Mormon Book Reviews Podcast

Evangelical Steven Pynakker recently gave a presentation to the Book of Mormon Perspectives Forum titled "A Protestant Defense of the Book of Mormon (Beta Version)". Using tools the apologists and scholars use to defend the Bible & Christianity, Steven weaves a plausible defense of the most important scripture of the Restoration. The hope is that this can help facilitate productive future dial...

In this interview, I asked Jonathan to respond to some of his critics, particularly his LDS critics who published articles in the Interpreter earlier this year. Jonathan welcomes criticism because he advocates consideration of "multiple working hypotheses" based on established facts. But he objects to "gatekeeping" intellectuals that ban or censor interpretations they don't agree with--especially...

Today we sit down with Evan Sharley, who is a member of Community of Christ. They put forward a "resolution" (a piece of legislation) which seeks to put Community of Christ's scriptures online for free. This resolution will be debated at Community of Christ's World Conference in 2023. We also talk about what Evan's vision of Community of Christ's future is, including who may be the next prophet (a...

Steve and Rebecca sit down with Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker, Geoff Pingree to discuss his highly celebrated documentary, “The Return of Elder Pingree - Memoir of a Departed Mormon.” The documentary represents an intensely personal quest to find meaning and truth by returning to Geoff’s mission field in Guatamala decades later. Geoff discusses what led to his decision to undertake the...

Did you know there’s a brand new virtual Book of Mormon Art Catalog available to browse online? Steve and Rebecca sit down with scholar of Latter-day Saint visual art, Jenny Champoux to discuss this wonderful project. As the director of the Book of Mormon Art project, Jenny gives us insights into how the catalogue was created, how they selected the artwork and made it user friendly so anyone can s...

Thomas Murphy and Simon Southerton join Steven Pynakker to discuss their latest paper that they co-authored along with Angelo Baca titled "Science and Fiction: Kennewick Man /Ancient One in Latter-day Discourse". It is a paper that describes the work of David Read 's "Face of a Nephite: DNA Studies & the Book of Mormon". Read is an author who advocates a "Heartlander" view of BOM events. He co...

Join Steve and colleague Valerie Hamaker as they talk about the attention her recent podcast Latter Day Struggles episode has been receiving due to her review of Carol Lynn Pearson’s book “No More Goodbyes” from the lens of her background as a psychotherapist helping people heal from all kinds trauma. This book captures the essence of the harm and pain experienced by gender and sexual minorities i...

Jonathan Neville returns to Mormon Book Reviews to give his perspective of the two news stories about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints finances that recently aired. The Fifth Estate in Canada and 60 Minutes Australia released investigative reports about the way tithing funds are handled in those countries. Jonathan also responds to my interview with Nigel Kennett whose contact with...

We are excited to welcome author Declan Hyde, an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who just released a Mormon Horror novella THE RESURRECTION BOX. In this special Halloween episode of the podcast, Declan discusses what drove him to write a "Mormon" Horror work of fiction and what that means. We also talk about the relationship between horror and religion, Twilight, S...

In an exclusive interview, Steven Pynakker and Rebecca Bibliotheca get up close and personal with Nigel Kennett, the accountant who is featured on a recent episode of Canada’s The Fifth Estate titled "The Mormons' Books.” The episode discusses the LDS church’s tithing practices in Canada and their donations to LDS universities like BYU. We learn more of Nigel‘s personal story, his background in th...

Brent Ashworth returns to Mormon Book Reviews to present another historical artifact for "Show & Tell"! On this episode Brent discusses how he was able to acquire one of William E McLellin's lost journal volumes. He reads some very moving passages in the journal. McLelllin became a bitter rival and enemy to Joseph Smith. However, his testimony of the Witnesses and the Book of Mormon later in l...

Aron Ra one of the biggest Atheist influencers on YouTube comes on Mormon Book Reviews to discuss the Book of Mormon with Evangelical Steven Pynakker! He discusses why he believes all religion's scripture is man made and why he decided to do a series about the Book of Mormon on his YouTube channel. Steven talks about watching Aron's program while he was an Athiest/Agnostic and explains the value o...

Some researchers have concluded that the wine was spiked in the 1st century Christian church. This would lead to visions of a resurrected Christ and other spiritual manifestations. History communicator & independent researcher Bryce Blankenagel has recently co-authored a paper with Brian Kassenbrock, published by the John Whitmer Historical Association Journal, that advocates a similar hypothe...

