Mormon History Podcast – Gospel Tangents – Mormon History Podcast

1147: Fascinating LDS Perspectives with Coptic Orthodox Easter Tradition (Rick B)

#1147

Last Monday at 4:20 AM

Orthodox Easter this year was a week later than Western Christianity. I was able to take a unique journey into Orthodox Easter traditions and the historical resilience of early Christianity.

It was a fascinating experience to visit St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Clearfield, Utah, after meeting a California member named Daniel Michalski. Unlike Western traditions, the Coptic Easter service is held on Saturday night and can last up to four hours, featuring a blend of English, Coptic, and Arabic chanting. One of the most striking rituals is the procession of the icon of Christ, which is...

Did Early Temple Sealings Guarantee Heaven? (Jonathan Stapley 2018 interview)

#1146

Last Saturday at 10:23 PM

Did Early Temple Sealings Guarantee Heaven? Dr. Jonathan Stapley, an award-winning historian—and surprisingly, a PhD in carbohydrate chemistry discusses his Mormon History Association Best Book Award-winner, “The Power of Godliness: Mormon Liturgy and Cosmology.” This is a fascinating deep dive into how early Latter-day Saints understood priesthood, the lost history of female ritual healing, and how the church’s ordinances have evolved over time.

0:00 Cosmological Priesthood
17:29 Mormon Women healing
31:36 Mormon Priestess
44:24 Dallin Oak: Women Have Priesthood!
53:21 Alternative Medicine
1:01:52 Baby Blessings
1:13:21 Temple Sealings
1:22:15 Armininianism vs Calvinism: Are Mormons Saved?

Don’t m...

Complex History of Race & LDS Temples (Jonathan Stapley 4 of 4)

#1145

Last Saturday at 11:40 AM

Dr. Jonathan Stapley tackles a tough topic: race & LDS Temples as we conclude his deep dive into Stapley’s award-winning book, Holiness to the Lord. We tackles some of the most complex historical topics surrounding Latter-day Saint temple worship, including the ideological shift away from plural marriage, the history of racial restrictions, and the profound religious work of caring for the dead.

0:00 Trading Polygamy for Temple Work
3:58 Race & the Temple
16:21 Caring for the Dead

Don’t miss our other discussions with Jonathan. https://gospeltangents.com/people/jonathan_stapley

Gospel...

Amazing Complex History of Women & Temple Sealings (Jonathan Stapley 3 of 4)

#1144

04/05/2026

Dr. Jonathan Stapley, author of Holiness to the Lord, dives deep into the complex history of women & temple sealings, the historical evolution of the sealing ceremony, the persistent changes to the endowment, and the shifting architectural purposes of Latter-day Saint temples. https://youtu.be/9GLMfnUxqdU

Don’t miss our other discussions with Jonathan. https://gospeltangents.com/people/jonathan_stapley

Gospel Tangents

Complex History of Women & Temple Sealings: Egalitarian Sealings?

When examining the history of the sealing ceremony, Stapley points out a star...

Inside LDS Temple Ceremonies (Jonathan Stapley 2 of 4)

#1143

04/03/2026

Dr Jonathan Stapley takes us inside LDS temple ceremonies, including the Initiatory, Endowment, and Sealing ceremony changes over the years. Was the sealing ceremony more egalitarian under Joseph Smith than Brigham Young? Check out our conversation….

Don’t miss our other discussions with Jonathan. https://gospeltangents.com/people/jonathan_stapley

Gospel Tangents

Dr. Jonathan Stapley, author of Holiness to the Lord, explores the fascinating historical evolution of temple ordinances, clarifying the differences between early Kirtland practices, the introduction of Masonic elements in Nauvoo, and the shifting langu...