The Interpreter Foundation Podcast

John Wilson continues his conversation with historian Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat. They explore Brigham Young’s deep, unwavering loyalty to Joseph Smith and how it shaped his life and leadership. The discussion highlights how Brigham wrestled with some of Joseph’s most radical doctrines, such as the three degrees of glory, baptism for the dead, and plural marriage. Even when these teachings conflicted with his previous beliefs, Brigham ultimately chose to accept them because they came through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 14: The Prophet’s Shadow first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In this episode of Conversations with Interpreter, Dr. Kent Jackson, Emeritus Professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU, looks at the translation of Genesis 4:15. Dr. Jackson has published his own translation of Genesis, which gave him important insights into the biblical text. He points out that the translation is the King James Version of the Bible is misleading in this verse and that by translating the verse differently, a clearer understanding observes. Bible readers since Late Antiquity have wrestled with this verse, but Dr. Jackson argues that it is actually straightforward and the KJV reference to a “mark” on Cain should be understood as a “sign” for Cain. We also discuss Bible translations and the value in modern Bible translations. Kent Jackson’s article was recently published in The post Conversations with Interpreter: Kent Jackson — The Lord Gave Cain a Sign first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Based on Lehi’s teachings in 2 Nephi 2, many Latter-day Saints conclude that it was necessary for Adam and Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit to acquire the ability to have children. While this appears to be a straightforward reading of the text, it sets up the dilemma of conflicting commandments—obedience to one of the two commandments they were given in the Garden of Eden would require that they disobey the other. In this article, the author argues that the larger rhetorical context presents a different framework in which these teachings may be read—one that does not raise this dilemma. Lehi presents his teachings on the consequences of the Fall in two parallel chiasms. The rhetorical links within and between these chiasms (and with the other sections of Lehi’s teachings) suggest that God’s purposes for mankind may not have been frustrated if Adam and Eve had obeyed him. While their Fall was likely inevitable, it may not have been a required element in God’s eternal plan for his children. Rather, it might have been something he expected and for which he prepared. The post A New Reading of Lehi: A Rhetorical Context for Understanding His Teachings about the Fall of Adam and Eve first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the April 24, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson interviews his guest Spencer Kraus about his writings for the Interpreter Foundation Journal and conferences, the mentorship he received and his personal experience as a young and developing scholar. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — April 24, 2026: Spencer Kraus first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In this episode the hosts explore the final days of Joseph Smith’s life and how those events shaped both Emma Smith and Brigham Young. The episode also examines the decisions Brigham Young and the Twelve made after the martyrdom. With mobs threatening Nauvoo, the brethren chose to focus on finishing the temple while preparing to go west. John Wilson interviews Church historian Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat who contrasts Joseph Smith’s passionate, dramatic personality and conversion experiences with Brigham Young’s more gradual, deliberate path to faith, and points out that once Brigham was converted, he never looked back. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 13: Joseph, Joseph, Joseph! first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In this episode of Conversations with Interpreter, Jonathon Riley discusses his presentation and publication about Hebraisms in the Book of Moses. There has been a lot of discussion over the years about Hebraisms in the Book of Mormon, but Dr. Riley looks at the rich possibilities in thinking about the possibilities of an underlying Hebrew text for parts of the Book of Moses. The Book of Moses is an extract of Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the biblical book of Genesis, which makes it somewhat more complicated to look at, because not all JST changes are doing the same thing. However, Dr. Riley walks us through places where we can see a Hebrew substrate in the Book of Moses and shows ways in which this can enhance readers understanding of our scriptures. The post Conversations with Interpreter: Jonathon Riley — Hebraisms in the Book of Moses first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Many are familiar with the so-called gamma marks as they are portrayed on early medieval mosaics in Ravenna and Rome. They appear as right-angle marks, usually with toothed ends, or in a shape like a capital H on the corners of angels’ and worthies’ robes or mosaics depicting textiles such as altar cloths and […] The post Gamma Marks: Recent Works Relevant to Their Study first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the April 16, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Martin Tanner discusses the closeness of those beyond the veil: angels, deceased lowed ones, and miracles. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — April 16, 2026: The Closeness of Those Beyond the Veil first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Our hosts return to Nauvoo to explore the tragic events of June 1844 leading up to Joseph Smith’s martyrdom. John Wilson interviews local historian Joseph Johnston, who explains how these tensions escalated into calls for violence. Meanwhile, Camrey and Dan visit the Mansion House to discuss Joseph and Emma Smith’s relationship and their heart-wrenching final days, as well as to delve into Joseph’s painful decision to return to Nauvoo—knowing it likely would mean his death. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 12: Deep Waters first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In this episode of Conversations with Interpreter, John E. Cochran II and Joseph Cochran explore the societal and cultural changes that seem to have allowed the Lamanites to be receptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Cochrans lay out their argument in an article entitled, “From Wilderness to Covenant Threshold: Land, Literacy, and Religious Readiness in the Book of Mormon,” published in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. In this episode, they observe that the descriptions of Lamanites in early parts of the Book of Mormon do not always coincide with what the sons of Mosiah find in their missionary journey. They argue that it is the language and culture brought by Amulon and the wicked priests actually helped prepare the Lamanites for the gospel of Jesus Christ, showing how God prepares people in ways that are sometimes different from what we expect. God wants all of his people to return to him and he is constantly finding ways to prepare people, including cultural and societal changes. The post Conversations with Interpreter: John Cochran II and Joseph Cochran — Covenant Thresholds first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the April 9, 2026, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson and his guest Mark Johnson review Moses literature and sources for study as well as Interpreter resources on Moses. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — April 9, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In this episode our hosts dive deeper into Brigham Young’s dramatic first meeting with the Prophet Joseph Smith, and highlight a surprising detail: Brigham was not immediately welcomed into Joseph’s inner circle or invited to stay in Kirtland. Our hosts also explore Brigham’s remarkable humility, obedience, and his lifelong, deeply personal devotion to Joseph. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 11: In Search of a Prophet first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

