Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones Joseph Smith Expert: "My Biggest Discovery Happened While Out of The Church" | Don Bradley E0039
Aug 14, 2025
In this conversation, Don Bradley, a Joseph Smith expert and returned faithful Latter-day Saint, dives into his profound discoveries about Joseph's character and choices. He shares insights from Joseph's childhood surgery, revealing the deep-seated reasons behind his refusal of alcohol. Don also reflects on his personal journey of loss, connecting it with Joseph's experiences as a father. The discussion offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of faith and history, while exploring themes of love, loss, and the human connections that shape our understanding of historical figures.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
The Brutal Childhood Surgery
- Lucy Mack Smith recounts seven‑year‑old Joseph screaming in agony as surgeons drilled and removed bone without anesthetic.
- He repeatedly insisted his mother leave and his father hold him during the operation to endure the pain.
Personal Mirror Intensified Discovery
- Don Bradley relates his own experience as a father with a seven‑year son when he first learned the surgery details.
- That personal perspective intensified his emotional conviction about Joseph's childhood actions.
Alcohol Use Was The Cultural Norm
- Early 19th‑century America had extremely high per‑capita alcohol consumption, far above modern averages.
- That cultural norm makes Joseph Jr.'s refusal during surgery more striking and historically meaningful.
