Mormon.ish

Who wrote the Book of Mormon? For nearly two centuries, believers, skeptics, historians, and scholars have wrestled with that question. Is the Book of Mormon what it claims to be—a divinely inspired ancient record translated by the gift and power of God? Was it the product of Joseph Smith alone, created through his own imagination and abilities? Or might other individuals, such as Sidney Rigdon have played a role in its creation? In this special series, we take a deep dive into the competing theories surrounding the authorship of the Book of Mormon. We'll explore the traditional faith-based narrative, examine arguments for Joseph Smith as the sole author, investigate claims of possible collaborators and influences, and review the historical evidence, documents, word print studies, and scholarship on all sides of the debate. Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or simply curious about one of the most fascinating questions in religious history, join us as we examine the evidence and ask: Who really authored the Book of Mormon?This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

For decades, Latter-day Saints have been encouraged to study the scriptures deeply and seek personal revelation. But has the Church's increasingly structured "Come, Follow Me" curriculum changed the way members engage with scripture? Is there something wrong? In this episode, a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints raises thoughtful questions about the balance between guidance and independent study, and study questions about scripture content versus the feelings of the reader. Is the curriculum so highly curated that members are only encountering selected passages and approved interpretations? Are important stories, difficult texts, problematic narratives, and broader scriptural themes being overlooked as a result? And what is gained—or lost—when scripture study becomes increasingly correlated and standardized? Do members of the LDS church think they are studying and reading the scriptures when in reality they aren't?This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode, Patrick circles back to questions that came up after episode 305, “Was Sidney Rigdon the Real Founder of Mormonism?” From there, the conversation goes deeper into how the Book of Mormon may have been dictated, pulling together both long-standing research and newer findings to paint a fuller picture of the process. The episode also walks through the proposed plan Sidney Rigdon may have used—not just in producing the Book of Mormon, but in shaping Mormonism itself. That includes a timeline of what both Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were doing prior to 1831, helping to show how their paths may have intersected and influenced each other. Along the way, Patrick explains how the Rigdon Theory fits together with Dr. John Lundwall’s newer “Sermon Magic” theory discussed in episode 308, highlighting where the ideas overlap and reinforce one another. One of the standout moments is a deep dive into seven different wordprint studies. The episode breaks down what those studies should look like if a single author were responsible, compared to what they actually show. The results consistently point toward multiple authors, and Patrick explores just how unlikely it would be for all seven studies to independently reach the same “wrong” conclusion—essentially close to zero. Finally, the episode zooms out to look at the bigger picture: five categories of evidence and a total of 72 individual data points. All of it is weighed against the Sole Author Theory to see if it can still hold up under scrutiny. The conclusion? It doesn’t.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The mayor of Fairview Texas, John Hubbard reads through and discusses a letter he wrote to LDS leadership to request they lower the steeple height of the LDS temple being built in his city. He also reads and discusses the response he received from the LDS Temple Department, as well as his reply to that response. The letters are very revealing and you won't want to miss this!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Dr Randall Bell joins Mormonish Podcast to discuss how the LDS church portrays itself in the media through influencers and LDS channels. Is the truth far from these portrayals? Dr. Bell breaks it all down for us as we discuss the Great Mormon Smash & Dash! Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) DONATE HERE: https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] Mormonish Podcast is not associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Mormonish is joined by Bill Reel to discuss his new podcast series and new books available on Amazon. Bill's contribution to post Mormon scholarship and the tools needed for deconstruction cannot be overstated. Bill Reel is a podcaster, researcher, and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. He is the host and cohost of several programs exploring Mormon history, doctrine, institutional behavior, and religious deconstruction, including Mormonism Live & Mormon Discussion. For more than a decade, Bill has researched and analyzed difficult issues within Mormonism, helping audiences examine the intersection of faith, history, authority, and truth claims through careful investigation and open dialogue. I think you'll all really enjoy this conversation! Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) DONATE HERE: https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] Mormonish Podcast is not associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Mormonish Podcast is joined again by Ron Yogason as we crunch the membership data numbers for the end of 2025 and Q1 2026. With more LDS chapels being sold off and more wards and stakes being merged, the data shows a very different picture than the LDS church is trying to portrait in public statements and in the media. We’ll cover: * Expected growth projections from the 1990s * Canadian census: self identified members vs church reported, 1981 / 2021 * 2025 country membership growth vs ward growth * States/Countries gaining & losing wards * Attrition over the years * How many dead members are currently on the rolls * How many people died vs resigned last year Tune in to get a real take on membership numbers in the LDS church. Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) DONATE HERE: https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] Mormonish Podcast is not associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The mysterious “Second Anointing” has long been one of the most controversial and secretive practices connected to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this episode, we explore what the ordinance is believed to be, where it came from historically, how it developed in early Mormonism, and why it continues to spark debate among members, former members, and religious scholars alike. We’ll examine claims, teachings, historical sources, and modern discussion surrounding the ritual often described as the church’s “highest ordinance.” Whether you’ve heard whispers about it for years or are learning about it for the first time, Ganesh Cherian joins Mormonish Podcast to take a thoughtful look at one of Mormonism’s most talked-about hidden topics. Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) DONATE HERE: https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] Mormonish Podcast is not associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Applying to be an LDS missionary is a rigorous process for a 17, 18, or 19 year old member of the LDS church. It involves multiple worthiness interviews, mental health checks, medical checks, dental checks, and more. The process lasts multiple months before the call to serve finally arrives. But what if the prospective missionary discusses same sex attraction or experiences with their church leaders as part of the worthiness interviews? We now know that this disclosure by a perspective LDS missionary triggers a supplemental questionnaire with dozens of invasive and sensitive questions about every aspect of the young person's sexual history. This information is hard to go through but very important. It's amazing that this level of scrutiny is needed for a same sex attracted missionary to be allowed into the field, yet there is virtually no scrutiny to let someone excommunicated for CSA back into the church. We'll break it all down on this important episode of Mormonish Podcast. Landon's Mormon Stories episode: https://youtu.be/iPoA0pzC5KQ?si=1B_adX60Ob6u7w_l Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! Mormonish Podcast is not associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) DONATE HERE: https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

During the process of writing and preparing his new book, "Joseph Smith: The Architect of Mormonism / A Topical Guide" for publication, the LDS church sent author Ganesh Cherian a cease and desist letter. The legal back and forth that followed is very interesting, especially in light of the recent lawsuit against John Dehlin and Mormon Stories by the LDS Church. Do both of these legal maneuvers indicate the LDS church is determined to silence anyone producing criticisms of the church? Are they trying to stop healthy criticism and dialogue before it even gets started? Ganesh Cherian joins Mormonish to tell his story of going toe to toe with the LDS church. You won't want to miss this!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Mormonish Podcast's Landon Brophy describes receiving a letter notifying him of his excommunication. Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast The Good Book Club If you would like more info on The Good Book Club you can email us at [email protected] or find us on facebook here https://www.facebook.com/share/g/PK74... ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The comparison of two excommunication stories can reveal a great deal about the kind of people the LDS church will allow right back into full fellowship and the kind of people they will ban for life and beyond. Juxtaposition is a powerful tool and comparing and contrasting the two excommunication stories of Wade Christofferson (brother of LDS First Presidency Member D. Todd Christofferson), excommunicated for alleged CSA , and Lavina Fielding Anderson, excommunicated as one of the September Six for pointing out the LDS church's ecclesiastical abuses against LDS intellectuals, reveals what the LDS church really prioritizes. Landon jumps back on Mormonish Podcast to uncover the details of each case and discuss the meaning and importance of these very different situations. Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast The Good Book Club If you would like more info on The Good Book Club you can email us at [email protected] or find us on Facebook here. https://www.facebook.com/share/g/PK74... ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video. DISCLAIMER: Mormonish Podcast is not endorsed, affiliated with, or sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also no longer known as The Church of Christ (1830-1834), The Church of the Latter Day Saints (1834-1838), and the Mormons (1830 - 2018).This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In 2018, during a visit to Nairobi, Kenya, President Russell M. Nelson encouraged African members to pay tithing, reinforcing it as a divine command that breaks cycles of poverty, even in impoverished areas. This teaching, often supported by leadership in the Africa West Area, frames the required 10% donation not just as a religious offering, but as "rent" paid to the Lord for occupying His creation and utilizing the air, water, and food He provides. In some instances, members have been taught to prioritize paying tithing even if it means they struggle to pay for food or their own housing, with promises of divine support. Mormonish Podcast is joined by Unorginal Jim to break down the rhetoric around tithing and discuss the ethical questions raised and results of this messaging.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The financing of the first edition of the Book of Mormon was a pivotal moment in early Latter-day Saint history, achieved primarily through the significant personal sacrifice of Martin Harris, a wealthy farmer who was one of the Three Witnesses. In 1829, after local printers in Palmyra, New York, initially refused the project, Harris agreed to secure the $3,000 cost—roughly equivalent to over $100,000 today—for the printing of 5,000 copies by Egbert B. Grandin. To guarantee this payment, Harris mortgaged his farm, a decision that followed a revelation given to Joseph Smith (now Doctrine and Covenants Section 19) advising Harris not to covet his property but to "impart it freely" to the printing. We are all familiar with this story but Martin Harris wasn't the only one of Joseph's followers who donated time, resources and money to the Book of Mormon project. Following the money that was used to finance the Book of Mormon can reveal a lot about the motivations of Joseph Smith's most loyal supporters. Mormonish is joined by Ganesh Cherian to follow the money trail wherever it leads! Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast The Good Book Club If you would like more info on The Good Book Club you can email us at [email protected] or find us on facebook here https://www.facebook.com/share/g/PK74... ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The "New" Psychology of HappinessThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Are senior members of the LDS church exploited by a system that relies on unpaid labor while expecting significant time, financial, and emotional commitments while serving a senior mission? Senior missionaries often pay their own expenses and may work long hours in administrative, managerial, or operational roles that closely resemble full-time jobs. This raises concerns about fairness and informed consent, especially for retirees on fixed incomes. And the religious framing of service and sacrifice can create social or spiritual pressure to participate, making it difficult for seniors to decline or set boundaries. From this perspective, the use of unpaid senior labor benefits a wealthy institution while shifting costs and risks onto older members. Is it time to call for greater transparency, choice, and protections for those who serve senior mission? Mormonish Podcast is joined by Suspicious Might as we dissect the LDS senior mission.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Mormonish is joined by Dr. Randy Bell as we disuss Hyrum Smith and his education at Moors Charity School, closely associated with Dartmouth College. Just how much time did Hyrum spend at this institution and what he may have learned there is a hot topic among LDS apologists and post Mormons due to it's possible ramifications for Book of Mormon authorship. Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

On this groundbreaking episode of Mormonish Podcast, John Knight Lundwall (PhD, comparative myth and religion) evaluates claims that the Book of Mormon contains colophons—ancient paratextual scribal features used to identify and classify texts. He concludes instead that the book employs an unusual first‑person narrative and speech structure absent from both ancient and modern historical writings. So where did this structure come from? Lundwall traces this structure not to antiquity but to the oratorical conventions of Joseph Smith’s cultural milieu, and he likewise attributes another distinctive feature—the presence of Early Modern English in the earliest manuscripts—to Smith’s magical practices. This episode is a must watch as you start to realize that Joseph Smith's magical practices might be the key to everything! Connect with Dr. Lundwall: www.johnklundwall.com Other videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzh1qiLbCcyfzKyzwbutQ6gawpGXdSkFa Join Dr. John Knight Lundwall on a once in a lifetime tour of Egypt, May, 2027. Discounted graduate school rates, professional academic guides, and Dr. Lundwall leading you through all the major sites up and down the Nile. https://www.stylishtours.com/tours/egyptianodysseytour Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

