Keystone

You guessed it, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the least-liked religious group in the United States, according to a recent PEW Research survey. In this episode, David Snell and Kristen Walker Smith review the data and chat about why people feel this way, and what Latter-day Saints can do about it. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keystoneldsInsta: https://www.instagram.com/keystonelds/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keystoneldsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/keystonelds/Website: https://www.keystonelds.com

Joining me today is Joshua Miller, a former patient of Jodi Hildebrandt and faithful Latter-day Saint, sharing his story of recovery from Jodi's "therapy" through the gospel of Jesus Christ. As you know, Hulu recently released "Devil in the Family: The Story of Ruby Franke," a documentary chronicling LDS vlogger Ruby Franke's interactions with the former mental health counselor, Jodi Hildebrandt, another Latter-day Saint, and how they both wound up in prison for child abuse. Critics claim that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is responsible for "creating" people like Ruby and Jodi through it's doctrine. By dissecting his personal experiences with Jodi and responding to a few clips, Joshua and I will explore exactly what role (if any) the Church's doctrine played in his abuse, as well as the role it played in his recovery and redemption. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keystoneldsInsta: https://www.instagram.com/keystonelds/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keystoneldsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/keystonelds/Website: https://www.keystonelds.comMusic by Zach Sundwall

In this episode, David sits down with BYU law professor Shima Baughman to talk about Hell, criminal justice, divine punishment, and the Latter-day Saint conception of the afterlife. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keystoneldsInsta: https://www.instagram.com/keystonelds/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keystoneldsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/keystonelds/Website: https://www.keystonelds.comMusic by Zach Sundwall

For almost 200 years now, skeptics have been trying to come up with how Joseph Smith could have possibly come up with the Book of Mormon on his own. One of the most popular theories today is that Joseph Smith used information or was inspired by another book called View of the Hebrews, by Ethan Smith (no relation). In this episode of Keystone, David Snell sits down with Latter-day Saint scholar Stephen Smoot to talk about what the evidence tells us, and what it doesn't tell us.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keystoneldsInsta: https://www.instagram.com/keystonelds/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keystoneldsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/keystonelds/Website: https://www.keystonelds.comMusic by Zach Sundwall

W. Paul Reeve, a prominent scholar specializing in Mormon studies, joins the conversation to unravel the complex history of slavery in Utah Territory. He discusses Joseph Smith's changing views and Brigham Young's nuanced stance on the subject. Listeners will learn about the experiences of enslaved individuals in the Latter-day Saints community and the legislative decisions made in the 1850s. Additionally, Reeve highlights the moral dilemmas faced by church leaders and the broader implications of these historical perspectives on race and justice.

In this engaging discussion, BYU professor Casey Paul Griffiths, an expert in church history and co-host of the Church History Matters podcast, unpacks the controversial King Follett Discourse. Listeners dive into Joseph Smith's radical claims about God's humanity and the implications for Latter-day Saint beliefs. Griffiths also explores the relationship between divine nature and humanity, the impact of fatherhood on spiritual understanding, and challenges to traditional doctrines. Prepare for thought-provoking insights that challenge preconceived notions of faith!

Brad Wilcox, a professor at BYU and a counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, delves into the nuances of grace and ordinances. He highlights grace as a proactive gift, akin to a scholarship, and its vital role in spiritual transformation. Wilcox examines the significance of ordinances as meaningful covenants, advocating for a deeper connection with God. He also emphasizes mental health and continuous growth in faith, portraying salvation as a transformational journey towards becoming more Christlike rather than merely gaining entry to heaven.

Ben Spackman, an LDS historian focused on 20th-century Church history, examines transformative changes within the Church. He discusses evolving leadership dynamics and the importance of scholarly perspectives in interpreting doctrine. The conversation emphasizes reassessing traditions and enhancing faith through critical exploration of scriptures. Spackman also highlights the distinctive roles of prophets, underscoring the balance between faith and acknowledging human limitations in leadership. Overall, it's a compelling look at how understanding context shapes religious evolution.

Some critics claim that the angel Moroni was originally referred to as "Nephi," and that the name was switched by later church leaders because it made more sense for the "made-up" storyline of the Book of Mormon. In this episode, David Snell investigates the claims. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keystonelds Insta: https://www.instagram.com/keystonelds/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keystonelds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keystonelds/ Website: https://www.keystonelds.com Music by Zach Sundwall.

Ben Spackman, a Latter-day Saint Bible scholar with a Ph.D., dives into the unique biblical interpretations of Latter-day Saints. He explores the tensions between Latter-day Saint beliefs and Protestant doctrines, emphasizing ongoing revelation and scriptural authority. Spackman tackles the complexities of biblical contradictions and discusses the Latter-day Saint view of deification, challenging common misconceptions. He also highlights the interconnections between the Bible and the Book of Mormon, advocating for a nuanced understanding of scripture.