Informed Saints

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Latest Episodes:

Latter-day Saints React to Michigan Shooting and Prophet's Death Sep 29, 2025

*THIS AUDIO IS FROM A FULL YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM, THERE ARE MISTAKES PRESENT. ALSO VISUAL ELEMENTS WHICH ARE BEST SEEN ON YOUTUBE*

https://youtube.com/live/2IpxhFWwLAQ?feature=share

Today has been heavy folks. Join us as we talk about the passing of President Russell M. Nelson and the horrific tragedy that took place in a ward in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

#mormon #lds #news

Seer Stones and the Miracle of Book of Mormon Translation Sep 21, 2025

Was Joseph Smith’s use of seer stones evidence of superstition — or of divine power?

In this episode of Informed Saints, hosts Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot sit down with Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (BYU professor, historian, and author of From Darkness unto Light) to explore the historical sources behind the Book of Mormon translation. Together, they discuss what the witnesses saw, how early Saints understood seer stones and the Urim and Thummim, and why the very strangeness of the translation process actually strengthens, rather than weakens, the case for its divinity.

What you’ll learn:

Why Joseph’s contemporaries saw seer stones as miraculous, not fraudulent
How early accounts from Emma Smith, Martin Harris, and others describe the translation
The difference between folk magic, biblical precedent, and divine seership
Why the physical reality of the gold plates remains the strongest defense of Joseph’s calling

A faith-affirming conversation that blends history, theology, and testimony.

Here are some of the resources discussed in the episode as well as other valuable resources on this topic!

-Artwork credit to Anthony Sweat who granted permissions for us to share his incredible artwork.

https://www.anthonysweat.com

Start here (official & concise)

Gospel Topics — Book of Mormon Translation

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/book-of-mormon-translation

Church History Topic — Seer Stones

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/seer-stones

Saints, Vol. 1 (The Standard of Truth)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/saints-v1

Primary sources (witnesses & early attestations)

Emma Smith’s 1879 “Last Testimony” (PDF)

https://rsc.byu.edu/sites/default/files/pub_content/pdf/testimony%20of%20emma%20smith.pdf

Joseph Knight Sr. reminiscences (Church History Library catalog)

https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/record/37b7b91c-4148-45d6-8f32-df4acf06fe99

David Whitmer — An Address to All Believers in Christ

https://archive.org/details/addresstoallbeli00whit

Early newspaper: Jonathan A. Hadley (Palmyra Freeman, 1829)

https://rsc.byu.edu/coming-forth-book-mormon/joseph-smiths-negotiations-publish-book-mormon

Wilford Woodruff Papers (Urim & Thummim; Manti consecration)

https://www.wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/day-in-church-history/1841-12-02

Scholarship & synthesis (faithful)

Turley, Jensen & Ashurst-McGee — “Joseph the Seer” (Ensign, Oct. 2015)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2015/10/joseph-the-seer

BYU Studies — Opening the Heavens (Translation Documents)

https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/opening-the-heavens/5

Printing & publication context

Printing and Publishing the Book of Mormon (Church History Topic)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/printing-and-publishing-the-book-of-mormon

From Gutenberg to Grandin (RSC)

https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/gutenberg-grandin

Recommended books (trusted Latter-day Saint scholarship)

MacKay & Dirkmaat — From Darkness unto Light (RSC)

https://rsc.byu.edu/book/darkness-unto-light

Dirkmaat & MacKay — Let’s Talk About the Translation of the Book of Mormon (Deseret Book)

https://www.deseretbook.com/product/P6012373.html

- MacKay & Frederick — Joseph Smith’s Seer Stones (RSC)

https://rsc.byu.edu/book/joseph-smiths-seer-stones

Bushman — Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling (Publisher page)

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/22031/joseph-smith-by-richard-lyman-bushman/

Scriptural anchors

Joseph Smith—History 1

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1

Mosiah 8

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/8

Alma 37

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/37

Doctrine & Covenants 3

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/3

Doctrine & Covenants 8

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/8

Doctrine & Covenants 17

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/17

The Surprising Science Behind Joseph Smith’s First Vision Sep 19, 2025

Was Joseph Smith lying, forgetting, or faithfully remembering his First Vision? Critics often highlight differences between the various accounts, but few have explored the role of human memory in shaping those narratives.

