Podcasts about Nauvoo

In this episode, we continue our discussion of the Lyceum (debates/discussions) in Nauvoo. From the most popular chewing tobacco (it is Copenhagen byt the way) to manners and the Trinity, we  just about cover everything #SmallWonder 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

What if the most powerful religious leader in ancient Judah was the king's mother? Sister Heather Farrell walks us through 2 Chronicles and the queen mother whose name the record keeps even when it forgets everything else, and makes the case that the covenants have always traveled through the household and through family stories far messier than we'd like to admit.SHOW NOTES/TRANSCRIPTSEnglish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT230ENFrench: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT230FRGerman: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT230DEPortuguese: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT230PTSpanish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT230ESYOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/00ytqfvXE48ALL EPISODES/SHOW NOTESfollowHIM website: https://www.followHIMpodcast.comFREE 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 - Sister Heather Farrell1:15 Why would anyone love Chronicles?2:51 “Our eyes are upon thee”4:01 Bio6:40 Come, Follow Me Manual7:49 Chronicles 101: one book, not two (and its two obsessions)9:50 Hebrew Bible, Tanakh, and Torah10:55 The Chronicler as Mormon13:04 Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia–4 ways to conquer a people16:28 The last verse in the Hebrew Bible is about the temple17:47 Dolly, Mary, and a messy line22:23 Why do Kings and Chronicles tell the same stories?24:24 Solomon built two houses26:36 The Nauvoo parallel28:13 God accepts the dedication31:03 The verse that became a song33:33 The second covenant35:43 Official religion vs. household religion38:30 Easter happens at home (why we need fridge magnets)40:40 Asa tears down the high places and groves43:18 Asherah and why she is NOT our Heavenly Mother46:35 Asa's prayer48:20 Worthiness to ask for a miracle50:38 Spiritual storehouses (like grain but better)53:03 The hard verse is descriptive not prescriptive55:21 Asa's mistake58:13 The gebirah–the King's mother1:00:13 Bathsheba and why Kings always names the mother1:02:39 Covenant power that transfers through a woman1:05:13 A dynasty that runs on worthiness, not just blood1:06:12 Jumping Jehoshaphat1:08:37 “There is yet one man … but I hate him”1:09:47 End of Part 1 – Sister Heather FarrellThanks 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

Why was Joseph Smith killed? What new doctrines did Joseph Smith teach in his final year? Why did Joseph Smith run for President of the United States in 1844? What was the Nauvoo Expositor newspaper? Why was it destroyed? Step into one of the final chapter of Joseph Smiths life and the intrigue and controversy surrounding this American Prophet. #JosephSmith #LDSHistory #MormonHistory #Restoration #AmericanHistory #MiniDocumentaryKeywords: Joseph Smith, Joseph Smith history, founder of Mormonism, Mormon history, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDS Church origins, gold plates, angel Moroni, seer stone, treasure digging, polygamy, Nauvoo, martyrdom of Joseph Smith, Carthage JailOur LinksWebsite: http://thoughtfulfaith.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thoughtful.faithTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thoughtful.faithPodcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1478749DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this video are entirely the opinion of the creator and do not necessarily reflect any officially endorsed positions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or channel sponsors.

For decades, the historical consensus has been that Joseph Smith introduced and practiced plural marriage in Nauvoo. But a small group of researchers has argued for a very different conclusion: that Joseph Smith was not the founder of Mormon polygamy and that the historical evidence has been misunderstood. In this episode of Mormonism Live, we… Read More »Joseph Smith’s Polygamy with Jeremy Hoop

For decades, the historical consensus has been that Joseph Smith introduced and practiced plural marriage in Nauvoo. But a small group of researchers has argued for a very different conclusion: that Joseph Smith was not the founder of Mormon polygamy and that the historical evidence has been misunderstood. In this episode of Mormonism Live, we… Read More »Joseph Smith’s Polygamy with Jeremy Hoop The post Joseph Smith’s Polygamy with Jeremy Hoop appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

For decades, the historical consensus has been that Joseph Smith introduced and practiced plural marriage in Nauvoo. But a small group of researchers has argued for a very different conclusion: that Joseph Smith was not the founder of Mormon polygamy and that the historical evidence has been misunderstood. In this episode of Mormonism Live, we sit down with researcher Jeremy Hoop to explore that perspective in depth. Jeremy has spent years examining William Clayton’s journals, the Nauvoo land deeds, the Augusta Cobb letters, the British Mission, and many other historical sources. He explains why he believes the standard narrative deserves to be reconsidered and walks us through the evidence that has led him to his conclusions. Whether you agree with Jeremy or not, this conversation is an opportunity to hear one of the leading voices of the Joseph Smith “non-polygamist” position explain his research in his own words. Our goal is to better understand the arguments, the historical documents, and the reasoning behind this alternative interpretation of early Mormon history. As always, we invite you to examine the evidence, think critically, and reach your own conclusions. Support Mormonism Live: https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Visit Mormon Discussions: https://mormondiscussions.org If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on Mormon history, doctrine, and culture, please like, subscribe, and share the episode.

RESOURCES- Join my 3-Day Abundance Challenge and get step-by-step coaching to manifest financial, spiritual, and relational abundance. Sign up now at danetteabundance.comWatch Trust Me: The False Prophet here: https://www.netflix.com/us-en/title/81758532CONNECT WITH DANETTEInstagram: @thedanettemayFacebook: Danette MayTikTok: @thedanettemayNEW TV Show on Youtube: @TheDanetteMayListen to The Danette May ShowRead my book: danettemay.com/embraceabundancebookGet The Rise book: therisebook.comWork with Danette: danettemay.comIn this episode of The Danette May Show, I'm sharing why the documentary Trust Me: The False Prophet stirred something so deep in me and why I felt called to open a larger conversation around belief systems, religious conditioning, control, and self-trust. As someone raised in the Mormon/LDS faith, I reflect on my own roots, my early questions around polygamy, obedience, and the stories I was taught, and how those experiences shaped the way I understood truth, authority, and my own inner voice.This episode is an invitation to look beyond one documentary and ask where brainwashing, manipulation, cognitive dissonance, or inherited beliefs may be showing up in your own life. Whether it is in religion, relationships, family systems, work, or community, I hope this conversation helps you create space, listen to your body, question what no longer feels aligned, and begin reclaiming your voice, your freedom, and your ability to trust yourself again.I reflect on the documentary Trust Me: The False Prophet and the deeper lessons around belief systems, control, cognitive dissonance, and self-trust. This episode is an independent commentary and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Netflix.IN THIS EPISODE:(0:00) Welcome to the show(5:20) Why this Netflix documentary matters(5:42) Upcoming interviews with Dr. Christine and Nomz(8:00) My LDS roots, heritage, and early beliefs(9:38) Polygamy, prophets, and questioning history(14:29) Understanding the FLDS offshoot(15:45) Nauvoo doubts and the beginning of deconstruction(18:48) Why this story reveals so much about control(21:28) Brainwashing, belief systems, and the 90-day reset(22:47) How control can show up in relationships(24:55) Personal parallels, healing, and deeper takeaways(28:01) Final invitation to watch, follow, and listen

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon delve into the LDS church's rocky relationship with the town of Nauvoo and learn not much has changed in almost two centuries. In a scenario that will sound familiar to everyone who follows LDS temple building with Mormonish, the tactics used by the church to push through a new temple visitors' center follow the same playbook. This episode was originally aired on August 13, 2024 and we are re-airing it because the Nauvoo Visitors' Center was dedicated last week. Let's see where it all started. Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) DONATE HERE: https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcastThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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! 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.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

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

Welcome to another episode of LDS Discussions! Today we are joined by Bryan 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!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

We are recording in front of a live studio audience in Nauvoo, Illinois.  In this week's episode, we begin with a movie review of the 1980s classic Prodigal Son and Cipher in the Snow, and then make the obvious transition to Nauvoo Lyceum. Gerrit regales the audience with several topics discussed in this adult education program, and we cover the Chestnut Hill College Lacrosse Team's dominance from 2021 to 2024 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 If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

