Me, My Shelf, & I (video)

FAIR
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Welcome to “Me, My Shelf, & I,” an investigative podcast by FAIR digging into historical claims about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Join Sarah, Zach, and Jennifer in finding faithful answers to difficult questions. In each episode, we explore a different aspect of Latter-day Saint history, examining controversies, myths, and misconceptions with a critical, yet faithful perspective. Along the way, we’ll bring in experts and other guests who lend valuable insights to our research and help to expand our understanding.

Episodes

  1. 04/03/2025 ·  VIDEO

    Me, My Shelf, & I – How Latter-day Saints and Evangelicals understand the Bible differently

    In this special episode, Sarah Allen, Jennifer Roach Lees, and Zachary Wright host a panel discussion on the topic “How Latter-day Saints and Evangelicals understand the Bible differently.” Panel participants: Stephen Smoot: https://www.plonialmonimormon.com/ Dr. Ben Spackman: https://benspackman.com/ Travis Anderson: @missionarydiscussions1286 References in this episode: JSH 1:12–13 Dr. Christian Smith, “pervasive interpretive pluralism”. (The Bible Made Impossible: Why Biblicism Is Not a Truly Evangelical Reading of Scripture by Dr. Christian Smith) Dr. James Kugel: https://www.jameskugel.com/ (The Idea of Biblical Poetry: Parallelism and Its History by Dr. James Kugel) An Egyptian View of the Monotheism of Second Isaiah by Stephen O. Smoot: https://www.academia.edu/122239522/An_Egyptian_View_of_the_Monotheism_of_Second_Isaiah The Invention of the Inspired Text: Philological Windows on the Theopneustia of Scripture by Dr. John C. Poirier God’s Word in Human Words: An Evangelical Appropriation of Critical Biblical Scholarship by Dr. Kenton L. Sparks The Sticks of Judah and Joseph: Reflections on Defending the Kingdom by Dr. Joseph M. Spencer: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/5969/ Latter-day Saint MissionCast by Nick Galieti: Proof texting and Understanding the Bible as a Missionary Tool with Ben Spackman – Episode 21: https://ldsmissioncast.com/2018/06/21/proof-texting-understanding-bible-missionary-tool-ben-spackman/ Standard of Truth Podcast by Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat and Dr. Richard LeDuc: https://standardoftruth.com/ Dr. Tremper Longman III & Dr. John Walton Aramaic Targum: https://www.sefaria.org/texts/Tanakh/Targum Greek Septuagint: https://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/nets/edition/ Y Religion Episode 86: Deutero-Isaiah in the Book of Mormon (Dr. Joshua Sears): https://religion.byu.edu/directory/josh-sears  Deutero-Isaiah in the Book of Mormon: Latter-day Saint Approaches by Joshua M. Sears (chapter from They Shall Grow Together: The Bible in the Book of Mormon by Dr. Charles Swift and Dr. Nicholas J. Frederick, Editors) Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-Day Saints: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/mi/57/ Salvation by Allegiance Alone: Rethinking Faith, Works, and the Gospel of Jesus the King by Dr. Matthew W. Bates The New Perspective on Paul: An Introduction by Dr. Kent L. Yinger & The New Perspective on Paul by Dr. James D. G. Dunn 4QMMT – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4QMMT Society of Biblical Literature: https://www.sbl-site.org/ Relational Grace: The Reciprocal and Binding Covenant of Charis by Dr. Brent J. Schmidt https://brentschmidt.org Relational Faith: The Transformation and Restoration of Pistis as Knowledge, Trust, Confidence, and Covenantal Faithfulness by Dr. Brent J. Schmidt https://brentschmidt.org Blake T. Ostler, J.D. & Dr. Noel B. Reynolds Come Follow Me with FAIR: Faithful Answers to New Testament Questions by Jennifer Roach: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw_Vkm1zYbIGG3QXZLu1A9JLOXbLj4lAF NRSV Bible Translation (New Revised Standard Version) Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling by Dr. Richard L. Bushman The Jewish Study Bible: Second Edition by Dr. Adele Berlin & Dr. Marc Zvi Brettler The Jewish Annotated New Testament by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine & Dr. Marc Zvi Brettler The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine & Dr. Marc Zvi Brettler [G. K.] Chesterton on the Mormons by Dr. Daniel Peterson : https://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeterson/2018/07/chesterton-on-the-mormons.html (paraphrased from “[Mormons] managed to reproduce the atmosphere of those Scriptures [Hebrew Bible] as they are felt by Hebrews rather than by Christians”) The post Me, My Shelf, & I – How Latter-day Saints and Evangelicals understand the Bible differently appeared first on FAIR.

  2. 11/07/2024 ·  VIDEO

    Me, My Shelf, & I – Are Prophets Infallible?

    In this special episode, Sarah Allen and Zachary Wright host a panel discussion on the question “Are Prophets Infallible?” Panel participants: Don Bradley: https://gregkofford.com/collections/don-bradley Ben Spackman: https://benspackman.com/ J. Max Wilson: https://www.sixteensmallstones.org/ The post Me, My Shelf, & I – Are Prophets Infallible? appeared first on FAIR.

  3. 06/11/2024 ·  VIDEO

    Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 8 – Seer Stones w/ Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (Full Interview)

    Gerrit Dirkmaat was featured in episode 5. This is the full interview. Check out Dr. Dirkmaat’s podcast with Prof. Richard LeDuc: https://standardoftruth.com/   Gerrit Dirkmaat is an associate professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University. He received his PhD from the University of Colorado in 2010, where he studied nineteenth-century American expansionism and foreign relations. He worked as a historian and writer for the Church History Department from 2010 to 2014 with the Joseph Smith Papers Project. He is the coauthor, along with Michael Hubbard MacKay, of the award-winning book From Darkness unto Light: Joseph Smith’s Translation and Publication of the Book of Mormon, published by the BYU Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book in 2015. In 2023, they published another book on the topic: Let’s Talk About the Translation of the Book of Mormon. In addition to books, Gerrit is also the author of dozens of academic articles. He currently serves as the editor of the academic journal Latter-day Saint Historical Studies published by the Ensign Peak Foundation. Since 2021 he has hosted and produced a weekly Church history podcast: Standard of Truth. It examines Church history questions and sources. He and his wife, Angela, have four children. Sarah Allen is a senior researcher with FAIR, and the 2022 recipient of the John Taylor: Defender of the Faith Award. By profession, she works in mortgage compliance and is a freelance copyeditor. An avid reader, she loves studying the Gospel and the history of the restored Church. After watching some of her friends lose their testimonies, she became interested in helping others through their faith crises. That’s when she began sharing what she’d learned through her studies. She is a co-moderator the LDS subreddit on Reddit and the author of a multi-part series rebutting the CES Letter. She’s grateful to those at FAIR who have given her the opportunity to share her testimony with a wider audience. The post Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 8 – Seer Stones w/ Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat (Full Interview) appeared first on FAIR.

  4. 05/28/2024 ·  VIDEO

    Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 7 – Seer Stones w/ Allen Hansen (Full Interview)

    Allen Hansen was featured in episode 2. This is the full interview. Check out Allen’s other work: https://independent.academia.edu/HansenAllen   Sarah Allen is a senior researcher with FAIR, and the 2022 recipient of the John Taylor: Defender of the Faith Award. By profession, she works in mortgage compliance and is a freelance copyeditor. An avid reader, she loves studying the Gospel and the history of the restored Church. After watching some of her friends lose their testimonies, she became interested in helping others through their faith crises. That’s when she began sharing what she’d learned through her studies. She is a co-moderator of the LDS subreddit on Reddit and the author of a multi-part series rebutting the CES Letter. She’s grateful to those at FAIR who have given her the opportunity to share her testimony with a wider audience. The post Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 7 – Seer Stones w/ Allen Hansen (Full Interview) appeared first on FAIR.

  5. 05/14/2024 ·  VIDEO

    Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 6 – Seer Stones: Why Aren’t They Used Today?

    In this episode, Jennifer, Zach, and Sarah discuss why seer stones are no longer used today. Throughout this 6 part series, Me, My Shelf, & I will tackle and refute claims about the seer stones head-on using facts from the historical narrative. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (1:35) Background (13:39) Peace Child (21:11) Conclusion   Sarah Allen is a senior researcher with FAIR, and the 2022 recipient of the John Taylor: Defender of the Faith Award. By profession, she works in mortgage compliance and is a freelance copyeditor. An avid reader, she loves studying the Gospel and the history of the restored Church. After watching some of her friends lose their testimonies, she became interested in helping others through their faith crises. That’s when she began sharing what she’d learned through her studies. She is a co-moderator the LDS subreddit on Reddit and the author of a multi-part series rebutting the CES Letter. She’s grateful to those at FAIR who have given her the opportunity to share her testimony with a wider audience. Jennifer Roach earned a Master of Divinity from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, and a Master of Counseling from Argosy University. Before her conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she was an ordained minister in the Anglican church. Her own experience of sexual abuse from a pastor during her teen years led her to care deeply about issues of abuse in faith communities. Zachary Wright was born in American Fork, UT.  He served his mission speaking Spanish in North Carolina and the Dominican Republic.  He currently attends BYU studying psychology, but loves writing, and studying LDS theology and history.  His biggest desire is to help other people bring them closer to each other, and ultimately bring people closer to God. The post Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 6 – Seer Stones: Why Aren’t They Used Today? appeared first on FAIR.

    24 min

  6. 04/30/2024 ·  VIDEO

    Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 5 – Seer Stones: Did the Church Lie?

    In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Zach discuss mentions of the seer stones throughout history. Throughout this 6 part series, Me, My Shelf, & I will tackle and refute claims about the seer stones head-on using facts from the historical narrative. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (5:44) Richard Bushman Statement (6:11) Overview (8:16) Gerrit Dirkmaat Interview (35:39) Mark Ashurst-McGee Interview (01:12:34) Conclusion Gerrit Dirkmaat is an associate professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University. He received his PhD from the University of Colorado in 2010, where he studied nineteenth-century American expansionism and foreign relations. He worked as a historian and writer for the Church History Department from 2010 to 2014 with the Joseph Smith Papers Project. He is the coauthor, along with Michael Hubbard MacKay, of the award-winning book From Darkness unto Light: Joseph Smith’s Translation and Publication of the Book of Mormon, published by the BYU Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book in 2015. In 2023, they published another book on the topic: Let’s Talk About the Translation of the Book of Mormon. In addition to books, Gerrit is also the author of dozens of academic articles. He currently serves as the editor of the academic journal Latter-day Saint Historical Studies published by the Ensign Peak Foundation. Since 2021 he has hosted and produced a weekly Church history podcast: Standard of Truth. It examines Church history questions and sources. He and his wife, Angela, have four children. Mark Ashurst-McGee is a senior historian in the Church History Department and the senior research and review editor for the Joseph Smith Papers, where he also serves as a specialist in document analysis and documentary editing methodology. He holds a PhD in history from Arizona State University and has trained at the Institute for the Editing of Historical Documents. He has coedited several volumes of The Joseph Smith Papers and is also coeditor of Foundational Texts of Mormonism: Examining Major Early Sources (Oxford University Press, 2018). He is also the author of several articles on Joseph Smith and early Latter-day Saint history published in scholarly journals and popular venues.   Sarah Allen is a senior researcher with FAIR, and the 2022 recipient of the John Taylor: Defender of the Faith Award. By profession, she works in mortgage compliance and is a freelance copyeditor. An avid reader, she loves studying the Gospel and the history of the restored Church. After watching some of her friends lose their testimonies, she became interested in helping others through their faith crises. That’s when she began sharing what she’d learned through her studies. She is a co-moderator the LDS subreddit on Reddit and the author of a multi-part series rebutting the CES Letter. She’s grateful to those at FAIR who have given her the opportunity to share her testimony with a wider audience. Jennifer Roach earned a Master of Divinity from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, and a Master of Counseling from Argosy University. Before her conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she was an ordained minister in the Anglican church. Her own experience of sexual abuse from a pastor during her teen years led her to care deeply about issues of abuse in faith communities. Zachary Wright was born in American Fork, UT.  He served his mission speaking Spanish in North Carolina and the Dominican Republic.  He currently attends BYU studying psychology, but loves writing, and studying LDS theology and history.  His biggest desire is to help other people bring them closer to each other, and ultimately bring people closer to God. The post Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 5 – Seer Stones: Did the Church Lie? appeared first on FAIR.

  7. 04/02/2024 ·  VIDEO

    Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 4 – Seer Stones: How did Joseph use the Seer Stone?

    In this episode, Zach, Sarah, and Jennifer discuss the mechanics and methods of the translation process. Throughout this 6 part series, Me, My Shelf, & I will tackle and refute claims about the seer stones head-on using facts from the historical narrative. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (2:58) The Mechanics of Translation (4:24) Curtains (8:12) Methods of Translation (13:59) Conclusion   Sarah Allen is a senior researcher with FAIR, and the 2022 recipient of the John Taylor: Defender of the Faith Award. By profession, she works in mortgage compliance and is a freelance copyeditor. An avid reader, she loves studying the Gospel and the history of the restored Church. After watching some of her friends lose their testimonies, she became interested in helping others through their faith crises. That’s when she began sharing what she’d learned through her studies. She is a co-moderator the LDS subreddit on Reddit and the author of a multi-part series rebutting the CES Letter. She’s grateful to those at FAIR who have given her the opportunity to share her testimony with a wider audience. Jennifer Roach earned a Master of Divinity from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, and a Master of Counseling from Argosy University. Before her conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she was an ordained minister in the Anglican church. Her own experience of sexual abuse from a pastor during her teen years led her to care deeply about issues of abuse in faith communities. Zachary Wright was born in American Fork, UT.  He served his mission speaking Spanish in North Carolina and the Dominican Republic.  He currently attends BYU studying psychology, but loves writing, and studying LDS theology and history.  His biggest desire is to help other people bring them closer to each other, and ultimately bring people closer to God. The post Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 4 – Seer Stones: How did Joseph use the Seer Stone? appeared first on FAIR.

    23 min

  8. 03/19/2024 ·  VIDEO

    Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 3 – Seer Stones: Post-Biblical Folk Magic

    In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Zach take us through the history of folk magic through post-biblical times. Throughout this 6 part series, Me, My Shelf, & I will tackle and refute claims about the seer stones head-on using facts from the historical narrative. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (03:40) The fall of Rome and why it changed culture (06:12) The Beginning of the Dark Ages–A totally different world (11:59) The Cunning Folk in Britain (22:49) The Crusades (26:47) The Inquisition (29:14) The Renaissance (24:05) WitchTrials (39:59) Enlightenment 1637-1815 and 1st Great Awakening (50:00) Joseph Smith’s time and culture (59:32) Conclusion   Sarah Allen is a senior researcher with FAIR, and the 2022 recipient of the John Taylor: Defender of the Faith Award. By profession, she works in mortgage compliance and is a freelance copyeditor. An avid reader, she loves studying the Gospel and the history of the restored Church. After watching some of her friends lose their testimonies, she became interested in helping others through their faith crises. That’s when she began sharing what she’d learned through her studies. She is a co-moderator the LDS subreddit on Reddit and the author of a multi-part series rebutting the CES Letter. She’s grateful to those at FAIR who have given her the opportunity to share her testimony with a wider audience. Jennifer Roach earned a Master of Divinity from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, and a Master of Counseling from Argosy University. Before her conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she was an ordained minister in the Anglican church. Her own experience of sexual abuse from a pastor during her teen years led her to care deeply about issues of abuse in faith communities. Zachary Wright was born in American Fork, UT.  He served his mission speaking Spanish in North Carolina and the Dominican Republic.  He currently attends BYU studying psychology, but loves writing, and studying LDS theology and history.  His biggest desire is to help other people bring them closer to each other, and ultimately bring people closer to God. The post Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 3 – Seer Stones: Post-Biblical Folk Magic appeared first on FAIR.

    1h 2m

  9. 03/05/2024 ·  VIDEO

    Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 2 – Seer Stones: Ancient Use

    In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Zach go through ancient uses of seer stones and other objects seen as sacred. In this 6 part series, Me, My Shelf, & I will tackle and refute these claims head-on using facts from the historical narrative. Saints Unscripted Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpYrul0eRjs Allen Hansen’s Research: https://independent.academia.edu/HansenAllen Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (03:30) The questions (07:37) Examples from the Scriptures (15:24) Interview with Allen Hansen (36:48) Wrapping up (39:44) Conclusion   Sarah Allen is a senior researcher with FAIR, and the 2022 recipient of the John Taylor: Defender of the Faith Award. By profession, she works in mortgage compliance and is a freelance copyeditor. An avid reader, she loves studying the Gospel and the history of the restored Church. After watching some of her friends lose their testimonies, she became interested in helping others through their faith crises. That’s when she began sharing what she’d learned through her studies. She is a co-moderator the LDS subreddit on Reddit and the author of a multi-part series rebutting the CES Letter. She’s grateful to those at FAIR who have given her the opportunity to share her testimony with a wider audience. Jennifer Roach earned a Master of Divinity from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, and a Master of Counseling from Argosy University. Before her conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she was an ordained minister in the Anglican church. Her own experience of sexual abuse from a pastor during her teen years led her to care deeply about issues of abuse in faith communities. Zachary Wright was born in American Fork, UT.  He served his mission speaking Spanish in North Carolina and the Dominican Republic.  He currently attends BYU studying psychology, but loves writing, and studying LDS theology and history.  His biggest desire is to help other people bring them closer to each other, and ultimately bring people closer to God. The post Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 2 – Seer Stones: Ancient Use appeared first on FAIR.

    45 min

  10. 02/20/2024 ·  VIDEO

    Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 1 – Seer Stones: Questions & Criticisms

    In this episode, Zach, Sarah, and Jennifer go through an overview of the most common criticisms of Joseph Smith’s Seer Stones from all sides. They introduce direct claims from faithful members who dispute the use of Seer Stones as well as critics who attempt to use the seer stones to explain away the Book of Mormon. In this 6 part series, Me, My Shelf, & I will tackle and refute these claims head-on using facts from the historical narrative. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (02:23) Are Seer Stones Evil? (11:38) Folk Magic (17:42) Was Information Hidden? (23:08) Conclusion   Sarah Allen is a senior researcher with FAIR, and the 2022 recipient of the John Taylor: Defender of the Faith Award. By profession, she works in mortgage compliance and is a freelance copyeditor. An avid reader, she loves studying the Gospel and the history of the restored Church. After watching some of her friends lose their testimonies, she became interested in helping others through their faith crises. That’s when she began sharing what she’d learned through her studies. She is a co-moderator the LDS subreddit on Reddit and the author of a multi-part series rebutting the CES Letter. She’s grateful to those at FAIR who have given her the opportunity to share her testimony with a wider audience. Jennifer Roach earned a Master of Divinity from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, and a Master of Counseling from Argosy University. Before her conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she was an ordained minister in the Anglican church. Her own experience of sexual abuse from a pastor during her teen years led her to care deeply about issues of abuse in faith communities. Zachary Wright was born in American Fork, UT.  He served his mission speaking Spanish in North Carolina and the Dominican Republic.  He currently attends BYU studying psychology, but loves writing, and studying LDS theology and history.  His biggest desire is to help other people bring them closer to each other, and ultimately bring people closer to God. The post Me, My Shelf, & I – Episode 1 – Seer Stones: Questions & Criticisms appeared first on FAIR.

    31 min
  11. Seer Stones: Questions & Criticisms | S1E1

    02/20/2024

    Seer Stones: Questions & Criticisms | S1E1

    In this episode, Zach, Sarah, and Jennifer go through an overview of the most common criticisms of Joseph Smith’s Seer Stones from all sides. They introduce direct claims from faithful members who dispute the use of Seer Stones as well as critics who attempt to use the seer stones to explain away the Book of Mormon. In this 6 part series, Me, My Shelf, & I will tackle and refute these claims head-on using facts from the historical narrative. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (02:23) Are Seer Stones Evil? (11:38) Folk Magic (17:42) Was Information Hidden? (23:08) Conclusion ⬇️ Subscribe to FAIR ⬇️ @ldsfair / @fairlatterdaysaints https://fairlatterdaysaints.org ⬇️ Follow the show ⬇️ @mmsipodcast https://memyshelfandi.org #prolds #latterdaysaints #lds #mormon #bookofmormon #josephsmith #seerstones

    31 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Welcome to “Me, My Shelf, & I,” an investigative podcast by FAIR digging into historical claims about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Join Sarah, Zach, and Jennifer in finding faithful answers to difficult questions. In each episode, we explore a different aspect of Latter-day Saint history, examining controversies, myths, and misconceptions with a critical, yet faithful perspective. Along the way, we’ll bring in experts and other guests who lend valuable insights to our research and help to expand our understanding.

Information

  • Creator
    FAIR
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2024 by The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc.
  • Show Website
    Me, My Shelf, & I (video)