Naked Mormonism Podcast

On this episode, we discuss how fluid Joseph Smith’s morality and theology really was. We begin with his evolving perspective on slavery from pro-slavery to abolitionist when it was politically advantageous. Then we discuss how Mormonism was strictly monogamous to closeted polygamous when possible. Then Jo goes from socialist when he was poor to capitalist when he was filthy rich. A few court cases reveal Jo’s abuse of power and fluid sense of morality. We discuss Finch & Rollosson grocer and the ultimate result of John Finch’s affiliation with the Mormons. Links: Five Times Mormons Changed Their Position on Slavery https://gregkofford.com/blogs/news/five-times-mormons-changed-their-position-on-slavery Mosiah 2 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2?lang=eng Alma 50 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/50?lang=eng Alma 27 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/27.27?lang=eng Alma 48 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study

On this episode, we start with discussing whether or not Emma Smith poisoned Joseph Smith. If she didn’t, who did? If it wasn’t poison, what could it have been? Is there enough evidence to conclude that Emma attempted to kill her first husband? After that we discuss the Christmas party of 1843 at the Nauvoo Mansion when a drunk, Missouri-lookin’ guy comes in and crashes the party. Joseph Smith gives a revelation that came true: “I prophesy, in the name of the Lord, that you—Orrin Porter Rockwell—so long as ye shall remain loyal and true to thy faith, need fear no enemy. Cut not thy hair and no bullet or blade can harm thee!” Links: Emma Smith Lore Reconsidered by Linda Newell https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V17N03_89.pdf JS November 1843 journal https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/journal-december-1842-june-1844-book-3-15-july-1843-29-february-1844/253#full-transcript Jacob Bigelow 1822 Materia Medica https://archive.org/stream/61550430R.nlm.nih.gov/6155

On this episode, we discuss the Law family. From Jo’s personal councilor in the Church presidency, aide-de-camp in the Nauvoo Legion, registrar of the University of Nauvoo, and general Mormon eliteness to one of the most powerful and outspoken critics of Joseph Smith and Mormonism; William Law has an interesting story in the Church and left behind a ton of documentation that is crucial and invaluable to historians today. We get to know him, his wife Jane, and his brother Wilson in this episode and then discuss what changed. Links: William Law Biography https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/william-law Wilson Law Biography https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/wilson-law JS Reflections and Blessings https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/reflections-and-blessings-16-and-23-august-1842/2 William Law grain and sawmill https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/minutes-and-discourse-3-5-october-1840/1#full-transcript William Law-chaired Court Martial https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-

On this episode, we discuss the controversial election of 1843. Jo had promised his vote, and by implication the Mormon voting bloc, to the Whig candidate and well-respected lawyer, Cyrus Walker. However, the Democrats held control of the state militia that represented a constant threat to the safety of Joseph Smith and the Mormons. Governor Thomas Ford pulled a dirty trick to get the Mormons to vote for the Democrat candidate, Joseph Hoge; a grand scheme was carried out to flip-flop the Mormon vote. When Hyrum Sidekick-Abiff Smith received a prophecy, the Lord had spoken, let all the world be silent. Back scratching and political favors negotiated behind closed doors rule the day.   The Prophet and the Presidency https://www.jstor.org/stable/40193327?seq=14#metadata_info_tab_contents   Josiah Butterfield https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/josiah-butterfield   Cyrus Walker https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/cyrus-walker   August 6, 1843 public speech https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summa

On this episode, we jump back into Nauvoo Mormonism. We begin with discussing the realm of politics in the 1840s. Jo’s political chess didn’t begin in Nauvoo, but Nauvoo was where he ramped up his game and moved to the ranks of political chess master. Jo had an incredible ability to curry the favor of powerful politicians and influential business owners who regarded Nauvoo as a tourist town on the Mississippi. Then we discuss how polygamy and the practice of “spiritual wifery” required a system of organization and ascendency for Nauvoo sex workers. The results are worthy of note and degrading to the women who were regarded as property. Links: The Prophet and the Presidency: Mormonism and Politics in Joseph Smith’s 1844 Presidential Campaign by Timothy L. Wood https://www.jstor.org/stable/40193327?seq=12#metadata_info_tab_contents History of Illinois by Governor Thomas Ford https://archive.org/details/ahistoryillinoi00shiegoog/page/n232 Women’s Work and Sex Work in Nineteenth-Century America by Anya Jabour h

