In this episode we resume our discussion of the Saints search for Zion in Missouri. We continue to discuss the events surrounding the Saints early attempts to build the city of Zion in Missouri. We focus on the reaction of Missourians to this influx of blasphemous outsiders and how their culture and history will lead to a violent expulsion. We also do a deeper dive into the law of consecration and land/property ownership as part of gathering in Zion.

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In the second part of our examination of the claims made in the book Under the Banner of Heaven, we discuss the Mountain Meadows Massacre and the attempt of the author to claim that religious beliefs lead people to be more prone to violence. 

Church's response to Under the Banner of Heaven in 2003:

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We have received multiple requests to talk about the new limited series Under the Banner of Heaven. While we are not film critics, the series is based on a book written by an outdoor adventurer/journalist and published in 2003.  We examine the claims made in the book that will likely be shown in the series. 

Church's response to Under the Banner of Heaven in 2003:

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-response-to-jon-krakauers-under-the-banner-of-heaven

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In this episode we continue our discussion of the aftermath of the declaration that Jackson County was the location for the prophesied New Jerusalem. Ezra Booth, a former Methodist minister who had joined the Church of Christ in Ohio, became disillusioned with both the location of Zion and other aspects of the Church on his journey to Missouri and becomes a very public apostate and critic. Also, difficulties between the members of the Church in Missouri and Ohio are described.

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We discuss the importance of the doctrine of the establishment of the New Jerusalem and the way members reacted to the declaration that Independence, Missouri was the location for the city to be built.

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We continue our discussion of underlying American ideologies from the Revolutionary War era, with a very deep dive (scuba gear required) on the ideology surrounding the Boston Tea Party. 

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In this podcast we answer some questions posed by listeners about sources covering the era.  This leads into a discussion of American ideologies and how they will eventually both be held by believing members and used as a justification for violence enacted against the Saints, especially religious freedom.  Colonies of Virginia and Massachusetts Bay are discussed, probably at too much length.

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We continue our discussion of Freemasonry and the early Church. We talk about the claims antagonists make that the LDS temple ceremony is "stolen" from the Freemasons and provide additional context.

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Latter-day Saints have a unique history in relation to the Freemasonry movement that was especially popular in 19th Century America.  We discuss the history of Freemasonry and Joseph’s earliest encounters with it. 

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In our final podcast on the topic, we directly discuss some of the specific claims that have been made of a special relationship between Lincoln and the Book of Mormon and the Latter-day Saints.

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