Joseph Smith Ordained King of the World - John Turner Pt. 39 | Ep. 2140
Mormon Stories Podcast
Dr. John Dehlin
4.5 ā¢ 5.7K Ratings
šļø 24 April 2026
ā±ļø 144 minutes
šļø Recording | iTunes | RSS
š§¾ļø Download transcript
Summary
Welcome to Part 39 of our Joseph Smith Podcast series with Dr. John Turner!
In Chapter 30 titled āThe Kingdom (which covers the year 1844), we explore what may be the true beginning of the end for Joseph Smith āpolitically, socially, and religiously.Ā
This episode dives into Joseph Smithās unexpected run for President of the United States, including the development of his platform, his views on slavery, and how he attempted to position himself within the broader national debate. We examine the role of figures like William Phelps in shaping the platform, as well as the tensions between abolitionism, racial attitudes, and expansionist ideas in the 1840s.
We then turn to one of the most controversial developments of this period: the Council of Fifty āa secretive body tied to the concept of the āKingdom of Godā on earth. What did it mean for Joseph Smith to be anointed as a king? How did this council blur the line between church and state?Ā
At the same time, opposition is rising. Polygamy is becoming public, creating internal fractures and external outrage. We discuss the growing resistance within Nauvoo, including Emma Smithās return to the Relief Society and her public pushback against plural marriage.Ā
Finally, we examine the King Follett Discourse, one of Joseph SMithās most theologically expansive sermons āintroducing ideas about the nature of God and humanity that would shape Latter-day theology moving forward.Ā
All of this unfolds amid increasing tension, dissent, and conflict that will soon erupt in dramatic ways.Ā
If youād like to help keep this project going, please consider donating to support this series here. Your support makes long-form, in-depth historical discussion like this possible!
Purchase John Turnerās book here.
Let us know your thoughts on a Brigham Young series (comprising ten episodes) covering John Turnerās book Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello, everyone, and welcome to another edition of Mormon Stories podcast, the Joseph Smith |
| 0:04.8 | podcast edition. |
| 0:05.9 | I'm your host for today, John DeLinn. |
| 0:07.9 | Today we are covering chapter 30 of John Turner's amazing book, Joseph Smith, |
| 0:16.2 | The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. |
| 0:18.5 | This chapter is entitled The Kingdom 1844. There's so much into today. |
| 0:23.8 | We're going to be talking about Joseph Smith running for president, Joseph Smith's position on slavery. |
| 0:29.6 | We're going to be talking about the Council of 50. We are going to be talking about sort of the |
| 0:36.9 | real beginning of the end in terms of opposition |
| 0:39.6 | that rises up, both making polygamy a real public scandal within Navu prior to the release of |
| 0:49.1 | the Navu expositor. And we're going to talk about the dissidents that rise up to oppose Nabu polygamy, including |
| 0:56.3 | Emma. We'll be talking about Emma returning to the Relief Society to do her best to stomp |
| 1:03.4 | out polygamy in the Relief Society, much to Joseph Smith's chagrin. And we're going to be talking |
| 1:10.8 | about the King Fala discourse, where apparently Joseph |
| 1:15.1 | Smith wants to be his followers, God. |
| 1:18.9 | I don't know if I'm exaggerating, but that's what I took away from this chapter, |
| 1:24.1 | John Turner. |
| 1:25.1 | What do you think? |
| 1:25.8 | And we even have Joseph Smith accusing a man, falsely accusing a man of having a venereal |
| 1:31.2 | disease. |
| 1:32.2 | That's all that's in store for you today and much more on the Joseph Smith podcast |
| 1:37.6 | and Mormon Stories podcast. |
... |
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