LDS Discussions - Mormon Truth Claims Examined

Many have asked the question: Did Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith have sex with his polygamous wives? During his lifetime, Joseph Smith engaged in polygamy (which was illegal in the state of Illinois) and his wives consisted of women who were underage, women who were single, women who were widowed, and women who were already legally married. What is the evidence for his sexual relations with them? Additionally a number of the brethren were also commanded to live polygamy, what is the evidence for sexual relations in those unions? Were any children born in polygamy during the prophet’s life? Join us for a unique LDS Discussions episode where we explore these topics and answer these questions. Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/did-joseph-smith-have-sex-with-his-plural-wives/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm9ns6cNTdU&t=10s] Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: * One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox [https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m] * Support us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mormonstories] * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories] Our Platforms: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/mormonstories?sub_confirmation=1] * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772] Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: * Insta: @mormstories [https://www.instagram.com/mormstories] * TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast] * Join the Discord [https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF]

Keith Erekson serves as the director of the historical research and outreach for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On January 12, 2025 he gave a fireside in which he answered tough questions. Today we are responding to that fireside and discussing such topics as polygamy, Joseph Smith marrying women who were already married, and the church hiding aspects of its history. Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/byu-professor-brings-ces-letter-to-life/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_nWydBTe2c&list=PLxq5opj6GqOD2S4hl_2eAITnWZBFJFOy8&index=7&t=1073s] Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: * One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox [https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m] * Support us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mormonstories] * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories] Our Platforms: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/mormonstories?sub_confirmation=1] * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772] Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: * Insta: @mormstories [https://www.instagram.com/mormstories] * TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast] * Join the Discord [https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF]

In this episode of LDS Discussions, we explore how BYU Professor Anthony Sweat’s artwork reflects the troubling aspects of church history found in the CES Letter by Jeremy Runnells. Despite being excommunicated for questioning the church, Runnells’ CES Letter, published in 2013, exposes discrepancies in the official narrative. Meanwhile, Sweat’s art, starting in 2014, delves into controversial topics like Joseph Smith's treasure digging, the use of a seer stone, and polygamy. We compare Sweat's paintings to the CES Letter's criticisms, highlighting how the church’s history is often presented inaccurately. Join us as we discuss these bold portrayals and the ongoing tension between church teachings and historical truth. Show Notes [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_nWydBTe2c&list=PLxq5opj6GqOD2S4hl_2eAITnWZBFJFOy8&index=7&t=1073s] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_nWydBTe2c&list=PLxq5opj6GqOD2S4hl_2eAITnWZBFJFOy8&index=7&t=1073s] Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: * One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox [https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m] * Support us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mormonstories] * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories] Our Platforms: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/mormonstories?sub_confirmation=1] * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772] Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: * Insta: @mormstories [https://www.instagram.com/mormstories] * TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast] * Join the Discord [https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF]

The LDS Church is quietly but significantly updating the introduction to the Book of Mormon, shifting its focus from historical claims to a broader, more spiritual narrative. In this episode , we dive deep into these changes, exploring what they reveal about the Church's evolving stance on the historicity of its sacred text. Is this an effort to address long-standing critiques about the lack of archaeological and genetic evidence? Or does it reflect a broader shift to make the Book of Mormon more approachable for a global audience? Join us as we unpack the implications of this significant change and discuss what it might mean for the future of Mormonism. Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/church-backtracks-on-new-introduction/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpPHpAQFV_0] Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: * One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox [https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m] * Support us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mormonstories] * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories] Our Platforms: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/mormonstories?sub_confirmation=1] * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772] Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: * Insta: @mormstories [https://www.instagram.com/mormstories] * TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast] * Join the Discord [https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF]

In this gripping third installment of our series, we dive deep into the Book of Mormon to unravel the true meaning of the cursed “Skin of Blackness." Are recent apologetic theories—claiming it's just paint, dark coats, or tattoos—offering genuine insights, or are they merely attempts to gloss over the text's troubling implications? Join us as we confront these arguments head-on and question whether we should trust the prophets or the apologists. Don’t miss this eye-opening discussion! Show Notes [https://www.mormonstories.org/marriage/skin-of-blackness-and-mormon-apologetics/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrxC-2PVq2U&list=PLxq5opj6GqOB7J1n6pMmdUSezxcLfsced&index=58] Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: * One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox [https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m] * Support us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mormonstories] * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories] Our Platforms: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/mormonstories?sub_confirmation=1] * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772] Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: * Insta: @mormstories [https://www.instagram.com/mormstories] * TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast] * Join the Discord [https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF]