The Third Hour Podcast

At long last, we've reached the apex of the Book of Mormon — the appearance of the Messiah in the Americas. The Nephites are rightfully astounded to hear the voice of Jesus Christ. For this episode of the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss the difficulty of miracles, the impact of the Law of Moses being fulfilled, the Book of Mormon's Trinitarian passages and what we can learn from them, and possible meanings of the "spirit of contention."

For a day and a night and a day, there was no darkness. This was the miracle that attended the birth of the messiah. Yet very soon the Nephites found ways to dismiss this event. In an anxious episode of the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss what went wrong. What were the signs of decay that led to such forgetfulness? And more importantly, are those same signs evident in our own approach to faith, certainty, and doubt?

Samuel the Lamanite calls the Nephites to repentance — and us by extension, sparking a conversation about treasure, inertia, and complacency.

As Nephi prays in his garden tower and calls his people to repentance, the Third Hour Podcast discusses some repentance of our own — namely, how the concept is expressed in the Book of Mormon, what it has to do with signs and famines, and how we apply it to the politics of today.

As we trade the war chapters of Alma for the war chapters of Helaman, the Third Hour Podcast talks about the suffering and persecution of the most humble, how to become humble rather than acting as persecutors, and what we can learn about the Gadianton Robbers, conspiracy theories, and being prudent.

As Captain Moroni continues to wage war, the Third Hour Podcast discusses the legalities and ethics by comparing modern and ancient warfare, asks who the Messiah would have us emulate, and attempts to reconcile the story of the Stripling Warriors with instances when the faithful are not saved by divine intervention.

War! What is it good for? As Captain Moroni squares off against Amalickiah, the Third Hour Podcast asks a number of pressing questions on the topic of warfare. What do these chapters teach us about the qualifications for righteous war? What charges do we levy against our opponents? Is the Title of Liberty a meaningful casus belli? Can we judge the characters and actions of the Book of Mormon by modern standards? And what are the desirable — or undesirable — traits of leaders like Captain Moroni or Amalickiah?

After sharing some fatherly advice with his sons Helaman and Shiblon, Alma gives "the talk" to Corianton. But what is Alma principally concerned with? The Third Hour Podcast discusses sexual sin, some pitfalls and even inaccuracies with our application of the law of chastity, and a possible translation error between works and covenants.

Alma counsels his sons Helaman and Shiblon, and the Third Hour Podcast discusses the ways God reaches out to us, comfort and the Comforter, and bridling our passions.

It's a phrase every seminary student knows: "Now we will compare the word unto a seed." But have we always taken the idea in the right direction? This week on the Third Hour Podcast, we discuss the parameters and even some of our possible blind spots in respect to Alma's parable.