
Gospel Tangents Podcast
A 360-degree view of Mormonism. We interview the best Mormon scholars, scientists, and clergy from all restoration branches, including LDS, Community of Christ, Strangites, Bickertonites, Temple Lot, Remnant, etc.
Latest episodes

Mar 13, 2025 • 41min
Blue & Gold Book of Mormon (Robert Messick 2 of 3)
We know the RLDS Church has its own version of the Book of Mormon, but what other churches have their own? What about the first Gold Book of Mormon and LDS Paperback edition with the golden angel Moroni on the cover, a Reformed Egyptian gold cover, and many other editions? Check out our conversation...
https://youtu.be/CTFvsUPBdPo
Don't miss our other conversations with Robert: https://gospeltangents.com/people/robert-messick/
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Mar 11, 2025 • 19min
90 Years to Publish Book of Mormon??? (Robert Messick 1 of 3)
Did you know the LDS Church didn't publish an official version of the Book of Mormon for 90 years?! It took 90 years to publish! Robert Messick knows about all of the LDS and Restoration editions. He's the host of the YouTube channel called "Book of Mormon Editions." We'll dive deep into the publishing history of the Book of Mormon. Check out our conversation....
https://youtu.be/-0axvFxYMAE
Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/robert-messick/
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Mar 9, 2025 • 0sec
Time to Dump KJV? (Joseph Spencer 3 of 3)
Since its founding, the LDS Church has used the King James Version of the Bible. Is it time to dump KJV? Many people find the old English tough to read & understand. Is it time to upgrade to a more modern version? Will that cause ripple effects with the Book of Mormon? Dr Joseph Spencer weighs in on the issue. We'll also discuss his other books and upcoming projects. Check out our conversation...
https://youtu.be/R15AGtUer90
Don’t miss our other conversations with Joseph: https://gospeltangents.com/people/joseph-spencer/
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2024
Gospel Tangents
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Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission
0:00 Time to Update Bible?
13:37 Joe's Other Book of Mormon Books
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Gospel Tangents
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Mar 8, 2025 • 41sec
*Is 2 hr Church Hurting LDS Church? (Ryan Cragun 4 of 4)
The LDS Church recently changed from 3 to 2 hour church. Is 2 hr church destroying community? Dr Ryan Cragun answers. We'll also discuss whether religious or non-religious are more healthy, wealthy, and wise. Check out our conversation...
https://youtu.be/moBMOw1jjdU
Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/ryan-cragun/
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Mar 5, 2025 • 43min
What Pushes/Pulls People from Churches? (Ryan Cragun 3 of 4)
What pulls people from Church? Dr Ryan Cragun from Univ of Tampa says there are 2 things that lead people to leave religion: Push factors & Pull factors. What pushes people away from Church? Check out our conversation...
https://youtu.be/A18Umb_xxlg
Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/ryan-cragun/
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Mar 2, 2025 • 29min
Why People Stay/Leave Religion (Ryan Cragun 2 of 4)
Why does one person leave religion, while another person leaves? Dr Ryan Cragun discusses his own faith crisis and Rick shares why he stays. Check out our conversation...
https://youtu.be/2qQ1dzvyalA
Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/ryan-cragun/
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
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Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission
0:00 Ryan's Mission
11:21 Ryan's Deconversion/Betrayal
17:41 Why People Stay or Leave
25:01 Hard Exits
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
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Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Feb 27, 2025 • 27min
Triggered vs Calm ex-Mormons (Ryan Cragun 1 of 4)
Some ex-Mormons leave religion with an noisy exit and are angry. Others walk away with little fanfare. What is the difference between these people? In his new book called "Goodbye Religion," University of Tampa sociology professor Dr Ryan Cragun discusses why people are leaving religion at higher rates. Check out our conversation...
https://youtu.be/z7p-j-3YrJ0
Don't miss our other conversations with Ryan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/ryan-cragun/
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
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Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission
0:00 Avalanches, Alligators, & Hurricanes
4:21 Educational Background
10:18 Intro to Goodbye Religion
16:29 Triggered vs Calm ex-Mormons
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
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Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

Feb 25, 2025 • 0sec
Hot Seat 2: Kurt Francom (4 of 4)
It's always fun to put Kurt Francom on the hot seat. What does he think about girls passing the sacrament like boys? Is Christian Nationalism a problem in the LDS Church? Check out our conversation by signing up to our free newsletter at https://gospeltangents.com/newletter
https://youtu.be/MUOFLQFqb54
Don’t miss our other conversations with Kurt: https://gospeltangents.com/people/kurt-francom/
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2024
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2024
Gospel Tangents
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Feb 23, 2025 • 1h 40min
Non-LDS BYU Black Athletes (Dr Darron Smith)
This is a throwback interview from 2017. Dr Darron Smith discusses non-LDS BYU Black athletes. He teaches at University of Memphis and is the author of "When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide." He examines the honor code, graduation rate, and race relations at BYU. He compares their racial record with other famous Christian athletes, including Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin. We'll also discuss Indian mascots in professional & college sports. Check out our conversation....
https://youtu.be/YZv_onL5Kp8
Don’t miss our other conversations about black Mormon History: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/black-mormon-history/
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
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Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission
0:00 Overview
6:12 Statistics on Black Athletes at BYU
29:06 Challenges Faced by Black Athletes at BYU
30:59 Honor Code
31:31 Comparisons with Other Institutions
36:43 Graduation Rates/Systemic Issues
38:59 Unionization/Pay for College Athletes
47:09 Racism and Representation in Sports
52:52 Impact of Past Traumas
1:08:49 BYU's Aspirations/Challenges in Joining the Big 12
1:12:58 Parallels Between Black Athletes and Gay Athletes
1:15:41 Black 14 of Wyoming
1:21:09 Racism and Institutionalized Discrimination
1:22:32 Empathy and Mindfulness in Addressing Racism
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Gospel Tangents
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Feb 22, 2025 • 37sec
*Questions for Conspiracy Theorists (Jesse James 5 of 5)
What are the questions you should ask your conspiracy theorist friends? Dr Jesse James is a research psychologist and you'll want to take notes! Check out our conversation...
https://youtu.be/zshs_cRivdE
Don’t miss our other conversations with Dr Jesse James: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jesse-james/
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission
transcript to follow
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved