Naked Mormonism Podcast
by Bryce Blankenagel
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has been around for almost two centuries. It has ebbed and fluctuated in such a predictably adaptive manner throughout it's relatively short life in the religious realm. This Church has a very sordid past, which it does a very good job of teaching for itself, whether the history is slanted or not, is yours to decide. Join me on a journey through the history of the LDS Church through the eyes of the people that were actually there. We will learn about the founding members, where the practices came from, where the Book of Mormon (Mormon Bible) came from, and most importantly, we will examine Joseph Smith in every aspect possibly available to us today.
Episodes
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Road to Carthage 10 - The New Reign
On this episode, we examine the consequences of Joseph Smith's death. Show notes of entire historical timeline: http://scripts.nakedmormonismpodcast.com/ Merch shop: https://groundgnomes.launchcart.store/joseph-smith-puppet-master-unisex-white-t-shirt/p/wdj205 Show links: Website...
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Road to Carthage 9 - Carthage Jail Gunfight
On this episode, we discuss the assassinations of Hiram and Joseph Smith in Carthage Jail. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason...
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Road to Carthage 8 - The Final Hour
On this episode, we examine the events of June 27th, 1844 leading up to the assassinations of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in Carthage jail. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon...
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Road to Carthage 7 - Pride
On this episode, we examine the pride and arrogance of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason...
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Road to Carthage 6 - Fury
On this episode, we examine fury as a motivating factor in early Mormonism. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason Comeau...
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Road to Carthage 5 - Polygamy
On this episode, we examine many facets of polygamy throughout early Mormon history. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason Comeau...
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Road to Carthage 4 - Jealousy
On this episode, we examine envy as a driving force behind the formation of Mormonism. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason…
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Road to Carthage 3 - Voracity
On this episode, we examine debauchery and psychedelics in early Mormonism. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason Comeau...
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Road to Carthage 2 - Idleness
On this episode, we examine early Mormonism formed as a cult for temporal gratification. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason...
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Road to Carthage 1 - Avarice
On this episode, we examine money and power in early Mormonism. Show links: Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason Comeau...
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Ep 214 – Mormonism From Its Infancy
On this episode, Jo and Hyrum are in Carthage Jail. We spend this week talking about the grand plans of Joseph Smith's Mormon theocracy to roll forth throughout the world. We discuss what this Mormon revolution would look like, the contrived theological boundaries which justified it, and the...
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Ep 213 – With Useful Studies Store Your Mind
On this episode, we catch up with a bunch of figures in Nauvoo to see what they've been up to as events led to the prophet in Carthage Jail. We start off with discussing Eliza R. Snow, reading excerpts from her Nauvoo journal, conflicts with Emma and the Relief Society at large, who took over her...
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Ep 212 – Emma Smith, Linda Newell, and Valeen Avery
On this episode, Joseph and Hyrum Smith are locked up in Carthage Jail and they aren't going anywhere. We take a little time to catch up with other prominent figures in Nauvoo history; this week begins with Emma Hale Smith. We discuss her role in the Relief Society, unwillingly policing polygamy...
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Ep 211 – "I Think You Are Perfectly Safe"
On this episode, Joseph and Hyrum Smith wake up in Carthage jail to a bustling town filled with anti-Mormon militiamen, surrounded by their closest acolytes. Various meeting take place, Jo sends messengers to Nauvoo calling for documents and witnesses in the upcoming trial for treason. Governor...
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Ep 210 – First Night in Carthage Jail
On this episode, Jo and company spend their first entire day in the city of Carthage, one of the twin cities of anti-Mormonism. Governor Ford does his best to keep the peace and does so by marching Jo and Hyrum down the line of the various militias in Carthage shaking hands and providing proper...
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Ep 209 – "We Will Be Reconciled to Our Fate"
On this episode, Joseph Smith crossed the Mississippi to go into hiding from Governor Ford's arrest order. Emma and his friends blast him for cowardice and he agrees to finally surrender saying "[i]f my life is of no value to my friends, it is of none to myself." Joseph and Hyrum decide to go…
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Ep 208 – A Fateful Crossing of the Mississippi
On this episode, tensions are REALLY high between the Mormons and anti-Mormons in Nauvoo and Carthage respectively. We begin with John Taylor telling us about his meeting with Governor Thomas Ford about the Mormon side of the conflict. Because Ford was surrounded by enemies of the church as…
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Ep 207 – "His Blood Would Be Shed"
On this episode, Governor Thomas Ford is finally in town and he's here to sort out the entire mess between the Mormons in Nauvoo and the anti-Mormons in Carthage. Meetings, letters, and affidavits are brought to Ford to inform him of the situation from both sides of the escalating conflict and he...
