Best Exponent Podcasts (2026)

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Winter 2026 Magazine Launch Party: Aging 1:06:07

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1h ago1:06:07

1:06:07

Hear GayLynn talk about her striking coverart, Lovebirds, portions of the Letter from the Editor, and many writers, poets, and artists talk about their pieces published in the Winter 2026 "aging" issue. Witness the Exponent II community connect and make the Winter 2026 issue come alive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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FBI & Feminists: Shocking Embezzlement Scandal at Exponent II (Katie Rich/Heather Sundahl) 24:23

2d ago24:23

24:23

The most shocking part of Exponent II‘s history is the organization’s “FBI embezzlement story.” In 2017, the board discovered that a trusted treasurer and close friend had embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars over a six-year period. The theft was hidden because the money—often retreat deposits and subscription fees—was occasionally covered pr…

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ERA & Ordain Women Controversies (Katie Rich/Heather Sundahl) 27:57

5d ago27:57

27:57

Award-winning authors Katie Rich and Heather Sundahl explore 2 controversies: Ordain Women & Equal Rights Amendment in the sometimes turbulent history of Exponent II during the late 20th century and its evolution into the digital age. The discussion centers on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and how it marked a “watershed moment” for Mormon femini…

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Apostle Shuts Down Claudia Bushman??? (1 of 4 Katie Rich/Heather Sundahl) 33:27

8d ago33:27

33:27

Mormon women led by Claudia Bushman started the Exponent II organization in Boston while her husband Richard Bushman was stake president. Claudia caused waves when she spoke about Mormon feminism and black priesthood ordination in the 1970s before the Equal Rights Amendment & black ordination became bigger issues in the LDS Church. Salt Lake City s…

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Decade of History: Celebrating the 2025 Book Awards and Most-Watched Moments (GT Live) 27:46

11d ago27:46

27:46

Happy New Year to all the listeners and readers! As we step into 2026, I gave my second annual Gospel Tangents 2025 Book Awards. (Click the link for 2024!) It is the perfect time to look back at the milestones, challenges, and incredible content that defined 2025. While the past year was personally difficult due to several significant health challe…

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Bombs in Salt Lake (Curt Bench 2017 interview) 1:42:43

15d ago1:42:43

1:42:43

As we end 2025, I thought I’d share an old interview titled “Bombs in Salt Lake.” This is from my first year with Curt Bench. Curt actually called Mark Hofmann to warn Mark there was a bomber out there, not knowing Mark was the bomber. We’ll discuss Mark Hofmann’s forgeries and murders from 1985, the trial, and more from this 2017 interview. Check …

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Dan Vogel Unlocks Book of Abraham 1:22:35

19d ago1:22:35

1:22:35

Historian Dan Vogel breaks down the complex history of the Book of Abraham, beginning with the 1835 purchase of Egyptian mummies in Kirtland, Ohio. Rather than seeing the Kirtland Egyptian Papers as a failed attempt by scribes to understand Egyptian, Vogel argues they were Joseph Smith’s own working papers. He demonstrates how Smith used these docu…

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Dan Vogel on the Evolution of Joseph Smith’s First Vision (2019 interview) 2:33:15

22d ago2:33:15

2:33:15

We’re diving deep into the evolution of First VIsion accounts with Historian Dan Vogel. He offers a deep dive into the historical developments of early Mormonism, challenging both critics and believers to look closer at the documents. What if Joseph Smith was neither a simple con man nor a traditional prophet, but something more complex? https://yo…

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Strangite Priesthood-Beaver Island Preview Gary Weber (5 of 6) 0:28

25d ago0:28

0:28

Recently, I had the fascinating opportunity to delve into the beliefs practices, and Strangite priesthood views with Gary Weber of the Strangite Church, a lesser-known branch of Mormonism. This discussion sheds light on many intriguing aspects of their faith, highlighting both commonalities and distinct differences from the more widely known LDS (L…

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How Interracial Marriage Fueled the LDS Priesthood Ban 1847-1852 (Rick B) 1:08:42

28d ago1:08:42

1:08:42

Interracial Marriage is critical to the reasons for a priesthood/temple ban on black LDS Church members. For many years, the official position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) was that “it is not known precisely why, how, or when this restriction [on the priesthood for male members of African descent] began in the church.” H…

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*Blacks, Women & Priesthood in LeBaronism (Jacob Vidrine 13 of 13) 0:36

