After removing his records from the church, historian Don Bradley shares his story of returning.

#mormon #latterdaysaints #comeback

"I was seeing all these things where I was like 'Wow - what is the Nauvoo endowment doing in the Book of Mormon?' I had been convinced that Joseph Smith didn't know anything about the endowment until he became a freemason in 1842, instead I was seeing it all over the Book of Mormon. I was seeing it in accounts of Joseph Smith's first vision and acquiring his seer stone. I was seeing it in the accounts of the lost 116 pages of the Book of Mormon. My mind was kind of blown."

CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
6:36 - Going to church archives at age 17
16:36 - "Biocosm" the laws of physics
31:29 - Continuing research on Joseph Smith
43:46 - Joseph Smith is not a con man
48:29 - Wrap Up

Come Back Team:
Director, Founder & Host: Ashly Stone
Producer and Senior Editor: Lauren Rose
Outreach Manager: Jenna Carlson
Editor: Michelle Berger
Art Director: Jeremy Garcia

[istj]

Thank you so much, Ashly, for bringing Don’s story to us! I had never made the connection between the endowment and the brother of Jared’s experience seeing the Savior. Thank you, Don, for your humility and authenticity. I look forward to part 2!

[actionjtp]

I have come to conclude the following - I don't have a testimony of Church history - I have a testimony of MY history. I wasn't in KIrtland, Missouri or Nauvoo - but I have experienced the Divine on my knees, in the mountains, or with a convert that had just received a witness of the Restoration. In the end, the most important, life changing history is personal.

[jerry_phillips]

I love your channel. It’s so disheartening when one of us leaves our church family but so glorious when they return.

[kip]

I love these. They give me hope for our two oldest girls who left the church and won't have anything to do with us either. They show me to never give up on them

[Jace]

Thank you for your comments regarding Brother Joseph. I love him and have never doubted that he was visited by Moroni or The First Vision. Joseph is one person I look forward to meeting when I return Home.

[kimhaughton]

I had also seen what you said about the Freemasons and I had questions about it! I discussed it with my husband who didn't have answers. It didn't seem to bother him but it bothered me. I decided wait for further knowledge because I knew without a doubt that the Book of Mormon was true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I had received a witness that I could not deny. And now this sweet brother on your amazing podcast has given me that answer! Im going to study it out for myself of course but now i have a hint of what and where to look for it and a way to see it with new eyes. Thank you soooo much! This has definitely strengthened my testimony! God bless you for this podcast!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[bobd.]

Makes me want to learn more precious nuggets from Don! He has a wealth of knowledge!

[Jace]

We all have questions… keep asking… one day they will be answered by our loving Father and His Son.

[jennifermarsh]

I love Don's story and testimony. Excellent listen!

[wendyfoster]

Looking forward to the sequel. I loved the analogy of the Brother of Jared and the temple text showing Joseph translated long before he was ever a Mason.

[alatterdaysaintonfire]

What a great story analysis from Don. He is spot on about assessing motives. I am getting ready to have a back and forth conversation about the temple, and Don has helped my position, and I will use it.

[BettyHorn]

I have a good friend who left the church. Your story gives me hope for her. She's an intellectual. Perhaps she'll run across your work sometime. I can't introduce it because she won't listen...for now. I believe in the power of prayer.

[BeeAMan]

Every time I hear Don tell his story it makes me cry, also loved and learned from his book Lost 116 pages.

[PeoplesCareClub]

Ashly know this as a pilipino member I really appreciate your channel I love it keep doing it sister

[winonadavies]

Thank you for this interview! I haven't been a church historian but I love history as a discipline (my BA was a dual history/ philosophy major) and love that Don points out the reality that A. We find what we're looking for in terms of the questions we ask, and B. History we read is typically the conclusions of the person that wrote it based on their own questions and personal perspectives.

[dianahumphries]

I've listened to, maybe, a dozen of the stories on this podcast (this is the third today!) but this is the first time I've commented. All of the stories are so honest, often raw and unflinching; there's humour and black humour, self-deprecation, but above all, sincerity. This particular story stands out to me because Don talks more about his experiences from an intellectual/mind perspective and that's where a lot of my own testimony is rooted. The gospel makes SENSE to me. I am not in a faith crisis situation, but many of my family are. Also fascinatinating to hear Don talk about the "fine tuning" of the universe! I've been listening to John Lennox, Michael Behe, and Steven Meyer (not sure if I've speeled all their names correctly) and they talk about fine-tuning, irreducible complexity, and other science-based evidences of God; not that I need that, but it is really fun to listen through. I love history and church history too. Thanks for what you're doing, it's excellent 😊

[MsEva]

One more testimony to me that the church es true thank you very much for sharing welcome back Don👏👏👏👏👏😊

[GrandpappyJim]

Wow, this man is brilliant. What an adventure listening to him go through his life's experiences.

[lindaayre]

I am a big Don Bradley fan and was so excited to hear that he was going to be on this podcast. I’ve been waiting and watching for this and was riveted by his story, even though I’ve heard it before. But you’re right Ashley, this was more detailed. I will share this and be watching for part 2. Thank you both!

[echandlerchilds]

Thanks Ashley and Don! You said it well that when you said that our questions frame or shape our discovery. The key is ask the right questions and look for reasons and evidence to believe. Joseph Smith was religiously sincere. You are also religiously sincere. Thank you for your faith, testimony, and willingness to speak up and speak out! I am glad you both are back in the church.