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Recent episodes
Linguist Finds 1,650 Hebrew Words Hidden in Ancient American Languages
May 3, 2026
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Egyptologists Got Facsimile 3 WRONG (New Research Reveals Why)
Apr 26, 2026
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Is the Evidence for Gold Plates STRONGER Than the Resurrection?
Apr 19, 2026
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Scholar DEBUNKS the Biggest Lies About Brigham Young
Apr 12, 2026
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This General Conference Was RECORD BREAKING | April 2026 Recap and Analysis
Apr 7, 2026
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/3/26 | Linguist Finds 1,650 Hebrew Words Hidden in Ancient American Languages | What if the strongest evidence for the Book of Mormon isn't archaeological but linguistic? In this episode of Informed Saints, Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot sit down with Brian Stubbs, a respected Uto-Aztecan linguist whose foundational comparative dictionary of the language family was praised as a "monumental contribution" by Kenneth Hill in the International Journal of American Linguistics. After decades of work, Stubbs has documented more than 1,650 cognate sets connecting Hebrew, Aramaic, and Egyptian to the Uto-Aztecan language family, which spans from the Utes in the north to the Aztecs in the south and includes more than thirty languages across western North America and Mexico. In this conversation, we cover: What cognates are and why consistent sound correspondences are the gold standard for establishing a relationship between languages. Why linguists generally require at least 10% overlap to establish relatedness, and how Stubbs' Semitic and Egyptian data accounts for roughly 60% of the cognates in his Uto-Aztecan dictionary. Specific cognate examples, including barak/peroq (lightning), bat/pata (daughter), and saba/sipo (star). How a single Aramaic dialect from northern Palestine matches Uto-Aztecan in a way that points to ancient northern Israel, the region of Manasseh and Ephraim. The remarkable "lion to mountain lion" sound shift that directly addresses one of the most cited Book of Mormon anachronisms. The two distinct sound correspondences in Uto-Aztecan (Semitic-P and Semitic-Kw) that suggest two related but distinct language groups merged into one population, an unexpected parallel to the Nephite-Mulekite merger described in the Book of Mormon. Why language evidence is uniquely unfakable compared to inscriptions and physical artifacts. Endorsements from David H. Kelley, John Robertson, Dirk Elsinga, Roger Westcott, and other prominent linguists. Brian Stubbs' latest research will appear in a forthcoming volume from the Religious Studies Center at Brigham Young University entitled "In the Eyes of the Ancient: Historical Perspectives on the Book of Mormon." ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Further Readings: https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/exploring-semitic-and-egyptian-in-uto-aztecan-languages https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/an-american-indian-language-family-with-middle-eastern-loanwords-responding-to-a-recent-critique https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/exploring-the-explanatory-power-of-semitic-and-egyptian-in-uto-aztecan https://www.velikovsky.info/roger-w-wescott/ | — | ||||||
| 4/26/26 | Egyptologists Got Facsimile 3 WRONG (New Research Reveals Why) | Is Facsimile 3 of the Book of Abraham really just a standard Egyptian funerary scene, as critics often claim? New research suggests the answer is far more complicated and far more interesting. In this episode of Informed Saints, Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot sit down with Quinten Barney, whose master's thesis at BYU represents the most thorough comparative study of Facsimile 3 ever conducted. Barney has examined every known copy of the Book of Breathings (only 33 exist in the world) to see whether Facsimile 3 really matches the standard Egyptian corpus, and the results are striking. In this conversation, we cover: Why Facsimile 3 has been the most neglected of the three facsimiles and what that means for the current debate. The significant differences between Facsimile 3 and the judgment scene from the Book of the Dead (chapter 125) that most critics compare it to. Why the identification of the figure as Anubis has real Egyptological problems, including missing hieroglyphs, wrong clothing, wrong posture, and a missing headdress. How Joseph Smith's identification of "Isis as Pharaoh" actually has grounds in the Greco-Roman Egyptian evidence. Why only two Egyptologists have ever attempted to fully translate the hieroglyphic captions (Robert Ritner and Michael Rhodes) and what their translations disagree on. The unique presence of stars above the figures in Facsimile 3 — a feature not found in any other Book of Breathings vignette — and how it ties to the astronomy theme. The more than half dozen ancient extra-biblical sources describing Abraham teaching astronomy to Egyptians, most of which were unavailable to Joseph Smith. Why the possible role of W.W. Phelps as editor matters for understanding the published explanations. Quinten Barney's thesis is available free as a PDF from the BYU Scholars Archive for readers who want to go deeper into the technical details. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/7598/ If you think Facsimile 3 has already been "solved" by Egyptologists, this episode will challenge that assumption with the receipts to back it up. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Further Readings: Quinten Barney's Master's Thesis (Free PDF Download) https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/7598/ Gustav Seyffarth Description of Joseph Smith Papyri at St. Louis Museum (1856) https://bhroberts.org/records/0ueBOW-0Wur88/gs_mentions_js_papyri_in_st_louis_museum_describes_them_and_their_content Michael Rhodes, "Facsimiles from the Book of Abraham," Encyclopedia of Mormonism https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/EoM/id/5528 The Egyptian Book of the Dead Overview https://exploreluxor.org/egyptian-book-of-the-dead/ John Gee, "Facsimile 3 and Book of the Dead 125" https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/facsimile-3-and-book-dead-125 "Isis the Pharaoh: Facsimile 3, Figure 2," BYU Studies https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/isis-the-pharaoh-facsimile-3-figure-2 Fragment of Book of Breathing for Horos A, Joseph Smith Papers | — | ||||||
| 4/19/26 | Is the Evidence for Gold Plates STRONGER Than the Resurrection? | What if the historical evidence for the gold plates is as strong as the evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? In this episode of Informed Saints, Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot sit down with Josh Gailey, an ordained evangelist in the Church of Jesus Christ (headquartered in Monongahela, Pennsylvania) and author of "Witnessing Miracles: Historical Evidence for the Resurrection and Book of Mormon." Josh applies the minimal facts argument pioneered by Gary Habermas of Liberty University to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. The result is a rigorous historical case that treats the stone box in the Hill Cumorah as the "empty tomb" of the Book of Mormon — an observable historical artifact that locals, enemies, and unlikely witnesses all confirmed. In this conversation, we cover: The PET analysis for historical claims: Proximity, Enemies, and Unlikely Testimonies. Why Lorenzo Saunders, a lifelong critic of Joseph Smith, accidentally corroborated the 1823 excavation. How Josiah Stowell's courtroom testimony gives us a physical description of the plates. The 16 historical sources describing the hole in the hill on the west side of Cumorah. Why the Three Witnesses' independent attestation of the angel and the plates is historically significant. How Isaac Hale, Martin Harris, Emma Smith, and others interacted with the plates as unlikely witnesses. Why the attempts of Palmyra money diggers to steal the plates function as enemy attestation. The problems with the "ten plates" theory and other alternative explanations. If you take the Resurrection seriously on historical grounds, this episode argues you have every reason to take the gold plates seriously on the same grounds. Josh Gailey's book "Witnessing Miracles" and his companion article in the new FAIR volume "Defending the Book of Mormon" are both available for readers who want to go deeper. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Further Readings: https://fairlatterdaysaints.org/store/product/witnessing-miracles-historical-evidence-for-the-resurrection-and-book-of-mormon/ https://www.amazon.com/Defending-Book-Mormon-Proceedings-Conference/dp/B0FWH1TCJB https://www.bookofmormonhistory.com/ https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/a-new-look-at-the-miracles-of-the-resurrection-and-the-book-of-mormon/ https://ses.edu/minimal-facts-on-the-resurrection-that-even-skeptics-accept/ https://scripturecentral.org/evidence/book-of-mormon-evidence-empty-stone-box https://scripturecentral.org/evidence/stone-box-in-new-york https://witnessesofthebookofmormon.org/other-witnesses/josiah-stowell/statements/ https://scripturecentral.org/evidence/book-of-mormon-evidence-composition-of-the-plates | — | ||||||
| 4/12/26 | Scholar DEBUNKS the Biggest Lies About Brigham Young | Brigham Young has one of the most misunderstood reputations in all of Latter-day Saint history. Was he really a tyrannical dictator? A womanizing polygamist? Did he order the Mountain Meadows Massacre or even orchestrate the murder of Joseph Smith? In this episode of Informed Saints, we sit down with Dr. Daniel C. Peterson to debunk the top misconceptions about Brigham Young and uncover the real man behind the myths. Dr. Peterson shares insights from the upcoming "Becoming Brigham" documentary series, Le Jean Carruth's groundbreaking shorthand transcriptions, and new research that paints a far more nuanced picture of the Lion of the Lord. Guest: Dr. Daniel C. Peterson — scholar of Islamic and Latter-day Saint studies, professor at Brigham Young University, and executive producer of the Becoming Brigham documentary series. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye — Sources Mentioned in This Episode — Becoming Brigham Documentary Series https://becomingbrigham.com/ Becoming Brigham YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@BecomingBrigham The Brigham Young Journals, Volume 1 (RSC/BYU Press) https://rsc.byu.edu/book/brigham-young-journals This Abominable Slavery by W. Paul Reeve, Christopher B. Rich Jr., and LaJean Purcell Carruth https://global.oup.com/academic/product/this-abominable-slavery-9780197765029 This Abominable Slavery Digital Database https://thisabominableslavery.org Tinkling Cymbals and Sounding Brass by Hugh Nibley https://www.amazon.com/Tinkling-Cymbals-Sounding-Brass-Collected/dp/0875795161 Sounding Brass (BYU Nibley Collection) https://nibley.lib.byu.edu/1949/01/02/sounding-brass/ "Death to Seducers!" by Craig L. Foster (Interpreter) https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/death-to-seducers-examples-of-latter-day-saint-led-extralegal-justice-in-historical-context/ Journal of Discourses (Church Gospel Topics) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/journal-of-discourses Journal of Discourses (BYU Digital Collections) https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/JournalOfDiscourses3/id/9599/ Journal of Discourses (Searchable) https://journalofdiscourses.com/ Six Days in August (Interpreter Foundation Film) https://interpreterfoundation.org/six-days-in-august/ — Additional Recommended Reading — Brigham Young: American Moses by Leonard J. Arrington https://www.amazon.com/Brigham-Young-American-Leonard-Arrington/dp/0252012968 Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet by John G. Turner https://www.amazon.com/Brigham-Young-Pioneer-Prophet/... | — | ||||||
| 4/7/26 | This General Conference Was RECORD BREAKING | April 2026 Recap and Analysis | We're diving into the top highlights and reveals of the April 2026 General Conference. We'll also be covering the Latter-day Saint celebration of Easter this year. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by: The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye https://ancientamerica.org/ ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #lds #mormon #livestream #churchofjesuschrist | — | ||||||
| 3/29/26 | Archaeologist Reveals the REAL Gethsemane (It’s Not What You Think) | Archaeologist Matthew Gray reveals that the Garden of Gethsemane was likely a cave — not an open garden of olive trees. What does that mean for how we understand Jesus’s final night? The archaeology changes everything. Most people picture Jesus kneeling beside a rock in a peaceful grove of olive trees. But the word “Gethsemane” literally means “oil press” — and archaeology now shows that ancient oil press facilities were housed inside caves and grottos, not open fields. In this episode of Informed Saints, BYU professor and archaeologist Matthew Gray walks us through what a 1st-century Gethsemane actually looked like, what the 1950s excavation of the grotto on the Mount of Olives uncovered, and how each Gospel writer — Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John — frames Jesus’s experience there differently. We also explore how Luke’s “agony” language may actually evoke athletic imagery rather than suffering, how the Latter-day Saint emphasis on Gethsemane developed primarily in the 1980s, and how understanding the oil press process opens up powerful new symbolism for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Guest: Matthew Grey, BYU Professor of Ancient Scripture Shout out to Messages of Christ for their visual reconstruction of the Gethsemane grotto: https://youtu.be/F_Yl87PzTKM?si=JX6yQxrc-UJ1Zp_5 https://youtu.be/7VaBzEb34FQ?si=s4aVk3HB93jGD2JH https://youtu.be/XefTby7Cj0Y?si=C4BP4KKQekOwvvYj ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye SUBSCRIBE for more scholarly explorations of scripture and history. FURTHER READING AND RESOURCES Matthew J. Grey and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel — A Place Called Gethsemane: Seeing the New Testament Story and Site in Its First-Century Context Deseret Book: https://www.deseretbook.com/product/6074789.html Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Place-Called-Gethsemane-Testament-First-Century/dp/1639934022 Matthew J. Grey — “What Was Gethsemane Like in Jesus’s Time?” (interview and 3D reconstruction overview) https://www.fromthedesk.org/gethsemane-in-jesus-time-archaeology-history/ Joan E. Taylor — “The Garden of Gethsemane: Not the Place of Jesus’ Arrest” (Biblical Archaeology Review, 1995) https://library.biblicalarchaeology.org/article/the-garden-of-gethsemane-not-the-place-of-jesus-arrest/ Joan E. Taylor — Christians and the Holy Places: The Myth of Jewish-Christian Origins (Oxford University Press) https://global.oup.com/academic/product/christians-and-the-holy-places-9780198147855 Virgilio Corbo — Ricerche Archeologiche al Monte degli Ulivi (1965 excavation report, in Italian) https://www.tsedizioni.it/shop/ricerche-archeologiche-al-monte-degli-ulivi/?lng=en Truman G. Madsen — “The Olive Press” (BYU Fireside, May 9, 1982) https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/truman-g-madsen/olive-press/ Truman G. Madsen — “The Olive Press: A Symbol of Christ” (chapter in The Allegory of the Olive Tree) https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/olive-press-symbol-christ John Hilton III — Considering the Cross: How Calvary Connects Us with Christ https://www.amazon.com/Considering-Cross-Calvary-Connects-Christ/dp/1629728713 John Hilton III — “Joseph Smith, Gethsemane, and the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ” (BYU Scholars Archive) https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/4657/ John Hilton III — “Teaching... | — | ||||||
