Religion Today: Recent Episodes
KSL Newsradio
Issues of faith and spirituality that matter to LDS, Mormons, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes the little known details of the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood, on Sunday, May 24, 1829, nine days after the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, on Friday, May 15, 1829. Peter, James and John appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, at the crack of dawn, the day after they had been acquitted after a two day trial, of all charges, including "deception" which be the same as a "fraud" charge today. A mob, angry over the acquittal, waited for Joseph and Oliver to exit the courtroom at Colesville Tavern (a lodging place, post office and courthouse, not a liquor store or drinking establishment). Instead of exiting out the front door, Oliver and Joseph jumped out a rear window of the Coles Tavern, and walked all night on their 27 mile journey home through the wilderness. After traveling about 17 miles, Oliver, exhausted, was ready to give out. Just then, at early dawn, Peter, James and John appeared and conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood on Joseph and Oliver
Host Martin Tanner gives an overview of the Garden of Eden, Noah's Ark, the Tower of Babel and the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. He gives the background and meaning of each of these narratives, and demonstrates the meaning behind each is punishment for wickedness, or in other words disobeying God, always has consequences. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, a "stepped" location on a hillside, for breaking God's command. All mankind were drowned except Noah and his family, due to wickedness. Martin explains why Noah and the Ark was likely a localized event, not a worldwide flood. The Tower of Babel was real. It was a ziggurat, or stepped pyramid. God confounded the languages due to their wickedness in building the ziggurat. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were utterly destroyed by God due to their wickedness. The Bible says those cities were located where the southern end of the Dead Sea is now found. They are under the waters of the Dead Sea.
Martin Tanner, the host of Religion Today, shares eight compelling near-death experiences, from people he knows: (1) neuro-surgeon Eben Alexander, MD, from atheist to believer; (2) Stanford, from afraid of death to wanting to go to the other side; (3) Charlotte, who saw her two grandaughters who were waiting to be born; (4) Erica Mckenzie, who died from an eathing disorder, and learned we are all given gifts from God; (5) Ted Whiting, who met on the other side his father, who had been murdered; (6) Liz Clark, who died from a drug over-dose; (7) David Chevalier, who saw the beginning of the Second Coming of Jesus; and (8) Howie Jensen, who went from a drug dealer who committed suicide, to a believer in Jesus.
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains how many items in the Book of Mormon would be counter-intuitive for a fake, or a forger to place there, but nonetheless turn out to be true. In other words, many oddities in the Book of Mormon are now proven true by science, archeology and anthropology.
Martin Tanner explains that the Jewish sect that wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls was called the "Latter-day Saints" and were led by a "Teacher of RIghteousness" and a counsel of 10 to 12 men. The Dead Sea Scrolls confirm many truths from the Book of Mormon, that there were ancient Jewish prophets not mentioned in the Bible, like Zenock and Zenos in the Book of Mormon, and Zadock in the Dead Sea Scrolls. They confirm pre-Christian Jews practiced baptism by immersion. They believed their Messiah would be pierced and die. The Nag Hammadi Library is noteworthy because it has authentic words of Jesus, not in the Bible, its Gospel of Philip implies Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, and it speaks of a Heavenly Mother. The Secret Gospel of Mark says Jesus taught Lazarus, after bringing him back from the dead, about the "mysteries of the Kingdom of God" in a which which appears to be very much like the LDS Temple Endowment.
Martin Tanner discusses the purpose and meaning of Temple Garments. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has sacred clothing, which is not unique. Sacred garments are mentioned in Genesis 3:21 says God made clothing for Adam and Eve. Joseph, who was sold into Egypt, was given a coat of "many priesthood powers" (not many colors). Nuns, priests, ministers and Jewish Rabbis all wear sacred clothing, with meanings, similar to Temple Garments. When Elijah was taken into heaven, he left his "Mantle" or sacred cloak/coat, which was a symbol of his power as a prophet, to his successor Elsha.
Host Martin Tanner highly recommends a new, historically accurate, highest quality LDS film Six Days in August, about the succession issue, who would lead the Church after Joseph Smith was murdered on June 27th, 1844. For several months it was unclear who would lead the Church. The Council of the Twelve Apostles and its president, Brigham Young, promised to continue to lead the Church just as Joseph Smith had been planning. Sidney Rigdon, another possible successor, would have kept the Church in Nauvoo or in the mid-West. James Strang claimed to be a successor prophet and wanted to lead the Church. Emma wanted Joseph Smith, III, to be the next president, but he was only 11 years old. In a Church assembly in August 1844, Sidney Rigdon spoke and convinced many he should lead, but them Brigham Young spoke, and according to the diaries of over 120 people who were at the assembly, Brigham Young appeared to appear as Joseph Smith, or sounded like Joseph Smith, which was taken as a sign from God. The Church members overwhelmingly voted for Brigham and the Apostles to lead the Church.
Your host, Martin Tanner, provides sources, including the Bible, that support the belief that God the Father is a divine man. Although Jews, the Orthodox faith, Catholics and Protestants believe God the Father is a spirit only, confirmation that God the Father is a divine person is found in many sources. Martin provides many of those sources, together with logic and common sense, on a topic not often discussed.
Details of how and why Joseph Smith, with Emma, went to the hill (not yet known as Cumorah) just after midnight, September 22, 1827, to acquire the golden plates. Descriptions of the dimensions of the golden plates, and how much they weighed, from those who picked them up. How Joseph Smith began to translate. Why Martin Harris decided to take a few lines of characters copied from the plates, with a translation, to Columbia Professor Charles Anthon and Samuel Mitchell. Why were there contradicting stories from Anthon, Mitchell and Harris.
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner laments that Evangelical and Latter-day Saint Christians do not get along better. He then responds, point by point to an Evangelical Critic who has come up with 50 flawed reasons why the LDS Faith is not true. Martin's Response points out the flaws in the Evangelical pastor's points, and presents facts which prove them to be wrong.
Requests from a few listeners led host Martin Tanner to present in this episode of Religion Today, a few of the very best evidences of the Book of Mormon, including, (1) although writing on metal plates was unknown in Joseph Smith's day, examples of writing on metal plates during Book of Mormon times have been found in the Middle East and Central America; (2) During Joseph Smith's lifetime, horses were thought to have been unknown to Native Americans until the arival of Columbus, but the Book of Mormon mentions horses, and now examples of horses prior to Columbus have been found by archaeologists; (3) During Joseph Smith's lifetime, Native Americans were thought to use bows and arrows, and spears as weapons, but examples of Head-shields, Head-plates, scimitars, and other items of warfare have been found which verify statement in the Book of Mormon. Martin gives many other examples of evidence Joseph Smith could not have known, which are found in the Book of Mormon, that are now supported by archeology, linguistics and other scientific evidence.
Requests from a few listeners led host Martin Tanner to present in this episode of Religion Today, a few of the very best evidences of the Book of Mormon, including, (1) although writing on metal plates was unknown in Joseph Smith's day, examples of writing on metal plates during Book of Mormon times have been found in the Middle East and Central America; (2) During Joseph Smith's lifetime, horses were thought to have been unknown to Native Americans until the arival of Columbus, but the Book of Mormon mentions horses, and now examples of horses prior to Columbus have been found by archaeologists; (3) During Joseph Smith's lifetime, Native Americans were thought to use bows and arrows, and spears as weapons, but examples of Head-shields, Head-plates, scimitars, and other items of warfare have been found which verify statement in the Book of Mormon. Martin gives many other examples of evidence Joseph Smith could not have known, which are found in the Book of Mormon, that are now supported by archeology, linguistics and other scientific evidence.
Host Martin Tanner explains Jewish, Christian and Latter-day Saint ideas about what happened to the Lost 10 Tribes. He explains various explanation about where they are now, and when and under what circumstances they will return
Martin Tanner points out the pros and cons of some of the most popular, most popular and widely read English Bible translations, including the King James Version, the Good News Bible, the New Revised Standard Version updated edition, New English Translation with over 60,000 scholarly footnotes, and Martin's personal favorite, the Contemporary English Version.
Martin Tanner describes the Jewish sects that existed about a century before the time of Christ, during the lifetime of Christ, and about a century after, including the Maccabees, Sadducees, Phrisees, Zealots, Essenes, Gelileans, and several Baptist groups. The Maccabees were the first sect within Judaism. The Sadducees denied the resurrection. The Pharisees were the "lawyers" of the New Testament era. They knew the laws of Judaism.. The Zealots did not separate religion and politics, and were the terrorists of their day, killing with knives those who they thought were thwarting the truth. The Essenes were the Dead Sea Scrolls community. They though themselves to be the livers of the higher law.
Seven forest fire-fighters who died in the flames and saw each other's spirits above their bodies, only to miraculously return to life after the fire had passed. Knowledge of the future acquired during near-death experiences, only to be supressed upon returning to life through the veil of forgetfulness. Premonitions and warnings in the form of actual voices from God or a guardian angel. Miraculous healings, from Multiple Sclerosis and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Religion Today host, Martin Tanner describes these events, and other rare and lesser known elements of near-death experiences.
In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner describes what the Joseph Smith's "Inspired Version" or "Inspired Revision" of the Bible is. It is not an inspired revision to bring the text back to the original wording. It is more of an inspired expansion and revision of important passages. Martin provides insights into how to better understand the "Inspired Version."
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner gives a brief overview of the Book of Abraham and the Book of Moses, the least read and least understood scriptures of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Book of Moses is part of the "Inspired Translation" of the Bible sometimes called the "Inspired Version." The Book of Abraham is a translation of a scroll of Egyptian Papyri, about 60 or so feet long, one of fact scrolls, acquired by the Church in 1835. Martin Tanner describes both books, briefly describes their contents, and responds to critics who falsely claim they are not genuine translations of ancient documents
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner examines the plausibility of the claims made by Joseph Smith about the origin of The Book of Mormon, translated by the gift and power of God. He also examines the plausibility of the claims of critics who say Sidney Rigdon or Oliver Cowdery were authors. Martin also examines the plausibility of the claims that Ethan Smith's book View of the Hebrews or Solomon Spanding's manuscript were the source for The Book of Mormon. Martin concludes it would be impossible for Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery or View of the Hebrews, or the Spalding manuscript to be the source for the Book of Mormon. Martin also examines the Ex-Mormons claims that similar wording in the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon means The Book of Mormon is not an ancient document, and finds this theory logically flawed.
In this episode of Religion Today host Martin Tanner explores whether there is a real, or only apparent, conflict between religion and the theory of evolution. Scientists claim evolution isn't a theory, but a fact. But science does not support that claim. When the fossil record is examined closely, it is obvious it does not support the theory of evolution, because over 95% of all life forms in existence today, appeared in less than one-tenth of one-percent of the time life has existed on earth, in an explosion of new life forms, not slowly and incrementally, as Charles Darwin and his the theory of evolution predicted. In addition, the fossil record does not have the transitional forms that would be needed to provide evidence for the theory of evolution.
Martin Tanner, host of Religion Today, interviews Stephen Smoot and Brian Passantino, editors of their new book, available at Deseret Book, Benchmark Book and on Amazon, Joseph Smith's Uncanonized Revelations. This book of just under 200 pages gives easy access to Joseph Smith's uncanonized revelations, with excellent, succinct descriptions of the setting and context of each, along with an explanation of the significance of the revelation. This book is a must-have supplement to the Doctrine and Covenants.
In this episide of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner interviews James Dalrymple and Jonathan Farrell About Scripture Central's new ultra high quality video series on Book of Mormon evidences, available free to anyone, at YouTube. Highly recommended by Martin Tanner.
For many people, especially those who feel lonely due to loss of a spouse, child or friend, a pet is very important to them. Many people love their pets very much like a family member. In this episode of Religion Today, the host, Martin Tanner, gives many reasons for believing that pets and other animals have souls and will be seen in the after-life. Martin shares Joseph Smith's comments showing animals have sould. He also shares near-death experiences in which the person saw their deceased pet during their experience.
"Toxic Masculinity" and "Not needed" are two of the phrases often heard in society today about men and fathers. The assumption is the men and fathers, especially white men, are privileged, while women and minorities are discriminated against. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner provides statistics and studies to show how men are viewed in society and how men view themselves. Statistics show men overwhelmingly see their most important role as husband and father. Men would far rather have their children become honest, kind, hard-working, and caring, then rich. These are all good signs for a resurgence in the idea that men and fathers are important.
Where did the events in the Book of Mormon likely take place? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner presents some of the latest evidence from geography, archaeology, LiDar scans, population studies, geology, volcanoloy, and linguistics, which points to Central America, from southern Mexico to Guatemala on the Yucatan Peninsula, as the likely location for the Jaradite civilation, and the Nephite civilation.
Many theories have been advanced by New Testament scholars about the nature of Paul's "thorn in the flesh" he speaks of in 2 Corinthians 12:7. The theories include: temptation, a chronic eye problem, malaria, migraines, epilepsy, a speech impediment, or even a person, perhaps "Alexander the coppersmith" who paul says did Paul "a great deal of Harm" (2 Timothy 4:14). In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner follows the clues and concludes Paul probably had a severe eye problem, which greatly hampered his vision, and which was visible to anyone who looked at Paul's face. Perhaps Paul had such severe cataracts that he could not see well, and his eyes were visibly cloudy, and obviously diseased. Paul's physical problem was so severe that he had a permanent physician, Luke, the man who wrote the Gospel of Luke.
Host Martin Tanner describes the implications of ancient words and phrases in The Book of Mormon. He describes how certain words and phrases show Joseph Smith's influence, while others show God's had tight control over the translation process. No one has devised an explanation for the Book of Mormon translation process, which explains all of the evidence. We know little more than that Joseph Smith could not have produced it, and, it was translated by the "gift and power of God."
In this Religion Today episode, host Martin Tanner explains that we know about the contents of the Lost 116 Pages of the Book of Mormon, which is a surprisingly large amount. Martin explains why it is unlikely that Lucy Harris took or destroyed the lost 116 pages. He also explain the sources for what we know about the contents of the lost Book of Lehi and other details about the 116 Page.
In honor of Mothers' Day, host Martin Tanner, describes the origin of the LDS doctrine of a Heavenly Mother, from Joseph Smith, as described by Eliza R. Snow, Zina Huntington, Parly P. Pratt, Brigham Young, and others. And, its confirmation by Gordon B. Hinckley, James E. Faust, Bruce R. McConkie, Spencer W. Kimball, James H. Talmage, B.H. Roberts and many others. The idea of a Heavenly Mother is found in three LDS hymns, in several official Church manuals, in the Joseph Smith History of the Church, the Ensign, Times and Seasons, and many other sources. Martin Tanner also describes the Biblical sources for a Mother in Heaven, the Early Christian scriptures refering to a Mother in Heaven, and ancient Jewish sources for the belief in a female deity in Jewish thought and doctrine.
