Cracking the LDS restoration’s toughest subjects through rational, balanced analysis of source material. We analyze and compare historical records as we untangle the issues, events, teachings, traditions and doctrines of the LDS restoration. In the end, we just want to know what happened.
Publisher
Hemlock Knots
Category
history · religion & spirituality · religion & spirituality
Despite the plethora of public condemnations of polygamy during his lifetime, some believe that Joseph Smith was still teaching in private that polygamy was a commandment from God. Did he ever teach it? Did he ever write about it? Did he ever receive a revelation about it? Since there's no first-hand material from Joseph Smith in favor of polygamy, we must closely examine the accounts and records of both those who said he did, and those that insisted that he didn't. This debate seeks to shed light on this important question, covering the key arguments in this age-old debate: Did Joseph Smith ever teach polygamy?
Live stream debate includes 2 teams:
1) Affirmative = Mark Tensmeyer & Jacob Vidrine
2) Negative = Jeremy Hoop & Leo Ebbert
8 Aug 2022
Was Joseph Smith Really A Polygamist? Live Debate #1
Did Joseph Smith practice polygamy or didn't he? If he did, where's the evidence? How reliable is it? And why are there so many accounts stating that he did, but so few are contemporary? These are the questions that’ll polarize those who study the life and teachings of Joseph Smith. What are the strongest arguments for Joseph Smith being a polygamist? What are the best sources that suggest he wasn't? This debate will answer these questions and more, in a structured, civil conversation about a complex question.
Live stream debate includes 2 teams:
1) Affirmative = Mark Tensmeyer & Jacob Vidrine
2) Negative = Jeremy Hoop & Leo Ebbert
22 Jun 2022
Why Was The Nauvoo Expositor Really Destroyed?
Some insist that the Nauvoo Expositor was destroyed because of its slanderous remarks about Joseph Smith, but what do the contemporary historical records actually say? If the workings of the press were said to bring the mob, why would a mob be outraged, given they were also against Joseph Smith and in favor of the slander being printed? Why would news of a surprise visit from Governor Ford cause cause prominent church leaders to scramble to adjust their accounting books? Why would a founding member of the Nauvoo Expositor burn the building down? Could there be something else that justified the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor besides slander against Joseph Smith? Could the continuation of those same illegal activities after Joseph Smith's death be the catalyst for Brigham Young being forced to prematurely flee the state of Illinois in the dead of winter as a fugitive dodging federal indictments? For show notes and sources, visit https://hemlockknots.com/16 or subscribe to the Hemlock Knots YouTube channel here: https://hemlockknots.com/youtube.
6 Jun 2022
Baptisms for the Dead?
Where did this concept of "baptisms for the dead" originate? Who started it? When and where were the first baptisms for the dead practiced? When was this doctrine officially added to the teachings of the scriptures? Is the idea with baptisms for the dead compatible with other scriptural teachings on the atonement? These questions and more will be explored in this interview. For show notes and sources, visit https://hemlockknots.com/15 or subscribe to the Hemlock Knots YouTube channel here: https://hemlockknots.com/youtube.
30 May 2022
New & Everlasting Covenant… of Marriage?
Explore the documentation behind the claim that marriage for eternity is a requirement for the celestial kingdom. What is the new and everlasting covenant? How has the new and everlasting covenant evolved in LDS church history, and was marriage part of that covenant initially? How did the saints break the covenant 12 years before it was revealed? At what point did eternal marriage become the focal point of the everlasting covenant and who was responsible for this "new" covenant? For show notes and sources, visit https://hemlockknots.com/14 or subscribe to the Hemlock Knots YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgKusVId5be_LZA81FMnQWQ.
15 May 2022
Is the Aaronic Priesthood Authentic?
In this interview with Michael Barrett (Restored Gospel Podcast), we discuss some theories, ideas, facts and hypotheses surrounding the Aaronic priesthood. Where did the Aaronic priesthood come from? What does the documentary hypothesis suggest about the legitimacy of the Aaronic priesthood claims? Why don't the earliest versions of the Moses story contain the parts about Aaron and his lineage having special rights? Who wrote the biblical parts of the story of Aaron, and when? Does the Book of Mormon support the concept of the priesthood of Aaron? For show notes and sources, visit https://hemlockknots.com/13 or subscribe to the Hemlock Knots YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgKusVId5be_LZA81FMnQWQ.
2 Feb 2022
Was Polygamy Taught in the Scriptures?
Part 4 of an interview with Ryan Hinckley (host of the "Mormon Theories" podcast) exploring the scriptural accounts of polygamy and monogamy as taught by a divine source. Do the scriptures justify the claim that God commanded polygamy? When in history did he ever do that? We explore in depth the questionable interpretation found in Jacob 2:30, on whether or not there's validity to the claim that God would command polygamy to "raise up seed." For show notes and sources, visit https://hemlockknots.com/12 or subscribe to the Hemlock Knots YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgKusVId5be_LZA81FMnQWQ.
2 Feb 2022
Who Wrote D&C 132?
Part 3 of an interview with Ryan Hinckley (host of the "Mormon Theories" podcast), exploring the origins of the alleged July 12, 1843 revelation known today as D&C 132. Was it from Joseph Smith? Who wrote it? Where was it kept and why wasn't it shared with the saints for 9 years? What doctrines did it change? Does it match the writing style, tone, syntax and communication style of Joseph Smith or the voice used in former revelations? For show notes and sources, visit https://hemlockknots.com/11 or subscribe to the Hemlock Knots YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgKusVId5be_LZA81FMnQWQ.
