Informed Saints

• Polygamy Denial Debunked: A Look At The Primary Sources

  What do the actual documents say about Nauvoo-era plural marriage? In this episode, we walk through the primary sources behind the claims—reading what was written, when, and by whom—so you can see the evidence for yourself without the noise.   In this video you’ll learn: • What D&C 132 (July 12, 1843) says and how it surfaced • Why William Clayton’s journal entry matters for dating and context • How the Whitney letter (Aug 18, 1842) and related instructions fit the timeline • What the Nauvoo High Council minutes and affidavits contribute • How the Nauvoo Expositor became part of the public controversy • How faithful historians weigh converging, independent sources   Why this matters: Latter-day Saints and honest seekers deserve a source-based understanding—one that’s faithful and rigorous. We focus on documents, context, and methods, not internet rumors.   Sources & Further Reading (Primary + Faithful Scholarship)   Official overviews • Gospel Topics Essay — Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo • Scripture — Doctrine & Covenants 132 (Celestial Marriage): https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132   Key primary sources (Joseph Smith Papers) • Revelation, 12 July 1843 (D&C 132) (text & images): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-12-july-1843-dc-132 • William Clayton journal (entry noting the 12 July 1843 revelation): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org (Search: “William Clayton journal July 12 1843”) • Letter to Newel K. Whitney, 18 Aug. 1842 (Joseph in hiding; private visit re: Sarah Ann Whitney): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-newel-k-whitney-18-august-1842 • Revelation, 27 July 1842 (Whitney sealing instructions): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-27-july-1842 • Nauvoo High Council minutes (Hyrum reading the revelation; contemporary references): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org (Search: “Nauvoo High Council minutes July–Aug 1843”) • Nauvoo Expositor, 7 June 1844 (includes affidavits; early public controversy): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/nauvoo-expositor-7-june-1844 • Affidavit of Austin Cowles (context for the High Council reading): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org (Search: “Affidavit Austin Cowles June 1844”)   Witness & late reminiscence samplers • Emma Smith—late statements on Nauvoo polygamy (compiled): https://www.josephsmithpapers.org  (Search: “Emma Smith polygamy statements”) • David Whitmer, Address to All Believers in Christ (full text scan): https://archive.org/details/addresstoallbeli00whit   Faithful scholarship (accessible) • Gerrit J. Dirkmaat & Michael H. MacKay, From Darkness unto Light (RSC): https://rsc.byu.edu/book/darkness-unto-light • Dirkmaat & MacKay, Let’s Talk about the Translation of the Book of Mormon (context for seer stones/translation): https://www.deseretbook.com/product/P6012373.html... Chapters (00:00:00) - There's a Very Vocal Group of People Who Think Joseph Smith(00:01:43) - What is the Movement Denying Polygyny?(00:05:58) - This New Movement on Polygyny in the Latter Day Saints(00:09:16) - Joseph Smith's Denials of Plural Marriage(00:13:01) - Joseph Smith's Legal Cases in 1844(00:18:43) - Joseph Smith's Plural Marriage(00:20:12) - The 1835 Statement on Marriage(00:23:10) - Primary Sources on Joseph Smith's Polygyny(00:29:00) - Critical Historians on the Nauvoo Expositor(00:36:22) - Polygamy Denier: A Trojan Horse(00:41:05) - The Issues of Joseph Smith's Polygyny

