Church Historian: Here’s How I Approach Complex Church History - Dr. Steven C. Harper E0020

If you, or someone you love, has struggled to reconcile complex church history, join us in our conversation with Dr. Steven C Harper. Exploring the mystery of multiple First Vision accounts, Stephen Jones sits down with BYU Professor Dr. Steven Harper, a renowned historian and expert on Latter-day Saint history. They unravel the reasons behind the discrepancies and shed light on the broader implications for faith and history, guiding us toward a deeper understanding of this foundational event. Credits: Hosted by Stephen Jones Written and Produced by Stephen Jones Edited and Produced by Skyler Sorensen “Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones” is a Scripture Central original production. Help us reach more people. Donate to Scripture Central: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfec... Subscribe to Scripture Central's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ @scripturecentralofficial ---- CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:58 - Personal Experience with Disruptive History 00:06:30 - The Importance of Trust and the Challenge of Discerning Truth 00:10:26 - Approaching Troubling History and Thinking Fast and Slow 00:14:40 - Dealing with Contrary Information and the Role of Knowledge in Faith 00:16:59 - The Importance of Expectations in Learning and the Need for Context and Patience 00:20:59 - The Danger of Assumptions 00:23:52 - The Consequences of Ignoring Critical Thinking, the Importance of Faith, and the Role of Jesus Christ in Faith Crisis 00:28:29 - Different Approaches to Faith, Rationality, and Spirituality in Knowing 00:33:02 - Understanding Assumptions, Mental Health, and the Importance of Slowing Down 00:38:27 - Receiving Revelation 00:43:07 - The Doctrine of Christ, Repentance, and Conflict between Beliefs and Behavior 00:46:48 - Repentance, Rationalization, and the Role of Faith in Reconciling Dissonance 00:50:28 - The Importance of Scripture and Approaching Challenging History with Faith 00:55:33 - The Hermeneutics of Trust and Suspicion, and Interpreting the First Vision Accounts 01:00:42 - Interpreting Facts with Bias, Humility, and Diligence 01:03:16 - Challenging Assumptions in the First Vision Accounts 01:07:34 - Projecting Personal Assumptions, Calling of Joseph Smith 01:16:45 - Revelation and the Role of God in Different Faiths 01:20:38 - Interpreting the First Vision Accounts, Nature of God, and Spiritual Preparedness 01:32:45 - Understanding Covenants 01:39:00 - Role of Christ and Closing Thoughts ------ Get help answering some of life's most challenging questions with Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones. This @scripturecentralofficial original series offers practical insights and ways to navigate life's challenges and heaviest questions. -- 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications to catch the latest Let's Get Real episodes. Join us on our journey toward helping you and others connect with God to find answers to life's heaviest questions and challenges. --- Disclaimer: THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CREATORS AND GUESTS ALONE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF SCRIPTURE CENTRAL OR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.