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On June 29, 1844, the Saints in Nauvoo gathered to mourn Joseph and Hyrum Smith. As their real graves remained hidden for safety, W.W. Phelps stood before two empty coffins and delivered a funeral sermon unlike any other. In this episode of Angels and Seerstones, we dive into that powerful oration—and the mysteries it holds.

Joined by historians Mark Ashurst-McGee and Bruce Van Orden, we explore Phelps’s striking claims: that Joseph Smith was a premortal archangel, possibly the Holy Ghost, the final martyr of the age, and even a future destroying angel bringing divine judgment.

What did early Saints believe about Joseph’s eternal role? Why did Phelps reconstruct the sermon 11 years later? And how do ideas like Gazelem, the Prince of Light, reflect the esoteric teachings of Nauvoo?

We also reflect on how modern Latter-day Saints have interpreted—or quietly sidelined—these bold theologies. Join us as we untangle one of the most fascinating funeral sermons in LDS history.

🎧 Watch the full sermon on YouTube and explore more at angelsandseerstones.com

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Finally, we focus on the stories of the most famous characters from LDS legends.

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Today's episode we have on Liz Busby and Carl Cranney from Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree to discuss legends of Spencer W. Kimball having inspired Yoda!

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Celebrate Halloween with Angels and Seerstsones! This year we have stories of sleep paralysis, missionary ghost encounters in the Phillippines, and stories of Satanists in Provo!

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This episode we talk to Mahonri Stewart about his new play, Secrets of Sleepy Hollow, now showing at the Hive Collaborative in Provo, Utah. Plus, he tells us about a terrifying sleep paralysis experience that he incorporated into the play.

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This episode discusses the folklore that people often discussing when trying to explain why missionaries are forbidden to swim: the apparition of the destroyer on the Missouri River in 1834. This experience led to a prominent belief among Latter-day Saints that Satan had dominion over the water in the last days.

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Latter-day Saints wear the garment of the priesthood under their clothes. This garment includes promises of protection against spiritual and physical danger. In this episode, Christine and Chris dig into legends of its supernatural protection, legends about its origins, and legends about those who have defiled it.

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In this Episode, Jessica and Barrett Burgin discuss their short film, The Angel, which dives into all the supernatural LDS themes that we love. Plus, Jessica shares a really compelling family story about a supernatural assault that occurred in 1870s Utah.