NASA Historian and Joseph Smith III Biographer Roger Launius
Mormon Book Reviews Podcast by Steven Pynakker
Episode notes
On the latest episode of Mormon Book Reviews Steven Pynakker welcomes on Roger Launius who wrote the very important and definitive biography "Joseph Smith III: Pragmatic Prophet". Dr Launius, member of the Community of Christ, wrote his dissertation on Joseph Smith III and it was later published by University of Illinois Press. The book won the prestigious Evans Award for biography. This was a fascinating conversation and we cover topics like the early days of the formation of the RLDS , Emma Smith's denial of polygamy practiced by Joseph Smith, David Hyrum's mental breakdown, Race and the Priesthood, and the legacy Joseph left. We then change it up a bit and discuss his time as the chief historian of NASA where he took on Roswell and Fake Moon landing conspiracy theories. The conversation then turns to baseball and the biography he wrote "Charli ...