Send us a text!

Episode 5 of Priesthood offers a thoughtful defense of the Mormon priesthood restoration narrative from a faithful perspective. We explore how Joseph Smith's concept of revelation allowed for evolving understanding rather than verbatim dictation. Drawing on insights from Richard Bushman, FAIR, and Jim Bennett's CES Letter rebuttal, we examine how early newspaper accounts, Oliver Cowdery's enduring testimony, and Joseph Smith's open approach to revelation clarify why priesthood authority details developed gradually over time. 

Sources

• Essay: Priesthood, FAIR LDS
• Essay: Priesthood CES Rebuttal, FAIR LDS
• Essay: Priesthood Restored, FAIR LDS
• Essay: Priesthood CES Rebuttal, Jim Bennett

AI Prompt
Focus on the sources from FAIR and the CES Rebuttal by Jim Bennet. Describe in great detail the supportive arguements for the priesthood restoration narrative. Discuss the chronology of events, the key people, written historical records, references in scriptures. Discuss any changes to the story, testimony, or dates over time. Defend faith with facts and reason. Do not give counter arguments from other sources. Be detailed. Be logical. quote sources. Audience: faithful and doubting Mormons.

Support the show

Study with our Free AI Notebooks

1. Truth | 2. Beginnings | 3. First Vision | 4. Priesthood | 5. The Gold Plates | 6. The BoM | 7. The BoA | 8. Polygamy | 9. Changes | 10. Challenges | ...