| 3/22/26 | Could Nephi’s Brass Plates Have Contained the Torah? What Scholars Are Missing... | Did Nephi really have the five books of Moses on the brass plates? Critics say it’s impossible—that the Torah didn’t exist in its current form by 600 BC. But is that the full story? In this episode of Informed Saints, Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot break down the documentary hypothesis, source criticism, and the dating of the Pentateuch—and explain why the so-called “consensus” isn’t as settled as Wikipedia makes it sound. Drawing on the research of scholars like Richard Elliott Friedman, Jacob Milgrom, Menahem Haran, and William Schniedewind, they show that a proto-Torah existing by Lehi’s time is far more plausible than critics admit. We also explore: What the J, E, D, and P sources actually are (and why no one agrees anymore) Why archaeology and historical linguistics challenge the late dating of the priestly source How the tabernacle traditions connect to Bronze Age Egypt Why Nephi’s “five books of Moses” may not have looked like our Bible today The case for Moses as an originator—not necessarily the “author”—of the Pentateuch How the brass plates may preserve lost Northern Kingdom traditions ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Neal’s full paper is available in “Open Thou Mine Eyes: Defending the Old Testament and Latter-day Saint Doctrine” published by FAIR. https://fairlatterdaysaints.org/store/product/open-thou-mine-eyes-defending-the-old-testament-in-latter-day-saint-doctrine/ Further Resources: https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/king-benjamins-speech-context-ancient-israelite-festivals https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/why-did-the-nephites-stay-in-their-tents-during-king-benjamins-speech https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/abinadi-andpentecost https://scripturecentral.org/archive/media/chart/did-abinadi-prophesy-against-king-noah-pentecost https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/did-abinadi-prophesy-during-pentecost https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/the-sonsofthepassover https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/were-nephite-prophets-familiar-with-the-passover-tradition https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/did-alma-counsel-his-sons-during-the-passover https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-tabernacle-in-its-ancient-near-eastern-context http://www.sofiatopia.org/maat/shabaka_stone.htm https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/the-brass-plates-can-modern-scholar... | — | ||||||
| 3/15/26 | Book of Mormon Names Have Ancient Meanings Nobody Talks About | Are the names in the Book of Mormon ancient or invented? Names like Alma, Nephi, Abish, and Paanchi have been dismissed by critics as fictional — but what does the scholarship actually say? In this episode of Informed Saints, we sit down with Professor Matthew L. Bowen at BYU–Hawaii to explore the fascinating world of Book of Mormon onomastics (the study of names). Prof. Bowen reveals how names like Alma are attested as ancient male Semitic names, how Nephi derives from the Egyptian word "nefer" meaning "good" or "fair," and how the Book of Mormon authors appear to deliberately play on the meanings of these names throughout the text. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Further Readings: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1986/10/i-have-a-question/is-the-writing-in-the-book-of-mormon-characteristic-of-the-hebrew-language?lang=eng https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/insights/vol30/iss4/3/ https://scripturecentral.org/archive/periodicals/journal-article/personal-name-alma-ebla https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1192&context=jbms https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/more-evidence-for-alma-as-a-semitic-name https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/alma-young-man-hidden-prophet https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/he-did-go-about-secretly-additional-thoughts-on-the-literary-use-of-almas-name https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2026-small-plates-of-nephi-conference https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/revisiting-sariah-at-elephantine https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/father-is-a-man-the-remarkable-mention-of-the-name-abish-in-alma-1916-and-its-narrative-context https://www.learner.org/series/art-through-time-a-global-view/dreams-and-visions/lintel-25-of-yaxchilan-structure-23/ https://smarthistory.org/yaxchilan-lintels/ https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-19-no-1-2018/abish-theophanies-first-lamani... | — | ||||||
| 3/5/26 | Book of Mormon vs. View of the Hebrews: Debunking the Plagiarism Claim | Did Joseph Smith copy the Book of Mormon from View of the Hebrews by Ethan Smith? In this episode, we examine one of the most common critical claims about the Book of Mormon’s origins and ask whether the evidence really holds up. We break down what View of the Hebrews actually is, why critics compare it to the Book of Mormon, where the plagiarism theory came from, and whether the supposed parallels are truly compelling. We also look at issues like Oliver Cowdery, Ethan Smith, B.H. Roberts, Fawn Brodie, the CES Letter claims, and whether there is any real evidence of direct borrowing. If you’ve heard the claim that Joseph Smith copied from View of the Hebrews, this episode gives historical context, textual analysis, and a clear response to one of the most repeated arguments against the Book of Mormon. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Show Notes and Further Sources: https://mormonr.org/qnas/vFzgdj/the_book_of_mormon_and_view_of_the_hebrews https://archive.org/details/adissertationon01smitgoog/page/n6/mode/1up https://bhroberts.org/records/0rGxg3-bStRSd/s_w_l_scott_reports_on_debate_where_view_of_the_hebrews_was_claimed_to_be_a_source_of_plagiarism_for_the_book_of_mormon https://bhroberts.org/records/8Lyyfk-vrdPjg/fawn_brodie_argues_that_voth_was_a_source_of_inspiration_for_joseph_smith https://mormonr.org/qnas/sk58P/b_h_roberts_testimony https://bhroberts.org/records/8Lyyfk-b4jsdk/richard_s_van_wagoner_speculates_that_oliver_cowdery_provided_js_with_voth_and_may_have_helped_print_the_book https://bhroberts.org/records/jpNwrg-R4Fwqg/john_l_brooke_postulates_a_connection_between_ethan_smith_and_oliver_cowdery https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol39/iss1/7/ https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book/view-hebrews-1825-2nd-edition https://scripturecentral.org/archive/presentations/report/finding-answers-bh-robertss-questions-and-unparallel https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V20N01_68.pdf https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1068&context=msr | — | ||||||
| 3/1/26 | Egyptologist Debunks TikTok’s Book of Abraham Claim (They Missed the Whole Story) | The “dark secret” narrative about the Book of Abraham often gets reduced to a 30-second claim: the Church found papyri fragments in 1967, Egyptologists translated them, and they don’t match the Book of Abraham—case closed. In this conversation, we slow down and add the missing context: what the recovered fragments actually are, why the assumption that the adjacent text must equal the Book of Abraham text is questionable, and what multiple eyewitness accounts say Joseph Smith was translating from. We also talk about the “missing papyri” question, how long the larger roll may have been, and why the relationship between the surviving fragments and the published Book of Abraham text can’t be settled conclusively by fragments alone. If you’ve only heard the simplified version, this episode is for you—full story, better questions, and a clearer framework for thinking about a complex historical issue. This segment is taken from a full episode we have published previously with Kerry and hope you enjoy this bonus segment! https://youtu.be/RSI7knxTAqc ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Watch, share, and tell us what stood out most. Further Readings: Gospel Topics Essay (Official): “Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/translation-and-historicity-of-the-book-of-abraham?lang=eng •Joseph Smith Papers (Official hub): “Book of Abraham and Egyptian Material” https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/site/book-of-abraham-and-egyptian-material •Joseph Smith Papers (Primary documents context): “Introduction to Egyptian Papyri, circa 300–100 BC” https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/introduction-to-egyptian-papyri-circa-300-100-bc/1 •Joseph Smith Papers (Publication history): “Book of Abraham and Facsimiles, 1 March–16 May 1842” https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/book-of-abraham-and-facsimiles-1-march-16-may-1842 •BYU Religious Studies Center: “Joseph Smith and the Papyri” (Intro volume page) https://rsc.byu.edu/introduction-book-abraham/joseph-smith-papyri •BYU Religious Studies Center: “Relationship of the Book of Abraham Text to the Papyri” https://rsc.byu.edu/introduction-book-abraham/relationship-book-abraham-text-papyri •BYU Studies Quarterly: “The Relationship Between the Book of Abraham and the Joseph Smith Papyri” https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-relationship-between-the-book-of-abraham-and-the-joseph-smith-papyri •Pearl of Great Price Central: “What Egyptian Papyri Did Joseph Smith Possess?” https://pearlofgreatpricecentral.org/what-egyptian-papyri-did-joseph-smith-possess/ •Pearl of Great Price Central: “The Relationship Between the Book... | — | ||||||
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| 2/22/26 | Did Joseph Smith Fake the Gold Plates? Evidence, Witnesses, and the Math | Could Joseph Smith have fabricated the Book of Mormon gold plates in a garage? In this episode, we take a serious look at that claim by comparing it with the actual historical record, eyewitness descriptions, and the physical requirements the witnesses described. We break down the dimensions, weight, thickness, rings, sealed portion, engravings, and appearance of the plates, and then explore whether a natural explanation really fits the data. We also tackle the “plate math” question: Could the full Book of Mormon text (including the lost 116 pages) realistically fit on the plates? Along the way, we discuss: •Witness descriptions of the plates •Why “just use tin/brass/printing plates” doesn’t fully match the evidence •Translation density and how ancient scripts compare to English •Character size, compact writing, and ancient metal inscriptions •Why critics and believers alike should use the right parameters This is a thoughtful response to the claim that “gold plates aren’t a miracle” and a deeper dive into what the historical and physical evidence actually suggests. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Watch, share, and tell us what stood out most. Further Readings: •Neal Rappleye, “Written Upon Gold Plates” – Comparing Witness Descriptions with Artifacts from the Pre-Modern World (FAIR 2023 conference page) https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/conference_home/virt-2023_defending-the-bom •Josh Coates, “Plate Math: A Combinatorial Approach to Modeling All Possible Golden Plates” (FAIR conference presentation/transcript) https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/conference_home/august-2025-fair-conference/plate-math-a-combinatorial-approach-to-modeling-all-possible-golden-plates •Sonia Hazard, “How Joseph Smith Encountered Printing Plates and Founded Mormonism” (Cambridge / Religion and American Culture) https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/religion-and-american-culture/article/how-joseph-smith-encountered-printing-plates-and-founded-mormonism/FA3DCD9FBDD5CA3DF335B3360DF655E5 •Neal Rappleye talk on YouTube (FAIR), “Written Upon Gold Plates” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAgzJ8MYrcw •Joseph Smith Papers, Testimony of the Three Witnesses (primary source) https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/appendix-4-testimony-of-three-witnesses-late-june-1829 •Joseph Smith Papers, Testimony of the Eight Witnesses (primary source) https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/appendix-5-testimony-of-eight-witnesses-late-june-1829 •Church History Topics, Witnesses of the Book of Mormon (official Church resource) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/witnesses-of-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng •Scripture Central, Why Did Martin Harris Somet... | — | ||||||
| 2/15/26 | The Surprising REAL Reason People Are Leaving The Church | In the 1980s, around 80% of people raised Latter-day Saint still identified with the Church as adults—today it’s closer to 50%. Online, that gets framed as “the Church is uniquely hemorrhaging members.” But when you zoom out and compare to broader U.S. religious trends, the story looks more complicated—and in key ways, more hopeful. In this episode, social scientist Justin Dyer (BYU) breaks down major national datasets and new research on Latter-day Saint religiousness, well-being, and retention in the United States. We talk: •Why “big data” needs careful context (forest vs trees) •How LDS retention compares to other Christian traditions (especially active participation) •The surprising reality of “ex-Mormon” profiles (including the “faith keepers/leaners” groups) •Why daily connection with God matters for retention •How political identity—on the extremes—can pull people away from faith •What the data actually suggests about mental health, happiness, and well-being •Why you shouldn’t burn bridges—and why the story isn’t finished ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Materials mentioned / core context •https://foundations.byu.edu/0000019b-1343-d613-a59b-17df82980000/latterdaysaintreligiosity-pdf •https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/religious-landscape-study-executive-summary/ •https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/decline-of-christianity-in-the-us-has-slowed-may-have-leveled-off/ •https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/12/15/why-do-some-americans-leave-their-religion-while-others-stay/ •https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bowling-Alone-Revised-and-Updated/Robert-D-Putnam/9781982130848 •https://medicine.utah.edu/psychiatry/news/2015/05/key-mountain-states-suicide-belt-thin-air-u-of-u-school-of-medicine Positive, faith-supporting resources (for audience) •https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us?lang=eng •https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/54uchtdorf?lang=eng •https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/51nelson?lang=eng Mental health & resilience resources (Church) •https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/self-reliance/4-10-20-Emotional-Self-Reliance-Manual_updated.pdf?lang=eng •http... | — | ||||||
| 2/9/26 | Abraham’s Story Is the Temple Endowment in Disguise (Jeff Bradshaw Explains) | The restored gospel didn’t “start” in 1830, it’s ancient, and Abraham’s story is one of the clearest windows into the covenant pathway and temple worship. In this conversation with Jeff Bradshaw (senior research scientist and leading Latter-day Saint temple scholar), we explore how the Abraham narratives in Genesis (and the restoration through the Joseph Smith Translation and the Book of Abraham) point to: • The Abrahamic Covenant as the New & Everlasting Covenant (and the Oath & Covenant of the Priesthood) • How Abraham’s life models obedience, sacrifice, consecration, and promised blessings • Melchizedek and what “king and priest” can mean spiritually • The sacrament as a renewal of all our covenants (not just baptism) • New names (Abraham/Sarah) and initiatory connections • Sealing “welding links,” messy family stories, and God’s power to heal and gather If you’ve ever wondered why Abraham’s story matters for your discipleship and temple worship today—this episode is for you. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Resources mentioned: Jeffrey M. Bradshaw — Look Unto Abraham and Sarah (In the Beginning, Vol. 3) https://amzn.to/45Ua5Xd • Jeffrey M. Bradshaw et al. — In God’s Image and Likeness, Vol. 3 (Abraham) https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/in-gods-image-and-likeness-3 • Jeffrey M. Bradshaw — Temple Themes in the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood https://fairlatterdaysaints.org/store/product/temple-themes-in-the-oath-and-covenant-of-the-priesthood-pdf/ • “An article on temple themes in the Book of Abraham” (referenced by the host) A solid, relevant academic PDF on this theme (BYU ScholarsArchive): https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=ifb&filename=5&type=additional • Doctrine and Covenants 84 (Oath & Covenant of the Priesthood) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/84?lang=eng • Doctrine and Covenants 132 (sealing / Abrahamic covenant connections referenced in discussion) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132?lang https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/abr/2?lang=eng • Bradshaw’s publication hub (tons of PDFs & links you can mine for show notes) https://www.templethemes.net/publications.php • Dura-Europos / “hand through the veil” imagery context (ties to their Isaac discussion) https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-ezekiel-mural-at-dura-europos-a-witness-of-ancient-jewish-mysteries • 11 K tradition mentioned https://www.marquette.edu/maqom/11QMelchizedek.pdf https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/ancient-affinities-within-the-lds-book-of-enoch-part-one https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/ancient-affinities-within-the-lds-book-of-enoch-part-two https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/revisiting-the-forgotten-voices-of-weeping-in-moses-7-a-comparison-with-ancient-texts https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/moses-6-7-and-the-book-of-giants-remarkable-witnesses-of-enochs-ministry ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #lds #latterdaysaints #jesuschrist #temple #abrahamiccovenant #bookof... | — | ||||||
| 2/1/26 | The Biggest Mistake People Make About DNA and the Book of Mormon | If the Book of Mormon were historical, wouldn’t we see clear “Israelite DNA” in the Americas? That’s the viral claim online—and it’s built on a misunderstanding of how population genetics works. In this episode, we walk through key misconceptions highlighted by geneticists John M. Butler (forensic genetics—think CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) and Ugo Perego (population genetics / Native American ancestry research), and we explain why “no DNA = fake” is way too simplistic. We cover: •Why the absence of a specific “Israelite signature” doesn’t settle anything (we don’t have Lehi’s reference genome) •The difference between forensic DNA matching and population genetics (real life isn’t The Simpsons / CSI) •Why the Book of Mormon text doesn’t require a “hemispheric / everyone-descends-from-Lehi” model •Why “we can sequence Neanderthals, so why not Nephites?” is an apples-to-oranges comparison •How drift, bottlenecks, founder effects, and later migrations can overwhelm small founding lineages over time ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Further Readings: https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/archive/publications/the-book-of-mormon-and-the-origin-of-native-americans-from-a-maternally-inherited-dna-standpoint https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1658&context=msr https://scholar.google.com/scholar?oi=gsb40&q=ugo%20a%20perego&lookup=0&hl=en https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aax0061 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5100745/ https://gcbias.org/2013/11/11/how-does-your-number-of-genetic-ancestors-grow-back-over-time/ https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1308&context=jbms https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/book-of-mormon-and-dna-studies?lang=eng https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/DNA_and_the_Book_of_Mormon https://mormonr.org/qnas/37RI8b/dna_and_the_book_of_mormon https://www.deseretbook.com/product/6054479.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo3Wz0Hoix0kuKzEXHUTkStm8Qu-nHzrWx6Nm4f22-cXbyTWG_S Subscribe for more faithful deep-dives into scripture, history, and the claims people make online. ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. | — | ||||||
| 1/25/26 | Why the Old Testament Is the Most Misunderstood Scripture | Dr. Joshua Sears | Latter-day Saints have relied on the King James Version for generations—but the Church recently updated the handbook to clarify that other Bible translations may be helpful for personal study. So what does that mean for your Old Testament, Come, Follow Me year? In this episode, BYU professor Joshua Sears (author of A Modern Guide to an Old Testament) walks through why comparing translations can change your study overnight, especially in difficult books like Isaiah, and how modern manuscript discoveries (like the Dead Sea Scrolls) affect what you see on the page. What you’ll learn: •Why the Church still prefers the KJV in classes, but encourages helpful study tools for individuals •The best “starter” translations to compare side-by-side (ESV/NRSV, NIV/NLT, etc.) •Why “missing verses” in modern Bibles often reflect better manuscript evidence, not “tampering” •How covenants in the Old Testament are about relationship—not contracts •Key covenant terms to watch for (like ḥesed, often translated “lovingkindness”) ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Get the book: A Modern Guide to an Old Testament — https://amzn.to/4rarPWh Favorite takeaway? Comment your go-to Bible translation and why. Further Readings: https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-20-no-3-2019/study-bibles https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/holy-bible-translations-editions-church-of-jesus-christ https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/38-church-policies-and-guidelines?lang=eng#title_number139 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/translations-and-downloads/scriptures/holy-bible?lang=eng “Why Bible Translations Differ: A Guide for the Perplexed” (Ben Spackman, BYU Religious Studies Center): https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-15-no-1-2014/why-bible-translations-differ-guide-perplexed “How Excellent Is Thy Lovingkindness”: the principle of ḥesed (RSC, BYU): https://rsc.byu.edu/gospel-jesus-christ-old-testament/how-excellent-thy-lovingkindness “The Divine Council” (BYU Studies): https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-divine-council “The Textual Problem in 1 John 5:7–8” (the “Johannine Comma” topic you mention): https://bible.org/article/textual-problem-1-john-57-8 ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. | — | ||||||
| 1/18/26 | Abraham’s Lost Astronomy: The Forgotten Star Lore Behind Kolob | Was Abraham really known as an astronomer in the ancient world—and does that help us understand why the Book of Abraham is so packed with stars, hierarchy, and cosmic teaching? In this episode we dig into a surprising (and wide-ranging) tradition found in Second Temple and later Jewish sources: Abraham as a learned observer of the heavens—sometimes described as an astronomer/astrologer—whose study of the stars connects to covenant, revelation, and even teaching kings. We walk through key texts and authors (including Jubilees/Qumran traditions, Josephus and the non-Jewish authorities he cites, Philo, and the Apocalypse of Abraham) and then compare how these themes converge with the Book of Abraham’s big moments—especially the idea that Abraham’s astronomy is used as a framework to teach Pharaoh and point to God’s order in the heavens. If you’ve only heard Book of Abraham discussions framed around “papyri/Egyptology,” this is a different angle: Abrahamic lore and ancient tradition—and why it’s worth taking seriously. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Additional Readings: Imitating Abraham: https://brill.com/display/title/71766?language=en&srsltid=AfmBOoqUl7u5gAnFpKwcYKgFeunFmD7l405iUb9eZOdI403OV4FVWKyz Abraham and His Family in Scripture, History, and Tradition: https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/abraham-and-his-family Traditions About the Early Life of Abraham: https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book/traditions-about-early-life-abraham Palmyra and Jerusalem: Joseph Smith’s Scriptural Texts and the Writings of Flavius Josephus: https://rsc.byu.edu/approaching-antiquity-joseph-smith-ancient-world/palmyra-jerusalem-joseph-smiths-scriptural-texts-writings-flavius-josephus https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/why-are-there-hebraisms-in-the-book-of-mormon https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/by-small-means-rethinking-the-liahona Subscribe for more deep-dive, text-based episodes on scripture, history, and restoration claims. ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #BookOfAbraham #Abraham #Kolob #ScriptureStudy #LDS #LatterDaySaints #BibleScholarship #SecondTempleJudaism #DeadSeaScrolls #Josephus #Philo #ApocalypseOfAbraham #AncientEgypt #Astronomy #FaithAndReason | — | ||||||
