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Episode Transcripts
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168 episodes
The Voice You Hear
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Welcome to the 201st episode, which I've entitled The Voice You Hear. Perhaps you've been taught that Revelation stopped with the death of the early…
Angels, Aliens, and Ufos
Welcome to my 200th episode. When I started this podcast five years ago, I never thought I would reach this milestone. I had told myself that I wouldn't start recording until I had at least 20 good ideas for episodes,…
Five Steps on the Stairway to Heaven
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. You know, in the church, we live by five principles and ordinances that are the foundation of our religious practice. We call them the first principles and ordinances of the
Why Do We Have the Book of Ether?
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. We recently had an episode in where I stated that the Book of Mormon is really the saga of the family of Lehi and his descendants and the…
The Restoration & Moroni's Visit
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper, and I'm your host, Mark Swint. The restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days was the fulfillment of prophecies given as early as at least Isaiah in the Old
The Holy Ghost
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Most likely when you were baptized, you came out of the water, changed clothes, and then were seated in front of two Melchizedek priesthood…
How Deep the Grace of God?
Someone asked me recently if I could ask Jesus any one question, what would it be? Now that's not a question to be taken lightly, and I can't remember how I actually answered at the time, but I do know that since then I
Prophets, Prophecy, and Promises
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Before we get started today, I had something fun to share. Several times in the past, I have mentioned a verse in Alma 37 that talks about a man…
Are the Heavens Really Closed?
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. The Church's ninth article of faith states, We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal
The Bible
The Bible is the Word of God. I accept that, and I believe that. Our eighth article of faith says we believe the Bible to be the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be
Elder Holland's Statement on Christianity and the Church
Something different today. A month ago, I offered an episode on the subject of LDS Christianity. Of course we are Christians. Of that there is no doubt. I'm reminded of the words of Nephi, who said, And notwithstanding…
A True Family Saga
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm glad you're here, and I hope I can make it worth your time today. To say that the Book of Mormon is a unique book has to be one of the classic understatements of…
Time, Space, and the Kingdom of God
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. You have in the past heard me speak on the relationship between science and theology. I've spoken on scientific theory versus the creation story in Genesis, and also on…
Why Am I Here? the Purpose of Life
Back in the mid-60s, there was a very popular movie called Alfie. It starred Michael Cain. He played a charming but self-centered womanizer in London, and the movie gave the music world a song called What's It All…
The Three Witnesses and Their Testimony of the Book of Mormon
The story of the three witnesses and their testimony, as it appears in the front of the Book of Mormon, is something that I don't think gets enough attention. These were three remarkable men, not perfect, nor perfected…
A Different Jesus
You have, in previous episodes, heard me express my feelings about the doctrine of the Trinity. I think it is the single doctrine that most effectively separates us from our Father in heaven. I know we've spoken of it…
The Race of Gods
I just love how the gospel gives us layer upon layer of knowledge and hope and guidance as we grow and try to become more like the Savior. It's no easy task, you know. Nature has imbued us with instincts that are more…
From the Four Corners of the Earth
Let me share a few statistics. There are over 300 Christian traditions and, according to the Center for Study of Global Christianity, from the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, there are now over forty-five thousand…
The Day After Judgment Day
Judgment Day Just the mere mention of those words has struck terror in the hearts of many people throughout the ages. No details need be presented when speaking these words. They stand alone and convey some unspoken…
Do Not Fear Change in the Church
There have been a few changes in the church over the years, some minor and some rather big. This has caused some concern among some of the members, and so perhaps we should talk about that today. The church has seen a…
Abraham Sitting on Pharaoh's Throne
LDS scriptures make a lot of claims that the world considers unfounded. Among these are most of the content of the Proligrate Price. As long as I've been a member of the church, I've had to endure skeptics and…
Great Are the Words of Isaiah
My very first episode of the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper asked the question why six hundred BC? And explored the circumstances around the beginning of the Nephite saga. We delved into the political circumstances of…
The Nature of Christianity
You're going to have to forgive me today, but I want to come back to a familiar subject. Christians and Latter-day Saints. And more specifically, are Latter-day Saints Christians? Now I know we've discussed this subject
Flawed Men, Called to Serve
Prophets are men of God, good men, righteous men, pure men without blemish, right? Wrong. Good men, yes. Righteous men? Eventually, yes. But pure men without blemish? Not hardly. As we go through the Bible and look at…
Human Potential & the Greatness of Your Soul
Welcome, and congratulations. I'm delighted that you could make it. Getting here wasn't easy, I know. In fact, I suspect it was tougher than you realize. Not only have you been lucky enough to be attached since time…
Critical Thinking & the Book of Mormon
The term critical thinking is a popular term these days. A good definition of it is the disciplined process of analyzing information with clarity and logic, questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence, recognizing…
Dispensations & Apostasy
One of the most remarkable elements of the coming forth of the LDS Church is that in many ways the church came first before there was any real doctrine to set it apart from any other church. One would think that some…
How Did Joseph Smith Know? Anachronisms in the Book of Mormon.
Anachronisms. Things that shouldn't be there. Things out of place. Like pioneers taking hot showers or gladiators wearing wristwatches. Anachronisms are the things that expose the fraud, that reveal the lie. They tell…
No Contentions and Disputations Among Them
In fourth Nephi one verse two we read the following And it came to pass that in the thirty and sixth year the people were all converted unto the Lord upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there
Timing is Everything
They say that timing is everything, and that seems to be true for so many things. Certainly in the stock market, that's absolutely true. You know, there's really no such thing as a good stock or a bad stock, only a good
Why Good People Do Bad Things
I find it interesting that in every culture on earth, every enduring philosophy, every great thinker has pondered the nature of our existence, and beyond that, our destiny. What awaits us? Is there life after death? If…
The Book of Helaman, and Samuel the Lamanite
As I was studying the scriptures this week, the Book of Helaman came to mind, and particularly chapter 16, the last chapter. And while that didn't particularly seem like a podcast type of chapter, for some reason it…
Is Resurrection Real?
Today we're going to tackle a subject for which we have no real answers. Sounds strange, doesn't it? But resurrection is one of the great promises that makes everything else in the gospel important. It has been promised
Of Hell & Punishment
Hell, that great motivator of all mankind. For you see, it is the fear of hell rather than the yearning for heaven that has kept most people at least somewhat in line here on earth. It turns out we know much more about…
Lehi's Journey Into the Wilderness
The world hates the Book of Mormon. Well, maybe hate's too strong a word. Let's just say the world is annoyed by the Book of Mormon. That's true. For many, religion is a rather passive component to life. Ask the man on…
Commandments and Agency
Welcome once again to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint, and I'm so glad to have you here today. Last week, as I was preparing the episode on the Word of Wisdom, I realized something quite…
The Word of Wisdom
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. So glad to have you here with us today. It's a simple request, really. Abstain from coffee, tea, alcohol, and tobacco. And it comes with a wonderful…
Be Still and Know That I Am God
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper, and I'm your host, Mark Swint. Welcome. As I read the scriptures and the prophecies concerning our day, I'm struck by the notion that we are told, correctly and sadly, that…
Are Mormons the Only Ones Going to Heaven?
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. You know, Mormons are the only ones going to heaven. That's not true, but how many times have you heard people say that? It's not that they believe…
The Savior in America
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. In October 1982, Elder Boyd K. Packer announced that President Kimball and the church leadership had decided to add the words another witness of…
Biblical Scriptures in the Book of Mormon
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Today we're going to talk about biblical scriptures in the Book of Mormon. Writing or inscribing on metal plates was a slow and difficult task,…
Quarks, Computers, & Heaven Next Door
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. When James Joyce wrote Finnegan's Wake in nineteen thirty nine, I'm sure he did not know that he had just provided the name for the most…
The Purpose of Life & Enduring to the End
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swimp. So glad you're here. Last week I spoke about the fullness of the gospel and the five elements that make it up. Just a brief recap faith in the…
Does the Book of Mormon Contain the Fullness of the Gospel?
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Glad you're here today. Does the Book of Mormon contain the fullness of the Gospel? We're taught that in Sunday school and in seminary, and we…
A Sealed Book and the Stick of Joseph
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Before we get started, I have to make a correction. Last week in my episode, Why Mormons Are Christians, I inadvertently said that many people…
Why Mormons Are Christians
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. One of the most puzzling issues or arguments of modern Christianity is the question of whether Mormons can be considered Christians. To me, this…
The Refiner's Fire
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored version of the church established by the Savior 2,000 years ago. That restoration…
Angels and Demons...and the Multiverse
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Throughout the scriptures, as well as in secular history, the subject of angels and demons, and for that matter, all kinds of otherworldly beings…
Vienna Jaques, With My Guest, Shannon Taylor
Hi, welcome to Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. Today we have a special show for you. We have a guest in the studio. She's a wonderful lady. Her name is Shannon Taylor. She lives here in the Las Vegas area. She's the…
Oddities in the Book of Mormon
As I've studied the Book of Mormon over the last few years, I've noticed several unique features that seem to defy conventional literary constructs. Critics could argue that this is evidence of Joseph Smith's lack of…
80% Nephite, 20% Lamanite
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. As the Book of Mormon begins, we are introduced to Lehi by his son Nephi, and shortly thereafter to his brother Sam and also to their older…
Can You See the Miracle?
Recently, one of my friends was looking through my podcast episodes online and they saw one listed as have miracles ceased? That's number fifty, if you're interested. He turned to me and he asked, Are there still…
Apocalyptic Visions, D&c 77, and the Book of Revelation
Welcome to episode number 142, Apocalyptic Visions, the 77th section of the Doctrine of Covenants, and the Book of Revelations. Kind of a long title, I know. But this involves the Book of Mormon as well. And today I'd…
Joseph Smith, a True Prophet
Isn't it interesting that Joseph Smith seems to be everywhere on the internet today? Maybe it's just me or the algorithms that provide me with feeds, but everywhere I look there is a story about our fallen prophet, and…
A Time of Transition, Growth, and Consecration
Welcome to the Book of Mormon, Digging Deeper. Today we're going to look at Doctrine and Covenants, sections 51 through 56. The move to Ohio at the beginning of 1831 and the matter of the Shaker influence on the new…
Section 46: Pentecostals & Gifts of the Spirit
Welcome to the Book of Mormon, Digging Deeper. The late winter of 1830, 1831 was a most active time for the early saints and for Joseph Smith in particular. Having been commanded to leave New York and head for Ohio, he…
Chinese Earthquakes & Matthew 24
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. This week, we're going to look at Doctrine of Covenants, section 45. I hope you enjoy it. Would you ever think that an enormous earthquake in China could affect the…
The Law of the Church and the Prophetess Mrs. Hubble
Welcome to the Book of Mormon, Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. This week we're going to be discussing Doctrine and Covenants, sections 41 through 43. The early success of the first missionaries in converting…
Cfm Section 38: the Nature of Christ and the Nature of Men
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Section 38 of the Doctrine of Covenants starts off boldly, powerfully, and perhaps to some a bit confusingly. I say confusingly because since the…
The Wonder and Promise of Easter
Spring is here, and with it I see new life all around. The barren branches on the trees and the bushes in my yard have suddenly exploded with new leaves and buds. Flowers are beginning to adorn the beds, which only a…
D&c 29
Welcome to the Book of Mormon, Digging Deeper. I'm Mark Swant. Glad to have you with us today. The 29th section of the Doctrine and Covenants was received in September of 1830, according to John Whitmer, who recorded…
Extra: Florence, So. Carolina Fireside 3/23/2025
Welcome to the first episode of the Book of Worm and Dickie Pepper. The following was comments made to the members of the Church of Florence of South Carolina on March 23rd, 2025. Of course, I was 14. But that's what…
Do Angels Eat...and Other Important Issues.