On a special "Show & Tell" segment on MBR, Brent Ashworth returns to describe another rare find in his collection. This particular object has a direct connection to Nathan Smith, the doctor who performed the leg surgery on a young Joseph Smith (no relation). Brent discusses how this revolutionary surgery saved Joseph's leg and how if it had been amputated, Joseph may well have not been able to...

On a special episode of Mormon Book Reviews Pastor Jeff McCullough of Hello Saints returns to discuss his recent attendance at General Conference with Steven Pynakker! We also discuss the explosive growth of his YouTube channel, what it's been like to be present in the sacred spaces of the Restoration, dealing with street preachers at General Conference, and forging important friendships with memb...

David Boice of 52 Churches in 52 Weeks Talks LDS Experiences! After a string of bad first dates and no church to call home, Dave Boice chronicles his yearslong spiritual journey in search for something more on YouTube and in a book. What started as a simple endeavor to find a hometown church turned into a thrilling spiritual adventure that is sidesplittingly witty and deeply emotional. Of note, Da...

Jenn Kamp joins Steve and Rebecca on the latest episode of Mormon Media Reviews on MBR to introduce her new podcast,”Our Truth Be Told” which will premiere on Monday, October 10th. Jenn updates us on everything that’s been going on in the past few months and tells us about her journey going forward with the new podcast, her new farmhouse and all the exciting changes in her life. This is Jenn's fir...

Join Steve this week as he interviews therapist Valerie Hamaker and her husband Nathan, new voices in the Mormon podcasting world. Valerie started this podcast on a whim, wanting to share insights and thoughts about her ongoing experiences with struggling Latter Day Saints in the therapy room and was shocked when this show started to rapidly grow. The frequent letters that come to Valerie commend...

Do you have fond memories of old LDS church videos from decades ago? You’re not alone! Many people have very nostalgic memories of the videos they watched in Sunday School, Seminary, for Family Home Evening and more. If you’re wondering where all those cherished videos went, the answer is Tom Doggett and his Hard to Find Mormon Videos Channel on YouTube! Steven, Rebecca Bibliotheca and Tom sit dow...

I am so excited to be able to feature the host of the new up & coming Youtube channel "Mormonism with the Murph"! This Northern Ireland based channel has already booked some of the biggest names in Mormon scholarship including Dan Vogel & Brian Hales. Get to know "The Murph" on a special Mormon Media Reviews segment here on MBR. #lds #bookofmormon #mormonismwiththemurph

On a very important episode of Mormon Book Reviews, Dr. Amos Brown Civil Rights leader and personal friend of President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is interviewed by Evangelical Steven Pynakker. In the interview we discuss whether BYU should change its name, does Dr. Brown forgive Brigham Young for his racist views, is the money the Church gives to the NAAC...

On a very special edition of Mormon Book Reviews Steven Pynakker is joined by his mother Elizabeth for a book review of "Upon Destiny's Song" by Mike Ericksen & Sage Steadman. In this historical novel, which is based on real facts and history, my Mom found a very compelling story and she wanted to share her thoughts and give us her review! I plan on having on the authors on soon to discuss the...

On a special Mormon Media Reviews segment on MBR, Rebecca Bibliotheca returns to co-host with Steven Pynakker! "The Good Shepherds,” a musical written, composed and directed by David Nolan and Chris Metz, shines a light on the finances of the LDS church and other religious organizations and asks the question, is the sizeable wealth of religious organizations like the LDS church really being used t...

On the latest episode of Mormon Book Reviews, Joseph Smith image expert Shannon Tracy for the first time publicly discusses his thoughts on the recently identified daguerreotype that might be of Joseph Smith. Recently the John Whitmer Historical Association Journal published a paper co-authored by Ronald Romig & Lachlan Mackay that makes a very strong case that the image may very well be authe...

On a special episode of Mormon Book Reviews, Podcasters Mitchell Cosgrove & Garrett Jefferies talk with Steve Pynakker. The name of their new podcast is Latter Day Bridge Builders. They share how their podcast is dedicated to building bridges between people in LDS culture. Specifically trying to build the bridge between ex members and true believing Latter-day Saints. They also talk about how...