On this episode, we get into part 2 of our discussion with Mormon historian Chris Smith. Part 1 was the primer with a heavy focus on early Mormon emissaries. Part 2 dives into how these Mormon-Native relationships were explored and leveraged to hasten the Mormon theodemocracy with dictatorial prophecies of war and bloodshed. Chris reads a letter from James Arlington Bennett that minces no words about the impending Mormon military campaign. Then we bring things back around to Alpheus Cutler to discuss his Native emissary missions and settlement. We wrap the conversation with Native-Mormon relations in Utah under Brigham Young and discuss Walkara. Chris opines on what lessons we can take from this snapshot of history. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason Comeau http://aloststateofmind.com/ Show Artwork http://weirdmormonshit.com/ Legal Couns

On this episode, we sit down with Mormon historian Chris Smith to discuss part 1 of a 2-part series on Native and Mormon relations during Joseph Smith’s ministry. We begin with discussing the Book of Mormon being written explicitly to the Natives and describe Joseph’s mindset in allying with the Natives to overthrow the U.S. Government. Then we broach the utility of the Council of Fifty and jump into a few important emissaries Joseph called to forge trading and military relations with various Native tribes. Lewis Denna (Dana, Denny), and his work with church leadership, are of particular import as he was a Native convert to the church. We try to put the plight of the Natives in broader context throughout America. Then we wrap with the work of Jonathan Dunham (J. Dunham ‘Lamanite’) and his work with various Native groups. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonis

On this episode, we dive into the ubiquity of Nauvoo polygamy. Much has been made about Joseph Smith having multiple wives, but he wasn’t the only Nauvoo elite with more than one. Just how prevalent was the practice? How many participated? How many knew about the doctrine? How many plural marriages were formed prior to D&C 132 being committed to paper? What conclusions can we draw from the available data? Gary James Bergera’s article is a masterpiece in helping to understand the complexity of the tangled web of Nauvoo Polygamy. Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamists by Gary Bergera https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V38N03_13.pdf James Adams https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/james-adams Ezra T. Benson https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/overlandtravel/companies/65/ezra-t-benson-company Reynolds Cahoon https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/reynolds-cahoon Joseph Coolidge https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/joseph-wellington-coolidge?l=papers

Just that, I'm finally doing it for the first time in 4.5 years of podcasting. But, there are a few announcements that need to find a home in your earhole so please permit a short 5.75 mins of listening to give those announcements the home they deserve. I'm sorry everybody! We'll be back next week with a regular episode. Link to Mormon Happy Hour episode about NewNameNoah and McKenna Denson : https://www.patreon.com/posts/video-mckenna-27245352 Regular feed http://angelsonfire.org/mhh79-mckenna-geddon-the-heated-aftermath-pt-1/?fbclid=IwAR3p0btTdi4xWzd6tua1ghXfDf3_-2ussi6YeUFqlAopjPjone06UWV8CV0

On this episode, Hingepin Sidney Rigdon is in the hot seat. August of 1843 brought about events that led to him being disfellowshipped. After a month of waiting on pins and needles, Rigdon was called in for a hearing before the High Council to determine if he would remain in fellowship, or be officially excommunicated. His powers of oratory shine through the historical record as he pleads his case with life-or-death implications. Joseph Smith gives a couple cryptic funeral sermons. Links: Encouraging Joseph Smith to Practice Plural Marriage by Brian Hales http://mormonhistoricsites.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Encouraging-Joseph-Smith-to-Practice-Plural-Marriage-The-Accounts-of-the-Angel-with-a-Drawn-Sword.pdf Brigham Young: A Bold Prophet by James Faust https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/james-e-faust_brigham-young-bold-prophet/ August 1843 current events http://mormon-church-history.blogspot.com/2011/03/mormon-history-aug-12-1843.html Elias Higbee https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/elias-higbee Manus

