magicians have used for centuries. Join us for a fascinating—and very Mormonish—trip to Vegas as we ask: When does a convincing performance become a miracle in the eyes of the beholder?This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Because the LDS Church claims to be led by divine revelation, major changes in doctrine are startling. If LDS prophets are led by God, one might expect current prophets to agree with previous ones. But the LDS principle of continuing revelation allows new “truths” to supersede past ones. Yet changes in LDS teachings raise the question of whether past prophets were wrong. And what will be said in 50 years about the prophets Mormons revere and obey today? With this in mind, consider some major changes in Mormon doctrine over the years.Polygamy The Book of Mormon expressly prohibits polygamy, Jacob 2:27-30: “There shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none.” The 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (Section 101) agrees: Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife; and one woman, but one husband, except in case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again. Yet in the 1830s, Joseph Smith began exploring the possibility of polygamy. He formally (but secretly) introduced plural marriage in 1843. The doctrine was not embraced openly until 1852, when the Mormons were safely established in Utah. For the next 40 years, polygamy was taught as a requirement for the highest levels of heaven. By the 1880s, an estimated 20-30% of Mormon families practiced polygamy.Yet polygamy was strongly rejected by the American public as a barbaric practice. The United States government applied increasingly stern measures against it. In 1887, the Edmunds-Tucker Act made polygamy a federal offense and authorized the seizure of LDS Church assets. Polygamous men were imprisoned. Families moved to Mexico and Canada, or went underground. Under pressure to preserve the Church from destruction at the hands of the United States government, LDS President Wilford Woodruff released a statement in 1890 - called “The Manifesto” - declaring his intention to submit to the laws of the land, and advising members of the Church to refrain from entering any illegal marriage. Even so, plural marriages continued to be performed in secret, until polygamy was completed forbidden by the LDS Church in 1904.Many people, out of faithfulness to Joseph Smith, continued to practice polygamy outside the official LDS Church. Known as “fundamentalists”, several close-knit polygamous communities survive across the western United States to this day. They believe that the mainstream LDS Church is apostate, while they represent original Mormonism..While plural marriage is now strictly forbidden in the LDS Church, it was never renounced as an eternal principle. The Church permits men to be married in LDS temples “for eternity” to more than one wife. In fact, the current LDS prophet, Russell M. Nelson, is eternally sealed to two women.After being a mainstay of Mormonism for 50 years, polygamy was shelved so that the LDS Church could survive. But marriage laws in the United States have changed considerably since 1890. Polygamy is no longer prosecuted as a crime. Will LDS prophets reveal that faithful Mormons should practice plural marriage again?The LDS Church's Gospel Topics Essays:Plural Marriage in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsThe Manifesto and the End of Plural MarriageRacismFor decades, men of black African descent could not hold the LDS priesthood. (In Mormonism, priesthood is the authority to administer key ordinances in God's name. No women have ever been allowed to hold this priesthood.)In the 1800s, Mormonism, like most American religions, had a mixed report card on racism. Some early Mormons were pro-slavery, some anti-slavery, and some neutral. During Joseph Smith's time, two black men were ordained to the LDS priesthood, although this privilege was later revoked. The Book of Mormon reflects the view that dark skin is a curse from God in response to spiritual depravity. In the Utah period, Mormonism was marked by a demeaning attitude toward blacks. It was commonly taught, well into the 2oth century, that black skin was God's curse on Cain (Genesis 4:11-15). In LDS thought, a great war in heaven divided God's spirit children in the premortal existence. Those born black in this life were said to have been less valiant in that heavenly war. Brigham Young, the 2nd LDS Church President and Prophet, had a low view of blacks:You see some classes of the human family that are black, uncouth, uncomely, disagreeable and low in their habits, wild, and seemingly deprived of nearly all the blessings of the intelligence that is generally bestowed upon mankind. (Journal of Discourses: 7:290-291).This is why interracial marriage was not allowed and social interaction between the races was officially discouraged well into the 1960s and 1970s. It is also the rationale for denying blacks the priesthood and not allowing them to receive temple ordinances.Latter-day Saints will argue that the LDS position on blacks and the priesthood was not doctrine, but a matter of policy. Yet in 1949, the Church's highest leaders spoke clearly against this view:The attitude of the Church with reference to the Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church from the days of its organization, to the effect that Negroes may become members of the Church but that they are not entitled to the Priesthood at the present time. (Statement of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, August 17, 1949, Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City.)This changed in 1978, when LDS Prophet Spencer W. Kimball announced a revelation that allowed black men to receive the priesthood. Since then, the LDS Church has made several statements condemning racism. They have increased their missionary efforts in Africa and in black communities elsewhere. We can rejoice that the LDS Church has officially turned away from the evil of racism. But were the LDS prophets in the 1850s right or wrong? Was the First Presidency in 1949 telling the truth? It's good for any church to change policies that are wrong. But what does it say about a church that claims to be led by divine revelation?The LDS Church's Gospel Topics Essay: Race and the PriesthoodTrinityThe historic position of Christianity, based on the Bible, is that there is only one God, who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Latter-day Saints deny this idea of God. They envision a “Godhead” of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost who are not one God in three persons, but separate beings who are one in spirit, purpose, and glory. But their view of God has changed over the years.The way God is depicted in the Book of Mormon is much closer to biblical Trinitarianism. Here is a sampling of just a few examples:And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. (2 Nephi 31:21)And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one. (3 Nephi 11:27)Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. (Ether 3:14)Modern Latter-day Saints interpret statements about “one God” and Jesus being “the Father and the Son” in support of current LDS doctrine, but on the face of it, the language itself suggests otherwise.In the decade after the Book of Mormon was published, the LDS idea of God continued to develop. The Lectures on Faith - published in 1835 as part of LDS scripture - asserted:That the Godhead consists of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Lecture 5, Paragraph 1)That there are two "personages", the Father and the Son, that constitute the "supreme power over all things" (Lecture 5, Paragraph 2)That the Father is a "personage of spirit, glory, and power" (Lecture 5, Paragraph 2)That the Son is a "personage of tabernacle" who "possess[es] the same mind with the Father; which Mind is the Holy Spirit" (Lecture 5, Paragraph 2)Over time, the current LDS view of God emerged. Most modern Latter Day Saints would never accept the idea of a two "personage" Godhead, with the Father as a spirit and the Holy Spirit as the shared "mind" of the Father and the Son.SummaryBiblical Christianity has certainly changed in its practices over the years. But the core doctrines that define the Christian faith are rooted in the stability of the unchanging Bible. Different interpretations of the Bible come and go in different eras, but the Bible is always the definitive standard against which any interpretation is measured. God continues to speak to his people today, not through the changing ideas of mortal prophets, but through his timeless word, the Bible.--The Unveiling...

