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Send us a text! Episode 6 of The Book of Mormon explores the Book of Mormon through a critical scholarly perspective, examining how it reflects 19th century American anxieties and cultural concerns. The hosts discuss connections to the mound builder myth regarding Native American origins, religious authority debates during the Second Great Awakening, American exceptionalism, and redemption themes....

Send us a text! Episode 5 of The Book of Mormon explores Joseph Smith's Bible translation work (JST) and its connection to Adam Clarke's popular 19th-century biblical commentary . Recent research has uncovered hundreds of parallels between the JST and Clarke's work, challenging traditional views of Smith's translation process. We discuss what these findings mean for understandi...

Send us a text! Episode 6 of The Book of Mormon explores fascinating textual parallels between Adam Clarke's 1800s Bible commentary and Isaiah passages in the Book of Mormon. The hosts examine specific examples where unique phrasing from Clarke's interpretations appears in the Book of Mormon, often contradicting ancient manuscripts like the Dead Sea Scrolls. These connections raise compe...

Send us a text! In this Prologue to Season 6: The Book of Mormon , Brother Buzz shares his personal journey from devoted returned missionary to questioning believer. After being told he was now "the eyes of the church," he followed the prescribed Mormon path—BYU, marriage, leadership roles—only to find that his deepening engagement with the Book of Mormon raised uncomfortable questions. ...

Send us a text! Episode 2 of The Book of Mormon explores the Book of Mormon as more than just a historical text, but as a foundational scripture and keystone of Mormon faith. We discuss how it serves as another testament of Jesus Christ, compiled by ancient prophets who witnessed Christ across different time periods. The Book of Mormon's purpose isn't just to provide historical accounts...

Send us a text! Episode 12 of The Gold Plates explores the financial gamble behind publishing the Book of Mormon. We dive into Martin Harris's decision to mortgage his 151-acre farm for $3,000 to finance the printing of 5,000 copies—against everyone's advice, including the printer's. Discover how this risky venture affected Harris's marriage, finances, and legacy, while examini...

Send us a text! Episode 11 of The Gold Plates explores the complex question of Book of Mormon authorship. We examine Joseph Smith's cultural context, including the popular literary style of pseudo-biblicism, and analyze potential influences like Solomon Spalding's manuscript and "View of the Hebrews." Sources Video: BoM Authroship_Dan Vogel_Mormon Stories 1066 Essay: Could Jose...

Send us a text! Episode 10 of The Gold Plates explores the fascinating Mosiah Priority theory, which suggests that Joseph Smith dictated the Book of Mosiah first rather than First Nephi. We examine evidence including timeline inconsistencies about Christ's birth, shifting word usage patterns, and King James Bible references. We discuss what this theory might mean for understanding the Book of...

Send us a text! Episode 8 of The Gold Plates dives into the complex history of the Book of Mormon's translation process, challenging traditional narratives. We explore eyewitness accounts describing Joseph Smith's use of seer stones, analyze inconsistencies in the traditional golden plates narrative, and examine how historical context influenced the creation of this sacred text. Rather t...

Send us a text! Episode 9 of The Gold Plates investigates the mysterious disappearance of the Book of Mormon's first 116 manuscript pages. We explore how Martin Harris lost these pages, Joseph Smith's reaction to their loss, and the significant narrative shift that followed. The discussion examines the "seams" in the Book of Mormon text that resulted from this incident, raising...

Send us a text! Episode 7 of The Gold Plates explores the view that the gold plates were translated by the gift and power of God. We examine both the traditional narrative of Joseph Smith using the Urim and Thummim and firsthand accounts describing his use of a seer stone placed in a hat. We discuss the importance of witness testimonies, address apparent inconsistencies, and consider how personal...

Send us a text! Episode 6 of The Gold Plates explores lesser-known accounts of people who claimed to have witnessed the gold plates of the Book of Mormon beyond the official witnesses. The hosts examine testimonies from Emma Smith, John Gilbert, Katherine Smith, and others, while discussing Dan Vogel's tin plates theory.  Sources Essay: The 11 Witnesses_Steven Harper_BYU RSC Video: BoM Witnes...

Send us a text! Episode 6 of The Gold Plates dives deep into the fascinating story of the eight witnesses to the Book of Mormon. We explore who these men were, their family connections to Joseph Smith, and the contradictions in their testimonies. Despite claiming a physical experience with the golden plates, statements suggesting supernatural elements raise questions about the nature of their enco...