Although similar to the Christian "Signs of the Times" before the Second Coming of Jesus, Orthodox Jews believe in their own Jewish "Signs of the Times" before their Messiah comes. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes the Jewish "Signs of the Times" including the Red Heifer, an unblemished, perfect red Angus cow, originally imported from the United States, but improved in Israel through breeding. According to Jewish tradition, the next Red Heifer sacrificed will signal the coming of the Messiah. Other signs of the Messiah that have already taken place include the restoration of the restoration of the Hebrew language as a primary language in Israel, the establishment of the modern State of Israel, planned, intense Jewish preparation for rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, and anti-Semitism on university campuses and elsewhere.
Host Martin Tanner explains by what Priesthood authority Lehi and his family went to the New World, and there, organized new Churches and Synagogues, and performed Ordinances, including baptism. If no family of Latter-day Saints can simply decide to move to a new country, and start a new branch or stake, by what authority did Lehi, Nephi and their extensed families form new churches and synagogues in the New World, and perform ordinances there? In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner answers these questions, and many related ones.
In Part 2 of the Visions of Joseph Smith, Religion Today host Martin Tanner describes about fifteen more of the 70 known visions of Joseph Smith, including four visions of the Father and the Son, and five additional visions of Jesus. Although some of these accounts are in scripture, most are found in diary entries of Joseph Smith, and his close associates and friends. Martin Tanner describes visions of the appearance of Adam and Eve, Moses, the Apostle Peter, Elias (Noah), Elijah, the future growth of the Church, future calamaties prior to the Second Coming of Jesus, a spiritual battle with Satan, and many others, especially in connection with the completion and dedication of the Kirtland Temple.
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner interviews T.C. Christensen, Latter-day Saint filmmaker extrordinaire (filmography: 17 Miracles; Ephraim's Resccue; The Cokeville Miracle; Love Kennedy, The Fighting Preacher, and many more), who has a new film in theaters now, Escape From Germany (PG). This historically accurate film, the story-line of which is derived from the personal diaries of the missionaries and others who experienced it, describes the miracles, and inspired decisions made by the President Heber J. Grant, the President of the LDS Germany Mission when World War II started, and many others, which enabled Mormon missionaries to escape from Nazi Germany during the final days before Hitler closed the boarders of Germany, invaded neighboring countries, and started World WW2. This extraordinary film is a must see, accurate historical drama, from a new perspective, and is appropriate for the entire family. Host Martin Tanner highly recommends this movie from one of the very best LDS filmmakers, T.C. Christensen
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes most of the early, significant visions of Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith had 70 known visions, and it is likely that more were unrecorded. There are four accounts of visions of Father and Son together. In several of these, others saw the vision along with Joseph Smith. In four other visions, Joseph Smith and others with him, saw Jesus. Joseph Smith also saw many Old Testament prophets, including Adam, Moses, Enoch, Elias and Elijah. Joseph Smith saw New Testament Apostles Peter, James, John and Paul. He also saw Nephite Apostles. In part 2 of the Visions of Joseph Smith, learn about Joseph Smith's visions of the future, growth of the Church, future calamities, temple designs and locations, the Second Coming, and other subjects.
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner defines "resurrection," explains what happens when a person is resurrected, based on science and religion, and quotes latter-day prophets promises that parents who have lost a child to death, will be able to raise them durring the Millennium.
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains why the core Protestant tenants of Sola Scriptura, a Closed Canon of scripture, and no Revelation after Jesus and the Apostles contracts the Bible. First, Sola Scriptura, which means doctrine only from the scriptures is not Biblical. The Bible does not say which writings are scripture and which are not, people, not the Bible have always made that decision. Second, a closed canon is not Biblical. The Bible does not say it is closed to new writings, people make that decision. Third, the Bible does not say there will be no more revelation after Jesus and the Apostles. On the contrary, the Book of Revelation specifically mentions two latter-day prophets, telling us there will be revelation in the future.
Although Protestant faiths such at Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists and others, are in many ways similar to those of Latter-day Saints, there are some significant differences. The most significant are the Trinitarian concept of God, the Priesthood of All Believers, and Salvation by Grace, solely based on belief Jesus is your Lord and Savior. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner compares and contrasts LDS understanding of God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Ghost as three seperate person, an ordained priesthood, and Salvation by God's Grace, based on obedience to God's laws, with Protestand beliefs.
Scholars date Moses life, his receipt of the Ten Commandments and construction of the Ark of the Covenant, to between 1,500 BCE and 750 BCE. The Ark was about 4 feet long, 2 1/2 feet wide and 2 1/2 feet tall. It held the 10 Commendments written by God on a stone tablet, Goliath's sword David used to cut his head off, and, according to some sources, the Urim & Thummim. Moroni's stone box held the Golden Plates, Laban's sword Nephi used to cut his heaf off, and the Nephite Interpreters. The Ark's main purposes were to hold the 10 Commandments, and, according to the Bible, provide a suitable place for YHWH (Jehovah) God appeared to Moses and others (immediately above the Ark). In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner give additional details about the Ark, and different theories about what happened to it.
Joseph Smith's "Inspired Version" often described as the "Joseph Smith Translation" was an inspired effort made by JS to restore plain and precious truths to the Bible which had been lost. The IV or JST was inspired by passages in the Book of Mormon, observed during the translation process, that pertained to ther Bible. It commenced just a few months after the Book of Mormon translaton and printing had been completed. It was never completed. JS was working on it until the day he died in 1844. The JST/IV consists of (1) expensions of material about Moses, Enoch and Melchizedek, (2) grammatical improvements, (3) meaning changes, (4) interpretive changes or additions usually indicated by "or in other words", (5) changes that clarify, and, (6) reconciling passages that contradicted other Bible passages. To make his JST or IV, Joseph used a King James Bible purchased from E.B. Grandin by Oliver Cowdery. Learn more about the inspired changes from this episode of Religion Today, hosted by Martin Tanner
Is there any evidence something like the LDS Endowment was part of Jesus teachings, or part of the belief system of Early Christianity? The answer is "yes." The evidence is found in the "Secret Gospel of Mark" which was a longer gospel, written by John Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark, compiled from the notes and writings of Peter (shortly after Peter had been killed) and the notes notes and writings of Mark. The "Secret Gospel of Mark" tells of a rich young man who was brought back to life by Jesus, after dying and being placed in a tomb. Jesus rolled away the stone from the tomb, took the young man's hand, and brought him back to life. The grateful young man was fascinated by Jesus's teachings. After being taught by Jesus for six days, Jesus placed a linen garment on the rich young man and "taught him the mysteries of the Kingdom of God" and how to live one's life in a way to get there. This appears to be very much like the Temple garment, teachings and purpose of the LDS Endowment.
Latter-day Saints, Catholics and the Orothodox faiths all have an important doctrine in common. All believe the potential of each person is divinity, thosis, to become a god, to become like Jesus and Heavenly Father. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes the sources of LDS beliefs on the origin of humans, which is an eternal, unmade intelligence, spirit or soul. He then describes the LDS and Early Christian beliefs that human potential is to become like God, and provides Early Christian quotes which mirror LDS thought.
In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner gives insights into how Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. He used the "Nephite Interpreters" later called the Urim and Thummim to translate the Book of Lehi, which comprised the 116 pages lost by Martin Harris, plus a few more pages. Thereafter Joseph Smith used the seer stone, which was used to translate the entire Book of Mormon we now have. The lost pages ended just before our current Book of Mosiah begins. Joseph Smith was not a scribe. He always described himself as a translator. If he simply read words or characters, in a seerstone or Nephite Interpreters, he would have been a scribe. Translating took, effort as we read in D&C Section 9:7-8.
We have a very good idea of where Book of Mormon events actually took place. How can there be two Hlll Cumorahs? The same way there are many "Jefferson Avenues" and "State Streets". The Book of Mormon text does not fit the small gravel hill by the Smith family farm where Moroni buried the plates. It does fit the large, prominent hill in the "Tuxtla Mountains" in southern Veracruz, Mexico, east of Mexico City, almost to the Gulf of Mexico, and a little South. The Hill Shim/Cumorah is likely the Mayan hill "Shim" later called the hill "Cintepic" by the Aztecs. Cin=corn tepic=hill. Mayan and Aztec legends say the corn grown by the base of the hill Shim grows from the blood of their ancestors where the Jeredites and Nephites were slaughtered. The waters of Ripliancum are probably the "Hueyapan River." the River Sidon is most likely the Grijalva river. The City of Nephi is probably the Kaminaljuyu city ruins on the western edge of Guatamala City.
In this Part 3 of three Religion Today shows on the evidence for where the Book of Mormon events actually took place, Martin Tanner, points out that no Native North American tribes or groups had a written language before Columbus. Thus the Book of Mormon could not have been written by Native North Americans. Many Mesoamerican tribes had a written language, making it most likely the Book of American came from Mesoamerica. Cement cities are mentioned in Heleman 3:7. There are no Native American cement cities. El Mirador in southern Mexico, if a city that flourished from 550 BC, made almost entirely of ultra-high quality cement. Leprosy, weapons, volcanos and a sunken city in Mesoamerica are also discussed by Martin, as evidences which favor Mesoamerica, specifically the Yucatan Penninsula, as the place where Book of Mormon events happened.
Joseph Smith at one point thought North American Native Americans were Lamanites. At another point, he thought Native Americans in Central America were Lamanites. Other Church leaders have widely varying ideas about which tribes are decended from the Lamanites. If there had been a revelation on that point, there would not be widely varying ideas. What we do know is that the Book of Mormon says there is a cave with vast numbers of plates in the Hill Cumorah. There is no cave, and no plates, in the New York hill. The Hill Cumorah in Mesoamerica is many times larger, has many caves and has not been explored. The Book of Mormon says Hill Cumorah was by many streams and fountains of water. This describes the Mesoamerican hill, but not the New York hill. Over 1,100 years elapsed between the end of the Book of Mormon account and Columbus voyage to the Americas, enough time for inter-marriage between Lamanites of Mesoamerica and numerous North American Tribes. Columbus never touched foot on North America. His voyages were all to Mesoamerica.
Have you wondered where the events in the Book of Mormon took place? If you have, you're not alone. If this first of a multi-part series, host Martin Tanner gives the earliest idea, the "land northward" is North America, the "land southward" is South America and the "narrow neck of land" is Central America. This idea is untenable according to the Book of Mormon text. Martin next describes the "Heartland" theory and "Mesoamerican" theories. He suggests a few of the best scholarly books on this fascinating topic.
Is there any scientific evidence for horses, elephants and steel swords in the New World before Columbus, as mentioned in The Book of Mormon? Is there any scientific evidence for Native Americans with Hebrew ancestry, as described in The Book of Mormon? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains why the answer is a resounding yes. The cutting edge scientific sources Martin cites are a Science magazine article on Native American DNA, archaeology authorized by the government of Israel, archaeology in Mesoamerica and North America coupled with carbon 14 testing.
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes some of the events that have happened since 1830, which were prophecied to occur before the Second Coming of Jesus happens. But his main focus is describing events which are prophecied to occur before the Second Coming, but which have not yet occurred, including, (1) The Jewish Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, (2) Water will flow from under the Jerusalem Temple, (3) two Jewish prophets (Revelation 11) will appear in Jerusalem, and, (4) the last great sign of the coming of the Son of Man, a comet or a planet, will be seen.
In this Religion Today episode, using scriptures and statements of General Authorities, host Martin Tanner explains exactly how Jesus is our advocate with our Father in Heaven. He explains how Jesus paid the price for our sins. The only way for Jesus to be our advocate was and is for him to completely and totally understand us. That means Jesus understands all of our sins, faults, pain suffering, and also all of our good points. An advocate knows everything about his client, the person for whom he is advocating. For Jesus loved the world so very much that he gave his life, and became our advocate, so that we would not perish, but have everlasting life. Martin also brings up the current belief among most Latter-day Saints that Jesus atoned for all worlds, past, present and future. Martin explains, however, that Brigham Young said each world has its own Savior, who is the son of the first parents of that world.
Handel's "Messiah" like many masterpieces, was inspired and thus composed in a short period of time, just 24 days. Handel's Messiah was written with few revisions on 259 pages. The text was written by a wealthy English gentleman, Charles Jennens. The music was composed by Georg Frideric Handel, although German born, also an Englishman when the Messiah was comosed. The Messiah debuted in Dublin, Ireland to an audience of about 700. Its popularity grew steadily, until now, it is perhaps the most beloved Christmas musical performance of all. Its scriptural basis is impressive. It contains 81 Bible verses from 14 books of the Bible. Isaiah is quoted most, 21 times. Next, Psalms, is quoted 15 times. First Corinthians is quoted 10 times. Many people are moved to tears when listening to Handel's Messiah, including Martin Tanner, the host of Religion Today.
Book of Mormon poetry composed and read by Judge Thomas Kay, recently returned from a couples mission to the Phillippines, to act as legal counsel.
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains that the Book of Revelation is "apocalyptic" literature from the meaning to uncover or reveal, hence the English title, the Book of "Revelation." Tanner explains tha basic meaning behine each chapter, including the Mark of the Beast, the Second Coming, how the City of Zion is like a giant cube, 1,500 miles wide and 1,500 miles high - big enoug for any person who wants to go in.
Through scriptures and examples, host Martin Tanner explains why he believes God always answers every heart-felt prayer, provided it meets a few often overlooked criteria.
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner introduces the most important early Christian Church leaders after the death of the apostles. A short summary of their life and major writings is given. The early Church Fathers were Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Papias of Hierapolis, Quadratus of Athens and Hermas, who wrote The Shepherd based on his five visions. This episode is a look into those who led the early Christian Church and influenced its doctrine. It also names scholarly books which include the writings of the Apostolic Fathers.
Host Martin Tanner interviews University of North Carolina, Asheville, Professor Grant Hardy, PhD, Yale, who's new "The Annotated Book of Mormon" was just published by Oxford University Press. Prof. Hardy describes this exception edition of The Book of Mormon, which is about 900 pages in length. With its extensive, scholarly annotations on every page, exceptional introductions to each individual book, lavish explanatory comments, thoughtful general essays, comprehensive list of Biblical quotations in the Book of Mormon, allusions, parallels and many other features, all expertly prepared, this is a must have volume for any serious student of the Book of Mormon, or any reader who wants to learn in more depth.
The State of Israel is named after Jacob, who's name was changed to Israel (Genesis 32:22-31). What is Palestine? Palestine was the new name given by the Roman emperor to Israel, after he put down the Bar Kokhba Rebellion in 132 AD. He changed the name of Israel to "Philistinia" or "Palestine" as an ironic joke. Remember Goliath? He was a Philistine. Goliath was killed and later, the Bablyonians killed or assimilated all of the Philistines. The Philistines had been completely obliterated in 597 BC. Thus "Palestine" is just another name for "Israel." The United Nations decided with 14 or so Islum countries, there ought to be one Jewish country, and it ought to be in the original location. So Israel, changed in name only to Palestine, had its name changed back to Israel, officially, in 1947. The chant "Free Palestine" and the phrase "from the ocean to the river" mean to literally destroy Israel and kill each and every Jew.
