The Scriptures Are Real

Latest Episodes:

S4 E8 I Shall Enlighten Your Mind with Susan Easton Black (D&C 10-11) Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

Get our fantastic extra content by joining us at TSAR.website. There you will find more from each guest, daily thoughts by me on the scripture content and lots of bonus lectures that get into some deep dives.

In this episode the amazing Susan Easton Black joins Kerry to discuss the revelation to Hyrum Smith. They also explore what the Lord has to say about Joseph Smith and the lost pages and all we can learn from that. They make the story about Martin Harris and the translation pages come to life. There are details about that story that most people don't know that Susan explains well. She also shares stories from her research efforts. Then Kerry and Susan explore who Hyrum is and how important he was in the Smith family and to Joseph in particular. They talk about how the Lord loves Hyrum and what Hyrum is asked to do and how it applies to us.

We are grateful for our generous sponsors, and for Launchpad Consulting Studios for producing the podcast, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.

S4 E7 Recognizing God's Answers (D&C 6-9) Feb 02, 2025

Show notes

We have amazing and fantastic extra material for you on our Patreon Website. Join us there (TSAR.website) for a lot of rich and meaningful extras.

In this episode Kerry and Janiece Johnson discuss the background of these crucial sections, and what it teaches us about recognizing how God speaks to us. They talk about common misconceptions, things that can make the process difficult, and how wonderful it it that God speaks to us, and that He speaks to us in so many ways.

We are grateful for our generous donors who make the podcast possible. We are also grateful for Launchpad Consulting Studios, who produce the podcast, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.

S4 E5 The Real Translation Story: a Seer Translating the Book of Mormon from Gold Plates (D&C 3-5) Jan 26, 2025

Show notes

Join our Patreon site (TSAR.website) to get some fantastic extra content and to support the podcast.

To rent fantastic space and take advantage of the "penthouse suite" in Central Park East building on the Orem/Provo border, email thescripturesarereal@gmail.com. We are grateful for their support of the podcast.

In this episode Gerrit Dirkmaat and Kerry explore the translation of the Book of Mormon. They analyze the sources from which we can learn anything, and teach how to evaluate them. They help us think through what it means to be a seer, the nature of having seer stones like the Urim and Thummim, and what we know about Joseph's translation. They help us see things from the point of view of people from Joseph's time, place, and culture, and help us understand the divinely aided translation of this sacred book.

We are grateful for our generous donors who make the podcast possible. We are also grateful to Launchpad Consulting Studios for producing the podcast and to Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.

S4 E6 Hearing the Voice of God, a special extra episode with Richard Bushman (D&C 3-5) Jan 26, 2025

Show notes

Join our Patreon site (TSAR.website) to get some fantastic extra content and to support the podcast.

In this episode Richard Bushman and Kerry discuss the ways that God worked with Joseph Smith to help him learn, grow, and do what he needed to do. They explore the loss of the 116 pages and the role that Martin Harris played in that and in the Restoration, and the story of Lucy Harris, a law suit, and how all of those things combined to create the pressure that led to the loss of the 116 pages. They also talk about the lessons that Joseph Smith, and we, needed to learn in order to not fall prey to this same kind of mistake. They also talk about how the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants are like God speaking into our ears.

S4 E4 Visited by an Angel, Robert Millet on Moroni, John, and the Ministering of Angels (D&C 2, JSH 1:27-65) Jan 19, 2025

Show notes

Get a 15% discount on D&C and Restoration titles at Seagullbook.com by entering the code KERRY2025

Also, consider getting access to a lot of extra material by joining us at TSAR.website.

In this episode Kerry and Robert Millet explore facets of Moroni's visits to Joseph Smith. In particular they talk about the prophecies of Elijah's return that Moroni quoted, and how that was fulfilled and the importance of that. They also explore other teachings of Moroni, and the visit of John the Baptist, and the keys of ministering of Angels that he restored. They talk about the truth of the Book of Mormon and the power of knowing.

We are grateful for our generous donors and for Launchpad Consulting Studios for producing this episode, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.

S4 E3 Why Joseph Smith: Prophecies and History of Joseph Smith and Family with Andrew Skinner (JSH 1:1-26) Jan 12, 2025

Show notes

Please join us at our Patreon website (TSAR.website) to get fantastic extra content from Dr. Skinner and many others. We also encourage you to reach out to launchpadconsultingstudio@gmail.com for all your marketing, brand, recording, and production needs.

In this episode Andrew Skinner and Kerry explore the beginning of the Restoration. They first delve into the prophecies about Joseph Smith and the restoration in general. They also look at the large societal, historical, and cultural movements that created the environment for the Restoration. They look at the specific history of the Smith family, and how that lead to Joseph's experience in the Sacred Grove. They talk about the experiences that Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith had that were part of Joseph Smith's predicament and why he went to pray in the Grove. They also explore the amazing and profound elements of the First Vision.

