Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones

Ben Hancock, podcast producer and host of For All the Saints, shares stories from working with top shows and navigating media perceptions of Latter-day Saints. He contrasts elite dismissal with a surprising youth faith revival in the UK. Conversations cover rising church attendance, why young people are returning to belief, and how everyday acts and storytelling are changing minds.

Temple changes don’t just appear overnight. They are often preceded by thoughtful conversations in leadership councils where perspectives are shared and revelation is sought. In this episode of Let’s Get Real, former Relief Society General President Jean B. Bingham offers a rare glimpse into those councils, including discussions that helped refine temple language to reduce misunderstandings and better reflect gospel truths. She also shares what it was like to work with apostles and prophets, and how revelation unfolds through careful deliberation, unity, and spiritual insight. The conversation explores how Church leaders, including President Dallin H. Oaks, have emphasized the value of women and helped deepen understanding of priesthood power in the lives of all covenant keepers. This episode offers a thoughtful look at how the Lord leads His Church, how sacred decisions are made, and why the voices and contributions of women matter.

Don Bradley, Latter-day Saint historian who studies early Mormon scripture, unpacks Abraham 1. He explores Abraham’s motives, the attempted human sacrifice, and why the phrase “cursed as pertaining to the priesthood” may have been misread. Hear recontextualization of Joseph Smith’s view, Kirtland-era evidence, and how the passage reshapes covenant and prophetic patterns.

The prophet Brigham Young did not become controversial because he was simple. He became controversial because we stopped allowing complex people from the past to be understood as human beings. In this conversation, Dr. Dan Peterson, noted Latter-day Saint scholar and historian, helps us follow one question from beginning to end: What do we lose morally, culturally, and spiritually when we replace understanding with judgment? Brigham Young is often reduced to labels. Authoritarian. Racist. The “fall guy.” A symbol to argue over. But history is rarely that tidy. As the discussion unfolds, Brigham shifts from being a lightning rod in modern debates to a real human life shaped by faith, pressure, frontier leadership, blind spots, loyalty to Joseph Smith, and deep devotion to building Zion. But this conversation is not only about Brigham Young. It is about us. About how we judge. About how we interpret the past, and what's lost when we're quicker to judge than to understand.

Don Bradley, a religious scholar and author, delves into the hidden key to understanding the Bible through Moses 1. He discusses how identity shapes scripture interpretation, emphasizing that knowing who you are is crucial before exploring commandments. The conversation reveals how a checklist view of faith can lead to burnout, highlighting the significance of a loving relationship with God. Bradley also explores the implications of God’s affirmations and how recognizing this paternal framework can transform our spiritual practice.

Blake Erickson, an entrepreneur and growth strategist, explores the transformative power of ambitious goals in this conversation. He argues that true miracles manifest when we set goals beyond our own abilities, allowing us to rely on divine help. Blake shares personal stories detailing how setting audacious goals reshaped his daily choices and invites listeners to embrace faith as a dynamic process. He emphasizes surrounding oneself with big thinkers and recognizing everyday miracles, urging everyone to align their ambitions with a higher purpose.

Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, a leader in the family history initiatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, discusses the unexpected global appeal of FamilySearch. He reveals that 98% of users are not Latter-day Saints, driven instead by a deep human connection. The conversation delves into how AI and global archives are reshaping family identity and preserving memories. Hamilton also highlights innovative projects linking the African diaspora with their roots and the urgent need for record preservation amidst global crises. Family narratives are shown to build resilience, echoing a universal longing for identity.

Don Bradley, a historian focused on Latter-day Saint history, shares his insights on the temple's connection to scripture and Christ. He discusses how Kirtland's dedication and rituals mirror significant biblical events, including parallels to Palm Sunday and transfiguration. Bradley candidly reflects on his journey through doubt and his return to faith, emphasizing the importance of wearing Christ's name and living covenants daily. This thoughtful dialogue offers a deeper understanding of temple practices and personal transformation.

Dr. Paul J. Fields, a statistician and stylometry expert, joins to dissect the authorship of Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants. He explains how stylometry quantifies writing style, revealing distinct patterns that separate Joseph Smith’s revelations from those of others. Their discussion covers historical examples, the unique voices in the Book of Mormon, and intriguing evidence that suggests Joseph's voice evolved over time. Fields shares striking findings that challenge prevailing assumptions about the text's authorship, impacting both scholarship and personal faith.

In this conversation with Don Bradley, a Latter-day Saint historian who made a remarkable return to faith, listeners explore the surprising family connection between President Dallin H. Oaks and Martin Harris. Don reveals Martin's early revelations and ties them to the Feast of Tabernacles, showcasing a divine thread in Church history. They discuss Martin's pivotal role in the Book of Mormon's translation and how the patterns of witness from then resonate in Oaks's leadership today, illustrating that the Restoration story continues to unfold.