Mormon.ish

In Episode 5 of this series, Patrick begins by responding to a recent podcast episode illustrating twenty 19th century non-Biblical phrases that are found in the Book of Mormon. These phrases point to a non-ancient text. But do they point to Joseph as the author? Or better yet, to Rigdon? Patrick then addresses the question of conspiracies in early Mormon history! Are we conspiracy theorists and we don't even know it? After a brief review of the first four Book of Mormon wordprint studies presented in prior episodes, we move on to the heart of this episode which focuses on...

Joseph's Pet Rock" may be a tongue-in-cheek title, but behind the humor lies one of the most important—and fascinating—objects in early Mormon history. Long before the publication of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith used a small seer stone while participating in treasure-seeking activities in upstate New York. Over time, that same stone became closely associated with some of the most significant events of the Restoration. In this episode, we explore the history of Joseph Smith's seer stone, its role in early Mormonism, and why it remains such a controversial and misunderstood artifact. How did a stone once...

What was it like growing up as a girl in Mormonism? What about in Seventh-day Adventism? You might be surprised by how much these two very different religions have in common. In this episode, Melissa Duge Spiers joins Mormonish for an honest conversation about purity culture, modesty, dating, shame, and the expectations placed on women in our respective faith traditions. Melissa shares her experiences growing up Seventh-day Adventist, while I reflect on my own upbringing in the LDS Church. Along the way, we discover striking similarities in the messages we received about our bodies, our worth, and what it...

Can Green Eggs and Ham really be read as an ancient temple text? Dr. John Lundwall takes on that challenge—using the very same interpretive methods often employed by LDS apologists to argue for ancient origins in the Book of Mormon. By intentionally applying those techniques to Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham, Dr. Lundwall demonstrates how flexible assumptions, selective parallels, and creative pattern-finding can make almost any text appear to support an ancient religious narrative. This episode isn’t an argument that Green Eggs and Ham is actually ancient. Instead, it’s a thought-provoking exploration of methodology: How do w...

Growing up in the LDS church, we experienced a lot of mythologized history. A lot of this was tied to the founding fathers and the origins of America. We heard stories about Moroni appearing to Christopher Columbus and George Washington. Mythology narratives about Washington’s prayer or the founding fathers appearing to Wilford Woodruff at the temple. All of these ideas were narratives designed to push a very specific idea of American identity and Mormonism’s place inside that identity, many of these ideas are directly tied to ideas of Christian nationalism. Promoted by people like a Benson, Skousen, Tim...

Have you always wondered who is behind the Temple Name Oracle? After experiencing cognitive dissonance from his mission in 2003 and discovering the truth about LDS church history in 2010 from a simple Google search, Clint Kimball experienced the sudden loss of his entire social support structure and began reconstructing his belief system by collecting a trove of facts. This led to the creation of his website, Fuller Consideration, a repository of information used by researchers around the world. Join Mormonish as we take a fascinating deep dive into the creation and impact of some of his notable projects, including: Better...

In Episode 3 of this series, Patrick begins by responding to excellent audience feedback on the overview of stylometry; he presents a chart that shows when in the Book of Mormon each anomaly first appears. He then reviews the usable Book of Mormon wordprint study from Episode 3. The heart of this episode focuses on the first two wordprint studies, both from BYU academics. Patrick explains how the authors of these first two studies make the clear claim that their studies show—in two different types of analysis each—that there are multiple authors of the Book of Mormon! The second of t...

In this special Mormonish/ The Good Book Club episode, we sit down with Dr. John Lundwall to discuss his thought-provoking book Mythos and Cosmos and explore what its ideas might mean when viewed through the lens of Mormonism. Drawing on comparative religion, oral tradition, mythology, and the development of sacred narratives, Lundwall challenges readers to think differently about how ancient religious texts emerge, evolve, and function within believing communities. Together, we examine some of the book's most intriguing arguments and consider their implications for Latter-day Saint scripture, history, and religious identity. How do oral cultures preserve and transmit sacred...

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon delve into the LDS church's rocky relationship with the town of Nauvoo and learn not much has changed in almost two centuries. In a scenario that will sound familiar to everyone who follows LDS temple building with Mormonish, the tactics used by the church to push through a new temple visitors' center follow the same playbook. This episode was originally aired on August 13, 2024 and we are re-airing it because the Nauvoo Visitors' Center was dedicated last week. Let's see where it all started. Thank you so much for watching Mormonish...

Mormonish welcomes author Ganesh Cherian, whose book Joseph Smith: The Architect of Mormonism: A Topical Biography examines Joseph Smith’s role in shaping Mormon theology and belief. Together we explore evidence for Joseph Smith’s authorship of the Book of Mormon, the influences that may have shaped the text, and what this debate tells us about the origins of Mormonism. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on one of the most important questions in Mormon history.

