This episode is part 40 and the final episode in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.

This episode covers the books of 4 Nephi, Mormon, Wisdom of Mormon, and Moroni. As prophesied, the Nephite people remained righteous until around 200 A.D. Schisms and pride caused the church to split. Lamanites restored their former identity. Gadianton robbers somehow became a thing again.

A young man named Mormon led the Nephites to some pyrrhic victories, but he couldn't get the Nephites to repent of their pride and wickedness. Both sides agreed to a final battle at Cumorah around 385 A.D. The Lamanites slaughtered all but a few Nephites from the army. The Lamanites took control of the whole land and oppressed the remaining Nephites. Mormon's son Moroni hid his father's abridged plates in a hill at Cumorah for future readers. Moroni's brief book has mostly records of church doctrines including a letter from Mormon harshly condemning infant baptism.

After examining Moroni 10:32 for "impossible salvation" then "Moroni's challenge" in Moroni 10:4 to see how Mormon missionaries use it to try to get converts through a subjective experience. Finally, I close the series by reflecting on the lack of historical evidence for the Book of Mormon and how its transmission was fundamentally different from how we have the Bible.

Further research:

Didache, EarlyChurchWritings.com, trans. Charles H. Hoole.

Tertullian, On Baptism (Chapter 18), NewAdvent.org, trans. S. Thelwall.

Clay Gorton, "Is a child considered a member of the Church before age 8 without receiving a baby blessing?" Ask Gramps, March 19, 2025.

Book of Mormon in video

Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration

The Book of Mormon online: 4 Nephi, Mormon, Wisdom of Mormon, Moroni

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In this episode of Truthspresso I chat about Jesus and socialism.

A coworker a while ago made the claim to me that Jesus was a socialist. I have certainly heard this claim before, but I figured I would address it.

In part 12 we look at the account of Mary, sister of Martha, anointing Jesus with expensive perfume for His burial. Jesus' disciples murmured about the "waste," and Judas Iscariot suggested that it should have been sold and given to the poor. Jesus, knowing Judas was a thief, answered in a way that a politician might think was calloused and insensitive.

Looking at recent arguments from politicians that sound like Judas' question, I observe what I term "Judas Iscariot socialists." The Judas question repeats itself in modern political posturing and virtue signaling.

Scriptures Referenced:

John 12:1-8

John 6:64, 70-71

Hebrews 5:14

Matthew 26:6-13

Mark 14:3-9

Sources Referenced:

Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders), "While working families at home struggle," X (formerly Twitter), July 1, 2026 11:00 a.m.

House Democrats (@HouseDemocrats), "Donald Trump is spending MILLIONS on a UFC fight," X (formerly Twitter), June 12, 2026 2:21 p.m.

"Stolen SNAP Benefits Cost Beneficiaries Millions," Government Accountability Office, December 2, 2025.

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