Tonight on Mormonism Live, Bill Reel and Radio Free Mormon take a deep dive into one of the most talked-about Mormon history stories in recent memory: the recent leaking of the William Clayton journals. For years, the full Clayton journals have been a source of speculation, controversy, and anticipation. William Clayton was not a peripheral observer. He was in the inner circle of Joseph Smith's Nauvoo world, served as Joseph's clerk, recorded the revelation that became Doctrine and Covenants 132, and left behind some of the most important firsthand records tied to plural marriage, temple theology, and the secret inner workings of early Mormonism. Now that these journals have surfaced, new claims are being made—especially by Jeremy Hoop—that the journals do not support the traditional historical case for Joseph Smith's polygamy. Is that true? Did the leaked journals undercut the standard narrative? Or do they, when read carefully and in context, actually reinforce what historians have been saying for decades? In this episode, we walk through the controversy from the beginning:How Jeremy Hoop got access to the journalsWhat exactly was leaked and what still remains unpublishedWhether the journals really contain “nothing” that supports Joseph Smith's polygamyThe entries that matter most and what they appear to showWhat else we found in the journals beyond polygamy, including material that sheds light on Nauvoo power structures, private teachings, and the inner world of Joseph Smith's closest associates We'll separate rumor from evidence, examine the strongest entries for ourselves, and ask the bigger question: if the William Clayton journals are as important as many have believed, what do they actually reveal once you stop letting other people tell you what's in them? If you care about Joseph Smith, polygamy, Mormon truth claims, historical transparency, and how narratives are built and defended inside Mormonism, this is an episode you won't want to miss. ACEESS THE CLAYTON JOURNALShttps://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/CLAYTON-1.pdfhttps://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/CLAYTON-2.pdfhttps://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/CLAYTON-3.pdf Please consider donating to support our work – https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live Also if anyone needs extra support as they work through their faith deconstruction, Bill Reel is a certified Somatic Informed Trauma Coach and you can look into his work at https://awakenandthrive.org/ MormonismLive #JosephSmith #WilliamClayton #LDSHistory #MormonHistory #Mormonism #Polygamy #DoctrineAndCovenants132 #JeremyHoop #MormonDiscussion

I did a livestream recap of the Mormon History Association (MHA highlights) conference, broadcast straight from my hotel room in lovely Las Vegas. Guided by some slightly out-of-order, AI-generated slides, this recap covers the most fascinating historical deep dives, unexpected gems, and award winners from the weekend. https://youtube.com/live/wy_-u8OCLMs Unexpected MHA Highlights & Gems: Pro Wrestling and Gnosticism One of the absolute standout presentations explored “The Mormon Giant,” Don Leo Jonathan, a 6’6″ pro wrestler active from the 1930s to the 1960s. Early in his career, he played up a “weird” and radical polygamist trope—complete with an unkempt beard and a live snake he claimed was from the Garden of Eden. However, to aid the Church’s PR shift toward mainstream assimilation in the 1950s and 60s, he transitioned to a clean-shaven, patriotic hero. Surprisingly, President David O. McKay, who was apparently a wrestling fan, actually authorized this PR gimmick to help mainstream the Church. Suprprisingly, his career ended via injury when he spun 7 foot tall Andre the Giant and injured his back in 1980, ending his wrestling career. Another surprise gem of the conference was a presentation by Mike Lemon on the “Temple of the Pearl,” a modern-day fringe group blending Mormon priesthood and eternal marriage with Gnosticism, chakras, yoga, and an androgynous double godhead. Mike LeCheminant, a dentist from Houston, TX gave an amazing presentation and I hope to get him on the podcast soon to talk more about this free love polygamist group. Politics, Welfare, and the New Deal MHA Highlights Several scholars provided a deep dive into the Church’s 1930s resistance to FDR’s New Deal, noting how leaders created their own welfare system driven by theological self-sufficiency to “supplant the dole” and discredit Roosevelt. Historian Matt Harris highlighted Hugh B. Brown, a vocal Democrat and trusted confidant of Heber J. Grant, who supported FDR’s programs. Brown faced severe backlash for taking the chairmanship of the state liquor commission after prohibition’s repeal, a controversial move that delayed his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by decades. We also learned about Senator Elbert Thomas, who defeated Apostle Reed Smoot in an election and applied his faith to international humanitarianism. Driven by the historical memory of 19th-century Latter-day Saint persecution, Thomas partnered with Jewish activists to force FDR to create a board that ultimately saved 200,000 Jewish lives. Finally, MHA President Ben Park delivered an address on Cleon Skousen’s massive political influence, explaining how Skousen tied Mormon agency to free-market capitalism and popularized works like The Naked Communist among conservative evangelicals through careful “code-switching.” Reevaluating Settler Colonialism & Science MHA Highlights Elise Boxer gave a powerful presentation challenging traditional “manifest destiny” pioneer narratives. She urged an indigenous lens to view Mormonism as a vehicle for US colonial expansion, pointing to the “This is the Place” monument as a visual example of reducing Native Americans to a marginalized backdrop. In the realm of 20th-century history, Steven Peck discussed BYU biologist Duane Jeffery’s 1970s push for evolutionary biology. Jeffery faced severe backlash and potential termination from Ezra Taft Benson in the 1980s, but was defended by current President Dallin H. Oaks, who decreed that the university must not censor truth or assume faith is too fragile for scientific reality. Polygamy Economics and Early Records MHA Highlights Our on Mary Ann Clements presented fascinating research examining the economic factors behind early plural marriage using Nauvoo tax records. She highlighted how leaders like Brigham Young may have strategically pursued women from wealthier families, such as Martha Brotherton, who famously refused a marriage proposal from Young at age 17 and was locked in a room at the Red Brick Store. Additionally, Cheryl Bruno announced the thrilling discovery of an 1854 list of Joseph Smith’s plural wives. This crucial document pushes the timeline of documented lists to just a decade after his death, earlier than the famous Thomas Bullock list. Award/MHA Highlights The conference also celebrated major contributions to the field of Mormon history. Posthumous honors went to Ardis Parshall, who received the Public History Award for her work championing the unheralded stories of everyday members. George D. Smith received the Arrington Award for fostering independent research as the co-founder of Signature Books, and Elise Boxer took home the Indigenous Studies Award for her book on Mormon settler colonialism. Did you go? What are your thoughts? Next year, John Turner will lead the conference as new MHA president in Provo, Utah. (Las Vegas to Provo is definitely a 180 in environment. I was surprised when a conference attendee was propositioned by a woman offering to make his night memorable. Clearly she didn’t care that most MHA attendees frown on such things. I don’t expect that to happen in Provo!) 00:00:02 Introduction & Welcome 00:04:17 Awards Ceremony (Friday Night) 00:08:34 New Deal & Hugh B. Brown Discussion 00:12:33 Mormon Settlement in Nevada 00:16:22 Mormon Settler Colonialism 00:20:33The Mormon Giant (Don Leo Jonathan) 00:24:40 Latter-day Saint Eloquence & Speaking 00:29:05 Canonization & Doctrine & Covenants 00:33:30 Saturday Sessions Overview 00:37:43 Polygamy in Nauvoo 00:41:50 Economic Factors in Plural Marriage 00:45:41 Earliest Plural Wife Lists 00:49:39 Ben Park’s Presidential Address (Cleon Skousen) 00:53:42 Evolution & BYU (Duane Jeffrey) 00:57:50 Gnostic Mormon Offshoot (Temple of the Pearl) 1:01:59 Final summary From deep dives into 20th-century political clashes to the surprising intersections of theology and wrestling, this MHA conference proved that Mormon history is vibrant, complex, and full of ongoing discoveries.

