The Issues Class an Interview w/ Ben Diamond

In today's interview, we are joined by Robert Boylan for a discussion on Sola Scriptura. Robert's blog: scripturalmormonism.blogspot.com Robert's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScripturalMormonism Robert's book on Sola Scriptura: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Scripture-Alone-Latter-day-Refutation/dp/1548311804 Also, make sure to check out https://mormonr.org/ For an attempt to understand Sola Scriptura from a protestant perspective: https://www.amazon.com/Shape-Sola-Scriptura-Keith-Mathison/dp/1885767749

In today's interview we are joined by BJ Spurlock. BJ Spurlock runs a blog called, "Things As They Really Are." In today's interview we discuss an article he wrote a few years ago called, "The Holy Ghost: Culture Vs Verity, Sincerity Vs Certitude." We talk about some of the cultural myths relating to the spirit and give an explanation of the true doctrine. To read this blog article, check out the link below: - https://www.thingsastheyreallyare.com/2018/12/the-holy-ghost-culture-vs-verity.html

In today's interview we are joined by Jacob Hansen. Jacob Hansen is the host of the popular YouTube channel, "Thoughtful Faith." In today's interview we talk about Jacob's faith remodeling (including the three levels of the faith discussion), how to sustain fallible leaders (who in theory have the potential to at times be wrong), and why institutional integrity matters. For a deeper look into Jacob's faith remodeling and the three levels of the faith discussion, check out the videos below: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_SB33fHXms - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpOMVxvU3Vo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD4qujGZiLw For a quick video on Jacob's collective witness model and how it relates to the issue of prophetic fallibility check out this video: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omi6rKpWfoQ

In today's interview we are joined by one of the foremost scholars in the church, Terryl Givens. Terryl Givens is the author or coauthor of 23 books and is a senior research fellow at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute of Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University. In this interview we discuss Terryl's journey as a Latter-day Saint, the topic of faith crisis, doctrines he finds particularly beautiful, and his view on what faith is. Use this link: https://www.terrylgivens.com/books to check out the books that he has written.

Today we are joined by Steven Harper for a discussion on the Law of Consecration. If you have ever asked yourself questions about the Law of Concecration such as: what exactly is it?—are we living it fully today or will that not happen until the Millennium?—what is the difference between it and the United Order?—or what does living it look like today? than this is the interview for you. For deeper look into the Law of Consecration make sure to check out Steven's book, "Let's Talk about the Law of Consecration" which can be found at Deseret Book or Amazon. https://deseretbook.com/p/let-s-talk-about-the-law-of-consecration?variant_id=199275-paperback

Today we are joined by Sky Sorensen. Sky shares part of his journey as a gay Latter-day Saint and talks about a podcast he started called, "Sit Down with Sky & Preston." In his podcast they "approach common, controversial topics such as LGBTQ issues, sex and intimacy, and church history in a tactful, loving, but firm way." To follow them on Facebook: Sit Down with Sky and Preston | Facebook To follow them on Twitter: Sit Down with Sky & Preston (@sitdownwithsky) / Twitter To follow them on Instagram: Sit Down With Sky & Preston (@sitdownwithsky) • Instagram photos and videos To check out the book that Preston wrote: This Boy and His Mother: Healing from Trauma as a Gay Latter-day Saint: Jenkins, Preston, Jenkins, Cheri, Holland, David: 9798838191045: Amazon.com: Books

Today we are joined by Brett McDonald for a discussion on Masonry and its relationship with the Endowment. We discuss some of the history of the Masons, Joseph Smith's relationship with Masonry, why some critics claim Joseph got the Endowment from the Masons and some of the ancient evidence in favor of the Endowment. *Note that because of their sacred nature, some similarities between the Endowment and Masonry are not discussed. For a deeper look into this topic check out the below two videos from Brett's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGRwxUub4XI&t=18s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBqPV7JKt4g

Today we are joined by Ugo Perego for a discussion on the issue of DNA Studies and the Book of Mormon. Ugo A. Perego received a BS and a MS in Health Sciences from Brigham Young University and a PhD in Genetics and Biomolecular Sciences from the University of Pavia (Pavia, Italy) under the mentorship of Professor Antonio Torroni. During the past decade, he has given nearly 200 lectures on DNA topics relating to population migrations, ancestry, forensics, and history (including LDS history). To learn more about this topic check out the link below: Book of Mormon and DNA Studies (churchofjesuschrist.org)

Today we are joined by Kerry Muhlestein for a discussion on the Book of Abraham's translation process. We discuss some of the historical background, some of the assumptions we bring forth, what we know and don't know, and some different translation theories. For a deeper look, check out Kerry's new book, "Let's Talk about the Book of Abraham:" https://deseretbook.com/p/lets-talk-about-the-book-of-abraham-ppr?variant_id=196208-paperback To check out Kerry's Bio: https://religion.byu.edu/directory/kerry-muhlestein

Today we are joined by Tember Harward. In this interview, Tember shares his journey as a Latter-day Saint with Same-Sex Attraction. To learn more about the organization that Tember started check out: https://www.facebook.com/BeaconSSA