29d ago0:36

0:36

Can women hold priesthood in LeBaron Mormon fundamentalism? Jacob Vidrine from Church of the Firstborn surprised me with his answer about women & priesthood! We also finish our conversation about the race ban in Brigham Young & Joseph Smith’s time. Check out our conversation, but it is only available to newsletter subscribers. Sign up at https://go…

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Christmas Special! When Was Christ Born? (Rick B) 42:40

29d ago42:40

42:40

When was Christ born? I held a livestream to tackle some of the most enduring mysteries surrounding the Christmas story, diving deep into scholarly debates concerning the timing of Christ’s birth, the nature of the Star of Bethlehem, and the identity and traditions surrounding the Wise Men. The discussion also included a giveaway of a free copy of …

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Why Mormon Fundamentalists Restrict Blacks (Jacob Vidrine 12 of 13) 30:33

1M ago30:33

30:33

Many Mormon fundamentalists restrict blacks from joining despite the 1978 revelation that allowed black men to hold the priesthood. This is considered a landmark moment in LDS history, but many in Mormon fundamentalists believe this 1978 revelation marked the moment the mainstream Church lost its essential authority. This theological break, rooted …

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From Adam-God to Adoption: Jacob Vidrine’s Discovery of Polygamy, Rebaptism, & LeBaronism (11 of 13) 29:21

1M ago29:21

29:21

The path to LeBaronism began when the speaker gained a testimony of the Adam-God doctrine, then accepted principles like rebaptism, eventually leading to a testimony of the Law of Adoption and connection with the Church of the Firstborn. https://youtu.be/AYwLSTRuidE Don’t miss our other conversations with Jacob: https://gospeltangents.com/people/ja…

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Notorious Polygamist: Tom Green’s TV Family, Child Polygamy, & Utah Prosecution (Jacob Vidrine 10 of 13) 19:15

1M ago19:15

19:15

Tom Green gained notoriety for appearing on television with his plural family, which led to Utah prosecuting him after discovering one wife was “very underage,” resulting in his conviction for child polygamy and welfare fraud, or child rape according to one account, and a prison sentence https://youtu.be/KkQlU3KVllM Don’t miss our other conversatio…

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How Fred Collier Defined the Ross LeBaronite Movement (Jacob Vidrine 9 of 13) 32:24

1M ago32:24

32:24

Fred Collier is one of the patriarchs of Ross LeBaron’s Church of the Firstborn. Fred tried to take over after Ross’s death and even converted Tom Green, an apostle in a rival group, “The Branch.” We’ll discuss more about how Fred’s group descends from Ross LeBaron. Check out our conversation… https://youtu.be/nTOU2ZYkNco Don’t miss our other conve…

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Eccentric Prophet’s Controversial Radio Ministry & Authority Claim Jacob Vidrine (8 of 13) 39:55

1M ago39:55

39:55

Ross Wesley LeBaron played the role of eccentric prophet. The second oldest son of patriarch Alma Dayer LeBaron Sr., carved a distinct path in Utah. Ross founded the Church of the Firstborn. His teachings presented a unique fundamentalist cosmology focused on distributing sacred authority rather than concentrating it, emphasizing that “the honor is…

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Evil Ervil LeBaron (Jacob Vidrine 7 of 8) 30:36

2M ago30:36

30:36

Evil Ervil LeBaron was a killer. He killed not only his brother Joel LeBaron, but had his wives kill rival Rulon Allred. He was known to have a hit list of others, including President Spencer Kimball of the LDS Church. Jacob Vidrine discusses these events and we’ll discuss the recent drug killings to a LeBaron family in Mexico. Check out our conver…

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Peculiar Mormon Fundamentalist Schisms 1950s (Jacob Vidrine 6 of 8) 22:00

2M ago22:00

22:00

1950s were a tumultuous time for Mormon polygamists. Not only did police jail many for polygamy, but there were Mormon Fundamentalist Schisms. Many groups including Joseph Musser and the LeBaron families split apart. Jacob Vidrine of the Church of the Firstborn gives more details. Check out our conversation… https://youtu.be/1hdRUUQ8Gv0 Don’t miss …

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Only Polygamy in Heaven? (Jacob Vidrine 5 of 8) 35:00

