The “dark secret” narrative about the Book of Abraham often gets reduced to a 30-second claim: the Church found papyri fragments in 1967, Egyptologists translated them, and they don’t match the Book of Abraham—case closed. In this conversation, we slow down and add the missing context: what the recovered fragments actually are, why the assumption that the adjacent text must equal the Book of Abraham text is questionable, and what multiple eyewitness accounts say Joseph Smith was translating from. We also talk about the “missing papyri” question, how long the larger roll may have been, and why the relationship between the surviving fragments and the published Book of Abraham text can’t be settled conclusively by fragments alone. If you’ve only heard the simplified version, this episode is for you—full story, better questions, and a clearer framework for thinking about a complex historical issue.  This segment is taken from a full episode we have published previously with Kerry and hope you enjoy this bonus segment! https://youtu.be/RSI7knxTAqc ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Watch, share, and tell us what stood out most. Further Readings: Gospel Topics Essay (Official): “Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham”  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/translation-and-historicity-of-the-book-of-abraham?lang=eng •Joseph Smith Papers (Official hub): “Book of Abraham and Egyptian Material”  https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/site/book-of-abraham-and-egyptian-material •Joseph Smith Papers (Primary documents context): “Introduction to Egyptian Papyri, circa 300–100 BC”  https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/introduction-to-egyptian-papyri-circa-300-100-bc/1 •Joseph Smith Papers (Publication history): “Book of Abraham and Facsimiles, 1 March–16 May 1842”  https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/book-of-abraham-and-facsimiles-1-march-16-may-1842 •BYU Religious Studies Center: “Joseph Smith and the Papyri” (Intro volume page)  https://rsc.byu.edu/introduction-book-abraham/joseph-smith-papyri •BYU Religious Studies Center: “Relationship of the Book of Abraham Text to the Papyri”  https://rsc.byu.edu/introduction-book-abraham/relationship-book-abraham-text-papyri •BYU Studies Quarterly: “The Relationship Between the Book of Abraham and the Joseph Smith Papyri”  https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-relationship-between-the-book-of-abraham-and-the-joseph-smith-papyri •Pearl of Great Price Central: “What Egyptian Papyri Did Joseph Smith Possess?”  https://pearlofgreatpricecentral.org/what-egyptian-papyri-did-joseph-smith-possess/ •Pearl of Great Price Central: “The Relationship Between the Book... Chapters (00:00:00) - What is the Dark Secret of the Book of Abraham?(00:03:00) - The Book of Abraham: An Allegation or Proof?(00:05:49) - Book of Abraham and the Book of Mormon(00:07:32) - Joseph Smith's Book of Abraham(00:13:08) - The Mormon Church Admits the Book of Abraham Is False

Could Joseph Smith have fabricated the Book of Mormon gold plates in a garage? In this episode, we take a serious look at that claim by comparing it with the actual historical record, eyewitness descriptions, and the physical requirements the witnesses described. We break down the dimensions, weight, thickness, rings, sealed portion, engravings, and appearance of the plates, and then explore whether a natural explanation really fits the data. We also tackle the “plate math” question: Could the full Book of Mormon text (including the lost 116 pages) realistically fit on the plates? Along the way, we discuss: •Witness descriptions of the plates •Why “just use tin/brass/printing plates” doesn’t fully match the evidence •Translation density and how ancient scripts compare to English •Character size, compact writing, and ancient metal inscriptions •Why critics and believers alike should use the right parameters This is a thoughtful response to the claim that “gold plates aren’t a miracle” and a deeper dive into what the historical and physical evidence actually suggests. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Watch, share, and tell us what stood out most. Further Readings: •Neal Rappleye, “Written Upon Gold Plates” – Comparing Witness Descriptions with Artifacts from the Pre-Modern World (FAIR 2023 conference page) https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/conference_home/virt-2023_defending-the-bom •Josh Coates, “Plate Math: A Combinatorial Approach to Modeling All Possible Golden Plates” (FAIR conference presentation/transcript) https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/conference_home/august-2025-fair-conference/plate-math-a-combinatorial-approach-to-modeling-all-possible-golden-plates •Sonia Hazard, “How Joseph Smith Encountered Printing Plates and Founded Mormonism” (Cambridge / Religion and American Culture) https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/religion-and-american-culture/article/how-joseph-smith-encountered-printing-plates-and-founded-mormonism/FA3DCD9FBDD5CA3DF335B3360DF655E5 •Neal Rappleye talk on YouTube (FAIR), “Written Upon Gold Plates” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAgzJ8MYrcw •Joseph Smith Papers, Testimony of the Three Witnesses (primary source) https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/appendix-4-testimony-of-three-witnesses-late-june-1829 •Joseph Smith Papers, Testimony of the Eight Witnesses (primary source) https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/appendix-5-testimony-of-eight-witnesses-late-june-1829 •Church History Topics, Witnesses of the Book of Mormon (official Church resource) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/witnesses-of-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng •Scripture Central, Why Did Martin Harris Somet... Chapters (00:00:00) - Could Joseph Smith Just Fabricated the Gold Plates?(00:04:22) - How to Make a Gold Plates(00:04:41) - The Printing Plates Theory(00:08:26) - The Gold Plates: Physical Requirements(00:14:08) - The Tumbaga Gold Plates(00:19:51) - How Hard Would It Be to Make Gold Plates?(00:23:15) - The Numbers of the Gold Plates(00:28:52) - The translation density of the Book of Mormon(00:30:45) - The size of the Book of Mormon characters(00:37:06) - The number of gold plates required

In the 1980s, around 80% of people raised Latter-day Saint still identified with the Church as adults—today it’s closer to 50%. Online, that gets framed as “the Church is uniquely hemorrhaging members.” But when you zoom out and compare to broader U.S. religious trends, the story looks more complicated—and in key ways, more hopeful. In this episode, social scientist Justin Dyer (BYU) breaks down major national datasets and new research on Latter-day Saint religiousness, well-being, and retention in the United States. We talk: •Why “big data” needs careful context (forest vs trees) •How LDS retention compares to other Christian traditions (especially active participation) •The surprising reality of “ex-Mormon” profiles (including the “faith keepers/leaners” groups) •Why daily connection with God matters for retention •How political identity—on the extremes—can pull people away from faith •What the data actually suggests about mental health, happiness, and well-being •Why you shouldn’t burn bridges—and why the story isn’t finished ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Materials mentioned / core context •https://foundations.byu.edu/0000019b-1343-d613-a59b-17df82980000/latterdaysaintreligiosity-pdf •https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/religious-landscape-study-executive-summary/ •https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/decline-of-christianity-in-the-us-has-slowed-may-have-leveled-off/ •https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/12/15/why-do-some-americans-leave-their-religion-while-others-stay/ •https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bowling-Alone-Revised-and-Updated/Robert-D-Putnam/9781982130848 •https://medicine.utah.edu/psychiatry/news/2015/05/key-mountain-states-suicide-belt-thin-air-u-of-u-school-of-medicine Positive, faith-supporting resources (for audience) •https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us?lang=eng •https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/54uchtdorf?lang=eng •https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/51nelson?lang=eng Mental health & resilience resources (Church) •https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/self-reliance/4-10-20-Emotional-Self-Reliance-Manual_updated.pdf?lang=eng  •http... Chapters (00:00:00) - The Growing Disbandment of the Latter Day Saints(00:00:41) - Justin Dyer on Latter Day Saint religious(00:05:09) - Latter Day Saints and social connectedness(00:11:11) - The Biggest predictor of Leaving the Church(00:20:36) - The typical ex-Mormon profile(00:24:35) - What are some factors that might lead a person to reject faith entirely(00:29:58) - How Does the Latter Day Saint Church Fare on Mental Health?(00:32:21) - Mental Well-Being among Latter Day Saints(00:34:51) - A message about the future of Latter Day Saints

