Informed Saints

The Book of Abraham gets more criticism than almost any other LDS scripture—partly because we still have fragments of the papyri and people assume that “settles” everything. In this episode of Informed Saints, we sit down with Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein to talk through what the evidence actually does (and doesn’t) let us conclude—and how Latter-day Saints can approach the questions without fear...

Breaking news in biblical studies: the “elect lady” in 2 John may not be a metaphor for the Church after all—she may be a real woman with a real name: Eclecte. In this episode, New Testament papyrologist Lincoln Blumell (with research assistant Spencer Kraus) explains the textual and grammatical puzzle behind 2 John’s opening, why the traditional reading created problems, and how ancient letter-wr...

Critics have mocked Alma 7:10 for nearly 200 years: the Book of Mormon says Christ would be born “ at Jerusalem ,” even though the New Testament says Bethlehem . But once you dig into ancient geography, manuscripts, and archaeology, the criticism gets a lot less confident—and the evidence gets surprisingly strong.  In this episode of Informed Saints , we break down what “ Jerusalem ” can mean in a...

In 1828, Martin Harris carried copied characters from the gold plates to Professor Charles Anthon in New York City—and walked away more convinced than ever that the Book of Mormon was real. Anthon, however, later claimed the whole thing was nonsense. So who do we believe, and what actually happened in that office?  In this episode of Informed Saints, Jasmin Rappleye sits down with Neal Rappleye an...

The Pearl of Great Price is the most unstable book in the Latter-day Saint canon. It started as an 1851 pamphlet in Liverpool, was reshaped by Orson Pratt in the 1870s, canonized in 1880, streamlined by James E. Talmage in 1902, expanded in 1976, and reworked again in 1979–81. And in the 1970s, Elder Bruce R. McConkie even drafted a never-published edition that would have added huge chunks of the...

Are “anachronisms” proof that the Book of Mormon is a modern forgery—or are critics leaning on outdated data? In this intro episode, we break down what anachronisms actually are and walk through a massive new study that tracks 226 critical claims from 1830 to today. The result? About 77% of those supposed anachronisms now have archaeological or historical support in the ancient Old and New Worlds....

Did the Church change its story on the Book of Mormon translation —or are critics missing something important?   In this episode of Informed Saints , Jasmin Rappleye sits down with Neal Rappleye and Stephen Smoot to unpack recent online controversy over the Church’s new “Translation of the Book of Mormon” article and statements that the text came by “divine revelation.” Drawing on Doctrine and Cov...

Can Latter-day Saints and other Christians actually be closer in theology than most people think? In fact are “Mormons” Trinitarians? In this episode we sit down with BYU historian and theologian Grant Underwood , author of Latter-day Saint Theology Among Christian Theologies , to talk about where Latter-day Saint beliefs line up with Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox traditions—and where...

Who Is President Dallin H. Oaks? Biographer Rick Turley on the Life of the LDS Church’s New Prophet In this Informed Saints exclusive, church historian and biographer Richard E. “Rick” Turley Jr. (author of In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks ) helps us answer the big question: Who is President Dallin H. Oaks, the 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?...

Today we are tackling the age old question of, "Do 'Mormons' celebrate Halloween?"   While the short answer is, yes. There is a lot of fun nuance to this topic and also it gave us an excuse to dress up and have some more fun with one of these episodes! Thanks for sharing and watching!   ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen...

What do the actual documents say about Nauvoo-era plural marriage? In this episode, we walk through the primary sources behind the claims—reading what was written, when, and by whom—so you can see the evidence for yourself without the noise.   In this video you’ll learn: • What D&C 132 (July 12, 1843) says and how it surfaced • Why William Clayton’s journal entry matters for dating and context...

Did the Church “support” the Nazi regime—or were members just trying to survive? In this episode, Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot unpack Nazi secret police files, surveillance reports, banned books, arrests, and a high-level memo stating that Latter-day Saint doctrine is incompatible with National Socialism.   We also add context to the infamous Heber J. Grant photo and highlight...

*THIS AUDIO IS FROM A FULL YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM, THERE ARE MISTAKES PRESENT. ALSO VISUAL ELEMENTS WHICH ARE BEST SEEN ON YOUTUBE*   https://youtube.com/live/2IpxhFWwLAQ?feature=share   Recap, review, and analysis of General Conference and more! With Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot! #lds #podcast #informedsaints #generalconference #mormon  Chapters (00:00:02) - General Conference 20...

*THIS AUDIO IS FROM A FULL YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM, THERE ARE MISTAKES PRESENT. ALSO VISUAL ELEMENTS WHICH ARE BEST SEEN ON YOUTUBE*   https://youtube.com/live/2IpxhFWwLAQ?feature=share   Today has been heavy folks. Join us as we talk about the passing of President Russell M. Nelson and the horrific tragedy that took place in a ward in Grand Blanc, Michigan.   #mormon #lds #news Chapters (00:00:01) - P...

Was Joseph Smith’s use of seer stones evidence of superstition — or of divine power?   In this episode of Informed Saints , hosts Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot sit down with Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (BYU professor, historian, and author of From Darkness unto Light ) to explore the historical sources behind the Book of Mormon translation. Together, they discuss what the witnesses saw...

Was Joseph Smith lying, forgetting, or faithfully remembering his First Vision? Critics often highlight differences between the various accounts, but few have explored the role of human memory in shaping those narratives.   In this debut episode of Informed Saints , hosts Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot dive into groundbreaking research that brings together history, neuroscience,...

Welcome to Informed Saints , a roundtable podcast dedicated to strengthening testimonies of Jesus Christ through thoughtful study and open conversation.   Hosted by Jasmin Rappleye , Stephen Smoot , and Neal Rappleye , each episode explores trending topics, difficult questions, and the latest research related to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   Whether you’re diving into Church h...