From the earliest decades of the Restoration, the question of who introduced plural marriage has been contested. Latter-day Saints have consistently taught that the principle was revealed to Joseph Smith and practiced under his direction in Nauvoo. In contrast, the Reorganized Church (RLDS, now Community of Christ) spent more than a century claiming that Joseph … Read more
Introduction The episode continues answering listener questions related to Church authority, specifically how leadership titles functioned in early Latter-day Saint history and how these roles evolved after Joseph Smith’s death. Several emails revisited earlier discussions on the meaning of “general authorities,” the structure of the First Presidency during the Prophet’s lifetime, and how succession unfolded … Read more
Introduction This episode turns to a set of historical and theological questions that arise from Joseph Smith’s revelations, especially those surrounding the angels named in Doctrine and Covenants 128. Among the angels Joseph lists are Michael and Gabriel, both explicitly identified by Joseph as Adam and Noah, respectively. But the third figure, Raphael, is mentioned … Read more
Introduction This episode turns again to the early years of the Restoration, tracing Joseph Smith’s travels, the revelations connected to those journeys, the attitudes of various communities toward the Saints, and the appearance of angelic beings who declared their dispensations and priesthood keys. By examining historical accounts, including Joseph Smith’s own writings, the Doctrine and … Read more