The restored gospel didn’t “start” in 1830, it’s ancient, and Abraham’s story is one of the clearest windows into the covenant pathway and temple worship. In this conversation with Jeff Bradshaw (senior research scientist and leading Latter-day Saint temple scholar), we explore how the Abraham narratives in Genesis (and the restoration through the Joseph Smith Translation and the Book of Abraham) point to: • The Abrahamic Covenant as the New & Everlasting Covenant (and the Oath & Covenant of the Priesthood) • How Abraham’s life models obedience, sacrifice, consecration, and promised blessings • Melchizedek and what “king and priest” can mean spiritually • The sacrament as a renewal of all our covenants (not just baptism) • New names (Abraham/Sarah) and initiatory connections • Sealing “welding links,” messy family stories, and God’s power to heal and gather If you’ve ever wondered why Abraham’s story matters for your discipleship and temple worship today—this episode is for you. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Resources mentioned: Jeffrey M. Bradshaw — Look Unto Abraham and Sarah (In the Beginning, Vol. 3)  https://amzn.to/45Ua5Xd • Jeffrey M. Bradshaw et al. — In God’s Image and Likeness, Vol. 3 (Abraham)  https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/in-gods-image-and-likeness-3 • Jeffrey M. Bradshaw — Temple Themes in the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood  https://fairlatterdaysaints.org/store/product/temple-themes-in-the-oath-and-covenant-of-the-priesthood-pdf/ • “An article on temple themes in the Book of Abraham” (referenced by the host)  A solid, relevant academic PDF on this theme (BYU ScholarsArchive): https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=ifb&filename=5&type=additional • Doctrine and Covenants 84 (Oath & Covenant of the Priesthood)  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/84?lang=eng • Doctrine and Covenants 132 (sealing / Abrahamic covenant connections referenced in discussion)  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132?lang      https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/abr/2?lang=eng • Bradshaw’s publication hub (tons of PDFs & links you can mine for show notes)  https://www.templethemes.net/publications.php • Dura-Europos / “hand through the veil” imagery context (ties to their Isaac discussion)     https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-ezekiel-mural-at-dura-europos-a-witness-of-ancient-jewish-mysteries • 11 K tradition mentioned https://www.marquette.edu/maqom/11QMelchizedek.pdf https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/ancient-affinities-within-the-lds-book-of-enoch-part-one https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/ancient-affinities-within-the-lds-book-of-enoch-part-two https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/revisiting-the-forgotten-voices-of-weeping-in-moses-7-a-comparison-with-ancient-texts https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/moses-6-7-and-the-book-of-giants-remarkable-witnesses-of-enochs-ministry ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #lds #latterdaysaints #jesuschrist #temple #abrahamiccovenant #bookof... Chapters (00:00:00) - The Story of Abraham(00:00:29) - Jeffrey Bradshaw on the Book of Abraham(00:05:14) - What on Earth Can The Book of Abraham Do to Inform Our Own(00:10:15) - Joseph Smith on His Covenant Making(00:16:48) - The Melchizedek Priesthood and Enoch(00:19:06) - The Sacrament from the Melchizedek Story(00:22:50) - The Initiatory in Abraham's Story(00:28:13) - Lot and His descendants: a welding link(00:31:55) - The Story of Abraham

If the Book of Mormon were historical, wouldn’t we see clear “Israelite DNA” in the Americas? That’s the viral claim online—and it’s built on a misunderstanding of how population genetics works. In this episode, we walk through key misconceptions highlighted by geneticists John M. Butler (forensic genetics—think CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) and Ugo Perego (population genetics / Native American ancestry research), and we explain why “no DNA = fake” is way too simplistic. We cover: •Why the absence of a specific “Israelite signature” doesn’t settle anything (we don’t have Lehi’s reference genome) •The difference between forensic DNA matching and population genetics (real life isn’t The Simpsons / CSI) •Why the Book of Mormon text doesn’t require a “hemispheric / everyone-descends-from-Lehi” model •Why “we can sequence Neanderthals, so why not Nephites?” is an apples-to-oranges comparison •How drift, bottlenecks, founder effects, and later migrations can overwhelm small founding lineages over time ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Further Readings: https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/archive/publications/the-book-of-mormon-and-the-origin-of-native-americans-from-a-maternally-inherited-dna-standpoint https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1658&context=msr https://scholar.google.com/scholar?oi=gsb40&q=ugo%20a%20perego&lookup=0&hl=en https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aax0061 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5100745/ https://gcbias.org/2013/11/11/how-does-your-number-of-genetic-ancestors-grow-back-over-time/ https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1308&context=jbms https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/book-of-mormon-and-dna-studies?lang=eng https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/DNA_and_the_Book_of_Mormon https://mormonr.org/qnas/37RI8b/dna_and_the_book_of_mormon https://www.deseretbook.com/product/6054479.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo3Wz0Hoix0kuKzEXHUTkStm8Qu-nHzrWx6Nm4f22-cXbyTWG_S Subscribe for more faithful deep-dives into scripture, history, and the claims people make online. ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives.

Latter-day Saints have relied on the King James Version for generations—but the Church recently updated the handbook to clarify that other Bible translations may be helpful for personal study. So what does that mean for your Old Testament, Come, Follow Me year? In this episode, BYU professor Joshua Sears (author of A Modern Guide to an Old Testament) walks through why comparing translations can change your study overnight, especially in difficult books like Isaiah, and how modern manuscript discoveries (like the Dead Sea Scrolls) affect what you see on the page.  What you’ll learn: •Why the Church still prefers the KJV in classes, but encourages helpful study tools for individuals  •The best “starter” translations to compare side-by-side (ESV/NRSV, NIV/NLT, etc.)  •Why “missing verses” in modern Bibles often reflect better manuscript evidence, not “tampering”  •How covenants in the Old Testament are about relationship—not contracts  •Key covenant terms to watch for (like ḥesed, often translated “lovingkindness”) ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Get the book: A Modern Guide to an Old Testament — https://amzn.to/4rarPWh  Favorite takeaway? Comment your go-to Bible translation and why. Further Readings: https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-20-no-3-2019/study-bibles https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/holy-bible-translations-editions-church-of-jesus-christ https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/38-church-policies-and-guidelines?lang=eng#title_number139 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/translations-and-downloads/scriptures/holy-bible?lang=eng “Why Bible Translations Differ: A Guide for the Perplexed” (Ben Spackman, BYU Religious Studies Center): https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-15-no-1-2014/why-bible-translations-differ-guide-perplexed    “How Excellent Is Thy Lovingkindness”: the principle of ḥesed (RSC, BYU): https://rsc.byu.edu/gospel-jesus-christ-old-testament/how-excellent-thy-lovingkindness    “The Divine Council” (BYU Studies): https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-divine-council    “The Textual Problem in 1 John 5:7–8” (the “Johannine Comma” topic you mention): https://bible.org/article/textual-problem-1-john-57-8    ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. Chapters (00:00:00) - Professor Joshua Sears on the Old Testament(00:01:37) - The Church Handbook: Other Bible Texts(00:06:22) - What's So Beautiful About the King James Bible?(00:09:05) - The King James Version(00:14:06) - Mormon Doctrine: Differences Between Bible Texts(00:17:19) - How Do Latter Day Saints Deal With the Reliability of the Old(00:20:27) - Other Translations in the Bible(00:22:17) - Wonders of the Old Testament(00:26:11) - The Temple and Our Own Covenants(00:29:21) - What is a Covenant in the Hebrew Bible?(00:35:46) - Hesed: The Hebrew Word(00:38:51) - Signs of Covenants in the Old Testament(00:40:41) - How have God's Covenants Improve your own life?(00:42:14) - A Modern Guide to An Old Testament Study

Was Abraham really known as an astronomer in the ancient world—and does that help us understand why the Book of Abraham is so packed with stars, hierarchy, and cosmic teaching? In this episode we dig into a surprising (and wide-ranging) tradition found in Second Temple and later Jewish sources: Abraham as a learned observer of the heavens—sometimes described as an astronomer/astrologer—whose study of the stars connects to covenant, revelation, and even teaching kings. We walk through key texts and authors (including Jubilees/Qumran traditions, Josephus and the non-Jewish authorities he cites, Philo, and the Apocalypse of Abraham) and then compare how these themes converge with the Book of Abraham’s big moments—especially the idea that Abraham’s astronomy is used as a framework to teach Pharaoh and point to God’s order in the heavens. If you’ve only heard Book of Abraham discussions framed around “papyri/Egyptology,” this is a different angle: Abrahamic lore and ancient tradition—and why it’s worth taking seriously. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Additional Readings: Imitating Abraham: https://brill.com/display/title/71766?language=en&srsltid=AfmBOoqUl7u5gAnFpKwcYKgFeunFmD7l405iUb9eZOdI403OV4FVWKyz Abraham and His Family in Scripture, History, and Tradition: https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/abraham-and-his-family Traditions About the Early Life of Abraham: https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book/traditions-about-early-life-abraham Palmyra and Jerusalem: Joseph Smith’s Scriptural Texts and the Writings of Flavius Josephus: https://rsc.byu.edu/approaching-antiquity-joseph-smith-ancient-world/palmyra-jerusalem-joseph-smiths-scriptural-texts-writings-flavius-josephus https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/why-are-there-hebraisms-in-the-book-of-mormon https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/by-small-means-rethinking-the-liahona Subscribe for more deep-dive, text-based episodes on scripture, history, and restoration claims. ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #BookOfAbraham #Abraham #Kolob #ScriptureStudy #LDS #LatterDaySaints #BibleScholarship #SecondTempleJudaism #DeadSeaScrolls #Josephus #Philo #ApocalypseOfAbraham #AncientEgypt #Astronomy #FaithAndReason Chapters (00:00:00) - New Abraham: An Astronomer in the Second Temple(00:05:20) - Non-Jewish Sources on Abraham(00:09:52) - The Book of Abraham: An Astronomer(00:14:45) - The Apocalypse of Abraham and the Zohar(00:19:05) - The Book of Abraham and Astronomy(00:22:15) - The Book of Abraham: An Astrologer(00:25:03) - Josephus in the Book of Abraham(00:28:10) - Abrahamic Astronomy in the Book of Abraham(00:33:51) - Book of Abraham: The Story of Abraham

Does God live on a planet called Kolob—or is Kolob a symbol? In this episode, we dive into Abraham 3 with an Egyptologist to unpack why the Lord shows Abraham the heavens before Egypt, and how the “astronomy chapter” becomes a powerful teaching tool about the plan of salvation.     You’ll learn why some scholars read Abraham’s cosmology through an ancient geocentric lens, how Kolob functions as a stand-in for Jesus Christ (near unto God, chief in authority, tied to creation), and why that actually makes the doctrine more compelling—not less.     We also explore the “real referent” question (including why Sirius is discussed as a serious candidate), the Egyptian wordplay connecting stars and spirits, and even the fascinating language around Shinehah/Shinneha as potentially tied to an Egyptian term for the sun’s ecliptic.       From there, Abraham 3 pivots into the Divine Council, “noble and great ones,” and foreordination—then dovetails straight into Abraham 4–5 where creation is described as organizing pre-existing chaos (a pattern that fits ancient Near Eastern creation imagery).     If you want to study deeply and believe boldly, this episode will give you a framework for reading Kolob and Abraham’s “weird” chapters with more clarity, context, and confidence. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Show notes: The read “A Guide to the Book of Abraham” visit the BYU Studies website: https://byustudies.byu.edu/issue/61-4 Articles on Kolob, Shinehah, and other issues discussed in this episode can be accessed here: https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/abrahamic-astronomy https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/shinehah-the-sun https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/kolob-the-governing-one https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-divine-council https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-foreordination-of-abraham https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-fall-of-lucifer https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/creation-from-chaos Stephen’s OG article on the divine council can be found here: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jbms/vol22/iss2/4/ The Mormonr article on Kolob can be accessed here: https://mormonr.org/qnas/6F7xbc/kolob The foundational article on geocentric Abrahamic astronomy by Daniel Peterson, William Hamblin, and John Gee, is available here: https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/and-i-saw-stars-book-abraham-and-ancient-geocentric-astronomy byustudies.byu.edu Comment below: Do you read Kolob more as a literal star, a symbol, or both? ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #BookOfAbraham #Kolob #PearlOfGreatPrice #Abraham3 #ComeFollowMe #LatterDaySaints #LDS #MormonStudies #Egyptology #AncientNearEast #DivineCouncil #ScriptureStudy #Restoration #JesusChrist #GospelDoctrine Chapters (00:00:00) - Abraham: Kolob in the Book of Abraham(00:00:48) - Book of Abraham: More Story, Less Kolob(00:03:16) - Book of Abraham Astronomy(00:08:50) - Abraham's Puns vs. Neil's(00:11:25) - Kolob Etymology Explained(00:15:35) - The Name of the Sun's Ecliptic(00:18:30) - The Divine Council in the Book of Abraham(00:22:41) - God's Foreordination of Abraham(00:27:06) - The Fall of Lucifer(00:28:52) - The Origins of Satan in the Bible(00:34:20) - Abraham 3: Creativity and Organization(00:40:28) - The Weird Stuff in the Book of Abraham

