On a groundbreaking episode of Mormon Book Reviews, Evangelical Steven Pynakker welcomes back on Josh Gehly author of the just released book "Witnessing Miracles: Historical Evidence for the Resurrection and the Book of Mormon". Josh is an Evangelist of the Church of Jesus Christ. He is a big fan of Christian apologists William Lane Craig, Gary Habermas, and Michael Licona. They are renowned experts on making a case for the historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Josh uses the tools provided by these Christian thinkers to make an even stronger case for the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Evanglicals and Restorationists be prepared to have your minds blown! Check out the link below to purchase. #JoshGehly #WitnessingMiracles #ChurchofJesusChrist

On a very unique episode of Mormon Book Reviews, two Evangelists of the Church of Jesus Christ come on to discuss the great miracles and supernatural events that occur in their church! Join me as I have a conversation with previous guest Josh Gehly and newcomer Alphonso Hopkins. Alphonso is the newest ordained Evangelist in the church. He shares growing up in a largely African American Book of Mormon believing congregation in Florida. Racism, family tragedy, the dead being raised, and other miracles and events are relayed to us by Alphonso. Josh Gehly previews his newest book "Witnessing Miracles: Historical Evidence for the Resurrection and the Book of Mormon". He then discusses some of the miracles he and his father (who is the current President of the Church) had while on the mission field and stateside. Alphonso and Josh then offer a sneak peek of what goes on in their services at their local churches. It was awesome having these brothers on and I believe you will feel edified watching this episode. #JoshGehly #WitnessingMiracles #ChurchofJesusChrist

Today is regarded as the anniversary of the crash at Roswell. Was it an alien craft? A weather balloon? Or something else? On a very special episode of Mormon Book Reviews and the Steven Pynakker Channel, I am excited to have back on Roger Launius former Chief Historian of NASA and Senior Curator of the Air & Space Museum at the Smithsonian. Roger discusses how every year, before he retired, he would give a lecture at the Air & Space Museum about how it is a myth that an alien craft crashed in Roswell in the summer of 1947. He presents a slide show where he gives evidence that the main reason there was a "cover up" at Roswell had more to do with the Cold War than anything otherworldly. After the presentation Steven Pynakker was able to ask Roger a series of questions about the events at Roswell that he had himself as well as ones provided to him by members of a UFO sub-Reddit. It was really cool to have Roger on and at the end he was able to tie in Mormonism to the Space Program!

On a very special episode of Mormon Book Reviews, Mormon Scholar and Freemason Jason Smith comes on the program to discuss his research regarding the influence of Masonry on the formation of Mormonism. In this fascinating coversation he discusses how the "Morgan Affair" played a major role in the development of the Book of Mormon. The idea that Masonic Temple Rites were well known at this time and they may have been referenced in the lost 116 pages is also explored. Jason shows how Masonry played a major role during the Kirtland period as well, especially in the formation of temple rituals and the Book of Abraham. The Nauvoo period is then discussed and it is speculated that Joseph's entanglements with Masonry may have played a role in his martydom. We talk about the book "Method Infinite: Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration" written by Cheryl Bruno, Joe Steve Swick III, Nick Literski. Jason wrote a review of it for the September issue of the John Whitmore Historical Association's Journal and he previews it here. We then talk a little about Jason's background. He was originally a staunch anti-Mason as a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. His father was a Freemason and Jason talks about how much it met that he become a "Brother" to his father before his passing. The discussion then turns to his work regarding the legacy of Pauline Hancock, the female founder of a Restorationist church. This church would have a major impact on the lives of Jerald and Sandra Tanner and their ministry. I look forward to having Jason back on to discuss how the Restoration impacted his Christian faith. Stay Tuned! #Mormonism&Masonry #Freemasonry #Methodinfinite

On the lastest episode of Mormon Book Reviews, the book "Method Infinite: Freemasonry and The Mormon Restoration" by Cheryl Bruno, Joe Steve Swick, and Nicholas Literski is previewed! I was sent a preview copy of the book by it's publisher Greg Kofford Books. I have been able to read parts of it and the book is groundbreaking and awesome! After discussing the contents of it with my producer Anthony Virella (who did an awesome job in the post production of this video) we decided to produce a special spoiler free sneak preview of the publication. This will be the start of my Mormonism & Masonry Summer series. In addition to having on Mormon scholar and Freemason Jason Smith (tomorrow night's interview), I will also have on some of the authors of Method Infinte on in the lead up to the Aug. 9th release. Please click on the link in the description to pre-order a copy. Stay Tuned!

