The Interpreter Foundation Podcast

In this episode of Conversations with Interpreter, John E. Cochran II and Joseph Cochran explore the societal and cultural changes that seem to have allowed the Lamanites to be receptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Cochrans lay out their argument in an article entitled, “From Wilderness to Covenant Threshold: Land, Literacy, and Religious Readiness in the Book of Mormon,” published in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. In this episode, they observe that the descriptions of Lamanites in early parts of the Book of Mormon do not always coincide with what the sons of Mosiah find in their missionary journey. They argue that it is the language and culture brought by Amulon and the wicked priests actually helped prepare the Lamanites for the gospel of Jesus Christ, showing how God prepares people in ways that are sometimes different from what we expect. God wants all of his people to return to him and he is constantly finding ways to prepare people, including cultural and societal changes.

The post Conversations with Interpreter: John Cochran II and Joseph Cochran — Covenant Thresholds first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the April 9, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson and his guest Mark Johnson review Moses literature and sources for study as well as Interpreter resources on Moses.

The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — April 9, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In this episode our hosts dive deeper into Brigham Young’s dramatic first meeting with the Prophet Joseph Smith, and highlight a surprising detail: Brigham was not immediately welcomed into Joseph’s inner circle or invited to stay in Kirtland. Our hosts also explore Brigham’s remarkable humility, obedience, and his lifelong, deeply personal devotion to Joseph.

The post Becoming Brigham Episode 11: In Search of a Prophet first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

This episode features Dr. Daniel C. Peterson, professor emeritus and president of the Interpreter Foundation. Dr. Peterson discusses the exciting new web series Becoming Brigham, which presents a fuller picture of the person and ministry of Brigham Young than is sometimes presented in our broader discourse. Although definitely a product of the Nineteenth Century, the historical evidence shows that Brigham Young was not the authoritarian leader of popular imagination. In the podcast, Dr. Peterson shares some of his favorite stories about President Young that give a different perspective on him, including on issues of race and plural marriage. This episode serves as a taste of what is available to watchers of Becoming Brigham.

The post Conversations with Interpreter: Daniel Peterson and Becoming Brigham first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Easter should be a feast for all our senses. Early Christians recounted the events between Christ’s death and Resurrection with joy, and much in their accounts is familiar to us. Doctrine and Covenants 138 describes and celebrates Christ’s visit to the world of the spirits between his death and Resurrection. As this revelation becomes […]

The post Easter and Doctrine and Covenants 138: Our Harrowing of Hell, Our Descensus Christi ad Inferos, Our Anastasis first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the April 2, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Martin Tanner is joined by Stanford Carmack to discuss the language of the Book of Mormon.

The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — April 2, 2026: Stanford Carmack and the language of the Book of Mormon first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

This episode contrasts historical manifestations (speaking and singing in unknown languages) with modern Latter-day Saint experiences, especially missionaries seeking the gift to learn and teach in foreign languages. Our hosts dive into Doctrine and Covenants 46, where Joseph Smith taught that spiritual gifts should be sought earnestly but used for the right reasons.

The post Becoming Brigham Episode 10: Gifts and Prophecies – Part One first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

For this episode we talk with Matthew L. Bowen about his article “Upon All the Nations”: The gôyim in Nephi’s Rendition of Isaiah 2 (2 Nephi 12) in Literary Context.” Dr. Bowen discusses places where Nephi’s version of Isaiah 2, preserved in 2 Nephi 12, differs from Isaiah in the received Hebrew. He argues that this reflects Nephi’s focus on all nations and desire to spread the gospel message to everyone, everywhere. This strongly reflects the vision of the Book of Mormon as a book to all nations and also gives readers of the Book of Mormon cause to reflect on the great mercy of Jesus Christ. One of Nephi’s primary messages is that the redemption and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is available to all of humanity, showing a wideness of focus that reflects God’s love for his children.

The post Conversations with Interpreter: Matthew Bowen and Upon All Nations: Nephi and Isaiah on the Nations first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the March 26, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson and his guest Kevin Christensen discuss Taylor Halvorson's 2023 Interpreter Article about Nephi emulating Moses and not David (https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/nephi-wanted-to-be-a-prophet-like-moses-not-a-king-like-david) and the various theories on the Deuteronomist school in LDS letters.

The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — March 26, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Sometimes humble settings and ordinary people set the stage for extraordinary spiritual experiences. While discussing Brigham Young’s surprising interactions with the prophet Joseph Smith, our hosts explore the historic Newell K. Whitney store. This original 1830s building became far more than a community store. It served as the Church’s headquarters, Joseph and Emma’s home, and the setting for the School of the Prophets.

The post Becoming Brigham Episode 9: Did Brigham really have the Gift of Tongues when he first met Joseph Smith? first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.