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. We zoom in on Facsimile 1 and walk through details that often get ignored in quick social-media takes: the lion couch scene, ritual context, the possibility of an original ritual knife, and what the Egyptian concept of the Ba can mean (including why “angel” isn’t as random as critics claim). Then we pull back and show how the opening of Abraham’s story connects to covenant, temple themes, and even the cosmic scope of Abraham 3. If you’ve ever wondered, “Did Egyptologists really disprove the Book of Abraham?”—this is the deep, careful conversation you’ve been looking for. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Episode Relevant Readings: Kerry Muhlestein's article "A Priest, His Gods and His Depiction: Creation, Execration, and the Roles, Texts, and Vignette of Hor of Karnak" featured in this episode is available here: https://egyptianexpedition.org/articles/a-priest-his-gods-and-his-depiction/ Kerry's book "Let's Talk About the Book of Abraham" featured in this episode is available here: https://www.deseretbook.com/product/P5258289.html?srsltid=AfmBOoq6BoXHbWsXFxPQ7yyCatBMQLv1rgME_7c1Va_zyaGDV3asb7am The original papyrus vignette of Facsimile 1 can be accessed on the Joseph Smith Papers website: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/fragment-of-book-of-breathing-for-horos-a-between-238-and-circa-153-bc/1 Articles on Facsimile 1 appeared in BYU Studies (Volume 61, no. 4, 2022) that address the interpretation of the facsimile and the issues raised in this podcast: https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/approaching-the-facsimiles https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/facsimile-1-as-a-sacrifice-scene https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-idolatrous-priest-facsimile-1-figure-3 John Gee's chapter on the facsimiles in his book "An Introduction to the Book of Abraham" is also... Chapters (00:00:00) - Book of Abraham(00:00:51) - Ancient Scripture: The Book of Abraham Explained(00:03:13) - Karnak Horror Execration and the Roles of Priests(00:04:47) - Kerry Muhlstein on Facsimile One on Hor(00:07:19) - A priest at the Karnak Temple(00:12:17) - The Execration Rituals of the Egyptians(00:14:27) - Joseph Smith's Book of Breathings(00:16:17) - Common funerary, lion couch scene(00:16:45) - Joseph Smith's Lion Couch(00:22:05) - The Book of Abraham and the Papyrus(00:24:38) - Book of Abraham Reconstruction vs Egyptological representation(00:29:53) - Exercution Knife in the Pearl of Egypt(00:33:33) - Joseph Smith on the Mummy(00:38:36) - A Ba of the Israelite Pharaoh(00:42:35) - Book of Abraham: Facsimile 1(00:46:16) - The Book of Abraham(00:46:39) - The Book of Abraham Is True

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-writing conventions + manuscript evidence point to a restored reading that makes sense of the Greek.  We also talk about why this matters: what it could mean for how we read 2 John, what it suggests about women’s roles and authority in early Christian house churches, and how this connects with Restoration history—including Joseph Smith’s use of 2 John when organizing the Relief Society.  The book and other resources: https://amzn.to/4q2a5Mb https://www.deseret.com/education/2025/11/08/stunning-find-meet-the-missing-woman-in-the-bible-rediscovered-by-a-byu-researcher/ https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/finding-the-elect-lady ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #InformedSaints #BibleStudy #NewTestament #2John #BiblicalStudies #TextualCriticism #ChristianHistory #WomenInTheBible #GreekNewTestament #LatterDaySaints #ReliefSociety #ScriptureStudy Chapters (00:00:00) - New Woman in the New Testament: Explained(00:00:34) - The New Testament Woman in the New Testament(00:01:13) - Discovering Lady Eclecte in To John(00:05:42) - Clement's 3 John Argument(00:10:54) - Ancient Greek Eklecte, Korea(00:15:54) - John 7: Eclectic to the Elect Lady(00:19:28) - The Metaphorical Meaning of Ekklesia in 2 John(00:21:59) - Evangelism: Verse 13 of 2 John(00:26:27) - The name Eclectae(00:29:57) - The EWTN Question: Eclectae(00:33:48) - Anatomy of the New Testament(00:38:29) - The Late Reading of the New Testament(00:40:42) - Dittography and Haplography(00:44:50) - John 3:8- The Strange Address(00:51:20) - The Lady Eklecte of the New Testament

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 an ancient context, why the Book of Mormon repeatedly refers to the “land of Jerusalem,” and how sources like the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Amarna Letters, and a 7th-century BC Bethlehem bulla (“Bethlehem for the king”) point to Bethlehem functioning within Jerusalem’s broader district/administrative world—especially in Lehi’s time.  We also zoom out and ask an important question: what does modern scholarship even say about the Bethlehem tradition, and why do some scholars propose alternatives (including Jerusalem)? Most of all, we keep the focus where Alma puts it: Christ’s mission, Atonement, and Resurrection—not just a pin on a map.  Here are some additional resources: Matt Roper, “Anachronisms: Accidental Evidence in Book of Mormon Criticisms—Chapter 6: Old World Jounreys by Land and Sea,” Interpreter 65 (2025), items 172 and 173; https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/anachronisms-accidental-evidence-in-book-of-mormon-criticisms-chapter-6-old-world-journeys-by-land-and-sea ​ Scripture Central. “Why Does the Book of Mormon Talk about a ‘Land of Jerusalem’? (1 Nephi 3:9),” KnoWhy 495 (December 20, 2018); https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/why-does-the-book-of-mormon-talk-about-a-land-of-jerusalem ​ Neal Rappleye, “Why Did Alma Say Christ Would Be Born in Jerusalem? Surprising Evidence of the Book of Mormon,” LDS Living, December 21, 2017; https://www.ldsliving.com/why-did-alma-say-christ-would-be-born-in-jerusalem-surprising-evidence-of-the-book-of-mormon/s/87333 ​ Gordon Thomasson, “Revisiting the Land of Jerusalem,” in Pressing Forward with the Book of Mormon (FARMS, 1999); https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/revisiting-thelandofjerusalem ​ Daniel C. Peterson, “Is the Book of Mormon True? Notes on the Debate,” in Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited (FARMS, 1997); https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/book-mormon-true-notes-debate ​ Joseph Feilding Smith, “Is There a Contradiction between Alma 7:10 and Matthew 2:5–6?” Improvement Era, April 1955; https://scripturecentral.org/archive/periodicals/magazine-article/there-contradiction-between-alma-710-and-matthew-256 #InformedSaints #BookOfMormon #Alma710 #JesusChrist #Bethlehem #Jerusalem #BibleStudy #ChristianHistory #Archaeology #DeadSeaScrolls #LatterDaySaints #FaithAndReason  Chapters (00:00:00) - Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem or Actually Jerusalem?(00:01:09) - Adam Levine on Book of Mormon Criticisms(00:06:24) - Book of Mormon Prophecy: Too Precise, According to Some(00:09:37) - Joseph Smith on Jerusalem vs Bethlehem(00:13:37) - The Law of the Land of Jerusalem(00:19:03) - Land of Jerusalem in First Nephi(00:24:03) - Palestine and the Amarna Letters(00:28:35) - Shipments of administrative goods from Bethlehem to Jerusalem(00:34:47) - The Place Where Jesus Was Born