We’re taking a deep dive into Virtual, Vodou, and Fundy Temples. It’s a fascinating look at secret and highly controversial world of divergent temples and modern groups of the Restoration. Following the assassination of Joseph Smith, the temple liturgy fractured like a prism, scattering the sacred rites of the Restoration in vastly different directions. https://youtu.be/L6vQWsbxxaE Don't miss our other conversations on temples: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/lds-temples/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved What you will discover in this presentation: Lost Rites of Mormonism: Discover early temple ordinances that the mainstream LDS Church left behind, including the Law of Adoption (sealing members to prominent church leaders rather than biological parents), baptisms for health (ritual immersion for physical healing), and the controversial Oath of Vengeance. The 1978 Breaking Point: Understand how early 20th-century alterations to the endowment and the 1978 revelation lifting the racial ban on Black members became the “last straw” for fundamentalists, who believed mainstream temples were defiled and set out to build their own sacred spaces. Inside Secret Sanctuaries of Fundy Temples: Go behind the scenes of Warren Jeffs' isolated YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, and the dramatic 2008 paramilitary raid sparked by a hoax call. Plus, hear about an exclusive interview conducted inside the temple of Christ’s Church (the Righteous Branch) in Nevada, where they still practice the multi-hour 1877 St. George endowment and perform second anointings. Decentralized and Progressive Temples: Explore Missouri Independents who reject the traditional fundamentalist racial ban to allow Black members to receive full temple ordinances, and the progressive Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship (CJCCF) & Reform Mormons. Both churches conduct virtual temple worship over Zoom using “home temples” and ordain women to the priesthood. Mormonism Meets Haitian Vodou: Learn how Haitian Latter-day Saints engage in “bricolage,” beautifully blending Mormon temple theology about the thin veil between the living and the dead with indigenous Vodou ancestral veneration. Join us as we explore how nearly two centuries of history have led diverse branches of the Restoration to continuously adapt Joseph Smith’s most sacred ordinances to forge their own unique connections with the Divine! 0:00 Discontinued Temple Rites 4:03 Racial Apostasy 4:37 FLDS Temple 6:39 Christ’s Church Temples 10:49 Baptism for Health 12:49 Missouri Independent Temple 16:53 Women’s Authority, 20:17 Internet Temples 22:36 Haitians Adapting Mormon Temples Don't miss our other conversations on temples: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/lds-temples/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

This episode of the Standard of Truth continues discussing the apostasy of Ezra Booth, a former Methodist minister who joined the early Church after witnessing Joseph Smith heal Elsa Johnson's arm.  Gerrit traces Booth's journey to Missouri in 1831, his disillusionment upon finding the future site of Zion to be a rough frontier town, and his subsequent public renunciation of the faith through nine letters published in the Ohio Star.  We examine how Booth reframed Mormonism as a deliberate deception rather than sincere belief, and how anti-Mormon arguments shifted from “converts are biblically ignorant” to “converts are insane” once educated ministers joined. Link to the Norm McDonald's Better Than Ezra joke: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Zyaf1Vg4S7I If you are interested in joining us in 2027 in Palmyra and Kirtland, August 1st through August 7th, click on the link below and reserve your spot: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261567888174171 Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ ⁠⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠⁠ (https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com/) If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

The testimonies of the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses are some of the most frequently cited pieces of evidence for the Book of Mormon. For believing Latter-day Saints, they provide powerful support for Joseph Smith's claims. For critics, they raise important historical questions that deserve careful examination.Over the years, I've created a number of short videos exploring what these witnesses actually said, how their accounts changed over time, and whether their testimonies withstand historical scrutiny. This video brings all of those reels together into one convenient supercut.Topics include:• The Three Witnesses• The Eight Witnesses• Spiritual vs. physical experiences• Later statements from the witnesses• Historical context• Common apologetic arguments• Critical perspectivesWhether you're a believer, a former member, or simply interested in American religious history, I hope this collection helps you better understand one of the most fascinating aspects of the Book of Mormon's origins.If you enjoy this video, please consider subscribing for more content on Mormon history, doctrine, apologetics, and current events.What do you think? Do the witnesses strengthen the case for the Book of Mormon, or do their accounts leave you with more questions? Let me know in the comments.#BookOfMormon #Mormon #LDS #ExMormon #JosephSmith #ChurchHistory #ThreeWitnesses #EightWitnesses #GoldPlates #MormonHistoryPlease consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Joseph Smith's King Follett Discourse vs. The Bible | What Did Joseph Smith Teach About God? What did Joseph Smith actually teach about God, man, creation, and salvation? In this episode of G220 Radio, we take Joseph Smith's King Follett Discourse and compare his own words directly with the Holy Scriptures. Joseph Smith claimed he was going to explain the character of God and even said he would prove his teachings from the Bible. But when we examine his statements alongside Scripture, do they actually agree? In this episode, we examine some of the most significant claims from the King Follett Discourse, including: • Joseph Smith's claim that God is “a man like one of you” • His teaching that God “came to be God” • His statement that “you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves” • His teaching that creation means “to organize” rather than create from nothing • His claim that the mind of man is as immortal as God himself • His teaching that man's first principles are self-existent with God • His teaching concerning salvation of the dead and postmortem opportunity • His statement that “knowledge saves a man” This isn't about misrepresenting Mormon beliefs or attacking individuals. The question is simple: Does Joseph Smith's King Follett Discourse agree with the Bible?

Mark sits down with Kevin Hinckley to discuss new excerpts from his book, “The God Who Wants You Home”. Mark and Kevin dive into great doctrine of the church, and review how culture has impacted our views of who God is, that may not be correct. Joseph Smith said, "If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.” When it comes to judging ourselves, or understanding our relationship with God, we must understand His true nature.

