This is what we need in social media as members of the church. This is genuine, spiritual strengthening, and very well put together.

I am not lds, AND i love the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith:) i really appreciated John Hilton and his take. He appears to me to be a sincere man.

I rarely comment on KZfaq. But this one HIT ME. I have a firm testimony of the Book of Mormon, both intellectually and spiritually. But without fail, The more I learn The more I believe. Thank you SO MUCH for making this channel and having these interviews. It has strengthened my faith and resolve.

As a reader of the Book of Mormon, I could always tell that there are different people writing but obviously this science backs it up.

I served a mission with (then Elder) Hilton back in the CDNM from 1996 to 1998. He’s the real deal.

I love the Book of Mormon! I joined the church about two years ago when I first met some missionaries and started to read it! I couldn’t deny the truth and I had to swallow my pride as I had been taught differently and realized most people don’t understand because they don’t ask God and listen to the words that were spoken and taught by Jesus in America! Is God so small that he could only be in Israel???? I believe also that the Torah is the true numeric language of God and neither Christian or Islam will or could exist without it! Learn Hebrew and interpret the Book of Mormon to Israel! They are forbidden to read the New Testament but we as Christian’s can still share The Book of Mormon that is the most perfect book ever written found on the American continent!

I love that his 11 year old son figured out the use of certain words. People need to understand that “fire and brimstone” is not literal.

I just started the episode and will watch to the end. But I definitely have to agree with the style of writing. If people would actually read the book before judging it they would see every writer has a different style. It's one thing that makes it so fascinating. John Hilton is one of our favorite speakers/teachers

The Book of Mormon only gets better with time and science/discovery. Scams ALWAYS age bad. The BoM started with about 229 anachronisms and currently there are 168 confirmed and about 61 partially or unconfirmed. This book is my modern day survival guide.

My Grandpa wrote "The Book of Mormon Key to Conversion". He was a professor of religion at BYU for years and a religion and history scholar. He wrote and co-wrote Church missionary discussions, church & institute literature and manuals, and several talks for the Apostles including for President Benson. He wrote his two most well-known talks. One about Pride and one about The Book of Mormon. I learned so much from him! He has hundreds of essays. The church has a lot of his works and Deseret Book owns some of it as well. Look up Glenn L. Pearson.

Thank you so much for doing this video with John Hilton! He’s my third cousin, by the way.

I’m about to board a plane ✈️ and I’ve got the podcast downloaded. Life is good and I’m happy to listen.

Having translated the Book of Mormon into Irish, I can testify to the accuracy of the word print studies. Even though Nephi and Jacob are brothers, they have completely different ways of speaking, not just in words used but in grammar, sentence structure, etc. It's clear in some places that even though the author is ostensibly writing (like Mormon, Nephi, Alma), it's clear during the translation process that they're quoting from another source, the language they're using is completely different in tone, grammar, and/or vocabulary.

This interview is a treasure trove!

I have never thought of considering that there were many different voices in The Book of Mormon. This is so interesting. My family were very active in the Methodist church when I was a child. We joined when I was 11 yrs.old. I remember the minister pounding his fist on the pulpit and shouting “hell, fire and brimstone”. I asked my mother why he was so angry at us. She always answered “he just cares about our souls and wants us to live with Jesus.” I was about 5 or 6yrs.old.

This is the first video I’ve seen from your channel. All I can say is WOW! How beautiful, inspiring, and testimony building. Thank you! And yes, I love the Book of Mormon!!!

Absolutely fascinating discussion! So much good information and detailing by John to break down how to see the separate voices and writers of the B of M. This validates what the Spirit has already born witness to for me, not that I feel a need to validate the Holy Ghost. He is the ultimate validator. Thanks so much for sharing this. Very enjoyable.

Fabulous episode. I really learned so much. Thank you so much.

