Episode 87.
The timing of this Bonus episode is auspicious given the recent debate regarding learning about the history of race in America, the book bans, and the current administration’s aim to eliminate the federal department of education. While each of these issues are complex and engage different issues, they share the matter of understanding our history – all of it. And our history leads into what we do today. As part of my ongoing encouragement to know each other’s faith and religion, Rick Bennett, host of the Gospel Tangents, a Mormon History podcast, has joined me to talk about the many splinter groups within the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints, otherwise known as the LDS church or the Mormons. Whatever you might think or know about this church, I encourage you to listen with an open mind and heart. Rick is a passionate researcher and brings humor and curiosity to his work.

Highlights:
· Mormon splinter groups.

· Joseph Smith: synchronizing the Old Testament and New Testament

· Religions are seen as cults at their beginning.

· Common miracles today.

· Studies on faith healings and the placebo effect.

· Succession, polygamy and theological disagreements.

· The LDS church as the “One True Church”.

Bio:
Rick Bennett is the host of the Gospel Tangents, a Mormon History podcast. He is an expert on various Mormon schismatic groups, presenting at the Mormon History Association, and other Mormon history groups. He is an academic authenticity advisor at Western Governors University and teaches math and statistics at Utah Valley University. Rick holds a Master of Statistics Degree from the University of Utah. He has worked as a research biostatistician in the fields of Dermatology and Traumatic Brian Injuries and works in the network television/cable T.V. industries as a sports statistician.

Social Media links for Rick:
Website – https://gospeltangents.com
YouTube – https://youtube.com/gospeltangents
Patreon – https://patreon.com/gospeltangents

Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon

Transcript on Buzzsprout

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.

Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/