2M ago35:00

35:00

Will there be polygamy in heaven? We’re diving into Ross LeBaron story with Jacob Vidrine of the Church of the Firstborn. I’ll also ask Jacob if polygamy a requirement for the Celestial Kingdom. Will it be monogamy or polygamy in heaven? His answer surprised me! We discuss Law of Adoption & the Manifesto ending polygamy in the LDS Church as well. C…

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Unpacking Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Feminism, Influence, and LDS Culture 1:02:18

2M ago1:02:18

1:02:18

This episode features a conversation led by Caroline Kline and Daniel Foster Smith, Dialogue Unbound hosts, with guests Katie Ludlow Rich and Liz Johnson from Exponent II. The title is: Unpacking Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Feminism, Influence, and LDS Culture Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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LeBaron Succession (Jacob Vidrine 4 of 4) 20:27

2M ago20:27

20:27

Jacob Vidrine discusses LeBaron succession! You may have heard of Ervil, Joel, and Ross LeBaron. Who took charge after Alma Dayer LeBaron died? Check out our conversation…. https://youtu.be/6NckTz7ateA Don’t miss our other conversations with Jacob: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jacob-vidrine Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved …

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Benjamin F Johnson (Jacob Vidrine 3 of 4) 46:51

2M ago46:51

46:51

Jacob Vidrine tells how authority transferred from Benjamin F Johnson in Nauvoo to Alma Dayer LeBaron and the LeBaron groups. Check out our conversation… The LeBaron authority line, originating from Benjamin F. Johnson, is like a secret royal charter given directly by the king (Joseph Smith) to a trusted advisor, authorizing him to establish a new …

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Council of 50 Connection: Secret Priesthood & LeBaron Legacy (Jacob Vidrine 2 of 4) 34:02

2M ago34:02

34:02

Let’s look into the unique authority claims of the Church of the Firstborn, also often referred to by the term Ross LeBaron-ite. They claim authority through the Council of 50 in Nauvoo! This group represents an interesting fundamentalist branch because its line of authority is distinct from the majority of other fundamentalist groups, such as the …

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Jacob Vidrine – Church of the Firstborn (1 of 4) 36:45

2M ago36:45

36:45

I’m excited to introduce Jacob Vidrine, a member of Church of the Firstborn. This is a group that is part of the LeBaron fundamentalist group. Jacob is a human encyclopedia of Mormn fundamentalism, and we’re going to dive deep into how the LeBaron group cross-pollinates with other fundamentalist groups. Check it out! 0:00 Intro LeBaron Family 4:16 …

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JFS-Architect of Controversial LDS Orthodoxy (Bowman 4 of 4) 0:45

2M ago0:45

0:45

Joseph Fielding Smith is the architect of controversial LDS orthodoxy. He has some controversial writings about Blacks and Ezra Taft Benson. We’ll also delve into his role with Lowell Bennion, a BYU professor who was fired. Was JFS responsible or was it someone else? Matthew Bowman answers. We’ll also dive into his role in shaping orthodoxy in the …

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How Wes Walters’ Revival Research Forced Mormon Historians to Confront the 1820 Story (Sandra Tanner 5 of 5) 0:41

2M ago0:41

0:41

A key figure who accelerated the historical crisis for both the Tanners (who left the group in 1962) and Pauline’s church was Wes Walters, a Presbyterian minister from Marissa, Illinois. Walters was asked to write an article on Mormons for Christianity Today. His detailed research focused on testing Joseph Smith’s claims against tangible historical…

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Jerald & Sandra Tanner’s Apostolic Scolding (4 of 5) 34:49

2M ago34:49

34:49

Jerald and Sandra Tanner received an apostolic scolding by LeGrand Richards over the First Vision! By the early 1960s, Sandra and Jerald Tanner were deep into critical analysis of Mormon history, having transitioned from struggling Utah Mormons to committed followers of a Christ-focused faith centered on the Bible and the Book of Mormon. This new p…

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Missing 1832 First Vision Account (Sandra Tanner 3 of 6) 27:10

3M ago27:10

27:10

Sandra Tanner discusses one of the most intriguing episodes in Mormon history: her early inquiry into the missing 1832 First Vision account. (She didn’t know it was missing at the time. The account was allegedly ripped out of the Joseph Smith journal by Church Historian Joseph Fielding Smith. This pursuit led Sandra directly into correspondence wit…

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Shocking Truth: Murderers in Celestial Kingdom? Challenging Sandra Tanner’s Faith (2/6) 42:38