Send us a text! Episode 4 of The Gold Plates explores the fascinating testimonies of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon: Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. We delve into their complex relationships with Joseph Smith, examine inconsistencies in their accounts, and consider whether they experienced physical or spiritual visions. Despite eventually leaving the church, none forma...

Send us a text! Episode 3 of The Gold Plates dives into the controversial history of Joseph Smith's gold plates. Was this ancient artifact real or fabricated? We examine witness testimonies, historical context, and inconsistencies in the accounts. From the witnesses who never wavered in their belief to the lack of archaeological evidence, we explore both skeptical and faithful perspectives. ...

Send us a text! Episode 2 of The Gold Plates dives deep into why the Book of Mormon is key to Joseph Smith's restoration movement.  Sources Essay: BoM Problems Book: BoM Authorship-new light Essay: BoM Concerns_CES Letter Rebuttal_Jim Bennett Video: Bible Scholar Bokovoy_MS 1014 Essay: Archaeology and the BoM_MS Video: Book of Mormon Authroship_Dan Vogel_MS 1066 Essay: Could JS have Written t...

Send us a text! In this Prologue to Season 5: The Gold Plates, Brother Buzz recounts his time as a zealous Mormon missionary whose rehearsed testimonies about the gold plates gradually sparked questions. His discovery that authentic connection and love trumped dogmatic rules ultimately led to deeper exploration of the Book of Mormon's origins—the focus of this season examining the complex sto...

Send us a text! Episode 8 of Priesthood explores the concept of priesthood keys in Mormon theology, examining their historical development and controversies.  Sources Essay: Oliver Cowdery as Second Witness , BYU RSC Essay: Priesthood Restoration , LDS.org Essay: Priesthood , LDS.org Essay: Priesthood Restoration , Mormon Stories Essay: Priesthood Restoration , CES Letter Essay: Priesthood Restora...

Send us a text! Episode 9 of Priesthood explores the complex history of the priesthood and temple ban on black members. Sources Essay: Citations on Blacks and the Priesthood Essay: Blacks and Priesthood_FAIR LDS Essay: Priesthood and Temple Restriction_LDS.org Essay: Race and Priesthood_Gospel Topics_LDS.org Essay: Discussing Difficult Topics__BYU RSC Video: From Policy to Doctrine: MS 1910 Video:...

Send us a text! Episode 10 of Priesthood explores the complex topic of women's relationship to priesthood power in the LDS Church.  Sources Video: Ordain Women Discussion One: See the Symptoms Video: Ordain Women Discussion Two: Know the History Video: Ordain Women Disocussion Four: Revel in Revelation Essay: Ordain Women Disocussion Five: Visualize our Potential Essay: Women and Priesthood_L...

Send us a text! Episode 11 of Priesthood traces the fascinating evolution of Mormon temple ceremonies from their spiritual beginnings in Kirtland to the structured endowment rituals of Nauvoo. We explore how these sacred practices developed, examining their connections to Freemasonry, scriptural foundations, and role as expressions of priesthood power. The episode unpacks the historical context be...

Send us a text! Episode 7 of Priesthood examines the historic day when Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery formally organized the Church of Christ on April 6, 1830. We explore the meeting at Peter Whitmer Sr.'s home in Fayette, New York, where just six people established what would become a global religion. The podcast unpacks the early power dynamics between Smith and Cowdery, the development of...

Send us a text! Episode 6 of Priesthood explores Oliver Cowdery's role as the "second witness" to Mormon priesthood restoration. Despite being excommunicated and later rebaptized, Cowdery never denied his testimony of angelic visitations and priesthood authority. We examine the historical complexities surrounding his accounts, the differences between early church documents, and how...

Send us a text! Episode 5 of Priesthood offers a thoughtful defense of the Mormon priesthood restoration narrative from a faithful perspective. We explore how Joseph Smith's concept of revelation allowed for evolving understanding rather than verbatim dictation. Drawing on insights from Richard Bushman, FAIR, and Jim Bennett's CES Letter rebuttal, we examine how early newspaper accounts,...

Send us a text! Episode 4 of Priesthood explores the concept of priesthood authority in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the bedrock of their claim as the "one true church."  Sources Essay: Priesthood Restoration , LDS.org Essay: Priesthood , LDS.org Essay: Priesthood Restoration , Mormon Stories Essay: Priesthood Restoration , CES Letter Essay: Priesthood Restoration , Mo...