In Episode 3 of this series, Patrick begins by responding to excellent audience feedback on the 3-Voice Framework from Episode 2. He then highlights a recent Mormonism Live episode that makes a compelling case for the Book of Mormon as a 19th-century text, pointing to 34 doctrines from the early 1800s. But many of those doctrines appear directly connected to debates within Campbellism in Ohio and Pennsylvania—debates Sidney Rigdon was having with Alexander Campbell and Walter Scott. Should that raise new questions about Book of Mormon authorship? A future episode will explore the Campbellism connection more deeply. The heart of this ep...

Tune in to Mormonish Podcast on Tuesday, June 23rd at 6 pm MT! President Dallin H. Oaks recently declared that the Church will soon have more missionaries than at any point in its history. But what do those numbers actually mean? This episode takes a closer look at the Church’s missionary statistics, the impact of lowering the missionary age for young women, and the growing role of service and senior missionaries in the overall count. We also examine how today’s numbers compare with previous missionary surges, what metrics are being emphasized, and whether record missionary totals necessarily translate into...

Episode 2: The 3-Voice Framework of the Book of Mormon

In this episode of our continuing series on Book of Mormon authorship theories, Patrick lays the groundwork for understanding how the Book or Mormon is constructed, which is an essential part of considering the Book of Mormon authorship theories. In this episode we consider Rob Terry's work. Data Scientist Rob Terry utilized the BYU Book of Mormon text database to deconstruct the structure of the Book of Mormon. He demonstrates in this Wheat and Tares article https://wheatandtares.org/2020/04/23/book-of-mormon-wordprint-studies-in-2020/ how the Book of Mormon has 3 discrete “voices”. Firs...

In this episode of our continuing series on Book of Mormon authorship theories, Patrick lays the groundwork for understanding how the Book or Mormon is constructed, which is an essential part of considering the Book of Mormon authorship theories. In this episode we consider Rob Terry's work. Data Scientist Rob Terry utilized the BYU Book of Mormon text database to deconstruct the structure of the Book of Mormon. He demonstrates in this Wheat and Tares article https://wheatandtares.org/2020/04/23/book-of-mormon-wordprint-studies-in-2020/ how the Book of Mormon has 3 discrete “voices”. First, the Narrator Voice. This voice contains many attributes that are cons...

Why is it so hard to admit we're wrong? In this episode, Mormonish dives into the fascinating and often uncomfortable ideas presented in Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson. This popular book explores the powerful psychological mechanisms of self-justification, cognitive dissonance, and the stories we tell ourselves to protect our beliefs, decisions, and identities—even when the evidence suggests we may have gotten things wrong. With our guests Kendel Christensen and Cameron Stringham, we discuss how these insights apply to everyday life, relationships, politics, religion, and personal growth. Why do people double do...

Who wrote the Book of Mormon? For nearly two centuries, believers, skeptics, historians, and scholars have wrestled with that question. Is the Book of Mormon what it claims to be—a divinely inspired ancient record translated by the gift and power of God? Was it the product of Joseph Smith alone, created through his own imagination and abilities? Or might other individuals, such as Sidney Rigdon have played a role in its creation? In this special series, we take a deep dive into the competing theories surrounding the authorship of the Book of Mormon. We'll explore the traditional faith-based na...

For decades, Latter-day Saints have been encouraged to study the scriptures deeply and seek personal revelation. But has the Church's increasingly structured "Come, Follow Me" curriculum changed the way members engage with scripture? Is there something wrong? In this episode, a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints raises thoughtful questions about the balance between guidance and independent study, and study questions about scripture content versus the feelings of the reader. Is the curriculum so highly curated that members are only encountering selected passages and approved interpretations? Are important stories, difficult texts, problematic narratives, and...

In this episode, Patrick circles back to questions that came up after episode 305, “Was Sidney Rigdon the Real Founder of Mormonism?” From there, the conversation goes deeper into how the Book of Mormon may have been dictated, pulling together both long-standing research and newer findings to paint a fuller picture of the process. The episode also walks through the proposed plan Sidney Rigdon may have used—not just in producing the Book of Mormon, but in shaping Mormonism itself. That includes a timeline of what both Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were doing prior to 1831, helping to show how their...

The mayor of Fairview Texas, John Hubbard reads through and discusses a letter he wrote to LDS leadership to request they lower the steeple height of the LDS temple being built in his city. He also reads and discusses the response he received from the LDS Temple Department, as well as his reply to that response. The letters are very revealing and you won't want to miss this!

Dr Randall Bell joins Mormonish Podcast to discuss how the LDS church portrays itself in the media through influencers and LDS channels. Is the truth far from these portrayals? Dr. Bell breaks it all down for us as we discuss the Great Mormon Smash & Dash! Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) DONATE HERE: https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d like to purchase Mormonish Merch, yo...

