Witnesses of the Gold Plates Introduction From the spring of 1829 through the turbulent years of early missionary preaching, the history of the Restoration produced a wider circle of Book of Mormon witnesses than the formally recognized Three and Eight. These lesser-known accounts—some involving angels, others involving brief glimpses of the plates, and still others … Read more
Statements from the Three Witnesses: (Primarily Martin Harris) Introduction In this episode, the discussion returns to the essential question of the Book of Mormon witnesses—what they said, when they said it, and how their testimonies developed across their lives. As always, the podcast approaches early Church history through original historical sources, highlighting the lived experience … Read more
Introduction A Latter-day Saint woman wrote to Garrett Dirkmaat asking about a video and an article claiming that Joseph Smith both received his visions and translated the Book of Mormon through the use of psychedelic drugs, including toads, “magical herbs,” and psychedelic mushrooms. She asked whether there was any evidence supporting this theory. Dirkmaat explains … Read more