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 Lorin Woolley Authority Claims 15:20 Kingston & LeBaron Claims 19:18 High Priest Apostles 21:05 Sidney Rigdon Trial 23:53 2nd Anointing-Patriarcha...
Nov 10, 2025•37 min•Season 9Ep. 1098
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 20th century. Don’t forget to check out Matt’s amazing biography on Joseph Fielding Smith ! Check out our conversation… https://youtu.be/_aBWPp4i1OY D...
Nov 06, 2025•Season 9Ep. 1053
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 records, particularly those surrounding the First Vision. Walters reasoned that while you couldn’t prove whether Smith spoke to God, you could prov...
Nov 02, 2025•41 sec•Season 9Ep. 1097
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 path led them to join Pauline Hancock’s “Basement Church” in Independence, Missouri, formally known as the Church of Christ (Bible & Book of Mormon...
Oct 31, 2025•35 min•Season 9Ep. 31096
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 with Joseph Fielding Smith, then Church Historian, concerning what she believed was the original, definitive record of Joseph Smith’s earliest spiritual ...
Oct 27, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 1095
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 Don’t miss our other conversations with Sandra: https://gospeltangents.com/people/sandra-tanner Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Fro...
Oct 25, 2025•43 min•Season 9Ep. 1094
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-7stAyZ9w Don’t miss our other conversations with Sandra: https://gospeltangents.com/people/sandra-tanner Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserve...
Oct 22, 2025•38 min•Season 9Ep. 1093
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 Jerald came to that conclusion, his later illness & death from dementia, and whether she thinks some books in the Bible could be classified as fo...
Oct 18, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Season 2Ep. 1091
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 with his plural wives. (It is a lot less than you think!) Mark gave a history, Joseph outlined the science behind calculating pregnancy, Rick...
Oct 15, 2025•2 hr 15 min•Season 9Ep. 1092
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 opinions. https://youtu.be/wJIVGj_2ywQ Don’t miss our other conversations with Peggy: https://gospeltangents.com/people/peggy-fletcher-stack/ Copyrig...
Oct 12, 2025•Season 9Ep. 1049
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 conversations with Stassi: https://gospeltangents.com/people/stassi-cramm/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Book of Mormon: Upholding Scrip...
Oct 09, 2025•48 sec•Season 9Ep. 1090
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. President Cramm, who was ordained in June 2025 and previously served nine years in the First Presidency, emphasized that her approach centers ...
Oct 06, 2025•35 min•Season 9Ep. 1089
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://gospeltangents.com/people/stassi-cramm/ https://youtu.be/CIv5kq-x648 Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved 1984 Schism & Its Aftermat...
Oct 03, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 1088
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://gospeltangents.com/people/stassi-cramm/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved 0:00 Meet Stassi Cramm 4:32 Women Get Priesthood in 1984 Reve...
Sep 30, 2025•21 min•Season 9Ep. 1088
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 fantastic, albeit hectic, week at the John Whitmer Historical Association (JWHA) meetings in Independence. It’s been a whirlwind of travel lately—from Atlant...
Sep 27, 2025•30 min•Season 9Ep. 1087
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 condemnation of political and gun violence. https://youtu.be/5MQbBi2zhwI Don’t miss our other Tangent Trips! https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history...
Sep 11, 2025•50 min•Season 9Ep. 1086
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 Missouri, built by Joseph Smith III, and visit the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As we walk, we’ll trace the same steps once take...
Sep 08, 2025•50 min•Season 9Ep. 1085
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 videos to edit, I managed to connect, give away a JFS book, and share exciting previews of what’s to come! https://youtu.be/Jw_a2PA5jAU Recent Travels ...
Sep 07, 2025•42 min•Season 9Ep. 1059
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 without written permission A Journey Through Kirtland and Beyond The early history of the Latter-day Saint movement is far richer and more comple...
Sep 04, 2025•1 hr 53 min•Season 9Ep. 1084
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 retirement. She became the 1st female prophet-president of Community of Christ, and just the 2nd female leader of a Restoration Church since Pauline Hancoc...