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Ep 206 – I'd've Gone West and Raised A Mightier People
On this episode, the chaos following the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor continues to escalate. Joseph Smith calls together a military parade as a show of force to any enemies in the city where he gives his final public speech as first Prophet of Mormonism. Jo's cronies are active in…
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Ep 205 – An Inevitable Riot and a Sham Trial
On this episode, Joseph Smith again heads to the courts charged with riot along with 17 other Mormon elites. Whether or not this Nauvoo Municipal Court hearing would carry any weight would forecast the actions of the Mormon leadership following it. None of the victims of the crime (destruction of...
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Ep 204 – Joseph H. Jackson and Nauvoo Bogus
On this episode, we take the opportunity to examine an enigmatic figure of Nauvoo Mormon history, Joseph H. Jackson. He visited the settlement in late 1842 where he was branded a Missouri spy and a Danite attempted to assassinate him. From that point forward he vowed revenge on the man…
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Ep 203 – Illinois-Mormon War of Extermination
On this episode, we examine the immediate impact and fallout of the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor. The media throughout Illinois explodes at the overt act of Mormon tyranny and fascism. Joseph Smith is arrested by a constable from Carthage on a warrant issued by a judge from Carthage, but…
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Ep 202 – Nauvoo Expositor: Destruction
On this episode, the Nauvoo City Council spends all day 10 June 1844 deliberating about how to deal with the Nauvoo Expositor. The push through the council a new ordinance concerning libelous publications then spend the rest of the day discussing whether or not the Expositor should be declared a...
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Q&A 4-6-2020
Audio from Q&A livestream on Apr 6, 2020. Happy quarantine, everybody!
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Ep 201 – Nauvoo Expositor: A Hat Full of Money
On this episode, we examine the immediate aftermath of the Nauvoo Expositor being published. The Council of Fifty had some wonderfully grand plans for themselves and America. We spend a bit of time with the minutes to get a sense of what they had in mind. There were a lot of irons in the fire and...
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Ep 200 – The Nauvoo Expositor & Zion
On this episode, yes, it is finally time to discuss the Nauvoo Expositor. What is the Nauvoo Expositor? Why is it so important to Mormon history? Why was it published? These are all questions we'll answer by the end of the episode today. This is a story that's been told a hundred times and they…
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Ep 199 – Lawful Dissent
On this episode, we discuss the Law family. William, his wife Jane, and his brother Wilson, converted to the church in the mid-1830s and moved to the burgeoning city of Nauvoo in 1839. From that point forward, William and Jane were elevated to high-ranking levels of Mormon and city leadership....
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Ep 199 – Lawful Dissent
On this episode, we discuss the Law family. William, his wife Jane, and his brother Wilson, converted to the church in the mid-1830s and moved to the burgeoning city of Nauvoo in 1839. From that point forward, William and Jane were elevated to high-ranking levels of Mormon and city leadership....
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Ep 198 – Higbee Dissent
On this episode, the Fosters, the Higbees, and the Laws in May of 1844 continue at the forefront of our examination. This week we focus in on the Higbee brothers, Chauncey and Francis (Frank). The Higbee families joined the church in 1832 during the Kirtland era before moving to Jackson County,...
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Ep 197 – Fostered Dissent
On this episode, we talk about the Fosters, Robert D. and Charles A. Who are they? Why are they important? What did they do? Charles Foster, unfortunately, is a rather obscure historical figure. His brother Robert, however, figures prominently in the Mormon kingdom of Nauvoo from its inception.…
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Ep 196 – Joseph Smith Assassination Plot
On this episode, we examine the times around General Conference of April 1844. Yes, the King Follett Discourse had been given, among many other interesting talks, but what was going on that may have contributed to it falling out of grand recognition we give it today? We examine the concomitant...
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Ep 195 – King Follett Discourse pt. 3 A Legend that Never Dies
On this episode, now that we know the man behind the discourse, let's finally discuss the King Follett Discourse. This is widely known as one of Joseph Smith's greatest theological sermons culminating 14 years of an evolving and expanding doctrine. From the days of early Mormonism, based on the...
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Ep 194 – King Follet pt. 2 The Myth
On this episode, we take on the remainder of King Follett from his internment in the Columbia, Missouri jail to his death in Nauvoo. He's acquitted of his robbery charges, arriving in Quincy, Illinois in October 1839 in a completely overcrowded and destitute state. He works with the Mormon…
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Ep 193 – King Follett pt. 1 The Man
On this episode, we begin our series about King Follett and the discourse named after him. Who is he? What discourse did he write? Why does every Mormon know the name but not the guy? Very little documentation of his life survives to this day, however, fragmentary evidence has been pieced…
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Ep 192 – Called and Numbered with the Chosen
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...