We are grateful for our generous donors, and for Launchpad Consulting Studio for producing the podcast, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.

S4 E2 God Speaks (but how do we receive it?) (Doctrine and Covenants 1) Jan 05, 2025

Show notes

Get a discount on all D&C and Church History books and products (including Kerry's on the First Vision called "I Saw the Lord") by going to Seagullbook.com and using the code KERRY2025.

In this episode Kerry interviews Robin Jensen from the Church History Department of the Church. Together they explore what it means to receive revelation from God, and how God worked with Joseph Smith as He revealed truths to His children. They talk about what that would have looked like for the early Saints. They delve into the simultaneously sacred and mundane nature of God speaking to His prophet, and how important it is that God does speak to prophets. They investigate the intimate nature of revelations, and the process of them becoming public. They speak about how this process applies to us in our personal revelation. They show how what we learn about Joseph receiving revelation echoes our own lives and is valuable for us to learn about. They discuss how Section One was revealed to be a preface for the D&C, and then they talk about how revelations came in general, and how that can help us understand the revelations we will study this year. Robin leads us through a discussion of what the Doctrine and Covenants is in general. They also explore the resources that are available as we study revelations this year.

We are so grateful for our generous donors, and for Launchpad Consulting Studios for producing the episode, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.

S4 E1 What and How to Know about the Restoration with Steve Harper Dec 29, 2024

Show notes

Join us for extra and fantastic content on our Patreon website each week (TSAR.website). This week Steve Harper talks about different ways to learn from the Restoration material there.

Also, you can get a 15% discount at Seagullbook.com on Church History and D&C products by using the code KERRY2025.

In this episode Steve Harper takes us through how we can know about the Restoration and how to learn about and think through the history and issues of the restoration. He helps us see family and other factors that brought Joseph Smith to the Grove, and how to think about that and understand that. He and Kerry discuss resources and go through little known stories that help us learn about Joseph Smith and those who knew and believed him.

We are grateful for our generous donors, and for Launchpad consulting studios for producing the episode, and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.

S3 E77 Mary: The Christmas Story with Andrea Woodmansee (Jewish Wedding Insights) Dec 22, 2024

Show notes

To see the Archaeology of Nazareth lecture, and so much more, join us at TSAR.website. To get a discount as Seagullbook.com, use the code KERRY2025. In this episode Kerry and Lamar are joined by Andrea Woodmansee, who has been studying Jewish wedding traditions from the time of the Savior and how it helps us understand biblical texts. They begin by exploring imagery in John 10, and then follow that line of reasoning to understand the betrothal process and other elements of Jewish weddings that make the Christmas story come to life. You will understand and appreciate Mary and Joseph like never before. They also focus on the gift of Christ. We are grateful for our generous sponsors. We are also grateful for Launchpad Consulting Studios for producing the podcast, and to Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.

S3 E76 The Truth of All Things with Andrew Skinner (Moroni 10) Dec 15, 2024

Show notes

Please give even $10 to help the podcast keep going. Go to TheScripturesAreReal.org to see ways to donate.

Also, please register for the Church History Workshop that will be held on January 2nd (not the 3rd) at my house. Go to TSAR.website to register. Here is what we will talk about:

10 am: Welcome

10:15 – 11:00: Smith Family and First Vision

11:00-12:00: Moroni’s visits and Joseph’s Tutoring

12:00-12:15: break

12:15 – 1:00 Translation of the Book of Mormon and the development of a prophet

1:00 – 1:45: lunch

1:45 – 2:45: Translation of the Bible and its impact on revelation

2:45 – 3:45: Consecration in Ohio and Missouri and what it teaches us about consecration today in our lives

3:00 – 4:00 break

4:00 – 5:00 Missouri Period and how it ties to the development of the Church

Afterwards, those who want to go to dinner together can.

In this episode Kerry and Andy talk about the role of Moroni and how he leaves us with a powerful testimony. They especially explore the role of the Holy Ghost in the way that Moroni talks about it, and how it draws on the Doctrine of Christ.

Dr. Skinner points out and teaches about the 8 exhortations that Moroni gives us in this one chapter. He touches on the need to remember, and to ask, and the power of the Holy Ghost and how it enters us and changes us and helps us understand and know all things. They also talk about the gifts God gives us and how they are not over and we should experience them. They also talk about how pride can rob us of joy and these gifts. They also talk about loving godliness more than ungodliness, and letting God prevail in your life. They talk about the grace of God in all of this.

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