In this episode, we expand on ideas presented by Nate Oman during a discussion on Faith Matters and trace the complicated, evolving history of Mormon sealings from Joseph Smith through the 20th century.Today, “eternal families” are often presented as the central purpose of temple sealings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But historically, the story is much messier.In this conversation, we explore how early sealings were not originally centered on the modern concept of nuclear families being together forever. Instead, sealing theology developed gradually during the Nauvoo period and often functioned as a way to create dynastic networks, priesthood connections, and systems of authority –what some critics compare to an MLM-style hierarchy of spiritual relationships. We discuss the evolution of sealing theology from Joseph Smith to Brigham Young, baptisms for the dead and the trauma surrounding Alvin Smith's death, the rise of dynastic sealings and the “Law of Adoption” where men were sealed to other men. We also discuss the relationship between sealings and plural marriage, how the sealing language changed over time, why Joseph Smith never initially sealed himself to Emma, the story of Jane Manning James and how she was “attached” to Joseph Smith instead of sealed. We also discuss the racial restrictions for Black Mormons, questions of informed consent, authority, and prophetic consistency, and whether the modern LDS concept of “forever families” would have been recognizable to Joseph Smith himself. We also examine how doctrines once treated as essential and eternal –including the Law of Adoption –were later abandoned entirely, raising larger questions about revelation, institutional change, and the development of Mormon theology. Whether you're believing, questioning, post-Mormon, or simply interested in religious history, this episode offers a deep dive into one of the most controversial and misunderstood developments in Mormon history.___________________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

In this episode, we expand on ideas presented by Nate Oman during a discussion on Faith Matters and trace the complicated, evolving history of Mormon sealings from Joseph Smith through the 20th century.Today, “eternal families” are often presented as the central purpose of temple sealings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But historically, the story is much messier.In this conversation, we explore how early sealings were not originally centered on the modern concept of nuclear families being together forever. Instead, sealing theology developed gradually during the Nauvoo period and often functioned as a way to create dynastic networks, priesthood connections, and systems of authority –what some critics compare to an MLM-style hierarchy of spiritual relationships. We discuss the evolution of sealing theology from Joseph Smith to Brigham Young, baptisms for the dead and the trauma surrounding Alvin Smith's death, the rise of dynastic sealings and the “Law of Adoption” where men were sealed to other men. We also discuss the relationship between sealings and plural marriage, how the sealing language changed over time, why Joseph Smith never initially sealed himself to Emma, the story of Jane Manning James and how she was “attached” to Joseph Smith instead of sealed. We also discuss the racial restrictions for Black Mormons, questions of informed consent, authority, and prophetic consistency, and whether the modern LDS concept of “forever families” would have been recognizable to Joseph Smith himself. We also examine how doctrines once treated as essential and eternal –including the Law of Adoption –were later abandoned entirely, raising larger questions about revelation, institutional change, and the development of Mormon theology. Whether you're believing, questioning, post-Mormon, or simply interested in religious history, this episode offers a deep dive into one of the most controversial and misunderstood developments in Mormon history.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 Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal VenmoOur Platforms: YouTube Patreon Spotify Apple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media: Insta: @mormstories TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

JKL Media hosts Jesse, Karen, and Lou recap The Expanse Season 3 premiere "Fight or Flight," praising its immediate momentum and debating the title's meaning. They focus on the Rocinante crew's split over going to Tycho versus Io, with Holden pivoting to help Prax find his daughter and Amos and Alex backing him while Naomi faces backlash for betraying the crew and giving the protomolecule to Fred Johnson. On Earth, they condemn Errinwright's manipulation of the Secretary-General and his attempt to frame Chrisjen Avasarala as war with Mars escalates, while noting the looming protomolecule threat on Venus and traces still on the Roci. They discuss Fred Johnson and Drummer's uneasy alliance with Dawes and the plan to recover the Nauvoo, highlight Bobbie's standout action-driven escape with Chrisjen and Cotyar, and react to Alex's emotional message to his family. 

Welcome to our final episode in our Joseph Smith: The Podcast series, where we cover John Turner's new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.” In this episode, we explore the immediate aftermath of Joseph Smith's assassination and the profound consequences that followed his family, plural wives, and the early Latter-day Saint movement.The chapter we are covering today is the Epilogue.We look at the chaotic hours and days after his death in Nauvoo, including how his body and Hyrum's were handled, the conditions of their temporary burial, and the secrecy surrounding their remains. The episode also examines Emma Smith's role in the aftermath --her grief, her control over Joseph's body, and the difficult position she found herself in as both widow and critic of polygamy.We also discuss how Joseph's plural wives responded to his death, the emotional and political complexities of their mourning, and the uneasy reality of their realtionships with Brigham Young and other church leaders. From there, we move into the succession crisis that followed --how leadership shifted, why Brigham Young ultimately prevailed over Sidney Rigdon, and how competing visions of the church began to emerge.Finally, we step back to consider Joseph Smith's broader legacy, the scale of opposition he faced, and how his influence continued to shape American religious history long after his death.If you'd like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!Purchase John Turner's book here.Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner's book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.___________________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

Radical History and Racial Dynamics of Mormon Garments Nancy Ross and Jessica Finnigan, co-authors of Mormon Garments, Sacred and Secret dive into the unexpected history and sociological complexities of LDS temple garments. From Joseph Smith’s early design demands to the modern realities of race and garment surveillance, this episode uncovers the fascinating evolution of this deeply personal practice. https://youtu.be/_Rt8-TabB-U Don't miss our other conversations Nancy Ross: https://gospeltangents.com/people/nancy-ross/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Mormon Garments Radical, Seamless Origin The conversation travels back to Nauvoo in the 1840s, where Joseph Smith first commissioned seamstress Elizabeth Warren Allred to create a garment with as few seams as possible. Because standard 19th-century clothing relied heavily on seams to economically fit the shape of a body, Allred had to cut the unyielding muslin fabric three times before meeting his specifications. The authors debunk a popular historical myth: Joseph Smith was not simply adopting the “union suit,” as that style of single-piece underwear wasn’t developed until decades later. Instead, Smith’s design was actually a radical, progressive departure from the standard underwear of the time, anticipating later 19th-century dress and health reform movements that advocated for fewer restrictive layers. Making Sense of the Data: 12 Years and French Philosophy Transforming their massive 2014 survey into a book was a grueling 12-year process. Ross and Finnigan realized their raw data was far too messy and complex to neatly fit into a few journal articles. To make meaning of the thousands of intimate stories, they utilized intersectional theory (a branch of critical race theory) to understand how the disadvantages of racism and sexism impact wearers. They also drew heavily on French philosopher Michel Foucault’s concept of the “panopticon” to explore how surveillance and secrecy operate within Mormon culture, illustrating how members internalize institutional rules to monitor themselves and others. Despite utilizing heavy academic frameworks, the authors worked diligently to weave the theory naturally into the text, ensuring the book remains highly approachable and relatable for everyday readers. Politics of White Underwear One of the most striking sociological discussions in the episode centers on race. The authors explicitly identify the race of their survey respondents to highlight how garments interact differently with non-white bodies. For instance, wearing stark white underclothing makes the garments highly visible against darker skin tones. Furthermore, the historical design choices for garments were largely patterned after European body shapes, creating distinct physical challenges for people of color, such as Pacific Islanders, whose bodies may not easily conform to those specific cuts. The authors argue that because Mormon discourse heavily emphasizes purity and whiteness, the racial classification and physical realities of bodies wearing these garments make the practice inherently political. While their initial survey lacked a massive sample of people of color, their co-author Larissa Kano Kindred has since gathered data from 8,000 women—including a significant demographic of women of color—which will further explore these racial dynamics in future publications. Century of Evolution The episode wraps by looking at the slow arc of garment modernization. It wasn’t until 1923 that the church finally allowed for stretchy, knitted fabrics, shortened the sleeves to the elbow, and replaced string ties with buttons. Even then, as the church commissioned an internal report in the 1930s to suggest further popular changes, the long-requested move to sleeveless garments was left on the cutting room floor. Don't miss our other conversations Nancy Ross: https://gospeltangents.com/people/nancy-ross/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved 0:00 History of Garments 10:32 How 3 Authors Write a Book 27:34 Racial Differences? What do you think of the history? Had you considered all of these factors?