Movie Director/Writer Justin Griffin returns to Mormon Book Reviews to respond to my recent interview of Brian Stutzman author of "The History of Warsaw Illinois: Including the Mormon Period". Brian came on my program to offer up a few more crtique's of Justin's movie "Who Killed Joseph Smith?" that he wasn't able to get to on his most recent appearance on "Midnight Mormons". Justin was invited to come on my program to respond and he accepted the invitation. He asked that the episode be taped so it would be posted on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith. That is the reason for this special Monday episode. I want to thank both Brian and Justin for coming on to discuss this very sensitive subject. My apologies for the lighting in my studio, I just got new equipment and I'm still figuring it out! #whokilledjosephsmith #justingriffin #lds #midnightmormons #evangelical

With the upcoming anniversary of the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith coming soon, previous guest Brian Stutzman returns to discuss the controversial film "Who Killed Joseph Smith" written and directed by Justin Griffin. Brian wrote the groundbreaking book "The History of Warsaw Illinois: Including the Mormon Period" which covered the trial of the defendants who allegedly killed the Prophet. On this special episode of Mormon Book Reviews he discusses who actually killed Joseph and brings up a few more points that weren't covered on Midnight Mormons when he was a guest on that program. Justin is welcome to come back on this program to defend his work anytime. Stay Tuned! #whokilledjosephsmith #midnightmormons #historyofwarsaw

To celebrate the one year anniversary of the release of the groundbreaking book "Obscure Mormon Doctrine: Uncommon Beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", author Chris Jensen returns to Mormon Book Reviews! In this special episode Chris describes the overwhelmingly positve responses he has received since self-publishing this book. Chris also talks about the newly released audio format of the book and how easy it was to set it up in a very professional manner. We also announce that he will be a part of the "Tuesday Tangents" series where we will discuss a particular "Obscure Mormon Doctrine" for 20 to 30 minute segments. Stay Tuned! #obscuremormondoctrine #mormon #lds #mormondoctrine #evangelical

Psych student and post-Mormon Nathan Smith returns with Steven Pynakker on Mormon Book Reviews, this time to discuss his favorite character in the Book of Mormon: Alma the Younger. Nathan sees the Book of Mormon's presentation of Alma as not only sophisticated and thought-provoking, but as psychologically insightful. Together Nathan and Steve psychoanalyze Alma to better understand this character and how the Book of Mormon understands Jesus Christ. This presentation was based on an essay by Nathan, which can be found on Medium: "The Inner Life of Alma the Younger: A Psychoanalytic Reading of the Book of Mormon"

Interview released 6-18-22

On the final episode of the Under The Banner Of Heaven Aftershow co-hosts Rebecca Bibliotheca and Steven Pynakker are excited to have on Hanna Seariac! This is the second time we taped this episode and Hanna explains why she asked for the first one to be pulled. Hanna also discusses her recent article she wrote about Brenda Lafferty for the Deseret News and talks about why she felt it was important that her story be told. We then talk about the final episode of the FX/Hulu limited series titled "Blood Atonement". Hanna gives us her take on the episode as well as the series overall. We discuss the way that the Mountain Meadows Massacre was portrayed as well as Brigham Young and the martydom of Joseph Smith. Hanna also defends Lindsay Hansen Park and Dustin Lance Black against the accusation that they are Anti-Mormon. She also addreses the criticism that "she aligns with those who attack the (LDS) faith". I also want to thank Jim Bennett, Benjamin Shaffer, and Lindsay Hansen Park for coming on Mormon Book Reviews to discuss the series. Stay tuned for an Aftershow of the Netflix series "Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey". Coming soon! #underthebannerofheaven #andrewgarfield #bloodatonement #lindsayhansenpark #lds #mormon #polygamy #mormonfundamentalism #evangelical #brendalafferty