Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Welcome to Episode 72 in our LDS Discussions series! This episode is a treat because for the first time in the history of LDS Discussions, every panelist is actually IN studio!
Today we are doing a deep dive into one of the most foundational (and controversial) questions surrounding the Book of Mormon: What does the text actually claim about itself –and do those claims hold up?
We explore the Book of Mormon’s own statements about its origins, including the assertion that it was written in “Reformed Egyptian,” the idea that Egyptian is more information-dense than Hebrew, and the claim that “none other people knoweth our language.” From there, the discussion expands into linguistics, ancient writing systems, and the internal logic of the text itself.
Along the way, we examine: What Egyptian and Hebrew writing actually look like from a linguistic standpoint, the practicality of engraving dense records onto metal plates, the role of editors like Mormon and Moroni (who abridged the records) and whether their explanation makes sense, and the implications of “unfallisifiable” claims in religious texts.
We also take a close look at historical developments like the decipherment of Egyptian (think the Rosette Stone and Champollion), Joseph Smith’s own attempts at creating or translating languages (including the Kirtland Egyptian Papers), and the broader 19th-century context that may have influenced these ideas.
By comparing the Book of Mormon’s claims to what we know about ancient languages and writing systems today, this episode raises important questions about authorship, translation, and historical plausibility.
If you enjoy thoughtful, in-depth discussions on LDS history and truth claims, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below!
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: mormonstories.org/language-density-in-joseph-smiths-reformed-egyptian
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introductions
00:03:09 - Claims the Book of Mormon makes
00:08:54 - Title Page
00:13:15 - Claims about Hebrew
00:22:01 - “If there be faults”
00:26:47 - Less information dense
00:28:27 - Different Egyptian scripts
00:43:22 - Information density
00:46:56 - Rosetta Stone
00:54:44 - Comparing characters
00:57:56 - Champollion’s translations
01:04:12 - Lines in different languages
01:10:52 - Why Reformed Egyptian?
01:18:03 - Why does the Book of Mormon exist?
01:25:09 - Hebrew styles of writing
01:31:20 - Kirtland Egyptian Papers
01:44:02 - Grammar and Alphabet
01:50:52 - Examples of symbols/meanings
01:53:58 - Joseph’s incorrect views
02:03:36 - How one scholar maintained belief
02:07:49 - Incorrect Idea of the Egyptian language
02:12:19 - Closing remarks
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations: donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m
Patreon: patreon.com/mormonstories
Venmo: account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories
Paypal: paypal.me/mormonstories
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join
Our Platforms:
🌐Mormon Stories Blog: mormonstories.org/episodes
🎙️Patreon: patreon.com/mormonstories
✳️Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1
🍎Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772
🖼️Instagram: instagram.com/mormstories
📱TikTok: tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast
🎮Discord: discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Welcome to Episode 72 in our LDS Discussions series! This episode is a treat because for the first time in the history of LDS Discussions, every panelist is actually IN studio!
Today we are doing a deep dive into one of the most foundational (and controversial) questions surrounding the Book of Mormon: What does the text actually claim about itself –and do those claims hold up?
We explore the Book of Mormon’s own statements about its origins, including the assertion that it was written in “Reformed Egyptian,” the idea that Egyptian is more information-dense than Hebrew, and the claim that “none other people knoweth our language.” From there, the discussion expands into linguistics, ancient writing systems, and the internal logic of the text itself.
Along the way, we examine: What Egyptian and Hebrew writing actually look like from a linguistic standpoint, the practicality of engraving dense records onto metal plates, the role of editors like Mormon and Moroni (who abridged the records) and whether their explanation makes sense, and the implications of “unfallisifiable” claims in religious texts.
We also take a close look at historical developments like the decipherment of Egyptian (think the Rosette Stone and Champollion), Joseph Smith’s own attempts at creating or translating languages (including the Kirtland Egyptian Papers), and the broader 19th-century context that may have influenced these ideas.
By comparing the Book of Mormon’s claims to what we know about ancient languages and writing systems today, this episode raises important questions about authorship, translation, and historical plausibility.
If you enjoy thoughtful, in-depth discussions on LDS history and truth claims, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below!
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: mormonstories.org/language-density-in-joseph-smiths-reformed-egyptian
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introductions
00:03:09 - Claims the Book of Mormon makes
00:08:54 - Title Page
00:13:15 - Claims about Hebrew
00:22:01 - “If there be faults”
00:26:47 - Less information dense
00:28:27 - Different Egyptian scripts
00:43:22 - Information density
00:46:56 - Rosetta Stone
00:54:44 - Comparing characters
00:57:56 - Champollion’s translations
01:04:12 - Lines in different languages
01:10:52 - Why Reformed Egyptian?
01:18:03 - Why does the Book of Mormon exist?
01:25:09 - Hebrew styles of writing
01:31:20 - Kirtland Egyptian Papers
01:44:02 - Grammar and Alphabet
01:50:52 - Examples of symbols/meanings
01:53:58 - Joseph’s incorrect views
02:03:36 - How one scholar maintained belief
02:07:49 - Incorrect Idea of the Egyptian language
02:12:19 - Closing remarks
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations: donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m
Patreon: patreon.com/mormonstories
Venmo: account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories
Paypal: paypal.me/mormonstories
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join
Our Platforms:
🌐Mormon Stories Blog: mormonstories.org/episodes
🎙️Patreon: patreon.com/mormonstories
✳️Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1
🍎Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772
🖼️Instagram: instagram.com/mormstories
📱TikTok: tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast
🎮Discord: discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
