Radical History and Racial Dynamics of Mormon Garments Nancy Ross and Jessica Finnigan, co-authors of Mormon Garments, Sacred and Secret dive into the unexpected history and sociological complexities of LDS temple garments. From Joseph Smith’s early design demands to the modern realities of race and garment surveillance, this episode uncovers the fascinating evolution of this deeply personal practice. https://youtu.be/_Rt8-TabB-U Don’t miss our other conversations Nancy Ross: https://gospeltange...
May 15, 2026•31 min•Season 10Ep. 1155
I sat down with scholars Nancy Ross and Jessica Finnigan to discuss their taboo research on Mormon garments. They, along with Larissa Kanno Kindred, are the co-authors of the groundbreaking book Mormon Garments, Sacred and Secret . The deeply candid conversation pulls back the curtain on a historically taboo research topic within Latter-day Saint culture, exploring the complex intersections of theology, historical evolution, and the very real physical realities of wearing temple garments. https:...
May 11, 2026•32 min•Season 10Ep. 1154
No Children for Joseph Smith? Joseph Smith’s plural wives One of the most frequent arguments raised by skeptics of Joseph Smith’s polygamy is the “fertility paradox.” While Joseph Smith fathered several biological children with his first wife, Emma, there are zero verified offspring from his estimated 30 to 40 plural marriages . DNA testing on suspected plural children has continuously ruled out Joseph as the father in every known case. Does this lack of physical evidence prove his plural marria...
May 08, 2026•1 hr 57 min•Season 10Ep. 1153
Navigating a “Faith/Trust Crisis”: Empathy, Communication, and Finding Your Pace We dive deep into the complexities of faith journeys, exploring how to better communicate with loved ones and how to navigate church activity on your own terms. What advice do you have in a faith/trust crisis conversation? https://youtu.be/uY_5UONNykI Reframing the “Faith Crisis” Drawing from Jeff Strong’s new book, Torn , I think we should reframe the common “faith crisis” as a “trust crisis.” Why do members leave ...
May 04, 2026•28 min
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 disappointed there are still no openly gay apostles, and to share his brutally honest thoughts on Steven Veazey’s leadership. Stick around—this conversat...
Apr 29, 2026•Season 9Ep. 1083
Are Big Money BYU Sports Compatible with LDS Church Mission? Dr. Matthew Bowman, co-author of “Game Changers,” zeroes in on the ultimate tension in modern collegiate sports: can you balance God, Mammon, and big money athletics? As BYU integrates into the lucrative Big 12 conference, the historic values of amateurism are directly clashing with the pursuit of NBA stardom. https://youtu.be/SZssRvBGiCM Gospel Tangents NEWSLETTER: https://gospeltangents.com/newsletter Don’t miss our other discussions...
Apr 28, 2026•47 sec•Season 10Ep. 1151
Big Money, Big Changes, and Why AJ Dybantsa Picked BYU AJ Dybantsa and just declared for the NBA draft. We discuss why AJ Dybantsa picked BYU. He’s likely top NBA prospect, and he is reportedly earning millions to play in Provo. Dr. Matthew Bowman, author of Game Changers , dives into the modern reality of college sports and its collision with BYU’s historical values. We explore the massive shifts brought about by NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and how BYU continues to rely on its unique ...
Apr 25, 2026•17 min•Season 10Ep. 1150
If you think college basketball has changed drastically, wait until you hear about the Global Evolution of LDS Basketball. This happened before the introduction of millions of dollars in NIL deals. Wait until you hear the history of how the sport evolved at BYU and around the world. Dr. Matthew Bowman, co-author of “ Game Changers: AJ Dybantsa, BYU, and the Struggle for the Soul of Basketball ,” discusses the sport’s explosive, global, and highly controversial growth. https://youtu.be/2jMkUTAVm6...
Apr 22, 2026•28 min•Season 10Ep. 1149
If you’ve ever stepped inside a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse, you likely noticed almost every LDS Church has basketball court. But have you ever wondered why basketball became the unofficial sport of the church? Dr. Matthew Bowman, the Howard W. Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University discussed his new book, Game Changers: AJ Dybantsa, BYU, and the Struggle for the Soul of Basketball , which he co-authored with BYU alum Wayne LeCheminant. Their fascinating conversation p...
Apr 20, 2026•21 min•Season 10Ep. 1148
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. https://youtu.be/h8xYSNU9e6o 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 blen...
Apr 13, 2026•1 hr 4 min•Season 11Ep. 1147
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. https://youtu.be/_tNWj8gupM0 0:00 Cosmological ...
Apr 11, 2026•1 hr 30 min•Season 2Ep. 1146
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. https://youtu.be/ZIp-oSEBoGo 0:00 Trading Polygamy for Temple Work 3:58 Race & the Temple 16:...
Apr 11, 2026•39 sec•Season 13Ep. 1145
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 Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Complex History of Women & Templ...
Apr 05, 2026•42 min•Season 10Ep. 1144
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…. https://youtu.be/uOdluwXxYVQ Don’t miss our other discussions with Jonathan. https://gospeltangents.com/people/jonathan_stapley Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Dr. Jonathan Stapley, author of Holiness to the Lord , explores the ...
Apr 03, 2026•22 min•Season 12Ep. 1143
Chapter 1 is the best temple prep book ever. I sat down with Jonathan Stapley, an award-winning historian to discuss his newest book, Holiness to the Lord: Latter Day Saint Temple Worship . During the show, Stapley was even surprised he won the “ Best Temple Book of 2025 ” award! I thi https://youtu.be/1bBMcqgKKdY 0:00 Award Winning Author on LDS Temple Worship 3:20 Is Temple Worship Taboo? 10:14 Required Reading for Temple Prep 17:52 Kirtland Temple Period Demystifying the Temple Experience/Tem...
Mar 30, 2026•27 min•Season 10Ep. 1142
Journal of Mormon Polygamy Conference Here is a recap of the major highlights, controversies, and presentations. https://youtu.be/IekJUmx5qK4 The 1886 John Taylor Revelation I was part of a panel discussing the 1886 John Taylor revelation, which was recently released by the Church History Library . This revelation was received around September 27, 1886, while President Taylor was in hiding from U.S. government officials due to the Edmunds Act. The original manuscript was discovered written in pe...
Mar 23, 2026•1 hr 15 min•Season 10Ep. 1141
Janice Allred was excommunicated just over 30 years ago, but still attends the LDS Church!!! Why? She will talk about why she stays, and offer advice to others on how to stay if they want to. We’ll discuss how it affects her family, her testimony, and we’ll even dive into why current polygamy revisionists are getting into trouble with LDS Church leaders. Check out our conversation! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O8H-QXlDPw Why I Stay: Three Decades in the Pews as an Excommunicated Member What ...
Mar 16, 2026•1 hr 8 min•Season 10Ep. 1140
LDS-Temple Lot Differences: Unique Priesthood Structure We’re going to discuss LDS-Temple Lot differences. Unlike the LDS Church, the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) does not divide its priesthood into Aaronic and Melchizedek branches . Furthermore, they do not have the office of High Priest, believing that Jesus Christ was and remains the last High Priest . https://youtu.be/WvM-kU-YDsI Don’t miss our other discussions about Hedrickites. https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/hedrickites Copyrig...
Mar 15, 2026•33 sec•Season 12Ep. 1139
We focus heavily on the turbulent history of the physical temple lot in Independence, Missouri, and the controversial figure of apostle Otto Fetting . Daniel Malone, a Sunday school teacher for the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) gives his insights. https://youtu.be/xqRZPoyaUqk Don’t miss our other conversations on Hedrickites: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/Hedrickites/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved The 1920s Influx and a Changing Church During the 1920s, the RLDS...
Mar 12, 2026•22 min
I was able to get a rare interview with a member of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot .) Daniel Malone is an adult Sunday school teacher for the church in Independence, Missouri. He provides a candid look into the history and theology of the organization, often historically referred to as the “Hedrickites.” https://youtu.be/pe4r4P3PkQ0 Don’t miss our other conversations on Hedrickites: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/Hedrickites/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Scrip...
Mar 09, 2026•26 min•Season 10Ep. 1137
What are the questions you should ask your polygamy theories, both traditional and skeptic/revisionist? Dr Jesse James is a research psychologist and you’ll want to take notes! Check out our conversation… https://youtu.be/3b_VXU-hyZY Don’t miss our other conversations with Dr Jesse James: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jesse-james/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission Polygamy Theories Research ps...