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 and Stephen Smoot to walk through every major source on the Anthon visit—from Martin’s own accounts to Anthon’s three conflicting letters and the memories of people who knew them both. We talk about “shorthand Egyptian,” the strange list of languages (Egyptian, Chaldean, Assyriac, and Arabic), early 1800s Egyptology, and new scholarship on what the characters Martin showed might have been. We also dig into Isaiah 29 and the famous line, “I cannot read a sealed book,” and how both skeptics and believers have used this story. If you’ve ever wondered whether Martin Harris was duped or whether the Anthon episode can still fit a believing, historically informed view of the Restoration, this conversation is for you. Come study the evidence, think through motives and memory on both sides, and see how you can study hard and believe boldly as a Latter-day Saint today. Resources: Get the FAIR volumes mentioned in the episode now! https://linktr.ee/fair.bookstore Primary Sources & Scripture •Joseph Smith—History 1:63–65 (Pearl of Great Price) – Canonized account of Martin Harris’s visit to Charles Anthon.  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng •Joseph Smith Papers – “Appendix 2: Copies of Book of Mormon Characters” – High-res images and background on the various “characters” documents (including those related to the Anthon story).  https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/appendix-2-copies-of-book-of-mormon-characters-introduction ⸻ Scripture Central & Doctrine and Covenants Central •Scripture Central – “Anthon Transcript” (Encyclopedia Entry) – Clear overview of what the Anthon Transcript is, what happened with Martin Harris and Charles Anthon, and why it matters.  https://scripturecentral.org/archive/articles/encyclopedia-entry/anthon-transcript •Doctrine & Covenants Central KnoWhy – “What Do We Know About the ‘Anthon Transcript’?” – Accessible summary that walks through the documents, competing accounts, and how this episode fits into the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.  https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/knowhy/what-do-we-know-about-the-anthon-transcript/ •Doctrine & Covenants Central KnoWhy – “Why Did Martin Harris Consult with Scholars like Charles Anthon?” – Explores why Martin sought outside validation and how multiple scholars (not just Anthon) fit into the story.  https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/knowhy/why-did-martin-harris-consult-with-scholars-like-charles-anthon/ ⸻ Faithful Scholarship & Deep Dives •BYU Studies – “The Anthon Transcript: People, Primary Sources, and Problems” by Stanley B. Kimball – Classic study that gathers the main historical sources and analyzes what we can (and can’t) know about the visit.  https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-anthon-transcript-people-primary-sources-and-problems •Journal of Book of Mormon Studies – “The Anthon Transcripts and the Translation of the Book of Mormon: Studying It Out in the Mind of Joseph Smith” by David E. Sloan – Looks at how this episode connects to Joseph’s translation process and “studying it out” (D&C 9).  https://scripturecentral.org/archive/periodicals/journal-article/anthon-transcripts-and-translation-book-mormon-studying-it-out-mi... Chapters (00:00:00) - The Anthon transcript(00:00:30) - Martin Harris Reconsidering His Own Story(00:03:45) - Martin Harris and Charles Anthon(00:10:02) - Martin Harris and the Book of Mormon(00:16:03) - Joseph and Martin: A Safe Con Man(00:16:44) - Martin Harris on His TikTok(00:18:41) - A New Direction for Latter Day Saints: Ancient America and Faith Creat(00:20:02) - Joseph Smith: Essay on the Book of Mormon(00:24:21) - Joseph Smith vs Charles Anthon(00:27:10) - 4 languages mentioned in the Book of Mormon(00:33:03) - Martin Harris on the Book of Mormon(00:35:03) - John Thompson: The Egyptian Text in the Book of Mormon(00:42:30) - Charles Anthon and I Cannot Read a Seal Book

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 JST, the Wentworth Letter, the Lectures on Faith, and two brand-new Articles of Faith.  In this episode of Informed Saints, we walk through the wild, moving target that is the Pearl of Great Price and ask what it teaches us about an open — and living — canon. We talk about Franklin D. Richards’ original British pamphlet, Orson Pratt’s edition that briefly included D&C 132 and a canonized hymn, Talmage’s quiet changes to the Articles of Faith, the short life of Joseph Smith’s and Joseph F. Smith’s visions inside the Pearl of Great Price, and the “McConkie edition” that almost changed everything.  Along the way, we explore: • How something goes from newspaper article to canonized scripture • Why some revelations and theological texts never made it into the standard works • What criteria leaders actually use when they consider new scripture • Why canonization is a community process, not a solo prophetic decree • What it really means to have an “open” and “living” canon as Latter-day Saints  We also introduce The Pearl of Great Price Study Edition by Stephen O. Smoot, published with the Interpreter Foundation and Scripture Central, and talk about how textual variants, facsimile changes, and manuscript history can actually strengthen faith when we understand the human side of scripture.  If you’ve ever wondered, “Could we get new scripture?” or “Should I be worried that our canon has changed so much?” — this episode is for you. At Informed Saints, we show that you can study deeply and still believe boldly. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Donate today: ancientamerica.org/donate/ Resource Guide: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/site/the-pearl-of-great-price https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/EoM/id/4040/ https://interpreterfoundation.org//books/the-pearl-of-great-price-study-edition https://biblecentral.info/library/book/pearl-of-great-price-study-edition/ https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/content/library/pearl-of-great-price-first-edition-1851?lang=eng https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/site/the-pearl-of-great-price ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #InformedSaints #PearlOfGreatPrice #LDS #Mormon #Restoration #LatterDaySaint #ScriptureStudy #ChurchHistory #DoctrineAndCovenants #BookOfMormon #OpenCanon #LivingCanon #BruceRMcConkie #ScriptureCentral #InterpreterFoundation Chapters (00:00:00) - The Pearl of Great Price: The Story of Its Creation(00:04:33) - Pearl of Great Price(00:07:33) - The Book of Mormon: Orson Pratt's First Edition(00:10:11) - Book of Moses(00:12:05) - Joseph Smith: The Visions of Moses 1(00:13:36) - Pearl Gate Price: The Second Edition(00:16:23) - The Doctrine of Covenants hymn book, 1902(00:18:00) - The Fourth Article of Faith in the Pearl of Great Price(00:21:08) - Pearl of Great Price(00:24:38) - Elder Bruce R. McConkie's Proposal to Have(00:28:19) - He wanted a ton of chapters from the JST Gospels in(00:29:33) - Elder McConkie on the Wentworth Letter(00:33:48) - Article of Faith 2, Bruce R. McConkey(00:35:01) - Wentworth Letter, Part 14(00:39:16) - What's the Process of Canonization?(00:44:20) - The Canon of the Latter Day Saints

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.  We’ll explain in plain language: What an anachronism is (and why George Washington with a machine gun is a "perfect" example) How horses, steel, cities, roads, cement, and other “impossible” Book of Mormon details have fared as archaeology has advanced Why translation, loan-shifting (like calling a peccary a “pig”), and limited excavation in the Americas matter for this discussion How Matt Roper’s new Interpreter Foundation study updates earlier work by John Clark and shows the Book of Mormon aging surprisingly well in light of new evidence  At Informed Saints, we study hard and bring our receipts. This episode is your intro to anachronisms: what critics claim, what the data actually say, and why Latter-day Saints can be both faithful and intellectually honest about ancient texts. Sources: https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/jmh/article-abstract/48/4/1/318163/Apologetics-and-Antiquity-Book-of-Mormon-Reception https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/john-bernhisels-gift-to-a-prophet-incidents-of-travel-in-central-america-and-the-book-of-mormon https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/why-did-the-lord-command-the-three-witnesses-to-rely-upon-his-word https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/john-bernhisels-gift-to-a-prophet-incidents-of-travel-in-central-america-and-the-book-of-mormon/ https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/591852 https://www.monticello.org/research-education/thomas-jefferson-encyclopedia/jeffersons-excavation-native-american-burial-mound/ https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/anachronisms-accidental-evidence-in-book-of-mormon-criticisms-introduction/ https://www.nsf.gov/science-matters/horses-part-indigenous-cultures-longer-western https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/why-things-move-a-new-look-at-helaman-12-15 https://www.byui.edu/speeches/kim-b-clark/the-prophet-joseph-smith #InformedSaints #BookOfMormon #Anachronisms #BookOfMormonEvi... Chapters (00:00:00) - The Book of Mormon Anachronism Study(00:03:23) - 227 Anachronisms Found in the Book of Mormon(00:08:12) - The Historic Anachronisms of the Book of Mormon(00:13:10) - The Book of Mormon Criticism of Horses(00:19:12) - Book of Mormon Proposals(00:23:59) - Anticipating anachronisms in the Book of Mormon(00:25:31) - Loan Shift(00:29:16) - Matt Holleran on Anachronisms in the Bible(00:35:13) - The Book of Mormon: Anachronism Proofs(00:38:22) - Are Native Americans Still Having Donkeys?(00:38:44) - Steel Swords in the New World(00:43:20) - No iPhones in Book of Mormon History(00:45:59) - Matt Roper and the Book of Mormon(00:53:39) - Anachronisms and Book of Mormon Criticisms