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner** describes amazing archaeological discoveries relating to the Bible and Book of Mormon, including: (1) Mid-fourth century AD Nag Hammadi texts with authentic saying of Jesus, many of which are not found in the Bible; (2) the Tel Dan "David" stela, dating to the ninth century BCE, referring to the "House of David" and to the "King of Israel" which is the earliest reference to both; (3) A Jewish inscription dating to circa 870 BCE referring to "Jehovah" his "wife Asherah" and the "Holy of Holies"; (4) The first century home of the Apostle Peter in Capernaum; (5) The siloam Pool where Jesus cured the blind man, as described in John 9:1-11; (5) The remains of King David's palace; (6) The siege tower of Babylon against Jerusalem, constructed by Nebuchadnezzar, in 597 BCE, right after Lehi, Nephi, Ishmael and their families, left Jerusalem as described in the Book of Mormon.
Martin Tanner interviews Stephen Gray, Director, and Tyler Friesen, Executive Producer, of the new film After Death in over 2,200 theaters on October 27th, on near-death experiences (NDEs). This full length feature film, of extraordinary quality, meticulously explores the NDEs of Howard Storm, PhD, MDiv, Mary Neal, MD, Dale Black, Don Piper, Steven Kang, Pam Reynolds and others. From Angel Studios, producers of The Chosen series about the life of Christ.
In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner explains why the war between Hamas and Israel is a religious war and why calls for a cease fire and restraint by Hamas and Israel will never result in peace. Hamas is branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. In other words, Hamas is an Islamic or Muslim organization. The preamble to its charter says Israel has no right to exist, Israel and all Jews must be killed, exterminated. Martin uses the background and statements of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, to make his points. Ayaan Hirsi Ali's life story is extraordinary.
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner, provides ideas for influencing others for good with your words, through encouragement and language.
In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner shares a number of descriptions of Jesus appearance, traits, personality and other qualities from people who have actually seen Jesus.
Other faiths besides Mormonism have traditions of visions. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes nine visions or apparitions of the Virgin Mary, acknowledged as genuine by the Catholic Church. Next, the visions of Emanuel Swedenborg are briefly described. Swedenborg, born in 1688, died in 1772, claimed to have visions of heaven and hell, and described them in ways similar to Joseph Smith. Swedenborg said our purpose in this life was to be placed between heaven and hell where we would be enticed by both, thereby enabling us to freely choose either good or evil. This is similar to the LDS idea of "there must be opposition in all things" to accomplish our purpose in mortality.
All of the ancient manuscripts of the New Testament are in Greek. Although people are surprised to hear this, except for the Dead Sea Scrolls, by far the oldest Old Testament manuscripts are also in Greek. Why? After Alexander the Great conquered most of the known world in about 300 BC, everyone spoke Greek, even the Jews. The Hebrew speaking Jews needed a new translation of their scriptures for the new Greek speaking generation of Jews. That translation, the Septuagint, is the Old Testament from which the New Testament quotes. Jesus quotes from the Greek Old Testament, and so does Mark, Luke, Paul, Peter, Jude and other New Testament writers. In this edition of Religion Today, Martin Tanner explains how understanding the Greek Old Testament quotes in the New Testament, will greatly enhance your understanding of the New Testament.
Prayer works. Peer reviewed, double-blind studied demonstrate prayer works. In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner explains why some prayers are not answered because they seek to stop free agency. From scriptures what to pray for and what not to pray for, are explained. The ultimate goal of prayer is described as becoming more like Jesus and Heavenly Father by understanding them and their will for each of us. How God can hear, understand and answer millions of prayers at the same time is described.
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In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner shares his own translation of Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" in modern, contemporary English and explains in additional detail, the meaning of its contents.
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Martin Tanner interviews LDS scholar Don Bradley about his book "The Lost 116 Pages" which took a decade of research and pieces together some amazing facts, including: (1) Lucy Harris did not burn or destroy the lost 116 pages; (2) Laban was drunk during the Passover Festival when he was killed by Nephi: (3) combining the Book of Mormon we now have with the amount lost, Joseph Smith may have translated up to 900 pages; (4) the lost 116 pages were written on "Fools Cap" paper (named for the "dunce cap" water mark) which was twice the size of today's 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper; (5) the Lost 116 pages described how the Nephite Interpreters were acquired by the Nephites, etc. Don Bradley's "The Lost 116 Pages" is a very readable, masterful, and scholarly look at the contents and history of the lost 116 pages.
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Host Martin Tanner interviews Ron Esplin, Gerrit Dirkmaat and Brent Rogers on the new Brigham Young Papers project. Volume one of Brigham Young's diaries is now available in book stores. The BY Papers Project is massive in scope, many times larger than the JS Papers project. Not all of it will be published. Most will be online. An example of the scope. JS wrote about 10,000 letters. BY wrote over 100,000 letters. JS lived 14 years after the Church was established. BY was a member and leader for over 42 years. The quality of scholarship and published copies is just as high for the BY Papers project as for the JS Papers project.
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Martin Tanner discusses the many changes to the New Testament during the first 300 years of Christianity, including removal of the beloved book "Shephard of Hermas" and the "Didache" or Testament of The Twelve Apostles" and others.
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A brief introduction to the New Testament. Host Martin Tanner explains why it is most likely Paul's letters were written about 20 to 30 years after Jesus' resurrection. Then, the Gospels, probably Mark first, next Matthew, followed by Luke, and last, near the end of the first century, the Gospel of John, written to Greek speaking converts. According to early Christian tradition, the Book of James was written not by the Apostle James, but by Jesus' half brother. The Book of Jude was also written by another half brother of Jesus.
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The word "angel" means messenger from God. In this episode of Religion Today host Martin Tanner gives information about the seven archangels in Judeo-Christian tradition, in the Old and New Testaments, in LDS scripture, and the idea that just as the Angel Raphael was believed to be the healing angel at the Pool of Bathesda, in Nauvoo, Raphael was believed to heal the sick and infirm in the baptismal fonts in the Nauvoo Temple. Guardian angels and the roll of angels in LDS tradition are also discussed.
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In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner discussed details about the death of Joseph Smith, including why newspaper editor Thomas Sharp was the one who was responsible. Information about the "Vanguard Pioneer Wagon Train" and how three black Elders were among those in the Vanguard group is presented, along with the appearance of the Salt Lake Valley when the pioneers arrived.
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Host Martin Tanner adds additional depth to your understanding of the words "Elohim" which is a plural derivative meaning "strength" or "power"; "YHWH" or "Jehovah" meaning the one who exists on his own power or who is self-existent; Adam which means "red man" or man made from red soil, the color red being derived from "blood" which another meaning of "Adam" who gives life as does life's blood in living animals. "Eve" which comes from Hebrew "breath" because only living things breath. "Help mete" often misunderstood means one who completes through having a different point of view or opinion.
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How could the U.S. Constitution be inspired, since it included the right to have guns and allowed slavery to continue. In this episode of Religion Today host Martin Tanner explains why a citizenry authorized to own guns actually inhibits crime. He also describes how the Founding Fathers were inspired by Isaiah 33:22 to create three branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial. How this Biblically inspired system creates a balance of power. Martin gives examples of how we know the U.S. Constitution was an inspired document much like the Mosaic law was inspired, but was not perfect. Yet it paved the way for the higher law Jesus brought.
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Independence Day, freedom, patriotism, agency, and God's influence in the founding of the USA. With its flaws, the USA is the country that formed a new government based on freedom, see D&C 101:77-80, and abolished slavery at great cost. If you look for something, like racism, you will think you found it, even if it is not there. Racism has been illegal since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Anyone who sees institutional racism can find legal representation and end it. There will always been racist individuals, but Martin Tanner challenges anyone to find a racist institution, corporation or system of government in the USA. May God bless the USA and help us preserve our freedoms.
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Host Martin Tanner explains why the words "Jesus" "Messiah" "Baptism" and "Bible" are not anachronisms and are perfectly fine translations of the ancient words on the Golden Plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. A translation is rendering a word or phrase and its their meaning in one language, into a word or phrase in another language, which carries the same meaning, as much as possible. Since Christians believe "Jesus" was the God of the Old Testament, the word "Bible" properly conveys the idea of authoritative religious writings, even pre-Christian ones, and "Baptism" properly conveys the pre-Christian idea of ritual cleansing of sin by immersion in water, these are all proper words to find in the pre-Christian parts of Book of Mormon.
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In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner first describes baptism for the dead as practiced in Early Christianity. He provides references to vicarious ordinances in the Apocrypha, 2 Maccabees 12:39-46 and the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:29 in the LDS Faith, and among modern scholars. He describes how Joseph Smith's revealed the ordinance of baptism for the dead in an 1840 funeral sermon, as a comfort to a widow in the audience, who's un-baptized son had recently died. Martin describes how the practice is different in a few details from when first practiced. He concludes with some of the many examples of notable, famous and infamous persons for whom baptism for the dead has been performed.
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In this Religion Today episode, host Martin Tanner, points out that no LDS Church leader, including Joseph Smith, has ever claimed revelation on where the events in the Book of Mormon happened. But the text of the Book of Mormon provides inspired details enabling us to make to strong inferences they happened in Central America. Are there two Cumorah's? How could Moroni get the plates from Hill Cumorah in Mesoamerica to the hill by the Smith Family's farm in New York? These and other questions are answered.
- ALL LISTENERS ARE INVITED TO HEAR A NON-LATTER-DAY SAINT, EMILIE SPEAR, FROM COLORADO SHARE HER NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE IN WHICH SHE SAW JESUS, WITH DETAILS CONFIRMING LDS BELIEFS." DETAILS FOR THIS FREE EVENT ON FRIDAY, JUNE 23rd, IN SLC, ARE IN THIS EPISODE.
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Where did the events in the Book of Mormon occur? North America? Mesoamerica? What does the evidence say? Although the LDS Church has taken no official position on where Book of Mormon events happened, it is important to carefully read Book of Mormon passages which help narrow the possible locations. The Book of Mormon describes Jesus healing those with leprosy. Leprosy was found only in Mesoamerica before Columbus, not in North America. The BoM describes cement cities, found only in Mesoamerica, not in North America. In the final battle between the Nephites and Lamanites, 240,000 died. During BoM times the largest population center in all of North America, the Cahokia, in present day Illinois, had less than 10,000 inhabitants. 2018 LiDAR scans conducted by the National Geographic Society, demonstrated that between 15 and 20 million people lived on the Yucatan Peninsula during BoM times, easily large enough to support a final battle in the BoM in which 240,000 died. These and many other evidences strongly suggest BoM events happened in Mesoamerica, not North America.
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The inspired U.S. Constitution, the religious significance of Memorial Day, and the prophecy of the Constitution hanging by a thread, are just a of few of the topics discussed in this episode of Religion Today, hosted by Martin Tanner
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In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains why Walter Martin and CRI (Christian Research Institute) have the wrong Jesus, an un-Biblical Jesus, while Latter-day Saints believe in the Biblical Jesus. What is the distinction? The CRI believes in the "Trinitarian" concept of God which is not found in the Bible, which is that God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are of "one undivided substance" which is an idea not found in the Bible. Also, CRI does not believe or ignores Jesus' statement that, "[T]he Son can do nothing . . . but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He [the Father] does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19; emphasis added). CRI twists Philippians 2:5-5 into saying Jesus and God are of the same substance, when even the NIV says they are of the same "nature" just like two people are of the same nature, not of the very same substance.
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Whether you are confident or filled with anxiety, pretty or plain, happy or sad, faithful of have a history or sins or mistakes, confident or full of self-doubt, rich or poor, happy or sad, you will find a great from each of the women in the Bible mentioned in this episode of Religion Today. Listen to hear host Martin Tanner tell the marvelous and inspirational stories of Abagail, Deborah, Esther, Hannah, Jael, Judith, Leah, Mary, Rahab and the young Shulamite woman.
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Why I believe! In this episode, Martin Tanner describes the reasons he believes in the existence of God, Jesus, a Restoration, and an after-life, from science, scriptures, prayer, and seeing his deceased mother and later in another experience, his deceased 22 year old daughter.
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Latter-day Saints are fortunate. There are no creeds. There is little beyond beyond belief in Jesus as Savior, belief in God, belief in the restored Gospel, that one must believe. The fascinating story of Pelatiah Brown in Kirtland illustrates this idea, from Joseph Smith himself. In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner explains how the trend is towards historicity of the Bible.
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Jesus' most used description of himself was "Son of Man". Did this, as many say, mean Jesus was saying he was a mortal, a human? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains how Jews, from Psalm 80:17 (God's hero, redeemer, Messiah), Daniel 7:13-14 (Son of Man has everlasting dominion and his kingdom shall not be destroyed) understood "Son of Man" meant the Messiah sent by God. He also explains how Jesus' self-reference as "Son of Man" was also a reference to himself as the Messiah, as in Matthew 25:31 (Son of Man shall come in glory, with angels and sit on the throne of his glory).
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Next to the Atonement, the most incredible doctrine and belief in Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus and many others, which has already occurred. Martin Tanner describes the eyewitness accounts of actual resurrection, and of seeing resurrected beings, given by Isaiah, Daniel, Matthew's eyewitnesses, John, Paul, Joseph Smith and the lesser known account of Ezekiel Johnson, which is very detailed. Indicia of accuracy and details of the accounts are also given.
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Easter Sunday was called "Resurrection Sunday" by the early Christians, the most holy of days. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner gives a short chronology of the last week of Jesus' mortal life, His crucifixion, resurrection, and gradual change to a bright and glorious being, from one whom Mary could mistake for the gardener. Parents will have their children who die in infancy, to raise after they are resurrected. Old will be resurrected as they are, then grow young. Martin gives examples of others who have been resurrected.
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Are the Gospel records accurate? Are they trustworthy? The question is not whether the authors of the Gospels had a Christian point of view, they did. The real question is whether they accurately reported the life of Jesus. We can tell they were from the highly regarded historians of the First century, Cornelius Tacitus and his book "Annals," Pliny the Younger and his famous letter about the Christians to the Emperor Trajan, and from Flavius Josephus and his "Jewish Antiquities." These highly regarded sources confirm the New Testament narrative that Jesus was executed under Pontius Pilate, in Judea, Jesus was worshiped as deity by the first Christians, Christianity spread fast throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, Christians from the beginning sang hymns and practiced the Sacrament, and, the Jesus' half brother James was a Christian leader.
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In this episode of Religion Today Martin Tanner shares some of the most profound Near-Death Experiences he has ever heard, from among the more than 600 he has heard first-hand. These NDEs confirm Gospel principles and reinforce a belief in Jesus as Savior and Redeemer.