Mormonish is joined by Bill Reel to discuss his new podcast series and new books available on Amazon. Bill's contribution to post Mormon scholarship and the tools needed for deconstruction cannot be overstated. Bill Reel is a podcaster, researcher, and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. He is the host and cohost of several programs exploring Mormon history, doctrine, institutional behavior, and religious deconstruction, including Mormonism Live & Mormon Discussion. For more than a decade, Bill has researched and analyzed difficult issues within Mormonism, helping audiences examine the intersection of faith, history, authority, and truth claims through careful investigation and...

Mormonish Podcast is joined again by Ron Yogason as we crunch the membership data numbers for the end of 2025 and Q1 2026. With more LDS chapels being sold off and more wards and stakes being merged, the data shows a very different picture than the LDS church is trying to portrait in public statements and in the media. We’ll cover: * Expected growth projections from the 1990s * Canadian census: self identified members vs church reported, 1981 / 2021 * 2025 country membership growth vs ward growth * States/Countries gaining & losing wards * Attrition over the years * How many dead members are currently on the rolls * How ma...

The mysterious “Second Anointing” has long been one of the most controversial and secretive practices connected to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this episode, we explore what the ordinance is believed to be, where it came from historically, how it developed in early Mormonism, and why it continues to spark debate among members, former members, and religious scholars alike. We’ll examine claims, teachings, historical sources, and modern discussion surrounding the ritual often described as the church’s “highest ordinance.” Whether you’ve heard whispers about it for years or are learning about it for the first time...

Applying to be an LDS missionary is a rigorous process for a 17, 18, or 19 year old member of the LDS church. It involves multiple worthiness interviews, mental health checks, medical checks, dental checks, and more. The process lasts multiple months before the call to serve finally arrives. But what if the prospective missionary discusses same sex attraction or experiences with their church leaders as part of the worthiness interviews? We now know that this disclosure by a perspective LDS missionary triggers a supplemental questionnaire with dozens of invasive and sensitive questions about every aspect of the young person's sexual history...

During the process of writing and preparing his new book, "Joseph Smith: The Architect of Mormonism / A Topical Guide" for publication, the LDS church sent author Ganesh Cherian a cease and desist letter. The legal back and forth that followed is very interesting, especially in light of the recent lawsuit against John Dehlin and Mormon Stories by the LDS Church. Do both of these legal maneuvers indicate the LDS church is determined to silence anyone producing criticisms of the church? Are they trying to stop healthy criticism and dialogue before it even gets started? Ganesh Cherian joins Mormonish to...

Mormonish Podcast's Landon Brophy describes receiving a letter notifying him of his excommunication.

Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast The Good Book Club If you would like more info on The Good Book Club you can email us at thegoodbookclub@mail.com or find us on facebook here https://www.facebook.com/share/g/PK74... ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you’d...

The comparison of two excommunication stories can reveal a great deal about the kind of people the LDS church will allow right back into full fellowship and the kind of people they will ban for life and beyond.

Juxtaposition is a powerful tool and comparing and contrasting the two excommunication stories of Wade Christofferson (brother of LDS First Presidency Member D. Todd Christofferson), excommunicated for alleged CSA , and Lavina Fielding Anderson, excommunicated as one of the September Six for pointing out the LDS church's ecclesiastical abuses against LDS intellectuals, reveals what the LDS church really prioritizes.

In 2018, during a visit to Nairobi, Kenya, President Russell M. Nelson encouraged African members to pay tithing, reinforcing it as a divine command that breaks cycles of poverty, even in impoverished areas. This teaching, often supported by leadership in the Africa West Area, frames the required 10% donation not just as a religious offering, but as "rent" paid to the Lord for occupying His creation and utilizing the air, water, and food He provides. In some instances, members have been taught to prioritize paying tithing even if it means they struggle to pay for food or their own housing, with...

The financing of the first edition of the Book of Mormon was a pivotal moment in early Latter-day Saint history, achieved primarily through the significant personal sacrifice of Martin Harris, a wealthy farmer who was one of the Three Witnesses. In 1829, after local printers in Palmyra, New York, initially refused the project, Harris agreed to secure the $3,000 cost—roughly equivalent to over $100,000 today—for the printing of 5,000 copies by Egbert B. Grandin. To guarantee this payment, Harris mortgaged his farm, a decision that followed a revelation given to Joseph Smith (now Doctrine and Covenants Section 19) advising Harris not to cove...

The "New" Psychology of Happiness

Are senior members of the LDS church exploited by a system that relies on unpaid labor while expecting significant time, financial, and emotional commitments while serving a senior mission? Senior missionaries often pay their own expenses and may work long hours in administrative, managerial, or operational roles that closely resemble full-time jobs. This raises concerns about fairness and informed consent, especially for retirees on fixed incomes. And the religious framing of service and sacrifice can create social or spiritual pressure to participate, making it difficult for seniors to decline or set boundaries. From this perspective, the use of unpaid...

