Episode 1- Introduction to Mormonism and Joseph Smith

On this re-recording of Episode 1, we take a few minutes to introduce the host of the show, Bryce Blankenagel, and discuss what the show is about. At the time of the re-recording, the show has been running for a year and a half, and there is plenty to talk about to get you, the listeners, familiarized. We discuss what the titles for each episode in the backlog mean, as well as what you can expect when downloading any given episode. This is also a great opportunity to introduce the protagonist of the Mormon historical timeline, Joseph Smith. We start with his birth on December 23, 1805 in Poultney, VT and take it away from there. The episode finishes up with a discussion about Mark Hoffman from the 1980’s, as well as reading the infamous “Salamander Letter,” which can be found in the show notes. If you’ve never heard a single episode of the show before, this is a great introduction. If you’re an avid listener, thank you for coming back and listening to this re-recording, as well as your faithful listenership.

Palmyra October 23d 1830

Dear Sir,

Your letter of yesterday is received & I hasten to answer as fully as I can–Joseph Smith Jr first come to my notice in the year 1824 in the summer of that year I contracted with his father to build a fence on my property in the corse of that work I approach Joseph & ask how it is in a half day you put up what requires your father & 2 brothers a full day working together he says I have not been with out assistance but can not say more only you better find out the next day I take the older Smith by the arm & he says Joseph can see any thing he wishes by looking at a stone Joseph often sees Spirits here with great kettles of coin money it was Spirits who brought up rock because Joseph made no attempt on their money I latter dream I converse with spirits which let me count their money when I awake I have in my hand a dollar coin which I take for a sign Joseph describes what I seen in every particular says he the spirits are grieved so I through back the dollar in the fall of the year 1827 I hear Joseph found a gold bible I take Joseph aside & he says it is true I found it 4 years ago with my stone but only just got it because of the enchantment the old spirit come to me 3 times in the same dream & says dig up the gold but when I take it up the next morning the spirit transfigured himself from a white salamander in the bottom of the hole & struck me 3 times & held the treasure & would not let me have it because I lay it down to cover over the hole when the spirit says do not lay it down Joseph says when can I have it the spirit says one year from to day if you obay me look to the stone after a few days he looks the spirit says bring your brother Alvin Joseph says he is dead shall I bring what remains but the spirit is gone Joseph goes to get the gold bible but the spirit says you did not bring your brother you can not have it look to the stone Joseph looks but can not see who to bring the spirit says I tricked you again look to the stone Joseph looks & sees his wife on the 22d day of Sept 1827 they get the gold bible–I give Joseph $50 to move him down to Pa Joseph says when you visit me I will give you a sign he gives me some hiroglyphics I take then to Utica Albany & New York in the last place Dr Mitchel gives me an introduction to Professor Anthon says he they are short hand Egyption the same what was used in ancient times bring me the old book & I will translate says I it is made of precious gold & is sealed from view says he I can not read a sealed book–Joseph found some giant silver specticles with the plates he puts them in an old hat & in the darkness reads the words & in this way it is all translated & written down–about the middle of June 1829 Joseph takes me together with Oliver Cowdery & David Whitmer to have a view of the plates our names are appended to the book of Mormon which I had printed with my own money–space and time both prevent me from writing more at present if there is any thing further you wish to inquire I shall attend to it

Yours Respectfully,

Martin Harris

Show links:

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Outro music Jason Comeau http://aloststateofmind.com/

Show Artwork http://weirdmormonshit.com/

Script of the long introduction with the names of the people that said each segment.

This, is Naked Mormonism. (Thomas S. Monson “Pledge”) It’s time to find the truth (David B Haight “Jesus-Joseph Slip”) Let’s examine the doctrine (Bruce R McConkie “Sit With God”) All of it (Finish McConkie) and see what it has to offer (Jeffrey R Holland “To The Plow”) What can be gleaned from Mormon teachings? (Marion G Romney “Satan Lies”) And where is the church heading? (Ezra Taft Benson “Constitution Will Be Saved”) The explicit tag is there for a reason, so if you get offended at what’s said, it’s not for you. But most importantly, (Thomas S. Monson “Ponder Truth”). Skepticize everything.