Latter-day Saint Perspectives

Laura Harris Hales

Podcasts about Church History, Doctrine, and Culture

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Top 10 Latter-day Saint Perspectives Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Latter-day Saint Perspectives episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Latter-day Saint Perspectives for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Latter-day Saint Perspectives episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Episode 48: Dastardly Dime Novel Mormons – Ardis Parshall

Latter-day Saint Perspectives

08/09/17 • 29 min

Ardis Parshall is one half of the duo behind the Mormon Image in Literature series published by Kofford Books. Along with Michael Austin, Ardis rescues literature from the past that otherwise would remain largely unknown. The works that Ardis and Michael are republishing are rare, fragile, and soon could be lost. They hope to preserve these types of works for a generation of researchers. Dime Novel Mormons, their current offering, presents four Mormon-themed novellas. Dime novels were a popular genre from about 1870 through the turn of the century. America was going through an educational revolution and people needed things to read. Dime novels filled that need with affordably priced, page-turning excitement. The way Mormons were portrayed in dime novels was remarkably consistent. The authors played on common stereotypes and themes such as Danites, polygamy, and the Mountain Meadows Massacre. These stereotypes couldn't help but affect the public opinion and the reception of Mormon missionaries. No matter how clean-cut the missionaries were, they had to overcome literary baggage pointing to the secret, suspicious, and nefarious nature of Mormons. These melodramatic portrayals represented reality for millions of people. In fact, one sensational novel became so popular in England that citizens called for a removal of all Mormon missionaries, which resulted in a thorough investigation and later vindication from Winston Churchill. While readers may become frustrated when reading these outlandish tales that scarcely represent history, they are recreating what it meant to be a Mormon in the nineteenth century. Akin to dressing up in pioneer clothes and pushing handcarts, reading these novels help reenact a historical event. They allow the reader to enter the experiences of members and non-members alike as they read the same words they read about “Mormons.” Laura Harris Hales of LDS Perspectives Podcast interviews Ardis Parshall about preserving the literature of the past and inspiring the current generation to own the real Mormon story and share it with the world. Extra Resources: Dime Novel Mormons Keepapitchinin (Blog)

Episode 18: Of Governments and Laws (D&C 134) – Spencer W. McBride

Latter-day Saint Perspectives

01/18/17 • 27 min

In November 2014, Smithsonian Magazine named Joseph Smith as the most influence American religious figure of all time. This founder of the Mormon religion also ran for president of the United States during the last year of his life. Though he left a much smaller imprint on the political scene than the religious one, there is one document in our current canonized scripture that is dedicated to enumerating LDS beliefs regarding governments and laws. Ironically, though Joseph Smith would refer to it during his lifetime, he didn't actually author it. What is now D&C 134 was written in 1835 by Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon and was accepted by common consent in a conference held in Smith's absence. No leader then or now referred to it as direct revelation from God but rather a declaration of principles. The document proved highly adaptable as it was used to protest and support the US government. It was also used in petitions to the US Congress for redress from Missouri persecutions. As part of the Revelations in Context series, McBride shares his insights into this document and its reception and use by early Mormon Apostle Lyman Wight. Spencer W. McBride believes that members will benefit from the study of the past. He maintains that "Mormons will better understand their own religion if they have a deeper understanding of American history, and Americans will better understand their past if they understand the smaller aspect of the Mormon world." Extra Resources: “Of Governments and Laws” (FREE) Pulpit and Nation: Clergymen and the Politics of Revolutionary America (Jeffersonian America) “The 100 Most Significant Americans of All Time” (Free)