On this episode of Mormonish, Rebecca and Unoriginal Jim are joined by Dr. Thomas Murphy to discuss his new article "White is an Ite: The Book of Mormon's Misappropriation of the Iroquois Great Law of Peace Open Access" byThomas W Murphy (Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (2025) 58 (4): 47–72.) https://doi.org/10.5406/15549399.58.4.03 "The Book of Mormon's portrayal of a great peace that followed the climatic appearance of Jesus Christ in ancient America presents a conundrum. The people of Nephi reportedly became especially “white,” a label that is described simultaneously as not an “ite.” On the one hand, the narrator Mormon represented the “people of Nephi” as “fair and delightsome.” Yet, a few verses later he declared that there were no longer “any manner of ites.” The paradox in this portrayal is that Nephites, even if they absorbed whitened Lamanites and renamed themselves the people of Nephi, remained rather literally (wh)ites. Put more bluntly, the label “white”—just like “Lamanite” and “Nephite”—remains an ite. We're excited to share this important discussion with Dr. Thomas Murphy! Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The Good Book Club held a Q&A with acclaimed author and historian John G. Turner to discuss his book "Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet." The discussion was so awesome we had to share it with a wider community! Our book club members asked a wide range of in depth questions and in his answers, John weighs in on the life, teachings, and controversies surrounding the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement, offering a balanced, deeply researched portrait that situates Joseph Smith within the broader currents of American religious history.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Tune into Mormon podcast on Tuesday, March 3rd at 6 PM MT. In this episode, Rebecca and Landon are joined by Patrick Bertch and Dr. John Lundwall to explore the idea that Sidney Rigdon not only founded Mormonism but was the primary author of the Book of Mormon. Patrick shares ground breaking information on the 3 unique voices of the Book of Mormon and takes us through a review of the 7 wordprint studies of the Book of Mormon. These studies point to multiple authorship of the text. The text also contains clues that point to who wrote various parts of the Book of Mormon. After a quick review of Joseph Smith’s background, the episode breaks ground by reviewing Sidney Rigdon’s life and theorizing that he is vey likely the real founder of Mormonism and the perfect candidate for Book of Mormon authorship. Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

While the Church reported over 17.5 million members by the end of 2024, researchers and analysts—often relying on congregation counts, surveys, and academic analysis—frequently estimate the number of active, attending members to be significantly lower, sometimes suggesting it is closer to 4–5 million worldwide. This gap exists because the official figures include anyone with a baptismal record who has not formally resigned, meaning inactive members, or "jack-mormons," are counted until they turn 110 years old. Observers seeking the true, engaged population often ignore the total membership number entirely, focusing instead on the slower-growing, more telling metrics of ward and stake counts to gauge the actual growth or decline of the religion. Let's unpack the data with Master Peace! You will be amazed!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

While the Church reported over 17.5 million members by the end of 2024, researchers and analysts—often relying on congregation counts, surveys, and academic analysis—frequently estimate the number of active, attending members to be significantly lower, sometimes suggesting it is closer to 4–5 million worldwide. This gap exists because the official figures include anyone with a baptismal record who has not formally resigned, meaning inactive members, or "jack-mormons," are counted until they turn 110 years old. Observers seeking the true, engaged population often ignore the total membership number entirely, focusing instead on the slower-growing, more telling metrics of ward and stake counts to gauge the actual growth or decline of the religion. Let's unpack the data with Mormonish and Master Peace! You will be amazed! Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Students at Morehouse College recently raised concerns over a newly unveiled painting of Joseph Smith to be displayed in the Martin Luther King International Chapel gallery on campus. The artwork, intended as part of an interfaith partnership highlighting individuals who champion racial equality, quickly became the center of a student-led pushback and dialogue about representation, historical memory, and institutional values. Some students questioned why Smith—founder The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—was selected for prominent display at a historically Black college, particularly given the LDS Church’s racist past, restrictions on Black members holding the priesthood prior to 1978, and Smith's own views and writings. For most students, the issue was not merely about a single painting, but about the broader symbolism of honoring religious figures whose institutions and they themselves have complicated histories regarding race. Mormonish Podcast is joined by Alonzo Brinson, 40th President of the Martin Luther King International Chapel Assistants Program to discuss the developing situation at Morehouse College.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

