A prolific interpreter of Mormonism, Dan Vogel is an engaging guest and a decades’ long friend. In this interview we discuss his most recent publication, an annotated edition of Eber Dudley Howe’s 1834 Mormonism Unvailed: Or, a Faithful Account of That Singular Imposition and Delusion from Its Rise to the Present Time—the first book-length assault on Mormonism. He elucidates the strengths and weaknesses of Howe’s tome. We also discuss Joseph Smith’s role as a village scryer for local money-digging troops, and the phenomenon of early Mormon glossolalia and Joseph Smith’s pursuit of Adamic language.

Dan’s multivolume Early Mormon Documents is essential reading for students of Mormonism. His forthcoming source- and text-critical analysis of the History of the Church will provide an indispensable guide for understanding Mormonism’s most popular historical narrative. For in-depth, well-documented musings on Mormon history, visit Dan’s YouTube channel.

Dan Vogel trivia: he has published eleven books and fourteen essays (thus far), dotes on two adorable dogs, and adeptly performed magic tricks as a youngster.

(Intro and outro music: “History Song” performed by The Good, the Bad, & the Queen from their eponymous album.)