In this debut episode of Informed Saints, hosts Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot dive into groundbreaking research that brings together history, neuroscience, and faith. Drawing on scholarship from Stephen C. Harper and a recent article in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, the discussion unpacks how memory actually works — and what that means for understanding Joseph Smith’s earliest visions.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Why differences in the First Vision accounts aren’t necessarily signs of dishonesty
How neuroscience explains the way memories consolidate and evolve over time
The concept of “flashbulb memories” and why Joseph’s accounts fit the pattern
Insights from both believing and non-believing scholars on historical reliability

This thoughtful conversation shows how modern scholarship and faith can work together to strengthen testimonies and provide context for complex questions.

Here are some of the resources discussed in the episode as well as other valuable resources on this topic!

•Stephen C. Harper – First Vision: Memory and Mormon Origins (Oxford University Press, 2019)

A balanced and deeply researched book that applies memory science to the First Vision. Harper is both a believing Latter-day Saint historian and an academic scholar, making this one of the best starting points.

•Richard Lyman Bushman – Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling (Knopf, 2005)

The definitive biography of Joseph Smith by one of the most respected Latter-day Saint historians. Discusses the First Vision in its historical context.

•Alexander L. Baugh, Steven C. Harper, Brent M. Rogers, and Benjamin Pykles, Editors – Joseph Smith and His First Vision: Context, Place, and Meaning

https://rsc.byu.edu/book/joseph-smith-his-first-vision

•John W. Welch – Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations

Collects and analyzes all primary accounts of the First Vision (and other revelations) in a single volume. Great for studying source texts directly.

•Steven C. Harper – Joseph Smith’s First Vision: A Guide to the Historical Accounts (Deseret Book, 2012)

A shorter, more accessible overview that compares the accounts and explains their significance.

•Céline Duffau, Carter Charles, Religious Experience and Memory Retrieval: A Memory Studies Reading of Joseph Smith’s “First Vision” Accounts – Journal of the American Academy of Religion (2025).

https://academic.oup.com/jaar/article-abstract/93/1/129/8159945?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Online Resources

•Gospel Topics Essay: “First Vision Accounts” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Official essay that transparently presents all known accounts and explains their context.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/first-vision-accounts

•Joseph Smith Papers Project

Provides the primary sources — Joseph’s own handwritten accounts, plus later versions and contemporary references.

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org

• Don Bradley- The Original Context of the First Vision Narrative: 1820s or 1830s https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/conference/august-2013/the-original-context-of-the-first-vision-narrative-1820s-or-1830s

Listen now to explore the surprising science behind Joseph Smith’s First Vision.

Informed Saints: A Roundtable Podcast Of Study And Faith Sep 18, 2025

Welcome to Informed Saints, a roundtable podcast dedicated to strengthening testimonies of Jesus Christ through thoughtful study and open conversation.

Hosted by Jasmin Rappleye, Stephen Smoot, and Neal Rappleye, each episode explores trending topics, difficult questions, and the latest research related to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Whether you’re diving into Church history, exploring Book of Mormon scholarship, or simply looking for meaningful insights in your gospel study, Informed Saints offers engaging discussions that are accessible, lighthearted, and testimony-building.

What to expect:

Honest conversations on challenging or trending issues
Insights from scholars and experts in their fields
Reactions to online discussions, tweets, and TikToks
Tools and perspectives to deepen your study of the restored Gospel

Join us weekly on YouTube, social media, or wherever you get your podcasts — and become an informed saint.

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