Latter-day Saints revere Joseph Smith as a prophet of God. His role is absolutely central to the claims of Mormonism. LDS Church President Joseph Fielding Smith highlighted this important role:“Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 1:188. Italics in original)In light of this, it makes sense to examine the story of Joseph Smith to evaluate what we should think of him. Consider five elements of his story that bear upon this question.Occult Treasure Hunting Money digging was a fairly common practice in frontier America in the late 1700s and early 1800s. It involved certain rituals or ceremonies performed to obtain buried treasure. The treasure was thought to be guarded by evil spirits. Joseph Smith as a young man offered his services for hire as a money digger. Smith's entire family practiced various folk-magic practices, including visions, dreams and occult rituals.Joseph's method in finding lost treasure involved the use of a seer stone, which he discovered in 1822 while digging a well for a neighbor. He would place this small rock in his hat and pull his hat up over his face to block out the light. He claimed that he could see supernaturally through the stone to help locate the place where the treasure was buried.The Vagrant Act, a New York law at the time, defined a disorderly person to include one who pretended to have skill in palm reading, telling fortunes, or discovering where lost goods could be found. In 1826 - during the period while Joseph was supposedly being prepared by God to receive the gold plates containing the Book of Mormon - he was arrested, brought before a judge, and charged with being a “glass-looker” and a disorderly person. The judge determined that Joseph was guilty, though no penalty was administered.Shortly after this, Joseph stopped money digging but kept the seer stone. It was with this stone that he claimed to find the gold plates and to later produce the Book of Mormon. Historians have documented many points of connection between Joseph's early occult practices and the origins of the Book of Mormon.The First Vision Joseph Smith's “First Vision” is a key part of the LDS story and establishes several unique LDS beliefs. The official account of this vision describes how the 14-year-old Smith, eager to learn the truth about which of the competing Christian churches was true, went to a secluded grove to ask God. There God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and told him not to join any of them, for all of them were apostate. That event launched the prophetic mission of Joseph Smith to restore Jesus' original church to the earth. The official account, now included in LDS scriptures, was written by Joseph Smith in 1838, 18 years after the events it recounts. Yet historical research in recent years has uncovered eight other accounts of the First Vision. Some were written by Smith himself, or were recorded by others who heard Smith tell about it. Most of these accounts are earlier than the official version. It appears that over time, the story changed and grew into its final form. In some versions, two personages appear to Smith. In another, only “the Lord” appears. In others, the glorious personage is an angel. In the official version, the personages tell Smith that all churches are corrupt. In another version, this message comes from an angel. In other versions, this message is missing. In some versions, In one version, Smith reports that he was told, “Your sins are forgiven.” But this is absent in other versions. The official account says that Joseph was 14 when he had the vision. Another version, in Smith's own handwriting, says that he was 15. Others give his age as 17. The LDS Church's Gospel Topics Essay: First Vision AccountsThe Kirtland Banking ScandalThe LDS Church was officially founded in 1830 in New York, near Joseph Smith's home town. By the early 1830s Smith and his followers moved to Kirtland Ohio, where a number of converts had joined the church. New converts from other areas converged on Kirtland to be part of the LDS community. But the church's presence in Ohio didn't last long.There was friction with the locals on a number of points, which led to persecution. But one significant issue emerged when Joseph Smith and other LDS leaders organized an illegal bank in 1836, called the Kirtland Safety Society. Smith not only broke the law to form the bank; he had no expertise in financial matters and hid behind his prophetic mantle to convince others to fund the bank, claiming that the audible voice of God instructed him to establish it. He prophesied that the bank would grow and flourish, surviving when others failed. Yet this bank failed in 1837, releasing a hornet's nest of creditors who demanded payment, leading to numerous lawsuits and threats of violence. Many in the LDS church at that time lost faith in Smith's prophetic leadership. Others were convinced that Smith intended to defraud investors from the beginning. Joseph left Kirtland in January 1838 under cover of darkness, never to return again. FreemasonryFreemasonry was prevalent in the areas where Joseph Smith grew up. In fact, Joseph's brother Hyrum became a Mason while the family was still living in Palmyra, New York. Some years later, in Nauvoo, Illinois, when the LDS church was at its height, many prominent Latter-day Saints were Masons. Joseph became a Mason in March 1842. Less than two months later, he introduced the core ritual of the LDS temple, the endowment ceremony. Numerous scholars have pointed out the many parallels between the Masonic ritual and the LDS temple ritual, such as: the language of the ritual; the handshakes and other physical signs; the oaths and promises made; the vows of secrecy; the clothing involved in the ceremonies; the presentation of the ritual through drama, and more. Masonic themes and symbols are also reflected in the architecture of the Nauvoo temple, such as the beehive; the sun, moon and stars; the square; and the all-seeing eye. The LDS temple ritual, said by Mormons to have been given by divine revelation, is actually based on Masonic rituals.PolygamyPlural marriage in Mormonism began with Joseph Smith. He was toying with the principle of polygamy as early as 1831, and began introducing the doctrine shortly thereafter, but the revelation outlining the practice was not written down until 1843. Around 1834, Smith had a sexual relationship with Fanny Alger, a teenager living in his home. Faithful LDS scholars view this as the first of his plural marriages, but early LDS leader Oliver Cowdery described it as a “dirty, nasty, filthy affair.” By 1842, Joseph had married 10 women. That summer, he married six additional women, along with 17 others in 1843. Two of these were only 14 years old. While Mormons have denied it for years, the LDS Church has acknowledged that many of these marriages were physically consummated.The revelation authorizing plural marriage is found in Doctrine and Covenants 132. There, Joseph's wife Emma is threatened with destruction if she does not go along with Joseph's polygamy. (Today, most people would view that as spiritual abuse.) Section 132 also requires plural wives to be virgins. Yet Joseph married a number of women who were already married to other men. The revelation required a man taking plural wives to obtain the permission of his first wife. Yet Joseph married many women without Emma's knowledge. The LDS Church's Gospel Topics Essay: Plural Marriage in Kirtland and NauvooAgain, Latter-day Saint leaders have challenged us to consider Joseph Smith's story, to discern whether he was a prophet of God. These five elements of Joseph's history give evidence that he was not.--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--Notes

What happened to the Latter Day Saint movement after it fractured? We discuss the fascination history on RLDS & Bickertonite views about temples. While Brigham Young led his followers West to build physical temples in Utah, multiple restoration branches took a completely different path—formally rejecting Nauvoo theology, secret endowments, and polygamy https://youtu.be/-tjIZUJcOqo Don't miss our other conversations on temples: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/lds-temples/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved We dive into the fascinating, competitive, and highly diverse world of non-LDS temples. Discover how the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ) built the massive Auditorium in Independence, Missouri—which historian John Hamer argues was secretly designed as a Kirtland-style temple—before dedicating their famous spiral temple in 1984 under Wallace B. Smith. We also explore: RLDS & Bickertonite Views About Temples The Battle for the Temple Lot: How Granville Hedrick’s followers returned to Jackson County in 1867 and purchased the original plot where 24 temples were once planned. The Great Depression’s Forgotten Temple: Why Otto Fetting's attempt to construct a Greek-style temple on the Temple Lot in the 1930s left a massive excavation hole—and why former President Harry Truman asked to have it filled in. The Bickertonite Chasm: Why William Bickerton abandoned Brigham Young’s church after polygamy was announced in 1852, choosing to reject physical temples entirely while embracing radical inclusivity—including ordaining deaconesses in the 1860s and calling an African-American apostle. Tongues and the “Smith Corpus”: A fascinating discussion on why groups that rejected Joseph Smith's later revelations (like the Doctrine and Covenants) successfully preserved early Kirtland Pentecostal gifts like speaking in tongues, while the mainstream LDS Church largely phased them out. Tune in for an incredible journey through the fractured history and competing temple visions of the Restoration! Support the show at patreon.com/gospeltangents to hear the entire uncut conversation! Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

Have YOU Read ALL of the Joseph Smith Papers?Ryan Wood  @Amateur_LDS_Historian  is one of the very few people (possibly the only amateur historian) who has read the entire Joseph Smith Papers collection — all 26+ volumes of primary documents, journals, revelations, and letters.In this episode, he shares:The craziest things he discovered in the raw recordsOliver Cowdery counterfeiting money (the 1800s banking wild west)Why the Kirtland Temple was more like the first chapelHow common “magic” and folk beliefs were in Joseph Smith's timeWhy reading the raw history made him both more understanding and more faithfulThis is a rare, deep-dive conversation about growing up with church history and letting the primary sources speak for themselves.#JosephSmithPapers #ChurchHistory #LDS #BookOfMormonChapter Markers / Timestamps (Revised for Full 49-Minute Coverage)00:00 - Intro: Ryan Wood Read the Entire Joseph Smith Papers01:54 - Oliver Cowdery Counterfeiting Money (Technicality in 1800s Banking)05:09 - The Kirtland Temple: First Chapel, Not a Full Temple08:28 - Superstition, Seer Stones & Folk Magic in Joseph Smith's Time11:24 - Joseph Smith as a Flawed Human Being14:45 - Growing Up About Church History (Letting Go of the Disney Version)18:10 - Miraculous Events Confirmed Across Multiple Accounts21:51 - The Restraint of Church Leaders in Preserving History25:33 - Why Primary Sources Matter More Than Secondary Narratives29:48 - The Council of 50, Nauvoo Legion & Other Administrative Records34:12 - What the Joseph Smith Papers Reveal About Early Church Culture38:44 - Dealing with Scandalous or Difficult Stories43:15 - Final Thoughts: Reading the Raw Data Changed EverythingJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnmsAFGrFuGe0obW6tkEY6w/joinAmazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1AQLMTSMBM4DC?ref_=wl_shareVisit us for this and more at: WardRadio.comTo subscribe to "The Women of Ward Radio" Youtube Channel, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbu-wpRztV-8TYXClhUZhhwTo Subscribe to Cardon Ellis' Adventure Channel, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/@CardonEllisAdventuresThe following authors and/or sponsors are generously offering discounts on their gospel-related publication to Ward Radio listeners.⚡For free trial of Scripture Notes please visit the following link!: https://scripturenotes.com/?via=wardradio⚡For a discount on Tiny 3D Temples, Save 15% with code WARDRADIO at checkout or visit tiny3dtemples.com/wardradio⚡Family: A Rhyming Proclamation for Kids book visit the following linkhttps://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/family-a-rhyming-proclamation-for-kids . Use the code "Ward Radio" for 10% off. ⚡To Order Jonah's Book, “Lost Gems of Genesis” visit the following link and use coupon Code: WARDRADIO https://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/coming-soon-the-lost-gems-of-genesis-how-apocryphal-texts-prove-joseph-smith-fixed-the-bibleFor 10% off Plain and Precious Publishing Books, visit plainandpreciouspublishing.com and use Coupon Code: WARDRADIOFor a 5% discount on Go and Do Travel, visit goanddotravel.com and use the promo code WARDRADIO5#christian #mormon #exmormon #latter-daysaints #latterdaysaints #latterdays #bible #bookofmormon #archaeology #BYU #midnightmormons #jesus #jesuschrist #scriptures #sundayschool #biblestudy #christiancomedy #cardonellis #kwakuel #bradwitbeckTo support the channel:Venmo @WardRadio or visit: https://account.venmo.com/u/MidnightMormonsPaypal: paypal.me/@midnightmedia CashApp: $WardRadioFollow us at:Instagram: @cardonellis @kwakuel @braderico @boho.birdyFacebook: @WardRadioWorldwideTwitter: WardRadioShowTikTok: WardRadioWorldwide