This is one of the most PROFOUND podcasts I have ever listened to. On so many levels. I feel like my brain is connecting on so many levels. JUST WOW.. It is everything I believe and so much of what I have noticed or pondered.. especially at the end as you spoke of using the holy name of Jesus Christ more often and in holy ways. I work in the Manti temple. As I speak the ordinances, I have many times pondered the holy words of these ordinances. It has been impressed upon my name how very HOLY the names of God and Jesus Christ are as I repeat these ordinances. As I speak them, I say them with deep reverence. We are so blessed to be able to call upon our Father in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Thank you so much for all you have shared. I will be looking for your book. thank you so very much.

It's interesting that John mentions how Mormon talks about baptism unto repentance before 3rd Nephi but then after calls it baptism in the name of Christ. Could it also be that before Christ completed his mission the baptism was unto repentance but after his mission was complete then the baptism was unto him? Also I believe that the people were re-baptized into the new church which he formed.

This is such a wonderful discussion to be able to watch and listen to. Thank you so much for this! I have a spiritual witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, so this doesn't change anything for me, but it's so wonderful to see so much coming forward in these days that supports the Book of Mormon. It is truly a marvelous work and a wonder! Think of it ... if the Book of Mormon is what it purports to be, Joseph Smith has to be what he says he was! One of the first things said to young Joseph Smith in his earliest meetings with the Angel Moroni is that his name would be had for both good and evil throughout the world in the latter days. How true is that prophecy??!! Amazing ... the mocking words and lies of his detractors could not be louder or easier to find these days, yet there is now so much overwhelming evidence that Joseph Smith is either what he says he was, or he is the single greatest genius conman in the history of the world😂 And it's just not reasonable to believe that he made up and wrote this incredible, life-changing book, that has drawn millions of people closer to their Savior, and which has withstood the test of time and scientific analysis for the past 200 years. That he did this in just 65 days without any rewrites or significant changes, with so much incredible intricate detail and accuracy (like over 200 anachronisms as identified in his day, of which all but 17 have been proven accurate up to this day) is nothing short of a miracle. I have heard people over the years who are so convinced that Joseph Smith is a con, that the Book of Mormon is a fraud, i just wish that everyone everywhere would give this incredible book of scripture a real chance. Maybe it's well-thought-out conversations like this video that might help some of the critics rethink their positions and give it a chance. Thanks for all you're doing, this is great!

Alma LITERALLY MEANS SOUL in Spanish. And means 'virgin' in Hebrew, which might roots related to purity or soul. Alma is a common name in both spanish and hebrew. Maybe joseph smith learned spanish in that school he never attended? Or maybe... a prophet?

The Book of Mormon has to be the most analyzed, studied, picked apart book ever. Except maybe the Bible. I love the Book of Mormon!❤❤❤

I had Brother Hilton as my religion teacher years ago at BYU, I believe it was for a Book of Mormon class as well, and he had such a good approach to teaching, and had such insight, it's really cool to hear him again and open us up so much to this deep textual analysis. This was a really powerful episode, and it's really made me consider the Book of Mormon so much deeper! This is awesome.

Alma - repeatedly said “as much as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land.” I noticed few things regarding each authors. Alma the younger ❤❤❤thank you for helpful insights. The Book of Mormon is true and correctly translated by Joseph Smith Jr.

I really enjoyed listening to this podcast! It reminded me of a personal discussion I had with John Hilton after my mission in 1987, when John explained these concepts to me. I was and still am truly fascinated by the research! Thank you for continuing the work! Hopefully someday I can meet and talk with you about your work. LaMar.

I looked up "verily" for understanding as to why the Savior used it so much. Apparently, when initiating a remark with "verily" it's like saying "amen" at the beginning. In essence, he's saying, "Look, what I'm about to tell you is fundamentally true, and I don't need you to agree with me, or garner your consensus about the truth of what I'm about to tell you." Long winded on my part, but I think it underscores the emphasis the Lord is placing on His remarks and doctrines.

Thank you for this video, brothers! The insights you've shared makes me excited to read the Book of Mormon again from a different perspective (continuing through Helaman where I am and then restarting over again after reaching the end).

I see a steven jones video, I click and watch, very simple

What had Joseph Smith have to gain that would want to do this. Why so long? All he had was heartache sorrow and even down to death. If it was made up , he would have hollowed uncle long before his life was taken. Carol

I heard about this decades ago, and I’ve always figured it was one reason Joseph Smith couldn’t have written the Book of Mormon (unless a bunch of genius writers/theologians were all working together). At the beginning of my current read-through of the BOM, I decided I would see for myself, and I can totally see the different voices in the BOM. A lot of things you brought up, I have noticed myself. There are others things I didn’t know. This whole discussion was fascinating.

This is an amazing interview. Thank you for doing . I needed to see this in this time in my life. Thank you

It's amazing the positive difference between videos like this compared to videos that are designed only to cast aspersion.

John, just ordered your book! I have 2 grandsons at BYU. I hope they get a chance to meet you.

Think of all the people who have wasted their lives trying to prove that Joseph Smith was not a Prophet and that the Book of Mormon is not Scripture. No one has ever been successful. It drives them absolutely insane that Joseph Smith is indeed a Prophet of God and the Book of Mormon is indeed Sacred Scripture. Keep trying fools, keep wasting your lives.

I love your show! Always a good conversation, and I learn so much. This is an excellent, testimony-building episode. Thank you!

That opening editing was off the hook, bro.

So...when the church was condemned, and the name of Jesus Christ was removed from the Church, this had a HUGE meaning! The Church apostatized at that time because the Church was taking the Book of Mormon lightly, and the Church never came out of that condemnation. Jesus taught in the Book of Mormon his gospel of: Faith, Repentance, BAPTISM by immersion, BAPTISM by fire, BAPTISM by the Holy Ghost! BAPTISM WAS/IS SO VERY IMPORTANT! The church is not teaching these three baptisms as they are taught by Jesus Christ! They are still in apostasy! 3 Nephi 40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.

Understanding has increased for me. Thank you!

His scaffolding analogy is a good one.

This was incredible! Thank you!

As an author I know it's a challenge to portray different styles of speaking in different characters, a process that needs several revisions. Musicians have distinguishing characteristics too: favorite licks and the like. In the original manuscript, the verb "counsel" is used in two senses: our more modern sense of "to give advice" and the archaic sense of "to take advice." It's in Mormon's abridgement that the verb is used in its archaic sense (Alma 37 and 39), while it's in the Small Plates that it's used in its modern sense (Jacob 4 and 5). I believe this is a deliberate portrayal by the translator of the language change.

Ugh! The "stone in the hat" ... that's NOT how Joseph said the plates were translated.

“I need to think more about my own baptism” - because it probably is not yet complete. Have you received the baptism of “Fire and the Holy Ghost”? 3 Ne 9 20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.

I have to make sure every video I watch is NOT anti gospel point of view. I just detest those and I try to steer them away from my feed! Looks like this one is ok. Will watch. Thanks

again, a noted scholar shows that the Book of Mormon is worthy of serious academic study.

I knew Stephen Jones back in the Tallahassee Singles Ward days. Good, charismatic guy! He brought the party to those Halloween dances! So glad he is putting out content that help keep people members in Church. What about the times that the evidence proves otherwise? In short if I am believing something that us not true, would I really want to know? Or do I only pick and choose when to rely on evidence?

As always, I've learned a lot from John III. A talk John Hilton Jr gave in sacrament meeting about the current bush was very inspiring. The whole Hilton family has always been strong in the gospel. Even Pappy Hilton (a whistler) gave a great fireside.

This was a great interview!

Amazing stuff! Thanks Stephen!!!

Your production value is over the top! So well done.

What about the 19 chapters copied from Isaiah into the BOM from the 1769 KJV Bible?? What about not being able to locate a single site mentioned in the BOM. What about Joseph Smith saying that Cummorah was the location of the last great battle of the Book of Mormon with 460,000 people on that hill and its too small to hold them all. What about no pre-Columbian peoples found there at all in that area. What about Mormon professor Bushman calling it allegorical after 60 years of study? What about "Man is that he might have joy" as the purpose of life when the purpose of life is to glorify God according to the 66 books in the Bible. What about where it says they lived the law of Moses and then says that swine is good for food... Then you have to doctrines that are not supported biblically that lead you away from the one true God. Mentioning Christ a lot doesn't mean much if you teach doctrines that are contrary to his word. I spent decades teaching the Book of Mormon and its just nothing more than an allegory.

I really love the discussion in the last twenty five minutes, that emphasis, especially on what the Savior considered important to share, makes me so much more appreciate of the words of Jesus and what is really important.

Okay, now I want to see an analysis of the voice of Jesus in the BoM and how that matches with NT, OT, and D&C.

One of the men in the intro was my mission president lol

33:00 if we’re picking favorites…. Nephi, son of Helaman, he’s my hero. Gets thrown in prison, he and his brother are on fire but don’t die, then he tells everyone who killed the chief judge, they blame him but he reveals the real perpetrator, and then God tells him, “I’ll give you whatever you ask for because I trust you.” And he asks for a famine! Because he believes it will help the arrogant rich people humble themselves. And then in 3 Nephi, it is suggested that he was translated into heaven.

Exmormons aren’t gonna like this episode….

I've been listening to this. It's refreshing to hear something besides all these negative anti-LDS podcasts and channels. Interesting patterns in the BOM.

Maybe it could be that Jacob had anxiety from all he went through

Intro almost gave me a heart attack.

Stephen, this is great. It reminds me of a fireside I attended with Judy Brummer who translated the book of Mormon into Xhosa. I think an interview with her would make a great podcast...

This was such an interesting and informative proof of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon!

I wonder how difficult it would be to write a book similar to the Book of Mormon but about ancient China. Whoever would do this can't have access to the internet or a library. Plus, it needs to be scrutinized every word and be found more true as time goes on.

I loved most of this, big time and thanks! BUT, could John Hilton III please direct me to the specific statement where Joseph Smith mentioned using a "stone in a hat" for the translation of the plates? As per Joseph Smith's narratives, he indicated that the Urim and Thummim, provided with the golden plates, were utilized to translate the ancient text inscribed on them. In questioning this, I wonder why there was a last-minute shift from interpreters to a “stone in a hat” by the Lord? It's worth noting that Joseph himself never asserted such a change. I would appreciate avoiding references to the Joseph Smith III interview with his mother in 1879, as there were inaccuracies in his claims about his mother's statements. The notion of a "stone in the hat" appears to be based on hearsay, and accounts attributed to Emma Smith or others are challenging to verify precisely. It's crucial to rely on primary sources for historical accuracy rather than accounts that may be less reliable. It's noteworthy that claims about Joseph Smith using a "stone in a hat" for translation primarily also comes from individuals like Martin Harris, David Whitmer, and Reuben Hale, but these accounts were made 40 to 50 years after the events in question and they were no longer in the Church. Additionally, some sources suggest that John Whitmer stated Joseph used the Urim and Thummim in a hat. The shift in emphasis from the Urim and Thummim to the “stone in a hat” in historical discussions raises questions as to why. We believe their accounts over Joseph Smiths?

Your quote from Presidente Nelson is in his talk to the youth "Hope of Israel" about stewardship! Thank you for this great content i now follow you

So glad I just found your channel. I love the great spirit of Bro. Hilton. So much information. His love for his Savior is enlightening.

This is your second best upload since that Santa Claus skit. Keep it up!

Great job! Loved the interview.

We believe the Book of Mormon is inspired. If the books are inspired, of course the books are the words of different authors of the various books. Just like the Holy Bible.

Listened to this round 2 and it was even better haha

Man, John is so good it’s like he should be a professor and have his own podcast or something

“In 2003 a computer scientist was able to demonstrate that by calculating the frequency with which Madison and Hamilton used just three words-to, upon, and would-it can be established, to a mathematical certainty, that Madison was the author of the disputed Federalist essays.” -Liberty’s Blueprint, Introduction Was that your grandfather??