At a recent painting unveiling at Morehouse College, a provocative phrase caught everyone’s attention when the dean of the college stated that Joseph Smith was “Lincoln before Lincoln.”What did that mean? Was it poetic praise, historical argument, or symbolic comparison? And the even bigger question, did Joseph Smith actually ever express or exhibit anti-slavery views? In this episode, Rebecca Bibliotheca is joined by Master Peace, Ron Yorgason as we explore the life and legacy of Joseph Smith, searching for the history behind the headline. Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Mormonish Podcast's Landon and Rebecca report back on their recent trip to Missouri. Hitting many of the LDS church history sites like Independence, Far West, Liberty Jail, The Garden of Eden, etc was a revelatory experience that we can't wait to share with all of you! We are calling this new subseries, "Where Will You Go?"This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

So excited to celebrate our 300th episode of Mormonish Podcast! Thank you everyone for your amazing support through all the episodes! In a previous Mormonish episode with Ganesh, he mentioned that there are compelling reasons to believe that Joseph and Emma conceived their first child that night at the Hill Cumorah when Joseph was retrieving the golden plates. We didn't explore this topic fully on that episode, but wanted to revisit it to give Ganesh a chance to share more information about this provocative idea. You won't want to miss this episode!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Are lines between church and state blurring even further in today's social, cultural, and political climate? Mormonish Podcast is joined by Dan Hardy, Co President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation and Douglas Hendricks, President of the SLC Chapter of the FFRF, to discuss the topic of church v. state and all the nuance in between. According to the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the history of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religion. In modern times the first to speak out for prison reform, for humane treatment of the mentally ill, for abolition of capital punishment, for women’s right to vote, for death with dignity for the terminally ill, and for the right to choose contraception, sterilization and abortion have been freethinkers, just as they were the first to call for an end to slavery. The Foundation works as an umbrella for those who are free from religion and are committed to the cherished principle of separation of state and church. You won't want to miss this important discussion. - Information about the two meetings featuring FFRF Co-President Dan Barker on Jan 24 and 25 can be found here... ffrfslc.org/dan-barker-in-salt-lake - FFRFSLC's "Dirty Dozen" list (of issues where religious extremism is hurting people in Utah) can be found here... ffrfslc.org/call-to-action - Letters that FFRF lawyers have sent to church/state violators in Utah can be found here...:ffrfslc.org/ffrf-actions-in-utah Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch You can get your own quote to attend our Post-Mormon Celebration Cruise by visiting - https://kheskethtravel.com/post-mormon-celebration-cruise And you can get more info on the cruise by visiting - https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/post-mormon-celebration-cruise/ We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Mormonish is joined by Rebecca Williamson, director of tourism in Nauvoo Illinois, to discuss the history OTHER than Mormon history that makes Nauvoo what it is today.Nauvoo’s history is a rich tapestry that existed long before the Mormons arrived and continued long after. Join us as we walk through the landmarks, stories, and legacies that shaped Nauvoo into the historic destination it is today. And hear the rest of the story!Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcastThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Isaac Hale, Emma Smith’s father, was one of the very first people to observe Joseph Smith during the early Book of Mormon translation period. While Joseph and Emma lived in Hale’s home in Harmony, Pennsylvania, Hale saw Joseph working long before any official witnesses were called. This gave him a rare inside view of the process while it was still private and unconfirmed. Hale later said Joseph was not reading from plates in a normal way but dictating with a stone placed in a hat, often without the plates present. To Hale, this looked suspicious, and he concluded Joseph was using folk-magic practices rather than translating ancient records. Because Hale saw this before the Three and Eight Witnesses gave their formal testimonies, he believed he had already seen the truth of what Joseph was doing. His account has remained important because it comes from someone who was there at the very beginning, watching the story unfold before it became public. So why doesn't it get more attention? Ganesh Cherian joins Mormonish to dive into the important and controversial witness account of Isaac Hale.