The nineteenth century saw the birth of many new religious movements. Most claimed to be Christian, yet their teachings departed from the Bible. In this episode, Grace, Isaac, and Priscilla explore the life and the teachings of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as Mormons). How did Smith come to be regarded as a prophet? What did he teach? Who was Mormon, and do we still have the golden plates on which he supposedly recorded his revelations? Join our hosts as they bring these and other questions to Dr. John Turner, professor of Religious Studies and History at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and author of the book, Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. 

Whether gruesome or glorified, Joseph made a wide range of edits to the King James Version. Here are ten worth mentioning.

Devin from Latter Day Logic shares his powerful 4-step framework (and 14-step version) for logically dismantling anti-Mormon arguments — especially the ones that go viral on TikTok and Instagram.In this episode we cover:How to respond when someone claims Joseph Smith married a 14-year-oldThe “You worship a different Jesus” argument“There's no archaeological evidence for the Book of Mormon”Isaiah 43:10 and the “Mormons are polytheists” claimThe “White Islam” comparisonAnd more...This is one of the most practical apologetics tools we've shared. Whether your shelf is shaky or you just want better answers, this framework is gold.What's the most common anti-Mormon argument you see online?#AntiMormon #LatterDayLogic #BookOfMormon #WardRadioChapter Markers / Timestamps:00:00 - Intro: The Top Anti-Mormon Arguments Online01:11 - Devin's 4-Step Framework for Dismantling Claims03:47 - Step 1: Is This Accusation Even True? (Provide Evidence)07:57 - Joseph Smith & the 14-Year-Old Marriage Claim10:45 - Step 2: Is Your Church Guilty of This Too?13:06 - Step 3: Is This Biblical? (Double Standards)14:56 - Step 4: How Does This Prove the Book of Mormon False?17:00 - The Full 14-Step Version on LatterDayLogic.org19:07 - Angel Studios Sponsor19:29 - “You Worship a Different Jesus” (Trinity Argument)23:00 - Isaiah 43:10 – “No Other Gods Before Me”27:00 - “No Archaeological Evidence for the Book of Mormon”31:35 - The “White Islam” Comparison34:00 - Book of Abraham – A Common Regurgitated Claim36:39 - Why People Use These Arguments as Smoke Screens38:00 - Final Advice: Always Lead With the Spirit + LogicJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnmsAFGrFuGe0obW6tkEY6w/joinAmazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1AQLMTSMBM4DC?ref_=wl_shareVisit us for this and more at: WardRadio.comTo subscribe to "The Women of Ward Radio" Youtube Channel, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbu-wpRztV-8TYXClhUZhhwTo Subscribe to Cardon Ellis' Adventure Channel, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/@CardonEllisAdventuresThe following authors and/or sponsors are generously offering discounts on their gospel-related publication to Ward Radio listeners.⚡For free trial of Scripture Notes please visit the following link!: https://scripturenotes.com/?via=wardradio⚡For a discount on Tiny 3D Temples, Save 15% with code WARDRADIO at checkout or visit tiny3dtemples.com/wardradio⚡Family: A Rhyming Proclamation for Kids book visit the following linkhttps://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/family-a-rhyming-proclamation-for-kids . Use the code "Ward Radio" for 10% off. ⚡To Order Jonah's Book, “Lost Gems of Genesis” visit the following link and use coupon Code: WARDRADIO https://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/coming-soon-the-lost-gems-of-genesis-how-apocryphal-texts-prove-joseph-smith-fixed-the-bibleFor 10% off Plain and Precious Publishing Books, visit plainandpreciouspublishing.com and use Coupon Code: WARDRADIOFor a 5% discount on Go and Do Travel, visit goanddotravel.com and use the promo code WARDRADIO5#christian #mormon #exmormon #latter-daysaints #latterdaysaints #latterdays #bible #bookofmormon #archaeology #BYU #midnightmormons #jesus #jesuschrist #scriptures #sundayschool #biblestudy #christiancomedy #cardonellis #kwakuel #bradwitbeckTo support the channel:Venmo @WardRadio or visit: https://account.venmo.com/u/MidnightMormonsPaypal: paypal.me/@midnightmedia CashApp: $WardRadioFollow us at:Instagram: @cardonellis @kwakuel @braderico @boho.birdyFacebook: @WardRadioWorldwideTwitter: WardRadioShowTikTok: WardRadioWorldwide

What if one of the most important events in early Mormon history never actually accomplished what it set out to do? In 1834, Joseph Smith organized nearly 200 armed men and led them almost 900 miles across the American frontier with one stated objective: redeem Zion and restore the Saints to their lands in Jackson… Read More »Zion’s Camp: Turning Failure Into Faith

What if one of the most important events in early Mormon history never actually accomplished what it set out to do? In 1834, Joseph Smith organized nearly 200 armed men and led them almost 900 miles across the American frontier with one stated objective: redeem Zion and restore the Saints to their lands in Jackson… Read More »Zion’s Camp: Turning Failure Into Faith The post Zion’s Camp: Turning Failure Into Faith appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

What if one of the most important events in early Mormon history never actually accomplished what it set out to do? In 1834, Joseph Smith organized nearly 200 armed men and led them almost 900 miles across the American frontier with one stated objective: redeem Zion and restore the Saints to their lands in Jackson County, Missouri. They marched. They trained. They carried muskets and swords. They expected confrontation. But they never fought a battle. Instead, they encountered political resistance, internal dissent, a violent storm many viewed as miraculous, a devastating cholera outbreak that claimed fifteen lives, and a revelation that abruptly ended the expedition. So what happened? More importantly… how did what appeared to be a failed mission become one of the greatest success stories in Mormon history? In this episode of Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon take a deep dive into the complete story of Zion’s Camp—from the revelations that launched it to the theological reinterpretation that followed its collapse. Along the way we examine:• The promise to redeem Zion in D&C 103• Why hundreds of Saints believed they were going to reclaim Jackson County• Joseph Smith as “Commander in Chief of the Armies of Israel”• Governor Daniel Dunklin and the political realities of Missouri• The famous Fishing River storm—miracle or coincidence?• The deadly cholera outbreak that followed D&C 105• Why the mission was suddenly called off• The psychological and theological shift from “the prophecy failed” to “the people weren’t ready”• How Zion’s Camp became the proving ground for the future Twelve Apostles and Seventy This episode also explores a broader question that reaches far beyond Mormonism: How do religious movements reinterpret unmet expectations while preserving confidence in prophetic leadership? Whether you’re a believing Latter-day Saint, a former member, a student of history, or simply interested in the psychology of belief, Zion’s Camp offers one of the most fascinating case studies in early American religious history. Primary sources used include: Joseph Smith Papers Project Doctrine & Covenants 101, 103, and 105 John Whitmer’s History John Corrill’s A Brief History of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints Contemporary journals, letters, meeting minutes, and financial records from 1833–1835 #Mormonism #LDSHistory #JosephSmith #ZionsCamp #MormonismLive #ChurchHistory #ReligiousHistory #FaithCrisis #MormonStudies #DoctrineAndCovenants #ExMormon #Religion