On this episode, we pick up with a European convert who made his way to Nauvoo in 1841. Alexander Neibaur was a “learned” man who was given to linguistic studies, dentistry, and esoteric Hebrew mysticism. Joseph Smith found a friend and fellow occultist in Neibaur and Mormon doctrine and theology exploded upon Neibaur’s arrival. We tell Neibaur’s story, give a brief overview of Kabbalah, and speculate on how Nauvoo theology was influenced by Kabbalah and Neibaur specifically. Links: Joseph Smith and the Kabbalah http://gnosis.org/jskabb3.htm Brief History of Neibaur https://www.neibaur.org/journals/alexnotes.htm Neibaur Journal http://www.neibaur.org/journals/alex.html Susa Young Gates biographical sketch of Alexander Neibaur https://archive.org/stream/reliefsocietymag09reli#page/136/mode/2up Usage of ‘Elohim’ in early Mormonism https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/volume-14-number-1-2013/usage-title-elohim “The Jews” by Alexander Neibaur circa July 1843 https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-18

On this episode, as we enter the last half of 1843, an era of good-feelings falls upon Nauvoo. The streets shined as if paved by gold and the Mormons had beat the justice system again while polygamy was in full swing! We focus in on some of the pressures behind closed doors the public wasn’t privy to. We hear the story of Jane Manning James and her migration to Nauvoo, how she met the Smiths, came to live in the Nauvoo Mansion, and her relationships with Emma and other women living in the house. Then we hyperfocus on Emma and her constant inner battle with polygamy. Links: Mormon Enigma https://www.amazon.com/Mormon-Enigma-Emma-Hale-Smith/dp/0252062914 “Life Sketch” of Jane Manning James https://history.lds.org/article/jane-manning-james-life-sketch?lang=eng#_ftn7 An Interview With William Law http://www.mrm.org/law-interview Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedm

On this episode, Dr. Quinn picks up right where we left off in part 1. Mike tells us about his disagreements with the general direction of BYU Mormon History academia. New Mormon History is born as the Church Historian's Archives are opened and a new influx of independent researchers get their eyes on crucial previously-censored documents. Mark Hoffman shaped the realm of Mormon history while the feminizing of the academic field begins to gain serious traction. Quinn publishes articles and reviews in support of the scholarship coming from women's groups concerning women holding the priesthood and then writes his seminal Early Mormonism and the Magic World View. He tenders his resignation then goes into hiding from church authority to evade excommunication. Finally, Women and Authority is published which was plutonium to many scholars who were somehow involved, including Quinn. 5 excommunications and 1 disfellowshipping go down in infamy as the "September Six". Please support Quinn's scholarship by purchasi

On this episode, we sit down with author/historian D. Michael Quinn to hear his biographical sketch. We begin with how he came to fall in love with information and history then hear how he came into contact with "anti-Mormon propaganda," only to find out it was true. Then he takes us on a journey through his education and career in Mormon history working in the office of Leonard J. Arrington and then becoming employed by BYU as a professor. This is part 1 of a 2-part interview with Dr. Quinn. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason Comeau http://aloststateofmind.com/ Show Artwork http://weirdmormonshit.com/ Legal Counsel http://patorrez.com/

On this episode, we take a brief foray into the magic world view of early Mormon leaders. From astrology to divination to scrying to palmistry, many early leaders of the church were influenced by the magic that underpins Protestant Christian mysticism. Instead of talking about Joseph Smith and his seer stones, we take a look at other prominent early Mormons to attempt to construct their beliefs systems that primed them for belief in the early church. Also, a brief listener mail segment to round out the show! Links: Scathing Atheist 322 w/Book of Moses https://audioboom.com/posts/7236926-joey-strikes-back-edition Mormon Stories Spalding theory interview https://www.facebook.com/mormonstories/videos/2043951685727497/ Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason Comeau http://aloststateofmind.com/ Show Artwork http://weirdmormonshit.com/ Legal Counse