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Now that the KJV version of the bible is not the only version sanctioned by the LDS church, this opens the door to dropping the Shakespearean language of the Book of Mormon too. Many of us wonder if we will see a new version of The Book of Mormon soon. Other versions of The Book of Mormon already exist and on this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by the guy behind a unique interpretation of the Book of Mormon that's making everyone spit out their coffee. Working from a suggestion from a Reddit post by Lucifers_Lantern, John-Michael Holahan reimagined the Book of Mormon by replacing "And it came to pass" with "I sh** you not!" I dare you to read these passages and not laugh out loud! John-Michael tells us more about how the idea originated and his process to create this very creative modernized version of the Book of Mormon. Also a shout out to Lucifers_Lantern on Reddit for making the suggestion! This episode originally aired in March 2024. Thank you so much for watching and supporting Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstempleThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Do Mormons have special revealed knowledge about the actual date Jesus was actually born? We just celebrated Christmas, but like the rest of Christianity, do members of the LDS church really think December 25th is Jesus’s birthday? On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by the wonderful Charles Harrell to discuss his new research into the history of the LDS belief that Jesus was born on April 6th, not December 25th. To most of us growing up, the idea of the April 6th birthday was a fact that Mormons knew and the rest of the world didn't. We had special knowledge. But where did this special knowledge come from? And why don't we hear this date mentioned at all anymore? Charley shows us the origins of the April 6th claim and how it became gospel truth only to slowly slip out of use in recent decades. This is a microcosm for many teachings that were gospel truth in a different era and have now disappeared. This episode was originally aired in April 2025. Thank you so much for watching and supporting Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstemple FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Brigham Young and other LDS church leaders taught that Jesus was begotten by God the Father in a literal sense, in the same way everyone is physically conceived. This is consistent with the broader view that God possesses a tangible, physical body. And that eternal sex and child bearing is part of the next life for those in the highest levels of the Celestial Kingdom. Church leaders at the time did not provide a detailed or explanation of the encounter between God and Mary, but implied that Christ’s conception followed natural laws rather than being a nebulous, immaterial miracle. Where did this idea of a physical conception come from? Mormonish is joined by Ganesh Cherian and Master Peace to discuss the influence of polygamy (in this life and the next,) on the unique view of 19th and 20th century church leaders that Jesus was conceived by some sort of physical act between God and Mary. ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: DONATE THROUGH DONORBOX https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast. You can contact Mormonish Podcast at: [email protected] FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon explore the birth of Jesus narrative found in Matthew and Luke. Is the Christmas story just a story? What is true and what isn't true about both Matthew and Luke's accounts of the virgin birth. This episode will change the way you think about the beloved nativity story. This episode was originally aired in December 2024. ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: DONATE THROUGH DONORBOX https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast. You can contact Mormonish Podcast at: [email protected] FAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Reclaiming your sense of "Awe" after a high demand / high control religion is important. For decades, many of us were told our feelings and transcendent experiences were tied directly to the LDS church and were confirmation that the church was true. Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner is a book that explores how experiences of awe—moments that spark wonder, vastness, and deep emotional resonance—can meaningfully improve our well-being. Our own sense of individual awe helps us feel more connected, reduces stress, broadens our perspective, and inspires kindness. When you take control of your own feeling and experiences it's a whole new day. Mormonish is joined by Steph H. and Lila Tueller as we discuss what it means to seek out awe in everyday life, whether through nature, creativity, spirituality, or human connection, as a path to greater fulfillment and resilience.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