Many people think there aren’t non-LDS temples, but that’s not true. When Joseph Smith was assassinated in 1844, the restoration did not just fracture geographically—it shattered the unified theology of the temple. While the LDS Church went on to build a massive global network of private temples, several other branches of the restoration developed highly unique, surprising, and divergent temple traditions of their own. https://youtu.be/AiIf0-7mOIE Don’t miss our other conversations on temples: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/lds-temples/ In this presentation to the Book of Mormon Perspectives Forum, Gospel Tangents host Rick Bennett explores the fascinating history of “Divergent Temples” across different restoration groups: The Wightites (Texas): Led by Apostle Lyman Wight, this group built the first temple west of the Mississippi in Zodiac, Texas, in 1849—nearly 30 years before the St. George Utah Temple. Shockingly, Wight’s temple endowments were completely open to the public. To secretly practice polygamy, women in the group used their maiden names on both the census and during proxy baptisms to avoid government detection. The Strangites (Wisconsin & Michigan): Led by James Strang, who claimed an angel ordained him as Joseph’s successor on the day of the martyrdom. Strang established the “Order of the Illuminati,” which featured mysterious, phosphorus-anointed initiations that culminated in Strang being crowned as the “king in Zion.” The Cutlerites (Missouri): Founded by Alpheus Cutler, the seventh member of Joseph Smith's original Quorum of the Anointed. Today, a dwindling number of Cutlerites in Independence, Missouri, still perform temple work on the private second floor of their building. Scholars believe their endowment ceremony is the most unchanged version since the 1840s. However, to distance themselves from polygamy, they reject sealings for the dead while continuing to perform sealings for the living. Whether you are interested in historical mysteries, theological evolutions, or the Masonic roots of early endowment dramas, this episode offers an eye-opening look at how different restoration groups have sought to build holiness to the Lord. 00:00 Introduction 04:13 Nauvoo Temple Origins 12:14 Groups That Kept Nauvoo-Style Temples

Why does bad news land, over and over, on some of the most faithful people? Dr. Marcus Martins joins Hank and John to examine the Book of Job, and shows why Job's friends fail even as they try to comfort him, why presence matters more than explanations;  some answers to suffering, they conclude only come with eternal perspective.YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/jlUZPvX3GfgALL EPISODES/SHOW NOTESfollowHIM 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 NEWSLETTERhttps://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE:0:00 - Part 1 - Dr. Marcus Martins2:20 Job as Martins' personal companion through trials5:11 Dr. Martins' bio8:34 Martins' father's legacy and priesthood history11:26 Job's wealth, family, and sudden catastrophic loss14:25 Responding to loss with faith16:30 The hidden pain behind smiling faces19:58 Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail and the Job comparison22:18 The literary origins and genre of the Book of Job25:57 Job's health trial and his wife's response28:52 Why presence matters more than explanations31:59 The personal story of timely ministering34:54 Friendship as a healing power37:08 Being the person who notices and ministers39:52 President John Taylor on being tried “in all things”42:46 What trials teach us about ourselves45:21 Showing up for someone in grief47:38 Job's friends begin to offer explanations51:05 Wisdom and missteps53:16 The Law of Retribution and flawed logic56:10 Jesus and the man born blind59:33 The danger of manufacturing answer to suffering1:02:13 Living with unanswered questions1:05 Joseph Smith's promise and Job's testimony of the Redeemer1:09:22 End of Part 1 - Dr. Marcus MartinsThanks 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

A new local music festival mysteriously disappeared. Host Ali Vallarta, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen try to get to the bottom of it. Plus, the plan to save Gilgal Garden from future development, and will Utah ever get a WNBA team? Resources and references: New Utah festival headlined by Benson Boone, Sombr suddenly canceled [KSL] How Salt Lake City wants to protect one of its strangest pockets from development [Salt Lake Tribune] Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It's the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around for years to come.  Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137 Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  Red Butte Garden Rocky Mountain Power

Joseph's Pet Rock" may be a tongue-in-cheek title, but behind the humor lies one of the most important—and fascinating—objects in early Mormon history. Long before the publication of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith used a small seer stone while participating in treasure-seeking activities in upstate New York. Over time, that same stone became closely associated with some of the most significant events of the Restoration. In this episode, we explore the history of Joseph Smith's seer stone, its role in early Mormonism, and why it remains such a controversial and misunderstood artifact. How did a stone once used in folk magic and treasure digging become intertwined with sacred scripture and divine revelation? What do historical sources tell us about how Joseph used the stone, and why has its story been emphasized at some times and downplayed at others? Join us as we separate myth from history and examine the remarkable journey of the "pet rock" that helped shape a religious movement. Ganesh Cherian joins Mormonish Podcast again as we dive into this fascinating topic!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Thank you for joining us for Christian Faith Center's Sermon of the week. This message is from our Nampa Location. Pastor Jordan kicks off our new message series "ANOTHER GOSPEL" Now, some people might wonder if a series like this is a little controversial, but the truth is what sets us free. As followers of Jesus, we need to know what we believe and be equipped to have loving, helpful conversations with people who might believe a different gospel.Today, we are talking about Mormonism and answering a big question: Are Mormons Christians? In light of biblical and historical Christianity, the answer is actually no. Here are five key reasons why:First, Mormons believe in a different God. Their founder, Joseph Smith, taught that God the Father was once a man on another planet who progressed to become God. But the Bible clearly tells us that God does not change. He is the eternal "I Am," and there never has been and never will be another God besides Him.Second, they believe in a different Jesus. Mormon doctrine teaches that Jesus is the first spirit child born to a Heavenly Father and Mother, which would make him the spirit brother of Lucifer. But scripture tells us that Jesus is eternal, begotten and not created, and has no brotherly relation to the devil.Third, Mormons rely on a different authority. They believe the Bible was corrupted over time and that the Book of Mormon was needed to correct it. However, historical discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls prove that our scriptures have been supernaturally preserved and remain incredibly accurate. God takes His word seriously and warns us never to add to or subtract from it.Fourth, they believe in a different destiny. Mormonism teaches there are three degrees of glory in heaven, where the highest level allows faithful Mormons to become gods of their own worlds. The Bible, on the other hand, teaches only two eternal outcomes: eternal life in heaven with Christ, or eternal judgment.Finally, Mormons believe in a different gospel of salvation. They teach a system of works where grace only kicks in to fill the gaps of what you cannot do yourself. But the true gospel is built on grace alone. We cannot earn our salvation; it is a free gift from God through faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