  --------  

  43:28

  --------

  43:28
• Were Latter-day Saints Nazis? Secret Files Revealed | Informed Saints

  Did the Church “support” the Nazi regime—or were members just trying to survive? In this episode, Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot unpack Nazi secret police files, surveillance reports, banned books, arrests, and a high-level memo stating that Latter-day Saint doctrine is incompatible with National Socialism.   We also add context to the infamous Heber J. Grant photo and highlight the story of Helmut Hübener. What you’ll learn • How minorities navigated “three doors”: resistance, collaboration, or neutrality • What Nazi reports say about Latter-day Saint beliefs and behavior • Why some local leaders tried to “play nice”—and why the regime still distrusted the Church • The reality behind viral claims and photos   Here are some of the resources discussed in the episode as well as other valuable resources on this topic! https://mormonr.org/qnas/aA2rfb/latter_day_saints_and_nazi_germany https://rsc.byu.edu/book/harms-way https://rsc.byu.edu/book/under-gun https://rsc.byu.edu/firm-foundation/succession-german-mission-leadership-during-world-war-ii https://ensignpeakfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/German-and-Austrian-Latter-day-Saints-in-World-War-II-An-Analysis-of-the-Casualties-and-Losses.pdf https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/helmuth-hubener?lang=eng https://rsc.byu.edu/regional-studies-latter-day-saint-church-history-europe/deliverer-oppressor https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/sbi/issues/024.pdf https://www.jstor.org/stable/23286361 https://archive.org/details/whentruthwastrea0000unse   If this helped clarify a tough topic, like, comment, and subscribe for more faith-and-scholarship conversations. #LDS #InformedSaints #History #NaziGermany #HelmutHubener Chapters (00:00:00) - Were Latter Day Saints Nazis?(00:01:46) - Mormon Nazis New Book Uncovers LDS Support for the Third(00:03:04) - Mormons in Germany under the Nazis(00:05:15) - Jehovah's Witnesses: The 3 Doors(00:10:48) - The Nazis Had a dossier on the Mormons in Nazi Germany(00:16:04) - What else Were the Nazis Doing? They Were Banning Mormon Literature(00:19:37) - The Problem of Pro-State Propaganda(00:24:12) - Latter Day Saints and the Nazi Party(00:26:02) - What Do the Nazis Think of The Mormons?(00:30:49) - Mormons in Germany: Were They Pro-Nazi?(00:35:25) - Heber J. Grant in front of the Nazi Flag(00:37:32) - David Conley on Moroni and the Swastika(00:41:21) - Was Latter Day Saint Church Ball a Tool of the Nazi regime?(00:46:24) - Latter Day Saints in Nazi Germany

  --------  

  50:27

  --------

  50:27
• This General Conference Was Historic | Reaction And Review | Informed Saints

  *THIS AUDIO IS FROM A FULL YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM, THERE ARE MISTAKES PRESENT. ALSO VISUAL ELEMENTS WHICH ARE BEST SEEN ON YOUTUBE*   https://youtube.com/live/2IpxhFWwLAQ?feature=share   Recap, review, and analysis of General Conference and more! With Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot! #lds #podcast #informedsaints #generalconference #mormon  Chapters (00:00:02) - General Conference 2017(00:00:44) - General Conference 2018: The tone of the Conference(00:05:30) - Sustaining the Prophet's Counselors(00:10:24) - None of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles seem to be seeking(00:12:36) - Oh No... No New Temples(00:12:52) - President Nelson Announces No New Temples This Conference(00:17:36) - Tim Strong on Temple Announcements(00:19:09) - The Family Proclamation: Should it Be Canoted?(00:22:30) - The First Presidency's Family Proclamation(00:26:40) - The Family Proclamation Explained(00:32:39) - The First Presidency and the Family Proclamation(00:34:05) - General Conference 2017: The Family Proclamation(00:37:48) - General Conference 2017(00:40:22) - President Oaks testifying the Doctrine of the Family(00:43:07) - General Conference 2017: Defending My Own Testimony(00:47:43) - Elder Holland's Talk on Experiences(00:54:43) - Tribute to President Nelson at Conference(00:56:59) - General Conference 2022: Primary Music Talk(00:59:54) - Mormon Church in Sydney Gutted by Fire(01:00:32) - Nearly 900,000 Converts Join the Church in 6 Months(01:04:17) - The challenge of producing curriculum for new members(01:06:54) - A Year in the Life(01:08:05) - Comments on Jonah at Virtual Fair Conference 2019

