Questioning Mormon Learns REAL Truth about Joseph Smith w/ John Dehlin and Carah Burrell | Ep. 2017
May 5, 2025
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Carah Burrell, a former Mormon missionary and the creative force behind the Nuance Hoe YouTube channel, joins John Dehlin to unpack the complexities of Joseph Smith's legacy. They dive into the invasive topic of polygamy, exposing hidden truths about Smith's marriages and the emotional fallout for followers. The discussion reveals the struggles of questioning deep-seated beliefs and the significance of transparency in faith. Carah's firsthand insights provide a unique lens into the evolving perceptions of church history and personal journeys of belief.
The interview reveals Eve's emotional journey as she confronts troubling aspects of Joseph Smith's polygamous practices and their implications.
The discussion emphasizes the need for informed consent within the LDS Church, advocating for transparency regarding its controversial history and teachings.
The episode explores the tensions surrounding Joseph Smith's leadership, particularly his self-proclaimed authority and the consequences of his secretive actions.
Deep dives
Kara and Eve's Journey
The discussion centers on the journey of Kara Burrell and her friend Eve as they explore significant issues surrounding Mormon church history. Kara introduces Eve, who is just beginning to question aspects of the church, particularly related to Joseph Smith's practices. The conversation reflects Eve's initial reactions and the common inquiries faced by those who are encountering these troubling topics for the first time. This exchange serves as a foundation for a deeper exploration into the complexities of Mormon beliefs and practices.
Joseph Smith and Polygamy
The episode addresses the contentious topic of Joseph Smith's polygamy, revealing that he secretly married between 30 to 40 women during his lifetime. It discusses the church's previous teachings, which often minimized or whitewashed these actions, presenting them as moral and divinely sanctioned. Joseph's practice of marrying women, some of whom were already married, raises ethical questions regarding consent and transparency. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding this history for those considering joining the church or re-evaluating their beliefs.
The Nauvoo Expositor Incident
The discussion highlights the significant events leading to Joseph Smith's imprisonment, particularly the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor, a newspaper that exposed his secret polygamous practices. William Law, a former member of Smith's inner circle, published details that challenged Joseph's claims, prompting him to act against the press. This incident illustrates the tensions between Joseph's leadership and the law, as well as the church's attempt to control the narrative surrounding Smith's life and actions. It serves as a pivotal moment in understanding the dynamics of authority, power, and accountability within the church.
The Spiritual and Emotional Toll
Eve shares the emotional impact of grappling with new information about Joseph Smith's character and decisions, reflecting on her experiences as a missionary. The conversation reveals the psychological burden placed on missionaries when they encounter dissonance between their teachings and factual history. This emotional upheaval emphasizes the challenges individuals face when confronting deeply held beliefs and the fear of family reactions. The hosts acknowledge the difficulty of reconciling faith with the unsettling truths about church history.
Joseph Smith's Claims and Authority
The episode scrutinizes Joseph Smith's self-proclaimed roles, including his declaration as a king and the implications of such claims for church governance. Exploring historical context, the discussion reveals how Joseph's ambitious approach created political and social tensions with neighboring communities. It confronts the contradiction between divine authority and ethical governance, pushing listeners to question the validity of claims made by religious leaders. This examination of authority prompts critical reflection on the nature of leadership within the church and its historical significance.
The Necessity for Informed Consent
The hosts argue for the importance of informed consent in religious membership, emphasizing that individuals should fully understand the history and practices of the church before making lifelong commitments. They suggest that withholding critical information is a disservice to potential converts and members alike, as it compromises their ability to make empowered choices about their faith. The conversation stresses that transparency is crucial for personal integrity and ethical leadership within the church. By discussing the need for honesty, the episode advocates for a more open dialogue about church history and its implications.
Join us as we revisit this epic interview with John Dehlin and Carah Burrell, which originally aired on Carah's channel in 2023.
Eve, a good friend of Carah Burrell's, was an active and faithful member of the LDS Church at the time of this interview. She had begun to question aspects of the Church—particularly polygamy—and agreed to sit down with Carah and John for a truly unique conversation. In this interview, they simply presented her with factual information about LDS history and captured her real-time reactions.
This one-of-a-kind interview is now being shared on Mormon Stories Podcast for the very first time. Be sure to join us later this week as Eve returns to the podcast—this time with both of her parents, who have experienced their own faith journeys since Eve's original interview two years ago.
Watch the original video from Carah Burrell here. And Part 1 of this series can be found here.Show Notes:Gospel Topics essay on plural marriage from LDS church:https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=engAddress of the Prophet: His Testimony Against the Dissenters at Nauvoo: https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/joseph-smith-testimony-against-dissenters-at-nauvoo/In Sacred Loneliness book: https://tinyurl.com/bddecykbNo Man Knows My History book: https://tinyurl.com/4ux8kn8sRough Stone Rolling: https://tinyurl.com/yc4c9yseCouncil of Fifty: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/topic/council-of-fiftyGov Ford/Joseph Smith letters: https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/volume-6-chapter-27History of the Church books: https://byustudies.byu.edu/history-of-the-church-volumes-1-7/"Who Killled Joseph Smith" from LDS church: https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/content/museum/museum-treasures-powder-horn?lang=engMormon Stories interview with Todd Compton: https://mormonstories.org/podcast/mormon-stories-012-an-introduction-to-mormon-polygamy-with-todd-compton-part-1/Explanation of the Happiness Letter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oFsXvlcHRoMormon Stories 1498: THE LIFE OF HISTORIAN FAWN MCKAY BRODIE WITH NEWELL BRINGHURST: https://mormonstories.org/podcast/life-of-fawn-brodie-with-newell-bringhurst/Text of the Nauvoo Expositor: http://solomonspalding.com/docs/exposit1.htmNetflix documentary Wild Wild Country: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Wild_Country
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