No Children for Joseph Smith? Joseph Smith’s plural wives One of the most frequent arguments raised by skeptics of Joseph Smith’s polygamy is the “fertility paradox.” While Joseph Smith fathered several biological children with his first wife, Emma, there are zero verified offspring from his estimated 30 to 40 plural marriages. DNA testing on suspected plural children has continuously ruled out Joseph as the father in every known case. Does this lack of physical evidence prove his plural marriages were non-sexual? According to a statistical analysis by Rick Bennett and a research team, the absence of children is not a biological impossibility, but rather a predictable outcome of history, biology, and law. https://youtu.be/Zz6BpX2wZd0 Statistical Models of Probability Bennett, alongside a team that included OBGYN Dr. Joseph Stanford, built four statistical models to determine the mathematical probability of Joseph Smith having zero children with his plural wives. These models factored in female ovulation cycles and historical documentation of Smith’s whereabouts, assuming no birth control was used: Restricted & Low Models: Assuming very infrequent relations and excluding teenagers and already-married women, the probability of zero children sits between 22% and 47%. Bennett equates this to a coin flip or rolling a double in Monopoly, making zero children a statistically unsurprising outcome. Medium (Consensus) Model: Assuming one or two encounters around the time of the sealing for a broader group of wives, the probability of zero children drops to roughly 9% to 13%. High Model: Only when assuming large possible historical encounters across 37 women does the probability of zero children become statistically microscopic (around 0.03%). Biological Factors and 19th-Century Demographics A significant reason for the lack of children stems from the demographic makeup of Joseph’s plural wives. At least five women were post-menopausal (over age 47) and 11 were “polyandrous” wives already married to other men. Furthermore, several brides were teenagers. Interestingly, poorer nutrition and rigorous physical labor in the 19th century delayed a woman’s first period (menarche) until an average age of 17, meaning many of the youngest wives were likely prepubescent and physically infertile at the time of their sealings (See Dan Vogel’s presentation.) Contraception and the Concept of “Quickening” If the High Model is accurate and sexual relations were frequent, Bennett notes that the Nauvoo community had widespread access to birth control. Popular texts from the 1830s heavily circulated knowledge about methods like the sponge, withdrawal, and highly acidic douching to prevent pregnancies. Additionally, 19th-century medical and Mormon theological consensus believed that a soul did not enter a fetus until “quickening” (around 20 weeks.) Because of this, early herbal interventions used to “restore the menses” were viewed simply as regulating the female body, rather than as abortion or sin. Legal and Theological Survival Ultimately, concealing pregnancies was an absolute necessity for survival. In Illinois, bigamy and adultery were felonies heavily penalized by fines, whipping, and imprisonment. Under the law, a child would serve as incontrovertible physical proof of illicit cohabitation, inviting immediate legal prosecution and mob violence. To avoid exposure, the theology of plural marriage subtly shifted. While originally grounded in an “Abrahamic” mandate to multiply and raise up seed on earth, the practice pivoted to a “Melchizedek” order. This new paradigm was focused on creating secret, dynastic priestly linkages for eternal salvation in the afterlife, entirely bypassing the legal dangers of earthly procreation. In short, the absence of children in Nauvoo polygamy is not a historical impossibility, but a reality forcefully shaped by 19th-century logistics, biology, and the heavy anvil of American law. Don’t miss my previous presentation! 0:00 Introduction to Rick 7:01 Fertility Paradox 8:34 Plural Wives History 15:18 Biology of Pregnancy 17:35 Grouping the Wives 22:17 Pregnancy Results 25:09 Knowledge of Birth Control/Abortion in 19th Century 30:31 Types of Contraception in Nauvoo 34:08 Quickening 36:20 Life Begins at Conception? 37:37 Mormon Market for Abortifacients 39:24 Theology Behind Lack of Children 40:23 Legal Reasons to Avoid Pregnancy 47:10 Theological Pivot 50:35 Conclusion Why 0 Children Not Unusual 51:58 Q&A Why Not Accept Joseph Wasn’t Polygamist? 53:19 Is Eliza Manwaring a Plural Wife? 58:43 Pushing Back on Certain Claims 1:01:27 RLDS Missions to Utah 1:03:58 Temple Implications for Rejecting Polygamy 1:06:24 Can temple sealings be non-sexual? 1:07:44 Is there anything wrong with Ugo Perego’s DNA Tests? 1:10:28 Is it reasonably possible Joseph had no children? 1:14:58 Don Bradley’s Theory on Legalizing Polygamy? 1:17:18 Dynastic Sealings to Create Ethnic Group 1:19:50 Why are both polygamy and temple ceremonies secret? 1:33:51 Sheep & Goat condoms 1:35:01 Older Male Fertility/Young & Old Female Fertility 1:38:49 Multi-Purpose Temples 1:44:19 Why Menarche Later in 19th century 1:47:43 Jacob 2:30-Why no children is Plausible

