Mormon Stories Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Joseph Smith's Early Opposition & Forgotten Critics - John Turner Pt. 7 | Ep. 2039 Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we dive into Chapter Seven of Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet by John G. Turner. The chapter is titled “Moses” and covers the 1830 period and the transition from New York to Kirtland, Ohio. We explore early public criticism of Joseph Smith by figures like Abner Cole, the satirical Book of Pukei, and Luman Walters' possible influence. We also examine Joseph’s efforts to sell the copyright of the Book of Mormon in Canada, what that reveals about his intentions, and the revelation that supposedly authorized it.

We discuss how Joseph’s financial motives, revelations, and treatment of Martin Harris raise important questions, and consider the book's early lack of demand—even as Joseph continued to pivot and adapt. From legal troubles and claims of treasure seeking, to his revisions of the Bible and the rise of anti-Masonry, this episode looks at how Joseph’s evolving theology and personal ambitions shaped early Mormonism.

We also tackle difficult questions around gender and divine authority: Why were no women, including Emma Smith, called as witnesses to the golden plates? What does Emma's role—and her sacrifices—say about the story Joseph told?

This is a wide-ranging and thought-provoking installment that challenges the traditional narrative while offering rich historical context.

Topics Include:

-Abner Cole’s criticisms & Book of Pukei

-Attempt to sell the Book of Mormon copyright in Canada

-Revelations and motives: divine or self-serving?

-Joseph’s treatment of Emma & women’s roles

-Legal issues & treasure seeking

-Bible revisions, anti-Masonry, and theology

-Emma’s loyalty and legacy

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy thoughtful conversations on religious history.

Please purchase the book here.

To support this series please donate here. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.

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My Mormon Bishop Dad was Excommunicated for Polygamy - Laurel Hell | Ep. 2038 Jul 07, 2025

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In this raw and emotional deep-dive, Laurel shares her powerful story of growing up in an extremely orthodox Mormon household as the youngest of eight children. From uncovering her Danish-Mormon ancestry to dealing with abuse, purity culture, and her father's secret polygamist "revelation" that led to his excommunication, Laurel reflects on how early trauma, sexual repression, and church doctrine shaped her identity.She opens up about her mission to Poland, her battle with anxiety, shame, and identity within the church, and how the toxic dynamics of Mormon Young Single Adult (YSA) culture pushed her to the edge. Ultimately, Laurel's journey of deconstruction—triggered by political events, therapy, and research into church history—leads her to reclaim her sexuality, leave the church, and finally begin to heal.Topics include: abuse, purity culture, sexual trauma, polygamy, depression, and suicidal ideation. Viewer discretion advised.___________________

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Book of Mormon: Historical or 19th Century Text? - John Turner Pt. 6 | Ep. 2037 Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to part six of the Joseph Smith Podcast where we are covering Dr. John Turner’s new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.” Today we are diving into Chapter Six titled “A Choice Seer” which continues to discuss the 1829 period in Palmyra, New York. This episode explores the controversies surrounding the Book of Mormon—its origins, witnesses, and textual issues. We examine the arguments for and against its authenticity, its biblical parallels, and Joseph Smith’s role as translator vs. author.

Topics include:

-Were the witnesses in on a scam?

-Historicity of the Book of Mormon

-Anachronisms and biblical borrowings

-Criticism from early figures like Alexander Campbell

-Literary structures like chiasmus

-Theology, archeology, and universalism

-Is the Book of Mormon scripture?

A thoughtful, critical, and respectful look at how scholars and believers wrestle with faith, history, and evidence.

Please purchase the book here.

To support this series please donate here. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and Liquid Snake Voice Actor Cam Clarke | Ep. 2036 Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful and emotional interview, voice actor Cam Clarke (known for iconic roles in animation and video games) shares his deeply personal journey growing up in a famous Mormon-Hollywood family. From his early years navigating faith, family expectations, and same-sex attraction, to starring in Saturday’s Warrior and undergoing electroshock therapy at BYU, Cam opens up about the emotional toll of trying to reconcile his identity with his religion.

