LDS Discussions - Mormon Truth Claims Examined

Welcome to Episode 70 of our LDS Discussions series!In this episode, our panel takes a deep dive into one of the most debated questions surrounding the Book of Mormon: were ancient metal plates a known concept in Joseph Smith’s world, and are they truly comparable to the golden plates he described?We examine historical sources from the 18th and 19th centuries that reference metal records –brass, copper, lead, and stone –and place them within Joseph Smith’s cultural and intellectual milieu. From biblical scholarship and early American speculation about Native American origins to apologists’ use of presentism, this episode carefully distinguishes between general awareness of metal inscriptions and the specific, unprecedented claims of a large golden codex containing extensive narrative text.Along the way, we explore major figures, books, and ideas circulating before and during Joseph Smith’s lifetime, assess whether these sources were likely known to him, and ask a crucial question: at what point does probability break down –not because of a single anachronism, but because of the sheer scale and complexity of the plates described in the Book of Mormon?This conversation builds toward a detailed timeline of Joseph Smith’s environment, highlighting how concepts expanded, evolved, and were ultimately synthesized into something entirely new.Leave a comment letting us know if you like this format with John Dehlin being “not home.”

Show Notes
YouTube

Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!
Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
Support us on Patreon
PayPal
Venmo

Our Platforms:
YouTube
Patreon
Spotify
Apple Podcasts

Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:
Insta: @mormstories
TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
Join the Discord

Join Kolby, Nemo, Julia, and Dr. John Dehlin for one of our most in-depth LDS Discussions episodes yet as we unpack “The Other Isaiah Problem” and what it means for the historicity of the Book of Mormon.
In this episode, we explore why scholars overwhelmingly view isaiah as a multi-author work, how the Great Isaiah Scroll challenges the Book of Mormon’s use of Isaiah, and why the text consistently aligns with the King James Version rather than ancient sources. We walk through the history of the brass plates, the transition from scrolls to codex technology, and the anachronisms the Church now quietly acknowledges.
We compare the Great Isaiah Scroll, the Masoretic Text, the Original Manuscript of the Book of Mormon, and the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, revealing where Joseph Smith appears to be pulling from later biblical scholarship –including Adam Clarke’s commentary –and where verses in the Book of Mormon simply did not exist in ancient manuscripts. We ask the question: What does this mean for believers who want the text to be historical?
Whether you’re deeply familiar with LDS scholarship or just starting your faith journey, this episode lays out the evidence clearly, accessibly, and respectfully –while still asking the hard questions.

Show Notes
YouTube

Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!
Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
Support us on Patreon
PayPal
Venmo

Our Platforms:
YouTube
Patreon
Spotify
Apple Podcasts

Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:
Insta: @mormstories
TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
Join the Discord

Welcome to another epsiode of our LDS Discussions series! In this episode, we take a detailed, evidence-based look at one of the most repeated claims in Latter-day Saint apologetics: that Joseph Smith was incapable of producing a well-written text –and therefore could not have authored the Book of Mormon.
Drawing from Joseph Smith’s three earliest letters (written in 1829-1830), historical context, church manuals, apologetic arguments, and modern scholarship, we critically explore where the evidence leads. We don’t care where you land on the belief spectrum –our is clarity, transparency, and accuracy.
We are joined today by Kolby Reddish and Julia (Nemo couldn’t make it), who walk us through the major claims, the apologetic narratives, and the documents themselves. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Show Notes
YouTube

Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!
Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
Support us on Patreon
PayPal
Venmo

Our Platforms:
YouTube
Patreon
Spotify
Apple Podcasts

Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:
Insta: @mormstories
TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
Join the Discord

Is Nahom really the strongest evidence for the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon? In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the most cited archaeological “proofs” of the Book of Mormon -the discovery of altars inscribed with the letters NHM in Yemen.
John Dehlin and attorney and former clerk from the Idaho Supreme Court, Kolby Reddish examine what the text of the Book of Mormon actually says about Nahom, where it’s supposed to be located, and whether the archaeological evidence matches up. Along the way, we look at how apologists, scholars, and critics have each interpreted this find -and what it really says about the historicity of the Book of Mormon.
We also examine whether or not Joseph Smith could have known about Nahom (or Nehem) from maps or Biblical references, and how issues like confirmation bias and faith-based reasoning play into the debate.
This conversation aims to be evidence-based, thoughtful, and respectful -seeking understanding amid polarization in the Mormon and ex-Mormon communities.

Show Notes
YouTube

Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!
Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
Support us on Patreon
PayPal
Venmo

Our Platforms:
YouTube
Patreon
Spotify
Apple Podcasts

Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:
Insta: @mormstories
TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
Join the Discord

Sandra Tanner is back with us on LDS Discussions to conclude our conversation on three new church essays recently published by the LDS Church. In this episode, we’ll finish our coverage of the essay on polygamy and move on to the final essay, which addresses the character of Joseph Smith.
Topics include:
-Joseph’s failed prophecies
-Joseph’s treatment of Emma
-Joseph’s 21 criminal cases
Join us as we unpack these final issues and reflect on what they reveal about Joseph Smith and early church history.

Show Notes
YouTube

Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!
Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
Support us on Patreon
PayPal
Venmo

Our Platforms:
YouTube
Patreon
Spotify
Apple Podcasts

Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:
Insta: @mormstories
TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
Join the Discord