Do angels eat? A silly question, I know, but one I hear all the time. It falls in that category of questions that really have nothing to do with how we live the gospel or what we need to know to return to Heavenly…
Come Follow Me: D&c Section 20
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper, Come Follow Me program. Today we're going to take a close look at section 20. Now, just one quick announcement before we get started. I'll be speaking to the folks in…
Come Follow Me: Choosing the Twelve Apostles
Welcome to the Book of Mormon, Digging Deeper. Before we get started today, I need to make a correction. In episode 116 about the translation of the Book of Mormon, I incorrectly indicated that Joseph and Emma probably…
Come Follow Me: the Three Witnesses
Welcome to the Book of Mormon, Digging Deeper. Come Follow Me edition. Today we're going to explore sections 12 through 17 of the Doctrine and Covenants, as well as the last portion of the Joseph Smith history from the…
Cfm: the Translation Begins
Welcome to week four of Come Follow Me, Doctrine and Covenants. The story of the events surrounding the beginning of the translation of the Golden Plates is one filled with intrigue, stratagem, malice, conspiracy, and…
Cfm: the First Vision
Welcome to this 114th episode of the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper Podcast. We're going to step away from the Doctrine of Covenants for the next two weeks and explore the Joseph Smith history as found in the Pearl of…
The Doctrine & Covenants: Section 1
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper Podcast. We begin the new year with a new book. It's not the Book of Mormon, but it is a very close companion, and an important continuation of the work started with the…
Week 1 Doctrine & Covenants: Introduction
Welcome to 2025 and our opportunity to explore the Doctrine of Covenants during this new study year. We're going to follow the Come Follow Me Scripture schedule for the year, but we may dig a little deeper into the…
The Dead Sea Scrolls & Lds Doctrines
Welcome to Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm Mark Swint. Since we're through with the Come Follow Me program for this year, I'm going to take this opportunity to do one of my regular episodes, and this is one I've been
Week 52: Reflections on the Past Year
Merry Christmas and welcome to week 52 of Come Follow Me. Well, we made it through the entire Book of Mormon. Any way you look at it, that's quite an accomplishment. Congratulations. Now that we're done, I'd like to…
Week 51: Moroni's Promised
Welcome to week fifty one of Come Follow Me. We've come to the last chapter of the Book of Mormon, Moroni ten. It's been a year long journey but one which I feel has been well worth the effort. It's been a great…
Come Follow Me Week 50: Peace in an Unpeaceful World
Welcome to week fifty of Come Follow Me. This week we're going to dig into Moroni seven, eight, and nine, and we're going to hear the last words of Mormon written to his son Moroni sometime around the year AD four…
Come Follow Me Week 49: the Book of Moroni
Welcome to week 49 of Come Follow Me. Well, we finished the Book of Ether, and what a fascinating book that was. That means we've come to the end of the Book of Mormon. All we have left is a few words from Moroni…
Come Follow Me Week 48: Ether & Coriantumr
Welcome to week 48 of Come Follow Me. We're studying the Book of Ether, and today we're going to cover the last chapters of it. I've had such a satisfying time these last three weeks as we've worked our way through this
Come Follow Me Week 47: the Voyage
Welcome back. We're down to our last six weeks of the Book of Mormon Come Follow Me program. For me, it's been a wonderful experience, and I hope for you too. Last week we learned of the extraordinary experience the…
Come Follow Me Week 46: the Glowing Stones
Welcome to week 46 of Come Follow Me, Ether chapter 3 through 5. Well, we're back on schedule now. Only seven more weeks to go. Can you believe it? We've covered a lot of scripture this year, and I congratulate you for…
Come Follow Me Week 45: Ether Pt. 1
Welcome back. So glad to have you here today. Last week we went a little past the specified chapters from the Come Follow Me Syllabus, and we ended up covering all of the Book of Mormon instead of just the first six…
Come Follow Me Week 44: Mormon's Book
Welcome to week 44 of Come Follow Me. Last week I incorrectly said that when Amaron hit up the records in the year 320 AD, that there was no more record kept of the Nephites for a hundred years until Mormon. That was…
Come Follow Me Week 43: Jesus and the Three Nephites
You know, I did a dumb thing last week. Somehow I misread the assignment from the Come Follow Me program and excluded the next five chapters of Third Nephi from the discussion we were having. So today we're gonna have…
Come Follow Me Week 42: Jesus Speaks of the Millennium
Welcome to week 42 of Come Follow Me. Only ten more weeks and we're through the Book of Mormon. The visit of the Savior to the Americas was an extraordinary event, and it absolutely established his divine status as a…
Come Follow Me Week 41: Jesus Continues; Meditate, Ponder and Pray
Welcome to week forty one of Come Follow Me. Glad you're here. Last week we studied the sermon that Jesus delivered to the Nephites. We explored the differences between that talk and the sermon on the Mount that we find
