Welcome to part three of the Joseph Smith Podcast! In this episode, we explore one of the most pivotal and mysterious events in early Mormon history — the story of Martin and Lucy Harris and the infamous loss of the 116 pages of the Book of Mormon manuscript. With historian and non-Latter-day Saint scholar John G. Turner, we dive into the complexities of translation, belief, and the relationships that shaped the early Restoration movement.
We also examine:
- The discovery of the plates
- Martin Harris’ background and motives
- Lucy Harris’ suspicions and possible involvement
- The cultural and religious context of the time
- Theories about the Book of Mormon translation process
- What the loss of the 116 pages reveals about Joseph Smith’s prophetic development
This episode also reflects on broader themes of faith, deception, historical interpretation, and the psychology behind religious movements. Whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or historian, this deep-dive provides rich insight from a non-Mormon perspective.
