E75: Keep Sweet: Introduction to Mormon Fundamentalism

**Bryan Buchanan** (0:22)
First, a word from our sponsors at Signature Books. The Tanners, a phrase sure to strike righteous fear in every good Mormon. But who were Gerald and Sandra Tanner? Well, some may view Gerald and Sandra Tanner only as despised critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is impossible to trace the course of Mormon history over the past 60 years without acknowledging their contribution.
Many, both inside and outside of Mormonism, respect them for their unflinching quest for truth no matter the cost, as when Gerald declared Mark Hoffman's notorious Salamander Letter a forgery months before some experts declared it authentic. Their Utah Lighthouse ministry has operated for decades only blocks from church headquarters where their many works on Mormonism are still printed and sold. Gerald died in 2006, but Sandra continues to oversee the ministry.
The Tanners consistently challenged the church's position on many historical issues. Utah Lighthouse was long the only source for Mormon scholars to obtain certain crucial historical reprints, which they still happily or begrudgingly purchase. For others, the Tanner's writings have been the source of disillusionment with the church. Despised or beloved, the influence of Gerald and Sandra Tanner cannot be underestimated or ignored.
Lighthouse, Gerald and Sandra Tanner, Despised and Beloved Critics of Mormonism by Ronald V. Huggins, new from Signature Books. Available at Benchmark Books or wherever you get your books.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (1:53)
Hi, this is Lindsay Hansen Park.

**Bryan Buchanan** (1:55)
And this is Bryan Buchanan.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (1:56)
Bringing you the story of Mormonism from the shadow of the Everlasting Hills, straight out of Zion, this isn't your grandpa's Mormon history.

**Bryan Buchanan** (2:24)
This is the tale of Mormon saints and sinners from our roots until present day.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (2:29)
Gird your loins, lock your hearts, and pay your tithing, because we're bringing you the story of Mormonism in all its paradisiacal glory.

**Bryan Buchanan** (2:37)
It's the Sunstone History Podcast.

**Cristina Rosetti** (3:00)
Judson Tolman, Bountiful Utah. My dear brother, these presents will summon you to appear before the Council of the Twelve Apostles in our room in the Salt Lake City Temple at 11 o'clock a.m. Monday the 3rd instant, to show cause, if any you have, why you should not be excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for marrying a wife illegally and in defiance of church discipline and for performing such marriages for other parties. Feel not to come as we shall be there in hear your defense and to take such actions as the evidence shall warrant. I am your brother, Francis M.
Lyman, in behalf of the Council.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (4:03)
Welcome back, friends, to what used to be the Sunstone History Podcast, but now has become the Mormon TV Review. Okay, listen, we'll make a deal. If these people will quit making Mormon series, then we can go back to the succession crisis. We left Sidney Rigdon there just hanging in the dark.
But let's be honest, Bryan Buchanan has been itching since we started the podcast to talk about Mormon fundamentalism. In fact, he's found a way to weave it into almost every episode.

**Bryan Buchanan** (4:32)
I cheat. I'm not gonna lie.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (4:34)
So it's summertime. It's hot Mormon summer. And we're letting Bryan give us a little bit of his show on a little ankle, if you will, talking about all the fundamentalism. So yes, we're gonna talk about Mormon fundamentalism TV series now. We just did Under the Banner of Heaven. And now we're back to Mormon fundamentalism. And we are here with our good friend Dr. Cristina Rosetti.
Cristina, will you remind the nice people who you are?

**Cristina Rosetti** (5:03)
I'm Cristina, back to talk about fundamentalism.
I am an assistant professor at Utah Tech University. I write a lot about Mormon fundamentalist history and doctrine and writing, well, my book on Joseph Messer is, it's coming, it's coming. And sometimes I hang out with Bryan and Lindsay in the desert.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (5:23)
All it is, is you and I talking about when our book is going to be out someday.

**Bryan Buchanan** (5:29)
Fresh off our banner high, we are shifting out to talk about the hottest new thing on the streams. Keep sweet, pray and obey from the good folks at Netflix.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (5:37)
So I have to tell you, if our audio sounds different today, we're coming at you live from Southern Utah. We're sitting in a room. It has been a long day, folks. So we are very silly and no, it's not the cinnamon toast milkshakes that Bryan has made. It is the fact that Cristina probably has heat stroke. I've got sunburns and Bryan, you guys, is in a tank top.