Given recent coverage of MMP in the news, including two interviews with historians of Mormonism, Skyler and Colin give their immediate reaction to what they see as PR-Mormonism obfuscating the point and purpose of the doctrine. With all due respect, these historians either should know better - or at least be interested in knowing better!Why would any LDS believe MMP, to begin with? Are there any historical and theological reasons to believe it? Do people believe it in spite of Mormonism, or because of Mormonism? Is it only extreme crazy-people and/or criminals who would believe it?Please note the correction below.To get the most out of this interview, one may consult these two interviews (at least the indicated time stamps) prior to hearing our discussion:"Are Chad and Lori Daybell's beliefs in line with LDS teachings? Religious expert explains." (East Idaho News); especially timestamp: 26:22-28:33"LDS Historian on Chad Daybell Beliefs" (Hidden True Crime); especially timestamp: 1:03:00-1:15:34Also, of interest, e.g.:Lori Vallow's cousin (who is himself a "faithful LDS", currently!) is also open to the doctrineAs well as the straw man of the doctrine presented by Melanie Gibb (1:01:15f)Sunstone Correction: Orson F. Whitney was bishop of the 18th Ward, not the 19th Ward. Also, I mentioned the Improvement Era as a source. I had conflated some sources in my memory and misstated this piece of evidence. The Improvement Era article in mind was “A Lesson from the Book of Job” in November 1918. The term is not here. The source that was in mind is from Orson’s Saturday Night Thoughts, in which he cites an author named Maeterlinck. He mentions how a play of his “inspired mind” was Mormon in its understanding. However, it is actually in a different play of Maeterlinck, The Mountain Path, that the term “expiations” was used. Given Orson F. Whitney’s own views, it is an interesting connection – though clearly not as direct as was stated in the episode. I apologize for the error. It is interesting to note that Orson cites Eliza R. Snow, who –in her works in their totality - are evidence of MMP, in both citations above. The hypocrisy of calling out historians on details while getting a few wrong myself is not lost on me. However, I hope these couple details don’t detract from the overall reaction toward this pattern of historian-minimization that I was so critical of in this episode.  

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