We kick off this episode with a chaotic dive into the twisted camaraderie that only exists between people with shared trauma and zero boundaries. We talk about intrusive thoughts, pet mishaps, and Abish’s fresh anxieties over The Bishlet. The drink of the day is a repurposed expired pumpkin spice cold brew, creatively named "False and Lying Spirit" after a quote from P.P. Pratt. Think of it as caffeinated nostalgia with a splash of existential dread. Come for the friendship; stay for the amateur life coaching.
Scriptures: [00:25:29]
Moroni walks us through D&C 50, where Joseph Smith, having started the spiritual free-for-all, tries to impose some rules. When congregants start claiming visions that make even Joseph raise an eyebrow, he has to step in. We exchange stories about people in our lives with “unique” spiritual gifts—like that family member who’s always got a message from beyond. Our takeaway: Joseph was just setting up rules so people wouldn’t out-“crazy” each other. We close with a heartwarming Ted Lasso endorsement, because kindness > cults.
Church Teachings: [00:44:54]
aaaAAAaaa leads us into the historical rollercoaster of early Kirtland, where the Saints got a bit too spirited. Apparently, “balls of fire” and “spiritual scooting” weren’t on Joseph’s spiritual syllabus. We compare this to modern Mormon culture, where overzealous hand-raising in Relief Society is about as wild as it gets. Despite the humorous anecdotes, there’s a reminder here about discernment and sincerity—because nothing says “truth-seeker” like telling people when they’re clapping offbeat.
History: [01:08:01]
Abigail is back with another history lesson—this time on the rise of spiritualism in the 1800s, kicking off with the Fox sisters and their toe-popping, knock-echoing ghost charade. It starts as a quick cash-grab but escalates to fame, séances, and a chaotic PR nightmare. From love affairs with Arctic explorers to public confessions of trickery, the Fox sisters’ lives spiral, ultimately becoming a 19th-century cautionary tale on fame and fraud. We reflect on how sometimes, when you talk to dead people for a living, they might actually just come for your wallet.
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