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 Covenants passages, early witness accounts, and Joseph Smith’s own statements, they explore how early Latter-day Saints understood the relationship between translation, revelation, seer stones, and the Urim and Thummim, and why calling the Book of Mormon both a translation and a revelation is not new language at all.    In this episode: Why a viral ex-Mormon Reddit thread claims the Church “changed translation to revelation” What Joseph Smith meant by translating “by the gift and power of God” How early Saints— including the witnesses—described the Book of Mormon Whether “revelation” implies backing away from historicity What a “revelatory translation” tells us about God’s purposes for the Book of Mormon   Resource Guide: Official Church Resources •Book of Mormon Translation – Topics & Questions (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) Concise Q&A overview of how the Church currently explains the translation, including seer stones, plates, and eyewitnesses. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/book-of-mormon-translation-joseph-smith-plural-marriage    •Gospel Topics Essay: “Book of Mormon Translation” In-depth official essay with historical context and primary sources about the mechanics of translation and the phrase “by the gift and power of God.” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng    •Elder Ulisses Soares – “The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon” (April 2020 General Conference) Apostolic perspective on why the Book of Mormon’s coming forth is best understood as a miracle of revelation and translation together. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/23soares?lang=eng    •Gerrit J. Dirkmaat, “The Miraculous Translation of the Book of Mormon,” Liahona, Mar. 2024 Recent Church magazine article summarizing eyewitness accounts and explaining the role of seer stones, interpreters, and the plates. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2024/03/united-states-and-canada-section/02-the-miraculous-translation-of-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng Chapters (00:00:00) - The Nature of Book of Mormon Translation vs. Revelation(00:00:28) - The Translation of the Book of Mormon(00:03:49) - Was the Book of Mormon a Translation or a Revelation?(00:05:15) - The Book of Mormon: Translation or Revelation?(00:12:45) - By the Gift and Power of God(00:16:07) - Seer and Translator: Revelation to Translate(00:18:10) - The Book of Mormon: Oliver's Translator(00:20:36) - The Gift of Revelation(00:25:17) - Was the Book of Mormon a Translation of an Ancient Record or a(00:30:29) - Does the Book of Mormon Have a Histicity?

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 they really are distinct. We get into God’s nature, the Trinity, embodiment, salvation, and why words like “Christian,” “orthodox,” and even “theology” get used so differently online.    Underwood shows that a lot of the online “Mormons aren’t Christian” arguments come down to definitions, not devotion—and that many Latter-day Saints would benefit from seeing themselves inside the wider Christian conversation, not outside it. This episode is perfect for Latter-day Saints who talk with evangelical friends, for Christians who are curious about LDS beliefs, and for anyone who wants a calmer, better-informed way to talk about God. ⸻ In this episode you’ll hear about: •Why Latter-day Saints should care about “theology,” not just “doctrine” •How Latter-day Saints and other Christians talk past each other using the same words differently •LDS belief in an embodied God and how that compares to creedal Christianity •“Separate-being” or “social” Trinitarianism and why it’s closer than people assume •LDS inclusivism: affirming the Restoration while honoring centuries of sincere Christians •How publishing with Eerdmans opened the door for real dialogue between traditions •Surprising overlaps with Eastern Orthodoxy on deification and theosis •Why better definitions can “bulldoze down” unnecessary walls between believers  ⸻ For viewers coming from other Christian traditions: This episode is not a debate. It’s an attempt to show the actual range of Christian belief across 2,000 years, and to place Latter-day Saints inside that bigger story instead of outside it. If you’ve only seen LDS beliefs described in polemical books or social posts, this conversation will feel very different.  ⸻ Subscribe for more long-form, faithful, informed conversations on Latter-day Saint history, doctrine, and how we fit in the wider Christian world.   #LatterDaySaint #Mormonism #Christianity #InformedSaints #GrantUnderwood #LDSTheology #Restoration #Trinity #Theosis #BYU #FaithAndReason #Interfaith Chapters (00:00:00) - Latter Day Saint Theology Among Christian Theologies(00:00:32) - Grant Underwood on His Book, The Life of Early Mormonism(00:01:12) - Why should Latter Day Saints care about theology?(00:06:20) - What is it about our conception of God that distinguishes us from other(00:11:50) - Mormons and the Language(00:14:06) - A Taste of the Book(00:16:56) - Mormons: We Are Not Creeal Christians(00:29:13) - The Problem of the Term "Christian"(00:37:42) - Latter Day Saints and Eastern Orthodoxy(00:42:28) - Eerdmans Publishing: Who's Christianity?(00:48:00) - The Church and its apostolic status(00:51:33) - A message on the Light of the Church(00:57:39) - Christianity: Inclusivist vs. Expulsivist(00:59:06) - Why Do You Believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day

