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In my estimation, Dr. Richard Bushman is one of the single most important figures in both

20th and 21st century Mormonism.

Born and raised a member of the LDS Church, attended Harvard for both his undergraduate

and graduate degrees, culminating in a PhD in history.

Struggled with his own faith while attending Harvard, worked through these struggles to

eventually become not only the world's foremost scholar on Joseph Smith in the early years

of the LDS Church, but also a faithful, devout, believing member, Father of Six, who has

served as Bishop, State President, and now Patriarch for the LDS Church.

There isn't an anti-Mormon alive who can claim to know more than Dr. Bushman about Joseph

Smith, warts and all.

And yet, Brother Bushman still chooses to believe that Joseph Smith was an inspired prophet

of God.

In this multi-part series, we will discuss with Richard Bushman at length his experiences

as a Mormon scholar, and we will attempt to delve deeply into each of the toughest issues

surrounding Joseph Smith and the founding of the LDS Church, including the first vision

...