And Testing one, two three, testing one, two one two three this is radio free Mormon on the air

Broadcasting behind enemy lines today's episode is called Hiding Church History.

In the last several years, the internet has made information about LDS Church History

widely available.

Up to this point in time, the church has done a pretty good job of hiding unsavory aspects of its church history from its members.

We talked about that

in a previous episode regarding elder Boyd K. Packers talk the mantle is far far greater than the intellect.

However, because of the internet, the church has been forced into a position of having to reveal more about its history than it ever has before including many unsavory aspects which it has kept hidden for good reason.

I want to say at the outset that the recent number of church

essays published by the church on its website is a huge step forward for the church in

being more transparent about its history.

But frequently what happens when the church comes forward about its history,

which it hasn't come forward before,

the argument is heard, well, the church really didn't know about this until now,

and as soon as they found out about it, they let the members know.

There has been no active attempt on the part of the church to hide its church history.

What we're going to be talking about today is one concrete example of how that is not the case.

One concrete example of how that is not the case. One concrete example of how a church leader did in fact take remarkable steps

to hide a challenging aspect of church history.

And what I am talking about specifically is the 1832 account of Joseph Smith's first vision.

All Mormons are familiar with Joseph Smith's First Vision.

It is talked about in church frequently. It's taught to investigators by the missionaries.

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