Camrey interviews historian Dr. Casey Griffiths about the complex and often misunderstood relationship between Brigham Young and Emma Smith. He highlights trauma, grief, and clashing priorities as central causes of the tension. Emma was a widowed mother trying to protect and provide for her children in Nauvoo, while Brigham felt responsible for leading thousands of Saints safely west. Griffiths emphasizes that there are no clear villains in the story. Both Emma and Brigham were acting from sincere, faithful places amid immense loss and pressure. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 15: The Lion and the Lady first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Welcome to Part 40 of our Joseph Smith Podcast series with Dr. John Turner!Today we are covering the final chapter of Dr. John Turner's new book,  Joseph Smith; The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. The chapter is titled “Bleeding Hearts.”In this episode we unpack the turbulent final months of Joseph Smith's life in 1844. We explore escalating legal pressures, political tensions in Nauvoo, and the controversial events surrounding the Nauvoo Expositor, press freedom, and Smith's increasingly complex role as prophet, mayor, and military leader.We also examine the accusations of polygamy and misconduct circulating at the time, the internal fractures within the Latter-day Saint movement, and how Joseph Smith responded through sermons, leadership decision, and public defense.As tensions rise, we follow the path from legal entanglements and political conflict in Illinois to Smith's final days, his decision to flee, and the events leading to his death at Carthage Jail. The episode closes with reflections on the aftermath of his killing and its lasting impact on the movement he founded.This is a deep historical discussion drawing on Dr. Turner's scholarship and primary source material to better understand one of the most consequential and contested moments in early American religious history.If you'd like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!Purchase John Turner's book here.Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner's book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.___________________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 Day 2851 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theosis and Its Counterfeit: How Hermeticism, Gnosticism, and Their Heirs Distorted Deification. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2851 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2851 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled:  Theosis and Its Counterfeit: How Hermeticism, Gnosticism, and Their Heirs Distorted Deification. The Eastern Orthodox Church preserves one of the most profound teachings of Christianity: theosis, or deification. This doctrine is not about erasing the line between Creator and creation but about God drawing humanity into His own life. Through Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection, believers become partakers of the divine nature, not by nature but by grace. Athanasius expressed it clearly: “God became man so that man might become god.” By this, the Fathers never meant that humanity becomes equal to Yahweh in essence. Rather, theosis means that through grace we are healed, restored, and glorified in Christ, sharing in His life while always remaining His creatures. The Counterfeit in Eden The serpent in Eden also offered a form of deification. His words, “You will be like gods,” suggested that humanity could seize by rebellion what God intended to give through communion. The Eastern Orthodox vision of theosis fulfills God's purpose, while the serpent's promise distorts it. Throughout history, this distortion has reappeared in many guises, most notably in Hermeticism and Gnosticism. Echoes of Antediluvian Rebellion Many occult systems, whether ancient mystery religions or modern esoteric revivals, could have drawn their perceived legitimacy from the idea that they recover lost knowledge from before the Flood. Traditions surrounding the Watchers, the Apkallu, or figures like Prometheus all involve heavenly beings imparting forbidden wisdom to humanity in defiance of divine boundaries. This knowledge, which included arts, sciences, and sorcery, was not neutral. It was given with the intent to corrupt and destroy. After the Flood, while the physical giants perished, their spirits, what later literature calls demons, remained. These disembodied spirits could have been the source of insight or inspiration for occult practitioners throughout history, masquerading as guides to hidden wisdom while promoting rebellion against God. Whether through direct contact or mythic lineage, many esoteric movements trace their roots back to this primeval transgression. Hermeticism: Optimistic Gnosis The Corpus Hermeticum, composed in the early centuries of the Christian era, fused Egyptian religion with Greek philosophy. It taught that humans contain a divine spark that can be awakened through hidden wisdom. Salvation came not through God's grace but through gnosis, mystical ascent, and the realization of one's innate divinity. Unlike Gnosticism, Hermeticism viewed the cosmos more positively, as a reflection of divine order, but its end goal was the same: erasing the line between Creator and creation. Gnosticism: Dualistic Gnosis Gnosticism developed in the same cultural environment and shared Hermeticism's focus on hidden wisdom and the divine spark in man. But it was far more pessimistic. Many Gnostic systems taught that the material world was a prison fashioned by a false or ignorant creator, the Demiurge. Salvation meant escaping matter entirely and returning to the realm of spirit. Its texts, like the Apocryphon of John or the Gospel of Thomas, presented elaborate myths of aeons, archons, and cosmic struggles that reframed rebellion as enlightenment. Parallel Streams of Corruption Though different in tone, Hermeticism optimistic and Gnosticism pessimistic, both traditions proclaimed salvation by gnosis. Both claimed man was divine by nature. Both promised deification apart from Christ. And both blurred or destroyed the Creator–creature distinction. Where Orthodoxy taught communion by grace, Hermeticism and Gnosticism promised exaltation by hidden knowledge. Renaissance Rediscovery and Transmission In the Renaissance, Hermetic and Gnostic writings were rediscovered and hailed as the prisca theologia, a supposed universal truth older than Moses. Figures like Marsilio Ficino and Pico della Mirandola embraced these texts as revelations of timeless wisdom. Their influence spread through alchemy, astrology, and ritual magic, setting the stage for later esoteric societies. Hermetic optimism and Gnostic dualism together nourished the roots of Western occultism. Freemasonry Freemasonry grew out of the esoteric ferment of the Renaissance and Enlightenment, which were themselves shaped by the rediscovery of the Hermetic and Gnostic writings. While the fraternity presents itself publicly as a system of moral improvement and brotherhood, its inner symbolism and ritual language reveal a strong dependence on Hermetic and alchemical traditions. The Masonic use of sacred geometry, the emphasis on hidden degrees of initiation, and the maxim “as above, so below” all trace back to the Corpus Hermeticum and related Hermetic texts. The Renaissance had already reintroduced these ideas into European culture, presenting Hermeticism and Gnosticism as prisca theologia, a supposed ancient wisdom that underlay all religions. These concepts filtered into Rosicrucian manifestos in the seventeenth century, which combined mystical Christianity with alchemy and Hermetic philosophy. Rosicrucian influence, in turn, fed directly into the development of modern Freemasonry in the eighteenth century. The lodge thus became an heir to the Hermetic worldview, reframing gnosis not in overtly pagan terms but as moral allegory and ritual drama. Freemasonry's initiation system reflects the Gnostic idea that truth is revealed progressively to an inner circle of the enlightened. The candidate begins in ignorance, is symbolically “raised” to new life, and ascends through degrees of increasing illumination. The rituals employ veiled symbols and allegories rather than explicit teaching, echoing the Hermetic conviction that divine truths must be concealed from the unworthy and revealed only to initiates. This places Freemasonry in continuity with both Hermetic mysteries and Gnostic elitism. Although Freemasonry claims to honor God, it deliberately leaves the identity of God undefined. Its universalist ethos allows men of any faith to participate, so long as they acknowledge a Supreme Being. This broad inclusivity is not biblical covenantal faith but a continuation of Hermetic universalism, which treated all religions as partial reflections of a hidden wisdom tradition. By blending fragments of biblical language with Hermetic symbols and Gnostic structures, Freemasonry offers a path of human self-perfection and enlightenment apart from Christ. Mormonism Mormonism reflects both the Hermetic worldview and Masonic ritual structure. Long before Joseph Smith entered a Masonic lodge in Nauvoo, he was already immersed in practices rooted in Hermetic and occult traditions. In his youth, Smith participated in treasure-seeking expeditions using a divining rod, seer stones, and ritual circles. These tools and practices were drawn from the folk-magic culture of early America, which itself was saturated with ideas that had filtered down from Renaissance Hermeticism and alchemical traditions. The belief that hidden knowledge could be accessed through special instruments, secret formulas, and visionary techniques fits neatly within the Hermetic framework of unlocking the unseen world. When Smith later became a Mason in 1842, he layered these Hermetic practices with Masonic structures. Within weeks of his initiation, he introduced LDS temple ceremonies that bore striking resemblances to Masonic rituals, including secret handshakes, symbolic clothing, and oaths of secrecy. Just as Freemasonry framed its degrees as progressive revelations of hidden wisdom, so too did Smith present Mormon temple ordinances as the means by which believers gained access to the mysteries of exaltation. Doctrinally, Mormonism's teaching of eternal progression mirrors the Hermetic promise of apotheosis. God the Father is said to have been a man who became a god, and faithful men may follow the same path. This collapses the biblical distinction between Creator and creature and transforms salvation into a process of exaltation through hidden rites and teachings. The Mormon vision of countless gods presiding over countless worlds echoes the multiplicity of divine beings in Hermetic and Gnostic systems, while its temple ceremonies function as initiatory mysteries in which knowledge is revealed step by step. From his earliest magical experiments...

In this episode, hosts Scott Woodward, Casey Griffiths and Lisa Tait explore the powerful and often overlooked theme of Joseph Smith's vision of women as part of a “kingdom of priests.” From the earliest days of the Restoration in 1830, Joseph Smith taught expansive ideas about spiritual authority, inviting women into sacred spaces like the temple and organizing the Relief Society with language that echoed priesthood power, purpose, and covenant identity. Women in the early Church blessed the sick, participated in temple ordinances, and understood themselves as active contributors in building God's kingdom—not just as supporters, but as partners in a divine work rooted in shared access to heavenly power. As the Church grew and developed through the 19th and 20th centuries, the way these teachings were interpreted and practiced shifted, leading to a more formal distinction between priesthood office and women's roles. Yet the original vision of a covenant community—where women and men alike are endowed with spiritual power—continues to shape conversations today. This episode traces that journey from Joseph Smith's Nauvoo teachings to the present, highlighting both the continuity and the tension in how Latter-day Saint women relate to priesthood authority, and inviting viewers to reconsider what it means to truly become a “kingdom of priests” in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Welcome to Part 39 of our Joseph Smith Podcast series with Dr. John Turner!In Chapter 30 titled “The Kingdom (which covers the year 1844), we explore what may be the true beginning of the end for Joseph Smith –politically, socially, and religiously. This episode dives into Joseph Smith's unexpected run for President of the United States, including the development of his platform, his views on slavery, and how he attempted to position himself within the broader national debate. We examine the role of figures like William Phelps in shaping the platform, as well as the tensions between abolitionism, racial attitudes, and expansionist ideas in the 1840s.We then turn to one of the most controversial developments of this period: the Council of Fifty –a secretive body tied to the concept of the “Kingdom of God” on earth. What did it mean for Joseph Smith to be anointed as a king? How did this council blur the line between church and state? At the same time, opposition is rising. Polygamy is becoming public, creating internal fractures and external outrage. We discuss the growing resistance within Nauvoo, including Emma Smith's return to the Relief Society and her public pushback against plural marriage. Finally, we examine the King Follett Discourse, one of Joseph SMith's most theologically expansive sermons –introducing ideas about the nature of God and humanity that would shape Latter-day theology moving forward. All of this unfolds amid increasing tension, dissent, and conflict that will soon erupt in dramatic ways. If you'd like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!Purchase John Turner's book here.Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner's book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.___________________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

Bài của Anh Cả Patrick Kearon thuộc Nhóm Túc Số Mười Hai Vị Sứ Đồ của Giáo Hội Các Thánh Hữu Ngày Sau của Chúa Giê Su Ky Tô Khi Israel và Elizabeth Haven Barlow rời Nauvoo, Illinois, để đến Thung Lũng Salt Lake vào năm 1848, họ đã bỏ lại một bé trai được […] The post Podcast số 565 – Liahona tháng 2, 2026 – Con Đường Giao Ước Đầy Hân Hoan – Patrick Kearon appeared first on Thánh Hữu Việt Nam.

