Resources

In-depth, citation-heavy essays that walk through LDS history, scripture, and truth claims step by step, with direct engagement with primary sources and official church materials.

A compiled list of historical, doctrinal, and textual questions originally written to a CES director, now widely used as a starting point for examining unresolved issues within LDS claims.  

A carefully structured overview of common LDS historical and doctrinal concerns, written in a measured tone and aimed at believing audiences encountering difficult information for the first time.

Utah Lighthouse Ministry provides research comparing Mormon claims with Christianity as well as documentation on historical problems in LDS History.

A collaboratively edited reference site presenting LDS beliefs, history, and biographies from a faithful perspective, often mirroring official framing and terminology.

An LDS apologetics organization producing responses to critical questions about church history, doctrine, and scripture, typically defending orthodox interpretations.

A publication platform focused on scripture scholarship and apologetic writing, often engaging academic-style arguments in defense of LDS claims. 

Essays on controversial LDS topics that prioritize primary documents and original quotations, aiming to show readers the sources before the conclusions. 

A BYU-affiliated journal publishing scholarship on LDS scripture, history, and culture, including primary-source documents and academic articles. 

An independent journal featuring scholarship and essays on Mormon history, theology, and culture, with room for both faithful and critical voices. 

An official, church-published documentary history of Joseph Smith’s papers and early LDS documents, with transcripts, images, and editorial context.

A massive archive of digitized articles, pamphlets, and hard-to-find historical material related to Mormon origins and early LDS controversies.

A long-form interview show featuring historians, scholars, active mormons, ex-mormons and everyon in-between Mormon stories provides insight into lived experiences with research and commentary on Mormonism.

A commentary-driven podcast that critiques apologetics and institutional messaging, often by closely reading talks, policies, and official statements.

A public archive of first-person stories from former members, organized by location and background to show how varied Mormon faith transitions can be.

A news and analysis podcast from the Salt Lake Tribune covering LDS leadership, culture, politics, and developments in the broader Mormon world.

An archived podcast known for frank conversations about LDS doctrine, history, and authority, mixing critique, humor, and listener-community discussion.

A narrative history podcast centered on plural marriage, with an emphasis on women’s experiences and the social realities behind official LDS history.

Video essays that dig into LDS theology, apologetic arguments, and philosophy, often engaging critics and defenders point by point.

A YouTube channel focused on transparency, policy change, and accountability within LDS leadership, often using official sources and public records. 

A creator blending personal experience with research-driven commentary on LDS culture, history, and the practical realities of leaving Mormonism.

A source-driven YouTube channel created by a former member that presents well-researched video essays on various Mormon subjects and current events

The largest peer-support community where former members share stories, ask questions, vent, and swap practical advice about family, belief, and rebuilding life.

Resources and community centered on reconstructing belief and identity after LDS participation, including stories, tools, and frameworks for moving forward.

A non-denominational support organization offering peer support, helplines, and resources for people leaving high-control religions or navigating belief change.

A free service that helps people formally resign from the LDS Church by preparing and submitting the needed paperwork through a legal process.

Lucy Mack Smith’s 1853 account of Joseph Smith’s early life, family struggles, and spiritual experiences. Unpolished and personal, it includes early versions of key events like the First Vision and Moroni’s visits, as it was originally published. 

Brodie offers a critical yet balanced look at Smith’s charisma, ambition, and the controversies surrounding him, shedding light on the origins of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Celebrated for its scholarly depth and engaging style, the book remains a landmark in American religious history.

Written by B. H. Roberts, a respected LDS general authority, this work presents internal critiques of the Book of Mormon. He raises important historical and literary problems, shared originally with other church leaders. It’s a good-faith, insider analysis that still hits hard. 

D. Michael Quinn uncovers the influence of folk magic in early 19th-century New England and its role in shaping Mormon founder Joseph Smith’s worldview. Quinn reveals a world of supernatural beliefs and practices, showing how Smith's family and early Mormons interpreted such elements as part of their spiritual experience.

This deeply researched book explores occult traditions tied to early Mormonism, including treasure digging, astrology, and the use of protective talismans, offering valuable context for the origins of the faith.

Shalev shows how early Americans used the Old Testament to shape national identity. Chapter three focuses on the Book of Mormon, placing it into a genre he calls “pseudobiblicia.” This helped me to understand the book as part of a broader cultural trend, not ancient scripture.

Grant H. Palmer offers a careful, research-based look at the beginnings of the LDS Church. Drawing from three decades of study, Palmer examines early church history, Joseph Smith’s prophetic claims, and the development of core doctrines. 

As a former LDS educator, he presents his findings in a clear, accessible way for readers (especially Latter-day Saints) who may be unfamiliar with how much early narratives have shifted over time. The book argues that many sacred events, originally understood as spiritual experiences, have since been reframed as literal history.

Earl M. Wunderli is a critical analysis of the Book of Mormon that focuses on its internal inconsistencies, patterns, and language. Rather than depending on external sources like archaeology or tradition, Wunderli examines the text itself to determine whether it holds up to its own claims. 

He approaches the book as a literary work and evaluates it through reason and close reading, offering a skeptical yet respectful critique that challenges the idea of its divine origin.

This book examines the life of David Hyrum Smith, the youngest son of Joseph and Emma Smith. David grew up in the shadow of his father’s legacy, joining the Reorganized Church and serving as a missionary, writer, and artist. 

Using David’s letters, poems, and other records, Avery traces David's gradual mental decline and the decades he spent institutionalized. The book offers a clear look at the tension between faith, family loyalty, and the personal struggles of a man born into a prophetic family

Dawkins argues that religious belief is not only unsupported by evidence, but often harmful. He breaks down common arguments for God and defends science and reason as better tools for understanding the universe. 

While not directly related to Mormonism, this book is incredibly popular amongst Atheists and promotes being confident in a godless belief system.

Greg Epstein offers a thoughtful and positive response to New Atheist critiques of religion. As the Humanist chaplain at Harvard, Epstein presents a worldview for nonbelievers rooted in tolerance, community, and morality, without relying on a higher power. Challenging books like God Is Not Great and The God Delusion, Epstein advocates for Humanism as a meaningful, ethical alternative to religion, highlighting what nonbelievers do believe rather than what they reject.