Episode 14: Curriculum and Correlation – David B. Marsh

Latter-day Saint Perspectives

12/21/16 • 49 min

Russell Stevenson interviews David Marsh, who has worked developing curriculum for the LDS Church for decades. Together they discuss the nitty-gritty details of taking a teaching concept from its inception stage to the classroom. Who hasn't found their mind wandering during a Sunday School lesson or wondering why the manuals repeatedly emphasize the same basic principles? And who writes these manuals? Are they scholars, professional teachers, or members who are called to the task? What is Correlation? The answers to these questions may surprise you. Dr. Marsh walks us through the process of curriculum creation, which includes the following steps: Concept Development Text Prototype Manuscript Creation Feedback Revision Full Prototype with Images Translation Publicity Printing Manuals are reviewed by hundreds of people before they are distributed, including the managers and directors of curriculum development, executive directors, the Priesthood and Executive Committees, the General Auxiliary Presidencies (YW, YM, RS, SS, and Primary), and sometimes the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency. From his years teaching and writing curriculum, David Marsh dispenses wisdom about how to approach our Sunday experience in order to minimize frustration. He speaks to the echo chamber of academia and our responsibility to seek out for ourselves the deeper doctrines of the gospel and become self-reliant learners. Extra Resources: LDS Gospel Study Blog (Free) Doubt Not, But Be Believing: Supporting Loved Ones Through Their Trials of Faith

Episode 125: Latter-day Saint Beliefs on the Apocalypse with Christopher J. Blythe

Latter-day Saint Perspectives

10/14/20 • 66 min

About the Interview: The mayhem of 2020 has brought the Apocalypse to the forefront of many people’s minds, but for Latter-day Saints, this kind of thinking is nothing new. Christopher J. Blythe describes in his new book, Terrible Revolution: Latter-Day Saints and the American Apocalypse, how apocalypticism has presented itself throughout the church’s history.

Blythe notes, “Latter-day Saints of the nineteenth century belonged to an apocalyptic tradition. Their very identity was entangled with the belief that society was headed toward cataclysmic events that would uproot the current social order in favor of a divine order that would be established in its place” (p. 8). Nearly 200 years later, that tradition is still alive within Latter-day Saint culture.

In this episode, Christopher J. Blythe discusses how end-times narratives have evolved and been perpetuated not only through official Latter-day Saint leadership channels but also folk traditions and lived religion.

About Our Guest: Christopher James Blythe is a faculty research associate at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University, as well as the coeditor of the Journal of Mormon History. He completed a PhD in American religious history from Florida State University, an MA in history from Utah State University, and BA degrees in religious studies and anthropology from Utah State University and Texas A&M University, respectively. He was a documentary editor at the Joseph Smith Papers between 2015 and 2018. Blythe lives in Springville, Utah, with his wife and three boys.

Terrible Revolution: Latter-Day Saints and the American Apocalypse

Episode 123: Producing Ancient Scripture: “Approaching Egyptian Papyri through Biblical Language: Joseph Smith’s Use of Hebrew in His Translation of the Book of Abraham” with Matthew J. Grey

Latter-day Saint Perspectives

08/26/20 • 40 min

This is Laura Harris Hales, and I am pleased to introduce a special series for the Latter-day Saint Perspectives Podcast’s fourth season. We will be highlighting chapters from the much-anticipated volume, Producing Ancient Scripture: Joseph Smith’s Translation Projects in the Development of Mormon Christianity edited by Michael Hubbard MacKay, Mark Ashurst-McGee, and Brian M. Hauglid.

In anticipation for our fourth-year launch on September 16, 2020, this is the second interview with a chapter author we will be highlighting. This week’s feature first aired as Episode 51. In this episode, Dr. Matthew J. Grey discusses his research for his chapter, “Approaching Egyptian Papyri through Biblical Language: Joseph Smith’s Use of Hebrew in His Translation of the Book of Abraham.”

Be sure to listen through the end credits to hear information about our new show feature “Comments and Questions from Readers,” which provides opportunities for listeners to submit content for future episodes as well as receive gift cards and free books.

Upcoming Featured Books: (Deadline for Submission of Questions and Comments):

Ancient Scripture: Joseph Smith’s Translation Projects in the Development of Mormon Christianity Michael Hubbard MacKay, Mark Ashurst-McGee, and Brian M. Hauglid, eds.

Prophetic Authority: Democratic Hierarchy and Mormon Priesthood by Michael Hubbard MacKay along with “Performing the Translation: Character Transcripts and Joseph Smith’s Earliest Translating Practices” in Ancient Scripture: Joseph Smith’s Translation Projects.

Joseph Smith’s Translation: The Words and Worlds of Early Mormonism by Samuel Morris Brown along with “Seeing the Voice of God: The Book of Mormon on Its Own Translation” in Ancient Scripture: Joseph Smith’s Translation Projects.

