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.

___________________

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

Social Media:

• ⁠⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Join the Discord⁠⁠

Contact us:

[email protected]

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117