Unveiling Mormon Myths w/ Sandra Tanner | Ep. 1979

Jan 2, 2025

Sandra Tanner, a pivotal figure in Mormon historical scholarship, teams up with Chris to dissect the complexities of Mormon history. They spotlight key contributors like Dee Jay Nelson and Mark Hoffman, examining the unsettling truths behind official narratives. The duo tackles controversial topics, including inaccuracies in Joseph Smith's interpretations and the book's evolution. Tanner emphasizes the critical importance of evidence in understanding faith, while highlighting the often-challenging relationship between scholars and the church.

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ANECDOTE

Mayfield's Deception

Stephen Mayfield, known for photographing Mormon events, used the alias "Stan Fields" to infiltrate Christian groups.
He posed as a fellow believer, seeking information on anti-Mormon activities, eventually exposed by Sandra and Gerald Tanner.

ANECDOTE

D.J. Nelson's Expertise and Deception

D.J. Nelson, initially presenting as a Mormon, offered research challenging the Book of Abraham to the Tanners.
Though knowledgeable about Egyptian, Nelson's claimed credentials proved false, causing controversy.

ANECDOTE

Hoffman's Interactions with the Tanners

Mark Hoffman, a forger of historical documents, interacted with the Tanners, subtly gleaning information for his forgeries.
His nondescript nature and seemingly genuine interest in church history masked his deceptive activities.

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In this episode, Sandra Tanner and Chris delve into key figures and moments in Mormon historical scholarship. They discuss individuals like Dee Jay Nelson, Mark Hofman, and Wesley Walters, highlighting their contributions to uncovering evidence that challenges official LDS narratives, including the Palmyra revivals and the 1826 trial of Joseph Smith.The conversation touches on the work of scholars like Dan Vogel, Stan Larson, and D. Michael Quinn, as well as influential writers such as Fawn Brodie. Topics include changes in the Book of Mormon, early Mormon controversies, and the deeper complexities of Mormon history. This episode provides a compelling exploration of the intersection between faith, evidence, and critical analysis.

Show Notes

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00:00:00 Brief review of key points from the previous episode

00:01:23 Discussion about the alias of Steven Mayfield/Stan Fields

00:11:10 Scholar Dee Jay Nelson’s false claim of having a PhD, Tanners losing some credibility

00:21:27 Joseph Smith’s mistakes in the Book of Abraham translation using heretic and hieroglyphics simultaneously

00:22:56 Insights into Mark Hofman’s forgery activities

00:28:10 Kerry Ross Boren exploring efforts to dig into Tanner-related controversies

00:35:40 Profiling Wesley Walters and his evidence against the Palmyra revivals and his discovery of the 1826 trial for Joseph Smith

01:06:00 Discussing M.T. Lamb and Mike Marquardt’s scholarly works

01:22:55 Stan Larson and the thousands of changes made to the Book of Mormon text

01:31:20 Key Figures in Mormon Studies like D. Michael Quinn, Fawn Brodie, Curt Bench, etc.

02:00:36 Insights into Sterling McMurrin’s perspectives and the New Mormon Thesis

02:06:30 Addressing the number of wives Joseph Smith had relationships with

02:14:00 Reflections on Christianity and Jesus Christ’s Atonement

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