S4 E6 Hearing the Voice of God, a special extra episode with Richard Bushman (D&C 3-5)
Jan 26, 2025
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Richard Bushman, a renowned historian and author of "Rough Stone Rolling," delves into the dynamic relationship between Joseph Smith and divine guidance. He recounts the dramatic loss of the 116 pages, explaining Martin Harris's crucial role in the events surrounding it. The conversation also highlights the emotional struggles of Joseph as he navigated guilt and the pressure of leadership. Bushman emphasizes the importance of listening to God’s voice and learning from past mistakes, showcasing how revelations shaped early church governance.
The podcast emphasizes the critical role of Martin Harris in the early revelations to Joseph Smith, highlighting the blend of support and skepticism he embodied during a tumultuous period of faith.
It discusses how the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants marked a significant shift in Joseph Smith's prophetic authority, inviting church members to engage in personal revelation and deepen their own spiritual connections.
Deep dives
Historical Context of Revelations
The episode delves into the historical significance of the early revelations received by Joseph Smith, particularly focusing on Sections 1 through 5 of the Doctrine and Covenants. These sections mark a pivotal moment in Joseph’s prophetic journey, as they reflect the tensions and challenges he faced while translating the Book of Mormon. The revelations emerged during critical events, such as Joseph’s struggles with Martin Harris over the lost manuscript, which became a source of immense personal anguish. The discussion highlights how these early encounters set the stage not only for Joseph's prophetic voice but also for establishing the foundational principles of the church.
Martin Harris and His Role
A significant focus of the conversation is on Martin Harris's complex relationship with both Joseph Smith and the translation process. Martin’s character is portrayed as one of support and skepticism, constantly seeking validation for his beliefs in a societal context that viewed Joseph with suspicion. His desire to share the manuscript with his wife exemplifies the personal and social pressures that tested their faith and commitment to Joseph's prophetic calling. This dynamic illustrates how the uncertainty and tension surrounding early revelations contributed to the broader narrative of faith amidst trials.
Joseph Smith's Prophetic Authority
The essence of Joseph Smith's prophetic authority is underscored as the podcast explores how these revelations helped define his role as a prophet. Section 3 is presented as a critical point where Joseph begins to articulate the voice of God directly, a departure from previous scripture that often contained intermediary voices. This shift not only solidifies Joseph's authority but also invites the early church members to understand their connection to divine revelation through him. The discussions illuminate the unique nature of the Doctrine and Covenants and its role in establishing the foundation for future revelations within the church.
The Nature of Revelation
The episode also emphasizes the nature of revelation as a process of both divine guidance and personal reflection for Joseph Smith. It highlights the importance of humility and worthiness in accessing this divine communication, underlining how Joseph needed to reconcile his own shortcomings with his role as a prophet. The dialogue reflects on the concept of revelation being a shared experience, suggesting that while Joseph had a unique role, the aim was to encourage all members to seek their own revelations. This discussion serves to reinforce the idea that prophetic leadership combined with individual seeking of truth creates a vibrant and dynamic faith community.
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In this episode Richard Bushman and Kerry discuss the ways that God worked with Joseph Smith to help him learn, grow, and do what he needed to do. They explore the loss of the 116 pages and the role that Martin Harris played in that and in the Restoration, and the story of Lucy Harris, a law suit, and how all of those things combined to create the pressure that led to the loss of the 116 pages. They also talk about the lessons that Joseph Smith, and we, needed to learn in order to not fall prey to this same kind of mistake. They also talk about how the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants are like God speaking into our ears.
We are grateful for our generous donors who make the podcast possible. We are also grateful to Launchpad Consulting Studios for producing the podcast and to Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.
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