| 1/11/26 | Does God Live on Kolob? Egyptologists Reveal the Book of Abraham’s Secrets | Does God live on a planet called Kolob—or is Kolob a symbol? In this episode, we dive into Abraham 3 with an Egyptologist to unpack why the Lord shows Abraham the heavens before Egypt, and how the “astronomy chapter” becomes a powerful teaching tool about the plan of salvation. You’ll learn why some scholars read Abraham’s cosmology through an ancient geocentric lens, how Kolob functions as a stand-in for Jesus Christ (near unto God, chief in authority, tied to creation), and why that actually makes the doctrine more compelling—not less. We also explore the “real referent” question (including why Sirius is discussed as a serious candidate), the Egyptian wordplay connecting stars and spirits, and even the fascinating language around Shinehah/Shinneha as potentially tied to an Egyptian term for the sun’s ecliptic. From there, Abraham 3 pivots into the Divine Council, “noble and great ones,” and foreordination—then dovetails straight into Abraham 4–5 where creation is described as organizing pre-existing chaos (a pattern that fits ancient Near Eastern creation imagery). If you want to study deeply and believe boldly, this episode will give you a framework for reading Kolob and Abraham’s “weird” chapters with more clarity, context, and confidence. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Show notes: The read “A Guide to the Book of Abraham” visit the BYU Studies website: https://byustudies.byu.edu/issue/61-4 Articles on Kolob, Shinehah, and other issues discussed in this episode can be accessed here: https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/abrahamic-astronomy https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/shinehah-the-sun https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/kolob-the-governing-one https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-divine-council https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-foreordination-of-abraham https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-fall-of-lucifer https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/creation-from-chaos Stephen’s OG article on the divine council can be found here: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jbms/vol22/iss2/4/ The Mormonr article on Kolob can be accessed here: https://mormonr.org/qnas/6F7xbc/kolob The foundational article on geocentric Abrahamic astronomy by Daniel Peterson, William Hamblin, and John Gee, is available here: https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/and-i-saw-stars-book-abraham-and-ancient-geocentric-astronomy byustudies.byu.edu Comment below: Do you read Kolob more as a literal star, a symbol, or both? ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #BookOfAbraham #Kolob #PearlOfGreatPrice #Abraham3 #ComeFollowMe #LatterDaySaints #LDS #MormonStudies #Egyptology #AncientNearEast #DivineCouncil #ScriptureStudy #Restoration #JesusChrist #GospelDoctrine | — | ||||||
| 1/4/26 | Egyptologist Uncovers Evidence for Book of Abraham Facsimile 1 | The Book of Abraham gets more criticism than almost any other LDS scripture—partly because we still have fragments of the papyri and people assume that “settles” everything. In this episode of Informed Saints, we sit down with Egyptologist Kerry Muhlestein to talk through what the evidence actually does (and doesn’t) let us conclude—and how Latter-day Saints can approach the questions without fear. We zoom in on Facsimile 1 and walk through details that often get ignored in quick social-media takes: the lion couch scene, ritual context, the possibility of an original ritual knife, and what the Egyptian concept of the Ba can mean (including why “angel” isn’t as random as critics claim). Then we pull back and show how the opening of Abraham’s story connects to covenant, temple themes, and even the cosmic scope of Abraham 3. If you’ve ever wondered, “Did Egyptologists really disprove the Book of Abraham?”—this is the deep, careful conversation you’ve been looking for. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Episode Relevant Readings: Kerry Muhlestein's article "A Priest, His Gods and His Depiction: Creation, Execration, and the Roles, Texts, and Vignette of Hor of Karnak" featured in this episode is available here: https://egyptianexpedition.org/articles/a-priest-his-gods-and-his-depiction/ Kerry's book "Let's Talk About the Book of Abraham" featured in this episode is available here: https://www.deseretbook.com/product/P5258289.html?srsltid=AfmBOoq6BoXHbWsXFxPQ7yyCatBMQLv1rgME_7c1Va_zyaGDV3asb7am The original papyrus vignette of Facsimile 1 can be accessed on the Joseph Smith Papers website: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/fragment-of-book-of-breathing-for-horos-a-between-238-and-circa-153-bc/1 Articles on Facsimile 1 appeared in BYU Studies (Volume 61, no. 4, 2022) that address the interpretation of the facsimile and the issues raised in this podcast: https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/approaching-the-facsimiles https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/facsimile-1-as-a-sacrifice-scene https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-idolatrous-priest-facsimile-1-figure-3 John Gee's chapter on the facsimiles in his book "An Introduction to the Book of Abraham" is also... | — | ||||||
| 12/21/25 | Scholar Discovers Lost Biblical Woman...Hiding In Plain Sight | Breaking news in biblical studies: the “elect lady” in 2 John may not be a metaphor for the Church after all—she may be a real woman with a real name: Eclecte. In this episode, New Testament papyrologist Lincoln Blumell (with research assistant Spencer Kraus) explains the textual and grammatical puzzle behind 2 John’s opening, why the traditional reading created problems, and how ancient letter-writing conventions + manuscript evidence point to a restored reading that makes sense of the Greek. We also talk about why this matters: what it could mean for how we read 2 John, what it suggests about women’s roles and authority in early Christian house churches, and how this connects with Restoration history—including Joseph Smith’s use of 2 John when organizing the Relief Society. The book and other resources: https://amzn.to/4q2a5Mb https://www.deseret.com/education/2025/11/08/stunning-find-meet-the-missing-woman-in-the-bible-rediscovered-by-a-byu-researcher/ https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/finding-the-elect-lady ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #InformedSaints #BibleStudy #NewTestament #2John #BiblicalStudies #TextualCriticism #ChristianHistory #WomenInTheBible #GreekNewTestament #LatterDaySaints #ReliefSociety #ScriptureStudy | — | ||||||
