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.

Catholic apologist Trent Horn recently published a video aimed at discrediting the Book of Mormon by claiming that our 531 pages of the Book of Mormon would not have been able to fit in an ancient language on the golden plates. In this episode, David Snell takes a closer look at these claims, and highlights some of the research that Trent didn’t address in his video.  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.

An antagonistic source called the CES Letter compiles several quotes that talk about the Book of Mormon witnesses only seeing the golden plates in a vision, or with their imagination, or under entrancement, etc. How reliable are these quotes? If they really did see the plates in a “vision,” is that even a problem? Stick around and find out. 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.

An antagonistic source called the CES Letter compiles 4 quotes that talk about Book of Mormon witness Martin Harris only seeing the angel and the golden plates through spiritual eyes. How reliable are these quotes? What does “spiritual eyes” even mean? And, is it a problem? 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.