This episode features Dr. Daniel C. Peterson, professor emeritus and president of the Interpreter Foundation. Dr. Peterson discusses the exciting new web series Becoming Brigham, which presents a fuller picture of the person and ministry of Brigham Young than is sometimes presented in our broader discourse. Although definitely a product of the Nineteenth Century, the historical evidence shows that Brigham Young was not the authoritarian leader of popular imagination. In the podcast, Dr. Peterson shares some of his favorite stories about President Young that give a different perspective on him, including on issues of race and plural marriage. This episode serves as a taste of what is available to watchers of Becoming Brigham. The post Conversations with Interpreter: Daniel Peterson and Becoming Brigham first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Abstract: Easter should be a feast for all our senses. Early Christians recounted the events between Christ’s death and Resurrection with joy, and much in their accounts is familiar to us. Doctrine and Covenants 138 describes and celebrates Christ’s visit to the world of the spirits between his death and Resurrection. As this revelation becomes […] The post Easter and Doctrine and Covenants 138: Our Harrowing of Hell, Our Descensus Christi ad Inferos, Our Anastasis first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the April 2, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Martin Tanner is joined by Stanford Carmack to discuss the language of the Book of Mormon. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — April 2, 2026: Stanford Carmack and the language of the Book of Mormon first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

This episode contrasts historical manifestations (speaking and singing in unknown languages) with modern Latter-day Saint experiences, especially missionaries seeking the gift to learn and teach in foreign languages. Our hosts dive into Doctrine and Covenants 46, where Joseph Smith taught that spiritual gifts should be sought earnestly but used for the right reasons. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 10: Gifts and Prophecies – Part One first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

For this episode we talk with Matthew L. Bowen about his article “Upon All the Nations”: The gôyim in Nephi’s Rendition of Isaiah 2 (2 Nephi 12) in Literary Context.” Dr. Bowen discusses places where Nephi’s version of Isaiah 2, preserved in 2 Nephi 12, differs from Isaiah in the received Hebrew. He argues that this reflects Nephi’s focus on all nations and desire to spread the gospel message to everyone, everywhere. This strongly reflects the vision of the Book of Mormon as a book to all nations and also gives readers of the Book of Mormon cause to reflect on the great mercy of Jesus Christ. One of Nephi’s primary messages is that the redemption and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is available to all of humanity, showing a wideness of focus that reflects God’s love for his children. The post Conversations with Interpreter: Matthew Bowen and Upon All Nations: Nephi and Isaiah on the Nations first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

In the March 26, 2026 episode of The Interpreter Insights Podcast, our host Terry Hutchinson and his guest Kevin Christensen discuss Taylor Halvorson's 2023 Interpreter Article about Nephi emulating Moses and not David (https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/nephi-wanted-to-be-a-prophet-like-moses-not-a-king-like-david) and the various theories on the Deuteronomist school in LDS letters. The post Interpreter Insights Podcast — March 26, 2026 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Sometimes humble settings and ordinary people set the stage for extraordinary spiritual experiences. While discussing Brigham Young’s surprising interactions with the prophet Joseph Smith, our hosts explore the historic Newell K. Whitney store. This original 1830s building became far more than a community store. It served as the Church’s headquarters, Joseph and Emma’s home, and the setting for the School of the Prophets. The post Becoming Brigham Episode 9: Did Brigham really have the Gift of Tongues when he first met Joseph Smith? first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.

Jeffrey M. Bradshaw discusses two new commentaries on the life and ministry of Abraham, Sarah, and their families. The first of these books is part of his commentary series on Genesis, In God’s Image and Likeness, written with co-authors (and Conversations with Interpreter guests) Matthew Bowen and John Thompson. The second book is a shorter version called Look unto Abraham and Sarah. In this episode, Dr. Bradshaw explores the advantage of a commentary format for Latter-day Saints, pointing ways in which this format can help us become richer readers of the scriptures. He also discusses how the Abrahamic Covenant impacts women and men in our desires to become more like God and to follow the covenant example of not only Patriarchs like Abraham, but also Matriarchs like Sarah and Hagar. The post Conversations with Interpreter: Jeff Bradshaw and Two New Books on Abraham and Sarah first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.