Author: Mark

Why was the Nauvoo Expositor Destroyed?

Why Was The Nauvoo Expositor Really Destroyed?

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Some insist that the Nauvoo Expositor was destroyed because of its slanderous remarks about Joseph Smith, but what do the contemporary historical records actually say? If the workings of the press were said to bring the mob, why would a mob be outraged, given they were also against Joseph Smith and in favor of the slander being printed? Why would news of a surprise visit from Governor Ford cause cause prominent church leaders to scramble to adjust their accounting books? Why would a founding member of the Nauvoo Expositor burn the building down? Could there be something else that justified the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor besides slander against Joseph Smith? Could the continuation of those same illegal activities after Joseph Smith’s death be the catalyst for Brigham Young being forced to prematurely flee the state of Illinois in the dead of winter as a fugitive dodging federal indictments?

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What are Baptisms for the dead?

Baptisms for the Dead?

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Where did this concept of “baptisms for the dead” originate? Who started it? When and where did the first baptisms for the dead happen? When did they officially add this doctrine to the teachings and the scriptures? Is the idea with baptisms for the dead compatible with other scriptural teachings on the atonement? We’ll explore these questions and more in this interview.

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What is the New & Everlasting Covenant of Marriage?

New & Everlasting Covenant… of Marriage?

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Explore the documentation behind the claim that marriage for eternity is a requirement for the celestial kingdom. What is the new and everlasting covenant? How has the new and everlasting covenant evolved in LDS church history, and was marriage part of that covenant initially? How did the saints break the covenant 12 years before it was revealed? At what point did eternal marriage become the focal point of the everlasting covenant and who was responsible for this “new” covenant?

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Origins of the Aaronic Priesthood

Is the Aaronic Priesthood Authentic?

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In this interview with Michael Barrett, we discuss theories, ideas, facts and hypotheses surrounding the Aaronic priesthood. Where did the Aaronic priesthood come from? What does the documentary hypothesis suggest about the legitimacy of the Aaronic priesthood claims? Why don’t the earliest versions of the Moses story contain the parts about Aaron and his lineage having special rights? Who wrote the biblical parts of the story of Aaron, and when? Does the Book of Mormon support the concept of the priesthood of Aaron?

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Who Wrote D&C 132?

Who Wrote D&C 132?

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Part 3 of an interview with Ryan Hinckley (host of the “Mormon Theories” podcast), exploring the origins of the alleged July 12, 1843 revelation known today as D&C 132. Was it from Joseph Smith? Who wrote it? Where was it kept and why wasn’t it shared with the saints for 9 years? What doctrines did it change? Does it match the writing style, tone, syntax and communication style of Joseph Smith or the voice used in former revelations?

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Who Killed Joseph Smith Q&A with Steve Sorensen & Justin Griffin

“Who Killed Joseph Smith?” Live Audience Q&A

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Part 2 of the interview series with Justin Griffin & Steve Sorensen (directors of the documentary “Who Killed Joseph Smith?”) where we take questions from a live audience, discuss the particulars of the theories in the movie. We’ll also discuss personal lives of the directors, their beliefs about certain things, critiques to the movie’s theories and research, and more. Leave all of your questions in the comments section below, like the best questions and we’ll try to cover as many as possible.

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Meet the directors of documentary "Who killed joseph smith?" Justin Griffin and Steve Sorensen

“Who Killed Joseph Smith?” Interview w/ Justin Griffin & Steve Sorensen

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Exclusive interview with Justin Griffin (Director & Producer) and Steve Sorensen (Film Maker). We discuss their full-featured documentary film “Who Killed Joseph Smith?” Explore the project, multiple theories, research, science, forensics, ballistics, chronologies, legal proceedings, historical accounts, changes in church histories, insights from leading experts and more. In this interview, we attempt to better understand one of the most significant murders in American history: The assassination of Joseph & Hyrum Smith on June 27, 1844 at Carthage Jail.

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