He discusses coming out, surviving the AIDS crisis, finding healing through art, and ultimately resigning from the LDS Church. Cam’s story is raw, heartfelt, and inspiring—a testament to resilience, authenticity, and the power of self-love.

Topics include:

Growing up Mormon in a showbiz family
Struggles with sexuality and faith
Saturday’s Warrior and mission life
Conversion therapy and coming out
Voice acting career and ComicCon life
Reflections on love, loss, and legacy

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CES Letter vs Book of Mormon | LDS Discussions Pt. 63 | Ep. 2035 Jun 26, 2025

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In this episode, we dive deep into the attacks on the CES Letter and its author, Jeremy Runnells, unpacking why apologetic responses—no matter how weak—are often accepted by believing members. This is the first in a multi-part series analyzing the LDS Discussions CES Letter project.We tackle critical questions about the Book of Mormon, including:-Why does it contain errors from the 1769 King James Bible?-What about the italicized words from the KJV showing up in the text?-Why doesn’t the Book of Mormon match Joseph Smith’s own translation of the Bible?-What does DNA evidence say about the Book of Mormon narrative?-And how do apologists handle the serious anachronisms in the text?Along the way, we explore FAIR Mormon’s increasingly irrelevant defenses, the hidden Gospel Topics Essays, and shifting church narratives.This is an essential deep-dive for anyone curious about Mormonism’s truth claims, historical issues, and the apologetics surrounding them.Join the conversation and subscribe for future episodes in this CES Letter series.

The Man Behind the CES Letter - Jeremy Runnells (Rebroadcast) | Ep. 2034 Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

Join us today as we rebroadcast the story of the man behind the famous CES Letter: Jeremy Runnells.In February 2012, Jeremy Runnels experienced a crisis of faith, which subsequently led to a faith transition in the summer of 2012. In the spring of 2013, Jeremy was approached and asked by a Church Education System (CES) Director to share his concerns and questions about the LDS Church’s origins, history, and current practices. In response, Jeremy wrote what later became publicly known as Letter to a CES Director.Letter to a CES Director very quickly went viral on the internet. The CES Director responded that he read the “very well written” letter and that he would provide Jeremy with a response. No response ever came.From then on, hundreds of Mormons have stumbled across the CES Letter and it has caused them to question their faith. Other believing sites have attacked Jeremy Runnells over the years, saying that he was insincere or that he never believed the church was true. His story clears up all doubt that he was a true-believing Mormon.___________________

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Did the Book of Mormon Witnesses Really See Golden Plates? - John Turner Part 5 | Ep. 2033 Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we continue our in-depth series with historian John G. Turner, author of Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. Continuing with chapter five of his book which takes place in 1829 in Palmyra, New York, we take a deep dive into the claims of the Three and Eight Witnesses to the golden plates. Did they actually see physical plates—or was it a visionary experience?

We explore the early translation period, the role of the Whitmer family, the revelations guiding Joseph Smith, and the complicated testimonies of Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer. Were the golden plates material objects, or were they seen with "spiritual eyes"? We also discuss later accounts, contradictions, and the ongoing debate among scholars and believers.

Highlights:

-The experiences of the Three and Eight Witnesses

-Spiritual vs. physical claims of the plates

-Testimonies, contradictions, and controversies

-What happened to the plates—and the witnesses—afterward

Subscribe for more episodes exploring Joseph Smith’s life, early Mormonism, and the origins of the Book of Mormon.

Please purchase the book here.

To support this series please donate here. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.

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⁠Show Notes⁠⁠

⁠⁠YouTube⁠

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LDS Prophet John Taylor’s 1886 Revelation Created Mormon Fundamentalism! | Ep. 2032 Jun 16, 2025

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Shocking new breaking news!!!! Did you know that LDS Church prophet John Taylor started Mormon Fundamentalism?