Monday, 3 August 2026   They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” Matthew 21:41   “They say to Him, ‘Worthless! Badly, he will destroy them, and the vineyard, he will lease to other farmers who, they will give him the fruits in the ‘junctures, theirs'.” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus asked Israel's leaders what the housemaster would do when he comes to his vineyard. In response, “They say to Him, ‘Worthless! Badly, he will destroy them.'”   If the response is from the leaders, they have admitted with their own mouths that such treatment is from worthless people who deserve to be destroyed. The reason for the “if” will be explained later. As for the continued words, they say, “and the vineyard, he will lease to other farmers.”   The leaders of Israel were the ones being spoken of. They rejected Christ, failed their people, and were set for a bad end. However, the vineyard won't simply be left unattended. God is working in the world for the redemption of man.   The economy in which this takes place will be a new cultural setting. In fact, it is one that spans the entire world of cultures. Anywhere the gospel is believed and churches are formed, the leaders of those churches bear the responsibility for tending to God's vineyard. As for those responding to Jesus, they say these new vinedressers will be those “who, they will give him the fruits in the ‘junctures, theirs'.”   When the fruits are ready, they will be offered to God accordingly. This will come about in the various ways people are brought to saving faith, discipled in doctrine, reassured through preaching, raised up to become ministers, etc. As for the words of this verse, it appears that the response to Jesus is from the leaders. However, in Mark and Luke, the answer appears to be given by Jesus –   “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.” Mark 12:9   “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.” And when they heard it they said, “Certainly not!” Luke 20:15, 16   So how can this be reconciled? There are at least a couple of possibilities. One is that the leaders, in fact, spoke to Jesus as is recorded in Matthew. After that, Jesus then responded with their own words in a manner that made them understand He was referring to them, such as “He WILL come and destroy those vinedressers...” while looking directly at them.   From there, they responded, “Certainly not!” as is recorded in Luke, having realized Jesus was speaking of them. A second option is that the word “they” in Matthew 21:41 is not the leaders, but the other people who were listening. From there, the leaders called out, “Certainly not!”   Either way, there is no reason to assume there is any contradiction.   Life application: God was evaluating the leaders of Israel and held them accountable for their failure to acknowledge Christ in His coming. They were the stewards of the law and should have known perfectly well that Jesus was the Christ. Because of their rejection of Him, they were judged accordingly.   As this is true, there is no reason to assume God will be any less ready to judge those leaders in the church who mislead their people. It has become almost fashionable in liberal churches to deny the resurrection, to make sick claims about Jesus that have no basis in Scripture, etc.   Such people will not fare well when they stand before the Lord to give an account of their lives. Similarly, false prophets and teachers like Joseph Smith and Ellen G. White, among a host of others, will suffer the consequences of their false teachings.   Even if not teachers, each of us should tread carefully when we conduct our affairs before God, treating His name with great honor, exalting Him for His goodness. We will be evaluated on the lives we live, so be sure to keep in mind that you are always in the presence of the Creator.   Lord God, we thank You for the salvation You have provided us in Christ. Help us to remember that You are always present and that we should conduct our lives before You in holiness all our days. May it be so to Your glory. Amen.  

Could a single photograph strengthen your testimony of the Restoration?For years, countless images have claimed to be authentic photographs of the Prophet Joseph Smith—but none have been universally accepted. So what happens when a long-forgotten daguerreotype is discovered in a family heirloom, and the evidence begins pointing in an unexpected direction?In this fascinating episode of Latter-Day Lights, researcher Curtis Weber shares how his initial attempt to disprove the image's authenticity led him down a years-long journey through forensic anthropology, historical records, facial analysis, and Church history.Join us as Curtis unpacks the remarkable research behind what may be the strongest case yet for an authentic photograph of Joseph Smith. Along the way, you'll discover how careful investigation, expert collaboration, and an honest pursuit of truth can deepen faith and offer a fresh appreciation for the life and legacy of the Prophet of the Restoration.*** Please hit SUBSCRIBE to get our latest episodes, and hit the SHARE button to help us share Curtis' story and light with others. ***To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/RisRIe1je5M-----To CONNECT with Curtis on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.weber.5-----To READ Scott's new book “Faith to Stay” for free, visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/-----Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylightsAlso, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.

On this episode we are diving right back into the Restored Version of the scriptures and continuing our series on the Uncanonized Revelations. Today Taylor Smith joins me as wehave a discussion centered around several of the shorter revelations from Joseph Smith and Wilford Woodruff. As we read and discuss these revelations several principles begin to come to the forefront of our conversation ranging from being called to repentance, unity within our quorums, extending forgiveness, avoiding pride, and much more. If you haven't yet got your own copy of the Restored Version you can find the link to that website below where you can get 10% off by entering the code “RENEGADE”. Restored Version Of The Scriptureswww.restoredscriptures.com

Covenants, Gospel, and Protection by Autumn Dickson In the readings this week, we find three changes for the Jews under the kings in Persia. There were three men who helped with these changes. First, we have Zerubbabel, a Jewish governor who worked tirelessly to build the temple. Ezra 5:2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them. Then we have Ezra who taught the people the Law of Moses. Nehemiah 8:2-3 2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. And lastly, we have Nehemiah who rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. I want to talk about these three elements of the Jews returning to their homeland and why it's so relevant to the Lord working with us in our day. The three elements are this: covenants, gospel, and protection. When the Lord is seeking to build us and sanctify us and bring us to Him, those are the three elements He uses. It starts with the covenants. Covenants are promises to and from the Lord. They bind us to Him in significant ways and offer us protection. It gives us access to Christ's power. When I think of a covenant with Christ, I always think of it in terms of marriage covenants. Christ often uses the allusion of marriage to describe His relationship with us as well. When two people get married, they make promises to each other. They're going to stand by each other even in imperfection and trial. Traditionally, their finances also merge. Whatever debt or surplus they bring is combined. When we enter into a covenant with Christ, we promise to stand by Him, and He promises to stand by us even in imperfection and trial. Our “finances” merge with His. All of our debt is erased by His infinite surplus but beyond that, we have constant access to that surplus to call upon in times of need or want. This is the first step. We cannot be saved without Christ. We need to be bound to Him in a way that enables Him to save us. Hence, covenants. Hence, Zerubbabel and the temple. The next portion of rebuilding Jerusalem was the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses is often described as the “preparatory gospel.” It helped the people start to figure out Christ and what He meant in their lives. All of the rituals and remembrances were put in place to help them better understand Christ's role. In our day, the Law of Moses is fulfilled and we have the gospel. The gospel, with all of its truth, is taught to us regularly so we can understand Christ in our lives. What good is being bound to Christ if we don't know the point of Him? What good will a covenant do me if I don't know that my sins are paid for and I don't know that I can draw upon His strength and peace and power? We need the covenant, but we also need the information that enables us to draw upon Christ and take effect in our life. The last portion of rebuilding Jerusalem was the wall. City walls were tremendously important. When the walls of Jericho fell, the Israelites were able to immediately take the city. The walls around Jerusalem offered protection from enemies who would want to hurt what was inside of the city. It would be easy to put “protection” under the umbrella of covenants and gospel learning, and it would likewise be accurate to do so. Covenants protect us; covenants are our promises that allow us to call upon Christ in need. That is definitely protection. Gospel learning protects us; understanding our Savior and His love and power keeps us close to Him where we can remain safe. But I want to separate the wall from the temple and Law of Moses readings in order to highlight specific portions of protection. Joseph Smith taught the following regarding the gospel: The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it. The gospel (Ezra and the Law of Moses equivalent) is that the apostles and prophets testify of Christ and His mission; everything else is an appendage. The church is an appendage, an important and beautiful appendage, but it is separate. This is what I'm thinking of when I picture the wall around Jerusalem. There are additions to the covenants and gospel that protect us. For example, commandments protect us. The Word of Wisdom protects us from all of the terrible things that can happen when you don't have complete control over your body. The spirit of revelation protects us by warning us about certain situations or leading us towards where we need to be. There are a ton of different church programs that put us in safe and holy places to protect us. City walls were not foolproof. Christ could make our “walls” foolproof, but part of mortality was opposition. Sometimes we leave the walls and find ourselves in trouble. Sometimes the trouble finds us even when we stay behind the walls. However, city walls still provide more protection than we would otherwise have. Not to mention, when an enemy breaches the gate, we still have complete access to our temple covenants and gospel knowledge and that heals us. The opposition hopefully pushes us closer to Christ so that no lasting damage can be done. The stories we find in Ezra and Nehemiah have these overarching themes that point our minds back to Christ and what's important to Him. We see His patterns. We see what He utilizes when He's trying to build us and sanctify us: covenants, the gospel, and spiritual protective barriers. I testify that the scriptures contain beautiful messages that teach us about God's plans and purposes for us. I testify that Christ offers Himself to us by giving us covenants, knowledge concerning His gospel, and specific protections that build a barrier between us and our enemies. I testify that Heavenly Father thought of everything when He came up with His plan, and I testify that He is purposeful in preparing us to come home. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8– Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