  --------  

  1:13:40

  --------

  1:13:40
• Latter-day Saints React to Michigan Shooting and Prophet's Death

  *THIS AUDIO IS FROM A FULL YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM, THERE ARE MISTAKES PRESENT. ALSO VISUAL ELEMENTS WHICH ARE BEST SEEN ON YOUTUBE*   https://youtube.com/live/2IpxhFWwLAQ?feature=share   Today has been heavy folks. Join us as we talk about the passing of President Russell M. Nelson and the horrific tragedy that took place in a ward in Grand Blanc, Michigan.   #mormon #lds #news Chapters (00:00:01) - President Russell M. Nelson's Passing(00:00:42) - President Nelson Dead: What Happened Next?(00:03:52) - A Brief History of President Nelson(00:10:11) - President Russell Nelson's Life(00:15:47) - Examples of Conference Talks that I liked(00:24:08) - What Changed in the Church Under President Nelson's Lifetime(00:27:49) - President Nelson's Changes to the Church(00:33:49) - President Nelson's Change Campaign(00:35:14) - A message on President Gaylord's legacy(00:40:15) - President Nelson's Attention to the Hebrew(00:42:40) - President Nelson's Death and the Church Shooting in Michigan(00:50:31) - The Call to Be Peacemakers(00:53:56) - The Church Issues Statement Regarding Shooting at Church Chapel(00:58:13) - doctrine covenants, section 98(01:02:49) - President Trump tweets out support for Latter Day Saints following church shooting

  --------  

  1:07:30

  --------

  1:07:30
• Seer Stones and the Miracle of Book of Mormon Translation

  Was Joseph Smith’s use of seer stones evidence of superstition — or of divine power?   In this episode of Informed Saints, hosts Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot sit down with Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (BYU professor, historian, and author of From Darkness unto Light) to explore the historical sources behind the Book of Mormon translation. Together, they discuss what the witnesses saw, how early Saints understood seer stones and the Urim and Thummim, and why the very strangeness of the translation process actually strengthens, rather than weakens, the case for its divinity.   What you’ll learn: Why Joseph’s contemporaries saw seer stones as miraculous, not fraudulent How early accounts from Emma Smith, Martin Harris, and others describe the translation The difference between folk magic, biblical precedent, and divine seership Why the physical reality of the gold plates remains the strongest defense of Joseph’s calling   A faith-affirming conversation that blends history, theology, and testimony.   Here are some of the resources discussed in the episode as well as other valuable resources on this topic!   -Artwork credit to Anthony Sweat who granted permissions for us to share his incredible artwork. https://www.anthonysweat.com   Start here (official & concise) Gospel Topics — Book of Mormon Translation https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/book-of-mormon-translation Church History Topic — Seer Stones https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/seer-stones Saints, Vol. 1 (The Standard of Truth) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/saints-v1   Primary sources (witnesses & early attestations) Emma Smith’s 1879 “Last Testimony” (PDF) https://rsc.byu.edu/sites/default/files/pub_content/pdf/testimony%20of%20emma%20smith.pdf Joseph Knight Sr. reminiscences (Church History Library catalog) https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/record/37b7b91c-4148-45d6-8f32-df4acf06fe99 David Whitmer — An Address to All Believers in Christ https://archive.org/details/addresstoallbeli00whit Early newspaper: Jonathan A. Hadley (Palmyra Freeman, 1829) https://rsc.byu.edu/coming-forth-book-mormon/joseph-smiths-negotiations-publish-book-mormon Wilford Woodruff Papers (Urim & Thummim; Manti consecration) https://www.wilfordwoodruffpapers.org/day-in-church-history/1841-12-02   Scholarship & synthesis (faithful) Turley, Jensen & Ashurst-McGee — “Joseph the Seer” (Ensign, Oct. 2015) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2015/10/joseph-the-seer Chapters (00:00:00) - Book of Mormon Restoration: From Darkness Unto Light(00:04:17) - How Was the Book of Mormon Translated?(00:10:12) - Questions about the Translation of the Book of Mormon(00:16:28) - Seer Stones and Folk Magic in Early Mormonism(00:21:47) - On Joseph Smith's Clairvoyance(00:26:03) - Seer Stones and the Book of Mormon(00:32:21) - Martin Harris on the Book of Mormon(00:39:31) - The Origins of the Book of Mormon(00:46:48) - Multiple Translation Devices in the Book of Mormon(00:53:40) - The Real Story of the Plates(01:00:56) - The Physical Reality of the Book of Mormon

  --------  

  1:03:42

  --------

  1:03:42

More Religion & Spirituality podcasts

Trending Religion & Spirituality podcasts

About Informed Saints