Mar 05, 2026•Season 9Ep. 1016
There is a seismic shift on the priesthood ban in Mormon fundamentalism. It’s happening within independent Mormon group. Justin Francom shares the inside story of how the independent fundamentalist group in Missouri recently made a historic decision to officially abandon the racial priesthood ban and open their temple to people of all racial backgrounds. https://youtu.be/oEltSUrBCQA Don’t miss our other conversations on Mormon fundamentalism: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/fundamentali...
Mar 03, 2026•46 sec•Season 10Ep. 1135
Ben Schilaty, a former BYU Honor Code administrator, is a social work professor and author who discusses his life as a gay Latter-day Saint . He details his professional background, and his current work with the Gather Conference . Schilaty shares his personal faith journey, explaining how he reconciles his sexual orientation with his commitment to the Church through prayer and personal revelation . He advocates for radical empathy and honoring the individual agency of LGBTQ members, whether the...
Mar 02, 2026•Season 10Ep. 1135
Inclusive Mormonism: Inside Mormon Legacy Ministries Justin Francom thinks every Mormon Church is the true church. He shares a vision of surprisingly inclusive Mormonism, challenging the rigid boundaries and schisms that usually divide the various Latter-day Saint factions. https://youtu.be/Px-PJVAdOHs Don’t miss our other conversations on Mormon fundamentalism: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/fundamentalim/ Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Award-winning authors Univ...
Feb 28, 2026•31 min
Spiritual Libertarians and the “Not Group”: Inside Independent Mormon Fundamentalism I sat down with Justin Francom for a deep dive into his “not group,” a unique, largely misunderstood faction of Mormon fundamentalism. Francom sheds light on a fiercely independent community of believers who have built their own temple and completely rejected traditional authoritarian hierarchies. https://youtu.be/1B0qjVPxlcM Don’t miss our other conversations on Mormon fundamentalism: https://gospeltangents.com...
Feb 25, 2026•50 min•Season 10Ep. 1133
I sat down with Justin Francom , an independent Mormon fundamentalist living in Missouri, to discuss his journey from a traditional LDS background to an Independent Mormon fundamentalist. Francom’s story is a compelling look at how his search for deeper doctrine can lead a “Jack Mormon” turned missionary into the world of independent fundamentalist . https://youtu.be/6oY7DnOq2Ec Don’t miss our other conversations on Mormon fundamentalism: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/fundamentalim/ P...
Feb 22, 2026•33 min•Season 10Ep. 1132
Returning to Jackson County: A History of the Temple Lot Church Rick Bennett sat down down with historian R Jean Addams in 2020 to explore the fascinating history of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), often referred to as the “ Hedrickites .” Addams, whose wife is a descendant of the sect’s founder, Granville Hedrick, provides a deep dive into how this small group returned to Independence, Missouri, to reclaim the original temple site dedicated by Joseph Smith. https://youtu.be/vBmd_8RCktE Key H...
Feb 18, 2026•1 hr 20 min•Season 4Ep. 1131
Jim Bennett’s idea for sustainable and honest faith includes a theological argument that recognizing the fallibility of religious leaders is not just a mistake to be acknowledged, but a central purpose of mortality and the plan of salvation. He suggests that a sustainable faith must be rooted in truth rather than the “demigod” status often assigned to prophets. Jim is the host of Inside Out where he discusses faith with Ian Wilks, someone on the outside of the LDS Church. https://youtu.be/HPT5NH...
Feb 16, 2026•2 hr 5 min•Season 10Ep. 1030
Rick B (host of Gospel Tangents and LDS Faith Journeys ) interviews Josh Gehly, an Evangelist for The Church of Jesus Christ (historically known as the Bickertonites), during Josh’s visit to Salt Lake City. Josh reveals that The Church of Jesus Christ has a small but growing domestic presence, including a mission in Salt Lake City. The church reports significant international growth, particularly in Africa, while noting that the domestic church maintains a close-knit, “lowarchy” structure where ...
Feb 07, 2026•1 hr 53 min•Season 14Ep. 1129
For decades, scholars have debated where the Book of Mormon took place. Could it be on the Baja Peninsula? Or in the narrow necks of Central America, or the heartland of the United States? But what if the internal map of the text—where ‘east’ is truly east and seeds from Jerusalem flourish—points to a location largely ignored by archaeologists? In this comprehensive interview, David Rosenvall details how a simple question from his father, a university geography professor, led to a decade of rese...
Feb 05, 2026•55 min•Season 10Ep. 1128