The Sister Missionary FLOOD is HERE! Ward Radio Reacts to the Explosion of Sisters Serving throughout the world!Ward Radio dives into the massive surge of sister missionaries hitting the mission field right now — the “Sister Missionary FLOOD”! Cardon, Kwaku, and the crew sit down with Lucille Miles (heading to the Colorado Denver North Mission) and her big sister Maddie (returned missionary who served at the Palmyra and Iowa City historic sites). They talk mission prep, Book of Mormon goals, temple habits, what it's really like serving at Church history sites, and why so many more young women are choosing to serve. Expect laughs, real talk about parental pressure (or lack thereof), influencer tips, and powerful stories about how the Lord is preparing an army of sisters for this moment in Church history. If you have a daughter, sister, or friend heading out (or thinking about it), this episode is pure gold. #SisterMissionary #LDS #Mormon #MissionPrep #WardRadio #LatterDaySaints #BookOfMormon #ChurchHistory #MissionaryWork #BYU YouTube Chapters (Timestamps – add these directly to your video description):0:00 – The Sister Missionary FLOOD Has Begun!1:10 – Meet Lucille & Maddie Miles: Future & Returned Sister Missionaries2:45 – Lucille's Mission Call to Colorado Denver North4:20 – Why So Many Sisters Are Serving Right Now (The Real Reasons)6:05 – Book of Mormon Goals Before the Mission7:40 – Mission Prep Tips That Actually Worked (and the Ones That Didn't)9:15 – Serving at Church History Sites: Palmyra, Nauvoo & More11:00 – Tourists, Baptisms & Teaching Non-Members at Sacred Places12:35 – Parents: How to Prepare Your Daughter Without the Pressure14:10 – Temple Habits, Influencers & Final Mission Advice15:50 – Closing Thoughts & Why This Flood Matters Join 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

In this episode the hosts explore the final days of Joseph Smith's life and how those events shaped both Emma Smith and Brigham Young. The episode also examines the decisions Brigham Young and the Twelve made after the martyrdom. With mobs threatening Nauvoo, the brethren chose to focus on finishing the temple while preparing to go west. John Wilson interviews Church historian Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat who contrasts Joseph Smith's passionate, dramatic personality and conversion experiences with Brigham Young's more gradual, deliberate path to faith, and points out that once Brigham was converted, he never looked back. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 13: Joseph, Joseph, Joseph! first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In Part 38 with historian John Turner we dive into his latest book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. In this episode, we focus on Chapter 29, “Cool as a Cucumber,” unpacking the turbulent years of 1843-1844 –arguably the beginning of the end for Joseph Smith.We explore mounting legal pressure, political entanglements, and growing internal dissent with Nauvoo. Along the way, we examine controversial and often difficult topics, including Joseph Smith's relationship with William Law and his wife, accusations of coercion tied to plural marriage, and an alleged physical altercation involving Watler Bagby.This episode traces how tensions –both inside and outside the church –escalaated rapidly, setting the stage for the final chapter of Joseph Smith's life.If you'd like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!Purchase John Turner's book ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner's book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.___________________⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠Show Notes⁠⁠At 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 Part 38 with historian John Turner we dive into his latest book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. In this episode, we focus on Chapter 29, “Cool as a Cucumber,” unpacking the turbulent years of 1843-1844 –arguably the beginning of the end for Joseph Smith.We explore mounting legal pressure, political entanglements, and growing internal dissent with Nauvoo. Along the way, we examine controversial and often difficult topics, including Joseph Smith's relationship with William Law and his wife, accusations of coercion tied to plural marriage, and an alleged physical altercation involving Watler Bagby.This episode traces how tensions –both inside and outside the church –escalaated rapidly, setting the stage for the final chapter of Joseph Smith's life.If you'd like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!Purchase John Turner's book here.Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner's book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.___________________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

Our hosts return to Nauvoo to explore the tragic events of June 1844 leading up to Joseph Smith's martyrdom. John Wilson interviews local historian Joseph Johnston, who explains how these tensions escalated into calls for violence. Meanwhile, Camrey and Dan visit the Mansion House to discuss Joseph and Emma Smith's relationship and their heart-wrenching final days, as well as to delve into Joseph's painful decision to return to Nauvoo—knowing it likely would mean his death. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 12: Deep Waters first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Dr. Jonathan Stapley, author of Holiness to the Lord, dives deep into the complex history of women & temple sealings, the historical evolution of the sealing ceremony, the persistent changes to the endowment, and the shifting architectural purposes of Latter-day Saint temples. https://youtu.be/9GLMfnUxqdU Don't miss our other discussions with Jonathan. https://gospeltangents.com/people/jonathan_stapley Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved   Complex History of Women & Temple Sealings: Egalitarian Sealings?  When examining the history of the sealing ceremony, Stapley points out a stark contrast between Joseph Smith’s era and Brigham Young’s era. The earliest known sealing text, written by Joseph Smith in 1842, was much more egalitarian than the Nauvoo Temple text later published by Orson Pratt in 1852, which incorporated Brigham Young’s views subordinating women. While the Church has made significant revisions since 1990 to reintroduce more egalitarian language, certain disparities between men and women remain. Dilemma for Widows A poignant example of this is the church’s current sealing policy regarding widows. Before the 1890s, women were regularly sealed to multiple men sequentially, but by the 1920s, a rule was formalized restricting living women to a single sealed husband. Curiously, in the 1960s, the church changed the rules to allow deceased women to be sealed to multiple men to fix family history roadblocks, yet the restriction remained for living women. This leaves many modern widows feeling anxious or hesitant to remarry, and Stapley notes that the current theological answer regarding how these complex marriages will be resolved in the afterlife is simply, “we don’t know.” Debunking the 4-8-Hour Endowment Myth Stapley also pushes back against modern fundamentalist assumptions that the original Nauvoo endowment was a massive, 4-8-hour ordeal. In reality, historical records from William Clayton indicate that the Nauvoo endowment took roughly 90 minutes. When the ritual did take longer, it was often because every participant was acting as a main character, and there were limited temple workers to facilitate the liturgy. Stapley emphasizes that the endowment has never been static; it has always been iterating. Significant milestones include the formalization of temple worker roles in the Endowment House, the writing down of the liturgy and introduction of proxy endowments in the St. George Temple, Wilford Woodruff’s introduction of white pants for men, and the monumental 20th-century shift from live acting to film presentation. Assembly Rooms and the 24 Temples of Zion We also explore how the physical space of the temple has changed. The Kirtland Temple was a semi-public building that hosted private, charismatic “solemn assemblies” for priesthood officers. Later pioneer temples—like Manti, St. George, and Salt Lake—were built with massive assembly halls that are rarely used today, rendering them “architectural anachronisms.” Finally, Stapley addresses Joseph Smith’s famous “Plat of Zion” which outlined 24 temples for the city of Independence. He cautions against comparing these to modern temples, explaining that in the 1830s, the term “temple” was used aspirationally to describe multi-purpose civic buildings, not the private liturgical spaces we know today. Ultimately, the church’s theology simply outgrew the 24-temple model. 0:00 Sealing More Egalitarian? 13:33 Evolution of Endowment Ceremony 24:48 Temples Used to Be Public 35:27 24 Temples

Welcome to Part 36 of our Joseph Smith Podcast series with Dr. John Turner covering his new book “Joseph Smith: Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.”Today we are covering Chapter 28: "Anointed" that covers 1843. In this episode, we explore one of the most explosive and painful chapters in early Mormon history –Emma Smith's direct opposition to Joseph Smith over the practice of polygamy. As tensions rise within Nauvoo, Emma confronts the growing reality of plural marriage, leading to deep personal conflict, secrecy, and division.We examine Joseph Smith's controversial marriages, including his sealing to Helen Mar Kimball, and the broader system that introduced young women into polygamy –often through pressure, family influence, and religious framing. Through firsthand accounts, journals, and later testimonies, we unpack the human cost of these relationships and the theological justification behind them.This episode also dives into Doctrine and Covenants 132 –the pivotal revelation on plural marriage –exploring its origins, its impact on Emma, and the broader implications for Mormon theology and authority. We discuss questions surrounding consent, power, sexuality, and the role of women, alongside the cultural and religious environment that allowed polygamy to take root. As the conflict escalates, Emma begins pushing back –publicly and privately –while Joseph attempts to solidify the practice doctrinally. The episode culminates in one of the most controversial and secretive ordinances in Mormonism: the Second Anointing.If you'd like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!Purchase John Turner's book here.Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner's book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.___________________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