Come Follow Me Week 40: the Sermon on the Mount
Welcome to week 40 of Come Follow Me. This week we're going to talk about 3 Nephi chapters 12 through 16, which include a discourse to the Lamanites and Nephites very similar to the Sermon on the Mount. When the Savior…
Come Follow Me Week 39: the Savior Appears
Welcome to week 39 of Come Follow Me. We've come to the time of the crucifixion of Christ. This is found in 3 Nephi chapter 8, and we're going to explore that chapter thoroughly, and also chapters 9 through 11. They…
Come Follow Me Week 38: the Sign of His Birth
We've made it to week thirty-eight. Congratulations on sticking with your Come Follow Me study program. I hope you're growing in your love of the gospel and in your knowledge of the Book of Mormon. We're now beginning…
Come Follow Me Week 37: Samuel the Lamanite
Welcome back to week 37 of Come Follow Me. I'm so glad you tuned in. This week we're going to talk about a most interesting and unique man among all the characters of the Book of Mormon. He's a Lamanite, a man named…
Come Follow Me Week 36: Righteous Lamanites
Welcome back. We have a great story this week, but before we get to that, I think I'd better give you a recap of the end of last week's scriptures. We didn't really get to the end of chapter 5 or cover any of chapter 6,
Come Follow Me Week 35: Murder, Mayhem and the Gadianton Robbers
Welcome back. This week we get to study Mahem, intrigue, and murder as we begin our study of the Book of Helaman. We start four years after the great migration of many thousands of Nephites to the North Countries, as…
Come Follow Me Week 34: Helaman's 2,000 Stripling Warriors
Welcome to week thirty four of the Come Follow Me Book of Mormon study program. We've come to the most popular part of the Book of Alma. I say the most popular part because every Mother's Day in very many of the wards…
Come Follow Me Week 33: a Game of Thrones
Welcome back to the week thirty three of the Book of Mormon Come Follow Me Program. Boy do I have a story for you this week. If you like action, drama, intrigue, and betrayal, this is the week you've been waiting for.…
Come Follow Me Week 32: Alma & Corianton
Hi, glad to have you back this week. The youngest of Alma's sons was named Corianton, and he, like Shiblon, had been called by his father to go with them and serve a mission to the people of the land of Zorum. However,…
Come Follow Me Week 31: Alma & Helaman
This week we're going to take a break from the history of the Nephites and the Lamanites and the Zoramites and the people of Ammon. Instead, we're going to listen as Alma speaks as a father to each of his three sons,…
Come Follow Me Week 30: a Seed of Faith
We just read last week about Alma and Korohor's debate, and how Korihor demanded a sign from God so that he would believe. We saw that Korahor was struck dumb so that he could not utter a word. After that he left and…
Come Follow Me Week 27: the Sons of Mosiah
At the end of Mosiah we saw how the monarchy was dissolved and the reign of the judges began. This was due in part to the fact that the sons of Mosiah chose to go on missions rather than stay home and rule the land. We…
Come Follow Me Week 25: Alma and Amulek
Welcome to week 25 of the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. Come follow me. This week we're studying Alma 8 through 12, and we see that Alma's been a busy boy so far. He started out by being the chief judge of the whole…
Come Follow Me Week 24: Priestcrafts and the Order of Nehor
Welcome to week twenty-four of Come Follow Me. It should be interesting for you this week. We begin the reign of judges with Alma the Younger as the first chief judge chosen by the voice of the people. We see, and we're
Come Follow Me Week 23: Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah
Welcome back to week 23 of the Come Follow Me Scriptures Study Program. I know I left you hanging last week with the fate of Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah in the balance, but I wanted to tell you that story…
Come Follow Me Week 22: the Rise of Zarahemla
Welcome back to Come Follow Me, week 22. I'm so glad you're here. This week we're going to study Mosiah 25, 26, and 27. We're going to leave chapter 28 for next week because I think that makes a better story there. But…
Come Follow Me Week 21: King Noah and the Waters of Mormon
Welcome to week 21 of Come Follow Me. I hope you're enjoying it so far. Last week we read about the death of Abedai and heard the prophetic utterances he made concerning the fate of Noah and his wicked priests. It's…
Come Follow Me Week 20: Abinadi and King Noah
Welcome to week twenty of Come Follow Me. This week our subject is Mosiah eleven through seventeen, the story of Abinedai before King Noah. Last week we heard the first person account of King Xenoph, which filled in the
Come Follow Me Week18: the Atoning Blood of Christ
Hi, and welcome back for CFM Week 18. I applaud your steadfastness and commitment to learning more about the Book of Mormon. I'll do my best to make the effort rewarding for you. Last week we started King Benjamin's…
Polygamy and the Lds Church
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. I have for some time wanted to address the subject of polygamy, but fearing that it was a minefield of controversy, I have shied away from it until…
Come Follow Me Week17: King Benjamin's Address
Welcome to week 17 of Come Follow Me. We've just finished with the small plates of Nephi, and now we're going to begin to study the abridgment of Mormon, starting with the book of Mosiah. I hope you'll join me. We also…
Come Follow Me Week 16: My Wrestle Before the Lord
Hi, welcome to week sixteen of Come Follow Me. This week, we start with the book of Enos, the son of Jacob. We'll go through several generations here: Enos, Jerem, Omni, Amaron, his brother Kemish, and then Abedom, and…
Come Follow Me, Week #15 the Olive Tree
Welcome to week 15 of Come Follow Me. I'm glad you're sticking with it. If you continue to do so, I promise you will have gone through the Book of Mormon in more depth than you ever have before. I hope you enjoy it and…
Come Follow Me Week 14: Reconciliation by the Atonement
Welcome to week 14 of Come Follow Me. We begin exploring Jacob this week, and sadly, we see the passing of Nephi, which for me is not unlike the feeling I get when I consider the passing of Joseph Smith. Both of these…
Come Follow Me Week 13: Easter and the Resurrection
Welcome to week 13 of Come Follow Me. This week we're going to pause from our journey through the Book of Mormon and focus on Easter and the Savior's glorious resurrection. This was, to be sure, one of the pivotal…
Come Follow Me Week 12; This is the Way
Welcome to week twelve of Come Follow Me. Sadly, we've come to an end of our time with Nephi. I say sadly because he was such an extraordinary force and an extraordinary person. Just his character alone, without all the
Cfm Week 11, a Marvelous Work and a Wonder
I was reading some of Hugh Nibbly's works the other day and I found this. He was speaking of life in our times and of the riches and plenty that many of us enjoy. And he says notice the state of mind you are in. You…
Cfm Week 10 More of Isaiah, and Nephi's Prophecy
Hey, great, you're still here. Thank you for sticking it out. I know Isaiah can be intimidating, but you've done well so far, and we're just about through. There will be one more chapter next week, but it is a very…
The Ten Lost Tribes
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. The story of Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem, on the face of it, seems like just another story of people striking out for a new place and a new
Cfm Week 9 Wizards That Peep and Mutter
Hi, welcome back. Glad you're still here. I know Isaiah can be intimidating, and it seems a lot of people drop by the wayside once they get into Second Nephi. You may remember that old joke I mentioned way back about…
Come Follow Me: Week 7: O Wretched Man That I Am
Can you believe we are in week seven already? My how time flies. This week we get to read about a wonderful blessing that Lehi gave to his last son, Joseph, but we also get to hear a prophecy uttered by Joseph of Egypt…
Come Follow Me Week 6: Opposition in All Things
I'm sure you're well aware that basically nothing in life comes easy. It seems that everything of value comes at a price, and every project requires work to bring it to pass. Progress is only made if we push harder than
Come Follow Me Week 5: I Will Prepare the Way Before You
As you have probably figured out by now, these Come Follow Me podcasts I am doing do not perfectly follow the CFM checklist of items to discuss each week. I'm not being rebellious. It's just that I know you are going to
Come Follow Me, Week #3 Lehi's Dream
Welcome to this week's Come Follow Me lesson on 1 Nephi 6 through 10, and thank you for listening in. One of the challenges of reading the Book of Mormon, of searching it and studying it and really pondering it, is that
Come Follow Me Week #2 the Book of Mormon, Digging Deeper
Hi, welcome to week two of Come Follow Me. I think we're gonna have an exciting year this year. So let's get right to it. This week's Come Follow Me subject encompasses First Nephi chapters one through five. Now that is
Come Follow Me, Week #1
Welcome to this first edition of the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper Come Follow Me Edition. These episodes will run each week and follow the Come Follow Me Study Guide and will run alongside my regular Book of Mormon…
On Death and Dying Pt.2: What Happens When We Die
This is the Book of Mormon digging deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. In part one of On Death and Dying, we discussed dying, the one thing all of us must pass through, and the timing and the control of it. One way or…
The Golden Plates
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Here's a fun fact. Gold is very heavy. Did you know that one cubic foot of gold that would be twelve inches by twelve inches by twelve inches, weighs
On Death and Dying Pt. 1
This is the Book of Mormon taking it. I'm your host, Mark Sweat. Suppose an angel came down and told you that you were going to die tomorrow. How would that change what you do tomorrow? Would you do anything differently
Hold My Beer... Agency & Consequence
This is the Book of Mormon, digging deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swim. I know. Hold My Beer presents a seemingly irreverent title for this episode of the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. There is a reason I used it, and I…
The Doctrine of the Trinity
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. You have in previous episodes heard me express my feelings about the doctrine of the Trinity. I have always thought that it is the single doctrine…
I Speak Unto All Men
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. There is a common belief out there in the world that says Mormons think they are the only ones going to heaven. And indeed, even within the church,…
Have Miracles Ceased?
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. Have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven? That was a question asked by Mormon in the seventh chapter of Moroni 1400 years ago.…
Faith, Hope & Charity; the Pure Love of Christ
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Three simple words faith, hope, and charity. The foundational principles of the Church's Relief Society. Discussed in the seventh chapter of Moroni,…
Moses & the Fiery Serpents
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. Do you know the story behind the meaning of the little pin worn by many doctors and representing the medical field in general? You know, the stick…
O Wretched Man That I Am
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Early in the Book of Mormon, there is a most interesting and poignant declaration uttered by Nephi. He is telling us how much he loves the…
Could the Book of Mormon Be Fiction?
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. When the world considers the Book of Mormon, the only acceptable conclusion they can come up with is that Joseph Smith created it from a fertile…
A Peaceable Walk Among Men
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. One of the most impressive things about the Book of Mormon is the little gems of extraordinary insight found throughout its pages. Many of those…
Where Did Jehovah Go?
This is the Book of Mormons Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swim. The book of John in the New Testament begins with this statement. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The
Chosen People and Angry Gods
This is the woman taking teeth. There is a paradox in modern Christianity. I call it the God paradox. I'll explain what that is in a moment, but at the root of it lies the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, a doctrine that…
Gaining Strenght Through Humility
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swimt. There is perhaps no other quality that humans can strive to obtain that will move them closer to God than humility. For humility is the single…
Having Your Calling and Election Made Sure
Today's podcast will be dealing with what I believe are the most sacred doctrines of the gospel. As such, I would ask and encourage you to put yourself in the proper frame of mind and prepare your hearts to receive it…
The Trial of Faith
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. He'd been reading the scriptures to his children and was telling them about the time Nephi's brothers tied him to the mast of their boat. As he did…
The Gifts of the Spirit
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swim. It has always been fascinating to me how differently talented people are. There are those who can take a pencil and draw a picture of a human face so…
Napoleon, Einstein & the Book of Abraham
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swinks. I came upon a remarkable statistic the other day. I found it after reading Paul's words to the Corinthians at the beginning of First Corinthians. He
The Devil Made Me Do It
This is the fucking form. Years ago, there was a very funny and popular comedian named Flip Wilson. He was hilarious. He was very successful, but his career really took off when he adopted the tagline, The Devil Made Me
The Meridian of Time
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. As I sit to write this morning, the world stands on the cusp of a new year, 2023. Actually, that's 2023 AD. The AD stands for Anodomini, the year of…
Revelation & Prayer
Welcome to the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. Since the beginning of human existence, God has watched over and given direction to his children, as would any loving parent. He has accomplished…
The Power of Forgiveness
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. I once knew a man, a very wealthy man, who had all the money he would or could ever need. As a young man, he married a beauty queen. He had homes in…
The End of the World
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. While I am definitely over 30, I am not single, but I eagerly jumped at the chance to participate. The theme of the conference was Finding Joy, and…
How to Find Truepeace
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Peace be unto you. Shalom. Salamalakum. No matter how you say it, it means peace be unto you, and it is a standard greeting throughout the world. A…
The Science of the Creation
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint? Do you know that every Christian in the world has memorized the first part of the Bible? Well, the first three words at least. In the beginning. It…
The Three Nephites
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Sweet. On the southern coast of Argentina. It was a beautiful place with beautiful people. I enjoyed working there. It was a great way to end my mission.…
Science & Religion, Common Ground
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Sweat. I was reading about Henry D. Iring the other day. He was the father of our current apostle and member of the first presidency, Henry B. Iring. He was
Heaven & Hell and the Temple
This is the Book of Mormon digging deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. I was raised in the Methodist Church until I was 16 years old. That's when my family and I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We
The Miracle of the Atonement
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. I'm glad you can join us today. We're going to talk about the atonement. And let me say right up front, I know that the atonement is a huge subject.…
The Holy Ghost
This is the Book of Mormons, Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. I have enjoyed preparing these last three episodes on the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, and I'm excited to do this one today on…
The Nature & Value of True Repentance
This is the Book of Mormon, digging deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Welcome. Many years ago, we baptized a wonderful family in Argentina, the Groti family. They were great people, and it was a blessing for me to be a
The Purpose of Faith
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I have a confession to make. It's about these podcasts. You see, it is my desire that when I write an episode about a subject with which you are already familiar, I want to…
Fire & Brimstone
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Sweat. Years ago, when I was a missionary in Argentina, there was a national lottery called Pro Day, which was based on the weekly soccer scores. I do not…
The Gadianton Robbers
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. When I first joined the church, I was of the belief that the Book of Mormon was primarily just a fascinating historical account of an ancient people…
Nephite Money
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Have you ever wondered how the term buck came to represent a dollar? As in all you can eat for under a buck, or maybe more realistically, all you can
Law of Moses
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. Before I joined the church as a young man, I was always at a loss to explain the paradox of how the angry, vengeful God of the Old Testament and the…
The Isaiah Scriptures in the Book of Mormon
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. Though they serve vastly different religions and cultures of the world, almost all the books of Scripture used by those religions share certain areas
Covenants & Stripling Warriors
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Sway. It seems to me that there was a time when every Mother's Day I would hear the story from Alma about Helaman and his two thousand stripling warriors.…
The Extraordinary Book of Mormon Names
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. Tis but my name that is my enemy. These words, spoken by Juliet in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, are part of a larger soliloquy which also…
My Father Dwelt in a Tent
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. I'm not often at a loss for words, but it has happened. A few years ago, I was giving a fireside about my then recently published book, Compare…
What is the Stick of Joseph?
This is the Book of Mormon digging deep. If you take a look at your patriarchal blessing, you will see that right off the bat it pronounces a lineage for you. And chances are very strong that it will say that you are…
Mass Destruction at the Crucifixion of Christ
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. One of the more remarkable elements of the Book of Mormon is the fact that it does not shy away from detail in its stories. Whereas the Bible often…
The Primacy of Christ
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. When I first read the Book of Mormon as a teenage convert, one of the things that really struck me was the abundance of references to Christ made by…
The Odd Inclusion of the Book of Ether
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swin. The Book of Mormon is an amazing book. It is a chronologically organized abridgment of a thousand-year history contained on a set of golden plates…
The Difference One Word Makes
This is the fucking one. Digging deep. A word is an extraordinary thing. It's simply a collection of letters, one or more of the 26 symbols we have in the English language, which, when put in certain ways and in certain
The Extraordinary Visit by Moroni to Joseph Smith
Welcome to Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm Mark Swint, your host. I'm so happy to have you with us today. Have you ever noticed how the Old Testament ends? How Malachi decides to sign off as the last of the prophets?
Lehi in the Desert
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swint. At the time of its publication in March 1830, the Book of Mormon contained in the book of First Nephi the most complete account of Egyptian life and…
Why 600bc ?
This is the Book of Mormon Digging Deeper. I'm your host, Mark Swift. Since this is the first episode of this new podcast series, The Book of Mormon Digging Deeper, I'd like to tell you why I'm making these episodes.…
Transcripts are added as episodes are released. Check back after each new episode.