A Candid Portrait of Joseph Smith

Today, we’re really grateful to share a conversation with historian John Turner about the brand new biography he’s just published: Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.John is a professor of Religious Studies and History at George Mason University. While not a member of the the Latter-day Saint faith, he has had a particular fascination with the early history of Mormonism, and wrote an earlier biography of Brigham Young. Some of the interpretations and conclusions John draws in his book may differ from our own, but we found this new biography on Joseph to be meticulously researched and engagingly written.In this book, John doesn’t aim to settle all debates between Joseph Smith’s supporters and his detractors, but with more primary sources available than ever before, he hoped to provide a fuller picture of a figure who continues to shape who we are today. John says that while the question of “Whether God actually spoke to [Joseph] Smith is a matter of faith… there is no question about his prophetic self-conception.”We assume most listeners are familiar with the general contours of Joseph’s life, so in this conversation we talked with John about some topics we felt needed more exploration: his family’s early hardships and how they might have shaped his resilience as a spiritual leader; what the historical record tells us about the gold plates and Joseph’s visions; and whether Joseph truly instigated and lived plural marriage.What struck us most was John’s portrayal of Joseph’s constant evolution—his willingness to revise, to explore, and to ask better questions. It made us wonder if Joseph’s boldness and openness to change could serve as inspiration to us in today’s church.We know that talking openly about Joseph—his humanity, his complexity, even his mistakes—can be challenging. But we hope this episode helps create more space for recognizing the humanity of our leaders, both past and present.

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The Doctrine Related to Being Single or Married

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in September 2021. Michael A. Goodman has worked for the Church Educational System since 1989 and was the manager of CES College Curriculum before joining the Brigham Young University Church History and Doctrine department in 2007. He is a professor of Religious Education and serves as the RSC’s Associate Publications Director and the Editor of the Religious Educator journal. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with Public Relations, a master’s degree in Information Technology, and a PhD in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. He is a co-investigator on the Family Foundations of Youth Development longitudinal research project, focused on adolescent and family faith development and mental health outcomes with a special emphasis on suicidality. Michael is married to Tiina Anita Goodman.

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Divorced in a Family-Centered Church

Today we’re excited to share our conversation with Anna Lott, and we’re especially thinking of those who are walking—or have walked—the path of divorce. Anna is the host of the Solo Saints podcast and retreats, and she’s become a thoughtful and compassionate voice in our community—especially for those who often feel like their experiences don’t quite fit the mold. As a divorced mother of four, Anna brings honesty, heart, and hard-won wisdom to conversations about faith, family, and belonging.Today’s episode is for everyone though—whether you’ve experienced divorce yourself or love someone who has, we talk with Anna about what it feels like to show up at church when your life no longer fits the picture of how you thought things were “supposed” to look. She speaks candidly about the stigma and shame that so many experience around divorce in a family-centered church, —and about how we, as a community, can do better to create a softer place to land.Anna also invites us to rethink and let go of some of the painful narratives many of us have inherited around marriage—that it should be preserved at all costs, or that staying married is always the most right choice. She shares the both-ands of her own story—the grief and the growth, the costs and the clarity—and how reclaiming and recentering her identity as a daughter of God has led to deeper joy, belonging, and renewed faith.We’re so grateful to the many of you who shared your stories and questions ahead of this episode. Your voices shaped this conversation in meaningful ways. We’re grateful for your honesty and vulnerability and we hope you feel heard here.And with that, here’s our conversation with Anna Lott.

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Doctrine and Covenants 49–50

Is your testimony all-or-nothing? Section 50 describes a testimony that grows “brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” John explores why faith is more like a sunrise than a light switch and how to move from doubt to belief.

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Four Ways to Shift Conflict into Connection

Couples conflict coach Crystal Hansen joins Heather to reframe the way we experience conflict in our relationships. With honesty, humor, and real-life examples, Crystal walks listeners through four common patterns that keep us disconnected and offers simple mindset shifts to create deeper connection and emotional safety in marriage. Whether you’re newly engaged or two decades in, these practical tools will change the way you navigate conflict and build intimacy.

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How To Heal Your Trauma For Better Parenting

It’s hard to be the parent we want to be when we’re carrying wounds from our own childhood. Therapist and coach Michael Anderson helps parents heal their past so they can show up more powerfully for their families in the present. In this episode, he shares 3 practical ways to start that healing journey and explains how doing the work can lead to deeper, more genuine connections with the people we love most.

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Pope Frances’ Legacy

Steve sits down with Julie Boerio-Goates and Dr. Brandon Peterson to chat about the legacy of Pope Frances, including his journey from Jorge of Argentina to the Bishop of Rome.

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When a Latter-day Saint Has an Affair

Rick Reynolds is one of America's foremost authorities helping individuals and couples struggling with affairs and compulsive sexual behaviors, with over 30 years of experience and insight. He holds a master's degree in Social Work and is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Rick's company, Affair Recovery, offers anonymous online group support worldwide for those impacted by infidelity. Rick has authored numerous guides, curricula, and papers detailing reasons why people cheat, how couples can overcome the pain, heartache, and distrust, as well as ways to move forward, both individually and as a couple.

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