The Third Hour Podcast

The Book of Mormon turns its thoughts from ideal society to inevitable decline, raising a number of questions for the Third Hour Podcast. If the teachings of Jesus were so transformative, where did the divisions of this later book emerge from? Is a similar collapse inevitable today? If so, why should we work if there's no hope? If not, what does that say about our attitudes? How can we build...

The Messiah's appearance marks the beginning of two centuries of peace. The Third Hour Podcast discusses the possible causes of such an occurrence, along with what draws us to Christ, and how that can sometimes cause tension with our surroundings.

As Jesus turns to prophecy and quotations from both Isaiah and Malachi, the Third Hour Podcast discusses some of the ways we might have blind spots to particular passages, the inclusion of certain scriptures, and what the Book of Mormon teaches about the value of future events.

As Jesus continues ministering to the Nephites, we discuss the depth of His concern, how to make His foundation sure, and the particularities of prayer.

As Jesus delivers the equivalent of the Gospel of Matthew's Sermon on the Mount to the Nephite people, the Third Hour Podcast discusses the relevance of this repetition and some of the changes found therein.

At long last, we've reached the apex of the Book of Mormon — the appearance of the Messiah in the Americas. The Nephites are rightfully astounded to hear the voice of Jesus Christ. For this episode of the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss the difficulty of miracles, the impact of the Law of Moses being fulfilled, the Book of Mormon's Trinitarian passages and what we can learn from them, and...

For a day and a night and a day, there was no darkness. This was the miracle that attended the birth of the messiah. Yet very soon the Nephites found ways to dismiss this event. In an anxious episode of the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss what went wrong. What were the signs of decay that led to such forgetfulness? And more importantly, are those same signs evident in our own approach to faith, cer...

Samuel the Lamanite calls the Nephites to repentance — and us by extension, sparking a conversation about treasure, inertia, and complacency.

As Nephi prays in his garden tower and calls his people to repentance, the Third Hour Podcast discusses some repentance of our own — namely, how the concept is expressed in the Book of Mormon, what it has to do with signs and famines, and how we apply it to the politics of today.

As we trade the war chapters of Alma for the war chapters of Helaman, the Third Hour Podcast talks about the suffering and persecution of the most humble, how to become humble rather than acting as persecutors, and what we can learn about the Gadianton Robbers, conspiracy theories, and being prudent.

As Captain Moroni continues to wage war, the Third Hour Podcast discusses the legalities and ethics by comparing modern and ancient warfare, asks who the Messiah would have us emulate, and attempts to reconcile the story of the Stripling Warriors with instances when the faithful are not saved by divine intervention.

War! What is it good for? As Captain Moroni squares off against Amalickiah, the Third Hour Podcast asks a number of pressing questions on the topic of warfare. What do these chapters teach us about the qualifications for righteous war? What charges do we levy against our opponents? Is the Title of Liberty a meaningful casus belli? Can we judge the characters and actions of the Book of Mormon by mo...

After sharing some fatherly advice with his sons Helaman and Shiblon, Alma gives "the talk" to Corianton. But what is Alma principally concerned with? The Third Hour Podcast discusses sexual sin, some pitfalls and even inaccuracies with our application of the law of chastity, and a possible translation error between works and covenants.

Alma counsels his sons Helaman and Shiblon, and the Third Hour Podcast discusses the ways God reaches out to us, comfort and the Comforter, and bridling our passions.

It's a phrase every seminary student knows: "Now we will compare the word unto a seed." But have we always taken the idea in the right direction? This week on the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss the parameters and even some of our possible blind spots in respect to Alma's parable.

As the Zoramites worship with the aid of a Rameumptom, the Third Hour Podcast asks what our own Rameumptoms might be, whether obsessive defense of the Church that prevents us from seeing the needs of others, missing opportunities to serve because of our pride, or mistaking our privileges for an excuse to not act.

As the Anti-Nephi-Lehies bury their weapons, the Third Hour Podcast discusses the natural fears that come with welcoming the stranger.

At long last, it's time for everybody's favorite Book of Mormon missionary story! The Third Hour Podcast discusses the chopping of arms, living among the targets of our missionary work, and some of the things we don't do as modern missionaries.

As Alma and Amulek are miraculously delivered — and many other believers are not — the Third Hour Podcast discusses how our tribulations may be informed by our worldview and how to search for good information.

As Alma continues to preach and eventually contends with Zeezrom, the Third Hour Podcast discusses the methods of debate present in the Book of Mormon and how those might inform our approach to doubters and nobelievers, the miracle of being saved from sin rather than in sin, and a message of inclusion and discipleship.

Alma delivers teachings about salvation, and the Third Hour discusses what we can learn about building the Kingdom of Heaven.

This week on the Third Hour Podcast, King Mosiah proposes replacing patrilineal primogeniture — better known as "kingship" — with a system of judges, Nehor and Amlici promote some much worse ideas, and we talk about misplaced priorities, how both ancient and modern people are trapped in paradigms, and how to talk about the Book of Mormon's curse of skin color in today's setting...

As Alma the Younger is reproached by an angel for his wicked ways, the Third Hour Podcast discusses God's intervention, non-intervention, and the ways in which we become converted.

Alma's people escape from King Noah into the wilderness, King Limhi's people escape from the Lamanites, and the Third Hour Podcast engages in some escapism of our own by discussing the differences and similarities between ancient and latter-day baptism, the consequences and effects of supporting wicked rulers, and how to consider Lamanite agency.

This week, Abinadai faces the wicked King Noah while the Third Hour Podcast discusses Abinadai's theology, how it feels when it seems God is slow to hear us, and a possible "escape route" for Isaiah.