History & Heresy: The Devil Is in the Footnotes

What happens when you take Mormon history seriously enough to actually investigate it?

From Joseph Smith's seer stones and the origins of the Book of Mormon to priesthood authority, race, revelation, and the ever-evolving meaning of doctrine, the Infants explore the stories behind the stories.

Sometimes scholarly, sometimes satirical, and frequently surprising.

Bring your questions. Leave your certainty at the door.

Start Here: Twelve Historical Explorations

Twelve original conversations and investigations from the Infants on Thrones archive. Historical mysteries, theological questions, and stories that didn't always make it into Sunday School.

1. Ep 203 - De-Romancing The Stone

   Joseph Smith, seer stones, and historical accounts from the people who knew him.

2. Ep 286 - Priesthood Power and the Magic Worldview

   John Hamer joins Glenn, Randy, and Jake to explore the origins of Mormon priesthood authority and the magical worldview.

3. Ep 174 - The Lost Book of Mormon

   Randy, Matt, John, and Glenn discuss Avi Steinberg's exploration of Joseph Smith as an American author and storyteller.

4. Ep 146 - Reclaiming Mormonism with Margaret Toscano

   Margaret Toscano joins the Infants to discuss feminism, Heavenly Mother, priesthood, and the possibility of reforming Mormonism.

5. Ep 205 - Apologetics in the Raw

   Brother Jake examines an exchange between historian Philip Jenkins and Mormon apologist Bill Hamblin.

6. Ep 210 - John C. Bennett and Early Mormon Audio

   Glenn introduces an audio exploration of early Mormon historical documents, including John C. Bennett's nineteenth-century account.

7. Ep 399 - Hamer on Strang

   Historian John Hamer explores James Strang, a claimant to Joseph Smith's prophetic succession, and the mysterious Voree Plates.

8. Ep 402 - Words from the Dust: Joseph H. Jackson, Pt 1

   A look at Joseph H. Jackson, another controversial early critic who published allegations about Joseph Smith.

9. Ep 525 - Culture vs. Doctrine

   Where does Mormon culture end and Mormon doctrine begin? And who gets to decide?

10. Ep 527 - Jane and Emma the Movie: A Conversation with Screenwriter Melissa Leilani Larson

    Glenn and Tom discuss Mormon history through the lens of the film Jane and Emma and its screenwriter.

11. Ep 744 - The Glass Looker: Collected Tales of Joseph Smith, A Graphic Novel by Mark Elwood

    Joseph Smith's treasure-digging world comes to life through historical storytelling and the artwork of Mark Elwood.

12. Ep 401 - Weird Nutty Mormon History

    A collection of strange and surprising stories from Mormon history. Because sometimes the footnotes are more interesting than the lesson.

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Deeper Dives: Scripture, Doctrine, and Mormon Origins

Some historical questions deserve more than one conversation. These original recordings explore different theories, interpretations, and perspectives on the foundations of Mormonism.

Who Wrote the Book of Mormon?

One of the oldest questions in Mormon studies: Where did the Book of Mormon come from?

Glenn and Randy investigate competing authorship theories with historian John Hamer and professor Craig Criddle.

1. Ep 24 - Who Wrote the Book of Mormon - Part 1
2. Ep 27 - Who Wrote the Book of Mormon - Part 2

The King Follett Discourse

Joseph Smith's famous theological discourse on the nature of God, humanity, and eternal progression.

First, an irreverent dramatic presentation. Then a discussion with John Hamer, Chelsea Shields Strayer, Glenn, and Brother Jake.

1. Ep 126 - The King Follett Discourse
2. Ep 128 - King Follett Re-visited

The Lowry Nelson Letters

In 1947, sociologist Lowry Nelson corresponded with LDS Church leadership about race and church teachings.

The Infants first present a dramatic reading of the correspondence, then examine its historical and theological implications.

1. Ep 182 - Lowry Nelson vs. George Albert Smith
2. Ep 186 - Lowry Letters: The Follow-up Discussion

The Book of Abraham Smackdown

The Infants examine the LDS Church's Gospel Topics essay on the Book of Abraham, its translation, and the historical questions surrounding its origins.

History meets the classic Infants on Thrones Smackdown format.

1. Ep 99 - BoA Smackdown Pt. 1
2. Ep 100 - BoA Smackdown Pt. 2

Truth vs Fiction: The Book of Mormon Revisited

Years after their original conversations about Book of Mormon authorship, Glenn and Randy revisit the question with additional discussions featuring John Hamer and Craig Criddle.

Evidence, interpretation, competing theories, and the sometimes slippery distinction between conviction and historical certainty.

1. Ep 682 - Truth vs Fiction, Part 1: Book of Mormon Evidence on Trial
2. Ep 683 - Truth vs Fiction, Part 2: Who Wrote the Book of Mormon (Joseph Smith?)
3. Ep 685 - Truth vs Fiction, Part 3: Who Wrote the Book of Mormon (Solomon Spaulding?)

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A Final Word on History

History isn't simply a collection of facts to memorize. It's an ongoing process of examining evidence, questioning interpretations, and noticing the stories we tell about the past.

These conversations reflect the information, arguments, humor, and perspectives of the people who recorded them at the time. Some historical theories discussed remain contested or speculative.

The purpose isn't to replace one unquestionable narrative with another.

It's to keep asking better questions.

And occasionally to laugh at the answers.

Explore the complete Infants on Thrones archive