Church History Matters

Scripture Central
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7 snips
Jun 6, 2023 • 48min

014 Plural Marriage Troubles (part 1): John C. Bennett, Hyrum Smith, & Emma

Explore the complexities of Joseph Smith's practice of plural marriage in Nauvoo as John C. Bennett's exposure, Hyrum Smith's opposition, and Emma Smith's struggles come to light. Learn about Bennett's illicit affairs, Hyrum's changing views, and Emma's turmoil with the concept of plural marriage. Dive into the challenges faced by these historical figures in this engaging podcast episode.
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10 snips
May 30, 2023 • 59min

013 Joseph Smith’s Trial and Error Approach to Plural Marriage

Discover the intricate world of Joseph Smith's trial and error approach to plural marriage, including sealings with married women and a 14-year-old. Explore the impact on his relationships with Emma and Oliver Cowdery. Delve into his creative use of sealing power and his struggles with the concept of polygamy.
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11 snips
May 23, 2023 • 42min

012 Why Did Plural Marriage Begin in the Church?

Plural marriage—a form of religious polygamy (or polygyny to be technical)—is one of the most controversial and faith-challenging aspects of the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was difficult when it was first introduced in the early Church and, although it was discontinued over 130 years ago, it is still a difficult issue for many both within and outside of the Church to reckon with.  So why was it introduced into the Church in the first place? When did Joseph Smith first learn that this practice would be restored? Why did he delay practicing it? How did he and others who were asked to live it initially respond? And what were the four theological reasons given by the Lord in the Doctrine and Covenants to justify the practice of plural marriage?  In this episode of Church History Matters we explore the best sources to answer these and related questions. And while we know that learning the answers to these questions may not fully remove one’s wrestle with this issue, we believe it can sure help. For show notes and transcript for this and other episodes go to https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/church-history-matters-podcast/ 
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10 snips
May 16, 2023 • 51min

011 Q&R! Tackling Tough Book of Mormon Translation Questions

In this discussion, Dr. Michael Hubbard McKay, an Associate Professor at Brigham Young University and expert on Latter-day Saint scripture, dives deep into the complexities of the Book of Mormon's translation. He unpacks Joseph Smith's use of seer stones, comparing sacred and secular interpretations. The conversation touches on why Smith made changes in later editions, the nuances of tight versus loose translation, and the cultural significance of these methods in both his time and today. A thought-provoking exploration for any history enthusiast!
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9 snips
May 9, 2023 • 52min

010 What is the Best External Evidence for the Book of Mormon?

The discussion revolves around the vital testimony of the Three and Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. These individuals, despite their later challenges with the Church, never denied their experiences, adding credibility to Joseph Smith's claims. The complexities of the translation process and the weight of eyewitness statements are explored, underscoring the intertwining of faith and evidence. Personal reflections on the lives of key witnesses, like David Whitmer, emphasize their consistent accounts and the emotional weight of their testimonies.
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13 snips
May 2, 2023 • 53min

009 If Not a Supernatural Translation, Then What? Examining the Other BM Translation Theories

What would you say if somebody told you that a 23 year old farm boy dictated to a scribe a sacred text of 531 pages while looking down at stones placed in the bottom of his hat? And what would you think if they then told you that this book was dictated and written in one pass—from beginning to end—in approximately 60 days without any punctuation and with little to no revising? And what if they then showed you countless examples of how this book contains a high degree of literary and semitic complexity, suggesting highly skilled and detail-oriented authors who wrote in ancient Hebrew writing forms? Would you be open to accepting the proposition that this book was the product of a genuine miracle? If so, you’re not alone. And if not, you’re also not alone. In fact, several alternative naturalistic theories about the Book of Mormon’s origins have been put forth by those who reject the possibility of the miraculous.  In this episode we examine all of this—the speed of the Book of Mormon translation, the complexity of the text itself, and the naturalistic theories of the Book of Mormon’s origins. For show notes and transcript for this and other episodes go to https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/church-history-matters-podcast/ 
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7 snips
Apr 25, 2023 • 52min

008 Translating the Book of Mormon with Stones in a Hat?

If we had video footage of the translation process of the Book of Mormon, what would we see? What would we actually watch Joseph Smith “do” during a translation session? Now of course we don’t have video footage, but we do have perhaps the next best thing—multiple eyewitness accounts of those who saw the process up close first hand. And what they said they saw was a  decidedly non-secular, non-academic, one-of-a-kind translation method involving a young 22 and 23 year old Joseph looking at seer stones in a hat—a process many of these witnesses described as truly miraculous.  In today’s episode we take a closer look at what we can know from the historical record about Joseph Smith’s translation process. We’ll also briefly explore the New England subculture in Joseph’s day in which some believed that people with certain spiritual gifts could use special objects—like seer stones or divining rods—to channel divine power to do things like find lost objects or find underground water sources.  We’ll also discuss the fascinating details of what we know about how and when Joseph came upon two seer stones in addition to those that came with the plates and were bound together in silver bows, and what we know about his using these during the Book of Mormon translation. For show notes and more go to https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/church-history-matters-podcast/ 
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12 snips
Apr 18, 2023 • 49min

007 Joseph Smith’s Creative Efforts to Outsource the Book of Mormon Translation

Discover the intriguing journey of Joseph Smith as he receives the ancient plates from the angel Moroni. Explore the intense persecution he faced in safeguarding these plates, revealing the lengths adversaries went to retrieve them. Dive into Joseph's creative translation efforts, including an Egyptian alphabet and seeking help from linguistic experts. Uncover the contrasting opinions of scholars about the Book of Mormon's authenticity, and reflect on the divine intervention in the translation process, showcasing a faith-driven narrative.
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9 snips
Apr 11, 2023 • 48min

006 Joseph Smith’s ”Second Vision” and the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon

Discover the fascinating second vision of Joseph Smith at just 17, where he meets the angel Moroni, who reveals a sacred record and prophetic news. Delve into the transformative years leading up to the Book of Mormon's unveiling, exploring Joseph's spiritual struggles and pivotal moments. Hear about the intense internal battles between faith and doubt, and the significance of Hill Cumorah in early church history. Each experience constructs a vital piece of the faith that shaped a new religious era.
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20 snips
Apr 4, 2023 • 53min

005 Q&R! What About Others Who Claimed Similar Visions in Joseph Smith’s Day? Etc.

The more carefully one studies Joseph Smith’s First Vision and the context of his world at that time, the more interesting the questions become. For example, if Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in a vision, does that mean he didn’t actually see them in reality? And what are we to make of the fact that other people around the time of Joseph Smith’s vision also claimed to have had visions of God (many of whom were Methodists)? And how might the form of these Methodist conversion narratives at the time have impacted how Joseph Smith recorded his vision? Furthermore, what is the interplay between Joseph Smith’s memory of his First Vision and the various contexts in which he recalled it and recorded it? In this episode we sit down with Dr. Steven C. Harper, one of the world’s foremost scholars on Joseph Smith’s First Vision, to discuss these and other great questions.

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