Milagre 
The story of Oliver Cowdery’s attempt to translate opens a window into a rare and intimate moment in the early Restoration. It unfolds while Joseph Smith is working through multiple ancient records, while Church organization is still taking shape, and while God is teaching His servants how revelation actually operates. Oliver, eager to take part … Read more
Latter-day Saint Doctrine of Angels in Historical Context Latter-day Saint doctrine teaches that angels are not a separate class of beings but human beings at different stages of eternal progression—either resurrected or awaiting resurrection. From Moroni’s visit in 1823 to Doctrine and Covenants 129, Joseph Smith clarified that angels are “resurrected personages” or “spirits of … Read more
A Frontier Rumor Is Born In April 1834, the Saturday Evening Post printed a brief story about an unnamed “Mormon preacher” in western New York who allegedly claimed he would walk on water. The article named no individuals, relied on secondhand hearsay from an unidentified source, and was itself a reprint. Even the editors admitted … Read more
The Centrality of Joseph Smith in the Restoration In Latter-day Saint belief, Joseph Smith is foundational to every doctrine that distinguishes the Restoration from traditional Christianity. Teachings about the nature of God, premortal life, exaltation, eternal families, redemption of the dead, and continuing revelation all depend on his prophetic calling. If Joseph truly received divine … Read more
Introduction This episode addresses two doctrinal and historical questions submitted by a listener named Larry. The first concerns whether Joseph Smith had access to a Bible during the translation of the Book of Mormon. The second investigates how a Presbyterian minister could have declared that Joseph’s brother Alvin was damned for not being baptized, when … Read more
Getting “Bogged” Down By Alleged Prophecy – Part 1 Joseph Smith Background: Governor Lilburn W. Boggs and the Missouri Conflict The discussion begins with an overview of early Latter-day Saint persecution, particularly the actions of Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs and the claims surrounding a prophecy attributed to Joseph Smith regarding Boggs’ death. Lilburn W. … Read more
Background on Brigham Young’s Devotion to Joseph Smith Brigham Young is one of the clearest historical examples of complete loyalty to Joseph Smith. His writings, journals, and published sermons consistently show: He did not test Joseph’s revelations against prior scripture. If Joseph Smith taught something—difficult or new—Brigham accepted it as revelation from God. He initially … Read more
Building Temples Introduction: Questions About Temples, Documents, and Early Christianity This episode addresses several interconnected doctrinal and historical issues raised by listeners, ranging from the purpose and use of the Joseph Smith Papers and the Brigham Young Papers, to broader questions about the presence of temple worship in early Christianity, the meaning of New Testament … Read more
Introduction: Hell as a Central Theological Question This episode examines the Latter-day Saint doctrine of hell and how it differs sharply from traditional Christian theology. For centuries, Christian thinkers—especially within Catholic and Protestant traditions—taught that every soul is created out of nothing at birth, that each soul has an immortal spirit, and that salvation depends … Read more
Feeling Alone in Faith Many members of the Church today experience the painful feeling that people around them—friends, siblings, spouses, or even parents—are stepping away from the faith. When this happens, it can create the profound sense of being left behind or standing alone. This feeling is not new in Christian history. Believers in the … Read more