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We know nothing of the Holy Ghost in the pre-existence. We know little of his roll in the next life. On June 16, 1844, days before his assassination, Joseph Smith said the Holy Ghost would "take to himself a body as did the Savior." D&C 130:22 says the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit. In this episode of Religion Today, learn about the different ideas about the Holy Ghost in LDS thought, how the Lectures on Faith were removed from the LDS Canon of scriptures because they said there were only two members of the Godhead. Hear other fascinating details about the Holy Ghost and his roll in LDS and Christian belief.
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Have you wondered what happened to the Apostles of Jesus after the New Testament record? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explores some of the well-attested information about the Apostles. Paul founded many branches but was ultimately beheaded at the order of Emperor Nero at what is now Three Fountains Abbey. Peter was crucified upside down. Hear details of what happened to other Apostles, including traditions that Thomas traveled to India and Andrew, although killed near Jerusalem, was eventually buried in what is today St. Andrews, Scotland, where the game of golf originated. Not surprising for Latter-day Saints, there are no legends or traditions of the fate of the Apostle John.
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Every parent has at one time or another worried about their wayward children. In this episode of Religion Today host Martin Tanner explains why every faithful parent has the promises of God's prophets from Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, to the present, that their wayward children will eventually return to the Gospel principles of goodness and truth. Martin explains why this is so without violating the principle of free agency.
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Are critics correct, who claim the Gospels and other New Testament books were constructed well after the time of Jesus, from hearsay and second hand information, which makes them unreliable? In this Religion Today episode host Martin Tanner answers the opposite is true. There are details in the Gospels which only eyewitnesses would know, confirming the Gospels and other New Testament books were written from eyewitness testimony. Listen to hear the fascinating details!
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If there is a God why doesn't everyone see him? If there is a God, why is there suffering in the world, especially of innocent children? If there is an afterlife, why can't we see it? If there is a God why doesn't he answer my prayers? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner provides answers to these and other difficult questions.
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Biblical, scientific and restoration era evidence you may not have considered for the existence of God and Jesus are presented by host Martin Tanner. These include, (1) how rare belief in resurrection was at the time of Jesus, and how little evidence for it is found in the Old Testament, (2) how many modern scientific disciplines are coming to the conclusion scientific evidence suggests the existence of God, and, (3) how restoration and near-death experiences independently describe God and Jesus the same way.
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Mauricio Berger of Brazil claims the Angel Moroni appeared to him in 2007. Berger also claims he has translated part of the "sealed portion" of the Golden Plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith. After reading Berger's purported translation, Religion Today host Martin Tanner concludes this is a poor hoax. Berger's description of the physical description of the sealed portion of the Golden Plates contradicts the description of Joseph Smith and the three and eight witnesses. Also, the content of Berger's bogus translation contradicts what the Book of Mormon describes in the Book of Ether. Also, two of Berger's witnesses to the angel and Golden Plates have recanted. Hear the details in this episode of Religion Today.
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Host Martin Tanner describes how Papias in 140 AD said "Mark . . . the interpreter of Peter, wrote accurately but not in order all" Peter told him about the life of Jesus. Luke's Gospel says he "wrote in order" meaning he corrected the order. Luke also supplemented Mark's Gospel with additional information from "eyewitnesses" at a time when there were many accounts of the life of Jesus. The earliest Christians called their religion the "New Covenant" or sometimes "The Way" of Jesus or as taught by Jesus. "Christians" was a put down by outsiders, which over time became the new way the early Church was described.
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In this Religion Today episode host Martin Tanner explains why scholars believe Paul's letters were written between 45 AD and about 60 AD, before the Gospels. According to tradition, Paul was beheaded in 64 AD. The Gospels were written between 65 AD for the Gospel of Mark, and about 95-100 AD for the Gospel of John. Paul's letters were written to give encouragement and to combat problems in the congregation to which each is addressed. The Gospel of Mark was written by "John Mark" who was a missionary companion of the Apostle Peter.
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When Jews heard Jesus say he was the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1, and the Kingdom of God was at hand, they recognized him as the promised Messiah. Jesus was also recognized by thoughtful, well read, Jewish listeners as the promised Messiah when he instituted the Sacrament as the "covenant of His blood" which was shed for them. Listeners would have instantly thought of Moses making the sacrifice in Exodus 24 and then throwing the blood of the sacrifice on the people, as Jesus fulfilling in their day, this Mosaic covenant. Jewish listeners hearing Jesus message about loving God and loving other people, as the Messiah fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah recorded in Jeremiah 31:31-34. Host Martin Tanner describes in detail these and other ways Jews recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah.
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Host Martin Tanner's guest, BYU Professor Kerry Muhlstein, PhD, answers the question "What is the Covenant Path" we are supposed to be on? What covenants has God asked us to make? What blessing await those who follow those covenants? The Abrahamic Covenant, Baptismal Covenant, Endowment covenants, Sacramental covenants, and others are discussed. Promising to obey covenants does not restrict, but gives freedom. Just as safety results when traffic laws are obeyed, obeying God's covenants yields blessings - far greater than can be imagined. In his new book "Finding Promised Blessings on The Covenant Path" (available on Amazon, at Seagull Book, Deseret Book, etc.) Professor Muhlstein explains these concepts in greater detail and many others.
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In this episode of Religion Today, Host Martin Tanner presents the true, authentic Christmas Story from the New Testament, of the birth of Jesus Christ, in easy to understand modern English.
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Host Martin Tanner covers the major proposed ideas for the Star of Bethlehem, including a comet, Super-nova, conjunction of planets, and a special miracle. There is more evidence for the comet idea than any of the others. Who were the Wise-men? In ancient Christian tradition the Wise-men were astrologers who although not Jewish, were familiar with Jewish prophecy of a Messiah. They were included in the account of Jesus' birth because they brought gold (representing royalty), incense (representing priesthood), and myrrh (representing embalming and death). The star and Wise-men both demonstrated to the early Christian reader that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah and king of the Jews.
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This episode consists of a series of Gospel questions from listeners, and the answers of Martin Tanner, Host of Religion Today, The questions include: (1) Have modern Egyptologists proven the LDS Book of Abram a fraud; (2) Were ancient temples in the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Book of Mormon different from LDS Temple, and if so, why?; (3) Church policy on ordinances for the children of LGBTQI individuals and couples; (4) Hasn't archaeology disproven the Book of Mormon?, and, (5) was the First Vision of Joseph Smith just a dream?
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Whatever happened to the Ark of the Covenant? In this episode of Religion Today hear the dimensions of the Ark of the Covenant, its construction and purposes. The primary purpose of the Ark was to be the place where God YHWH physically appeared to Moses, Joshua and other prophets. "Mercy seat" should be translated in English as the "place where merciful God appears." There are many ideas about what happened to the Ark. Martin Tanner describes those found in the Bible, the Apocrypha, and in rabbinic tradition.
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How similar and how different were the beliefs of Early Christians and the organization of the Early Christian Church, compared to Catholicism, Protestant Faiths and the LDS Faith? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner discusses the similarities and differences between the Early Christian Church and the major Christian denominations today.
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What does is mean to say the Bible is the "word of God"? That God gave every word? That God inspired the contents by concept? Something else entirely? In this episode of Religion Today Martin Tanner explores how Protestants generally believe God inspired each word of the New Testament, while Catholics, the Orthodox Church and Latter-day Saints believe the contents were inspired, but not necessarily word-for-word. Martin Tanner gives a brief history of the entire Bible from the 650 BC Ketef Hinnom amulet, to the Dead Sea Scrolls, Septuagint, Gerome's Latin translation, the great English translators Wycliffe and Tyndale, the King James Version, and modern English translations.
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In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner gives advice on responding to critics. Most issues and questions posed by critics will be answered and resolved over time. Others by immediate research. Others by understanding the fallacy or false assumption which underlies the criticism. One example is that in some places the CES Letter criticizes the quotes of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, saying they are identical and thus stolen from the King James Version. In other places the CES Letter criticizes the Book of Mormon for changing slightly the wording of Isaiah quotes. Critics can't have it both ways. Another example is the CES Letter's claim there could not possibly have been enough people in Meso-America as the Book of Mormon claims. But Lidar research in just the last few years proves the Yucatan Peninsula had about 20 million or more living there during Book of Mormon times, more than in Europe at that time. Will this critic retract? Not so far. Time and research resolve criticisms. Keep your faith.
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Halloween is a Christian holiday. The word "Halloween" comes from "Holy" or "Hallowed" and "Evening." It was the holy evening before All Saints' Day on November 1st, which celebrated all deceased Christians. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes the origins of Halloween, and the Christian reason and purpose for asking for candy, which was originally the hungry and poor asking for food in exchange for a promise to pray the deceased Saints and other Christians. Costumes were to trick evil spirits. Carved pumpkins and parsnips with a candle inside were to scare evil away spirits, Satan's follows. Halloween traditions and pagan influences are also discussed.
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In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes Joseph Smith's earliest known account of his first vision describes as happening as a result of his prayer for two things: (1) to know if he could be forgiven, and, (2) to know which Church was true. Joseph Smith learned something he hadn't asked for, that God's love was always there for him, that it was incredible and greater than he had imagined. This love of God is something that is always there for all of us, no matter how far astray we may have gone. We are to love God in return, with all our might, mind and strength. Explore how to love God and understand how much he loves you.
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Jeremiah is under-appreciated. He prophesied for 40 years, incredibly long, from when he was a young boy during the time of Isaiah, through when Lehi left Jerusalem, during the siege of Jerusalem by Babylon, then its utter destruction, and the scattering of the Jews. He was, along with the other Jews, led captive away from Jerusalem into Egypt. Jeremiah was a very emotional prophet. If he were alive today, we might say from his anguishing, emotional descriptions, that he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from the suffering, death and destruction he saw. In his writings, Jeremiah describes crying, great sadness and feelings of inadequacy. Unusual for a prophet, he was also an actor. God told him how to act out prophecies in metaphors, of what would befall kings, the Jews and the city of Jerusalem.
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Enoch is mentioned in the OT Book of Genesis and the NT Book of Jude. In 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 Paul says he was taken up into heaven. In the Apocalypse of Paul, an angel takes Paul to heaven and introduces him to Enoch. The Book of Enoch is widely considered the most quoted source in the NT. In the last 200 years much more information has been found. Enoch's writings are in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Early Christian Church Fathers Irenaeus and Tertullian considered the Book of Enoch to be scripture. The Book of Enoch was rediscovered by the Scottish explorer James Bruce in September 1769. Other manuscripts of Enoch have been found. It contents, generally divided into five sections, (1) Book of Watchers, (2) the Similitudes, (3) the Astronomy Book, (4) Book of Dreams, and, (5) Epistle of Enoch. The contents are fascinating.
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Jesus taught the greatest virtue is love. Specifically, he said love God, and love others. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner suggests the greatest virtue or good is love. We learn this from Jesus, from the Old Testament, from near-death experiences and from personal experiences with family and friends. Although "love" is difficult or impossible to adequately define, we instinctively know we should foster it in ourselves as a quality. Martin suggests two ways to use love in dealing with difficult people and people with whom we disagree.
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Are the Old Testament stories real? Most religious people say they are, except perhaps the early parts of Genesis. Was there a "King David" who killed Goliath? Could someone as tall as Goliath have lived? There are skeptics, but Robert Wadlow, a resident of Illinois, who died at age 22 while he was still growing, was less than an inch away from nine feet tall and was slender, even though weighing 440 lbs. proving Goliath was possible. In fact archaeology now proves 53 people mentioned in the Old Testament, including King David, who slew Goliath, were real people who actually lived. Hear the details from host Martin Tanner in this episode of Religion Today.
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Many Latter-day Saints are studying Isaiah now. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner gives some tips for how to understand Isaiah. These include: (1) finding an 8th century BC map of Jerusalem. Realizing that Jerusalem in Isaiah's time had a population of 1,500 to 2,750. In comparison the LDS Conference center with 21,000 seats holds well over ten times the total population of Jerusalem in Isaiah's day; (2) reading Isaiah in a Modern English version, such as the New Revised standard Version (NRSV) or the Contemporary English Version (CEV); and, finding a good commentary on Isaiah. Isaiah was a highly educated man with a masterful writing style. He is easily included in the most gifted writers of all time. He spoke of future events in our day, as well as events in his own day. With a little effort, Isaiah will become understandable and of great value to any careful reader.
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Due to a new book on the subject, there has been a flurry of discussion on the Internet, pro and con, on whether Joseph Smith borrowed or stole Masonic oaths, tokens, signs and penalties, words and phrases, and used them in the LDS Temple Endowment. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains why this is impossible. The LDS Endowment had its origins in 1833, well before the involvement of Joseph Smith or any other LDS leader in Masonry. Further, the signs, tokens, oaths, covenants, and penalties in the Endowment are very different in wording, nature, description, use and most importantly purpose, then anything similar in Masonry. University fraternities and other organizations, including the Carbonari, are closer to Masonic rites than the LDS Endowment.
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Most depictions of Jesus appearance, his vocation and family life are inaccurate. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains that Jesus was clean shaven with short hair. His robe was tan or wheat colored, made of undyed linen, to his knees and elbows, not to his ankles or wrists. Jesus job was more than the mistranslation "carpenter." Jesus and Joseph were "craftsmen." To make it in their field they had to be skilled construction workers, able to make or repair buildings, gates, barrels, walls, furniture, roofs, wheels, carts - almost anything. The New Testament tells us Jesus had brothers and sisters. Early Christians, like Christians today, have a wide variety of ideas about whether Mary had any children other than Jesus, and what Jesus actual relationship was to these New Testament brothers and sisters. Martin explains the ideas of early Christians on this.
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In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes how Catholicism, the Eastern Orthodox faith, and most of Protestant Christianity do not believe in the pre-existence of souls, spirits or intelligences. Latter-day Saints are the current exception. There are many however, many Bible verses, in the Old and New Testaments, which clearly state or pre-suppose the pre-mortal existence of the human spirit or soul. The Book of Mormon's Book of Ether includes a description of the pre-earth life spirit body of Jesus. Early Christian Father Origin, Jewish philosopher Philo and early Greek philosopher Plato believed in the pre-mortal existence of human spirits. Joseph Smith also described such a belief in his famous funeral sermon, the King Follett Discourse, just weeks before he was killed.
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In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes archaeological discoveries which are strong evidence the Bible is genuine history, not just myth. Included are the significance of the Rosetta Stone, Dead Sea Scrolls, Tel Dan Inscription (9th century BC reference to "House of David"), Ketef Hinnom scrolls (7th century BC text of Numbers 6), Moabite stone (referencing Chemosh, Omni 1:9) and 2 Kings 3, the Lachish Letters, Epic of Gilgamesh, Hezekiah's tunnel, Seal of Mulek (Mosiah 25:2), crucified man at Givat Hamivtar, and, God as a Man in the Diorite Stele (depicting God as a seated man).