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Ep 191 – Book of the Law of the Lord (BoLoL)
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…
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Ep 190 – Joseph Fought Polygamy
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...
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Ep 189 – The Next Mormon Settlement
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...
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Ep 188 – The Entheogenic Origins of Mormonism: A Working Hypothesis pt. 3
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...
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Ep 187 – The Entheogenic Origins of Mormonism: A Working Hypothesis pt.2
On this episode, we continue reading through our recently published article in the Journal of Psychedelics Studies titled "The Entheogenic Origins of Mormonism: A Working Hypothesis". In this segment of the paper, we discuss many candidate entheogens Joseph Smith may have employed in the early...
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Ep 186 – The Entheogenic Origins of Mormonism: A Working Hypothesis pt.1
On this episode, we begin reading through the academic paper recently published in a special edition of the Journal of Psychedelics Studies authored by Robert Beckstead, Bryce Blankenagel, Cody Noconi, and Michael Winkelman. This segment of the paper covers the background of the Smith family…
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Ep 185 – "A FRIENDLY HINT TO MISSOURI"
On this episode, Joseph Smith's presidential campaign is ramping up! Jo nominates James Arlington Bennet for his Vice-Presidential candidate, White-out Willard Richards drafts a letter to Bennet, notice is printed in the Nauvoo Neighbor, and a retraction is published the following week. A special...
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Ep 184 – The Power of a Mormon POTUS
On this episode, we discuss the continued growing tensions between the Mormon and non-Mormon settlements in Illinois in early 1844. The Nauvoo City Council renews its effort to get an ordinance passed through the state legislature from Dec. 1843 which claimed Nauvoo to be a sovereign territory as...
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Ep 183 – The Lost 116 Pages w/Don Bradley
On this episode, we sit down with Don Bradley, author of a recently-released book covering what we know about the lost 116 pages of the Book of Mormon. Don has been researching this topic for the last 15 years and writing about it for the last 2; now his research is compiled into his book "The…
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Ep 182 – Patterns of Eliza R. Snow
On this episode, we spend a bit of time familiarizing ourselves with one of the most powerful people in Mormon history. Few people left behind so much material to work with as Eliza R. Snow and her poems, written throughout her life, reveal a level of character development seldom seen through any...
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Ep 181 – Green Mountain Masons
On this episode, times are tough in Nauvoo. From fights against the anti-Mormons in Carthage to financial strain pressuring everybody in the Kingdom on the Mississippi, Mormon leadership is looking for possible solutions to increasing debt crushing Jo and the whole community. They decided the...
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Ep 180 – Mormons v. Carthaginians
On this episode, a fight breaks out between the Carthaginians and the Mormons of Nauvoo. Olive Amanda Smith Fullmer filed an affidavit charging her partner, Milton Cook, with bastardy (abandonment) and the Mormon Sheriff, Horace Eldridge, is granted a warrant for Cook's arrest. When Eldridge...
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Ep 179 – William Brutus Marks; Rat Patrol
On this episode, we discuss William Marks, his importance to our timeline, and a special council called to determine how loyal he was to the prophet. Just like last week, some had entertained thoughts that there was a Brutus in the highest rings of Mormon leadership waiting to backstab the…
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Ep 178 – William Judas Law; Rat Patrol
On this episode, we discuss the Nauvoo Police Force and the perpetuation of the Danite system of law. Joseph Smith was afraid there may be a Judas or Brutus in the ranks of Mormon leadership and pointed the finger at William Law. Law becomes the focus of an assassination attempt, which he became...
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Ep 177 – Jo 3.0 Boy Prophet, Seer, & Revelator
On this episode, we dive into a strange occurrence in early 1844. By the last year of his ministry, Joseph Smith had designated half a dozen people to be his rightful successors in his absence or in the case of his death. But, in early 1844, it was finally time for Joseph Smith III (Jo 3.0) to...
About this show
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has been around for almost two centuries. It has ebbed and fluctuated in such a predictably adaptive manner throughout it's relatively short life in the religious realm. This Church has a very sordid past, which it does a very good job of teaching for itself, whether the history is slanted or not, is yours to decide. Join me on a journey through the history of the LDS Church through the eyes of the people that were actually there. We will learn about the founding members, where the practices came from, where the Book of Mormon (Mormon Bible) came from, and most importantly, we will examine Joseph Smith in every aspect possibly available to us today.
Hosted by
Bryce Blankenagel
Categories