On this episode, we air a presentation I gave to a local Post-Mormon meetup group in St. George, Utah. By common consent they wanted to hear ALL the material I prepared. The talk begins with a little about my story, then progresses to points that I find interesting in Mormon history after studying it for 5 short years. After that, I share the newest research I’ve unearthed concerning psychedelics in early Mormonism. Patrons of the show will want to listen to the Patreon feed version to get the full unedited talk! Please support the show here! https://www.patreon.com/nakedmormonism St. George Post-Mormon meetup group Fb page https://www.facebook.com/groups/southernutah/ Mormon Stories Fb group https://www.facebook.com/mormonstories/ SUNSTONE SHORT CREEK!!! https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/sunstoneshortcreek-2019/ Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music

On this episode, we seek to humanize a controversial and fascinating figure of Nauvoo Mormonism. Helen Mar Kimball has been leveraged as an attack against Joseph Smith for decades. The person at the center of those attacks is a wonderful and dynamic woman who was torn with following the prophet and her parents, or living the life of a teenager with her friends. Let’s inject the human element into the historical enigma, Helen Mar Kimball. Links: Helen Mar Kimball Smith Whitney autobiographical sketches https://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/HWhitney.html https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1035&context=usupress_pubs 1881 letter https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/helen-mar-kimball-whitney-1881-autobiography/ https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/womans-view-helen-mar-whitneys-reminiscences-early-church-history/11-appendix-one Life of Heber C. Kimball by Horace Whitney https://archive.org/details/LifeOfHeberC.Kimball/page/n10 JSP Helen Mar Kimball http://josephsmithspolygam

On this episode, we dive into the historical context of the polygamy revelation (D&C 132). We discuss the plight of Emma with Jo’s reckless libido. We cover the historical foundation for William and Jane Law possibly brokering a sex-swap deal with Emma and Joseph Smith, as well as their later denials of such scandalous accusations. The stories of Sarah and Maria Lawrence & Emily and Eliza Partridge are told through the lens of some of the foremost historians of the field, reconstructed from firsthand accounts. Links: Hales – Quinn “Evidence for the Sexual Side of Joseph Smith’s Polygamy” http://josephsmithspolygamy.org/dialogues/hales-quinn/#link_ajs-fn-id_255-90 William Law Letters to Wilhelm Wymetal http://www.william-law.org/publications/the-mormons-in-nauvoo-three-letters-from-william-law-on-mormonism-an-honest-mans-view-and-remorse-the-daily-tribune-salt-lake-city-july-3-1887 Joseph H. Jackson 1844 expose http://www.olivercowdery.com/smithhome/1840s/1844Jack.htm Smith/Law wife swap on FAIR Morm

On this episode, we dive into deep Mormon theology! While this podcast is all about Mormon history, sometimes we need to discuss doctrine, when it was given, and the historical context during which said doctrine was created. Doctrine & Covenants 132 is widely known as the ‘Polygamy Revelation’ along with plenty of other controversial theology. This is part 1 discussing the actual text as dictated in July 1843. Part 2 will discuss the historical context next week. Links: Section 132 https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132 Mormon Polygamy Timeline https://exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/ Polygamy and the Law of Sarah https://www.mormonwomen.com/sunday-school-supplements/polygamy-law-sarah/ D&C 101 “monogamy revelation” https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/doctrine-and-covenants-1835/259 Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmorm

On this episode, Governor Ford’s hands are tied. Sheriffs Reynolds and Wilson, who’d arrested Joseph Smith, appeal to the Governor to call out the state militia to rein in Jo. The Mormons sign petitions calling on the Governor to never issue a warrant for arrest on any Mormons ever again. The Mormons collect a packet of affidavits and statements to be sent to Governor Ford, attempting to obstruct the wheels of justice from grinding up the Prophet. After that, Jo has a curious little meeting with some Potawatomie Chiefs and then calls Orson Hyde on a mission to Russia. Links: HoC vol 5 Ch 25 https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/volume-5-chapter-24 Sheriff Reynolds letter to the press https://www.newspapers.com/image/25538220/?terms=mormon%2Bprophet Family Stories from the Trail of Tears https://ualrexhibits.org/tribalwriters/artifacts/Family-Stories-Trail-of-Tears.html Andrew Jackson 1829 State of the Union Address https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Andrew_Jackson%27s_First_State_of_the_Union_Address Joseph H. Ja