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Martin Tanner's guest Scott Drummond shares a little of his near-death experience which has had over 19 millions views on YouTube. Scott Drummond Martin discuss the near-death experiences conference sponsored by IANDS coming to Salt Lake City September 1-4, 2022. A 60% discount is available to listeners, students, listeners and anyone who uses this code: STUDENT288 when signing up at: iands.org. Sign up for one speaker, one day or the entire conference. Speakers include: Mary Neal, MD, Professor Dan Peterson, Scott Drummond, Jeff Olsen, Emily Spear, Martin Tanner and dozens of others. See the new film Remembering Heaven about near-death experiences in which those waiting to be born are seen. Email Martin Tanner with any questions: martinstanner@gmail.com
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Several daguerreotype photographs, one newly discovered this year, are purportedly of Joseph Smith. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains why most of them are not of Joseph Smith. Martin also provides details about Joseph Smith's personality, hair color, eye color, height, weight and so forth, from reliable sources, people who actually knew him.
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In honor of the 1847 and later Pioneers, in this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner provides "the rest of the story", little known details of LDS Church history, including the likely date of Joseph Smith's "First Vision", what happened to the original Nauvoo Temple, how Wilford Wood acquired for the LDS Church, the Nauvoo Temple site, the Newell K. Whitney Store, the Johnston Farm, the Adam-Ondi-Ahman property, part of the original Book of Mormon manuscript, Liberty Jail, Carthage Jail, and other Church History sites. He describes how the Salt Lake Valley looked when the Pioneers arrived and how it was already occupied, and described as beautiful and lush by the early Pioneers.
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In the Spring of 1842 Sarah Kimball and Margaret Cook decided to create a women's benevolent society to sew new and repair damaged clothing worn by workers building the Nauvoo Temple. They asked Eliza Snow to write articles and bylaws. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes how the Relief Society was formed, and how Joseph Smith "ordained" its first Presidency and helped organize it after the pattern of the Priesthood. After research and prayer, the Relief Society women voted on on issues. They were seen as bright and competent. This led to Utah in 1869 being the first place in the entire United States and its territories to give women the unfettered right to vote. Wyoming was next. Susan B. Anthony visited Utah years before she was successful in her suffrage efforts, to learn how Utah women had acquired such power. From the efforts of Utah's Relief Society the right of women to vote spread around the world. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the "Susan B. Anthony" amendment giving all U.S. women the right to vote, passed in 1920, which was 51 years after Utah women had the right to vote.
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If you are a Latter-day Saint, you have or will be subjected at work on the Internet or somewhere else to criticisms of your Church. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner responds to a few of the many self-contradictory, un-Biblical criticisms of the LDS Church made by Eric Johnson who has devoted much of his adult life to criticizing the LDS Faith in ways his won Church would not withstand. For example, Johnson suggests LDS are not Biblical and therefore not genuine Christians. Yet the center of his faith is the Trinitarian belief, which is not Biblical. He believes all one must do is believe Jesus is your Lord and Savior. Yet he does not believe Latter-day Saints who believe Jesus is their Lord and Savior are Christians or going to Heaven. He ignores 1 Corinthians 6:9 which says "Don't you know the unrighteous do not inherit the kingdom of God? Don't be deceived . . . ." Yet Johnson says belief in Jesus gets you into Heaven, not righteousness.
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Jesus said "Know the truth and the truth will make you free." Jesus taught humans have freedom or free agency, or free will. Yet Christians typically believe God knows the future in every detail. How is this possible? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explores the three explanations: (1) John Calvin said God controls all and freedom is an illusion; (2) God knows everything, but somehow this does not conflict with free will; and, (3) God knows all that can be know, especially in a macro-sense, but not in every details until humans make choices using their free will. Freedom is tied to events in history, the influence of Christianity and inspiration of God.
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Many have not heard of Polycarp, who was born in 70 AD and was taught Christianity by the Apostle John. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner gives a brief sketch of Polycarp's life, that he was Bishop of the Church is Smyrna for decades, where he had a tremendous influence for good in pointing out false ideas and doctrine during the early days of the Great Apostasy. Polycarp was burned at the stake at age 86, in 155 AD, when he refused to deny Jesus and proclaim the Roman Emperor God. Polycarp was revered by all of the Early Christians who knew him and by those who knew his story of faith.
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In this Fathers' Day episode, host Martin Tanner describes the divinely ordained purpose and role of fathers. Being in a single parent home is the greatest predictor of poverty for a child. A long neglected area of study is the impact of fathers on children and the family unit. It is no coincidence that in all areas where fathers are absent, there is an increase in poverty, crime, alcoholism, drug use, lack of education, mental illness and physical health. In this age where the idea is a person can chose to be a man or woman or anything in between or nothing at all, science has come to understand biology cannot be chosen. The role of men and fathers in society and in the family is important
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HULU's recent mini-series "Under the Banner of Heaven" based on the 2003 Jon Krakauer book with the same title has led to listeners emailing to ask about the accuracy of the book and mini-series. In this episode host Martin Tanner explains how Krakauer in this and prior books leaves out critical facts, paints heroes as bad and suffers from other major flaws. Among them are (1) the misleading idea that Ron and Dan Lafferty are "Mormons" when they were earlier excommunicated and had started their own church; (2) the lie that Lafferty's murdered because they were following the "oath of vengeance" in LDS Temples, when there has never been such an oath; (3) Ron and Dan were influenced by Brigham Young who ordered the massacre at "Mountain Meadows" even though Brigham Young explicitly and in writing did the opposite. Krakauer's methodologies in "Under the Benner of Heaven" on consistently bad, just as in his prior book "Into Thin Air" in which he criticizes a competing Mt. Everest guide who saved all of his hikers, when Krakauer's group suffered the death of eight climbers.
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There are approximately 7.8 billion people in the world, of which 7 out of every 8 self-identify as being religious. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner provides statistics and information about the world's religions and scriptures. Nearly a third of the world are Christians, 2.38 billion. Muslims total about 1.8 billion and Hindus 1.2 billion. Many are surprised at hearing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with over 16.3 million members is larger than the number of Southern Baptists, with about 16 million and the number of Jews, numbering about 15 million. Martin Tanner discusses the number of Bibles printed and other books published and read on religion. He provides other information and statistics about religion and its benefits.
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What are the core American values that make the United States the place people sneak into, not out of? Why do some people in the U,S. want to "fundamentally transform" it when it is the greatest country that has ever existed? In this Memorial Day weekend show, host Martin Tanner talks about the fundamental freedoms of religion and speech which are found no where else in the world, He quotes the Founding Fathers saying the founding and values of the Unites States was inspired by God, and how the Doctrine and Covenants says God inspired the Founding Fathers.
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Are reincarnation and Christianity compatible? A growing number of Latter-day Saints and other Christians self-identify as Christians and believers in reincarnation. In this episode of Religion Today host Martin Tanner explains why belief in reincarnation and Christianity are not compatible. He explains why it is not possible that Jesus taught reincarnation. He explains how reincarnation in incompatible with the Atonement, resurrection, eternal families, eternal progression. The ultimate goal of Christianity is eternal progression resulting in a resurrected individual very much like Jesus. The ultimate goal of reincarnation is to become one with the universe without an individual identify, and without a body. Why do some people who have near-death experiences believe they see reincarnation? They see themselves or other in the pre-existence. They see others who have died in Paradise or Spirit Prison, in the next phase of eternal progression. This they misinterpret at reincarnation.
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The Dead Sea Scrolls are an important find for Jews, Christians and especially Latter-day Saints. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner demonstrates that the Qumran Community called themselves "Latter-day Saints." The DSS vindicated Joseph Smith's claim that ancient records were written on thin metal sheets and stored to come forth in the "Last Days." The DSS "Copper Scroll" was such a scroll. The DSS also include a scroll which describes the Messiah as "Son of God" and "Son of the Most High" as we read in Luke 1:32. The DSS "Pierced Messiah" text shows some pre-Christian Jews believed the Messiah would be crucified. Other information about the DSS significant for LDS and other Christians is included.
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Latter-day Saints sometime speak of a "Mother in Heaven". But most know little about her. In honor of Mothers everywhere, on this Mothers' Day, in this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner gives a thumb-nail sketch of ancient Jewish belief in a Hebrew Goddess, Early Christian belief in a Heavenly Mother and the origins and belief of a Mother in Heaven in LDS belief, as explained by General Authorities and others.
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Host Martin Tanner interviews the researchers and film makers of the first documentary on experiences, communications and encounters in near-death experiences, visions and dreams, with spirits waiting to be born into life on earth. Film makers and researchers Sarah and Brent Hinze new documentary describes their 30 years of research in compiling, recording and analyzing over two hundred such experiences. Their book Life Before Life has been a favorite for many years. Now their documentary adds a unique documentary to their efforts. Opening in theaters this week "Remembering Heaven" has one first place and "people's choice" awards in four independent film festivals. For more information go to:
sarahhinze.com
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Last week was Easter for Protestant ,Catholic and all Western Christian faiths. But today is Easter Sunday for the Eastern Christian faiths, including the Orthodox Church. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner continues with last weeks Easter theme by providing descriptions of Jesus by those who actually saw him, during his life on earth, in vision thereafter, and, in recent Near-death Experiences. His appearance may not be quite as you thought or imagined.
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In this Easter Sunday edition of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains what the word "resurrection" means. He mentions the four Old Testament verses which describe resurrection and a few of the many New Testament scriptures which mention resurrection. He explains how Mary could mistake newly resurrected Jesus for a gardener, and how the Apostle Thomas could put his fingers inside Jesus' unhealed wound on his side after the resurrection; and, why these accounts do not contradict the description of Jesus in Joseph Smith's First Vision of a bright and glorious resurrected Jesus. Martin explains how parents can raise their deceased children in the Millennium and how people who's physical body has been obliterated can still be resurrected.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is renovating the Salt Lake Temple which was completed in 1893. Many wonder at the meaning and purpose of its design and the origin of the "Endowment" or primary ritual inside the LDS Temple. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes the origin of the "Endowment" and how Joseph Smith conceived its purpose. He also describes how the location for the Salt Lake Temple was chosen, and describes the detailed and rich symbolism of its design and exterior features.
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In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner discusses details about the King James Bible you ought to know. For example, it was not a translation from the early Greek manuscripts. Well over half was taken word-for-word from William Tyndale's translation. It was in 1611 easy to read and understand for ordinary people. Ironically today, it is difficult to understand and its archaic English is difficult to understand. But it has contributed to phrases still in use today like "in the twinkling of an eye" and "by the skin of your teeth" and "knock and you will find." But is has miss-translations, including in the Book of Revelation where we read "the book of life" which should read "the tree of life." Erasmus just plain got it wrong on that one.
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In this episode of Religion Today host Martin Tanner presents a brief history of music in pre-earth life, in the Bible, in Judaism, in Christianity, in Heaven, and how music in Heaven has been described in Near-death Experiences. Music has the ability to elevate feelings, mood, happiness and resolve. By implication, in Genesis and Job, music is a gift from God. The Book of Psalms, today in modern English would be titled, "The Book of Songs" or "The Book of Hymns." Music in Heaven has been described as soft (not loud at all) complex, yet very pleasing and uplifting, something like an exquisitely detailed symphony, yet soft and of uncertain musical instruments or sources.
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Host Martin Tanner explains "Hell" is a northern-European Norse word for the underworld. Jesus used the Aramaic word "Gehenna" which is poorly translated as "Hell" in the King James and other Bible versions. Gehenna is a small gorge at the edge of ancient Jerusalem where garbage was tossed and burned. When Jesus tells people they are in danger of Gehenna, he is saying you are in danger of becoming worthless. Martin also explains how St. Catherine's Monastery at the base of Mt. Sinai has an ancient, exquisite painting entitled the "Ladder of Ascent to Become Divine" or "Ladder of Divine Ascent, of special meaning to Latter-day Saints. Martin also explains why the ancient Mar Saba Library adjacent to the Kidron Valley is of importance because the "Secret Gospel of Mark" was found there, which contains what appears to be a description of an early Christian ritual like the LDS Temple Endowment.
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In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes how traditional Christianity believes there was a time in the beginning when God alone existed. Nothing else, not space, matter, energy or life existed. God created everything ex nihilo out of nothing. In LDS theology, not just God, but all matter, energy and life, in the form of intelligence or spirit, has always existed. Joseph Smith explained, as recorded in D&C 93:33 "[T]here is no immaterial matter." Anything that is created can be destroyed. Ultimately, LDS theology would say God, through eternal progression, moved from being like humans are now, through progression, into the being he is now. In that sense, God through progression turned himself into God.
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In 622 BC King Josiah's Priest Hilkiah found a scroll, the "Book of the Law" which is thought to be Deuteronomy chapters 12-26 with a few additions. King Josiah read it and instituted major political and religious reforms, including changes in the Temple and local worship. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes the two views of Josiah's reforms: (1) the people, the Dead Sea Scrolls and 1 Enoch imply Josiah's reforms were not sanctioned by God, resulting in God allowing Josiah's death, Jerusalem and the Temple to be destroyed and the Jews exiled; and, (2) Josiah's reforms were good. Martin describes why it is likely Josiah removed the original Menorah from the Temple, which was also called the "Tree of Life" and prophecies of its Latter-day restoration.
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Jesus' words in Luke 11:50 imply the last of the "Old Testament" or scriptures in his day was the scroll, now known as the book of 2 Chronicles. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner provides other examples showing the scriptures in Jesus' day were very different from the Old Testament we have today. For example, Jude 14 quotes "Enoch the seventh generation from Adam[.]" Earlier in Jude in some early manuscripts there is a quote of a description of Michael having a dispute with Satan over Moses' body. This is a quote from an unknown work. Matthew 2:23 says the prophets say, "He shall be called a Nazarene" but the source for this quote is now unknown. These and many other examples are provided showing the scriptures at the time of Jesus and the Apostles were quite different from our Old Testament today.
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The remnants of the Tower of Babel described in Genesis chapter 11 have been found. In this episode of Religion Today host Martin Tanner explains how many sources outside the Bible confirm The Tower of Babel account was based on Etemenanki, an ancient Babylonian Ziggurat (stepped pyramid) about 298 feet high, located 56 miles south of what is today Bagdad, Iraq. Genesis 10 says Shen, Ham, gentiles and their descendants all had different languages. Thus, Genesis 10 seems to contradict the Genesis 11 assertion that before the Tower of Babel, the people of the earth all spoke one language.
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Have you wondered when and for what purpose the Old Testament was written; and how it got its name? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner provides an overview of when the Old Testament was written in the form we have it (about 623 BC). He describes how we miss the meaning of some of its narratives due to cultural differences. Martin then describes way the Jewish Faith understand the Tanakh (Old Testament), and about major Bible translations, when they were written and for what purpose.
