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E286: From Latter-Day Saints to Communion of Saints w/ Isaac Hess | Lila Rose Show

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Jan 23, 2026

Guest

Isaac Hess

Isaac Hess is a former Latter-day Saint who converted to Catholicism and now works as a software engineer. He delves into his upbringing in a devout Mormon family and the formative experiences of his two-year mission. Exploring the complexities of Joseph Smith's life and LDS history, he discusses his internal struggles with faith and his eventual discovery of early Christianity. Isaac shares insights on the significance of papal authority in his conversion, and he reflects on how his spiritual journey has reshaped his family's dynamics and enriched his faith.

02:38:23

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Transcript

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Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

From Church-Centered To Christ-Centered Faith

Encountering ancient Christian tradition gave Isaac confidence he could still follow Christ outside Mormon institutional claims.
He realized his faith could shift from institutional trust to faith centered on Jesus himself.

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ADVICE

Decide If You Want To Know The Truth

Ask yourself honestly: if your belief were false, would you want to know?
Let truth-seeking include investigation, not only emotional consolation.

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ADVICE

Don't Dismiss All Critical Research

Avoid censoring all critical materials; context and careful study beat reflexive prohibition.
Evaluate sources and responses from both faith communities before reaching conclusions.

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Raised in a Devout Mormon Family

01:13 • 4min

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Mission Experience and Daily Routine

05:24 • 16min

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Mormon View of the Great Apostasy

Joseph Smith Origin Story

24:35 • 11min

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Historical Biographies of Joseph Smith

36:04 • 1min

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Treasure Digging and Seer Stones

37:30 • 5min

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How I Viewed Joseph Smith Growing Up

42:02 • 2min

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Polygamy: Context and Controversy

43:36 • 13min

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Details of Smith's Plural Marriages

56:34 • 5min

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Conflict, Press, and Smith's Death

Spiritual Experiences as a Latter-day Saint

01:12:52 • 10min

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Questioning, Research, and Rough Stone Rolling

01:23:02 • 13min

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Discovering Ancient Christianity

01:36:24 • 23min

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Choosing Between Orthodoxy and Catholicism

01:59:21 • 17min

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Why the Papacy Became Decisive

02:16:24 • 3min

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Converting to Catholicism

02:19:29 • 22sec

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Why LDS Baptisms Are Not Recognized

02:19:51 • 10min

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Are Mormons Christians? A Nuanced Answer

02:29:46 • 7min

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Family, Reception, and Life as a Catholic

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Orthodox Study Bible

St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology

Various Orthodox Clergy and Scholars

The Orthodox Study Bible is the first full-length study Bible in English to present the Bible from the ancient Christian perspective of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It uses the Septuagint for the Old Testament, translated by St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology, and the New King James Version for the New Testament. The Bible includes commentary drawn from the early Church Fathers, liturgical readings, icons, maps, book introductions, and a subject index. It also addresses various aspects of the Orthodox faith and provides guidance on liturgical practices and the biblical roots of Orthodox Christianity.

#4556

• Mentioned in 11 episodes

Joseph Smith, The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet

John Turner

This biography of Joseph Smith examines the life of the Mormon prophet, from his humble beginnings to his rise as a religious leader and his eventual death. It explores the influences that shaped his beliefs, the controversies that surrounded his teachings, and the impact he had on the development of Mormonism. The book also examines the social and political context in which Smith lived, and the challenges he faced as he sought to establish a new religious movement. It also delves into his complex personality, exploring his strengths and weaknesses, his charisma and his flaws. Turner's biography is a comprehensive and nuanced account of one of the most fascinating and controversial figures in American religious history.

#7964

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

The Early Church Was the Catholic Church

Joe Heschmeier

Joe Heschmeier's "The Early Church Was the Catholic Church" delves into the historical records of the first two centuries of Christianity. The book meticulously examines the practices, beliefs, and structures of the early Church, providing evidence to support the claim that the early Church was indeed Catholic. Heschmeier presents a compelling case by analyzing primary sources and refuting common misconceptions. The book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the historical development of the Catholic faith. It challenges common narratives and offers a fresh perspective on the origins of Catholicism.

#2849

• Mentioned in 16 episodes

Rough Stone Rolling

A Biography of Joseph Smith

Richard Bushman

Richard Lyman Bushman's "Rough Stone Rolling" offers a detailed and insightful biography of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book delves into Smith's life, exploring his religious experiences, his leadership of the early church, and the controversies surrounding his life and teachings. Bushman presents a balanced and nuanced portrayal of Smith, acknowledging both his strengths and weaknesses. The book is considered a significant contribution to the historical understanding of Mormonism and its founder. It challenges traditional narratives and encourages critical engagement with the historical record. Bushman's work has been praised for its scholarly rigor and its accessibility to a broad audience.

#7242

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

In Sacred Loneliness

Todd Compton

Todd Compton's "In Sacred Loneliness: The Untold Story of the Polygamy in the Early Mormon Church" offers a detailed account of Joseph Smith's plural marriages. The book delves into the lives of the women who were involved, providing insights into their experiences and perspectives. Compton's research draws on a wide range of historical sources, including personal journals, letters, and legal documents. The book challenges traditional narratives surrounding polygamy in the early Mormon Church, offering a more nuanced and complex understanding of this controversial practice. It raises important questions about power, gender, and the complexities of religious belief.

#47

• Mentioned in 256 episodes

The Book of Mormon

Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Mormon and Moroni

Joseph Smith

The Book of Mormon is a scripture that tells the story of a group of Hebrews who migrated from Jerusalem to the Americas around 600 BCE. It describes their history, including their division into two main groups: the Nephites and the Lamanites. The book emphasizes the appearance of Jesus Christ to these people after his resurrection, where he teaches them and establishes his church. It also discusses various doctrinal topics such as the fall of Adam and Eve, the nature of God, baptism, and the importance of faith and repentance. The book ends with Moroni's testimony and an invitation to readers to come unto Christ and be perfected in him.

Raised Mormon, Isaac found great consolation and experienced the love of Jesus Christ. After years of reading, talking, and studying, he began to see faith in a new light. Isaac Hess joins the show to discuss his faith journey and relationship to the Mormanism of his childhood, growing ever-deeper into the heart of Christ.

Reach out to Isaac: ldstocatholic@gmail.com

Follow his new Substack: isaachess.substack.com

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00:02:33 - Intro

00:03:09 - Mormon Baptism

00:06:20 - Growing up Mormon

00:15:04 - His Mormon Mission

00:21:08 - Where did the early church ‘go wrong’?

00:24:35 - Who was Joseph Smith?

00:36:07 - First Joseph Smith bio from non-LDS member

00:37:09 - Was Joseph Smith a prophet?

00:43:33 - Polygamy

00:56:13 - Joseph’s wives

01:09:34 - Spiritual Experiences as a Mormon?

01:18:13 - Discovering Traditional Christianity

01:23:46 - Getting challenged by his brother

01:32:49 - Historical Problems in Mormonism

01:36:14 - Joseph Smith vs King David

01:37:03 - How to interpret prophets

01:48:26 - Is Book of Mormon legit?

01:58:22 - Why Catholic instead of Orthodox?

02:03:55 - Early Church Disagreements

02:11:24 - Was the Great Schism justified?

02:15:33 - Journey into Catholicism

02:18:37 - Protestant vs Catholic baptism?

02:30:51 - Life as a Catholic

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