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? From a humble Utah childhood marked by loss, to graduating #1 at the University of Chicago Law School, clerking for Chief Justice Earl Warren, leading BYU, serving on the Utah Supreme Court, and decades as an apostle—including time presiding in the Philippines—Turley shares human, surprising, and faith-building stories that reveal what kind of prophet President Oaks may be.   What you’ll learn Early experiences that forged President Oaks’s work ethic and faith (including dramatic near-misses with death) Why he pivoted from big-firm law to scholarship and service—and how that shaped his leadership BYU years: academic rigor, religious freedom advocacy, equal pay for women faculty, and yes… Cosmo the Cougar Why the Utah Supreme Court was his “most enjoyable job” and how that legal mind informs his ministry The call to the Twelve alongside Russell M. Nelson—and why he delayed ordination to finish court opinions Family insights: June Dixon Oaks’s refining influence and Kristin McMain Oaks’s later partnership What “a witness of the name of Jesus Christ” means to President Oaks—and to the global Church today   Guest: Rick Turley—longtime Church historian; co-author on Mountain Meadows Massacre volumes; author on the Mark Hofmann forgeries; forthcoming biography Joseph the Prophet. Watch next: More Informed Saints conversations on modern Prophets, Church history, and faith in action. #DallinHOaks #LDS #InformedSaints #LatterDaySaints #BYU #RickTurley #Prophet Chapters (00:00:00) - Informed Saints: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks(00:01:00) - Richard E. Turley Jr. on History and the Church(00:02:20) - President Dallin H. Oaks's Life Sketch(00:08:18) - Dallin Oaks: The Life of Prophecy(00:13:14) - Living Proof of Descendants: An Ordinary Life(00:17:18) - President Oaks' Early Years in Chicago(00:23:17) - How to Balance Work, Life, Family(00:26:07) - Dallin H O. Oaks: A Personal Distinction(00:30:43) - President Dallin H. Oaks as President of BYU(00:34:20) - President Spencer W. Kimball's time as president of BYU(00:39:19) - A Personal Memoir by Dallin H. Oaks(00:40:32) - President Oaks and His Life(00:43:59) - Appointments of Russell M. Oaks(00:50:28) - The Life of An Apostle(00:53:08) - What Does an Apostle Do On a Day?(00:54:40) - A Personal Experience of Area Presidents(00:57:11) - June Oakes in The Life of President Oaks(01:01:18) - Dallin H. Oaks on His Time in the First Presidency(01:03:56) - Dallin H. Oaks on His Life(01:06:53) - In the Elevation: A Personal History of Joseph Smith(01:13:08) - Informed 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 Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye   ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/   ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   #mormon #lds #halloween #spooky Chapters (00:00:00) - Halloween: What Do Latter Day Saints Celebrate?(00:01:41) - What's The Church's Position On Halloween?(00:04:55) - What Do Latter Day Saints Do For Halloween?(00:07:20) - How Do Latter Day Saints Do Trick Or Treat?(00:12:29) - Does Halloween Cross The Line For Latter Day Saints?(00:16:49) - "You shouldn't be playing with fire"(00:17:26) - The History of Latter Day Saints and Halloween(00:22:36) - Mormons Celebrate Halloween

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 • How the Whitney letter (Aug 18, 1842) and related instructions fit the timeline • What the Nauvoo High Council minutes and affidavits contribute • How the Nauvoo Expositor became part of the public controversy • How faithful historians weigh converging, independent sources   Why this matters: Latter-day Saints and honest seekers deserve a source-based understanding—one that’s faithful and rigorous. We focus on documents, context, and methods, not internet rumors.   Sources & Further Reading (Primary + Faithful Scholarship)   Official overviews • Gospel Topics Essay — Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo • Scripture — Doctrine & Covenants 132 (Celestial Marriage): https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132   Key primary sources (Joseph Smith Papers) • Revelation, 12 July 1843 (D&C 132) (text & images): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-12-july-1843-dc-132 • William Clayton journal (entry noting the 12 July 1843 revelation): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org (Search: “William Clayton journal July 12 1843”) • Letter to Newel K. Whitney, 18 Aug. 1842 (Joseph in hiding; private visit re: Sarah Ann Whitney): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-newel-k-whitney-18-august-1842 • Revelation, 27 July 1842 (Whitney sealing instructions): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-27-july-1842 • Nauvoo High Council minutes (Hyrum reading the revelation; contemporary references): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org (Search: “Nauvoo High Council minutes July–Aug 1843”) • Nauvoo Expositor, 7 June 1844 (includes affidavits; early public controversy): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/nauvoo-expositor-7-june-1844 • Affidavit of Austin Cowles (context for the High Council reading): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org (Search: “Affidavit Austin Cowles June 1844”)   Witness & late reminiscence samplers • Emma Smith—late statements on Nauvoo polygamy (compiled): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org  (Search: “Emma Smith polygamy statements”) • David Whitmer, Address to All Believers in Christ (full text scan): https://archive.org/details/addresstoallbeli00whit   Faithful scholarship (accessible) • Gerrit J. Dirkmaat & Michael H. MacKay, From Darkness unto Light (RSC): https://rsc.byu.edu/book/darkness-unto-light • Dirkmaat & MacKay, Let’s Talk about the Translation of the Book of Mormon (context for seer stones/translation): https://www.deseretbook.com/product/P6012373.html... Chapters (00:00:00) - There's a Very Vocal Group of People Who Think Joseph Smith(00:01:43) - What is the Movement Denying Polygyny?(00:05:58) - This New Movement on Polygyny in the Latter Day Saints(00:09:16) - Joseph Smith's Denials of Plural Marriage(00:13:01) - Joseph Smith's Legal Cases in 1844(00:18:43) - Joseph Smith's Plural Marriage(00:20:12) - The 1835 Statement on Marriage(00:23:10) - Primary Sources on Joseph Smith's Polygyny(00:29:00) - Critical Historians on the Nauvoo Expositor(00:36:22) - Polygamy Denier: A Trojan Horse(00:41:05) - The Issues of Joseph Smith's Polygyny

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 the story of Helmut Hübener. What you’ll learn • How minorities navigated “three doors”: resistance, collaboration, or neutrality • What Nazi reports say about Latter-day Saint beliefs and behavior • Why some local leaders tried to “play nice”—and why the regime still distrusted the Church • The reality behind viral claims and photos   Here are some of the resources discussed in the episode as well as other valuable resources on this topic! https://mormonr.org/qnas/aA2rfb/latter_day_saints_and_nazi_germany https://rsc.byu.edu/book/harms-way https://rsc.byu.edu/book/under-gun https://rsc.byu.edu/firm-foundation/succession-german-mission-leadership-during-world-war-ii https://ensignpeakfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/German-and-Austrian-Latter-day-Saints-in-World-War-II-An-Analysis-of-the-Casualties-and-Losses.pdf https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/helmuth-hubener?lang=eng https://rsc.byu.edu/regional-studies-latter-day-saint-church-history-europe/deliverer-oppressor https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/sbi/issues/024.pdf https://www.jstor.org/stable/23286361 https://archive.org/details/whentruthwastrea0000unse   If this helped clarify a tough topic, like, comment, and subscribe for more faith-and-scholarship conversations. #LDS #InformedSaints #History #NaziGermany #HelmutHubener Chapters (00:00:00) - Were Latter Day Saints Nazis?(00:01:46) - Mormon Nazis New Book Uncovers LDS Support for the Third(00:03:04) - Mormons in Germany under the Nazis(00:05:15) - Jehovah's Witnesses: The 3 Doors(00:10:48) - The Nazis Had a dossier on the Mormons in Nazi Germany(00:16:04) - What else Were the Nazis Doing? They Were Banning Mormon Literature(00:19:37) - The Problem of Pro-State Propaganda(00:24:12) - Latter Day Saints and the Nazi Party(00:26:02) - What Do the Nazis Think of The Mormons?(00:30:49) - Mormons in Germany: Were They Pro-Nazi?(00:35:25) - Heber J. Grant in front of the Nazi Flag(00:37:32) - David Conley on Moroni and the Swastika(00:41:21) - Was Latter Day Saint Church Ball a Tool of the Nazi regime?(00:46:24) - Latter Day Saints in Nazi Germany

*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 2017(00:00:44) - General Conference 2018: The tone of the Conference(00:05:30) - Sustaining the Prophet's Counselors(00:10:24) - None of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles seem to be seeking(00:12:36) - Oh No... No New Temples(00:12:52) - President Nelson Announces No New Temples This Conference(00:17:36) - Tim Strong on Temple Announcements(00:19:09) - The Family Proclamation: Should it Be Canoted?(00:22:30) - The First Presidency's Family Proclamation(00:26:40) - The Family Proclamation Explained(00:32:39) - The First Presidency and the Family Proclamation(00:34:05) - General Conference 2017: The Family Proclamation(00:37:48) - General Conference 2017(00:40:22) - President Oaks testifying the Doctrine of the Family(00:43:07) - General Conference 2017: Defending My Own Testimony(00:47:43) - Elder Holland's Talk on Experiences(00:54:43) - Tribute to President Nelson at Conference(00:56:59) - General Conference 2022: Primary Music Talk(00:59:54) - Mormon Church in Sydney Gutted by Fire(01:00:32) - Nearly 900,000 Converts Join the Church in 6 Months(01:04:17) - The challenge of producing curriculum for new members(01:06:54) - A Year in the Life(01:08:05) - Comments on Jonah at Virtual Fair Conference 2019

*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) - President Russell M. Nelson's Passing(00:00:42) - President Nelson Dead: What Happened Next?(00:03:52) - A Brief History of President Nelson(00:10:11) - President Russell Nelson's Life(00:15:47) - Examples of Conference Talks that I liked(00:24:08) - What Changed in the Church Under President Nelson's Lifetime(00:27:49) - President Nelson's Changes to the Church(00:33:49) - President Nelson's Change Campaign(00:35:14) - A message on President Gaylord's legacy(00:40:15) - President Nelson's Attention to the Hebrew(00:42:40) - President Nelson's Death and the Church Shooting in Michigan(00:50:31) - The Call to Be Peacemakers(00:53:56) - The Church Issues Statement Regarding Shooting at Church Chapel(00:58:13) - doctrine covenants, section 98(01:02:49) - President Trump tweets out support for Latter Day Saints following church shooting

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, how early Saints understood seer stones and the Urim and Thummim, and why the very strangeness of the translation process actually strengthens, rather than weakens, the case for its divinity.   What you’ll learn: Why Joseph’s contemporaries saw seer stones as miraculous, not fraudulent How early accounts from Emma Smith, Martin Harris, and others describe the translation The difference between folk magic, biblical precedent, and divine seership Why the physical reality of the gold plates remains the strongest defense of Joseph’s calling   A faith-affirming conversation that blends history, theology, and testimony.   Here are some of the resources discussed in the episode as well as other valuable resources on this topic!   -Artwork credit to Anthony Sweat who granted permissions for us to share his incredible artwork. https://www.anthonysweat.com   Start here (official & concise) Gospel Topics — Book of Mormon Translation https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/book-of-mormon-translation Church History Topic — Seer Stones https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/seer-stones Saints, Vol. 1 (The Standard of Truth) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/saints-v1   Primary sources (witnesses & early attestations) Emma Smith’s 1879 “Last Testimony” (PDF) https://rsc.byu.edu/sites/default/files/pub_content/pdf/testimony%20of%20emma%20smith.pdf Joseph Knight Sr. reminiscences (Church History Library catalog) https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/record/37b7b91c-4148-45d6-8f32-df4acf06fe99 David Whitmer — An Address to All Believers in Christ https://archive.org/details/addresstoallbeli00whit Early newspaper: Jonathan A. Hadley (Palmyra Freeman, 1829) https://rsc.byu.edu/coming-forth-book-mormon/joseph-smiths-negotiations-publish-book-mormon Wilford Woodruff Papers (Urim & Thummim; Manti consecration) https://www.wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/day-in-church-history/1841-12-02   Scholarship & synthesis (faithful) Turley, Jensen & Ashurst-McGee — “Joseph the Seer” (Ensign, Oct. 2015) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2015/10/joseph-the-seer Chapters (00:00:00) - Book of Mormon Restoration: From Darkness Unto Light(00:04:17) - How Was the Book of Mormon Translated?(00:10:12) - Questions about the Translation of the Book of Mormon(00:16:28) - Seer Stones and Folk Magic in Early Mormonism(00:21:47) - On Joseph Smith's Clairvoyance(00:26:03) - Seer Stones and the Book of Mormon(00:32:21) - Martin Harris on the Book of Mormon(00:39:31) - The Origins of the Book of Mormon(00:46:48) - Multiple Translation Devices in the Book of Mormon(00:53:40) - The Real Story of the Plates(01:00:56) - The Physical Reality of the Book of Mormon

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, and faith. Drawing on scholarship from Stephen C. Harper and a recent article in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, the discussion unpacks how memory actually works — and what that means for understanding Joseph Smith’s earliest visions.   What you’ll learn in this episode: Why differences in the First Vision accounts aren’t necessarily signs of dishonesty How neuroscience explains the way memories consolidate and evolve over time The concept of “flashbulb memories” and why Joseph’s accounts fit the pattern Insights from both believing and non-believing scholars on historical reliability   This thoughtful conversation shows how modern scholarship and faith can work together to strengthen testimonies and provide context for complex questions.   Here are some of the resources discussed in the episode as well as other valuable resources on this topic!   •Stephen C. Harper – First Vision: Memory and Mormon Origins (Oxford University Press, 2019) A balanced and deeply researched book that applies memory science to the First Vision. Harper is both a believing Latter-day Saint historian and an academic scholar, making this one of the best starting points. •Richard Lyman Bushman – Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling (Knopf, 2005) The definitive biography of Joseph Smith by one of the most respected Latter-day Saint historians. Discusses the First Vision in its historical context. •Alexander L. Baugh, Steven C. Harper, Brent M. Rogers, and Benjamin Pykles, Editors – Joseph Smith and His First Vision: Context, Place, and Meaning https://rsc.byu.edu/book/joseph-smith-his-first-vision •John W. Welch – Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations Collects and analyzes all primary accounts of the First Vision (and other revelations) in a single volume. Great for studying source texts directly. •Steven C. Harper – Joseph Smith’s First Vision: A Guide to the Historical Accounts (Deseret Book, 2012) A shorter, more accessible overview that compares the accounts and explains their significance. •Céline Duffau, Carter Charles, Religious Experience and Memory Retrieval: A Memory Studies Reading of Joseph Smith’s “First Vision” Accounts – Journal of the American Academy of Religion (2025). https://academic.oup.com/jaar/article-abstract/93/1/129/8159945?redirectedFrom=fulltext   Online Resources Chapters (00:00:00) - Was Joseph Smith Lying or Forgetting the First Vision?(00:00:41) - The Biggest Stirrer in My Faith Crisis Was...(00:04:38) - Mormon history of the First Vision(00:06:26) - Joseph Smith's First Vision Accounts(00:11:22) - How Memory Connects with Joseph Smith's First Vision(00:18:39) - Joseph Smith on Religious Revival in Palmyra(00:22:24) - Joseph Smith Recalls Falling Off His Bike(00:26:21) - Celine Dafoe and the Journal of the American Academy of(00:29:13) - Joseph Smith's Flashbulb Memory(00:35:18) - Joseph Smith in the First Vision(00:38:19) - A British Literary Scholar Says Joseph Smith's First Vision 'Is Better

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 history, exploring Book of Mormon scholarship, or simply looking for meaningful insights in your gospel study, Informed Saints offers engaging discussions that are accessible, lighthearted, and testimony-building.   What to expect: Honest conversations on challenging or trending issues Insights from scholars and experts in their fields Reactions to online discussions, tweets, and TikToks Tools and perspectives to deepen your study of the restored Gospel   Join us weekly on YouTube, social media, or wherever you get your podcasts — and become an informed saint.