Love your podcasts. You're doing an important work. Keep it up in the face of all opposition. Yes. The Book of Mormon was translated through the gift and power of God. It stands as a second witness of Jesus Christ and his atonement. Joseph Smith was the instrument The Lord used to bring that book to us in these days. Brother Joseph did not compose it; he could NOT have generated it; but he was used as the servant through whom it came to us, for us, to show us that Jesus, the Christ, the Name, the Savior and Redeemer, makes all things make sense. This is my witness, in HIS HOLY NAME, Amen.

They had me at “The Sear Stone & Hat;” DIVINATION . . . NO. Prophecy of “The Temple” to be built in Missouri . . . NO. FALSE PROPHET, FALSE CHURCH, PERIOD!!!!!!!

Gonna assume they didn’t test against the first editions of “translation”, with all the original typos, colloquialisms, and mistakes lifted directly out of specific editions of the KJV 😂

Yes Brethren, the Book of Mormon is, (true.) Please keep up your Podcast, the Human Race needs it. .

We now have big data analysis with books written around Joseph Smith’s time, which he would have had access to, and it’s not favorable to him at all. Words, phrases, and other similarities with other books like the “Late War, Between The United States And Great Britain” proves with statistical significance that Joseph Smith pulled from various sources.

Brilliant!!! Thanks guys🤯🤗❤️

This is the most click-bait title ever! But, also, an awesome conversation about the truth of the Book of Mormon!

So interesting! Loved this so much! Love your content! So strengthening! ☀️

I loved this conversation. Thank you for your research John Hilton III, and for all others who do scholarly work on the Book of Mormon. I loved the insight into Jesus Christ's words spoken in 3Ne, and that they echo how Jesus spoke when he was alive, and what words Jesus shared most often. This just gets me more excited to dive back into the Book of Mormon. I love the scriptures and its fun to nerd out on these things!

This was really fantastic...didn't hear much about the fbi...would be interested in another episode about ways the book of mormon has withstood scrutiny 💙

Welcome to Mormon Apologetics. So laughable.

When we compare Jesus in the Bible and Jesus in the Book of Mormon, how do the word counts compare?

This is literally how Muslims argue for the Quran being true, there is literally no difference

Since Joseph Smith was looking into a dark hat, he wouldn’t have been able to see any notes because it would have been so dark. The fact that he had to look into a hat is more evidence that he was a prophet of God. He needed to look into something dark to see the light of the words on the seer stone. This is the same concept of when we have to find shade or cover up our cell phone to see what’s on it when out in the sunlight.

It is possible to do the same thing with D&C?

14:00 You’re exactly right. I’m nearly 60, I grew up with being told that so many things were “anti Mormon lies” (like looking in a hat, or JS had more than 1 wife, etc), then suddenly the church has the Gospel Topic Essay saying these things are all true. It pulls the rug out from under you. My brother had access to the locked LDS Salt Lake City library in the 1990s while he was doing his PhD, and he read Pioneer journals. He confronted three different apostles about how it contradicted the mainstream historical narrative. He was told to stop asking questions or he’d be excommunicated. It was a “thing” for 100 years to cover the truth up, and now, when we hear that what we were told was anti-Mormon lies, is really the truth. It makes one not trust what the church says now. What’s the truth?

What a bunch of BS.

Yeah and Trust the FBI Right........................

Fascinating discussion!! Loved the comment about personality profiling the writers/speakers in the BOM, would love to see someone delve into doing more research on this

It is impossible that Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon. He did translate it from ancient records by the gift and power of God.

This was great! Thankyou!

I never believe he wrote it, he as far as I know didn’t claim to write it but translated it

Great interview, and a fascinating subject. While I've known about this for a long time, this interview has helped me start to pay attention to it more.

There should only be two voices in the BoM. One is Mormon, who abridged other authors' work, and Nephi, who wrote in first person on the small plates.

God bless, great conversation

Amazing episode. Great job

Since you can theoretically see that translations keep their distinct voice, is there any correlation between Christ speaking in the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament Lord? And between the risen Christ in 3 Nephi and the New Testament? That would be cool if so!

"The entire work is problematic in that it doesn't stand and is contrary to facts and science, anthropologically, zoologically, archaeologically, historically, or within any field of human study. The entire work is absolute fiction and lies spun by one of history's greatest grifters and conmen."