Dr Jonathan Stapley takes us inside LDS temple ceremonies, including the Initiatory, Endowment, and Sealing ceremony changes over the years. Was the sealing ceremony more egalitarian under Joseph Smith than Brigham Young? Check out our conversation…. https://youtu.be/uOdluwXxYVQ Don't miss our other discussions with Jonathan. https://gospeltangents.com/people/jonathan_stapley Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Dr. Jonathan Stapley, author of Holiness to the Lord, explores the fascinating historical evolution of temple ordinances, clarifying the differences between early Kirtland practices, the introduction of Masonic elements in Nauvoo, and the shifting language of the sealing ceremony. Myth of the “OG” Endowment When asked about fundamentalist groups attempting to reconstruct an “original” eight-hour endowment complete with wrist-and-ankle-length garments, Stapley states bluntly that a static, “Platonic ideal” of the endowment never existed. Because the early liturgy was transmitted orally, the ceremony has continually adapted and changed from its very inception. It wasn’t until the Wilford Woodruff era in the St. George Temple that the endowment ceremony was finally written down. Stapley pushes back against the idea that changes to the wording prove apostasy, noting that Brigham Young continuously made changes to the ritual in Nauvoo, the Council House, the Endowment House, and finally the St. George temple. LDS Temple Ceremonies: Kirtland vs. Nauvoo Ordinances Stapley clarifies a common historical misconception: in the Kirtland era, the washing and anointing was a completely separate event from the “endowment”. Washing and Anointing: This was an annual ritual limited strictly to male priesthood officers, purposely patterned after the biblical consecration of ancient Israelite priests. The Kirtland Endowment: This was a solemn assembly where participants feasted on the Lord’s supper, washed each other’s feet, and experienced charismatic spiritual outpourings. It wasn’t until the Nauvoo era that these concepts merged and expanded to include all men and women. Furthermore, Stapley notes that there is no compelling historical data to support the idea that the modern temple liturgy is hidden within the text of the Book of Mormon as Don Bradley has suggested. Masonic “Social Technology” In 1842, Joseph Smith participated in a Masonic initiation, a fraternity ritual that used dramatic progression, hand clasps, and promises of secrecy to tell the mythical story of Hiram Abiff, the builder of Solomon’s temple. Stapley explains that Joseph Smith borrowed this Masonic “social technology”—the structural framework of the ritual—but used it to tell a completely different story. Instead of Masonic lore, Latter-day Saints used this interactive format, alongside biblical priestly clothing, to teach the plan of salvation, including the creation, the fall, and humanity’s return to the presence of God. The Evolving Sealing Ceremony The episode also reveals fascinating details about the first sealing ceremonies. The earliest known text is an 1842 polygamous sealing ceremony written by Joseph Smith for the Whitney family, which is currently available on the Joseph Smith Papers website. When historians compare this 1842 text to a Nauvoo Temple sealing ceremony published by Orson Pratt in 1852, they find substantive differences. According to Stapley, the 1842 ceremony under Joseph Smith was notably more egalitarian, while the later Nauvoo versions incorporated Brigham Young’s views on the subordination of women. (To be fair, Jonathan stated there is no such thing as egalitarian in the 19th century, just varying levels.)   Ultimately, Stapley reminds us that early Latter-day Saints simply did not value word-for-word repetition the way modern members do; even foundational prayers, like the sacrament and baptismal prayers, were often extemporized during Joseph Smith’s lifetime. Don't miss our other discussions with Jonathan. https://gospeltangents.com/people/jonathan_stapley Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved 0:00 Sealing More Egalitarian? 13:33 Evolution of Endowment Ceremony 24:48 Temples Used to Be Public 35:27 24 Temples  

Welcome back to Part 35 of our series with Dr. John Turner discussing his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.”In 1843, Joseph Smith began introducing some of his closest family members – including his wife Emma Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith –to the controversial and secretive practice of plural marriage.This episode dives into one of the most complex and debated periods of early Latter-day Saint history. We explore the story of the Kinderhook Plates –a set of six brass plates that briefly captured Joseph Smith's attention before being exposed as a fraud –and what that moment reveals about claims of translation and discernment.We also examine the marriages to the Partridge sisters, the dynamics between Joseph and Emma, and the growing theological framework surrounding celestial marriage, “calling and election made sure,” and eternal hierarchy. As new doctrines emerged, secrecy, trust, and power became deeply intertwined. This episode raises difficult questions such as: What happened to the Kinderhook Plates –and why didn't the translation continue? How did plural marriage unfold behind the scenes? What did Joseph teach privately vs publicly? How did those closest to him respond about polygamy?This is a careful, long-form discussion intended to slow down and examine the historical record in detail. If you'd like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!Purchase John Turner's book here.Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner's book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.___________________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

Welcome back to Part 34 of our series with Dr. John G. Turner! Today we are covering most of Chapter 27 in John Turner's new book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. The chapter is called “Deep Water” and covers the year 1843.The main topic for today is polygamy.Join us as we discuss several of Joseph Smith's wives such as Flora Woodworth, Eliza R. Snow, Sarah Ann Whitney, Lucy Walker, etc. John Dehlin challenges Dr. John Turner on specific aspects such as whether Emma Smith really did push Eliza R. Snow down the stairs and whether or not Porter Rockwell did actually attempt to assassinate Lilburn Boggs. We also discuss the validity of the William Clayton journals and postulate on why the church has yet to publish them.Throughout 1843, Joseph Smith promised men and women salvation based on their willingness to enter into polygamy. He spent church funds on gifts for his wives, as well as buying some of them plots of land, and even travel expenses for some of the women (from England to Nauvoo). Joseph Smith used language that could be seen as coercive, for example, telling Lucy Walker that polygamy was a command of God and that he would give her “until tomorrow to decide this matter [of polygamy] and that “If you reject this message the gate will be closed forever against you.”In this episode we tackle hard questions such as: Can people who do bad things also be good? Does good behavior negate seemingly abusive actions? Are people all bad and all good? Can Joseph Smith's actions be seen as human trafficking?This chapter in Mormonism is deeply problematic and disturbing, but Dr. John Turner handles it amazingly.Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner's book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.If you'd like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!Purchase John Turner's book here.___________________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

In Part 38 with historian John Turner we dive into his latest book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. In this episode, we focus on Chapter 29, “Cool as a Cucumber,” unpacking the turbulent years of 1843-1844 –arguably the beginning of the end for Joseph Smith.We explore mounting legal pressure, political entanglements, and growing internal dissent with Nauvoo. Along the way, we examine controversial and often difficult topics, including Joseph Smith's relationship with William Law and his wife, accusations of coercion tied to plural marriage, and an alleged physical altercation involving Watler Bagby.This episode traces how tensions –both inside and outside the church –escalaated rapidly, setting the stage for the final chapter of Joseph Smith's life.If you'd like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series ⁠here⁠. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!Purchase John Turner's book ⁠here⁠.Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turner's book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.___________________⁠YouTube⁠⁠Show Notes⁠At 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 the mid-1800s, long before the Soviet Union or Maoist China, a French political dreamer named Étienne Cabet tried to build a communist utopia... in the heart of America. What followed was a bizarre, ambitious, and often comically disastrous experiment involving disease, deception, authoritarian hypocrisy, failed frontier settlements, buying an abandoned Mormon town, and one of the strangest forgotten social movements in U.S. history. For Merch and everything else Bad Magic related, head to: https://www.badmagicproductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Church History Matters, hosts Casey Griffiths and Scott Woodward sit down with special guest Lisa Olsen Tait to explore one of the most frequently asked and historically complex questions in Christian history: Were women ever allowed to be priests or hold priesthood authority? Together they examine the evidence not only within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but also across broader Christian traditions, tracing how different communities have understood women's spiritual authority over time. From the early Christian world to modern debates, the conversation carefully separates assumption from documentation and myth from history. The discussion also highlights a pivotal moment in Latter-day Saint history—temple worship in Nauvoo, where in the Nauvoo Temple men and women participated in sacred ordinances involving priesthood functions in ways that were new and significant. What did this mean in the 1830s? How did early Latter-day Saints understand women's relationship to priesthood power? With careful scholarship and a positive, faith-centered approach, this episode offers historical clarity while inviting thoughtful reflection on women, authority, and divine partnership throughout Christian history.