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Have you heard of Howard Zinn? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes how pseudo-historian and propagandist, Zinn, in his book "A People's History of the United States" through its influence on high school teachers and university professors, has turned young Americans against the U.S., its Constitution, religion, Christopher Columbus, Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Kennedy and other genuine heroes of history, by twisting the U.S. from a country based on freedom into a racist, imperialist nation. Tanner suggests a source to combat against Zinn's awful book.
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Host Martin Tanner interviews Egyptologist, Professor Kerry Muhlestein, PhD, on the Book of Abraham. Prof. Muhlestein explains why the papyri on which the Book of Abraham text was written were burned in the Great Chicago Fire, and are not among the few fragments obtained from the New York Metropolitan Museum in the 1966. Prof. Muhlestein also explains the Joseph Smith must be a true prophet because he correctly translated and described the meaning of ancient Egyptian beliefs, artifacts and ancient locations, all of which were entirely unknown during Joseph Smith's life time.
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In this second of a two-part series on possible ways to understand difficult stories and versus in the Bible, host Martin Tanner explains how the real 2021 Newspaper and TV accounts of a New England lobster diver who was swallowed by a Humpback whale, and lived to tell about it, may help explain the story of Jonah in the Bible. Martin also discusses what happened to those resurrected immediately after Jesus as described in Matthew, and how to possibly understand the "giants" mentioned in Genesis 6:2.
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In the first of a series of shows, host Martin Tanner describes ways to understand difficult to grasp and understand Bible stories that seem strange, odd, bazaar and are difficult to understand. These include the following: How could Eve be created from Adam's rib? How could a serpent or snake talk and tempt Adam and Eve? Did sons of God (deity) come to earth and have children with human women as Genesis 6 describes? Were they giants? How could a bush burn but not be burned up, when Moses saw God of God's angel in Exodus? These and other strange Bible versus are discussed.
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The Old Testament is as relevant today as it ever has been. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains why it is still relevant and gives tips on how to more easily understand it. "Genesis" comes from a Greek word meaning "beginning." Genesis describes the beginning of the earth, heaven, sun, moon, stars, the human race, plants, animals, evil, Israel (God's people), the Jewish religion and many other beginnings. Understanding Genesis and the other Old Testament books is much easier using the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) or Martin's favorite, the Contemporary English Version (CEV). Do not look at Genesis as a scientific text-book, but instead a description of the model the Jews had to understand the beginning of everything.
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Now in its 32nd year Religion Today begins 2022 with host Martin Tanner quoting the Apostle Paul about evil in the Last Days. Brigham Young is quoted from the Journal of Discourses. Ideas for New Year's resolutions are presented; and, about acquiring knowledge before being zealous in religion and politics.
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Host Martin Tanner corrects an error from his prior podcast, then describes why there was a Jewish community or colony in Egypt when Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled there to escape the wrath of Herod. The Star of Bethlehem was likely a comet, seen and noted in 5 BC. The phrase in Matthew 2:9 the star "stood over" was used exclusively to describe comets in the ancient world. "Jesus" (from the Hebrew) also transliterated "Joshua" or "Yeshua" literally means "YHWH saves". "Christ" (from the Greek) "kristos" is a translation of the Hebrew word "Meshia" or "Messiah" literally means "smeared, or anointed with oil." Jesus was thus "Jehovah who saves, the anointed or chosen Savior."
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Religion Today host Martin Tanner explains the "Wise Men" or "Magi" (the root word for magician" in English may have been Zoroastrian Priests traveling from the east, near or at Babylon. The Star of Bethleham could have been a comet, a super-nova or perhaps a super-natural event. Jesus was likely born in 4 BC or earlier because King Harod, who spoke with the Magi, died in 4 BC. These and other details of the traditional Christmas Story of the Birth of our Savior are described in this episode of Religion Today.
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Belief in angels is widespread. Would it surprise you to learn more people believe in angels than believe in global warming or climate change? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains what or who angels are, where they come from and what their purpose is. Many people, even some who do not consider themselves to be religious, say they have seen an angel who gave them direction, help or a warning. Belief in angels is far more common than most people imaging. Well over half the population in the United States, for example, believe in angels.
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In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner suggests that during the Christmas Season, reading the Gospel of Mark, all at once, which will take about 1 1/2 hours, will enhance your understanding of our Savior. It was the first Gospel written, and it was written in "first person." For example God says "I love you and am so pleased with you my own dear Son" in Mark. In other Gospels God says "This is my beloved son, with whom I'm well pleased" seemingly talking to others. Mark has details like Jesus holding a child in the "crook" of his arm; and, how Jesus fell asleep on the "rower's cushion" before calming the sea. Mark is Peter's Gospel. John Mark, its author, was Peter's missionary companion. Try reading Mark in the "Contemporary English Version" or the "New Revised Standard Version" both available free online.
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In this Religion Today episode, host Martin Tanner puts polygamy in perspective. At least 40 men in the Old Testament were polygamists, including Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Esau, David and Solomon. What is less known is that polygamy was practiced in Judaism into the third and fourth centuries AD, according to Josephus, St. Augustine, Justin and other reliable sources. Martin Luther stated he could find no Biblical prohibition of polygamy and he specifically authorized it a few times. Popes and other Christian leaders actually required it at times. Today, if a convert is already married to more than one wife, in the Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist and other denominations, polygamy is allowed. But not in the LDS faith. Misconceptions about Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and polygamy are also dispelled.
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In this Thanksgiving episode, host Martin Tanner provides real life experiences, scriptures and other insights into how to find happiness during difficult times in one's life, and during troubles times in the world.
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In this Religion Today episode, host Martin Tanner interviews Professor Kerry Muhlestein, MA, Ancient Near-Eastern Studies, PhD, Egyptology, past Visiting Fellow at Oxford, and current Director of the BYU Egypt Excavation Project. Prof. Muhlestein has just published an excellent book on Isaiah "Learning to Love Isaiah." The 2022 Come Follow Me is the Old Testament. "Learning to Love Isaiah" is a practical guide-book for beginner through scholar on the meaning, message, and past, present and future fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies.
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In this second of a two part series, host Martin Tanner explains in easy to understand ways, some of the scientific evidence for God, including the astronomical odds against the finding water, oxygen, the right temperature range, the right gravitational pull, needed carbon and other nutrients, for the existence of life. In addition, even the most simple one celled life has DNA, which is digital code, like computer code to tell the cell how to operate. The only known source for digital code is a guiding intelligence. Stated another way, the existence of life can only be explained by, intelligent design; and, the intelligent designer is God.
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Believers in God often try to persuade atheists or agnostics God exists by using scriptures such as the Bible or Book of Mormon. Typically, arguments of faith do not work with atheists and agnostics, who see scriptures as faith based. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner provides an overview of some of the most persuasive arguments for the existence of God, specifically for atheists and agnostics, based on science, mathematics, probabilities and physics. After these, arguments of faith may be persuasive too.
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During the type-setting of the Book of Mormon, continuously to the time of his death Joseph Smith was faced with anti-Mormon and Anti-Joseph Smith publications, from newspaper publications, to pamphlets, to books. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner gives an over-view of the extraordinary opposition Joseph Smith faced and overcame during his lifetime.
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How do you find answers to difficult Gospel Questions? In this episode of Religion Today Host Martin Tanner uses his 2018 debate with a former Latter-day Saint who left the Church over questions he could not answer in the Book of Mormon, to show how to be patient and how to look to find answers to difficult questions. Specifically, Martin discusses how steel mentioned in the Book of Ether in about 2,500 to 2,000 BC is a question with an answer. Martin gives other answers and describes an approach to finding answers.
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Many people have the idea, and have even been taught, that God's love is conditional; that God loves the righteous more than the unrighteous; that he loves people with problems less and good people more. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains from the experiences of Joseph Smith, the teachings of Church Leaders and from near-death experiences he heard first hand, that God's love is ALWAYS there, for EVERYONE, no matter how good or bad they are. This does not mean God doesn't care if you're good or bad. It does mean he loves you no matter what. God's love is always there for you, no matter what you've done, no matter how imperfect you are.
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What was John the Baptist doing when he baptized people? His baptism was not a Christian ritual. After all, he was baptizing before Jesus' ministry began. Is Baptism in the Book of Mormon before the time of Christ an error and proof it is not of God? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains that "baptism" then called "washing" was performed with anointing and clothing in clean garments, and is described in Exodus in connection with Moses' Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant and in Psalms. Pre-Christian immersion fonts are described in the Dead Sea Scrolls and were excavated at Qumran. Hence the Book of Mormon's pre-Christian mention of baptism is not an anomaly, but fits correctly within pre-Christian Judaism.
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The near-death experiences of a 6-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl are shared by host Martin Tanner in this touching episode. Both saw Jesus and one saw Heavenly Father. Both experiences will help listeners understand how all are loved by God, how all can be forgiven, what is important in life, and that the Second Coming will happen.
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Several critics emailed to ask whether host Martin Tanner believes Brigham Young was racist. In this broadcast, Martin Tanner answers and responds to a broader question by explaining why neither The LDS Church and Joseph Smith were ahead of their time in having Blacks, Native Americans and others treated like all other visitors and members, without segregation, calling them to positions of authority and giving them the Priesthood. Brigham Young, after giving praise to Black Elders in the LDS Faith changed policy in 1859, disallowing Blacks to be ordained to the Priesthood. This was likely done to quell many threats against the Church for treating minorities the same as other members. Over all, Martin Tanner explains why the LDS Faith has an excellent history of welcoming and treating minorities well. More than half of all Church members today do not speak English as their native language.
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The day after the 20th anniversary of 9-11, Religion Today Host Martin Tanner explains why the interpretation of 109 verses in the Quran by Radical Muslims, like the Taliban, ISIS, Al Quada, etc. caused 9-11, not U.S. foreign policy or U.S. involvement in the Middle-East, as some erroneously claim. Learn why 99% of all terrorist attacks in the world are done in the name of one religious movement, Radical Islam, which believes that to be a good Muslim, one must fight against and kill infidels (non-Muslims). This idea comes from teachings in the Quran. Islamic terrorism has been going on in the form of the Barbary Coast Pirates (Muslim extremists of the 1700 and 1800s, and before, continuously to the present.
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Recently Religion Today Show host Martin Tanner has received many emails concerned about the future: Is the Constitution hanging by a threat? Is the Church off track? Is there a need for yet another restoration? In this episode of Religion Today Martin Tanner explains from the Old and New Testaments, in clear language, why there will not be another restoration, why the LDS Church is not off track or in a state of apostasy and why the future looks bright. His message is one of comfort and peace, that all will be well.
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Religion Today host Martin Tanner explains how to respond to claims that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in a different God, a different Jesus and have a different view of salvation that is found in the New Testament.
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Have you wondered whether God and Jesus have a sense of humor? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner give some examples of the hundreds of places in the Bible where humor is appropriately used by God, Jesus, the Apostle Paul, Prophet Elijah and others to make an appropriate point. Because we read scriptures with a serious mind set, because we do not recognize humor in 410 year old King James Bible English, we miss much of the humor it contains. Humor in the Bible is not gratuitous, it is done to make a point. Once you learn how to spot humor in the Bible, it will open up new ways to understand certain episodes.
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Did you know that Jesus, the Apostles and New Testament writers all read the scriptures the Greek (the Septuagint version of the Bible)? In this episode of Religion Today, the host Martin Tanner explains why Jesus, the Apostles and Early Christians all read the Old Testament in Greek (the Septuagint Bible) and quotes from it. The Apostle Paul, in his NT writings, quotes over 100 times from the Septuagint. The Septuagint is often from an earlier, better version of Hebrew, than existing Hebrew Bibles today. For example, the Septuagint says the Messiah would be born to a virgin. The Hebrew Bible says the Messiah would be born to a young woman. The differences have a profound effect on Christian doctrine.
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Prayer is communication with Heavenly Father. If God knows all, why should we pray? How can we overcome doubts about prayer and whether God listens? In this Religion Today episode, host Martin Tanner answers these and other questions about prayer. Prayer is important for everyone., If points us in the right direction, by re-orienting our life. Prayer is indispensable when done as Jesus instructed. It is alright to pray in public as well as in private.
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Religion Today host Martin Tanner explains why even though the first book on Near-death Experiences (NDEs) wasn't published until 1975, a careful study shows NDEs have been known much earlier: (1) in the 1800s in the LDS Faith, (2) in the Middle Ages, (3) in the first millennium after Christ, (4) in the New Testament, (4) in the Book of Mormon, (5) Centuries before Christ, and, even earlier, (6) in the writings of Plato. NDEs have many overlapping points with Latter-day Saint beliefs and doctrines which makes them especially acceptable to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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In this episode of Religion Today host Martin Tanner explores the meaning of vicarious "Baptism for the Dead" by early Christians in Corinth as mentioned by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:29. Harvard scholar and professor Krister Stendahl, later head of the Lutheran Church in Sweden, and the New English Translation of the Bible made by the Dallas Theological Seminary, suggest and acknowledge Paul was using Baptism for the Dead as an argument that the resurrection is real. Stated another way, the early Christians in Corinth believed in Baptism for the Dead, but some had doubts about the resurrection. Paul was trying to convince them the resurrection was real.
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Was it a requirement to be an Ancient Apostle to see Jesus Christ before and after his resurrection? To be a modern Apostle, must one see Jesus Christ? Is is possible for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to fall away and the Gospel be restored yet again in the future? Religion Today host Martin Tanner answers these and other questions. Not all ancient nor all modern Apostles have seen Jesus. But some have. The calling of an Apostle, to be a special witness of Jesus as savior and that he was resurrected, is one based on divine calling, not whether a person has seen Jesus. The D&C makes it clear that everyone who is worthy, regardless of calling, may have that wonderful, person experience. Joseph Smith and others have said the Church as a whole will never fall away and the Gospel will not again be restored..
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What is the "Joseph Smith Translation" also known as the "Inspired Version"? Was it ever finished? What are the six kinds of changes Joseph Smith made to the Bible when he made the JST? Which Bible translation did Joseph Smith use when making the JST? In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner answers these answers and more. If you have ever wanted to learn more about the Joseph Smith Translation, this episode of Religion Today is one to hear.
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Dr. Thomas Sowell, PhD, of the Stanford Hoover Institution, a black conservative, famously said blacks were not enslaved because they were black, but because they were available. Whites have enslaved whites. Asians have enslaved Asians. Blacks have enslaved blacks. The U.S. is not a racist country. On the contrary, based on Christian values, European Christians who emigrated to the New World, fought to end slavery in the Colonies, England and the rest of the world. By the time the U.S. Constitution was enacted, nine of the original 13 Colonies had abolished slavery, and the U.S. had made operating a slave ship a crime, subject to the death penalty. A democratic republic provides for freedom. Socialism removes freedom, puts the government in charge and takes away the incentive to work and succeed. May God bless the U.S. and help us maintain a democratic-republic.
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The Doctrine and Covenants was first published in 1835 as successor to the Book of Commandments. The first title of the book "Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God". In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains the little known story of who selected the revelations included in the D&C and why. Martin Tanner also explains how the D&C originally contained two parts, lectures describing basic church doctrine, followed by a selection of revelations containing covenants for Church members, hence the title "Doctrine and Covenants".