On this episode of Mormonish, Landon and Rebecca are joined by Kolby and Cami Reddish to discuss post Mormon parenting, especially regarding holiday traditions. Kolby and Cami have a lot of insight when it comes to children and magical thinking and talk about many creative ways to foster critical thinking in children.Whether you have children or grandchildren, this is a must see episode!This episode was originally aired in December 2024.***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here:DONATE THROUGH DONORBOXhttps://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcastMormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast. You can contact Mormonish Podcast at: [email protected] podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Latter-day Saints hold a variety of views about how the Book of Mormon was translated, often shaped by personal belief, historical study, and spiritual interpretation.The most traditional view is that Joseph Smith translated the record directly by the “gift and power of God,” using tools such as the Urim and Thummim. Others emphasize accounts describing Joseph placing a seer stone in a hat and receiving the text spiritually rather than through a direct linguistic process.Some members see the translation as a largely miraculous or revelatory experience, while others adopt a more nuanced approach, viewing it as a mix of divine inspiration and Joseph’s own language, culture, and understanding.These perspectives reflect the broad range of ways modern Latter-day Saints reconcile faith, history, and the mystery surrounding the book’s origins.Mormonish is joined by Ganesh Cherian to get to the root of it all!Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast:If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here:Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3)https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast****WE HAVE MERCH! ****If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here:https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerchWe appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much!Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast!Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In recent years, many observers have noted a quiet shift within Mormon communities: a decline in strictly orthodox adherence and a rise in what some call “cultural Mormons.”While orthodox members continue to ground their identity in traditional doctrine and practice, growing numbers of people maintain a connection to Mormon heritage, values, and community without fully embracing institutional expectations or literal belief.This shift reflects broader social trends—such as increased access to information, changing family dynamics, and evolving views on identity—that allow individuals to reinterpret their relationship with faith.The result is a more diverse spectrum of Mormon experience, where cultural belonging and personal spirituality often coexist alongside, or apart from, orthodox belief.Mormonish is joined by Unoriginal Jim to unpack all the nuance of orthodox v. cultural Mormons!Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast:If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here:Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3)https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast****WE HAVE MERCH! ****If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here:https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerchWe appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much!Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast!Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The new movie Truth & Treason (released October 17, 2025) brings to life the courageous story of Helmuth Hübener, a 16-year-old Latter-day Saint in Nazi Germany who used a secret shortwave radio and a typewriter to distribute anti-Hitler pamphlets. The movie doesn't deal with Hübener's excommunication from the LDS church for his activities and eventual posthumous reinstatement into the LDS church.This part of the story was covered in a previously adapted play called Huebener by Thomas Rogers, which was performed at BYU and dramatizes how Helmuth and his friends risked everything to speak truth under a repressive regime and faced excommunication and death.Mormonish is joined by Rob Lauer who shares his insights about the play and the current movie.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast:If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here:Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3)https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast****WE HAVE MERCH! ****If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here:https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerchWe appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much!Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast!Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

