The Interpreter Foundation Podcast

How did Emma’s deeply personal, spousal view of Joseph differ from Brigham Young’s reverent, disciple-like view of the Prophet? In what ways did both Emma and Brigham remain deeply loyal to Joseph Smith, even though they expressed that loyalty very differently? Our hosts reflect on the contrasting ways Emma Smith and Brigham Young related to Joseph Smith and how those differences contributed to te...

Abstract: Based on Doctrine and Covenants 131:1, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that there are three degrees within the celestial kingdom. There has been a proposal that this teaching is incorrect and instead this scripture should be interpreted as a reference to the three kingdoms described in Doctrine and Covenants 76 (celestial, terrestrial, and telestial). This proposi...

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 em...

Abstract: Given that only four colors are mentioned in the Book of Mormon (white, black, red, and gray), readers may ask, “Where are all the other colors?” But this is a distinctively modern question, that is, one keyed to the early modern understanding of color pioneered by Isaac Newton. The Book of Mormon does not embody this understanding. Instead, it reenacts difficulties associated with grasp...

In the April 30, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Martin Tanner surveys the Doctrine of a Mother in Heaven in LDS, Christian and Jewish Belief. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — April 30, 2026: Mother in Heaven first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation .

John Wilson continues his conversation with historian Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat. They explore Brigham Young’s deep, unwavering loyalty to Joseph Smith and how it shaped his life and leadership. The discussion highlights how Brigham wrestled with some of Joseph’s most radical doctrines, such as the three degrees of glory, baptism for the dead, and plural marriage. Even when these teachings conflicted wit...

In this episode of Conversations with Interpreter , Dr. Kent Jackson, Emeritus Professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU, looks at the translation of Genesis 4:15. Dr. Jackson has published his own translation of Genesis, which gave him important insights into the biblical text. He points out that the translation is the King James Version of the Bible is misleading in this verse and that by translatin...

Abstract: Based on Lehi’s teachings in 2 Nephi 2, many Latter-day Saints conclude that it was necessary for Adam and Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit to acquire the ability to have children. While this appears to be a straightforward reading of the text, it sets up the dilemma of conflicting commandments—obedience to one of the two commandments they were given in the Garden of Eden would requ...

In the April 24, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson interviews his guest Spencer Kraus about his writings for the Interpreter Foundation Journal and conferences, the mentorship he received and his personal experience as a young and developing scholar. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — April 24, 2026: Spencer Kraus first appeared on The Interpret...

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...

In this episode of Conversations with Interpreter , Jonathon Riley discusses his presentation and publication about Hebraisms in the Book of Moses. There has been a lot of discussion over the years about Hebraisms in the Book of Mormon, but Dr. Riley looks at the rich possibilities in thinking about the possibilities of an underlying Hebrew text for parts of the Book of Moses. The Book of Moses is...

Abstract: Many are familiar with the so-called gamma marks as they are portrayed on early medieval mosaics in Ravenna and Rome. They appear as right-angle marks, usually with toothed ends, or in a shape like a capital H on the corners of angels’ and worthies’ robes or mosaics depicting textiles such as altar cloths and […] The post Gamma Marks: Recent Works Relevant to Their Study first appeared o...

In the April 16, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Martin Tanner discusses the closeness of those beyond the veil: angels, deceased lowed ones, and miracles. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — April 16, 2026: The Closeness of Those Beyond the Veil first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation .

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’...

In this episode of Conversations with Interpreter , John E. Cochran II and Joseph Cochran explore the societal and cultural changes that seem to have allowed the Lamanites to be receptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Cochrans lay out their argument in an article entitled, “From Wilderness to Covenant Threshold: Land, Literacy, and Religious Readiness in the Book of Mormon,” published in Inte...

In the April 9, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson and his guest Mark Johnson review Moses literature and sources for study as well as Interpreter resources on Moses. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — April 9, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation .

In this episode our hosts dive deeper into Brigham Young’s dramatic first meeting with the Prophet Joseph Smith, and highlight a surprising detail: Brigham was not immediately welcomed into Joseph’s inner circle or invited to stay in Kirtland. Our hosts also explore Brigham’s remarkable humility, obedience, and his lifelong, deeply personal devotion to Joseph. Provocative questions addressed: Did...

This episode features Dr. Daniel C. Peterson, professor emeritus and president of the Interpreter Foundation. Dr. Peterson discusses the exciting new web series Becoming Brigham , which presents a fuller picture of the person and ministry of Brigham Young than is sometimes presented in our broader discourse. Although definitely a product of the Nineteenth Century, the historical evidence shows tha...

Abstract: Easter should be a feast for all our senses. Early Christians recounted the events between Christ’s death and Resurrection with joy, and much in their accounts is familiar to us. Doctrine and Covenants 138 describes and celebrates Christ’s visit to the world of the spirits between his death and Resurrection. As this revelation becomes […] The post Easter and Doctrine and Covenants 138: O...

In the April 2, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Martin Tanner is joined by Stanford Carmack to discuss the language of the Book of Mormon. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — April 2, 2026: Stanford Carmack and the language of the Book of Mormon first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation .

This episode contrasts historical manifestations (speaking and singing in unknown languages) with modern Latter-day Saint experiences, especially missionaries seeking the gift to learn and teach in foreign languages. Our hosts dive into Doctrine and Covenants 46, where Joseph Smith taught that spiritual gifts should be sought earnestly but used for the right reasons. The post Becoming Brigham Epis...

For this episode we talk with Matthew L. Bowen about his article “Upon All the Nations”: The gôyim in Nephi’s Rendition of Isaiah 2 (2 Nephi 12) in Literary Context.” Dr. Bowen discusses places where Nephi’s version of Isaiah 2, preserved in 2 Nephi 12, differs from Isaiah in the received Hebrew. He argues that this reflects Nephi’s focus on all nations and desire to spread the gospel message to e...

In the March 26, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson and his guest Kevin Christensen discuss Taylor Halvorson's 2023 Interpreter Article about Nephi emulating Moses and not David (https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/nephi-wanted-to-be-a-prophet-like-moses-not-a-king-like-david) and the various theories on the Deuteronomist school in LDS letters. The po...

Sometimes humble settings and ordinary people set the stage for extraordinary spiritual experiences. While discussing Brigham Young’s surprising interactions with the prophet Joseph Smith, our hosts explore the historic Newell K. Whitney store. This original 1830s building became far more than a community store. It served as the Church’s headquarters, Joseph and Emma’s home, and the setting for th...

Jeffrey M. Bradshaw discusses two new commentaries on the life and ministry of Abraham, Sarah, and their families. The first of these books is part of his commentary series on Genesis, In God’s Image and Likeness , written with co-authors (and Conversations with Interpreter guests) Matthew Bowen and John Thompson. The second book is a shorter version called Look unto Abraham and Sarah . In this ep...