Welcome back to part six of the Joseph Smith Podcast where we are covering Dr. John Turner’s new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.” Today we are diving into Chapter Six titled “A Choice Seer” which continues to discuss the 1829 period in Palmyra, New York. This episode explores the controversies surrounding the Book of Mormon—its origins, witnesses, and textual issues. We examine the arguments for and against its authenticity, its biblical parallels, and Joseph Smith’s role as translator vs. author.

Topics include:
-Were the witnesses in on a scam?
-Historicity of the Book of Mormon
-Anachronisms and biblical borrowings
-Criticism from early figures like Alexander Campbell
-Literary structures like chiasmus
-Theology, archeology, and universalism
-Is the Book of Mormon scripture?

A thoughtful, critical, and respectful look at how scholars and believers wrestle with faith, history, and evidence.