In this special live studio recording of the Standard of Truth Podcast, Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat and Dr. Richard LeDuc are joined by an in-person audience for a lively mailbag episode. The hosts tackle a question submitted mid-labor, fielding a request for obscure Angel Moroni stories guaranteed to keep the asker out of church leadership.  Gerrit shares an account from Edward Stevenson describing a roadside encounter with Moroni during the translation period, as well as a powerful testimony from Wilford Woodruff about three angelic messengers dressed in temple clothing who rescued him and George A. Smith from evil spirits in London. The episode also dives into the speculative attempts to pin down the exact date of the First Vision, complete with an impromptu weather analysis presentation from Richard.  The hosts then answer a question about Hyrum Smith's prophetic role, reading from his 1842 sermon definitively interpreting the Word of Wisdom's "hot drinks" as tea and coffee, paired with a complementary Brigham Young sermon warning that dismissing prophetic counsel leads gradually to apostasy.  The episode closes as Gerrit shares the story of Emmeline Anderson, an unsung hero of early church history whose faith remained unshaken even after losing her husband and teenage son in the 1846 Battle of Nauvoo. Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

In this episode, we step into one of the most provocative and uncomfortable chapters ever written about Joseph Smith — “The Don Juan of Nauvoo,” from Dr. W. Wyl's 1886 exposé. These are not modern critics looking backward with hindsight. These are men and women living in Utah in the late 1800s — people who… Read More »The Don Juan of Nauvoo

In this episode, we step into one of the most provocative and uncomfortable chapters ever written about Joseph Smith — “The Don Juan of Nauvoo,” from Dr. W. Wyl's 1886 exposé. These are not modern critics looking backward with hindsight. These are men and women living in Utah in the late 1800s — people who… Read More »The Don Juan of Nauvoo The post The Don Juan of Nauvoo appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

In this episode, we step into one of the most provocative and uncomfortable chapters ever written about Joseph Smith — “The Don Juan of Nauvoo,” from Dr. W. Wyl's 1886 exposé. These are not modern critics looking backward with hindsight. These are men and women living in Utah in the late 1800s — people who lived through Nauvoo, who knew Joseph personally, who saw the culture firsthand, and who were willing to share their memories of Joseph's behavior with women. Their recollections paint a portrait very different from the sanitized image often presented today. We will read their words directly. Their observations. Their accusations. Their recollections of Joseph's charisma, his influence, and his interactions with women in Nauvoo. This episode isn't about speculation. It's about historical memory — and how Joseph Smith's contemporaries understood him. You'll hear: How Joseph was perceived by those who lived in Nauvoo The reputation he carried among insiders What Utah Saints privately said decades later Why these accounts were preserved and published And how charisma, authority, and attraction intersected in Nauvoo Whether you see Joseph Smith as prophet, fraud, or something in between, these firsthand recollections provide a window into how he was experienced by those who lived in his shadow. Donate to Mormonism Live:https://mormonismlive.org/Donate-To-Mormonism-Live/ If you need support navigating a faith transition or spiritual trauma, coaching and support groups are available at: https://awakenandthrive.org/

Welcome to Part 32 of our series with Dr. John G Turner, based on his new book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.In this episode, Dr. Turner response directly to modern claims denying Joseph Smith's plural marriage to Sarah Ann Whitney. We revisit Chapter 26 of his book, carefully examining the historical record surrounding the 1842 letter often associated with Sarah Ann Whitney, the language of sealing and “fulness of blessings,” the land deed, and the broader documentary context of Nauvoo-era plural marriage.We also engage with alternative interpretations, including arguments that question whether the letter refers to polygamy at all. Drawing on Turner's scholarship as well as Karen Hyatt's analysis, this discussion models how historians weight evidence, examine primary sources, and wrestle with ambiguity. What constitutes strong documentation? How do historians interpret silence, denials, and later public statements? And how should we think about the broader context of Joseph Smith's practice of plural marriage in Nauvoo?Along the way, we explore the legal crisis surrounding the alleged assassination attempt on Lilburn Boggs, the Nauvoo writ of habeas corpus, the Sarah Ann Whitney Letter, Public denials and private sealings, sham marriages and the case of Joseph Kingsbury, documentation involving the Partridge sisters and why serious historical inquiry requires both skepticism and careful contextualization.We invite you to read Chapter 26 alongside this discussion and let us know your thoughts in the comments. To read Karen Hyatt's interpretation download her free book here: https://josephtoldthetruth.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Woe-Unto-You-Scribes.pdfTo watch Karen Hyatt's video, “The Worst Love Letter… EVER!” click here.Let us know in the comments how you interpret the evidence.Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

Welcome to Part 31 in our ongoing series with Dr. John Turner, based on his new book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.Today we are diving into Chapter 31, “World on Fire,” and the explosive years 1842-1843 in Nauvoo –a period marked by scandal, secrecy, political pressure, and deep internal crisis.In this episode we cover the rise and fall of John C. Bennett and the “Spiritual Wifery” scandal. We also discuss the attempted assassination of Lilburn Boggs and the role of Porter Rockwell. We also cover aspects of polygamy, namely the Nancy Rigdon controversy and Joseph Smith's failed proposal, the stories of Sarah Pratt and Sarah Ann Whitney (including the letter sent to the Whitneys in Joseph Smith's own handwriting with specific instructions to burn the letter), and Emma Smith and the growing concerns in the Relief Society as well as Nauvoo at large.We also examine how Nauvoo struggled to manage these crises, how accusations and denials shaped public perception, and why John Turner calls this moment a true “world on fire.”If you'd like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

Welcome to Episode 30 of our series The Joseph Smith Podcast with Dr. John Turner where we discuss chapters from his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.”In this episode, we dive further into Chapter 24 (“Upper Rooms”) from John Turner's work and unpack the origins of the LDS Relief Society in May of 1842 –right in the middle of Joseph Smith's secret practice of polygamy. We explore whether the Relief Society was meant to empower women, function as a stepping stone to priesthood-like authority, or help manage rumors and moral fallout from Nauvoo's growing scandals.From Emma Smith's complicated position, to whispered accusations, to the infamous “Happiness Letter,” this conversation traces how secrecy, power, and polygamy collide –and what it all says about Joseph Smith's character. We also look at whistleblowers, public denials, internal investigations (or lack thereof), and how victims and critics were treated when scandals became impossible to contain. This is part Mormon history, part true crime, and part moral reckoning –with big questions about leadership, secrecy, and accountability. Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

Was Joseph Smith's relationship with Fanny Alger an early plural marriage, a sexless sealing, or a scandalous sexual affair? Long before Nauvoo polygamy, secret sealings, or theological justifications, there was Fanny Alger; a teenage girl living in Joseph and Emma Smith's home in Kirtland, Ohio. When the relationship was discovered, it triggered scandal, apostasy, and… Read More »Joseph Smith & Fanny Alger: Barely Scraping By

Welcome back to our Joseph Smith Podcast series with historian Dr. John Turner!This is Episode 29, where we dive into Chapter 24, titled “Upper Rooms,” from John Turner's new book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.In this episode, we focus on Nauvoo in 1842 –a pivotal year when Freemasonry, the Relief Society, secrecy, and the earliest forms of the Nauvoo Endowment ceremony all intersect.The central question we wrestle with is this: To what extent did Freemasonry shape Joseph Smith's use of secrecy –and was it intended to protect his authority and reputation?We explore the anti-Masonic climate of early America and the murder of William Morgan, why the Book of Mormon was once read as an “anti-Masonic Bible,” Joseph Smith's embrace of Freemasonry, the founding of the Nauvoo Masonic Lodge, Parallels between Masonic rituals and the original Nauvoo Endowment, the secret oaths, handshakes, signs, tokens, and penalties, and Joseph Smith's evolving theology around power and exaltation.This conversation is historically grounded, candid, and essential for anyone trying to understand how Mormon temple theology developed –and why it still matters today!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

Welcome to Part 28 of our John G. Turner series of the Joseph Smith Podcast! Today we continue our deep dive into the Egyptian Materials, the Book of Abraham, and how its theology shaped Mormonism's most distinctive doctrines –including premortal existence, exaltation, intelligences, and the idea of God becoming God.This episode explores how Joseph Smith resumed work on the papyri in Nauvoo, publicly introduced the Book of Abraham, and used it as a vehicle for unfolding expansive cosmology and theology. We examine the papyri themselves, the facsimiles, translation claims, the catalyst theory, and why there is little evidence that key scrolls are missing.More importantly, we trace how the Book of Abraham becomes the theological backbone for ideas that later crystalize in the King Follett Discourse, the Plan of Salvation, the War in Heaven, and the belief that humans can become Gods.This is Part 2 of our discussion on the Egyptian Materials and their lasting influence on Mormon doctrine.Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.___________________YouTubeShow NotesAt 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