Mormonish is joined by Dr. Randy Bell as we disuss Hyrum Smith and his education at Moors Charity School, closely associated with Dartmouth College. Just how much time did Hyrum spend at this institution and what he may have learned there is a hot topic among LDS apologists and post Mormons due to it's possible ramifications for Book of Mormon authorship. Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcast! ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast: If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here: Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https...

On this groundbreaking episode of Mormonish Podcast, John Knight Lundwall (PhD, comparative myth and religion) evaluates claims that the Book of Mormon contains colophons—ancient paratextual scribal features used to identify and classify texts. He concludes instead that the book employs an unusual first‑person narrative and speech structure absent from both ancient and modern historical writings. So where did this structure come from? Lundwall traces this structure not to antiquity but to the oratorical conventions of Joseph Smith’s cultural milieu, and he likewise attributes another distinctive feature—the presence of Early Modern English in the earliest manuscripts—to Smith’s...

On this episode of Mormonish, Rebecca and Unoriginal Jim are joined by Dr. Thomas Murphy to discuss his new article "White is an Ite: The Book of Mormon's Misappropriation of the Iroquois Great Law of Peace Open Access" byThomas W Murphy (Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (2025) 58 (4): 47–72.) https://doi.org/10.5406/15549399.58.4.03 "The Book of Mormon's portrayal of a great peace that followed the climatic appearance of Jesus Christ in ancient America presents a conundrum. The people of Nephi reportedly became especially “white,” a label that is described simultaneously as not an “ite.” On the one hand, the narrator Mormon represented the “peopl...

The Good Book Club held a Q&A with acclaimed author and historian John G. Turner to discuss his book "Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet." The discussion was so awesome we had to share it with a wider community! Our book club members asked a wide range of in depth questions and in his answers, John weighs in on the life, teachings, and controversies surrounding the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement, offering a balanced, deeply researched portrait that situates Joseph Smith within the broader currents of American religious history.

Tune into Mormon podcast on Tuesday, March 3rd at 6 PM MT. In this episode, Rebecca and Landon are joined by Patrick Bertch and Dr. John Lundwall to explore the idea that Sidney Rigdon not only founded Mormonism but was the primary author of the Book of Mormon. Patrick shares ground breaking information on the 3 unique voices of the Book of Mormon and takes us through a review of the 7 wordprint studies of the Book of Mormon. These studies point to multiple authorship of the text. The text also contains clues that point to who wrote various parts of the...

While the Church reported over 17.5 million members by the end of 2024, researchers and analysts—often relying on congregation counts, surveys, and academic analysis—frequently estimate the number of active, attending members to be significantly lower, sometimes suggesting it is closer to 4–5 million worldwide. This gap exists because the official figures include anyone with a baptismal record who has not formally resigned, meaning inactive members, or "jack-mormons," are counted until they turn 110 years old. Observers seeking the true, engaged population often ignore the total membership number entirely, focusing instead on the slower-growing, more telling metrics of ward and stake counts to gau...

While the Church reported over 17.5 million members by the end of 2024, researchers and analysts—often relying on congregation counts, surveys, and academic analysis—frequently estimate the number of active, attending members to be significantly lower, sometimes suggesting it is closer to 4–5 million worldwide. This gap exists because the official figures include anyone with a baptismal record who has not formally resigned, meaning inactive members, or "jack-mormons," are counted until they turn 110 years old. Observers seeking the true, engaged population often ignore the total membership number entirely, focusing instead on the slower-growing, more telling metrics of ward and stake counts to gau...

Students at Morehouse College recently raised concerns over a newly unveiled painting of Joseph Smith to be displayed in the Martin Luther King International Chapel gallery on campus. The artwork, intended as part of an interfaith partnership highlighting individuals who champion racial equality, quickly became the center of a student-led pushback and dialogue about representation, historical memory, and institutional values. Some students questioned why Smith—founder The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—was selected for prominent display at a historically Black college, particularly given the LDS Church’s racist past, restrictions on Black members holding the priesthood prior...

At a recent painting unveiling at Morehouse College, a provocative phrase caught everyone’s attention when the dean of the college stated that Joseph Smith was “Lincoln before Lincoln.”

What did that mean? Was it poetic praise, historical argument, or symbolic comparison? And the even bigger question, did Joseph Smith actually ever express or exhibit anti-slavery views?

In this episode, Rebecca Bibliotheca is joined by Master Peace, Ron Yorgason as we explore the life and legacy of Joseph Smith, searching for the history behind the headline.

Thank you so much for watching Mormonish Podcas...