The LDS Church History Library just released hi-res scans of the original version of a September 27, 1886, revelation to church president John Taylor that commanded Mormons to “do the works of Abraham.” As the LDS Church was gradually winding down polygamy after 1890, a growing movement believed that polygamy was essential and could not be discarded. The revelation quietly circulated through copies, giving their position some teeth. Then, in the early 1920s, a man named Lorin Woolley began telling the other half of the story: at the time of the revelation, John Taylor had ordained him and other men with the authority to perform plural marriages and ensure “the principle” never died. What is this revelation, what does it say, and how was it used and even denied by church leaders?

We are joined today by Bryan Buchanan of Benchmark Books and co-host of Sunstone History Podcast to talk about the new revelation.

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:20 What John’s understand has been up to this point

00:06:34 What happened? New documents released

00:12:15 The church is attempting to be more transparent than in the past

00:14:02 Quick review of polygamy history

00:22:11 Reading the first document - Letter to John Taylor

00:34:20 John Taylor passes away in 1837 - in hiding

00:40:12 They want to become a state, but do not want to give up polygamy

00:46:45 The response from Deseret News

00:53:26 The second manifesto

00:55:00 Leaders are dishonest in the Smoot hearings

01:15:16 The Smoot hearings are a watershed moment

01:23:50 First documented case of the 1886 revelation being circulated

01:45:00 Badger receives a typed copy of these revelations

01:53:30 Why are patriarchs or stake presidents performing plural marriages?

01:58:00 Salt Lake Tribune is publishing huge lists of people who are new polygamists

02:05:20 John Taylor to John Woolley document

02:16:12 What are Lorin Woolley’s motives?

02:23:08 Around the 20s, the first full revelation is published

02:39:29 J Reuben Clark - 1923 document

03:04:18 John Taylor visited by Jesus saying polygamy is an eternal principle

03:14:03 “Truth” magazine published in 1935, and various other books

03:17:20 J Reuben Clark Statement from June of 1933

03:44:05 “Latter-day Revelation” book made available (like a condensed D&C)

04:15:00 Why Bryan finds this to be such a fascinating time in Mormon history

04:17:55 Come to Sunstone!

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What Caused You to Leave Mormonism? - Live Q&A with Kolby, Britt, and John | Ep. 2031 Jun 14, 2025

Show notes

Join John, Britt Hartley, and Kolby Reddish today as we host a live call-in show around the topic: "What caused you to lose your Mormon faith?" We would love to hear from you.

Show Notes⁠

⁠YouTube⁠

00:00:00 Introduction to the Q&A

00:05:20 Where does the idea of a “shelf” come from?

00:14:40 Kolby’s shelf-breaking moment

00:25:25 Polls Results

00:38:35 Britt’s shelf breaking moment

00:51:53 Sloan Smart - The Happiness Letter

01:15:00 Samuel

01:21:55 Chris - The Second Annointing

01:49:55 Jennie from Life Take Two

01:56:00 Kurt

02:02:40 Annie Edwards - Mormonism is not a place for women

02:10:40 Mark Stoddard

02:16:15 Melissa

02:20:08 Mike & Kerry Fuller

02:22:50 Mark and Stephanie

02:31:24 Samantha

02:33:30 Gene Judson

02:37:30 Closing comments

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Did Joseph Smith Use Golden Plates to Translate the Book of Mormon? - John Turner Pt. 4 | Ep. 2030 Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

In Part 4 of our deep-dive podcast series with historian Dr. John G. Turner, we explore one of the most debated questions in Latter-day Saint history: Did Joseph Smith actually use the golden plates to translate the Book of Mormon?

This episode covers Chapter Five in John G. Turner’s new book titled Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. Chapter Five deals with the three and eight witnesses to the golden plates that happened in 1829 in Palmyra, New York, and reveals new perspectives on how the Book of Mormon was produced and what was happening behind the scenes. We also cover the roles of Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, Cowdery’s relationship to the Smiths, the use of seer stones and divining rods, and the complex origins of LDS priesthood authority.

Topics include:

-Joseph’s poverty and early struggles

-Martin Harris’ doubts and dedication

-Translation methods and spiritual tools

-Priesthood revelations and baptisms

-Internal conflicts and legacy

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy thoughtful conversations on religious history.

Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.

To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.

___________________

Show Notes

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