3M ago42:38

42:38

Will there be murderers in Celestial Kingdom? An Institute Teacher’s answer challenged Sandra Tanner’s faith back in the 1950s. We’ll talk about this unusual case and how it contributed to Sandra joining Pauline Hancock’s Basement Church (known as Church of Christ) in Independence Missouri. Check out our conversation… https://youtu.be/4c6tu0SYs6 Do…

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Pioneers of Criticism: Sandra Tanner, Pauline Hancock, & Quest for the Original Church of Christ (1 of 5) 38:06

3M ago38:06

38:06

Before Stassi Cramm became the first woman to lead the Community of Christ, Pauline Hancock led the Church of Christ. Sandra Tanner was baptized in about 1960 into Pauline Hancock’s Church of Christ. We’ll discuss Pauline’s church, Sandra’s conversion and de-conversion, and more in this amazing conversation. Check it out! https://youtu.be/3V-7stAyZ…

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Fall 2025 Magazine Launch Party: Listen 29:43

3M ago29:43

29:43

Dear reader, I am thrilled to picture you holding this issue of Exponent II in your hands. As the new editor in chief, this issue has taught me so much — about listening and about community. I am grateful to the community that built this magazine over 50 years ago, the community of writers that contributed their voices to this issue, and the commun…

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How Tanners Identified Hofmann Forgery (Sandra Tanner) 1:33:52

3M ago1:33:52

1:33:52

This is a throwback episode from 2018. Sandra & Jerald Tanner were the first to identify a Hofmann forgery. They were the first to claim the Salamander Letter was a forgery but they didn’t know it was a Hofmann forgery. Even though they didn’t suspect Mark Hofmann was the forger, they were eventually proved correct. Sandra tells how her husband Jer…

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Pregnant Possibilities: Joseph Smith’s Polygamy 2:14:44

3M ago2:14:44

2:14:44

A presentation titled Pregnant Possibilities was given by Mark Tensmeyer, Joseph Stanford, Amanda Hendrix-Komoto, John Kidd, & myself (Rick Bennett.) This was similar to a presentation at Sunstone & John Whitmer Historical Association in August, September, & October 2025. We tackled the question on how many children Joseph Smith should have had wit…

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Don’t Ask Peggy Fletcher Stack’s Opinion! (4 of 4) 0:26

3M ago0:26

0:26

Today is Peggy Fletcher Stack’s 40th wedding anniversary. A few months ago, I asked Peggy Fletcher Stack’s opinions. Central to Peggy’s thirty-plus-year career is her unwavering commitment to journalistic ethics and objectivity. Peggy has been a religion reporter at the Salt Lake Tribune for decades, and she tells why she doesn’t like to share her …

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Community of Christ, Book of Mormon, & Future (Stassi Cramm 4 of 4) 0:48

3M ago0:48

0:48

Community of Christ (CoC) President Stassi Cramm, the church’s first female prophet, addressed pointed questions regarding the role of the Book of Mormon, the pursuit of consensus and faithful disagreement, her prophetic vision for the church, and the ongoing debate over infant baptism. https://youtu.be/M6kOcByONr8 Don’t miss our other conversation…

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Why Kirtland Temple Sale Only Buys 5 Years of Financial Stability (Stassi Cramm 3 of 4) 35:09

3M ago35:09

35:09

In a recent candid conversation, Stassi Cramm, the first female prophet of the Community of Christ, discussed the Kirtland Temple sale & highly publicized sale of historic sites. She offered insights into the church’s current financial & addressed the complexities of continuing to lead a worldwide, diverse body on issues of inclusion and mission. P…

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1088: Why We Sold the Kirtland Temple: A Prophet’s Perspective (Stassi Cramm 2 of 4) 27:00

3M ago27:00

27:00

We’re discussing 2 controversial topics with Stassi Cramm, President of the Community of Christ. We’ll focus on the controversial sale of Kirtland Temple, as well as the schism that followed the 1984 revelation on women’s ordination. Which was more controversial? Check out our conversation… Don’t miss our other conversations with Stassi: https://go…

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1st Female Prophet (Stassi Cramm 1 of 4) 20:56

3M ago20:56

20:56

Stassi Cramm is the 1st female Prophet-President of the Community of Christ. I asked her to reflect back on the 1984 revelation that granted priesthood to women and her time as a lifelong member of Community of Christ. Was it hard? Check out our conversation… https://youtu.be/OjtLJ-FG988 Don’t miss our other conversations with Stassi: https://gospe…