| 12/13/25 | O Little Town of... Jerusalem? Evidence the Book of Mormon was Right all along! | Critics have mocked Alma 7:10 for nearly 200 years: the Book of Mormon says Christ would be born “at Jerusalem,” even though the New Testament says Bethlehem. But once you dig into ancient geography, manuscripts, and archaeology, the criticism gets a lot less confident—and the evidence gets surprisingly strong. In this episode of Informed Saints, we break down what “Jerusalem” can mean in an ancient context, why the Book of Mormon repeatedly refers to the “land of Jerusalem,” and how sources like the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Amarna Letters, and a 7th-century BC Bethlehem bulla (“Bethlehem for the king”) point to Bethlehem functioning within Jerusalem’s broader district/administrative world—especially in Lehi’s time. We also zoom out and ask an important question: what does modern scholarship even say about the Bethlehem tradition, and why do some scholars propose alternatives (including Jerusalem)? Most of all, we keep the focus where Alma puts it: Christ’s mission, Atonement, and Resurrection—not just a pin on a map. Here are some additional resources: Matt Roper, “Anachronisms: Accidental Evidence in Book of Mormon Criticisms—Chapter 6: Old World Jounreys by Land and Sea,” Interpreter 65 (2025), items 172 and 173; https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/anachronisms-accidental-evidence-in-book-of-mormon-criticisms-chapter-6-old-world-journeys-by-land-and-sea Scripture Central. “Why Does the Book of Mormon Talk about a ‘Land of Jerusalem’? (1 Nephi 3:9),” KnoWhy 495 (December 20, 2018); https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/why-does-the-book-of-mormon-talk-about-a-land-of-jerusalem Neal Rappleye, “Why Did Alma Say Christ Would Be Born in Jerusalem? Surprising Evidence of the Book of Mormon,” LDS Living, December 21, 2017; https://www.ldsliving.com/why-did-alma-say-christ-would-be-born-in-jerusalem-surprising-evidence-of-the-book-of-mormon/s/87333 Gordon Thomasson, “Revisiting the Land of Jerusalem,” in Pressing Forward with the Book of Mormon (FARMS, 1999); https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/revisiting-thelandofjerusalem Daniel C. Peterson, “Is the Book of Mormon True? Notes on the Debate,” in Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited (FARMS, 1997); https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/book-mormon-true-notes-debate Joseph Feilding Smith, “Is There a Contradiction between Alma 7:10 and Matthew 2:5–6?” Improvement Era, April 1955; https://scripturecentral.org/archive/periodicals/magazine-article/there-contradiction-between-alma-710-and-matthew-256 #InformedSaints #BookOfMormon #Alma710 #JesusChrist #Bethlehem #Jerusalem #BibleStudy #ChristianHistory #Archaeology #DeadSeaScrolls #LatterDaySaints #FaithAndReason | — | ||||||
| 12/7/25 | Did Charles Anthon Prove the Book of Mormon? Rethinking the “Anthon Transcript” | In 1828, Martin Harris carried copied characters from the gold plates to Professor Charles Anthon in New York City—and walked away more convinced than ever that the Book of Mormon was real. Anthon, however, later claimed the whole thing was nonsense. So who do we believe, and what actually happened in that office? In this episode of Informed Saints, Jasmin Rappleye sits down with Neal Rappleye and Stephen Smoot to walk through every major source on the Anthon visit—from Martin’s own accounts to Anthon’s three conflicting letters and the memories of people who knew them both. We talk about “shorthand Egyptian,” the strange list of languages (Egyptian, Chaldean, Assyriac, and Arabic), early 1800s Egyptology, and new scholarship on what the characters Martin showed might have been. We also dig into Isaiah 29 and the famous line, “I cannot read a sealed book,” and how both skeptics and believers have used this story. If you’ve ever wondered whether Martin Harris was duped or whether the Anthon episode can still fit a believing, historically informed view of the Restoration, this conversation is for you. Come study the evidence, think through motives and memory on both sides, and see how you can study hard and believe boldly as a Latter-day Saint today. Resources: Get the FAIR volumes mentioned in the episode now! https://linktr.ee/fair.bookstore Primary Sources & Scripture •Joseph Smith—History 1:63–65 (Pearl of Great Price) – Canonized account of Martin Harris’s visit to Charles Anthon. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng •Joseph Smith Papers – “Appendix 2: Copies of Book of Mormon Characters” – High-res images and background on the various “characters” documents (including those related to the Anthon story). https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/appendix-2-copies-of-book-of-mormon-characters-introduction ⸻ Scripture Central & Doctrine and Covenants Central •Scripture Central – “Anthon Transcript” (Encyclopedia Entry) – Clear overview of what the Anthon Transcript is, what happened with Martin Harris and Charles Anthon, and why it matters. https://scripturecentral.org/archive/articles/encyclopedia-entry/anthon-transcript •Doctrine & Covenants Central KnoWhy – “What Do We Know About the ‘Anthon Transcript’?” – Accessible summary that walks through the documents, competing accounts, and how this episode fits into the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/knowhy/what-do-we-know-about-the-anthon-transcript/ •Doctrine & Covenants Central KnoWhy – “Why Did Martin Harris Consult with Scholars like Charles Anthon?” – Explores why Martin sought outside validation and how multiple scholars (not just Anthon) fit into the story. https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/knowhy/why-did-martin-harris-consult-with-scholars-like-charles-anthon/ ⸻ Faithful Scholarship & Deep Dives •BYU Studies – “The Anthon Transcript: People, Primary Sources, and Problems” by Stanley B. Kimball – Classic study that gathers the main historical sources and analyzes what we can (and can’t) know about the visit. https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-anthon-transcript-people-primary-sources-and-problems •Journal of Book of Mormon Studies – “The Anthon Transcripts and the Translation of the Book of Mormon: Studying It Out in the Mind of Joseph Smith” by David E. Sloan – Looks at how this episode connects to Joseph’s translation process and “studying it out” (D&C 9). https://scripturecentral.org/archive/periodicals/journal-article/anthon-transcripts-and-translation-book-mormon-studying-it-out-mi... | — | ||||||
| 11/30/25 | Apostle Bruce R. McConkie Almost Rewrote Scripture | History of Pearl of Great Price | The Pearl of Great Price is the most unstable book in the Latter-day Saint canon. It started as an 1851 pamphlet in Liverpool, was reshaped by Orson Pratt in the 1870s, canonized in 1880, streamlined by James E. Talmage in 1902, expanded in 1976, and reworked again in 1979–81. And in the 1970s, Elder Bruce R. McConkie even drafted a never-published edition that would have added huge chunks of the JST, the Wentworth Letter, the Lectures on Faith, and two brand-new Articles of Faith. In this episode of Informed Saints, we walk through the wild, moving target that is the Pearl of Great Price and ask what it teaches us about an open — and living — canon. We talk about Franklin D. Richards’ original British pamphlet, Orson Pratt’s edition that briefly included D&C 132 and a canonized hymn, Talmage’s quiet changes to the Articles of Faith, the short life of Joseph Smith’s and Joseph F. Smith’s visions inside the Pearl of Great Price, and the “McConkie edition” that almost changed everything. Along the way, we explore: • How something goes from newspaper article to canonized scripture • Why some revelations and theological texts never made it into the standard works • What criteria leaders actually use when they consider new scripture • Why canonization is a community process, not a solo prophetic decree • What it really means to have an “open” and “living” canon as Latter-day Saints We also introduce The Pearl of Great Price Study Edition by Stephen O. Smoot, published with the Interpreter Foundation and Scripture Central, and talk about how textual variants, facsimile changes, and manuscript history can actually strengthen faith when we understand the human side of scripture. If you’ve ever wondered, “Could we get new scripture?” or “Should I be worried that our canon has changed so much?” — this episode is for you. At Informed Saints, we show that you can study deeply and still believe boldly. ===Informed Saints Credits=== Produced by The Ancient America Foundation Producer: Spencer Clark Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye Donate today: ancientamerica.org/donate/ Resource Guide: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/site/the-pearl-of-great-price https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/EoM/id/4040/ https://interpreterfoundation.org//books/the-pearl-of-great-price-study-edition https://biblecentral.info/library/book/pearl-of-great-price-study-edition/ https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/content/library/pearl-of-great-price-first-edition-1851?lang=eng https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/site/the-pearl-of-great-price ===Discover=== If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. #InformedSaints #PearlOfGreatPrice #LDS #Mormon #Restoration #LatterDaySaint #ScriptureStudy #ChurchHistory #DoctrineAndCovenants #BookOfMormon #OpenCanon #LivingCanon #BruceRMcConkie #ScriptureCentral #InterpreterFoundation | — | ||||||
