On Church finances, Martin Harris, and Book of Mormon plates

Last updated on: January 15, 2026 at 7:16 pm By Dan Peterson

This went up today on the long-dead and, thus, never-changing website of the Interpreter Foundation: Steadfast in Defense of Faith: “Material Plates, Spiritual Vision: Martin Harris, Divine Materiality, and Seeing with “Spiritual Eyes,”” written by Neal Rappleye. Part of the Interpreter Foundation’s weekly chapter reprint series, this article originally appeared in Steadfast in Defense of Faith: Essays in Honor of Daniel C. Peterson, edited by Shirley Ricks, Stephen D. Ricks, and Louis Midgley. For more information, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/steadfast-in-defense-of-faith/.... Read more

Two approaches to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young

Last updated on: January 13, 2026 at 9:43 pm By Dan Peterson

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“Generations yet unborn will dwell with peculiar delight upon the scenes that we have passed through, the privations that we have endured; the untiring zeal that we have manifested; the insurmountable difficulties that we have overcome in laying the foundation of a work that brought about the glory and blessings which they will realize.” (Joseph Smith, in Times and Seasons [published in Nauvoo], 2 May 1842, 776) Today in Nauvoo, we filmed in the Jonathan Browning Gun Shop, in... Read more

A further note on yesterday’s blog entry

Last updated on: January 12, 2026 at 10:21 pm By Dan Peterson

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As many others were, I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn (in my case, on Sunday evening) of the sudden and unexpected death of a young, talented defender of the Restoration: “In Memoriam: Sarah Allen.” This is a grievous loss, on every level and from every mortal perspective. Flying earlier today from Salt Lake City to St. Louis, I unexpectedly found myself seated next to John Thompson of Scripture Central, who was headed out with his sister for... Read more

Some thoughts on the character of Joseph Smith

Last updated on: January 12, 2026 at 11:15 pm By Dan Peterson

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The jumping-off point for our Elders Quorum meeting today, taught by our former bishop, was the late Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s address at the last October general conference, “And Now I See.” As always, it was a memorable talk, and I, along with hundreds of thousands if not millions of others, was moved by his fervent testimony. He used an incident from the ninth chapter of John as the centerpiece for his remarks, and I excerpt some of the... Read more

A statement on Greenland

Last updated on: January 11, 2026 at 11:44 am By Dan Peterson

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Test your historical knowledge! Can you identify the speakers behind the following five quotations? “I have an Article 2 [of the Constitution] where I have the right to do whatever I want as president.” “I’m not talking about money for Greenland yet. I might talk about that, but right now we are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not. . . . I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way.... Read more

“Early Anti-Mormonism in Great Britain, 1837–1842”

Last updated on: January 10, 2026 at 11:06 am By Dan Peterson

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This new article was published today in the Interpreter Foundation’s journal: “Early Anti-Mormonism in Great Britain, 1837–1842” (Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 67 [2025]: 371-400), written by Robin Douglas: Abstract: This article seeks to shed light on an under-researched subject: the more negative public responses to the first five years of the Latter-day Saint mission in Britain, from 1837 to 1842. Sufficient research attention has not been given, to date, to the full range of... Read more

Remembering Thomas W. Mackay

Last updated on: January 8, 2026 at 10:26 pm By Dan Peterson

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To some of my critics and its critics, the Interpreter Foundation provides endless inspiration for their conspiracy theories and for their attempts to explain the impenetrable mysteries that their imaginations have summoned into existence concerning it. Here are two recent instances, to which I respond with easily accessible materials from the current, ongoing issue of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship:: Why — cue portentous music — has the Interpreter Foundation had nothing to say about... Read more

Mark your calendar and watch your step!

Last updated on: January 9, 2026 at 4:04 pm By Dan Peterson

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I published a column in Meridian Magazine today. It’s possible that some readers may find it relatively unobjectionable: “Why Paul and Jesus Both Point Us Back to the Old Testament: The Old Testament is not an optional background for understanding the restoration. It’s a must.” An article was posted today on the Interpreter Foundation website that you might find of interest: Steadfast in Defense of Faith: “Joseph Smith and the Magical Contest,” written by the late George L. Mitton:... Read more

Heavenly and Earthly

Last updated on: January 6, 2026 at 10:32 pm By Dan Peterson

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First of all, I hope that everybody out there had a wonderful National Capitol Tourism Day. The sixth day of January is also Epiphany, the last of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas, for those who may care about such things. You were free to celebrate it, too, if you chose do so. I would like to call your attention to Emmaus Road Media, which is run by good friends of mine. They have done, and are doing, some... Read more

Of Potatoes, Ottomans, and the Irish

Last updated on: January 6, 2026 at 9:28 am By Dan Peterson

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My wife and I had a very useful meeting this morning with our friends at Red Brick Film Works with regard to the Interpreter Foundation’s forthcoming series of short Becoming Brigham docudramas. I’m very excited about this project. On Monday, 26 January, we will begin to release an online episode from it each and every week. Forty episodes are already pretty much complete. It’s possible that the number of episodes will eventually reach into the mid-70s — which means... Read more

Who walked with God and was taken to heaven without dying?