On this special Halloween episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by Dr. John Lundwall to discuss the custom of taking of heads in ancient cultures and the correlation, if any to The Book of Mormon.Dr. Lundwall has clearly demonstrated in previous episodes the predominant cultures that existed before, during, and after the stories in The Book of Mormon took place. These cultures and cultural practices including taking of heads seem to be entirely unmentioned in the LDS founding scripture. Or are they?This episode was originally aired on November 1, 2024Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstempleThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The Covenant Path narrative has become a major way to track the milestone that members of the LDS must reach or attain to fully participate in the LDS church. A new app lets multiple people from the ward and mission watch and track stats on new converts as they attend meetings, get temple recommends, pay tithing, etc. It also identifies friends in the ward who can step in to encourage the new member to move forward on The Covenant Path if they aren't making progress.What are the potential ramifications of sharing personal data like this? And who exactly can see this data? Mormonish is joined again by Suspicious Might and Unoriginal Jim to explore this new app.(This is the new episode we tried to air last week but due to a tech glitch (ok, my fault) we accidentally aired a previous episode with the same guests on a similar topic. Thanks for understanding!)Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] #mormonish #lds #mormon #exmormon #postmormon #religion #news, #ldschurch #comeuntochrist #churchofjesuschrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #byu #byui #josephsmith #comefollowme #polygamy #bookofmormon #becauseofhim #hearhim #ldstempleFAIR USE DISCLAIMER All Media in this video (including the thumbnail) is used for the purpose of review and critique. The images in the thumbnail are used as the primary means of visually identifying the subject matter of the video.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Does the LDS church still make the claim that they are the "one true church?" Or has that rhetoric taken a backseat as they move to be more closely aligned with mainstream Christianity? What do faithful LDS think about this claim and how do they explain it when other people pray and get a confirmation that a religion other than Mormonism is true.Rebecca and Landon delve into the "one true church" claim and explore the conversion experiences of other religions that sound an awful lot like a conversion to Mormonism.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The LDS church makes a big effort to find people who are on the membership roles that are not attending the congregation where their membership records are.Ward, clerks and other auxiliary leaders are tasked with finding the whereabouts of these wayward members and either moving their membership records to their new location or sending the records to sort of a dead letter file in Salt Lake. Just what lengths will the LDS church go to find you? Special guest Suspicious Might brings the receipts as we go through information on the various real methods the LDS church uses to track people down. This episode was originally aired on September 2, 2025.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Have you noticed the overwhelming number of ads for the LDS church lately? Ads that don't indicate they are from the LDS church up front? There's a reason for this. In this episode, Mormonish Podcast is joined by Dr. Glen Randy Bell to explore the similarities between and MLM and the LDS church.The LDS Church uses advertising tactics similar to those seen in multi-level marketing (MLM) by promoting an idealized lifestyle and emphasizing personal transformation and community belonging. Its ads often showcase happy families, clean living, and emotional fulfillment—selling a vision rather than a doctrine. Like MLMs, the Church leverages personal stories and testimonials to create emotional appeal and social proof, subtly encouraging viewers to “join the fold” for personal and spiritual rewards. This approach prioritizes connection over theology, drawing people in through relatable, aspirational messaging rather than direct religious instruction.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!**How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Religious trauma occurs when a person’s religious experiences cause deep emotional, psychological, or spiritual harm. It can stem from controlling or fear-based beliefs, strict religious environments, or experiences of shame and rejection tied to faith. This kind of trauma often affects how people see themselves, others, and even the world around them—leaving lasting wounds that take time, compassion, and understanding to heal.Mormonish is joined by religious trauma coaches Bill Reel and Teresa Hobbs to explore systems in place to move beyond religious trauma to a healthier life.Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast! Contact Mormonish Podcast: [email protected] This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The Truth About Missionary Ad CampaignsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Rebecca and Ganesh discuss the upcoming LDS General Conference in light of all the events of the past week. Will the tragedy in Michigan and the death of President Nelson change what happens at General Conference? Will President Oaks officially take the reigns? Will a new apostle be called? Will tributes to Michigan be given? Could the Family Proclamation be canonized on its thirtieth anniversary? Rebecca and Ganesh explore all the angles and more!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

The 1988 Christian "Family Manifesto"This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Is the Master Plan Jesus Land?This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Mormon and Transgender: Former Chief Temple Architect Speaks OutThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy