Thu, 30 January 2020
On this episode, propaganda flies all directions about the Mormons. A New York Tribune article from January 1844 made waves across the nation with some vicious claims about the Mormon empire in Nauvoo. The article was picked up and reprinted in many news outlets, especially in the cities neighboring Nauvoo. In answer to this, the Quincy Whig received pushback from Mormons for publishing the Tribune article, but the Whig made a commitment to journalistic integrity. A Mormon wrote a letter to the editor of the Whig which they indulged him by publishing it. After all of this, Hyrum Sidekick-Abiff Smith, in the midst of a legal dispute over polygamy and slander, published an article in the Times and Seasons which carved out a future of Mormonism that openly practiced polygamy. Links: COME TO THE #BICYCLEDAY EVENT IN SALT LAKE CITY APRIL 19, 2020!!! Quincy Whig New York Tribune republished articles The Federalist Papers Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com
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Fri, 24 January 2020
On this episode, money issues in Nauvoo become the springboard for a discussion of the Book of the Law of the Lord. What is contained in the enigmatic pages of this unique artifact? What was the purpose of creating it? What happened with the controversy surrounding it? Find out the answers to these questions and more about a rare Mormon artifact you didn’t know you needed to know about! Yes, I know that was clickbaitish, but it’s a really cool book more people should talk about! Also, Apostle Boyd K. Packer didn’t want the world to see it so you know it has to be good! Links: Book of the Law of the Lord (BoLoL) full text JS 1842 journal included as part of BoLoL The Book of the Law of the Lord by Alex D. Smith Confessions of a Mormon Historian: The Diaries of Leonard J. Arrington edited by Gary J. Bergera Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com
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Thu, 16 January 2020
On this episode, we discuss Joseph Smith’s public and private denials of polygamy. It was a controversial practice in Victorian-era America and he had concluded by the final year of his life that it would lead to the next mass-exodus of Mormons, or possibly the ruin of the sect altogether. Some have used his statements to claim he never engaged in polygamy. We deal with a few of the arguments and discuss the context surrounding his multiple statements against polygamy to inform a skeptical reading of the sources. Yes, he fought polygamy, but only when it got out of his control. We also discuss Jacob Cochran and the free-love sect referred to as the Cochranites, as well as the many parallels between it and Mormonism. Links: Joseph Smith polygamy denials Cochranites Publications about Cochranites Jacob Cochran legal troubles 1819 Exposes of Cochranism Orsimus F. Bostwick and Buckeye’s Lamentation for Want of More Wives Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com
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Thu, 9 January 2020
On this episode, we get back into our historical timeline. It’s a busy time in Nauvoo, constant accusations of polygamy rage inside and outside the kingdom on the Mississippi. The Council of Fifty are scrambling to name a good Vice President for Jo’s POTUS campaign. Money problems affect every project in the city and more resources are being funneled into the Temple construction project. Church leader, King Follett, was just crushed by a bucket of rocks while digging in a well. Tensions between Nauvoo and the neighboring cities of Carthage and Warsaw were reaching a fever pitch. Property values were skyrocketing but nobody was buying with gold and silver, everything was bartered for or purchased with stocks in failing Nauvoo Companies like the House Association. Crime was at an all-time high and the city court system seemed to exist only to protect those who would obey the prophet and disobey the laws. Laws and ordinances were passed not based on what was best for the city, but upon what Joseph Smith or his cronies were feeling like that day. Complaints made by citizens of the city couldn’t be assuaged without interfering with the leadership’s extensive liberties. The City Council debates hog laws and reveals the church leadership trending towards aristocracy. Lyman Wight sends 2 letters to the leadership, one public the other private, describing the situation in the Pineries Mission and the next steps of the church which informs the first meeting of the Council of Fifty where they debate the next Mormon settlement (California, Texas, Oregon, Great Basin, Mexico, Canada, &c.). Links: History of the Church Source—and text—Critical Edition by Dan Vogel Warsaw Signal March 1844 Nauvoo Neighbor March 1844 Council of Fifty Minutes “Bicycle day” event 19 April 2020 at Salt Lake City Library followed by a tour of Gilgal Gardens Utah Psychedelic Society Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com
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Thu, 2 January 2020
On this episode, we conclude reading through our recently-published paper in the Journal of Psychedelics Studies on psychedelics in early Mormonism. Parts 1 and 2 established the foundation for what will be discussed in this part 3. We examine entheogens in the early church, the Kirtland-era, and Nauvoo-era endowment practices. Joseph Smith sending missionaries to Texas is viewed through the psychedelic lens in attempting to acquire a steady supply of peyote. After Smith’s death, the sharp drop off of visionary experiences in factions of Mormonism is particularly noteworthy. Frederick M. Smith, grandson of Joseph, practiced use of peyote and even advocated for their use, serving as a direct influence on the early 20th-century psychedelic movement coming out of Harvard. Peyote and entheogen use in modern factions of Mormon-related religions also present some interesting ethical and legal questions. The paper is wrapped up with a conclusion after which we bring on a guest to discuss an event coming 19 April 2020. Find the paper here: “Bicycle day” event 19 April 2020 at Salt Lake City Library followed by a tour of Gilgal Gardens Utah Psychedelic Society Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com
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