2 Feb 2022
Fanny Alger: Fact or Fiction?
Part 2 of an interview between Ryan Hinckley (host of the "Mormon Theories" podcast) and Mark Curtis (Hemlock Knots), exploring the story of Fanny Alger. We discuss the quantity & quality of the 19 sources behind the story, and how they align with today's common narrative. We also address Oliver Cowdery's alleged accusations of Joseph Smith committing adultery with Fanny Alger, and how that comports with the actual records. Visit https://hemlockknots.com/10 for show notes, YouTube video and more.
26 Jan 2022
“Who Killed Joseph Smith?” Live Audience Q&A
Part 2 of the interview series with Justin Griffin & Steve Sorensen (directors of the documentary "Who Killed Joseph Smith?") where we take questions from a live audience, discuss the particulars of the theories in the movie. We'll also discuss personal lives of the directors, their beliefs about certain things, critiques to the movie's theories and research, and more. Leave all of your questions in the comments section below, like the best questions and we'll try to cover as many as possible. For show notes, discussion and video presentation, visit https://hemlockknots.com/9
18 Jan 2022
Changing LDS Church History
Have their been changes to the LDS church history, as well as Joseph Smith's personal history? Who was involved? When did it happen? How did it happen? Are modern LDS church leaders and general membership aware of these changes? If so, are they willing to admit that changes have been made, or will they insist that there were no changes ever made? These quotes and documents outline the answer to these questions and more, as we kick off this series investigating the nature of these LDS church history changes. For show notes, discussion and video presentation, visit https://hemlockknots.com/8
27 Dec 2021
“Who Killed Joseph Smith?” Interview w/ Justin Griffin & Steve Sorensen
Exclusive interview with Justin Griffin (Director & Producer) and Steve Sorensen (Film Maker). We discuss their full-featured documentary film "Who Killed Joseph Smith?" Explore the project, multiple theories, research, science, forensics, ballistics, chronologies, legal proceedings, historical accounts, changes in church histories, insights from leading experts and more. In this interview, we attempt to better understand one of the most significant murders in American history: The assassination of Joseph & Hyrum Smith on June 27, 1844 at Carthage Jail. For show notes, discussion and video presentation, visit https://hemlockknots.com/7
21 Nov 2021
Ryan Fisher (Nephite Explorer) Interview
Explore Ryan Fisher's life experiences, discoveries, beliefs, interests and his understanding of what happened among the Nephites of the Book of Mormon and the early latter-day churches alike. For show notes, discussion and video presentation, visit https://hemlockknots.com/6
25 Oct 2021
Rob Fotheringham Interview
Rob Fotheringham is an independent researcher, YouTube channel operator & former LDS church employee of 9 years on the LDS gospel library, welfare projects, perpetual education fund and more. Rob is best known for his series of videos that outline LDS subjects of interest, including polygamy, rejecting the fulness of the gospel, ethics of the perpetual education fund, Elijah's alleged visit to the Kirtland temple, the pioneer handcart migration disasters and more. For show notes, discussion and video presentation, visit https://hemlockknots.com/5
27 Sept 2021
Interview with Whitney Horning, Author of “Joseph Smith Revealed: A Faithful Telling”
Whitney Horning's book "Joseph Smith Revealed: A Faithful Telling" explores in great detail the truth behind Joseph Smith's energetic denunciation of polygamy amid the growing popularity of Nauvoo's troublesome "new order of things." In this interview, we discuss Whitney's journey, her life experiences, stories, faith, persecutions, triumphs, insights and findings in regards to her book projects, and address from the audience several of their top questions in regards to the question: Did Joseph Smith teach or practice polygamy? For show notes, discussion and video presentation, visit https://hemlockknots.com/4
21 Jul 2021
Origins of LDS Polygamy: Samuel Smith & Orson Hyde’s Missionary Journals Among the Cochranites
What are the real origins of LDS polygamy? Where did it start? Who was involved? Where did these teachings of spiritual wives and plural wives come from? One of the earliest contemporary first hand records we have are the priceless journals of Samuel Smith and Orson Hyde, two early Mormon missionaries who detailed extensively their findings among the Cochranite people of 1832 New England. Did the Cochranites influence early LDS polygamy? Why does the LDS church own these journals, yet speak nothing of them and their connections to early origins of polygamy? For show notes, discussion and video presentation, visit https://hemlockknots.com/3
15 Jun 2021
Analyzing LDS Church History
Five major factors should be considered before one commits to believing historical source documents as completely valid or true. While we cannot fully understand what may have influenced the LDS historical statements, documents and memories of centuries ago, we can (and probably should) reduce the chances of being misinformed as much as possible. For show notes, discussion and video presentation, visit https://hemlockknots.com/2
15 May 2021
Intro to The Hemlock Knots Show
An introduction to the Hemlock Knots show. We cover the origins, purpose and agenda of the website and the show, including which topics we’ll cover. We introduce the hosts of the show and talk about the name of the show, the website, the greater community resources and the problems we're trying to solve through open-source analysis. For show notes & comments, visit https://hemlockknots.com/1
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