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In this Religion Today episode, broadcast on Fathers' Day, host Martin Tanner describes how men and fathers have been marginalized and in society. TV commercials and shows, such as the Simpsons, often depict women, mothers and girls as bright, wise, honest and thoughtful, while depicting men, fathers and boys and dumb, lazy, dishonest and angry. The consequences for society of belittling men have been devastating. Elevating women does not require devaluing men. Thoughtful comments about the current role of men and fathers and how things could be improved, which would help children and society as a whole.
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True science and true religion must be compatible, not incompatible. In this episode of Religion Today host Martin Tanner gives a few examples of problems found in the Bible and some religious traditions, along with ways to reconcile them. He described misconceptions most people have regarding Doctrine and Covenants Section 77 and the age of the earth. Martin also gives examples of problems with science, including current inconsistencies. He concludes with near-death experiences as one area in which science and religion seem to be converging and compatible.
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The Interpreter Foundation's new film "Witnesses" is now playing in over 350 movie theaters in the United States. Witnesses is about the original three witnesses, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains how this film is an uplifting, yet complete film, including trials and doubts of the witnesses. It portrays Oliver, David and Martin as true believers, but also as people with human frailties. All three left the Church. Two returned. None ever denied they saw an angel and the golden plates. Until their dying day, they affirmed they had truly seen an angel and had actually seen the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. Martin Tanner suggests all who may be interested see the Witnesses film. (Find theaters and show times online)
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In this episode of Religion Today host Martin Tanner describes the origins of Memorial Day. He defines resurrection and how it is different from near-death experiences and revival from death. Martin Tanner quotes from visions of resurrections and conveys the idea the First Resurrection has been on-going since the resurrection of Jesus.
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In this episode, Martin Tanner discusses how the earliest known writing, which is inside ancient Egyptian Temples, date to nearly 4,000 BC, and are written in Egyptian Hieroglyphics. "Hieroglyphics" means "words from God." The Egyptians believed God gave them writing and language. A similar idea is found in the Book of Moses 6:5-6. Martin Tanner also talks about the earliest known Bible verse, the order the New Testament Books were written and related topics.
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In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner interviews Bruce Greyson, MD, professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, researcher, author and co-founder of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS), about Prof. Greyson's new book entitled "After" which describes several near-death experiences and what can be learned from them, scientifically and otherwise, about life after physical death.
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For Mothers' Day, Religion Today Host Martin Tanner shares the stories of four amazing, inspiring Latter-day Saint women, Jane Elizabeth Manning James, African American mother who walked over 1,000 miles to join the Saints in Nauvoo; Torah Bright, world champion snowboarder from Australia; Hannah Clayson Smith, extraordinary First Amendment, religious rights attorney; and, Eliza Roxy Snow, abused and beaten by a mob in Missouri, yet became Relief Society President, penned lyrics to "O My Father" and many other LDS Hymns. An inspiration to all.
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William Tyndale translated the Bible from the earliest known manuscripts in Hebrew and Greek. His translation was so extraordinary, that when the 54 King James Bible translators completed their translation, it was 83% word-for-word Tyndale's New Testament translation and 76% Tyndale's Old Testament translation. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes Tyndale's marvelous story. How he developed his linguistic abilities at Oxford and Cambridge, and how he translated the Bible into English, making it, for the first time, available to ordinary people. For this, the Church condemned Tyndale as a heretic, strangled him, burned his body to ashes, then threw the ashes into the river.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes marriage should be between a man and a woman; and, intimacy should not be outside marriage. The Bible, Old and New Testament, and and LDS Church take the same position. The apostle Paul made strong statements on these issues. Paul also said he and the other apostles should be able to take their wife when they went proselyting. Although some websites say Paul, the apostles and even Jesus were not married, and were or may have been gay, neither scripture nor other available information support that idea. It seems certain Jesus, Paul, Peter and the other Apostles were married. It is also certain that Paul's wife passed away and in his later life he was single.
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In this Religion Today show, Martin Tanner describes how the War in Heaven, in the pre-existence, described in Revelation 12:7-9 over free will, agency and freedom versus forced results, such as equity, cancel culture, forced compliance, socialism, communism, continues in the world today. The Dead Sea Scrolls, War Scroll, containing the battle of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness, also describes the same conflict, which will only be resolved in the final, last great battle.
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In this episode of Religion Today Martin Tanner describes where the Book of Commandments, Doctrine & Covenants, and Articles of Faith of the LDS Church came from. Little know details, such as, before the Church officially adopted Joseph Smith's 13 Articles of Faith, various versions, some with as many as 16 articles were in circulation. Also discussed is the committee that decided what to include in the Book of Commandments and D&C. Not all of Joseph Smith's revelations were included in the Book of Commandments and D&C.
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In this Easter Sunday broadcast, Martin Tanner distinguishes between Biblical accounts of people brought back from the dead, like Lazarus, and resurrection accounts, like the New Testament accounts of Jesus' resurrection, the account in Matthew 27:52, and others. He also gives an overview of Jesus' resurrection from the Gospels of Matthew and John. He explains the import and meaning of details often overlooked, and explains why belief in resurrection and reincarnation are incompatible and one must choose between them.
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This week, as often happens, Religion Today host Martin Tanner received an email from an evangelical Christian ministry claiming Mormonism is heretical. This time the evangelical ministry said Latter-day Saints are heretics for not believing God's creation in Genesis Chapter 1 was ex nihilo, out of nothing. Hebrew linguists have known for hundreds of years that Genesis 1 says God created the earth out of existing matter. The Big Bang theory is sometimes claimed to prove ex nihilo creation out of a "singularity" but for 40 years science has known the singularity idea, is demonstrably false. In this episode of Religion Today learn why linguistically and scientifically, ex nihilo creation is impossible. Ex nihilo creation also is not found in the Bible.
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Several dozen new Dead Sea Scroll fragments, a 6,000 year old child's grave and a 10,500 year old woven basket have just been found (March 2021) in one of the Dead Sea Scrolls caves (the Cave of Horror). In this episode of Religion Today, Host Martin Tanner explains how Essene Jews practiced baptism, how John the Baptist's baptism was connected to the Essenes' baptism and how both were connected to New Testament era Christian baptism.
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The recent Netflix film "Murder Among the Mormons" about the murder and forger Mark Hofmann hits close to home for Martin Tanner, host of Religion Today. Martin Tanner and Mark Hofmann never met, but had several mutual friends. In this episode of Religion Today Martin Tanner describes the time-line of Mark Hofmann, his forgeries and murders, how Hofmann was an atheist and how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was very open about the circumstances surrounding the notorious forger, Mark Hofmann. If you want more of the facts about Mark Hofmann, in perspective, this episode is a must.
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Critics of The Book of Mormon and LDS Faith say that since Zenos and Zenock, two supposed prophets, are not mentioned outside the Book of Mormon, it is not an authentic ancient book. But the Teacher of Righteousness is an example of an ancient Jewish prophet unknown until 1947 when the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Also, the Dead Sea Scrolls Thanksgiving Hymns H and J parallel the thanksgiving hymn of Zenos, implying the Dead Sea Scrolls relied on Zenos writings. Biblical Antiquities, an ancient work by Pseudo-Philo (unavailable and unknown to Joseph Smith) has the writings of Cenez, Zenec or Zenez (depending on the manuscript), an apparent reference to Book of Mormon Prophet Zenos, making it likely that Kenaz (Joshua 15, Judges 1 and ! Chronicles 4) is the same prophet as Zenos in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is vindicated regarding Zenos and Zenock.
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The Book of Mormon has been called a racist book due to the reference in 2 Nephi 5:21 to a "skin of blackness[.]" In this episode of Religion Today Martin Tanner explains why this reference is metaphorical rather than literal, citing 2 Nephi 26:33 which says "black and white, bond and free, male and female . . . all are alike unto God[.]" As evidence reference to black skin is often metaphorical, Martin Tanner cites examples, including then Presidential Candidate Joe Biden's comment to black commentator "Charlamagne tha God" on "The Breakfast Club" that if Charlamagne "ha[d] a problem figuring our whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black[.]" Thus in the Book of Mormon and elsewhere, "skin" and "black" references often refer to something other than race.
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The Interpreter Foundation's new film "Witnesses" premieres this Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at the LDS Film Festival. This feature length film tells with precise accuracy the stories of the well known formal witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates, the Three Witnesses, and the Eight Witnesses, along with the little known stories the informal witnesses, whose accounts most have never heard. In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner interview Mark Goodman, the Director of the Witnesses film, and Actor Lincoln Hoope, who portrays Martin Harris. Information is provided about how to bring this excellent film to a theater venue near you.
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Understanding the difficult to understand sayings of Jesus, part two. In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains the likely meaning of Jesus' hard sayings, including "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into heaven" why Jesus said his followers are to purchase a sword, how can it be that Jesus tells us to "love our enemies" and also to hate our family members, and so forth. Understanding the context and the meaning of the underlying Greek words is the key.
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In this episode of Religion Today Martin Tanner explains the most likely meaning of some of the sayings of Jesus that are difficult to understand, such as why he came not for the righteous, but for sinners, how the Law of Moses is fulfilled yet Jesus says not a single jot or tittle (dot of an "i" or cross of a "t") in other words, none of the Law of Moses will be lost or forgotten, and other difficult to understand sayings of Jesus.
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What is the nature of God's power, knowledge and location? Is God Omnipotent, all-powerful? In the strict sense he is not, because God self-limits his power in that he will not do evil. Is God Omnipresent? Many Christians say yes, God is everywhere. Latter-day Saints say God is a glorified man, located at only one place at any given time. However, his knowledge and influence, and the power of his spirit, are everywhere. Is God Omniscient? Many Christians say yes, God wills everything and causes everything. Free will is an illusion. LDS believe intelligences, other deity, matter, and law are co-equal with God, meaning God did not create them. In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner explores the differences among LDS themselves, and between other Christians in how they understand God's knowledge, presence and power.
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Host Martin Tanner relates how a satellite helped archaeologists find Gath, the Biblical city where Goliath lived, how DNA solved the puzzle of where the Philistines came from (Europe), how the burial stone box of a crucified man shows feet of those crucified were nailed to the cross from the side, just below the ankles, Hezekiah's water tunnel shows how water could flow from under the Temple in Jerusalem, and other discoveries. Martin then explains how some of these finds show the historical accuracy of parts of the Bible and Book of Mormon.
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Four New Testament versus (among many others) demonstrate an apostasy and restoration were foretold by all the Old Testament prophets and also in the New Testament. Acts 3:21 says Jesus the Messiah will not return before a "restoration of all things" or a "universal restoration." 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 says the Second Coming will not happen before an "apostasy" from the Greek "Apostasia" meaning to divorce, sever, obliterate, destroy or end. Ephesians 5:5 demonstrates the loss of the idea expressed therein that one must be good, be righteous, to get into heaven. Colossians 4:16 says one of Paul's letters is missing, the one to the Church in Laodicea. The Gospel of Thomas, which has authentic saying of Jesus not found in the Bible also shows a loss of scripture.
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The word "Torah" does not mean "law" it means "teaching" or "instruction." Thus Christians should not talk of the "law and the prophets" but of God's "teaching and the prophets." Torah often refers to the first five books of the Bible. Scholars question whether Moses had any input into them. Conservative Jews and Christians believe Moses wrote every word. The LDS position is in the middle. The "Book of Moses" in the Pearl of Great Price indicates Moses did receive a revelation from God. Joseph Smith described his "translation" which is more accurately described as an inspired expansion is premised on the idea the writings of Moses were inaccurately transmitted and modified over the centuries.
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Martin Tanner briefly describes the 39 miracles of Jesus in the New Testament. A dozen or so others are found in extra-Biblical books of the first three centuries. Martin Tanner asks, "What is a miracle?" and "Can something that can be explained still be a miracle?" He suggests the miracles of Jesus helped those around him, and us today, identify him as the Messiah promised by Isaiah and other prophets. Miracles still happen today, despite our having more available information to explain them.
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Martin Tanner explains why the future is bright, even though many fear for the future of the United States and the world because of Covid-19, government debt, socialism and communism, the rise of China, taxes and regulations and the loss of freedom. We should not fear because according to prophecy, the United States will not be destroyed. The world will be saved. The Restoration will not be frustrated. Ultimately, Jesus and Heavenly Father will not allow evil to prevail.
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Religion Today Show host Martin Tanner tells the traditional Christmas Story, in modern English, from the Good News Translation of the New Testament, with side-bar explanations of certain passages. Email Martin Tanner for a free, no strings attached, transcript of the Christmas Story.
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Today's popular artwork depicting Jesus is typically from the Byzantine or Renaissance showing him with handsome, idealized features, long hair past his shoulders, a beard and moustache, and a white, blue or red robe, to his wrists and ankles. We know Jesus dressed as did other Jewish men, otherwise when Judas betrayed him, a hug and kiss would not have been needed. Jewish and other men in the First century Roman Empire had short hair, were clean shaven and had knee length and elbow length robes. This is in fact how Jesus was depicted in the earliest Christian artwork.
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The only natural phenomenon that fits the description of the Star of Bethlehem in Matthew is a comet. Comets travel in elliptical paths and move fast enough that they often appear to change direction. The Star of Bethlehem was visible for about two months. The Wise Men followed it from East to West, from Babylon to Jerusalem, then South to Bethlehem. The Star of Bethlehem, if a comet, would have been seen traveling towards the Sun as the Wise Men traveled from near Babylon to Jerusalem, appearing in the night sky moving West. Then, as it traveled away from the Sun, it would have appeared to change direction, moving South in the night sky, as the Wise Men traveled South from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. The Wisemen knew about the prophecy of a Jewish Messiah, or King of the Jews, from Jews living in Babylon since the exile in 596 BC when Jerusalem was conquered by Babylon.
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Our words can elevate and encourage others, or discourage, even crush them. Our words have power, far beyond what we usually realize. Pivotal points in your life likely were due to the words of love and encouragement or harsh criticisms of others. Citing scriptures and examples, Martin Tanner encourages us to use our words for good and to choose them carefully. In so doing, we can be a little bit like God and Jesus, helping others with our words.
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Martin Tanner answers listener questions on why the Book of Abraham has not been disproven by Egyptologists, how archaeology supports the Book of Mormon like it supports the Bible, evidence for something like the Temple Endowment during Jesus' lifetime, how near-death experiences support Joseph Smith's account of The First Vision, and other questions.
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Martin Tanner provides scriptures, prophetic statements and other information about the future of the United States, the U.S. Constitution, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Time may be difficult, but the future looks bright if we will read the Constitution, understand it, teach it, and seek freedom rather than security.