Joseph Smith: History, Methods, and Memory by Ronald O. Barney

Suggestions? Email us those as well. Download Transcript

Episode 51 Transcript

“‘The Word of the Original’: Joseph Smith’s Study of Hebrew in Kirtland” in Approaching Antiquity

“Approaching Egyptian Papyri Through Biblical Language: Joseph Smith’s Use of Hebrew in His Translation of the Book of Abraham”

Episode 23: Depression and Mental Health Myths – Nick Galieti interviews Brian Murdock

Latter-day Saint Perspectives

02/22/17 • 36 min

Religious LDS culture has historically struggled to find a place for matters of mental health and depression as it dovetails with our mortal experience and our theology. As a result, many members may be unsure of how we as a people stand with respect to issues of depression, anxiety, and other common mental health issues. Elder Alexander B. Morrison writes: “I assure you that Latter-day Saints are in no way exempt from the burden of mental illness, either as a victim, caregiver, family member, or friend. In every ward and stake, there are severely depressed men and women; elderly people with failing memories and reduced intellectual capacities; youth or adults struggling to escape the dark specter of suicide; persons of all ages, both sexes, and every walk of life, who exhibit aberrant, even bizarre behavior.” Using Elder Morrison’s book "Valley of Sorrows" as a backdrop resource, Brian Murdock, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and host Nick Galieti begin their discussion by debunking common myths about mental health issues. Murdock then addresses the topic of clinical depression: what depression is, and what it isn’t. He offers some insights to consider for people who are currently suffering from depression, as well as to those who are interacting with those experiencing clinical depression. This episode also offers some practical advice for bishops or other members of the church who want to help those with depression. This episode is a great introduction and survey of the subject of one of the most common mental health issues we find in our society. Extra Resources: Valley of Sorrows A Layman's Guide to Understanding Mental Illness for Latter-day Saints

Episode 20: D&C 76, The Vision of the Resurrection – Matthew McBride

Latter-day Saint Perspectives

02/01/17 • 26 min

In episode three of our Revelations in Context Series, host Nick Galieti interviews Matthew McBride of the Church History Department about his essay entitled "The Vision." In 1832 Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon reported receiving a vision at the John Johnson home. Apparently while working on a revision of the New Testament, Joseph had just completed "translating" John 5:29 when the vision commenced. The early nineteenth-century culture was highly religious and most Christian sects believed that the Bible was all-sufficient. For Joseph Smith to revise what was already considered to be complete was radical. What he and Sidney saw in vision was even more surprising. The vision touched on matters dealing with one of the most contentious religious debates of the time: Who is saved? Surprisingly, the revelation confirmed the least popular position. Brigham Young, arguably one of Joseph's most loyal supporters, struggled with this Universalist-like vision of the afterlife for quite some time. Other members had difficulty accepting this paradigm shift as well. Matthew McBride uses this historical backdrop to provide a powerful metaphor that modern-day members may use when dealing with doctrine that may be difficult to accept. This is an episode you won't want to miss. Download Transcript Extra Resources: Episode 20 Transcript “The Vision”

Episode 17: Exploring Near Death Experiences – Brent Top

Latter-day Saint Perspectives

01/11/17 • 29 min

In 1975, Dr. Raymond A. Moody coined the term "near-death experiences" in his bestselling book Life After Life. Mormons have latched on to this concept, which is not surprising, considering our unique doctrine regarding the afterlife. Dr. Brent Top has researched extensively near-death experiences, especially by those outside of the LDS community. He has identified several common elements to these experiences such as the "life review," encountering loved ones, and spirit communication. Far from fading as a fad, the topic is becoming more and more popular. While Dr. Top finds his studies interesting, he warns of the danger of trying to establish doctrine through experience. He emphasizes what the LDS doctrine is regarding the afterlife rather than anecdotal experiences. He also introduces a concept he coined as the "Apocryphal Principle" to help us evaluate these stories. Extra Resources: Beyond Death's Door: Understanding Near-Death Experiences in Light of the Restored Gospel Glimpses Beyond Death's Door What's on the Other Side? What the Gospel Teaches Us about the Spirit World