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JWHA Recap 2025-Whirlwind Trip to John Whitmer Historical Association Conference! 30:00

4M ago30:00

30:00

Here is my JWHA recap 2025! I’ll show photos and give my reactions to the award winners! Check it out! Don’t miss our other Tangent Trips! https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/gt-trips/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved https://youtu.be/NL_LkWQBApk Fresh off the plane from Kansas City, I wanted to share a recap of my fantast…

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The Root Ep. 3 - Moving Through Life 46:31

4M ago46:31

46:31

In today's episode, CJ is no longer joined by his co-host Quint, because he quit. So, to help him move on, Charlie and Conrad join him to discuss transitioning through different phases of life.By The Purdue Exponent

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Mourning at Mountain Meadows (Going on a Tangent) 49:43

4M ago49:43

49:43

Today marks 168 years since the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Following last year’s JWHA conference in St George, Utah, I drove by the 4 monuments to the tragedy. Here is an in-depth account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, an “unspeakable tragedy” that occurred on September 11, 1857. This episode is a somber reflection on this event, along with a co…

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Temples & Truman: Independence, Missouri’s Historic Legacy (Going on a Tangent) 49:49

4M ago49:49

49:49

Come along with me on a walking tour of Independence, Missouri! We’ll explore the historic Temple Lot Church (Hedrickites) and look at rare photographs from the Great Depression, when attempts were made to build the Jackson County Temple on the very cornerstones Joseph Smith laid in 1831. We’ll also stop by the Stone Church, the oldest church in Mi…

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JFS Book Give Away 2025! 42:17

4M ago42:17

42:17

Unannounced Live Gospel Tangents recently surprised viewers with an unannounced live stream including a JFS book giveaway. This is a “late night edition” that offers a whirlwind update on my extensive travels, upcoming interviews, and even some “breaking news” from the Temple Lot Church. Despite a busy travel schedule and a significant backlog of v…

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Apostle & 70 Bust LDS Myths (Hamer & MacKay) 1:53:22

4M ago1:53:22

1:53:22

This is a rebroadcast of my 2018 interview with John Hamer & Lachlan MacKay from the Community of Christ. They’ll bust some LDS myths about the Kirtland Temple, Word of Wisdom, Alice Cooper, and more! Check it out! https://youtu.be/NjnkS1Y-tls Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced…

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Historic Vote! Stassi Cramm 1st Female Prophet-Pres of CoC! 10:09

4M ago10:09

10:09

History was made Sunday night in Independence, Missouri. The Community of Christ gathered for the election and ordination of the 1st female prophet president in Community of Christ. It was a a momentous occasion. The focus of the event was Stassi Cramm, who was anticipated to take on this significant leadership role, following Steven Veazey’s retir…

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Why RLDS Finances are STILL in Trouble (John Hamer 6 of 6) 0:42

4M ago0:42

0:42

The Community of Christ has sold the Kirtland Temple and several Nauvoo properties to the LDS Church for a jaw-dropping $200 million. But RLDS finances are still shaky! That money is only expected to keep the church afloat for about five years. Historian John Hamer joins us to explain why he thinks the deal could have been much better, why he’s dis…

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How John Hamer Changed RLDS Succession History (5 of 6) 38:28

5M ago38:28

38:28

Changes in RLDS Succession Last Spring, John Hamer gave a monumental address about RLDS succession at the JWHA Meetings that literally changed RLDS History. Pres-prophet Steven Veazey had announced his pending retirement in 2 years and said he would choose a successor. John argued in his address that if Veazey did so, it would make his presidency i…

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RLDS-Temple Lot Competition (John Hamer 4 of 6) 47:35

5M ago47:35

47:35

John Hamer makes the surprising argument that the Auditorium is, in fact, a Community of Christ temple on the Temple Lot! This is a claim even many RLDS members have never heard. Why does he say this? It ties back to the unfinished temple project of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), also known as the Hedrickites. For a time, the two churches were …

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How Sidney Rigdon Still Affects LDS Succession (John Hamer 3 of 6) 53:24

5M ago53:24

53:24

The struggle for leadership of the LDS Church between Sidney Rigdon and Brigham Young still echoes today. One lasting outcome is the practice of dissolving the First Presidency at the prophet’s death—a move meant to underscore that Rigdon was never recognized as Joseph Smith’s rightful successor. Historian John Hamer of the Community of Christ join…