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The "Sermon on the Mount" gets its name from the Latin Vulgate Bible's heading for Matthew 5 "Sermo in Monte." Perhaps it should be called the hill-side sermon. According to tradition, it was given on a hill-side at the North-West end of the Lake Galilee. Delivered early in Jesus' ministry, this sermon contains the essence of the Christian message. In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner delivers his own contemporary English translation of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, rendered in a way listeners will understand, and find compelling.
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The Gospels tell us almost nothing of Jesus life from when his mother and step-father lost track of him, when he was talking with the elders in the temple. We do know he was a "craftsman" or tekton in Greek. Carpenter is too narrow a definition. We can surmise he had known the future Apostles for many years, as they all lived in a small town. Matthew 4:17 tells us Jesus taught before he called the Apostles. The Sermon on the Mount has meaning often misunderstood, or at least not well understood. In it Jesus tells his listeners what kind of people will be in the Kingdom of God.
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The Archko Volume, the Book of Jasher, and Urantia Book are all available online and at many book stores. The problem is the Archko Volume and Book of Jasher are forgeries and Urantia Book is a fake (made up, and not what it purports to be). In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner explains why these books, often passed off as genuine, are anything but genuine.
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What is Revelation? How does one get Revelation? How do you know if you have received Revelation? How do you know your prayers are being answered? The short answer is this: If you have prepared, studied, done what you can, but still lack knowledge, wisdom or ability, prayer is how to get help from God. Perfection, even goodness, is not a pre-requisite. But a desire to be better is required. Once that threshold is met, God will answer your prayers, but not is some grandiose way. It will be in the least obtrusive way, typically a feeling, insight or knowledge.
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An account of how the first 116 pages of The Book of Mormon manuscript were lost. When lost, Joseph Smith finished the translation, through the end of the Book of Moroni. Only then did he re-translate the same events that had been lost, originally translated from the Book of Lehi, replaced with an account on the small plates of Nephi. The lost and replaced portion goes up to Chapter 3 of our Current Book of Mosiah. Learn details of these events rarely described and little known, including Martin Harris' death-bed declaration about the Book of Mormon.
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General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are wise, good, kind and loving. They desire that everyone reach the full measure of their creation or abilities, which is to become like our Savior Jesus, and our Father in Heaven. Joseph Smith expressed the same idea in his last Conference address, on April 7, 1844, less than three months before he was killed. Apostles Matthew, Peter and Paul, and Luke the evangelist and physician, said the same thing. In this Religion Today episode, Martin describes and quotes what they said about the ultimate destiny of the faithful.
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Martin Tanner describes the Near-death Experience of his friend David Herard who passed away a few months ago. David was severely wounded in Vietnam. He went from agnostic or perhaps atheist, to believer in God and a Christian. David was horribly wounded when a Viet-Kong rocket landed about 20 feet behind him. David briefly visited the Spirit World beyond, and came back to tell about it when God placed his hand on David's shoulder and told him it was not his time..
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The second of a two part series on how Joseph Smith translated The Book of Mormon. The translation was not by reading sentences or letters, but by literally seeing and comprehending the events described in The Book of Mormon, something like seeing a movie. Joseph Smith told Joseph Knight, Sr. the Nephite Interpreters or Urim and Thummim "were marvelous" and by looking in them he could "see anything." Joseph Smith literally saw how the Early Christian Martyrs looked and led their lives through the use of the Urim and Thummim. Ether Chapter 3 and Mosiah describe a "seer" meaning a "see-er" implying sight, describe the Urim and Thummim as something into which a seer sees the past, present and future.
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How precisely did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon? We do not know every detail, but in this first of a two-part series, Martin Tanner explains what we do know. Translation could only have been accomplished with divine influence, as Joseph Smith at age 22-23 would not have been able to dictate, in virtually final form, a book about Ancient Jews, over 500 pages in length.
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On January 29, 2019 the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued an official statement available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org on Book of Mormon geography which says there is no official Church position and there has never been any revelation on where the events in The Book of Mormon took place. But the text of The Book of Mormon is divinely inspired and has much to tell us about the geographical setting of The Book of Mormon. A brief survey of such information is found in this Religion Today episode.
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The Nag Hammadi Library, is a collection of 52 books bound into 13 volumes, which dates to the early 4th century AD. It was found in 1945 near the small town of Nag Hammadi, in Egypt. One of its books, the Gospel of Thomas, contains authentic sayings of Jesus, many of which are not found in the Bible. In this Religion Today broadcast, Martin Tanner shares some of the 114 sayings of Jesus from the Gospel of Thomas.
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Women in Early Christianity owned about one-third third of all property, owned businesses, slaves, sometimes ruled the household and held positions of authority in the Early Christian Church. While it is true, as long as a woman's father was alive, she was subservient to him, the same is true of men. 1 Timothy 2:12 and 1 Corinthians 14:34 (let women be silent in the Churches) are not likely genuine Bible verses (according to Prof. Bart Ehrman and other NT scholars). Learn the misconceptions about women in the Early Christian Church in this episode of Religion Today.
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Two significant discoveries of the last century pertain to the 72 AD (or CE) Siege of Masada and the Secret Gospel of Mark. The Siege of Masada was previously known only through the Jewish-Roman historian Josephus. But a Jewish archaeological team, led by Yigeal Yadin, 1963-65, excavated Masada, and discovered, among other things, the lots cast by the Jews at Masada, supporting Josephus' account of the heroic Jews who gave their lives rather than be captured by the Romans. Another great discovery was in 1958 by Professor Morton Smith, of Columbia Univ., who discovered as the Mar Saba Monastery near Jerusalem, a fragment of the "Secret Gospel of Mark" which describes Jesus giving Lazarus something like the initiatory work and endowment found in Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Critics claim the First Edition of the Book of Mormon contains "bad grammar" and hence cannot be from God, because God would not use bad grammar. Martin Tanner's guest, Stanford Carmack, Phd, J.D. Stanford University and PhD, U.C. Santa Barbara, a linguist and expert in Book of Mormon syntax demonstrates the supposed "bad grammar" in the Book of Mormon, First Edition, was standard Old English, and is found in William Tyndale's Bible, The Great Bible, the original 1611 King James Bible and other authoritative texts from about 1500 - 1700 AD. This disproves the claim the Book of Mormon originally had "bad grammar."
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Joseph Smith's experience following James 1:5 which says God will answer your prayers, is instructional for all of us. My friend Lloyd, who passed away in 2012, had a similar experience with prayer. In a situation where his personal strength and intelligence were not enough, Lloyd prayed and received an answer in a way anyone can receive an answer to a prayer. You don't need to be without sin to have your prayers answered. God knows people with sins and other problems are often the ones who need their prayers answered the most.
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The first Christian meetings were held in homes of followers of Jesus, right after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Christianity was accepted when the Roman Emperor Constantine became a Christian. The split between the Orthodox and Catholic churches occurred over whether the Church at Rome had authority over all other branches; and, over whether the Holy Spirit came forth from the Father (Orthodox position) or equally from the Father and Son (Catholic position). The Protestant split came about with Martin Luther's 95 Theses or differences with the Church, chiefly over indulgences, but also over whether salvation was solely by faith or whether some degree of works was required.
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The earliest known writings are the Egyptian Temple Texts, which date to nearly 4,000 B.C.E. "Hieroglyphics" comes from the Greek "Herios" (God's) and "Glyphos" (inscriptions or writings). Hieroglyphics are thus literally the writings God gave to humans. Latter-day Saints have a similar idea in Moses 6:5-6. The earliest Bible texts are the Nash Papyrus, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Ketef Himnon amulet, all discussed in more detail in this episode of Martin Tanner's Religion Today Show.
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Christians see Jesus as the Savior, Messiah and Son of God. Jews see Jesus as a heretic. During his earthly ministry, the Apostles and his followers saw him as a Jewish reformer. Nearly two millennia later, Christians see Jesus as Savior, Son of God and a Christian, sometimes forgetting his Jewish roots. Many of Jesus' actions are only understood when we view Jesus as Jewish. For example, in the Gospel of John, at 20:17, the newly Resurrected Jesus tells Mary not to give him a hug ("touch me not" in KJV), but soon after tells Thomas to touch his side ("thrust your fingers into my wound"). Why the difference? Jesus, as a Jewish High Priest, must keep himself ritually pure by touching no earthly thing or person (Mary included) before attending to his official duties of ascending to his Father in Heaven. After his duties in Heaven were concluded, he could then tell Thomas to put his fingers in his wound and, presumably, get a nice hug from Mary.
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Doctrine and Covenants 101:80 says God established the U.S. Constitution by "wise men" whom God "raised up unto this very purpose[.]" Though flawed in some ways, as are we all, the Founding Fathers are among the most inspired and great men who have ever lived. Host Martin Tanner gives highlights of the lives of seven of the most important and influential Founding Fathers. He discuses why we should be proud of and honor the United States, not be ashamed of it. The prophecy or prediction of Joseph Smith that the Constitution would hang by a thread is also discussed.
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Fathers' Day Message - God as Our Father, His Qualities and Attributes, from Joseph Smith, Jewish sources, George Ritchie, MD, and scripture.
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Is the mention of "Reformed Egyptian" (Mormon 9:32) in the Book of Mormon, and the idea a spoken language can be written in another language (! Nephi 1:2) an anomaly? The idea was unknown and laughable in Joseph Smith lifetime. Since then, hundreds of examples have been found of Hebrew (or a Hebrew dialect like Aramaic) written in a form of Egyptian. For example Papyrus Amherst 63, contains three Hebrew psalms, written in Demotic Egyptian. This is what The Book of Mormon describes in 1 Nephi 1:2 and Moroni 9:32. Reformed Egyptian in The Book of Mormon is not an anomaly.
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Is there a river that flows North that could be the River Sidon? The Mississippi and Missouri do not fit the Book of Mormon's description of a river with its head waters (or beginning) up in the South (implying it flows North). But the Grijalva River in Mesoamerica fits well. There are many descriptions of radio carbon dating confirmed horses in the Americas well after the last ice age (about 10,000 BC), during Book of Mormon times (600 BCE to 400 CE)..
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Two major areas where generations often do not see eye to eye are religion and music. Some are quite surprised to learn unlikely rock bands sometimes have songs about God, Jesus and the afterlife. In this episode, Martin Tanner gives examples of this, including from the bands Depeche Mode, ZZ Top, the Doobie Brothers, Black Sabbath, Sufjan Stevens, Norman Greenbaum, Kelley Stoltz, Bruce Springsteen Don McLean, and others. Black Sabbath bass player Geezer Butler, raised a strict Catholic, wrote the song "After Forever" suggesting you shouldn't be afraid to let people know you believe in God. Bruce Springsteen in "Jesus Was an Only Son" says there is a trace of divinity within us.
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How do you answer an atheist? Learn to identify their arguments which include: ad hominem, illogical, flawed and inconsistent assertions. No one has the ability to test every scientific theory. Scientists, just like religious believers, place their faith in people, publications and other sources they trust, based on logic and experience. As a believer in God, I encourage you to read and understand the writings of past atheists such as Nietzsche, Freud and Marx, as well as the new atheists, like Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. They have a faith of their own, even though they are loath to call it that. When you hear their ideas, you will see some of them are accurate, but some are flawed, just as the ideas of many religious individuals.
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In honor of mothers and women everywhere, stories of great women in the Bible on Mothers' Day, some well known, some obscure. But all with inspirational messages for women and men. Stories of Abigail, Deborah, Esther, Hannah, Jael, Judith, Leah, Rahab and the Shulammite young woman.
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With Temples of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints closed world-wide due to Covid-19 many miss attending the Temple. Judge Thomas L. Kay, a Utah District Court Judge, Temple Worker, poet and friend, shares some of his poetry about the Temple.
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There is a wonderful article at mormoninterpreter.com written by Stanford Carmack, JD, PhD, entitled "Bad Grammar in the Book of Mormon Found in Early English Bibles." It has long been claimed the first edition of The Book of Mormon has many examples of really bad grammar. That claim must be reconsidered because early English Bibles, including William Tyndale's masterpiece translation of the Bible, have the same kinds of "bad grammar" as found in the first edition of The Book of Mormon. Yet Tyndale's Bible influenced Shakespeare, the King James translation and many other Bible translations. Perhaps the grammar in the first edition of The Book of Mormon is not really bad after all.
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Martin Tanner interviews Mark Herre, founder of the highly successful, and, in the opinion of many, the best LDS Facebook page and group supporting the Come Follow Me Curriculum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Called the "Come Follow Me Challenge" Facebook group and page, learn what it has to offer and how to join from Mark Herre, its founder and a Facebook genius.
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Especially for Easter Sunday: Eyewitness accounts of encounters with Jesus, which describe his appearance, love and other attributes.
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Especially for Easter Sunday: Accounts of eyewitness encounters with Jesus Christ, which describe his appearance, personality, purpose, love and other attributes of our Lord and Savior.
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Joseph Smith's First Vision likely happened on Sunday, March 26, 1820, which was Palm Sunday. There are nine currently known first-person accounts of the First Vision. Most contain one or more details not in the other accounts: The Father and Son look almost exactly alike and are the same height. Their robes went over only one shoulder. Joseph Smith thought he would be burned up when the light or fire came down from Heaven. But instead he felt love when the light touched him. He prayed in the grove next to a tree stump, where he had stuck his ax when he left work the day before.. Joseph Smith saw many angels, as well as God and Jesus in the First Vision.
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President Russell M. Nelson called for today, Sunday, March 29, 2020, to be a day of fasting and prayer for relief from the Coronavirus, Covid-19. We live in a turbulent time. People everywhere are worried about loved ones, friends, co-workers, neighbors and others; also, about the economic future of the country and their own financial future. Yet Heavenly Father is in charge. The words of those inspired by God, visions, dreams, near-death experiences, and other spiritual experiences, should reassure us that all will be well.
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In this episode of Religion Today, Martin Tanner takes another look at the Book of Mormon Witnesses, the Three, the Eight and other informal witnesses like William Smith, Emma Smith, and others. The implications of the combined testimony of these witnesses is considerable. It would be impossible to concoct a conspiracy, and then over the ensuing decades have none retract. The only logical alternative is the testimony of the witnesses is true.
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Is the Trinitarian concept of God Biblical? The answer is no. The Trinitarian concept of God is, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one God, comprised of three separate persons, of one undivided substance, in Greek "homoousious." The concept was first created in 325 AD to combat the perceived heresy of Arius, who believed Jesus was begotten, hence created, hence a creature, not an eternal God. The Trinitarian concept of God was also a convenient way for Christians to say they only believed in one God, and so were not polytheists.
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In only a few places do we read in the Book of Mormon about Priesthood authority being received. Critics ask, if Lehi and Nephi had Priesthood authority, from where did it come, since the Book of Mormon is silent on the subject? The answer is Lehi brought Priesthood authority from Jerusalem and is was properly and validly transmitted from generation to generation, even though we have no specific record of it, any more than there is a record in the New Testament of precisely when, where and how the original Apostles of Jesus received their Priesthood authority.
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