Sep 01, 2025•10 min•Season 9Ep. 1054
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 illegitimate as well as whoever he picked. So, the process was changed as a result of his address. He’ll give more details. Check out our conversation…...
Aug 29, 2025•38 min•Season 9Ep. 1082
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 essentially constructing rival temples side by side on the historic temple lot. Join us as we dive into this fascinating story! https://youtu.be/eWnSy...
Aug 27, 2025•48 min•Season 9Ep. 1082
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 joins us to examine Rigdon’s claims, even arguing that Sidney may have had the strongest case for leadership. We’ll also explore the church Rigdon establi...
Aug 23, 2025•53 min•Season 9Ep. 1080
We’ll discuss controversial RLDS beliefs with John Hamer , a Seventy with the Community of Christ. We’re focusing on the 1844 succession crisis , its lasting impact on both the LDS and Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) churches. He’s the co-author of Scattering of the Saints: Schism Within Mormonism . Don’t miss this fascinating discussion! https://youtu.be/mscrLYLKZs0 00:00 How 1844 Succession Affects Us Today 8:15 How Baptism For Dead Was De-canonized 14:22 Will Book of Mormon Be De-canonize...
Aug 20, 2025•47 min•Season 8Ep. 1079
I’m excited to welcome John Hamer back to the show. John is a Seventy in the Community of Christ and a remarkable historian of Restoration Churches. Earlier this month, he was in Utah for the 50th Anniversary of Sunstone, and today we’ll be talking about the many ways to Mormon, including some of the Restoration Churches/schismatic groups that were represented at Sunstone. This episode will be part of a broader conversation about various Latter Day Saint schismatic movements. Join us for the dis...
Aug 18, 2025•32 min•Season 9Ep. 1078
Following the dissolution of her marriage, Sonia Johnson came up with her own view of gender essentialism and had some lesbian relationships. Was she bisexual, or a political lesbian? Dr Chris Talbot explains. Check out our conversation… https://youtu.be/glgWdkMlcJ8 Don’t miss our other episodes with Dr Chris Talbot! https://gospeltangents.com/people/chris-talbot/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission...
Aug 13, 2025•Season 9Ep. 1004
This is a rebroadcast. The 1838 Mormon Missouri War remains a pivotal and often tragic chapter in Latter-day Saint history. We’re revisiting an interview with Steven LeSueur , an esteemed historian and author of what is considered by many to be the definitive book on the conflict, “ The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri .” LeSueur, who sadly passed away in July 2025, was remembered for his significant contributions to understanding this complex period. https://youtu.be/YGlNLnA9RIA Historian Behind the...
Aug 10, 2025•2 hr 49 min•Season 9Ep. 1077
This is a re-broadcast of my 2023 interview with Steve LeSueur. Unfortunately Steve passed away from pancreatic cancer on July 1, 2025. Mormons were part of the untamed world of the Wild West—complete with outlaws, shootouts, and the kind of drama you’d expect straight out of a western film. In this episode, Steve LeSueur shares the gripping story of his great-uncle Frank LeSueur and his friend Gus Gibbons, who were murdered by the notorious outlaw gang known as The Wild Bunch. There’s even a su...
Aug 07, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Season 9Ep. 1076
Come see the site where James Strang was killed as we explore the captivating history of Beaver Island, a unique gem in Lake Michigan, especially its ties to James Strang and his Mormon community . https://youtu.be/xdnR28tTeEs Don’t miss our other conversations about Strangism: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/strangites/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. 3 Mormon Print Shop Arrival and R...
Jul 28, 2025•Season 9Ep. 1075
See what a local historian thinks about James Strang as we tour the town of St James on Beaver Island, Michigan. Check out the conversation! https://youtu.be/wBl1C55HoyY Don’t miss our other conversations about Strangism: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/strangites/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. Beaver Island: A Journey Through Time and Tyranny in Lake Michigan Welcome to Beaver Islan...
Jul 25, 2025•35 min•Season 9Ep. 104