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

[This is one of the finalists in the 2026 book review contest, written by an ACX reader who will remain anonymous until after voting is done. I'll be posting about one of these a week for several months. When you've read them all, I'll ask you to vote for a favorite, so remember which ones you liked] Part 1. The Book of Abraham opens with this paragraph: "A Translation of some ancient Records that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of Egypt. The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus." As you can read, The Book of Abraham was written by grand patriarch Abraham upon papyrus while he was in Egypt. Someone managed to get their hands on these papyri and then subsequently translated them into English. This is of profound historical importance if true, because otherwise there is no direct evidence that Abraham existed as a specific historical individual. Who got their hands on these writings? The Mormons. More specifically their founding prophet Joseph Smith who a few years previously translated some other Egyptian writings into the Book of Mormon. The Book of Abraham is not that well-known in comparison, but it's considered canonical scripture in the Mormon church. https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/your-book-review-the-book-of-abraham

Questions about what we make of the eyewitnesses to Joseph Smith's golden plates, our thoughts on the Book of Mormon itself, and why we consider Latter-day Saint theology to be “another gospel.”   What do you make of the eyewitnesses to the golden plates, what do you make of the Book of Mormon itself, and why do you consider it “another gospel”?

Welcome to LDS Discussions Part 79, where we continue our deep dive into the Book of Abraham, examining one of the most popular apologetic arguments: the claim that Joseph Smith drew on ancient traditions about Abraham rather than translating the surviving papyri.We begin by exploring the history of the Joseph Smith Papyri and the various theroies proposed to explain the Book of Abraham, including why so many copeting models exist. From there, we focus on the “ancient traditions” theory, looking at stories about Abraham preserved in later Jewish, Christian, and Islamic writings and askign whether they actually support Joseph Smith's text.Along the way, we compare the timelines of the Book of Mormon and Book of Abraham translations, disucss the implications of the Church's Gospel Topics Essay, and examine whether Joseph Smith had access to contemporary biblical commentaries such as Adam Clarke's. We then compare the Book of Abraham's narrative --including Abraham's calls, the famine in Chaldea, Terah, Haran, Abraham's age, the attempted sacrifice of Abraham, Egyptian idolatry, human sacrifice in ancient Egypt, and Abraham's knowledge or astronomy --with the historical sources often cited by apologists.This episode evaluates whether these ancient parallels strengthen the Book of Abraham's authenticity --or instead demonstrate that Joseph Smith was drawing from ideas available in his own time.As always, we examine the historical evidence, compare the primary sources, and let the documents speak for themselves.___________________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

Welcome to LDS Discussions Part 79, where we continue our deep dive into the Book of Abraham, examining one of the most popular apologetic arguments: the claim that Joseph Smith drew on ancient traditions about Abraham rather than translating the surviving papyri.We begin by exploring the history of the Joseph Smith Papyri and the various theroies proposed to explain the Book of Abraham, including why so many copeting models exist. From there, we focus on the “ancient traditions” theory, looking at stories about Abraham preserved in later Jewish, Christian, and Islamic writings and askign whether they actually support Joseph Smith's text.Along the way, we compare the timelines of the Book of Mormon and Book of Abraham translations, disucss the implications of the Church's Gospel Topics Essay, and examine whether Joseph Smith had access to contemporary biblical commentaries such as Adam Clarke's. We then compare the Book of Abraham's narrative --including Abraham's calls, the famine in Chaldea, Terah, Haran, Abraham's age, the attempted sacrifice of Abraham, Egyptian idolatry, human sacrifice in acient Egypt, and Abraham's knowledge or astronomy --with the historical sources often cited by apologists.This episode evaluates whether these ancient parallels strengthen the Book of Abraham's authenticity --or instead demonstrate that Joseph Smith was drawing from ideas available in his own time.As always, we examine the historical evidence, compare the primary sources, and let the documents speak for themselves.Show NotesYouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord

Send us Fan MailVideo podcast here:In his recent interview, Jacob Hansen never once quotes from or references the Book of Mormon. It's no wonder—doing so would have forced him to confront the clear differences between what the Book of Mormon actually teaches and what the modern LDS Church teaches today.Instead of relying on the Book of Mormon, he turns to later teachings from Joseph Smith and other church traditions that came after the book was published. This pattern is common among the LDS Church, the RLDS/Community of Christ, and many other Mormon offshoots: they often set aside their original book of scripture in favor of later developments.In this episode, we look at what the Book of Mormon actually says about who Jesus is.We believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Its message is centered on Jesus Christ. Far from contradicting the Bible, it beautifully complements and clarifies it. The Book of Mormon powerfully reinforces the core doctrines of mercy, justice, repentance, salvation, and eternal life so they cannot be misunderstood.Above all, it testifies of the atonement of Jesus Christ. It presents Jesus as God Himself who took on flesh, came to earth, and died for our sins. It is a sacred record of the descendants of Joseph—specifically the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh—preserved for our day.The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek before being translated into English. Because of this, many different English versions exist—each the result of careful work by scholars, linguists, and translators. In contrast, the Book of Mormon was translated only once, by the gift and power of God, using divinely prepared instruments. The Lord Himself guided the process, removing human interpretation and choosing words that precisely convey the meaning He wants us to understand.This is an extraordinary gift that helps us clearly know what we need for our salvation and for building a personal relationship with our Creator.purchase RCE Book of Mormon https://bomf.org/shop/ Restored Gospel  - Scripture Search and Study Resources Contact us:restoredgospelpodcast@gmail.comMusic by Michael Barrett

Is Mormonism fundamentally compatible with traditional Biblical Christianity, or is it a completely different faith altogether?In this comprehensive deep dive on The Soul Trap, we separate fact from fiction to bring you an objective, scriptural, and historical breakdown of Mormonism. From its early origins with Joseph Smith to its modern-day presence, we evaluate the core pillars of the LDS church against the framework of traditional Biblical Christianity.Whether you are seeking to understand the theology for apologetics, personal knowledge, or comparative religion, this video breaks down the defining characteristics that every believer and researcher should know.

Who was Joseph Smith and what childhood experiences shaped his life, worldview, and the start of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? What are some of his positive characteristics that drew so many people to him and what were his flaws? How did his theology develop throughout his life? In this interview, Sean and Scott talk with John Turner about his fascinating biography: Joseph Smith: The Rise & Fall of an American Prophet.John Turner is a cradle-to-halfway-to-the-grave Presbyterian (straddling mainline and evangelical Protestantism) and belongs to Burke Presbyterian Church. He came of age in evangelical parachurch organizations, namely Young Life and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. One of the things that drew him to the study of U.S. History was a desire to understand the institutions and personalities that had shaped my own religious culture. His dissertation-turned-first book, Bill Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ: The Renewal of Evangelicalism in Postwar America, won Christianity Today's 2009 prize for best History / Biography.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.  

