Category: Podcast

The Book of Mormon: Part 34 (Helaman chapters 7-16)

This episode is part 34 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon. This episode covers chapters 7-16 of the book of Helaman. The Nephites continue to get more wicked as the Lamanites remain largely righteous. Nephi, son of Helaman, Jr. laments and attracts a crowd. He preaches and the judges reject him. He prophesies several things that causes both converts and opponents. Samuel the Lamanite also prophesies the signs of Christ’s birth and death that the Nephites and Lamanites would see. As he escapes harm, some people convert and others harden. As the birth of Christ nears, angels bring messages, people preach, and others doubt. Further research: Book of Mormon in video Joseph Smith: The

Sunday School lesson: Did Jesus die on a cross or a stake?

Here is the Sunday School lesson I taught this Sunday. Jehovah’s Witnesses argue that Jesus died on an upright stake with no crossbeam. His hands were nailed together above his head. This is because the Greek words stauros and xulon only mean one piece of timber. They’re actually right about what those words literally mean. Does that mean Jesus didn’t die on a cross? Let’s look at some evidence from the Bible and historical works before Constantine that strongly suggest a cross beam. Sources Cited: “Did Jesus Die on a Cross?” JW.org. New Bible Dictionary, 3rd ed., s.v. “Cross, Crucifixion” (pp. 245-246). The Imperial Bible-Dictionary, vol. 1., s.v. “Cross.” E. W. Bullinger, The Companion Bible, Appendix 162 (“The Cross and

The Book of Mormon: Part 33 (Helaman chapters 1-6)

This episode is part 33 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon. This episode covers chapters 1-6 of the book of Helaman. After Pahoran passes away, three of his sons campaign for judge. Kishkumen, a secret assassin causes turmoil in the government. The Lamanites take over most of the land. The Nephites manage to recover half of it. Helaman the Younger becomes judge and his servant thwarts an attempt to assassinate him. Missions work from his two sons Nephi and Lehi converts many Nephites, but especially Lamanites. The Lamanites give the Nephites all their land back. Nephi and Lehi are imprisoned and a miracle there causes a revival over the whole land. The revival lasts

The Book of Mormon: Part 32 (Alma chapters 59-63)

This episode is part 32 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon. This episode covers chapters 59-63 of the book of Alma. Captain Moroni wrote to Pahoran, judge of Zarahemla to accuse him of neglecting his duties. Pahoran wrote back to explain that he’s been backed into a corner and the king-men faction took over the government. The new king of Zarahemla made a deal with the king of the Lamanites to let them take over everything outside Zarahemla. Moroni came to Pahoran’s aid and helped him settle the civil problem. He could then get proper supplies and soldiers for the Nephite armies to reclaim captured cities. Eventually, the Nephites had a period of peace

The Book of Mormon: Part 31 (Alma chapters 52-58)

This episode is part 31 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon. This episode covers chapters 52-58 of the book of Alma. When the Lamanites realized their king Amalickiah was dead, they retreated to Mulek. They appointed Ammoron, Amalickiah’s brother, to be the new king. Two thousand Ammonites took an oath to fight for liberty and made Helaman their captain. Moroni and Ammoron tried to negotiate by letters, but they only make each other angry. Captain Moroni is determined to retake fortified Nephite cities that the Lamanites captured. The Nephites managed to retake several cities through various military strategies. When Helaman badly needed reinforcements and supplies from Zarahemla, he got very little. During these excursions

The Risen Jesus vs. the raised Isa of Islam

Happy Resurrection Day! For this year’s Easter episode I will compare the Jesus of the Bible to the Isa (Jesus) of the Quran. Surah 4:157-158 says that Jesus wasn’t crucified or killed but everyone thought that happened somehow. Rather, Allah raised Jesus to heaven. Jesus in Islam will eventually return for some end-times events. After reigning as a king, he will die of natural causes. The risen Jesus of the Bible is infinitely better than the raised Isa of the Quran. Sources cited: Surah An-Nisa Ayat 157 (4:157 Quran) With Tafsir, MyIslam.org. Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

The Book of Mormon: Part 30 (Alma chapters 47-51)

Thisepisodeispart30inaseriesgoingthroughthestoryoftheBookofMormon. Thisepisodecoverschapters47-51ofthebookofAlma.ANephiterebelnamedAmalickiahwithalustforpowertriesbutfailstobecomekingofZarahemla.HethenjoinedtheLamanitesandworkedhiswaythroughfraudtobecomethekingoftheLamanites.HethenledwarcampaignstoattackNephitecities. CaptainMoroniskillfullyfortifiedcities,deterringLamaniteattacksandprovidingafewyearsofpeaceandprosperity.Eventually,AmalickiahledalargearmyandsuccessfullytookoversomeNephitecities.However,onenight,aNephitecaptainexecutedastealthmissiononAmalickiahwhilethearmiesslept. Referencescited: RobertBoylan,”NotesonGreeknamesintheBookofMormon,”ScripturalMormonism,October17,2014. Furtherresearch: BookofMormoninvideo JosephSmith:TheProphetoftheRestoration TheBookofMormononline:Alma[chapters47,48,49,50,51] HavequestionsforTruthspresso?Contactus!

Sunday School Lesson: It’s Time To Grow Up! (Hebrews 6:1-3)

This is a Sunday School lesson I planned for this Sunday. Our life group class at church is studying the epistle to the Hebrews. Hebrews 6:1-3 continues from the criticism in chapter 5 that some of the readers were perpetually immature. The writer admonishes to become mature by not laying foundational principles of the doctrine of Christ over and over again. These six doctrines are really three pairs. They all are something that the old covenant taught that the new covenant adapts, expands, or fulfills the type. We value your feedback! Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

Does the Book of 1 Enoch Belong in the Bible? (part 2)

This episode is part 2 of 2 addressing a video from Dan McClellan called “Was 1 Enoch considered inspired scripture?“ Dan McClellan claims to be a Latter-day Saint, although his views don’t reflect those of typical Mormons. He has impressive credentials and he uses them to make Tiktok and YouTube videos that promote a deconstructionist view of Scripture under the guise of “Data > dogma.” He also promotes leftist political ideas that are uniformly Marxist and identity politics. This episode reviews a bit then looks at McClellan’s arguments for why 1 Enoch is behind the New Testament doctrines of demons and hell. We look at possible explanations for Jude 1:14-15 quoting 1 Enoch 1:9. Then, we examine McClellan’s claim that

Does the Book of 1 Enoch Belong in the Bible? (part 1)

This episode is part 1 of 2 addressing a video from Dan McClellan called “Was 1 Enoch considered inspired scripture?“ Dan McClellan claims to be a Latter-day Saint, although his views don’t reflect those of typical Mormons. He has impressive credentials and he uses them to make Tiktok and YouTube videos that promote a deconstructionist view of Scripture under the guise of “Data > dogma.” He also promotes leftist political ideas that are uniformly Marxist and identity politics. This episode looks at McClellan’s argument that the canon was not certain in the first century A.D. and that Josephus didn’t clarify which books were in the 22 books he regarded as Scripture. He argues that 1 Enoch may have been considered