Episode 16: Joseph Smith’s Papyri – John Gee

Latter-day Saint Perspectives

01/03/17 • 32 min

Laura Harris Hales interviews Dr. John Gee about the history of Joseph Smith's papyri. Dr. Gee has studied the papyri and the Book of Abraham for over thirty years, yet admits there are still many mysteries still to be unraveled. He shares with listeners fascinating details regarding what we know about Joseph Smith's purchase of the papyri in Ohio in 1835 to the Church's acquisition of its remaining fragments from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the late sixties. Along the way he shares some interesting stories about its translation, its teachings, and how Mother Smith used the papyri and mummies to provide for herself as a widow. He also sheds light on issues regarding the provenance (where it came from) of the Book of Abraham and how its teachings on the pre-existence proliferated throughout the Church in the years after Joseph Smith's death. Be sure to check the links to articles written by Dr. Gee on both of these topics. Download Transcript Extra Resources: Episode 16 Transcript “Some Puzzles from the Joseph Smith Papyri” (Free) “New Light on the Joseph Smith Papyri” (FREE) Introduction to the Book of Abraham A Guide to the Joseph Smith Papyri

Episode 68: #LightTheWorld 2017 – David Archuleta

Latter-day Saint Perspectives

12/01/17 • 35 min

Nick Galieti sits down with David Archuleta and discusses what members can do for the #LightTheWorld 2017 Campaign through acts of service. David also shares experiences he has had in his career and as a missionary. ----- (Bio courtesy of official website.) David Archuleta became a star when he was just 16. In 2008 more than 30 million television viewers fell in love with his angelic voice and their 44 million votes made him runner-up in Season 7 of “American Idol.” Soon after, the young Utahan signed with Jive Records and his first single “Crush,” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of its release. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the track sold 166,000 downloads that first week in the U.S. and subsequently more than 1.92 million digital copies. Three months later, David’s self-titled album, “David Archuleta,” went gold, selling more than 750,000 copies in the U.S., and more than 900,000 worldwide. “It was so neat to see how positive fans were about ‘Crush,’” David said of the enthusiastic reception for his chart debut. In 2012, David, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, put his singing career on hiatus so he could volunteer for a two-year stint as a full-time missionary in Santiago, Chile, at the La Misión Chile Rancagua. He’s described his experience of the mission as “a dream come true.” His decision to serve was influenced by his mother, who told him it was singer Donny Osmond who had helped get her interested in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “I never thought I would have the guts to talk to so many different people,” Archuleta says of his time in Chile, adding that, since he’s completed his mission there, he’s never been more confident of either his singing or speaking skills — in English or in Spanish. Pursuing a greater sense of purpose as he did on his mission, is nothing new to Archuleta who battled a bout of vocal cord paralysis when he was 13, while competing on CBS’s “Star Search.” He chronicled the debilitating experience in his New York Times bestselling 2010 memoir, “Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song, and the Power of Perseverance,” and the determination to overcome obstacles, such as the worrying illness, resonates in the overall message of the songs he wrote for his second album, “The Other Side of Down.” “Instead of acting like everything in life is so hard and confusing, look at it this way: The only way you can go from here is up,” he says. “It’s our decisions and how we handle things that matter, even when they get rough. If we keep holding on, looking at things positively and working hard, we can improve our lives, help ourselves, and even help the greater good.” David returned from Chile in March 2014 eager to perform and record once again. Since his return he’s traveled to the Middle East to perform for U.S. troops, recorded the song “Glorious” for the recently released “Meet The Mormons” movie, and been busy writing songs for a release planned for 2016.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Latter-day Saint Perspectives have?

Latter-day Saint Perspectives currently has 130 episodes available.

What topics does Latter-day Saint Perspectives cover?

The podcast is about Religion & Spirituality and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Latter-day Saint Perspectives?

The episode title 'Episode 120: Spiritual Anxiety with Debra Theobald McClendon' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Latter-day Saint Perspectives?

The average episode length on Latter-day Saint Perspectives is 41 minutes.

How often are episodes of Latter-day Saint Perspectives released?

Episodes of Latter-day Saint Perspectives are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Latter-day Saint Perspectives?

The first episode of Latter-day Saint Perspectives was released on Sep 19, 2016.

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