My friend and mentor Robert A. Rees (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_A._Rees), age 90, who loved and supported his gay/lesbian members while serving as a singles ward bishop in Los Angeles from 1986-1992, joins us talk about his new book called “Imagining and Reimaging the Restoration”. Bob talks about how Joseph Smith creative mind allowed him to imagine the impossible leading to the first vision and subsequent revelations—and how we should continue to use his example to imagine and reimagine what is possible for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints. Super powerful imagery. Bob also talks about: Why he is a “Matthew 25 Latter-day Saint and Christian” Why is heart is broken for our LGBTQ friends Why he stays in the Church Bob (along with Carol Lynn Pearson, Greg Prince, William Bradshaw, and others) are some of the earliest and most impactful LGBTQ allies. Their brave work and helped so many of our LGBTQ friends and has given new allies (like me) vision to join their LGBTQ ally discipleship. Thank you, Bob, for all your many contributions over many decades. You are a treasure to our community and beyond. Honored to have you on the podcast. You also give vision of what is possible at age 90! Links: Bob's new book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/158958824X Bob's Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_A._Rees

We have shown in a prior podcast that the Book of Mormon answers all the important religious disputes of Joseph Smith’s day. In this episode we demonstrate that the Book of Mormon uses the language and expressions of other early 19th Century authors to do so! Using only publications from prior to 1830! The results… Read More »Obviously a 19th Century Production!

What if you've been reading the Old Testament your whole life and missed the most important name on every page? Dr. Don Parry opens the Hebrew Bible with a scholar's precision and a testimony revealing how Elisha's miracles, his very name, and 6,800 attestations of Jehovah converge into one stunning, Christ-centered portrait of a God who never stops showing up.SHOW NOTES/TRANSCRIPTSEnglish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228ENFrench: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228FRGerman: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228DEPortuguese: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228PTSpanish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228ESYOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/s7MPgm2gLooFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook WEEKLY NEWSLETTERhttps://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE0:00 - Part 1 - Dr. Don Parry5:27 Bio 8:01 Elisha's name “My God is salvation”15:41 The prophetic mantle: Elijah to Elisha19:58 Elisha as a type of Jesus Christ and chariots of fire24:48 Chariot mysticism, temples, returning to God's presence30:36 Restoration-era chariot visions–Joseph Smith and angels36:04 Old Testament metaphors in Restoration scripture40:04 Elisha heals the waters at Jericho46:09 The mocking young men and she-bears55:06 Don't mock the Lord's anointed1:00:10 Jehoshaphat, Moab, and seeking God through a prophet1:04:23 Music invites revelation, and Elisha calls for a minstrel1:09:29 Water miracle without rain1:10:45 End of Part 1 - Dr. Don ParryThanks 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

Dr. Don Parry brings Hebrew precision and prophetic testimony to Elisha's miracles, tracing an unmistakable portrait of Jesus Christ from poisoned stew to resurrected bones, and connecting ancient temples and the Dead Sea Scrolls to the living Restoration.SHOW NOTES/TRANSCRIPTSEnglish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228ENFrench: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228FRGerman: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228DEPortuguese: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228PTSpanish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228ESYOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/AwqDQfW_grQFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook WEEKLY NEWSLETTERhttps://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE0:00 - Part 2 - Dr. Don Parry2:17 Naaman: mighty man of valor and leper4:24 The little captive maid and testimony under pressure7:04 Dead Sea Scrolls and Dr. Parry's testimony of how he joined the team9:21 Naaman dips in the Jordan seven times11:43 Seven dippings and chiastic structure and biblical numerology13:43 Leprosy in Hebrew scholarship and Jesus referencing Naaman15:44 Gehazi's greed and leprosy as a consequence18:51 2 Kings 6: horses and chariots surrounding Dothan21:05 Elder Holland says heavenly armies are real24:02 Calculating the scale of the heavenly hose and Elisha and the blinded army28:11 Elisha's bones raise the dead and resurrection as a type of Christ31:19 Four principles to study scripture33:20 Dr. Parry's Preserved in Translation - Hebrew structures in scripture36:20 Liken the scriptures38:47 Dead Sea Scrolls and Isaiah–Essene connections to the Book of Mormon41:30 Doctrine matters44:03 Scripture brings light and hope49:09 30 correspondences between ancient and modern temple51:37 Church activity points to the temple and to Jesus Christ53:48 Joseph Smith as prophet and seer56:44 Closing testimony of Jesus Christ58:04 End of Part 2 - Dr. Don ParryThanks 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

Welcome to another episode of LDS Discussions! We are joined again by Bryan Buchanan to discuss the William Clayton Diaries.The William Clayton Diaries are among the most important firsthand records from Joseph Smith's final years in Nauvoo. Few individuals stood closer to Joseph Smith than William Clayton, who served as clerk, confidant, and participant in many of the most controversial events of Mormon history. In this episode, we dive directly into the diaries themselves. We examine what Clayton recorded, what historians can learn from his daily entries, and why these journals have become central to discussions about Joseph Smith's plural marriages, the Council of Fifty, the Quorum of the Anointed, the Kinderhook Plates, Nauvoo politics, and the final months leading up to Joseph Smith's death. Along the way, we explore the lives of Joseph and Emma Smith, Margaret Moon, Sarah Whitney, Lucy Walker, Flora Woodworth, Eliza R. Snow, and many of the other figures who appear throughout these remarkable journals. We also address modern claims that the diaries were altered, fabricated, or created after the fact, and compare those claims to the evidence available to historians who have studied the original manuscript. Topics include William Clayton's relationship with Joseph Smith, evidence for Joseph Smith's polygamy, Emma's reactions and resistance to the “P” or “priesthood,” the Moon sister's involvement in polygamy, the strengths and limitations of Clayton as a source and why historians consider these diaries indispensable. The William Clayton journals offer an unparalleled window into the inner workings of Nauvoo Mormonism. Whether you are a believer, skeptic, historian, or simply curious about early Mormon history, these records provide some of the most revealing evidence available from the period. ___________________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

Welcome to another episode of LDS Discussions! Today we are joined by Brian Buchanan to discuss the William Clayton Diaries.For decades, the William Clayton Diaries have occupied a near-mythical place in Mormon history. Hidden away in the First Presidency vault, copied in secret, fought over in court, leaked to researchers, and cited in some of the most controversial debates surrounding Joseph Smith and plural marriage, these journals have one of the most fascinating histories of any historical document in the Latter-day Saint tradition. In this episode, we trace the remarkable journey of William Clatyon's Nauvoo journals from the 1840s to the present day. We explore how historians such as James Allen, Dean Jessee, Leonard Arrington, Thomas Alexander, Andrew Ehat, Scott Faulring, and others gained access to these records, why the Church restricted them for so many years, and how copies eventually found their way into the hands of independent researchers and critics. We also examine the legal battle surrounding the journals, the role of Jerald and Sandra Tanner in publishing portions of them, the impact of the Mark Hofmann era, and the ongoing debates over access, transparency, and historical scholarship within Mormonism. With Yale University Press preparing the first complete scholarly edition of the William Clayton Diaries, this is the perfect time to revisit one of the most important archival stories in Mormon history. We discuss the discovery and preservation of Clayton's journals, the First Presidency vault and restricted documents, specific transcripts that were created for the Clayton diaries, how those transcriptions leaked out into the public and the lawsuit on these leaked transcripts. We also lightly discuss the recent news that additional parts of Clayton's diaries have been released to the public and the debate around whether Joseph Smith was actually a polygamist. Whether you're interested in Mormon history, archival controversies, historiography, or the debate over Joseph Smith's polygamy, this episode provides the essential backstory behind one of the most important historical sources from Nauvoo. Be sure to join us for the next episode where we share some of the most controversial and exciting entries from William Clayton's journals!___________________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