| 11/23/25 | Do Anachronisms Disprove the Book of Mormon? | Intro & Explanation | Are “anachronisms” proof that the Book of Mormon is a modern forgery—or are critics leaning on outdated data? In this intro episode, we break down what anachronisms actually are and walk through a massive new study that tracks 226 critical claims from 1830 to today. The result? About 77% of those supposed anachronisms now have archaeological or historical support in the ancient Old and New Worlds. We’ll explain in plain language: What an anachronism is (and why George Washington with a machine gun is a "perfect" example) How horses, steel, cities, roads, cement, and other “impossible” Book of Mormon details have fared as archaeology has advanced Why translation, loan-shifting (like calling a peccary a “pig”), and limited excavation in the Americas matter for this discussion How Matt Roper’s new Interpreter Foundation study updates earlier work by John Clark and shows the Book of Mormon aging surprisingly well in light of new evidence At Informed Saints, we study hard and bring our receipts. This episode is your intro to anachronisms: what critics claim, what the data actually say, and why Latter-day Saints can be both faithful and intellectually honest about ancient texts. Sources: https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/jmh/article-abstract/48/4/1/318163/Apologetics-and-Antiquity-Book-of-Mormon-Reception https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/john-bernhisels-gift-to-a-prophet-incidents-of-travel-in-central-america-and-the-book-of-mormon https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/why-did-the-lord-command-the-three-witnesses-to-rely-upon-his-word https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/john-bernhisels-gift-to-a-prophet-incidents-of-travel-in-central-america-and-the-book-of-mormon/ https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/591852 https://www.monticello.org/research-education/thomas-jefferson-encyclopedia/jeffersons-excavation-native-american-burial-mound/ https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/anachronisms-accidental-evidence-in-book-of-mormon-criticisms-introduction/ https://www.nsf.gov/science-matters/horses-part-indigenous-cultures-longer-western https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/why-things-move-a-new-look-at-helaman-12-15 https://www.byui.edu/speeches/kim-b-clark/the-prophet-joseph-smith #InformedSaints #BookOfMormon #Anachronisms #BookOfMormonEvi... | — | ||||||
| 11/16/25 | Has the Church Changed Its Story? Why ‘Revelation’ Still Means Translation | Did the Church change its story on the Book of Mormon translation—or are critics missing something important? In this episode of Informed Saints, Jasmin Rappleye sits down with Neal Rappleye and Stephen Smoot to unpack recent online controversy over the Church’s new “Translation of the Book of Mormon” article and statements that the text came by “divine revelation.” Drawing on Doctrine and Covenants passages, early witness accounts, and Joseph Smith’s own statements, they explore how early Latter-day Saints understood the relationship between translation, revelation, seer stones, and the Urim and Thummim, and why calling the Book of Mormon both a translation and a revelation is not new language at all. In this episode: Why a viral ex-Mormon Reddit thread claims the Church “changed translation to revelation” What Joseph Smith meant by translating “by the gift and power of God” How early Saints— including the witnesses—described the Book of Mormon Whether “revelation” implies backing away from historicity What a “revelatory translation” tells us about God’s purposes for the Book of Mormon Resource Guide: Official Church Resources •Book of Mormon Translation – Topics & Questions (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) Concise Q&A overview of how the Church currently explains the translation, including seer stones, plates, and eyewitnesses. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/book-of-mormon-translation-joseph-smith-plural-marriage •Gospel Topics Essay: “Book of Mormon Translation” In-depth official essay with historical context and primary sources about the mechanics of translation and the phrase “by the gift and power of God.” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng •Elder Ulisses Soares – “The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon” (April 2020 General Conference) Apostolic perspective on why the Book of Mormon’s coming forth is best understood as a miracle of revelation and translation together. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/23soares?lang=eng •Gerrit J. Dirkmaat, “The Miraculous Translation of the Book of Mormon,” Liahona, Mar. 2024 Recent Church magazine article summarizing eyewitness accounts and explaining the role of seer stones, interpreters, and the plates. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2024/03/united-states-and-canada-section/02-the-miraculous-translation-of-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng | — | ||||||
| 11/9/25 | “We’re Closer Than You Think”: Expert Theologian on Mormonism And Christianity | Can Latter-day Saints and other Christians actually be closer in theology than most people think? In fact are “Mormons” Trinitarians? In this episode we sit down with BYU historian and theologian Grant Underwood, author of Latter-day Saint Theology Among Christian Theologies, to talk about where Latter-day Saint beliefs line up with Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox traditions—and where they really are distinct. We get into God’s nature, the Trinity, embodiment, salvation, and why words like “Christian,” “orthodox,” and even “theology” get used so differently online. Underwood shows that a lot of the online “Mormons aren’t Christian” arguments come down to definitions, not devotion—and that many Latter-day Saints would benefit from seeing themselves inside the wider Christian conversation, not outside it. This episode is perfect for Latter-day Saints who talk with evangelical friends, for Christians who are curious about LDS beliefs, and for anyone who wants a calmer, better-informed way to talk about God. ⸻ In this episode you’ll hear about: •Why Latter-day Saints should care about “theology,” not just “doctrine” •How Latter-day Saints and other Christians talk past each other using the same words differently •LDS belief in an embodied God and how that compares to creedal Christianity •“Separate-being” or “social” Trinitarianism and why it’s closer than people assume •LDS inclusivism: affirming the Restoration while honoring centuries of sincere Christians •How publishing with Eerdmans opened the door for real dialogue between traditions •Surprising overlaps with Eastern Orthodoxy on deification and theosis •Why better definitions can “bulldoze down” unnecessary walls between believers ⸻ For viewers coming from other Christian traditions: This episode is not a debate. It’s an attempt to show the actual range of Christian belief across 2,000 years, and to place Latter-day Saints inside that bigger story instead of outside it. If you’ve only seen LDS beliefs described in polemical books or social posts, this conversation will feel very different. ⸻ Subscribe for more long-form, faithful, informed conversations on Latter-day Saint history, doctrine, and how we fit in the wider Christian world. #LatterDaySaint #Mormonism #Christianity #InformedSaints #GrantUnderwood #LDSTheology #Restoration #Trinity #Theosis #BYU #FaithAndReason #Interfaith | — | ||||||
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