In the July 30, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Foundation Podcast, our hosts Terry Hutchinson, John Gee, and John Thompson discuss the Abraham and His Family Conference that was held in May.

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Review of Edward K. Watson, Verifiable Evidence for the Book of Mormon: Proof of a Deliberate Design Within a Dictated-from-Imagination Book. Abstract: Edward K. Watson provides a new twist in the textual evidence for the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. Drawing upon his expertise in working with argumentative and persuasive essays (collectively known as “structured essays”) and applying modern scholarship to the requirements for sound argumentation in such essays, Watson seeks to apply objective criteria and scoring methods to evaluate several of the many structured essays in the Book of Mormon. Watson argues that because such essays generally require considerable planning and revision, it would be very unlikely for them to have been created, rather than translated, by Joseph Smith dictating at high speed and without major revisions. While his analysis adds new dimensions to the complexity and depth of the Book of Mormon, I believe that his claims are overstated and not adequately supported, especially when he says that dictating structured essays would be “impossible” for any mortal. Nevertheless, Watson does provide interesting evidence on a long-overlooked aspect of the Book of Mormon that merits consideration.

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During 1978, 1979, and 1980, Hugh Nibley taught a Doctrine and Covenants Sunday School class. Cassette recordings were made of these classes and some have survived and were digitized by Steve Whitlock and recently enhanced by Nick Galieti. Most of the tapes were in pretty bad condition. The original recordings usually don’t stop or start […]

In the July 24th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Foundation Podcast, our hosts Bruce Webster, Martin Tanner, and Kris Frederickson discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for August 11 – 12 covering D&C 88.

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D&C 88:1-2 Pleasing to the Lord In verses 1-2 the Lord tells us that it is pleasing to Him when we assemble together, seek to know His will, and pray to Him. Also, He states that those prayers are recorded in heaven, where angels rejoice (see also D&C 62:3). How might these verses affect your […]

  In the July 24, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Foundation Podcast, our hosts Bruce Webster, Martin Tanner, and Kris Frederickson discuss Pioneer Day and religious freedom. You can listen to or download the discussion segment of the podcast episode below. The audio track is also included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast).   Podcast: Download […]

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Abstract: A new, simpler design for the Liahona is proposed, which, if correct, makes the reason for two spindles and a hollow-ball shape perfectly obvious. Previous proposed models of the Liahona usually show horizontal, compass-like pointers inside an open-top ball, but our model has vertical spindles protected inside a hollow ball with viewing ports to allow the aligned spindles to be superimposed on a view of the horizon, precisely marking the direction of travel. Lehi’s first use of the Liahona is discussed. Book of Mormon descriptions of the Liahona and how it was used are compared with modern attempts to visualize its design and function. A greater understanding of the Liahona’s two spindles and its surface text may yet be discovered from experimentation with physical models.

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  In the July 20th Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Foundation Podcast, our hosts Terry Hutchinson, Mark Johnson, and Kevin Christensen discuss the Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson for August 4 – 10 covering D&C 85-87. You can listen to or download the Come, Follow Me segment of the July 20th […]

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  In the July 23, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Foundation Podcast, our hosts Martin Tanner, Hales Swift, and Brent Schmidt discuss the Restored Gospel, Freedom, and Government. You can listen to or download the discussion segment of the podcast episode below. The audio track is also included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast).   Podcast: […]

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Abstract: A recent article alleges that in creating the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith copied Isaiah passages out of the Bible commentary of Scottish theologian Adam Clarke. The author of the article alleges that while doing so, the Prophet edited those passages based on suggestions from Clarke’s cross references and commentary. This explains the differences between Isaiah in the King James translation and the corresponding Isaiah passages in the Book of Mormon. A careful analysis of the Isaiah verses in the Book of Mormon and Clarke’s commentary shows that this claim is not true.

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